Delayed COVID relief: More than $450K in state grants headed to Rockford area restaurants

More than $450,000 in relief is on the way to help Rockford area restaurants offset increased unemployment insurance rates brought on by forced layoffs during the pandemic four years ago.

State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, and Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO John Groh announced the grants Monday at 27 Aluna in Rockford.

More: Long-awaited COVID relief arrives for Rockford-area restaurants

27 Aluna owner Patrick Alberto will be the recipient of over $8,000.

“Being able to receive this grant is a huge deal to us, and a huge deal for a lot of mom and pop shops that are struggling with this high unemployment tax rate,” said Alberto, who plans to use the funds to help him make payroll for the rest of the month.

In total, 33 Rockford area restaurants received funding. The grant awards ranged from $298 to $80,010.

Winnebago County is the first — and so far, only county — in Illinois to offer a restaurant relief program designed to support restaurants that followed COVID protocols and are now underwater with the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

"This money will help support our local economy while helping to protect the restaurants that give Rockford its local flavor," West said.

The grant recipients and the amount awarded were determined by the RACVB and a professional review panel.

Groh also said another round of funding will be announced in July and January.

To qualify, restaurants have to show they complied with indoor dining closure mandates during the first quarter of 2021 set forth by five executive orders issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and they had to show they incurred or will incur a higher unemployment rate in 2022, 2023 and 2024 because of rate increases in Q1 2021. The restaurant also have to be in operation.

Chris Green is a Rockford Register Star general assignment reporter. He can be reached at 815-987-1241, via email at cgreen@rrstar.com and X @chrisfgreen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford area restaurants awarded $450K from state for COVID relief