Friday, December 11, 2020

BIG Application Deadline Upcoming December 15th. Don’t Wait to Apply!

The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program is a $636 million program developed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. For more information, or to apply, go here.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

New State COVID-19 Mitigation Guidelines

The State of Illinois imposed new mitigation measures go into effect on Friday, November 20 at 12:01 am. These restrictions are the most up to date and take precedence over the industry-specific guidelines if there are points of contradiction. Find up to the date information here.

Thursday, November 12, 2020

IMPORTANT: Stay at Home Advisory


Beginning on Monday, November 16, 2020, the Mayor of the City of Chicago, Lori E. Lightfoot, as well as the Commissioner of Health for the City of Chicago, Dr. Allison Arwady, advise all residents of Chicago to stay at home in response to the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the city. Residents are advised to only leave home to go to work or school, or for essential needs such as seeking medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking up food, or receiving deliveries.

Additionally, residents are strongly advised to:

  • Not have guests in their homes unless they are essential workers (e.g., home healthcare providers or childcare workers)
  • Cancel traditional Thanksgiving celebrations
  • Avoid travel
This advisory shall remain in place for 30 days or until such time as the Commissioner of Health determines a change to the guidance is appropriate

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Chicago Hospitality Grant Program

 

The City of Chicago has launched the Chicago Hospitality Grant Program as part of its emergency COVID-19 relief package for the hospitality industry. This $10 million grant program is targeted towards Chicago’s restaurants and bars that continue to face significant challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis. This grant program will reallocate CARES Act funding to supplement state and federal relief programs with grants of $10,000 to independent bars and restaurants throughout Chicago that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 and the State’s mitigation measures. For more information, or to apply, go here.

FREE Covid-29 Testing


 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Business Interruption Grants Program

The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program is a $636 million program developed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. Funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs; rent; utilities; and more. 

To apply, or for more information, go here.

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Last day for grant applications

The Together Now application reopened on August 21 at 9:00 pm for a second round of operational cost support grants. The application window will close tomorrow, August 31 at 11:59 pm. For information about this grant program, or to apply, go here.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

State of Illinois Announces New Investments in Procurement Technical Assistance Centers in Chicago


Yesterday the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton at the Greater Southwest Development Corporation and community members to announce the opening of two new Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) and ongoing support for another seven centers across Illinois. Supported by a $2 million state and federal investment, these centers will help more small businesses compete for contracts with local, state and/or federal government agencies where they can sell goods or services and in turn grow their business.
The Illinois PTACs provide one-on-one counseling, technical information, market research and the training necessary for small businesses to secure government contracts. In fact, last year alone PTACs helped Illinois small businesses secure nearly 800 government contracts valued at over $1.1 billion.  Contact one of our nine statewide PTAC offices to find out how they can help grow your small business.

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Emergency Mortgage Assistance




Starting Monday, August 24, the Illinois Housing Development Authority will be accepting applications for the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (EMA) to support Illinois homeowners unable to pay their mortgage due to a COVID-19-related loss of income. Homeowners can apply starting Monday, August 24 at 9:00am CST by going to https://ema.ihda.org/

Friday, August 21, 2020

Grant Fund Reopens

The Together Now application will be reopening on August 21 at 9:00 pm for a second round of operational cost support grants. The application window will close on August 31 at 11:59 pm. For information about this grant program, or to apply, go here.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Black Small Business Issues in a Pandemic Webinar


August is National Black Business Month, and as we know the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted Black-owned small businesses.
Join us for an interactive discussion on inequalities in access to information during the pandemic and learn from legal experts about the current compliance and legal concerns facing Black-owned small businesses and self-employed entrepreneurs. Find details and registration information here.
Hosted by Small Business Majority in partnership with the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil RightsCo-hosted by: West Side Forward, SBDC at Build Bronzeville, Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation and Greater Southwest Development Corporation

Monday, August 10, 2020

City of Chicago updates on support and resources for local businesses

In response to last night’s events, the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) has provide some updates on support and resources available for local businesses. Find more information here.