News Flash

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 OF PENDING  GRANT DEADLINES: 

 Application for the 2nd round of the State of IL "BIG" Grant will close at 5pm on Tuesday, November 15th.  Details at this link and below.

RESTORE IL TIER 3 MITIGATIONS EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 20th FOR ALL ILLINOIS

Link: Tier 3 details.  /  Link: Tier 3 F&Q's  (11-23-20 revision)

In an effort to prevent resurgence of COVID-19 in Illinois, Governor Pritzker announced changes to the Restore IL plan grouping counties into areas that may be subject to further business operation restrictions should health figures indicate additional risk. Review the Plan for details on the new tiered approach for specific industries should health metrics dictate further action.  A dashboard showing which regions are at various phases is available here. The Governor's office refers to IDPH metrics  to determine if further restriction is required for the Lake-McHenry County Region 9 which includes Libertyville.  Region 9 is currently assigned to Phase 4 mitigations, the related Industry specific guidelines, signage and toolkits continue to be available.  Additionally Tier 3 mitigations will be in effect for the entire state effective November 20th.  Where Phase 4 guidance and Tier 3 Mitigations imply different standards, the more restrictive Tier 3 Mitigations will apply.  An update FAQ document is available with additional information.  11-23-20 edit

Financial Assistance: Please note some of these funds have short application time-frames and multiple rounds, check the websites for new details.

• BIG Grants:  Through Novemeber 15th, the State of IL  will accept application for the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program.  The program is administered through the IL Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.  View the program website for details, sample application questions, a preparation check-list, etc.  Certain industries will be given priority funding, but all impacted business may apply for consideration. edit 12-11-20
•  COMED Bill Assistance:  ComEd has developed a special payment plan and grant assistance program, along with residential and non-profit programs, to help customers who are experiencing financial hardship. Customers who are challenged in paying their outstanding balances and energy bills should contact ComEd's customer care team at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334- 7661), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to take advantage of assistance options.  edit 12-11-20
  
• CARES Act Resources for Business:  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. 
  
  • EIDL and EIDL Advance:The EIDL online application has reopened.Additionally, the SBA announced that as of mid-July it is restoring eligibility for the EIDL Advance to those who did not check the box indicating the desire to be considered for the EIDL Advance of up to $10,000 and whose loan status is either withdrawn or declined.  The SBA will begin distribution of the Advance monies if the original application requested the funds. 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.  07-08-20 edit
  • PPP: Acceptance of applications ended August 8th. 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. 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. 09-03-20 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
• HartBeat of Main Street Grant: Round 2 opened 10-22-20, additional rounds anticipated. This grant of $5000-$15,000 is for businesses which operate in an older or historic main street, downtown or commercial district in the U.S.  Details here.  10-22-20 edit
• BeyGOOD Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund:  BeyGood has teamed up with the NAACP to expand economic opportunity by awarding grants of $10,000 on the 15th of each month through the end of 2020. 10-22-20 edit
• LISC Grant: Latest grant round closed. Grants of $20,000 to small business owners to help meet their most immediate needs. Eligible expenses include: rent and utilities, payroll, debt to vendors, upgrading technology,  immediate operational costs, etc. Priority will be given especially to entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses.   Learn more about this program and view FAQs. 9-14-20 edit
• Lake County Small Business Recovery Grant Program:  Latest grant round closed. The County is reviewing applications with funds anticipated for release by check in mid-September.  Applications were accepted for this program from July 7-July 20, 2020.  Eligible businesses may receive up to $30,000 to cover up to four months of occupancy costs and other related expenses, restrictions apply.  Information and application can be found here. A list of Frequently Asked Questions is available. 09-03-20 edit
• Alternate Funding: explore alternative funding opportunities such as ComcastRise, SBA Express Bridge Loans, Business for All Grant by Hello Alice, Salesforce Care for Small Business Grant, Sam Adams Restaurant Strong Fund, and the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.  11-20-20 edit

Reopening Information:

• 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. Fall/winter tent guidelines and the tent application are available for download.
• Other Resources:
  • Reopening Guidance from the National Restaurant Association 4-29-20 edit
  • COVID-19 Re-Opening Best Practices Guide from the International Council of Shopping Centers. 5-4-20 edit
  • Cushman & Wakefield’s Recovery Readiness materials, including Retail Readiness Essentials, Recovery Readiness: A How-To Guide for Reopening Your Workplace, and Warehouse Readiness Essentials. 5-18-20 edit

Various Resources & Guidance:

• IL Department of Labor - Back to Business IL:  IDOL announced the launch of Back to Business Illinois, a free, voluntary service to connect small businesses of 250 employees or fewer with consultants who will help them evaluate and address workplace safety and health issues related to COVID-19. The consultants will create a plan for small businesses that promotes a safe, healthy and productive environment for workers and customers. Health and safety consultants in IDOL’s Workplace Safety and Health Consultation Division will help local small businesses audit their physical operation, identify best practices and find ways to implement them efficiently.  Businesses can voluntarily complete a series of online modules and then institute the necessary practices to promote a safe work environment. The online guidance and education program will emphasize areas including basic infection prevention, physical space modification, infectious disease planning, employee monitoring and workplace flexibility.  This is a non-punitive program, and no fines or citations are associated with it. It is designed entirely as a benefit to empower Illinois small businesses to continue operating safely.  For more information visit the official website www.illinois.gov/worksafe. edit 11-19-20
• Personal Protective Equipment:  Feel free to reference this Business Supply/Resource Guide which provides a list of PPE suppliers you might use to acquire items needed for your employees. Refer back to this link for regular updates to include additional suppliers. If your business offers supplies and wishes to be added, email Barbara at Lake County Partners. 5-15-20 edit
• COVID Testing for Employees: the Lake County Health Department has provided a testing location list. 5-5-20 edit
• The Small Business Development Center at CLC has counselors available for virtual meetings to discuss your business finances, employee concerns, and more. Schedule here. Various training sessions are also available, including recovery workshops. 09-03-20 edit
• Commercial Real Estate Guidance for landlords/tenants/borrowers from the CCIM Institutue, CBRE Financial Council, and Cushman & Wakefield. 4-14-20 edit
• Family First Act - Employee Poster
• IL Dept of Revenue Relief:  Information on deferred payments for restaurants and bars, and other relevant filing details.
• IRS information to help taxpayers and businesses affected by the corona-virus
• The U.S. Department of Labor has resources to help workers and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus, including use of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Unemployment Insurance: The IDES  offers various guidance on their website.  A video offering applications instructions is available. Additional questions you have may be answered in the 4-21-20 FAQ Guide5-15-20 edit
• Manufacturing: The IL Manufacturers Association and IL Manufacturer Extension Center are both offering important manufacturer guidance and working to help manufacturers produce, supply and distribute emergency goods. 4-14-20 edit
• IL Housing Development Authority is offering various assistant programs including mortgage and rent relief. 09-03-20 edit

Restaurants & Liquor Service:

• Restaurant Promise Poster: download here
• Outdoor Dining:  the Village’s dining website is being regularly updated to reflect local restaurants and those with outdoor 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, additional information. 09-03-20 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