Governor JB Pritzker is pumping nearly $10 million into 47 small businesses across Illinois, rolling out the awards at Soul Good Coffee in Skokie. The money comes through the Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program and is targeted at very small operations and businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups. Grantees are expected to put the cash into capital and infrastructure projects that create jobs, sharpen day-to-day operations, and strengthen local economies.
In a press release via The State of Illinois Newsroom, Pritzker called out the role of neighborhood employers, saying, "From corner stores to cafes to burgeoning manufacturers, small businesses are the job creators at the heart of the Illinois economy," and described the awards as a statewide investment in communities. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and DCEO Director Kristin Richards also spoke, framing the program as part of an ongoing push to make small-business growth more equitable across the state.
How Recipients Can Use The Grants
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity explains that the grants are strictly for capital costs, not day-to-day operating expenses. Eligible uses include planning, buying land or buildings, new construction or additions, site upgrades, rolling stock, and durable equipment. Launched in 2019, the program was built to help Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) and very small businesses make long-term investments that boost efficiency and support hiring.
Local Example: Soul Good Coffee
The announcement at Soul Good Coffee in Skokie served as a showcase for the kind of neighborhood spot the program is meant to bolster. State lawmakers at the event highlighted the cafe’s role as a community hub. "Soul Good Coffee reflects the very best of Skokie," State Senator Laura Fine said in a statement to The State of Illinois Newsroom. The setting underscored the administration’s focus on smaller, community-rooted employers rather than big-ticket corporate deals.
Grantees, Amounts, And Aims
The latest funding round supports 47 projects statewide and totals nearly $10 million, with the state publishing an itemized spreadsheet of awards. According to examples from the DCEO awards list, Soul Good Coffee in Skokie is set to receive about $100,414.50, Morrison's Soul Food in Chicago is in line for roughly $244,750.55, and Ripe Life Juice Co. in Rockford is slated for about $114,644.80. DCEO says the grants are intended to create and retain jobs, improve business efficiency, and grow local economies. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity hosts the full awards spreadsheet.
Where To See The Full List
The complete breakdown of all 47 grantees and award amounts is available in state postings and has been recapped in local coverage. As reported by Lawndale News, the state’s announcement includes a downloadable spreadsheet listing every recipient and the exact dollar figure for each grant.
