COVID-19 News

The U.S. Chamber has released a Guide to Coronavirus Paid Leave Programs for employers. There are differences between the paid leave options and filing for unemployment and employees cannot receive both. Download the guide available on this page, and visit here https://www.uschamber.com/report/coronavirus-paid-leave-programs-employer-guide for more information. In addition, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association held a webinar last week…

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The state and federal governments are offering numerous program and loans to help local businesses impacted by COVID-19. Below is a breakdown of the differences between two of those offerings: the Economic Injury Disaster Loans and the Paycheck Protection Program. For specific details and to apply visit: EIDL: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources PPP: https://home.treasury.gov/cares

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Dear Member, I wish I had more of an update, but with the Governor’s extension of the stay-at-home order to April 30 I wanted to send out some reminders of deadlines and resources available to you. First, for those businesses applying for the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program, the deadline to apply is TOMORROW, April 1…

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With the President’s signing of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, $350 billion is being allocated to help small businesses. Although in the form of loans, business owners may not have to repay all or any of the loan if they maintain payrolls during the crisis or restore payrolls afterward. Below is…

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Dear Member, The Governor announced some exciting news during his press conference today. The state has created some Illinois loans and GRANTS. The three programs announced are the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program, Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund and the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. To jump right in, here is the link to the Illinois Department…

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Any local business interested in applying for a SBA disaster loan to help with the impact of COVID-19 can apply now. There are eligibility, filing, and use requirements that will be explained in these webinars. These are the available dates and times: Tuesday, March 24, 11 a.m. CT Tuesday, March 24, 3 p.m. CT Wednesday,…

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Message from Senator Sue Rezin to our businesses: For today’s update, in addition to the daily Q & A, I have included the below attachments. Please feel free to share this information with your constituents. Please also share the COVID-19 website coronavirus.illinois.gov that includes the most up-to-date data, resources, and information.   IL Liquor Control Commission –…

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Dear Member, It seems day to day our communities work to become safer but with that our businesses face harder times. Today’s announcement by the Governor issued a “stay at home” order starting Saturday, March 21 at 5 p.m. through end of day April 7. So what does this mean for your business? Grocery stores,…

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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it. As consumers are told to socially distance and settle indoors, the business community is taking a devastating hit. Consumer spending makes up nearly 70 percent of the United States economy, and it has come to a screeching halt. This has resulted in businesses facing large…

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Dear Member, Here is the latest information we have to share with our businesses. This afternoon Gov. Pritzker announced a two-month delay in sales tax payments. “Under the directive, eating and drinking establishments that incurred less than $75,000 in sales tax liabilities last year will not be charged penalties or interest on payments due in…

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