The City is committed to supporting local businesses during this time, understanding that our small business owners are making great sacrifices to support city- and statewide measures to protect public health. This page consolidates information about resources available to businesses and compiles in one place the information the City is sharing regularly with our business community. To receive these updates in your inbox, please sign up for our Business Development eNews.
Phase 3 Reopening Toolkits:
The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity has released industry-specific guidelines to support businesses as they plan for reopening during Phase 3 of Restore Illinois. The business toolkits provide guidelines and reproducible posters, signage, training checklists and promotional materials to assist business owners in successfully reopening their businesses. Toolkits are available for the following industries: manufacturing, health and fitness centers, offices, personal care services, retail, outdoor recreation, service counters, day camps, youth sports, and restaurants and bars for outdoor dining and drinking. The full toolkit, with information for each industry, is also available for download.
The earliest date Phase 3 may begin is May 29, 2020. Governor Pritzker stated that all four regions of the state continue to be on track to advance to Phase 3 at the end of this month. As a reminder, Highland Park is in the Northeast Region; metrics for all regions are updated daily at dph.illinois.gov/restore .
City of Highland Park Applications for Phase 3 Accommodations
Below, please find applications to allow temporary outdoor dining and other expanded uses of outdoor space consistent with state public health guidelines within the City of Highland Park. Business owners may submit an application to expand use of outdoor settings adjacent to their businesses, such as adding outdoor dining, seating, displays, merchandise, etc. Fitness businesses may apply to use City-owned outdoor property for outdoor classes. There is no fee for this application or permit. Questions regarding these outdoor expansion applications should be directed to the Office of Business Development, at 847.926.1027.
Temporary Outdoor Expansion for Restaurants, Retailers, Service Businesses and Fitness Businesses
Temporary Outdoor Expansion for Fitness Classes on City Property
Outdoor Dining Areas
Business Town Hall Resources:
The City of Highland Park hosted a virtual Town Hall for businesses on Friday, May 22, at 8:00 AM. Access details are available on the agenda. The recording and Q&A are now available. Please download the following materials referenced during the meeting:
New: The Illinois Small Business Development & International Trade Center at the College of Lake County has identified four new opportunities for disaster funding:
- Inland Bank PPP Loan.
- Great Lakes Credit Union PPP Loan. GLCU will begin processing PPP applications at noon, Friday, May 8. The credit union also provided a PPP Applicant Document Checklist and a GLCU Business Membership Application.
- Ivanhoe Capital Advisors.
- Illinois State Treasurer’s Office Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program.
The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center remains available for virtual appointments. Resources and contact information is available on their website.
Last updated May 24, 2020.
Resources for Reopening
Business Development eNews: Special COVID-19 Editions
May 20, 2020 Restore Illinois Updates, Small Business Grants
May, 14, 2020 Town Hall for Business, COVID19 Updates
May 7, 2020: State of Illinois Updates, DECO Webinars
April 29, 2020: State of Illinois Updates; Face Coverings
April 15, 2020: New Businesses, Virtual Services
April 1, 2020: Small Busines Loan & Grant Opportunities
March 19, 2020: SBA Disaster Assistance Loans; Gov. Pritzker announces sales tax deferrals for bars and restaurants
March 19, 2020: Responding to COVID-19, Liquor delivery; Curbside Pick-up parking signs; Guidance for employers
March 13, 2020: City closes municipal buildings to the public/other closures; SBA Disaster Assistance Loans; Community resources list development
Upcoming Webinars & Archived Presentations
The City of Highland Park hosted a virtual Town Hall for businesses on Friday, May 22, at 8:00 AM. Access details are available on the agenda. The recording and Q&A are now available. Please download the following materials referenced during the meeting:
City of Highland Park Webinar: Economic Injury Disaster LoansDownload the PresentationOn Monday, March 30, 2020, the City of Highland Park hosted a webinar on
Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Coronavirus Related Economic Disruptions to provide small local businesses with economic solutions for the impact of COVID -19 on their business, as they are making great sacrifices to support city and statewide measures to protect public health. The webinar presenter was Stephen Konkle, Economic Development Specialist with the Illinois District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Free assistance with reconstructing financial records, preparing financial statements and submitting the loan application is available from any of SBA’s partners: Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), SCORE, Women’s Business Centers (WBC), and Veteran’s Business Outreach Centers and local Chambers of Commerce. For the nearest office, visit:
https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance. The Illinois District is hosting two training sessions daily (11a and 3pm). Go to
www.sba.gov/il for more information.
Highland Park Chamber of Commerce "Ask The Experts" Video Series
State of Illinois Relief for Small Businesses
Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund
DCEO and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) are establishing the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund to offer small businesses low interest loans of up to $50,000.
For more information visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website.
The Lake County Workforce Development Board recognizes that COVID-19 has put a difficult burden on our business and non-profit community. As a response, the Workforce Board is working with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to provide small businesses and nonprofits with reimbursement grants during this health crisis. These grant funds can help you equip your business with strategies that assist in mitigating layoffs and adhering to “social distancing” provisions established by state and federal health entities. Allowable Strategies and Costs include the following:
- Payment for special cleaning & sanitization services
- Purchase of software and hardware for remote working
- Cost of conversion to call center/remote work environments
- Cross functional or transitional training
- Production of essential goods and services needed to support COVID-19 response
Federal Relief for Small Businesses
Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Loans:
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing disaster assistance loans of up to $2 Million to help businesses through any disruption that may be caused by the coronavirus. The following links bulleted below provide important information on how to apply for an SBA loan.
The SBA has made available recordings of live webinars providing essential information about the SBA Disaster Assistance Loan program.
For additional assistance on SBA Disaster Assistance Loans or the application, please contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800.659.2955 or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Payroll Protection Program (PPP)
Other Opportunities for Small Business Relief
Nav Small Business Grant Contest
Submit entries between February 24th and May 30th for your chance to win up tp $10,000.
FedExSmall Business Grants
FedEx will open grant applications May 25, 2020, through June 12, 2020.
Business For All Hello Alice Grants
Resources & Toolkits
Essential Business FAQs - Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
COVID-19 Emergency Resources For Businesses - Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Liquor Control Board COVID-19 Compliance FAQ
Emergency Small Business Grant & Loan Assistance - Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
email CEO.support@illinois.gov
COVID -19 Small Business Survival Guide - Illinois Small Business Development & International Trade Center
Illinois Department of Revenue Covid -19 Tax Relief
Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) to file an online complaint
Essential Business inquiries: 800.252.2923 or CEO.support@illinois.gov
Unemployment insurance eligibility and the application process:
Claimant Services 800.244.5631
Highland Park Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Toolkit
SCORE Resources
Information for Employers
Information for Employers
Employers play a key role in promoting healthy communities. The CDC recommends that employers encourage sick employees to stay home, especially if they have had a fever of 100.4°F or higher. Employees should be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to work. For additional best practices, the CDC offers guidance for an informed response from employers. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has prepared a useful fact sheet for businesses and employers.
The CDC provides updates for business and leisure travelers as information becomes available. View CDC’s specific guidance for travelers at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china.
Special guidance for healthcare professionals is also available.
