Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Gov. Pritzker Announces $900 Million Package of Business Grant Programs

  


Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined members of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucuses of the state legislature and small business owners to announce a package of state grant programs to support communities and businesses impacted by the pandemic and recent civil unrest.

The package includes more than $900 million across more than ten programs and four state agencies to help working families and small businesses who have been hit the hardest by COVID-19’s economic impacts, which was compounded by recent property damage and civil unrest. Read the full press release here.

Monday, June 15, 2020

SBA disaster loans reopen for all businesses


The SBA is again accepting EIDL loans from all disaster affected businesses. To apply , or for more information, go here.

Monday, June 8, 2020

Emergency Alert Registration

The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) and Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) have established targeted emergency alerts for the business community via CHIBIZ Emergency Alerts. If you would like to opt in, text “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3 or sign up online here.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Chicago resident survey about recovery planning


Phases one and two of the “Protecting Chicago” framework fell under the banner of Mayor Lightfoot’s “Stay Home. Save Lives.” campaign. As the city begins exiting safely out of shelter-in-place, residents will see a new campaign entitled “Be Safe Chicago” for the remaining phases. There are risks with cautiously reopening, and residents must remain diligent in their efforts to keep themselves, their families and neighbors safe during this time. Last month, the City launched a reopening survey that more than 57,000 Chicagoans responded to, which helped inform the City’s plan for reopening. Now, as the city moves into the next phase, it invites residents to fill out a survey to inform Chicago’s recovery planning. You can find the survey here.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Guidelines for Chicago business reopenings



Guidelines for the following industries, which will open the earliest in phase three in Chicago, can be found at www.chicago.gov/reopening:

  • Education & Childcare
  • Buildings & Real Estate
  • Food Service
  • Accommodations & Tourism
  • Retail
  • B2B
  • Healthcare
  • Transportation

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Phase 3 guidelines announced for business reopenings


To prepare businesses and employers to implement the new safety guidelines and to bring many residents back to work, the State of Illinois has developed this business toolkit complete with signage, training checklists, and other resources to ensure business and activities are conducted in accordance with the latest and greatest public health recommendations.

Phase 3 guidelines span 10 different industry categories. Each set of guidelines includes a common set of guidelines that are expected and encouraged among all employers and activity types, as well as workplace and program-specific guidelines. find information about your industry here.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Paycheck Protection Funding still available



Funding is still available through the SBA Paycheck Protection Program! All entrepreneurs in Illinois and Indiana are invited to apply for a PPP loan through Accion's partnership with \
Community Reinvestment Fund. Apply today for a small business loan of up to $100,000. 

Monday, May 18, 2020

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Mortgage and Housing Assistance


If you're concerned about how to pay your mortgage or 
rent due to the coronavirus national emergency, go here  for 
information on what to do now, and what your options are for 
mortgage and rent payment relief.