What types of organizations are NOT eligible for the Illinois Creative Recovery (B2B Arts) Grant?

Per the Illinois Creative Arts Recovery Eligibility Guidelines the following businesses and organizations are ineligible to apply:

a. independent contractors or freelance workers that did not file their 2019, 2020 or 2021 taxes or who are unable to submit a 1040-Schedule C for those years (but if you file your taxes and can submit them with an application before the portal closes on May 10, you may qualify for a grant award!)

b. businesses that primarily provide child care that have received and/or are registered for Child Care Restoration Grants; 

c. a private club or business that limits membership for reasons other than capacity; 

d. a business that derives at least 33% of its gross annual revenue from legal gambling activities; 

e. a business engaged in pyramid sales, where a participant's primary incentive is based on the sales made by an ever-increasing number of participants; 

f. a business engaged in activities that are prohibited by federal law or applicable law in the jurisdiction where the business is located or conducted. (Included in these activities is the production, servicing, or distribution of otherwise legal products that are to be used in connection with an illegal activity, such as selling drug paraphernalia or operating a motel that knowingly permits illegal prostitution); 

g. a business principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling, or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs, whether in a religious or secular setting; 

h. a government-owned business entity (except for businesses owned or controlled by a Native American tribe); 

i. a business primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities; 

j. a night club or strip club; 

k. a pawn shop; 

l. a liquor store; 

m. an establishment similar to any enumerated above; 

n. a business in which a majority owner has a financial or familial connection to a director, principal shareholder or leadership member of the Department of Commerce of Economic Opportunity or a Department’s partner under the program.

Do you have a more specific eligibility question? The Arts Alliance Help Desk team is here to assist! Submit a ticket with your question to receive individualized support from one of our Help Desk Agents.

Arts Alliance Illinois is serving as a Community Navigator for the Illinois Creative Recovery grant opportunity to share information about the grant and provide potential applicants with technical assistance. Arts Alliance Illinois cannot make final determinations regarding eligibility and will not play a role in determining grant awards. For more information about the Illinois Creative Recovery grants, visit the DCEO website at illinois.gov/b2b