The state has run out of money for its Business Interruption Grant program, which aimed to help small businesses walloped by COVID-19, and some restaurant operators are not happy.
The program launched over the summer, and supplies federal funds from the CARES Act. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administered the first round of grants in August, and started distributing a second round in the fall. […]
Restaurant operators that were not chosen said they are frustrated with the state. They were encouraged to apply, and some operators said that led them to believe they were likely to receive a grant.