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Current Reopening Status: Phase 4
Updated 11/17/2020
Lakeview is currently in Phase 4 of the City of Chicago's reopening framework.
Effective Friday, November 20, additional Tier 3 mitigations will take effect further limiting business operations across the State of Illinois. On November 12, the City of Chicago also announced a Stay at Home Advisory, imposing additional limitations on gatherings and events. View the latest public health orders from the Chicago Department of Public Health here.
Although reopening plans for the City of Chicago and State of Illinois are closely linked, Chicago may progress through the state's reopening plan at a different rate than other municipalities. Lakeview businesses should follow announcements at all levels of government, while paying special attention to additional guidance that may be issued by the City of Chicago.
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Recovery & Reopening Resources
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce has launched a webpage where businesses can find the most up-to-date information and resources to prepare for the economy to reopen and the recovery period that will follow. An extension of our organization's recovery planning framework, COVID-19: A Roadmap for Recovery, the page provides industry-specific reopening guidance and offers a glimpse into how our community is working together to ensure our long-term resiliency.
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Love Local, Love Lakeview
In an effort to inform the community of ways they can support local businesses during this time, we created a webpage featuring various businesses and how they can be supported throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please review this page and if your business is not already listed, let us know if we should add your business in any of the categories.
Email carisa@lakeviewchamber.com to add your business.
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Recovery & Reopening
We've created a page with information and resources for businesses navigating reopening and recovery. Access it here.
Financial Assistance
All Businesses and Employees
State of Illinois Business Interruption Grants (Applications for Round 2 Closed on December 15)
The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program is a $636 million program developed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. Funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs; rent; utilities; and other operational costs as defined in the eligible cost list.City of Chicago Together Now: Chicago’s Fund to Rebuild Our Neighborhoods (Applications for Round II Closed August 31)
The Together Now fund is meant to provide small businesses and not-for-profits in Chicago with the resources they need to reopen and continue to operate. Two grant types are available: physical infrastructure repair grant and operational cost support grant. The infrastructure grant must be used to repair physical infrastructure damage (e.g., broken window, door, security gates, interior walls, or building mechanicals) that was experienced as a result of the events on the weekend of May 29, 2020 and beyond. The operational cost grant must be used for necessary operating cost needs (e.g., replenishment of inventory) that arose as a result of economic losses experienced due to COVID-19 on or after March 1, 2020.Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
These low-interest loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per eligible small business or non-profit organization that applies, providing funding that can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The interest rate for businesses without credit available elsewhere is 3.75%, and the non-profit rate is 2.75%. Loans are available with long-term repayments to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years.- Overview of Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (PDF)
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans
- Apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan
U.S. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) (Currently Not Accepting New Applications)
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocates funding to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll during this emergency. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward. The SBA administers the PPP, and many local banks are accepting applications. Contact your financial institution for more information.- SBA Overview of the Paycheck Protection Program
- Find Eligible Paycheck Protection Program Lenders
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Emergency Loan Checklist (PDF) (Updated 7/15/2020)
- Official Guidance for Borrowers
- Sample Application for Borrowers
- Loan Forgiveness Calculation Form
- SBA Loan Forgiveness FAQ
SBA Express Bridge Loans
Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.City of Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund (Applications closed on April 24)
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced a new $100 million economic relief package to support Chicago's small businesses that are experiencing a temporary loss of revenue as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Funds will be provided to eligible businesses as low-interest loans that can be repaid over a term of up to five years.Business Invest: Illinois Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program
This is an impact investment loan program under which the State Treasurer has made up to $500 million in deposits available to financial institutions throughout the state, at near-zero rates, to assist Illinois small businesses and non-profits negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.State of Illinois Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19.Special Service Area (SSA) 27 Rebate Programs
Accion Line of Credit
Accion, a global non-profit lender, has launched an expedited line of credit application providing up to $25,000 in funding for existing clients and other entrepreneurs who needs access to capital right now.Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries.Access to Capital 101
If you're new to the world of small business lending and don't know where to start, small business expert Florence Hardy, Esq., MBA, is available to answer your questions.- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Consultations: SBDC advisers have real-world business management experience and are ready to help answer questions about business planning, business management, financial statement analysis, cash flow management, record-keeping, bank financing, exports and imports, developing personnel policies, marketing, and more. Email becca@lakeviewchamber.com to reserve a 30 minute appointment.
- How to Find Business Funding (PDF)
Bars & Restaurants
State of Illinois Hospitality Emergency Grant Program (Applications Closed)
The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program with $14 million drawn from funds originally budgeted for job training, tourism promotion, and other purposes. Grant funds are available to support working capital like payroll and rent, as well as job training, retraining, and technology to support shifts in operations, like increased pick-up and delivery. Bars and restaurants that generated between $500K and $1M in revenue in 2019 are eligible for up to $25,000, and bars and restaurants that generated less than $500K in revenue in 2019 are eligible for up to $10,000.United States' Bartenders' Guild Emergency Assistance Program (Applications Suspended)
Provides grants for bartenders and spouses or children of bartenders. You do not need to be a USBG member to apply for a philanthropic grant.One Fair Wage - Emergency Coronavirus Tipped and Service Worker Support Fund
Provides cash assistance to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and more who need the money they aren’t getting to survive.Female Entrepreneurs
The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation Red Backpack Fund
Knowing the ripple effect that empowering women can have to strengthen communities, the foundation donated $5 million to support female entrepreneurs in the wake of COVID-19 and teamed up with GlobalGiving to establish The Red Backpack Fund. GlobalGiving is making at least 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the impact of the crisis. The fund is open to public donation, so anyone can partner with us to bolster these businesses in their hour of need.Artists & Arts Organizations
Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund
The League of Chicago Theatres and The Saints have developed a Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund to help replace lost income due to theatre closures. The Fund is available to all those who have had to stop work and are not getting paid, including those who were on contract, part time employees and those working on a stipend which was not paid.Arts for Illinois Relief Fund
The Arts for Illinois Relief Fund provides financial relief to workers and organizations in the creative industries impacted by COVID-19. This includes all artists and artisans, including stage and production members and part-time cultural workers, and large to small arts organizations in all disciplines.Non-Profit Organizations
Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund
In collaboration with the City of Chicago, The Chicago Community Trust and United Way of Metro Chicago launched the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund to unite the funds raised by Chicago’s philanthropies, corporations and individuals to be disbursed to nonprofit organizations across the region.
Legislation & Executive Orders
Federal Government
Phase 4 COVID-19 Relief Package
On December 21, 2020, Congress passed another legislative package to provide financial relief to families, businesses, and communities across the country enduring the economic destruction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see below for the latest resources to help navigate the proposals circulating in Washington, D.C.- Full text of the bill (PDF)
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
A $2 trillion economic stimulus package that addresses the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 outbreak through the Paycheck Protection Program and changes that expand and expedite loans for businesses and unemployment benefits for their employees.- Full text of the bill (PDF)
- The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act (PDF)
- Committee on Small Business CARES Act Flow Chart (PDF)
- National Restaurant Association Executive Summary for Restaurants (PDF)
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act: What Small Businesses Need to Know
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Summary of Bipartisan Agreement on “CARES” Act (PDF)
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Emergency Loan Checklist (PDF) (En Español) (Updated 4/23/2020)
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to Independent Contractors' CARES Act Relief
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
Requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.- Full text of the bill
- U.S. Department of Labor Guidance
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Paid Leave Programs: Employer Guide
State of Illinois
Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigations (Effective November 20, 2020)
With a new wave of COVID-19 surging across the state of Illinois and the nation, the State of Illinois has announced additional mitigations. Tier 3 builds on the Resurgence Mitigation Plan first released in July to suppress the spread of the virus and ensure our hospitals do not become overrun. All detailed Phase 4 operational guidance remains in effect. Where Phase 4 guidance and Tier 3 Mitigations imply different standards, the more restrictive Tier 3 Mitigations will apply. All 11 regions will move into Tier 3 effective Friday, November 20, 2020 at 12:01am.City of Chicago
Stay at Home Advisory (Effective November 16, 2020)
Residents are advised to stay at home in response to the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the city and only leave home to go to work or school, or for essential needs such as seeking medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking up take-out food, or receiving deliveries. Additionally, residents are strongly advised to not have guests in their homes, cancel traditional Thanksgiving celebrations, and avoid travel. The advisory also outlines additional COVID-19 alerts and regulations such as further limitations on indoor and outdoor meetings and social events, increased enforcement of limits on private gatherings, and continues industry restrictions.
Other Relief
State Sales Tax Deferral for Bars and Restaurants
Gov. Pritzker directed the Department of Revenue to defer sales tax payments for the February, March, and April 2020 reporting periods for more than 24,000 small- and medium-sized bars and restaurants in the State of Illinois.Federal Income Tax Deferral
The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance allowing for the deferral of income tax payments for certain individuals and corporations.State Income Tax Deferral
The 2019 income tax filing and payment deadlines for all taxpayers who file and pay their Illinois income taxes on April 15, 2020, were automatically extended until July 15, 2020. This relief applies to all individual returns, trusts, and corporations.Temporary Suspension of City Debt Collection
The City of Chicago temporarily suspended debt collection practices and non-safety related citations and impounds, as well as penalties for late payment, through April 30, 2020.Deferral of City Business Fines and Tax Payment Extensions
The City of Chicago's new economic relief package temporarily deferred all business fine collections as well as license renewal and late fees for Chicago’s businesses until April 30, 2020. To further provide relief for businesses, the City also extended due dates for tax payments until June 1, 2020 for the following City taxes:- Amusement tax (7510, 7510R, 7511)
- Bottled Water tax (1904)
- Checkout Bag tax (2737)
- Ground Transportation tax (7595)
- Hotel Accommodations tax (7520, 7520S)
- Parking tax (7530, 7530V)
- Restaurant tax (7525)
Marketing Opportunities
Ideas for Lakeview Businesses
We've compiled a list of ways your business can still reach customers during the COVID-19 outbreak.Consultations with Marketing & Communications Experts
In response to COVID-19 and recently mandated closures, local businesses have been confronted with the need to quickly adapt and shift their operations to an online presence. Digital marketing, social media, and PR strategy will play a crucial role in spreading the word about your business. Ripson Group is offering new clients a $1,000 credit toward your first month retainer during the month of August with the commitment of a 6-month contract. Contact Lisa Ripson, Principal of Ripson Group at info@ripsongroup.com or 312-493-5921.Ideas from Other Lakeview Businesses
Lakeview businesses are inspiring us with unique and creative ideas for reaching their customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Does your business have an idea worth sharing? Email us at info@lakeviewchamber.com and let us know.- Heritage Bicycles is allowing people to purchase drinks and food that Heritage will deliver to essential workers.
- Spindle Fitness is working with clients to offer enhanced in-home training capabilities.
- Theater Wit is offering remote viewing for ticket holders for one of its upcoming productions.
- Krista K Boutique is offering 20% off on their online store.
- High Bridge Pilates is offering virtual home sessions where the instructor can teach a home-based workout with whatever props are around the house.
- Cafe Tola and many other restaurants are offering curbside pickup, carryout and delivery options for customers to order food from them.
- A Little Photo Studio sent out an email to their customers with ways to support their business, including the option to prebook photo sessions for later in the year.
- Discover CBD is offering 15% off to Lakeview employees when you mention you work in Lakeview at checkout.
- Southport Grocery & Cafe did a gift card giveaway on Instagram where customers can enter to win by posting a picture of them enjoying Southport Grocery's food at home.
- Beermiscuous and several other local businesses have setup Go Fund Me campaigns for customers to give virtual tips to their staff who rely on tips and are now underemployed. See a full list of businesses with Go Fund Me pages here.
- 4 Star Restaurant Group is offering businesses an opportunity to Sponsor 100-300 meals for delivery to healthcare workers. Your business can receive marketing benefits along with the satisfaction of helping those on the front lines. Learn more here.
- Click Shoes & More is allowing shoppers to make appointments to shop in their store once phase 3 begins and will only allow two shoppers in their store at a time, as well as clean between each customer.
Public Health Guidance
Review the latest guidance from public health officials to keep your business safe and prepared.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Page
Resources for Business and Employers
Illinois Department of Public Health
State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Page
Workplace Health and Safety Guidance for Employees and Staff of Businesses
Community Planning Organizations Guidance
Daily COVID-19 Press Briefings
Chicago Department of Public Health
City of Chicago Coronavirus Response Center
Guidance for Businesses and Employers (Updated 5/5/2020)
Other Resources
General Resources
State of Illinois Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Page
This website from the State of Illinois provides the latest news releases related to coronavirus, video archives of press conferences and tips from leading experts to keep you and your family safe.City of Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection COVID-19 Resources
This page contains resources and information for businesses, consumers and employees impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.- City of Chicago Small Business Survey: The City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) is soliciting feedback from businesses as they develop resources and measures to support small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19.
National Restaurant Association: Resources for the Foodservice Industry
Opportunities to Help
COVID-19 PPE Donations
The State of Illinois and City of Chicago are gathering information from individuals and businesses interested in donating much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies to our first responders during the COVID-19 outbreak.Lakeview Pantry
Lakeview Pantry remains open with a modified distribution model in response to the coronavirus. Support our local food pantry, or reach out if you are in need.Off Their Plate
Off Their Plate is a grassroots movement that provides a conduit for the community to provide nutritious meals to hospital teams, keeping local restaurants busy and restaurant staff employed. Launching soon in Chicago.