Governor Pritzker Announces Programs for Housing and Rental Relief

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) will offer two emergency assistance programs for individuals experiencing a loss of income due to the COVID-19 public health emergency: an Emergency Rent Assistance program and an Emergency Mortgage Assistance program. Find more information here.

Emergency Rental Assistance

Starting Monday, August 9, the Illinois Housing Development Authority will be accepting applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA) to support Illinois tenants unable to pay their rent due to a COVID-19-related loss of income. Renters can apply starting Monday, August 9 at 9:00am CST by going to https://era.ihda.org/

Tenants whose application is approved will receive a one-time grant of $5,000 paid directly to their landlord to cover missed rent payments beginning March 2020 and prepay payments through December 2020, or until the $5,000 is exhausted, whichever comes first. Governor Pritzker, in partnership with IHDA, has committed to putting $150 million toward the ERA program.

Applicants must provide a documented COVID-19 related loss of income on or after March 1, 2020. Pre-pandemic income may not exceed 80% of area median income. You may input your income and zip code on the IHDA website to see if you are eligible to apply.

Support for Chicago Businesses

The Chicago Business Support Network was created by a group of Chicago natives with the goal of helping our beloved city make it through these incredibly challenging times. Read more about how they can help your business, or help you help others, here.

Important Chicago Reopening Notice

Due to a recent uptick in COVID-19 infections, a reinstatement of certain restrictions will go into effect Friday, July 24 at 12:01 a.m. read about them here.

Small Business Resources Event

FREE Covid-19 testing now available

Metropolitan Family Services at Midway, is offering no charge Covid-19 testing in their parking lot this Wednesday and Thursday, 9 am to 2 pm, at 3843 W. 63rd Street. This important service is free but registration is required. Please register first by calling (877) 819-5034.

IDHS Virtual Recruitment Presentation

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (IDHS) is hosting a Virtual Recruitment Presentation to cover the following topics:   1. Careers with IDHS 2. The employmnet process with IDHS 3. The benefits of working with IDHS 4. Tips on completing and submitting the CMS100 Employment Application Wednesday, JULY 15 2pm to 3pm Click on the link below to register for the event https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ef78a71cebe76bd10e657a77749979655

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Legal assistance for businesses impacted by COVID-19

Eligible, operating* small businesses and nonprofits that have legal questions about re-opening, COVID-19 relief programs, or need a legal consultation due to the impact of the pandemic can request an appointment to receive a 30-minute remote consultation with a volunteer attorney using this form.

We have expanded our eligibility guidelines for Chicago small businesses and Illinois nonprofits. Check the guidelines here.

*Please note: “Operating” means the business or nonprofit was providing services or selling products prior to 2/15/2020.

Grant webinar

Join the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) and co-host Senator Cristina Castro and Village of Hanover Park Clerk Corral Sepúlveda, for a Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG) Bilingual (English/Spanish) Q&A Townhall, Monday, July 6, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Join the Zoom event: https://bit.ly/3eX1l5Z

The Illinois Business Interruption Grant (BIG)

This round of the Business Interruption Grant program will make $60 million available for 3,500 businesses experiencing losses or business interruption as a result of the COVID-19 public health
emergency.

Businesses eligible for funding in this round include:
• Restaurants and bars that were unable to provide on-site outdoor food or beverage services
between May 29, 2020, and June 17, 2020;
• Barbershops and salons;
• Health and fitness centers;
• Businesses located in specific severe Disproportionate Impact Areas.

For more information, or to apply, go here.

Chicago’s small businesses and non-profits that need addition assistance to  recover from COVID-19 and damage to their storefronts can apply for a grant from the Together Now Fund. Join this webinar to learn about the fund, including  how to apply. Visit www.chicago.gov/togethernow for more information: Register for Wednesday June, 24 at 11:00 AM Webinar   Register for Thursday, June 25 at 3:00 PM Webinar Register for Saturday, June 27 at 10:00 AM Webinar

Phase 4 starts Friday!

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced that Chicago is on track to transition to phase four of the “Protecting Chicago” framework on Friday, June 26, alongside the rest of Illinois. The guidelines are aligned with the State-issued guidelines, with additional specificity included for Chicago’s context, which has experienced a different arc of COVID-19 than other parts of the state. Read the full press release here.

Grant opportunity

In collaboration with the City of Chicago, The Chicago Community Trust and One Chicago Fund have launched the Together Now fund to raise funds that will be turned into grants to small businesses across the City. These  grants are intended to benefit small businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent unrest. To apply, or for more details, go here.