COVID-19 resources for Business Owners/Managers
Provided below is a list of resources and information for Montgomery County businesses, individuals and municipalities during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. These links take you directly to the experts so please know clicking on a link will open a new browser with the information you are seeking. We will continue to update this page as more resources become available. If you have any questions or wish to speak to MCEDC directly, please call or text 217-851-4332. If there is anything you would like added to this page, please email: ed@montgomerycountyillinois.edu
The Chicago Times has broken down Governor Pritzkers 5-phase reopening plan in three easy to follow charts, visits there website to learn more about how your business may be impacted as the state starts to reopen: https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-cb-pritzker-plan-reopen-illinois-20200506-erfvitdovffmzd7ativx4hj57q-htmlstory.html#nt=latestnews&rt=chartbeat-flt
Restore Illinois Final Package issued 5/5/20:
https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/sfc/servlet.shepherd/document/download/069t000000BadS0AAJ?operationContext=S1
Governor JB Pritzker Issues Disaster Proclamation
Click HERE to view the proclamation in full via WORD format.
To view his additional executive orders, click HERE.
Emergency Small Business Grants and Loans Assistance were announced by Governor JB Pritzker.
Hospitality Emergency Grant Program: To help hospitality businesses make ends meet in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, DCEO is launching the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program with $14 million drawn from funds originally budgeted for job training, tourism promotion, and other purposes.
Update: This grant has ended to see who was awarded the grants, click here: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/HospitalityGrantAwards.aspx
Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund:
DCEO and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) are establishing the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund to offer small businesses low interest loans of up to $50,000. Businesses located outside of the City of Chicago with fewer than 50 workers and less than $3 million in revenue in 2019 will be eligible to apply. Click HERE to go directly to DECO's site to learn more.
Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program:
To support small businesses in downstate and rural counties across Illinois, DCEO is re-purposing $20 million in CDBG funds to stand up the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. This Fund will offer small businesses of up to 50 employees the opportunity to partner with their local governments to obtain grants of up to $25,000 in working capital. These grants will be offered on a rolling basis. Click HERE to go directly to DECO's site to learn more.
Has your small business been affected? Responses to the questions in this link will assist the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in evaluating specific areas of need at this time. Click HERE to participate by filling out this form.
What is an essential business?
Click HERE to access information on: COVID-19 Stay at Home Executive Order No. 8, Essential Business Checklist, Essential Business Flowchart, Daycare Impact and IDOT Public Works Projects: Essential Infrastructure.
Economic Impact Payments:
The IRS is committed to helping you get your Economic Impact Payment as soon as possible. The payments, also referred to by some as stimulus payments, are automatic for most taxpayers. No further action is needed by taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees. Click HERE to learn more.
Coronavirus Paid Leave Programs: Employer Guide
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act created new temporary paid sick leave and paid Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) programs that are 100% reimbursable by the federal government. The effective date of both programs is April 1 and they expire on December 31, 2020. Both programs are in addition to any leave you already offer. Click HERE to learn more.
Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program
The program is an impact investment loan program under which the State Treasurer would make up to $250 million in deposits available to financial institutions throughout the state, at near-zero rates, to assist Illinois small business and non-profits negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about the program and how to apply, click HERE.
Do you have concerns about your PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) Forgivable Loan? If so, please check out these two articles below.
Did you participate in the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) through the Small Business Administration? If so, please read this article that came out May 18 on the Loan Forgiveness Application that you will need to fill out! https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/350786?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
The PPP loans will be unforgiveable for many according to this article by Mat Sorensen in Entrepreneuir.com:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/350069
Over $100 Billion in PPP Funds Still Available as of May 19, 2020 at 5pm CT
Over one fourth of Paycheck Protection Program funds are still available. Entities qualifying for these low interest, partially forgivable loans include small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), sole proprietors, independent contractors, self-employed persons, and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Click HERE for more information.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Assistance
Small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are currently eligible to apply for a long-term, low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. To learn more about the program and how to apply click HERE.
U.S. Small Business Administration Fact Sheet - Click HERE to read more.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources - Click HERE to read more.
Click for Power Point Slides from COVID 19 SBA Economic Disaster Loans (PDF)
COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. IDES recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible. To learn about eligibility, click HERE.
In light of the recent Disaster Proclamation issued by Governor JB Pritzker and by his direction, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is following the federal government in providing special tax filing and payment relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak. The filing deadline for Illinois income tax returns has been extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. To read the full bulletin from Director David Harris click HERE.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
To follow the state COVID-19 map by county, view frequently asked questions and guidance, click HERE.
Business and Organization Guidance:
To learn more about what your business should be doing, or to learn about guidance for food establishments and food service, CLICK HERE to visit their site directly.
Information for Health Care Providers & Facilities:
Click HERE to stay up to date with the latest from IDPH.
Information for Long Term Care Facilities
Information for hotels and motels:
U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:
USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses, and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep our customers, partners, and stakeholders continuously updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America. This page is being updated each day so you may want to check back every few days. Click HERE to Learn more.
Business and Organization Guidance:
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where we operate. We’ll share more details as they become available. Click HERE to Learn more.