RESTAURANT RELIEF GRANT

What is the Restaurant Relief Grant?

A grant from the State of Illinois to provide financial relief to restaurant-type businesses who have experienced high state unemployment taxes during the last three years due to unemployment claims in 2021, as a result of state-mandated closures during COVID. The application period is now closed. Awards will be released in March.

Who do I contact with questions?

Email: restaurantgrant@gorockford.com
Phone: GoRockford @ 815-963-8111

GoRockford reserves the right, in its sole judgement, to reject any application. It will consider applications and make awards in keeping with agreements made by and between GoRockford and the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the use of funds for their intended purposes. Information provided in this news release and via other means is intended to be informational and may not include all grant requirements or parameters under consideration.

Contact for More Information: restaurantgrant@gorockford.com

Additional Details

State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford and GoRockford announced the launch of a $1.5 million state-funded grant program. The funding will provide vital relief to restaurants in Rockford and Winnebago County that suffered skyrocketing unemployment insurance rates resulting from state-mandated closures during the first quarter of 2021. GoRockford will serve as the grant administrator, overseeing the application and distribution of funds to eligible restaurants in Winnebago County.

“Rockford and Winnebago County restaurants were hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and unfortunately the impact of the pandemic has continued to follow them because they followed the rules. With this grant program, we're taking meaningful steps to support those who diligently followed closure mandates in 2021, remain operational to this day, and have been facing increased unemployment insurance rates,” Rep. Maurice West said. “This assistance will help ensure the resilience and vitality of our restaurant industry, a cornerstone of our community's culture and economy.”

A third round of applications is open February 3 - February 28, 2025. Applicants will be contacted in late March on the status of their application.

Here’s What You Should Know

39 local restaurants already received grant funding from the program.
100% of restaurants who met the requirements got funded.
A total of $665,286.54 has been awarded so far to support local restaurants.
Applying is quick and easy—it takes just 30 minutes on average.
Bars and coffee shops can now apply, too (if the establishment serves food)!

FAQ and New Releases

FAQ
First Round Grant News Release
First Round Award News Release
Second Round Grant News Release
Second Round Award News Release
Third Round Grant News Release
Restaurant Relief Fast Facts