Tax Filing Deadline extended to July 15

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Federal Government has extended the April 15 tax-filing deadline to July 15, an unprecedented delay that will give people more time to prepare and pay their taxes as workers lose jobs and businesses close during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more here.

Governor orders shelter in place for all Illinois-what does this mean?

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a “shelter-in-place” order for the entire state starting Saturday, essentially commanding residents to stay in their homes as the officials take drastic measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. What does this mean?
Read about it here.

It's Census time!

Stuck at home? What a perfect time to complete the census! An accurate census is important to determine how funds are provided to state and local governments. This money is then used to fund programs and infrastructure like healthcare, housing, education, and transportation here on Chicago's Southwest side. For more information, and to fill out the census, click here.

Mayor Lightfoot announces small business loan program

As a response to the COVID-19 challenge, the City is establishing a $100 million Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund, which will help to provide small businesses with emergency cash flow during this immediate health crisis. 
Funds will be provided to eligible businesses as low-interest loans that can be repaid over a term of up to five years. To apply, or for more information, go here.

An update on federal assistance from Senator Dick Durbin

Our friends at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce held a webinar with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin this morning. He provided an update on federal assistance available to businesses and individuals as well as relief packages that are quickly being put together in D.C. Watch a recording of the webinar here.Watch the full webinar here. 

Accion's response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Our friends at Accion are working hard to creatively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic that threatens the health of small business owners, employees, customers, families, and communities.
Key points include:

• reduction in loan payment 
• expedited application process.
• ongoing assistance

For more information and/or contact info, go here.

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.