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PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK
We have provided resources below to help during this outbreak. As we learn more about how individuals can financially protect themselves and their businesses we will be updating this page.
Please note: we are currently not accepting in-person visits. If you need to drop off any documents, we will come out to the front entrance to accept any deliveries. Please call ahead 773-767-3903. And, as usual, Martin is available to answer questions via email or phone. Thank you.
The Anti-Retaliation Ordinance prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for obeying an order issued by the Mayor, Governor, Chicago Department of Public Health, or healthcare provider having to do with COVID-19.
Employers are also prohibited from taking any adverse action against an employee for caring for someone who has been issued certain orders having to do with COVID-19.
This article incorporates the brand new SBA guidelines on PPP forgiveness, published on May 18. The SBA also released the PPP Forgiveness Application Form, which is what you’ll need to fill out to get your loan forgiven. Here’s how to fill out your forgiveness form correctly. I
The Paycheck Protection Program is designed to help small businesses like restaurants to get the cash they need right now. As rent is one of the biggest expenses in running a restaurant, restaurateurs could effectively geta cash influx for rent payments from the SBA under this loan program if they rehire 75% of their staff within two months. Be wary of unscrupulous lenders and brokers who will either charge a fee or guide you to a “regular” 7a application. Only work with a reputable partner to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program.
DCEO & GOVERNOR PRITZKER ANNOUNCE $25 MILLION FAST-TRACK GRANTS PROGRAM
DCEO joined Governor Pritzker in announcing the Fast Track Capital Grants– a $25 million initiative to accelerate funding to help complete critical public infrastructure projects. This program will help ensure planned capital projects move forward in spite of revenue loss facing the entire state, will prioritize projects in underserved communities, and will ensure skilled labor can return to the job site just in time for the summer construction season.
Be advised that on May 12, 2020, pursuant to Chapters 2-25 and 4-276 of the Municipal Code of Chicago (“MCC”), the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection promulgated new Rules requiring third-party food delivery services to disclose to consumers any commission or service fees being charged to restaurants in order to process and deliver food.
List of City of Chicago Neighborhood Business Development Center partners that provide individualized counseling and support for business owners.
SMALL BUSINESS SURVIVAL GUIDE TO COMBAT COVID-19
SMBs Survival Guide: Best 8 Financial Tools to Combat COVID-19
The SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30am EDT. You must apply directly through a lender.
This worksheet may assist in summarizing key data needed to determine the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan amount for which you may qualify. You are required to provide documentation verifying the number of employees on payroll as well as the dollar amount of payroll costs. These tips may be useful for many applicants but not all.
PPP FORGIVENESS CHECKLIST
Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness has two main pillars: Spending your PPP funds on the right things
Tracking and proving your spending.
Here is a simple checklist to make sure you’ve got your bases covered, so you get your loan 100% forgiven.
VERIZON SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY FUND
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation will use the Verizon funding to provide grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of COVID-19—especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically underserved communities who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital.
A crowdsourced spreadsheet to assist during the pandemic that shares news, grants, funding, government announcements; all in one place. Updated daily.
Toni Preckwinkle has initiated a series of measures waiving various Cook County fines, fees and has deferred tax collections to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. View this pdf that provides an overview of all waived fees and more.
The City of Chicago recognizes that COVID-19 has put a difficult burden on our business and non-profit community. As a response to this challenge, the City of Chicago has established the $100 million Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund (the Resiliency Fund), which will provide small businesses and non-profits with emergency cash flow during this health crisis. Funds will be provided to eligible businesses as low-interest loans.
SMALL BUSINESS GUIDANCE & LOAN RESOURCES
SBA has several loan programs for qualified entities impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Applicants must provide some business information which will be used in determining whether the applicant is eligible for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) or the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Please contact us if you are interested so we can submit the application on your behalf or provide any information you may need. You can read more about the specifics here.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOAN GUARANTEE
The Paycheck Protection Program is an extension of the Small Business Administration 7(a) program. SBA needs to make up the exact rules and then the rules have to be implemented by the 1,800 banks that are part of the program. You can call your bank or find SBA-approved lenders in your area through SBA’s online Lender Match tool. In order for the amounts to be forgiven, you must maintain the same average number of employees for the first eight-week period beginning on the origination date of the loan as you did from February 15, 2019 - June 30, 2019 or from January 1, 2020 until February 15, 2020. If you don’t meet this requirement, the amount forgiven is reduced.
Offered to small businesses with fewer than 500 employees
No payments on your loan for the first 6-12 months
No collateral or personal guarantees are required
Competitive rates and terms
Fast funding
Apply for potential loan forgiveness after receiving the funds
PAID SICK LEAVE & EXPANDED FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE UNDER FFCRA
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their
employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.
These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
Poster with overview here. For more detailed Q&A click here.
The Pandemic Risk Assessment is designed to provide pragmatic insights based upon expected & unexpected impacts to your business.
This survey takes approximately 30 minutes and cover general information and four distinct Pandemic Impact Zones:
Liquidity and Cash Flow Management
People & Labor
Supply & Demand
External Factors/Tax
Eligibility: Restaurants and bars <$1M, hotels <$8M
Maximum amount disbursed: $25K for restaurants & bars, $50K for hotels
Rate: Free!
Application: us.accion.org/ILgrant
Application deadline: April 1st
In addition, Accion offers a variety of small business financing options both in term loans and lines of credit anywhere between $500 and $100k (currently no deadline). Click here to view a webinar explaining more about the grant application and other funding options for small businesses.
A fund has been created to support Targeted Small Businesses (TSB) with zero employees that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers eligible small businesses grants ranging from $5,000-$10,000 to businesses that are single owners with no employees that are also TSB certified, or have an application submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) by April 10, 2020 to become TSB certified.
Due dates for the February and March tax payments have been extended to Thursday, April 30, 2020 for the following taxes: Amusement tax (7510, 7510R, 7511), Bottled Water tax (1904), Checkout Bag tax (2737), Ground Transportation tax (7595), Hotel Accommodations tax (7520, 7520S), Parking tax (7530, 7530V), and Restaurant tax (7525).
On March 25, Gov. Pritzker announced a new package of emergency assistance programs for small businesses in need of additional capital, totaling more than $90 million.
The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.
This guarantees free coronavirus testing, establishes paid leave, enhances unemployment insurance, expands food security initiatives, and increases federal Medicaid funding.
Esto garantiza pruebas gratuitas de coronavirus, establece vacaciones pagadas, mejora el seguro de desempleo, amplía las iniciativas de seguridad alimentaria y aumenta la financiación federal de Medicaid.
Are you unsure if your business should still be operating?
This article provides a clear list of what types of businesses are considered "essential".