South Central Reporter

Illinois Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) has asked small business owners across the state to submit a form detailing the impact COVID-19 has had on their business. 

Small non-profit owners throughout Illinois are also being asked to complete a form on the impact of COVID-19 to their organization. The information on these forms is designed to help the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). 

The SBA evaluates the state's requests for a declaration of economic injury disaster. If this disaster is declared, it will help Illinois access loans for these small businesses and non-profits being affected by the pandemic. 

“The mandated temporary closure of restaurants, bars, public facilities and other businesses and non-profits will have a significant financial impact on small business owners and operators of non-profits,” Bourne said in a news release. “The effect these closures will have on our local economy cannot be understated, so comprehensive participation in the disaster impact process through the economic injury disaster form is incredibly important.”

Any small business or non-profit that has had a negative economic impact from the coronavirus is being encouraged by Bourne to complete the form and submit it to the Illinois' Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO). 

The information on the forms will only be used to help the SBA request the economic injury disaster declaration, a release from Bourne's website said. It will also show the SBA where the areas that are affected the most are.  

“We must do everything we can to protect our state’s economy and assist the small business owners who provide jobs, goods and services in our communities,” Bourne said. “I encourage every small business and non-profit owner to fill out the economic injury form.”

The form can be accessed here. Instructions on how to complete the form are on the top of the submission page.