The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will award $220 million as part of the second round of its Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program, which provides economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. Applications will be available beginning Thursday, Sept. 17 on the DCEO website.

Areas subject to regional mitigation measures due to COVID-19 resurgence (including Will County) will receive priority. Priority also will be given to the most heavily impacted industries, including event spaces, music venues, performing arts venues, indoor recreation, amusement parks, movie theaters, museums and charter/shuttle buses

Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply as soon as possible! Read this release from DCEO for more information.

The State's COVID-19 safety guidelines for patrons of Will County restaurants and bars are in place through Sept. 23. These guidelines, which include a recommendation that customers wear face coverings when approached and serviced by establishment employees, are detailed on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.

According to State officials, the Will County region has seen a substantial drop in positivity rates. If these numbers continue to decrease to an average of 6.5% over the last 14-day period, the State will lift the recent restrictions in the Will County region.

For now, the mitigation guidelines remain, and restaurants and bars should keep gatherings to a maximum of 25 people.

I’m responsible for the overall planning and management of the operations of the Village of Tinley Park's Community Development Department. I oversee the day-to-day activities of the three divisions that make up the department, which include Economic Development, Planning and Building.

In addition to these responsibilities, I also provide guidance to the Mayor and Village Board concerning planning and zoning issues facing Tinley Park, and develop and implement policies, plans and ordinances regarding planning and zoning.

The Economic Development Division’s main focus is to attract and retain businesses in the community, and the Planning Division ensures that development happens in an orderly and attractive manner. The Building Division maintains and tracks permits issued for all new construction, alterations, additions, repairs and demolitions, along with inspecting all building projects to assure compliance with the Village’s building codes.

My job helps build a better Tinley by ensuring community development services meet the needs of the residents and businesses that make up the community. These services are essential to the orderly growth and development of the community, which makes Tinley Park an attractive place in which to live and do business.

Two Tinley Park businesses were honored recently for superior service.

UGN Inc., an automotive parts manufacturer located at 18410 Crossing Drive, recently was named as one of the 2020 Best Places to Work in Illinois by the Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, MRA-The Management Association, the Small Business Advocacy Council and Best Companies Group. This was the second consecutive year UGN received the honor.

Porte Brown, a tax preparation firm located at 18400 West Creek Drive, was included in INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA)'s list of the Best of the Best public accounting firms in the nation for 2020. Businesses were ranked on more than 50 metrics. According to IPA, the 2020 Best of the Best firms produce superior financial results while planning for long-term, sustainable growth.

The Village loves to share good news! Please send your business’ accolades to pcordero@tinleypark.org.

The Village will host a virtual Tinley Park Business Breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21.

The event will begin with a welcome and introduction, followed by Mayor Jacob Vandenberg's State of the Village address and an economic forecast by Rick Mattoon of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

The event will conclude with the presentation of business longevity awards. Save the date!