Lightfoot launches fund, working group aimed at helping small and diverse companies working with the city 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot introduced a series of measures on Wednesday aiming to help support small minority- and women-owned companies that contract with the city. 

The three new initiatives include a $25 million Vendor Impact Fund through which minority- and women-owned businesses will get preferential access to Paycheck Protection Program and Small Business Administration loans. Businesses owned by veterans or people with disabilities will also get priority in the fund.