Resources for Reopening
Business Development eNews: Special COVID-19 Editions
June 10, 2020 SCORE Resources
June 5, 2020 PPP Loan Forgiveness
June 2, 2020 Public Safety Measures
May, 28, 2020 Temporary Outdoor Expansion Permits, Phase Three Toolkits
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
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
State of Illinois Announces New BIG Grant Program
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the launch of its first round of Business Interruption Grants (BIG), which will provide $60 million to businesses experiencing losses or business interruption as a result of COVID-19 related closures. The BIG Program is available for up to 3,500 Illinois businesses.DCEO will accept applications from June 26th until 5:00pm on July 7th, and funds will be distributed in early July. Learn more about BIG here.
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
NEW - July 6
The SBA is restoring eligibility for the EIDL Advance to those who did not check the box indicating the desire to be considered for the EIDL Advance of up to $10,000 and whose loan status is either withdrawn or declined.
Beginning next week, the SBA will process EIDL Advances using the information provided on original EIDL applications. The amount of an Advance is based on $1,000 per employee, up to a maximum of $10,000
If the SBA can verify and validate the information provided on the application, the Advance will be automatically deposited into your bank account. If for some reason the SBA is unable to successfully process your Advance, you will receive an email notification with a link to update your business and bank account information.
If you do not wish to receive the EIDL Advance, please contact the SBA by email within three (3) business days at EIDLAdvanceOptOut@sba.gov, and reference your 10-digit application number and "Stop EIDL Advance" in the subject line.
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)
*The Paycheck Protection Program has reopened
The Paycheck Protection Program resumed accepting applications July 6, 2020, at 9:00 AM EDT in response to the Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act. The new deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan is August 8, 2020. To learn more and to apply, click here.
Other Opportunities for Small Business Relief
The Lake County Board has allocated $10 million to fund the Lake County Small Business Assistance COVID-19 Grant Program. The grant program was created to assist small businesses in Lake County that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Beginning Tuesday, July 7, 2020, businesses will be able to apply online for up to $30,000 to cover up to four months of occupancy costs (rent, mortgage, utilities) as well as expenses incurred due to COVID-19 (new equipment, plexiglass, masks, sanitization services/materials, employee training, etc.).
Small businesses in Lake County that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the program:
- For profit, incorporated business (e.g., LLC, S Corp, Partnership, Sole Proprietorship, etc.) - Independent contractors are currently not eligible
- In business prior to February 15, 2020
- Earn less than $2.5 million in annual revenue
- Must be able to document a significant negative business impact from COVID-19
- Preference will be given to businesses that have not received Federal Assistance (i.e., Paycheck Protection Program or Economic Injury Disaster Loan)
Lake County small businesses that meet the above requirements may apply online at lakecountyil.gov/forward beginning at 8 a.m. on July 7. The application period will be open for two weeks, with submissions accepted until July 20 at 11:59 p.m. Find answers to FAQs about this program HERE.
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
The Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center at College of Lake County remains AVAILABLE for virtual appointments with a team of advisers ready to discuss emergency funding options for your business. Schedule an Appointment
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.
