March 26, 2020

Casten Hosts Webinar for Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19

Downers Grove, IL – Yesterday U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) hosted a skype webinar with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Illinois District Director, Robert Steiner, to provide resources and answer questions for small businesses across Illinois' 6th District affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The webinar featured guidance on how local businesses and non-profit organizations can apply for Economic Impact Disaster Loans offered by SBA. Casten voted for the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act earlier this month. The bill was the first package in response to COVID-19 which funded these loans.

250 people registered for the webinar and a video recording is available here.

Casten said, "Small businesses employ almost half of the U.S.'s total workforce, making them integral to both our economy and community. Advocating for resources to support businesses during this pandemic is of the utmost priority and I will continue to provide resources for our local businesses during this uncertain time."

Earlier last week, Casten and members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza supporting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for a SBA Economic Injury Declaration for Illinois amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of March 19, 2020, Illinois small businesses may be eligible to receive emergency low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million dollars.

Additional resources:

Disaster Loan Webinar Slides

Disaster Business Loan Application

Electronic Loan Application