Stay up to date on resources to support your business during the COVID-19 outbreak. We will be updating this page as we receive new information. Things are changing continuously, please check back often.

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• City of Chicago Microbusiness Recovery Grant Program will distribute $5,000 grants to up to 1,000 businesses with four or fewer employees in low- and moderate-income areas of the city that have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and could most benefit from a grant.

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• Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund- Verizon has invested $2.5 million dollars for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). LISC is offering grants to help small businesses fill urgent financial gaps until they can resume normal operations or until other more permanent financing becomes available. 

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• Federal CARES Act:

  • Federal CARES Act fact sheet for small businesses. 

  • Congressman Quigley's Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Acts​

  • Women's Business Development Center Applicant Guide for SBA Loans Under the CARES Act

  • the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program

  • CARES Act information for non-profits

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• The City of Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund applications are live. View the terms and conditions here. Start your application here. Visit the FAQ page for more information. 

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• For more tips and a quick "checklist" of things you can do to keep your business going through this challenging time, check out this blog post from Nancy McClelland, the Dancing Accountant.

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• Tips for setting up a Go Fund Me page to help former staff.​

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• Hospitality Emergency Grant Program -  the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is launching this program with $14 million drawn from funds originally budgeted for job training, tourism promotion, and other purposes.help hospitality businesses make ends meet in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, 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.​

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• The State of Illinois is now eligible for The Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. This program will provide small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million to provide vital economic support to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Click here for more information and to apply.​

  • Have questions? View this PowerPoint for more details.

  • Review the Women's Business Development Center Disaster Loan Readiness Checklist to make sure your application is expedited and processed efficiently

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• Emergency Childcare Services are available for essential workers under the Stay At Home Order

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• The Governor has issued a Stay At Home Order effective 3/21 at 5PM through April 30. Essential businesses are allowed to remain open, including:

  •  ​stores that sell groceries, medicine and pet supplies

  • gas stations

  • restaurants for take out & delivery only

  • hospitals and pharmacies

  • transportation (CTA, taxis, rideshare, etc.)

  • laundromats

  • financial Institutions

  • hardware stores

  • mail and goods delivery

  • daycare centers

  • critical labor functions (plumbers, cleaning, etc.)

  • hotels and motels

  • charitable and social service organizations

  • media (newspapers and radio stations)

  • bike and automobile shops

  • utilities and infrastructure 

**Still unsure if your business is essential? Refer to this essential business FAQ or this flow chart.

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• Effective Thursday, April 9, all liquor sales are prohibited after 9PM citywide, pursuant to a temporary Public Health Order.

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• Rowboat Creative has launched an initiative called Creatives Who Care, to help any and all impacted by the current situation by creating donation platforms. The Creatives Who Care Initiative not only helps raise funds for others, but also assists in keeping Rowboat Creative team members employed. Learn more here.

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• Serai is also offering free meals for those in need, beginning March 24th, visit their facebook page for details.

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• Chicago Distilling Company is making hand sanitizer, click here for details (pro tip: you can order canned cocktails, too!)

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• Consumption on premises-incidental activity and tavern liquor licensees in the City of Chicago can sell and deliver incidental packaged goods liquor.  

  • Liquor sales and delivery must occur during liquor sale hours as defined in the Municipal Code 4-60-130

  • Licensees must verify proof of age

  • Only sealed packaged goods in their original container (no to- go cups) can be sold or delivered

  •  Additional restrictions on delivery may apply to those who are licensed by the State as brew pubs, distilling pubs and  manufacturers. 

  • These businesses should contact the State Liquor Commission or visit their website for additional information. 

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• State of Illinois Unemployment Insurance: ​Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. Visit the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) website to learn more.

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• The United States' Bartenders' Guild Emergency Assistance Program: 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.

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• The Mayor has temporarily suspended debt collection, ticketing and towing practices.

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• ComEd and People's Gas are suspending service disconnections.

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• Grubhub is temporarily suspending collection of up to $100 million in commission payments from impacted independent restaurants nationwide. Learn more here.

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• Review The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Response Toolkit for businesses.

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• Facebook Small Business Grants Program is offering cash grants and ad credits for eligible small businesses.​

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• Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund:to help replace lost income due to theatre closures. 

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• For more resources for the Arts Community, visit the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events website.

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• 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.

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• The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus. This page will be updated as new information is available.

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Stay up to date by checking the latest news frequently. The most up to date information is available at the City of Chicago website, ChiBizHub, State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Page, Chicago Department of Public Health Website, Governor's Press Room and your local ward office:

• 1st Ward

• 32nd Ward

• 33rd Ward

• 35th Ward​

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