The following COVID-19 informational resources may be of interest to area businesses. This page will be updated regularly. To sign-up for notification emails when this page is updated or for other Village emergency and informational notices register on the NotifyMe module. The Village COVID-19 general announcement page can be found here.
NOTICE: On June 22nd, Governor Pritzker announced IL will move into Phase 4 on June 26th. Industry specific guidelines, signage and toolkits for Phase 4 are now available.
- Reopening Guidance:
- Fitness Business Use of Public Property for Classes: interested businesses should complete the application and submit along with required documentation.
- Temporary Outdoor Dining Application: Complete this application to request permission to offer temporary dining locations on public or private property at a restaurant, as needed due to COVID limitations on indoor dining service.
- Other Reopening Guidance:
- Financial Assistance:
- BIG Grants: Beginning Monday, June 22nd and for a limited time, the State of IL will take application for the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program. BIG is available for up to 3,500 businesses that experienced a limited ability to operate due to COVID-19 related closures. Specifically the program provides support to Bars & Restaurants, Barbershops & Salons, and Gyms & Fitness Centers. The program is administered through the IL Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity with additional information and application to be found here. Businesses are encourage to apply as soon as possible as funds are limited. edit 06-19-20
- Business for All Grant by Hello Alice: $10,000 grants are awarded on a rolling basis. Grant applications are due September 25, 2020 with funds distributed while supplies last. 06-25-20 edit
- CARES Act Resources for Business: Refer to the Guide to available programs and application process. Note application for the Emergency Disaster Loan (EIDL) is applied for online through the SBA while other programs such as the Payroll Protection (PPP) are through financial institutions. Funds have now been re-appropriated with changes to eligibility and extended terms. 06-19-20 edit
- PPP: Applications accepted through June 30th. Program details here. To apply for the PPP, it is suggested you first contact your local banker. A list of lenders can be found on the SBA search module (note many listed will only take application from existing customers). Additional lenders accepting application from new or non-bank customers include firms such as Inland Bank, Great Lakes Credit Union, PayPal, Square, Betterfin, Kabbage, and Intuit-QuickBooks, as well as those listed in this article. Technical answers to FAQs from the Department of Treasury are available. A portion of the PPP loan may be forgivable. The SBA has released the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application-- this document includes a worksheet to calculate your PPP Loan usage, and information on on how to calculate your FTE total. 06-23-20 edit
- EIDL and EIDL Advance: The online application has reopened. SBA’s EIDL program offers long-term, low interest assistance for a small business or non-profit. EIDL assistance can be used to cover payroll and inventory, pay debt or fund other expenses. Additionally, the EIDL Advance will provide up to $10,000 ($1,000 per employee) of emergency economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties. Program application and details here. 06-19-20 edit
- Subsidy for Current Loan Payments and Express Bridge Loans: The SBA will cover up to 6 months of principal and interest payments that are owed on most existing SBA loans. 5-7-20 edit
- Illinois State Treasurer’s Small Business Relief Program: The program is an impact investment loan program to assist Illinois small business and non-profits negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 5-7-20 edit
- Employee Retention Credit: Treasury Encourages Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 to Use Employee Retention Credit. 5-7-20 edit
- IL Department of Commerce (IL DCEO): guide of emergency funding sources from various agencies 5-7-20 edit
- ILDCEO Small Business Loan; announced 3/25/20; loan continues but application temporarily halted for processing of existing submittals; hospitality grant application closed. 5-7-20 update
- Alternate Funding: explore alternative funding opportunities such as SBA Express Bridge Loans, Salesforce Care for Small Business Grant, Sam Adams Restaurant Strong Fund, and the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. 4-24-22 edit
- Various Resources & Guidance:
- Restaurants & Liquor Service:
- Libertyville Restaurants Open for Service
- Libertyville restaurants wishing to sell at the Libertyville Sunset Foods location should email their coordinator, Imani Harris.
- Free legal guidance from the IL Restaurant Assoc, see provider list. 4-17-20 edit
- FDA has issued a Best Practices Guide for all food related establishments 5-18-20 edit
- Lake County Health Department has enacted bi-weekly phone briefings for the business community, to be held each Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. to provide the latest updates and answer questions. Recordings of previous briefings are now saved online here. 4-14-20 edit
- Liquor Sales: Various guidance has been issued by the IL Liquor Commission, including the FAQs document dated 5-11-20, Compliance Directive - 3/16/20, 3-19-20 Sales Guidance, 3-19-20 License Renewal Extension, and IL Executive Order No. 5, issued 3/16/20 (includes restaurant clarification). 5-15-20 edit
- Restaurant Strong Fund through the Gregg Hill Foundation offering grants to employees, application available. 4-16-20 edit
- National Restaurant Association has a relief fund offering grants to employees on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applications not currently being accepted. 4-16-20 edit
- Places for Eating Tax: this tax has been repealed, see letter from Village Finance Director.
- Non-Home Rule Sales Tax: This tax will be effective July 1st as per public referendum, and will be collected by IDOR, view IDOR letter for collection guidance.
- Health & Safety:
- Lake County Health Department
- IL Dept of Public Health (IDPH) has various resources on their website and they has issued guidelines specific to certain business types, including Large Corporations, Daycare Providers, Oral Health, Hotels, Funeral Homes, etc.
- Mental Health & Other Assistance: If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call: 911; or Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517). If you or your staff need assistance finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, CALL 211 or TEXT your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help 24/7. For more information, visit https://211lakecounty.org/. 4-14-20 edit
- OSHA: Protecting Workers During a Pandemic
- CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- CDC: Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
- WHO: Phishing Emails & Scam Alert