Federal Assistance

• Paycheck Protection Program- Applications start April 3
  • A loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020. Learn more here.
• Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARE) Act 
  • The CARE Act that was just passed by Congress is intended in part to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. The Small Business Owner Guide to the CARES Act provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA. ES) Act. 
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program - Learn more here
• Additional SBA Resources
  • Information for small businesses affected by coronavirus is available here.
  • Follow @SBA_Illinois on Twitter.
  • You can also email Illinois.do@sba.gov or call (312) 353-4528 (Chicago office) or 217-(217) 747-8249 (Springfield office) to talk to a Small Business Administration team member directly.

State of Illinois Assistance

• Tax Delay - State and local sales tax deferment for small to medium-sized bars and restaurants. Learn more here.
• Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund - Learn more here.
  • Small businesses low-interest loans of up to $50,000.
  • Businesses outside Chicago with less than 50 workers and $3 million in 2019 revenue.
  • 5-year term; payments deferred 6 months; below-market interest rates.

Cook County Assistance

• Technical Assistance to Access CARES Act Funding 
  • Cook County is launching a comprehensive initiative to provide economic relief to small businesses, non-profits, community service organizations and independent contractors (1099 workers) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, a $377 billion federal stimulus bill, was recently signed into law, and the Bureau of Economic Development is providing a variety of lending resources and funding a technical assistance program that will be administered by partners across Cook County to access these federal funds. $350 billion of the CARES Act funds the Payroll Protection Program, a forgivable loan for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the CARES Act funding and technical assistance program, the Bureau of Economic Development will be launching another relief program soon. Please check Cook County’s program web page for regularly updated information.
• Register today for their webinar about “How the Paycheck Protection Program Impacts Small Businesses in Cook County” on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 9:30 AM CDT at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2327011213033337867
  

• Cook County COVID-19 Taxes, Fines and Fees Relief Package

  • Due dates for Home Rule Taxes like the Alcoholic Beverage Tax, Amusement Tax, Tobacco Tax, and Gasoline and Hotel Accommodations Tax will be pushed back.
  • So will numerous fines and fees under the jurisdictions of the Departments of Transportation and Highways, Environment and Sustainability, Revenue, Building and Zoning, and Public Health.
  • Click here for more information

Village Programs

• Restaurants May Display An A-Frame Sign:
  Restaurants who remaining open for curbside service during the closure order, may temporarily display an A-frame sign in an effort to make the public aware you are providing this essential service. Temporary A-frame signs will not require a permit but will be subject to the following requirements.
  • Only one (1) sign is permitted per business.
  • Sign is limited to 3.5 feet in height and 2 feet in width.
  • Sign must be stored indoors when business is closed.
  • No illumination is allowed.
  • Placement of sign must maintain a four (4) foot wide passage on any sidewalk.
  • Sign shall not create unsafe conditions for pedestrians or vehicles using the public right-of-way.
  • Sign cannot interfere with sight visibility lines for safe vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
  • Sign must not be used outdoors when high winds or heavy snow conditions exist.
  • Sign may only be displayed until such time as the State of Illinois has lifted its restaurant closure order.
    
    If you have any questions regarding these requirements, please contact Linnea O’Neill at (847) 784-3555.

Emergency Resources for Workers

• State of Illinois Emergency Resources for Workers: click here
• Federal Stimulus Package Unemployment Benefits FAQ: click here
• Cook County Resident Resources: 
  • General information – Learn more here.
  • Who’s hiring now - Learn more here.