Underwood Leads Hispanic Small Business Tour in Plano and Oswego

WEST CHICAGO – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) toured three Hispanic-owned small businesses in Plano and Oswego to learn about how federal and local resources have helped them overcome challenges they have faced over the course of the pandemic and recovery. 

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities,” said Underwood. “After speaking with these inspiring small business owners, it’s clear to me that federal and local programs serving northern Illinois small businesses are connecting them with the tools they need to thrive. I will continue to champion initiatives like the Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program to support our small business community and expand access to critical resources for underserved entrepreneurs.”  

Underwood spoke with Angélica González, co-owner of Two Partners Family Restaurant, and Bere Perez, co-owner of Neveria Moreliana. González and Perez shared more about the challenges they have encountered.  

“After many mishaps and silences along the way, things are looking brighter for us. With discipline, perseverance, and support from our community, we will keep moving forward,” said González. 

“We have been in business for 11 years, but there was one point where we were working multiple jobs and almost closed after being unable to pay our rent. For much of our time here, we’ve made only enough to keep it running; now, we hope that better times will bring us the ability to invest and grow. We have so many ideas for our business that we wish to bring to life,” said Perez.

Photos of the tour can be found here.

Underwood also met with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to discuss their recently established Community Navigator Pilot Program, funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

The Community Navigator Pilot Program is an American Rescue Plan initiative that supports small businesses. The program helps level the playing field for America’s entrepreneurs, especially women, people of color, veterans, rural, and low-income communities. The program provides funding to organizations, known as Community Navigators, who: 

• Conduct outreach to underserved businesses to raise awareness of opportunities for federal or state support  
• Conduct one-on-one technical assistance to small businesses to help them understand eligibility and apply for economic support 
• Offer services in multiple languages

There are over ten Community Navigators serving the 14th District. To learn more about the Community Navigator Pilot Program, small business owners can visit its site here. 

During Underwood’s time in Congress, she has supported legislation that has delivered resources and funding to small businesses in northern Illinois and across the country. She voted to pass the American Rescue Plan and COVID relief bills, which provided $2 billion in relief for small businesses in the District and over $38 million for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants. The legislation also expanded the paycheck protection program and created the Community Navigator Pilot Program. 

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