Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, Illinois Representative William Davis, the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, and Next Street, announced the launch of the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery: Small Business Assistance Program, a business advising, education, and grant program designed to help small businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic.  Recent estimates from the program coordinator, Next Street, project that Cook County businesses will need an estimated $510 million – $1.28 billion in the first year of COVID-19 recovery, with $267 million – $671 million of that total necessary for business owners of color. Small business grants for up to $10,000 will be available to approximately 1,200 businesses in suburban Cook County whose sales have been reduced due to COVID-19. For more information about eligibility and program requirements, if you are a Small Business located in either the City of Chicago or suburban Cook interested in receiving business advising, or you are a Suburban Cook County small businesses interested in recovery grants, go here to apply and get information: cookcountysmallbusinessassistance.com. To receive updates on COVID-19 via text message, text ALERTCOOK to 888-777.