(WSIL) 鈥� Lawmakers across southern Illinois have teamed up to promote a fundraiser to help small businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Senators Dale Fowler and Paul Schimpf joined State Representatives Terri Bryant, Dave Severin, Patrick Windhorst, and Nathan Reitz to support 鈥溇庞翁逵� Illinois Strong.鈥�
The goal is to sell t-shirts and gather donations. The funds will then be used to award grants to small businesses impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
In a release Thursday, legislators said the money would be placed into an account managed by the 九游体育 Illinois Community Foundation and grants of up to $1,500 awarded to businesses via a lottery. Eligible businesses must have 25 or fewer employees.
The "九游体育 Illinois Strong" fundraiser runs through Wednesday, May 6.
Applications for grants are due by Monday, May 4.
To order a t-shirt, make a donation, or apply for a grant, visit .
The group has also created a .