SBA Disaster Loan Program Now Open

The SBA planned disaster loan assistance website is now accepting Illinois applications. Key points of the loan include:

• up to $2M available per business
• 3.75% interest rate
• up to 30 year term
• no banks involved-loan comes directly from the SBA.

To apply, or for more information, go here: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ 

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF DEBT COLLECTION, TICKETING AND TOWING

City adopts hold-harmless policies on compliance citations; Residents who owe debt will not face ticket doubling and defaults on payment plans during this health crisis. Read the full press release here.

Important Changes at BACP

Until further notice, all City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection offices will be closed to the public. This includes the following locations.

•         Small Business Center, 121 N. LaSalle St. Room 800

•         Public Vehicle Licensing Center, 2350 W. Ogden Ave. 1st Floor

•         Public Vehicle Inspection Facility, 2430 W. Pershing Ave. 

BACP will continue processing business licenses, where applicable, online or over the phone. Please visit www.chicagobusinessdirect.org or call 312-74-GOBIZ. 

The renewal of public passenger chauffeur and vehicle licenses will be deferred until April 30, 2020. BACP staff will continue to work servicing public vehicle licensees during closure to the public. BACP staff will be available at bacppv@cityofchicago.org and 312-746-4300. 

Public vehicle inspections scheduled at the BACP Public Vehicle Inspection Facility from March 19, 2020 to April 30, 2020 will be rescheduled. An updated inspection list will be posted on the Public Vehicles page, and BACP will notify taxicab affiliations and license managers via e-mail of updated public vehicle inspection dates. 
The BACP team will continue to be accessible for any questions via phone and email. 

Kenya Merritt, Kenya.Merritt@cityofchicago.org   312-744-5288

Edwin Tumlos, Edwin.tumlos@cityofchicago.org  312-744-5366

Paul Hobbs,     Paul.Hobbs@cityofchicago.org  312-744-7391

Marshell Elder-Key, Marshell.Elder@cityofchicago.org  312-744-5378


To stay updated on the COVID-19 outbreak, please visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus. Additionally, BACP has created a resource page for businesses, consumers and employees at www.chicago.gov/BACPCOVID19.

HUD PROVIDES IMMEDIATE RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS AMID NATIONWIDE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE Suspends all foreclosure and evictions for the next 60 days

WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson, in consultation with the Trump Administration and the Coronavirus Task Force, today authorized the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to implement an immediate foreclosure and eviction moratorium for single family homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages for the next 60 days. Details are here.

What residents need to know about the Corona-virus crisis.

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working to reduce the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by detecting new cases quickly and providing guidance to communities to help minimize transmission. Find updated information about staying healthy and protecting others here.

SBA offers low cost loans to affected Illinois businesses

Today the GSDC team joined other economic development professionals in hearing directly from the SBA about planned disaster loan assistance. Key points include:

• up to $2M available per business
• 3.75% interest rate
• up to 30 year term
• no banks involved-loan comes directly from the SBA.

Note: You cannot apply until the SBA declares Illinois/Cook County a disaster area. we expect this within days (the Governor declared it last week). Find more information about this program at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ or contact your Greater Southwest Business Development Team, Andrew Fogaty and Erika Gonzalez.
For Spanish, click here.

CDC Guidance for business and employers

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019
find up to date information here.

Corona-Virus updates from City Hall

Latest updates on coronavirus

Get the latest information on the City's response to coronavirus.

is the Coronavirus crisis negatively impacting your business? If so,the Illinois Department of Commerce wants to know. Please fill out this short form.

GSDC responds to the Coronavirus crisis.

In order to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus, the Greater Southwest Development Corporation offices will be closed to the public from now until March 30th. GSDC services WILL continue uninterrupted with key personnel working remotely and available via email.