COVID-19 Resources

On behalf of the Tinley Park Chamber Board and Office Staff, we want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to assist our local Businesses and Organizations in these trying times. We understand there is a lot of information out there for business owners and employers, and we working hard to stay current on that information and present it to you as often as we can. We are also working closely with our local Chambers to continue to support you all in the best ways possible.

As always, we are open to your ideas and feedback on how we can help you through these tough times. We would also love to share with the community how you and your business are helping support others in this time of need – we can all use some happy news right now! Please SHARE your stories and photos with us! Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Chamber Office via email or phone – WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!

[Information presented on this page is from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Chamber of Commerce or Small Business Administration. All other information is cited.]

Chamber Updates

Restaurant Facebook Page
The Tinley Park and Orland Park Chambers have teamed together to create a Facebook Group to help promote restaurants’ menu and delivery options to the community. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2912717675476125/

Shop Local Facebook Page
The Tinley Park and Orland Park Chambers have teamed together to create a Facebook Group to help promote local businesses in the community. https://www.facebook.com/groups/206554664000174/

Resource Updates

PPP Opened 1/12/21 for First Draw PPP Loan Applications

Starting today, community financial institutions (Community Financial Development Institutions, Minority Depository Institutions, Community Development Corporations or Microlenders) can submit First Draw PPP loan applications to the SBA and on Wednesday, they will be able to submit Second Draw PPP loan applications. Just a few days following, the PPP will re-open to all participating PPP lenders for First and Second Draw PPP loans.

APPLICATION: FIRST DRAW PPP LOAN

Updated PPP Loan Applications and Process Details

Updated applications have been released for First Draw and Second Draw PPP loans. PPP applications must go through participating PPP lenders, who then route them to the SBA for approval. Per this guidance, the SBA continues to call upon our lending partners to assist eligible borrowers in underserved and disadvantaged communities and address potential barriers to access to capital.

APPLICATION: SECOND DRAW PPP LOAN

From Governor Pritzker’s Office

2nd Round of Business Interruption Grants (BIG) Program Reopens

Earlier this week, Governor Pritzker announced a new round of Business Interruption Grants (BIG), offering $220 million in financial assistance for small businesses that were hit hard by the pandemic. This second wave of grants aims to provide relief for all types of small businesses, including movie theaters, performing arts venues, concert venues, indoor recreation, amusement parks and more. Independently owned retail, tourism-related and hospitality-related businesses will be prioritized for review and eventual funding. The hotel and hospitality industry have been among the most impacted industries during the COVID-19 pandemic and we appreciate the governor’s support in helping our partners survive the pandemic. Funding for the new wave of BIG awards went live on September 17. For more information or to apply for a BIG grant, click here.

Will County Reverts to Phase 4 at 5 p.m. on September 18

The State of Illinois recently announced that Will County has reached the threshold to move out of the enhanced mitigation restrictions that have been imposed on Region 7 for the last several weeks. Restaurants and bars can now return to Phase 4 beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18.

Residents are still advised to wear masks, wash their hands frequently and maintain social distancing so that the region can continue moving in a positive direction.

CCDPH Recommends Voluntary Restrictions for Suburban Cook County

The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is issuing guidance for bars, fitness clubs, personal care businesses and other settings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The measures are based on Tier 1 mitigation measures in the Restore Illinois Mitigation Plan. These recommendations are completely voluntary but strongly encouraged. Measures include:

• Bars, taverns, breweries and other establishments that serve alcohol for on-site consumption without a retail food license are being asked to serve customers outdoors only.
• Restaurants that serve alcohol must continue to abide by ongoing COVID-19 guidance and existing regulations.
• Maximum party size and table occupancy at restaurants, bars, taverns and breweries should be reduced to six people (indoor or outdoor).
• Indoor fitness class size should be reduced to a maximum of 10 people.
• Personal service businesses should discontinue services (shaves, facials) that require the removal of face coverings.
• Residential property managers should limit guest entry to six people per unit to avoid indoor gatherings and parties.

In addition, businesses and workplaces should:

• Institute remote work for high-risk individuals and continue to support telework for as many workers as possible
• Retail establishments should maintain no more than 50% capacity, which is the current recommendation.

Visit the CCDPH website for more information.

Small Business Loans & Grants

Cook County Community Recovery Initiative

Cook County has launched a comprehensive initiative to provide economic relief to small businesses, non-profits, community service organizations and independent contractors (1099 workers) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More Here.

Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans*
The State of Illinois has received its statewide Economic Injury Declaration which means small businesses in all 102 Illinois counties may be eligible for low-interest, economic injury disaster loans up to $2M per business. Deadline to apply is December 21, 2020

• CLICK HERE for the link to apply
• CLICK HERE for a detailed document on the SBA’s three-step disaster loan process
• CLICK HERE for a handout on additional disaster assistance resources from the SBA

*Please note that the SBA system has been overloaded with requests since being announced. A tip given through the SBA is to try applying before 9am and after 3pm.

US Chamber Guide to EIDL: NEW – Guide to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

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. Successful applicants will owe nothing for six months and will then begin making fixed payments at a below market interest rate for the remainder of a five-year loan term. Fins more information and apply HERE.

Information on the Illinois Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program
Business Invest – Illinois Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program (“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. The purpose of this funding is to provide vital economic support to small businesses and non-profits throughout Illinois to help overcome the loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Through this program, the Treasurer’s Office would partner with approved financial institutions to provide loans — either lower rate loans, or loans to a business or non-profit that would not otherwise qualify — to Illinois small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• State funds would be deposited with qualified financial institutions for a 1-year term at a near-zero deposit rate of 0.01% (0.0001).
• Deposits could be drawn in $1 or $5 million increments, up to a maximum of $25 million per financial institution.
• Deposited funds would facilitate affordable loans (not to exceed 4.75%) to small businesses and non-profits that could be used to provide bridge funding, pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills.
• Eligible Illinois businesses or non-profits must: (1) have been shut down or limited due to COVID-19; (2) have less than $1 million in liquid assets or $8 million average
• annual receipts (per SBA standards); and (3) be headquartered in the state of Illinois or agree to use the funds in Illinois.
• Deposits would be renewable as determined by the Treasurer’s Office.
• Financial institutions would be required to provide reports to the Treasurer’s Office regarding the usage of program funds, including the number and types of loans provided and the economic impact of such loans.

Further information can be found via the Illinois Treasurer’s WEBSITE.

DCEO Webinar on Phase 4/BIG Program

Illinois DCEO is holding a webinar on Monday to review the Phase 4 guidelines and Business Interruption Grant program. Register Here

Just In: Applications Live for $85 Million in New Grants to Help Businesses and Communities Recover

Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) on June 23 released applications for two new business and economic recovery programs. Both programs offer priority for small businesses whose operations were heavily restricted or completely shut down during the pandemic, for those located in disproportionately impacted areas (DIAs), as well as those in communities damaged by recent civil unrest. DIAs are low-income areas that have experienced high rates of COVID-19 cases.

These programs are the latest in a series of grant programs designed to offset the economic impact of COVID-19 for businesses and communities across Illinois.

New Business Interruption Grants Program

The first round of Business Interruption Grants (BIG) will provide $60 million to businesses experiencing losses or business interruption as a result of COVID-19 related closures.

The BIG Program is available for up to 3,500 businesses and DCEO will begin distributing funds to qualifying businesses mid-July. Specifically, the program includes support for:

• Businesses in Disproportionate Impacted Areas (DIAs) – $20 million for businesses that are located in a subset of DIAs that have recently experienced significant property damage, providing 1,000 grants of $20,000 each
• Bars and Restaurants – $20 million for bars and restaurants unable to offer outside service, providing at least 1,000 grants of up to $20,000 each
• Barbershops and Salons – $10 million for barbershops and salons, providing 1,000 grants of $10,000 each
• Gyms and Fitness Centers – $10 million for gyms and fitness centers that have lost significant revenue due to COVID-19, providing 500 grants of $20,000 each

*Applications available for review June 23

*Applications are accepted starting June 26

*Application closes July 7 at 5:00 p.m.

Apply for RDC

For more information please go to the State of Illinois website: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On March 18th, the President approved relief for families impacted by COVID-19. Click here to find details.

• Mandatory employer-provided emergency sick pay and emergency paid family leave for employers with fewer than 500 employees.
• Credit will be provided to employers to reimburse 100% of the qualified sick leave wages as a credit against Employer Social Security Tax
• Available to qualified full- and part-time employees beginning April 2 through the end of 2020.

CARES Act

Paycheck Protection Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will provide $349 billion in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program to small businesses and non-profits. Portions of these loans will be forgiven to the extent that recipients maintain their existing workforce or rehire. Loans can be up to $10 million and interest rates are maxed at 4% for portions of the loan that do not qualify for loan forgiveness.

Please review the resources provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury below and visit their webpage for additional information.

• A top-line overview of the program can be found here.
• If you’re a lender, more information can be found here.
• If you’re a borrower, more information can be found here.
• The application for borrowers can be found here.

US Chamber Guide to PPP: UPDATED – Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist (Paycheck Protection Program)

Economic Injury Disaster Loan – The 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. Borrowers can request an emergency advance of $10,000 within 3 days of submitting the application and do not have to repay the advance if they are denied a loan. Learn more here.

Unemployment Assistance
Many more individuals will qualify for unemployment assistance under the CARES Act. Those who are self-employed, are independent contractors or who have a limited work history will be eligible to receive benefits if they are unable to work as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Unemployment benefits have been extended to run through Dec. 31, 2020. The CARES Act also provides the unemployed with an additional $600 per week payment until July 31, 2020, paid for by the federal government. Furloughed workers are also eligible for unemployment benefits.

(Description found on: https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/04/02/how-small-businesses-can-get-coronavirus-relief-through-the-cares-act/#3dd8e24a7934)

IRS: Employee Retention Credit available for many businesses financially impacted by COVID-19
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today launched the Employee Retention Credit, designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.

The credit is available to all employers regardless of size, including tax-exempt organizations. There are only two exceptions: State and local governments and their instrumentalities and small businesses who take small business loans.

Qualifying employers must fall into one of two categories:

1. The employer’s business is fully or partially suspended by government order due to COVID-19 during the calendar quarter.
2. The employer’s gross receipts are below 50% of the comparable quarter in 2019. Once the employer’s gross receipts go above 80% of a comparable quarter in 2019, they no longer qualify after the end of that quarter.

Updates on the implementation of this credit,  Frequently Asked Questions on Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave and other information can be found on the Coronavirus page of IRS.gov.

US Chamber Guide for Employee Retention Credit: NEW – Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit 

Deferred Payment of Employer Payroll Taxes
Employers who do not receive forgiveness on a Paycheck Protection Program loan can delay payment of payroll taxes. This covers the employer share of the Social Security tax. Those who are self-employed can defer the payment of the employer share, too. The deferred tax payments must be paid back over a two-year period: Half by Dec. 31, 2021, and the remainder by Dec. 31, 2022. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/04/02/how-small-businesses-can-get-coronavirus-relief-through-the-cares-act/#3dd8e24a7934)

Resources

US Chamber of Commerce
The US Chamber has put together resources for small businesses as they navigate through these unprecedented times.

• Backgrounder on Health Coverage Options
• Backgrounder on Unemployment Insurance Under the CARES Act
• Independent Contractor’s Guide to CARES Act Relief
• Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
• Temporary Paid Leave and Family Medical Leave Guide
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program Guide
• Employee Retention Tax Credit Guide
• Coronavirus Small Business Guide
• Coronavirus Response Toolkit

Illinois Chamber of Commerce
We will continue to share information as it becomes available. Please visit the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Coronavirus website https://ilchamber.org/communications/cornonavirus for regularly updated information on the Coronavirus crisis.

Donations

ICRF
First, the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund (ICRF) is a new statewide fundraising effort to support nonprofit organizations serving those whose lives have been upended by this pandemic.

Chaired by former U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, ICRF will focus on filling Illinois residents’ most basic needs, including:
* Emergency food and basic supplies
* Interim housing and shelter
* Primary health care services
* Utility and financial assistance
* Supports for children and other vulnerable populations
* Nonprofit safety and operations assistance

You can make a donation or find out more here.

Chamber Members in need of PPE:

iBIO / IMA
The  Illinois Biotechnology Association (iBIO) and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) are partnering with the Pritzker Administration to ramp up in-state production of essential supplies.

These include items such as N95 masks, gloves, gowns, ventilators, sanitizer, and more. All of these products will be used in Illinois to help our local communities.

The organizations are providing supply chain support to help connect manufacturers who are ramping up or altering their operations to provide more essential items.

You can fill out the proper forms and find additional information here or here.