"Restore Illinois" a five-phase plan
Restore Illinois Phase 4 Recovery - FAQ for Business as of 9/25/2020
McHenry County Department of Health/Lake County Department of Health Press Release - North Suburban Region 9 COVID-19 Trends May Trigger Mitigation
McHenry County Department of Health Press Release - McHenry County enters warning level
Kane County Department of Heath Press Release - Kane County Health Department Urges Residents to Change Behavior to Stop the Surge of COVID-19 Cases
Governor JB Pritzker signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation extending the statewide declaration through Saturday, November 14.
Additionally, Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 2020-59 to extend all Phase 4 orders.
Governor JB Pritzker signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation (available via this link) extending the statewide declaration through Saturday, October 17. Additionally, Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 2020-55 (available via this link) to extend all Phase 4 orders.
AUGUST 19 -
The State of Illinois today announced revised guidelines for restaurants and bar establishments statewide to operate safely and help prevent the spread of covid-19. New guidelines go into effect Wednesday, August 26th and will require face coverings to be worn both in indoor and outdoor dining settings in all eleven regions in the state. Full guidelines may be found on the department of commerce and economic opportunity (DCEO) website.
In recent days, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced emergency rules for businesses, schools, and child care establishments regarding the use of face coverings and the size of gatherings.
Governor JB Pritzker signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation extending the statewide declaration through Saturday, August 22. Additionally, Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 2020-48 to extend all Phase 4 orders. All regions of the state remain in Phase 4 (Revitalization) of the “Restore Illinois” plan. For a region of the state to move into Phase 5 (Illinois Restored) a vaccine or effective treatment must be made available or the state must have seen an elimination of new cases over a sustained period of time through herd immunity or other factors.
All Phase 4 guidelines are available on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) COVID-19 website via this link. DCEO is available to assist with inquiries regarding the Phase 4 guidelines by phone at (800) 252-2923 or by email at ceo.support@illinois.gov.
Mitigation Plan FAQ's may be viewed here.
JULY 15 -
Today, Governor JB Pritzker hosted a COVID-19 press briefing update highlighting a new mitigation plan to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19. The Governor’s mitigation plan is available via this link. During his press briefing, the Governor announced that the state would be modifying its regional boundaries to largely follow IDPH’s 11 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) regions. The Governor’s press release announcing today’s changes is available via this link. Mitigation Plan FAQ's may be viewed here.
JUNE 26 - ALL REGIONS ENTER PHASE 4 OF THE "RESTORE ILLINOIS" PLAN
Press Release announcing all regions move to Phase 4 effective June 26
With the entire state entering Phase 4 today, Governor JB Pritzker signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation extending the statewide disaster declaration through Saturday, July 25, 2020. Additionally, Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 2020-43 , which supersedes the previous order to reflect the changes in Phase 4. Governor Pritzker also signed Executive Order 2020-44 extending previous executive orders.
PHASE 4 FAQ's FOR ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has provided Phase 4 guidelines for businesses . These guidelines are intended to prepare businesses, employers and employees to implement new safety measures for reopening and returning to work. Each set of guidelines includes a common set of guidelines that are expected and encouraged among all employers and activity types, as well as workplace and program-specific guidelines. The guidelines may be viewed via the following link, Phase 4 Guidelines.
With the whole state entering Phase 3, Governor JB Pritzker announced an end to his Stay at Home Order. The Governor signed a Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation extending the statewide disaster declaration through Saturday, June 27, 2020. Additionally, the Governor signed Executive Order 2020-38, called the Community Recovery Order, which supersedes the previous Stay at Home Order to reflect the changes allowed in Phase 3. The Governor also signed Executive Order 2020-39 extending previous executive orders.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has provided guidelines for businesses that are allowed to re-open under Phase 3. These guidelines are intended to prepare businesses, employers and employees to implement new safety measures for reopening and returning to work. Each set of guidelines includes a common set of guidelines that are expected and encouraged among all employers and activity types, as well as workplace and program-specific guidelines. The guidelines may be viewed via this link.
If you have read the industry safety guidelines above and have other specific questions or comments about how Phase 3 affects your business or employees, DCEO offers direct support via their Business Hotline Monday through Friday at 1-800-252-2923, or email at: ceo.support@illinois.gov. Additional information regarding the Restore Illinois plan may be found here.
Please be respectful of the guidelines in place for Phase 3 which continue to include social distancing parameters, face covering requirements, etc.
MAY 5 - THE "RESTORE ILLINOIS" PLAN is announced
On May 5, 2020, Governor JB Pritzker announced the creation of “Restore Illinois,” a five-phase plan to safely reopen the state’s economy. The five phases are: Rapid Spread, Flattening, Recovery, Revitalization and Illinois Restored. The five-phase plan is guided by public health metrics designed to provide a framework for reopening businesses, education and recreational activities in each phase. The Governor indicated that this initial plan can and will be updated as research and science develop and as effective treatments or vaccines are realized.
→More information about the Governor’s “Restore Illinois” plan is available in his press release via this link
→The Governor’s full “Restore Illinois” plan is available via this link
→Restore Illinois FAQ's
Do you have questions regarding essential and non-essential businesses? Please visit DCEO’s website www2.illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/EssentialBusiness.aspx or contact DCEO at 1-800-252-2923 or via email CEO.support@illinois.gov.
A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR SASS, MAY 12, 2020
We are eager to move forward and safely re-open our local economy. To that end, we have worked collectively with the other municipalities in McHenry County and McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks to ask the Governor to re-consider the inclusion of McHenry County within the Northeast Health Region, which includes Cook County, and to move us into another region. This would allow progressing through the Governor’s recovery phases on a quicker pace. This effort has involved putting together a plan for safely re-opening businesses in Huntley and throughout the county. We thank you for supporting our local businesses and encourage everyone to continue to do so.
Please review the following for additional details:
Press Release
Letter from Leaders of McHenry County
covid-19 related loan and grant options
A number of new programs, including loans and grants, have been put in place in response to COVID-19. The following information is meant to be a helpful starting point as you evaluate options for your business. Due to the evolving nature of these programs, it is recommended that you visit the source for the must current information. This list will be updated often with a goal of providing a comprehensive list of options, but may not be inclusive of all available options.
SBA LOAN PROGRAMS
Learn about the various programs offered by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) Coronavirus (COVID-19) in this helpful guide Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources.
Training/Information webinars have been presented by the SBA. Listen to Webinar recordings:
Overview of all programs: https://bit.ly/loanwebinar1
Directed at sole-proprietors, self-employed & independent contractors: https://bit.ly/loanwebinar2
SBA Loan Programs include:
- Paycheck Protection Program: Notice: Paycheck Protection Program closed August 8, 2020 - SBA is no longer accepting PPP applications from participating lenders.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll by providing each small business a loan up to $10 million for payroll and certain other expenses. If all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks, SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Up to 100 percent of the loan is forgivable. Find a Lender - Applications and Funding for this program will be done by lending institutions through the existing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) lending program and additional lenders approved by the Department of Treasury. This could be the bank you already use, or a nearby bank. You do not have to visit any government institution to apply for the program. You may call your bank or find SBA-approved lenders in your area through SBA’s online Lender Match tool. You can call your local Small Business Development Center or other local assistance providers that provide free assistance and guide you to lenders.
→PPP Loan Forgiveness: View and download information including the EZ Forgiveness Application and Full Forgiveness Application forms here.
- SBA Express Bridge Loan: 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 with less paperwork. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan. Application and processing of this loan is through a SBA Preferred Lender - Find an Express Bridge Loan Lender by connecting with your local SBA District Office.
- SBA Debt Relief: For six months, the SBA will automatically pay the principal, interest and fees on current qualified loans and new qualified loans issued before Sept. 27, 2020. The SBA is also providing automatic deferments through Dec. 31, 2020 on any currently serviced disaster loans.
- SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL): Provides low-interest loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and private non-profits affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Small business owners are able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. Recipients do not have to be approved for a loan in order to receive the advance, but the amount of the loan advance will be deducted from total loan eligibility.
- Illinois Business Interruption Grant - The second round of the Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG) is open for application as of 9/17/2020. To learn more and to determine if your business qualifies, visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/C19DisadvantagedBusGrants.aspx
- Main Street Loan Program - As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Federal Reserve has created the Main Street Lending Program to provide a total of $600 billion in financing for small and medium-sized businesses. Among other eligibility criteria, an eligible business must have no more than 15,000 employees or 2019 annual revenues of no more than $5 billion. Applications are handled by an eligible lender (U.S. federally-insured depository institutions ((including banks, savings associations, and credit unions)) as well as any U.S. branch or affiliate of a foreign bank.) This is a non-forgivable loan. Loan amounts are between $250,000 and $35 million.
- Business Invest - Illinois Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program is an impact investment loan program under which the IL 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. Through this program, the IL State 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. List of Participating Banks/Financial Institutions (this will be updated as additional institutions are approved, check back regularly or reach out to your bank to see if they are participating.)
- Go Fund Me - Small Business Relief Initiative - Small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus crisis can sign up on GoFundMe to start a fundraiser to benefit their small business. If a small business raises $500 on their GoFundMe and meets eligibility criteria listed below, they may be considered to receive a $500 matching grant from the Small Business Relief Fund.
- The Red Backpack Fund - The Red Backpack Fund is an initiative started by The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. The foundation donated $5 million to GlobalGiving to establish The Red Backpack Fund. GlobalGiving will be making at least 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis
- Business for All Grant or COVID-19 Emergency Grant - Business for All is a national movement to lift up 100,000 small business owners to receive funding and mentorship. By completing the application below, you’re eligible to receive up to $50,000 in grant funding. We recognize this is a particularly difficult time. If your business has been severely impacted by COVID-19, please complete the full application as well as the COVID-19 Emergency Grants section below to apply for immediate support in the form of $10,000 grants. Thanks to our partners for stepping up to support business owners through the COVID-19 pandemic.In partnership with Verizon, as part of the Business for All movement, every applicant will receive access to opportunities, guides and networks to help their business grow.
- Professional Beauty Association (PBA) COVID-19 RELIEF FUND - The PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund will provide $500 to licensed beauty professionals who are unable to work due to COVID-19.
- 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.
Applications for the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund are no longer being accepted at this time. Enter your email address here if you would like to be notified as soon as Accion resumes accepting new applications.
- McHenry County Small Business Stabilization Grant Program - The pre-application window is now closed, as of May 08, 2020 at 4:30 PM (CDT). Only small businesses that submitted complete pre-applications before the deadline were invited to a full application via a link to an online application portal. The full application that will open the morning of Monday, May 11, 2020 and close on Friday, May 15, 2020 at 4:00pm (CDT). If a small business successfully pre-applied and did not receive a full application weblink, or requires assistance through the full application process, please reach out to Andrew Stuckey at ACStuckey@mchenrycountyil.gov.
- Hospitality Emergency Grant Program - The application window has closed. Grant winners will be contacted directly by Accion. Bars and restaurants with a valid license to serve food or liquor and who generated revenues of less than $1 million in 2019 are eligible for grants between $10,000-$50,000 based on stated revenue thresholds.
- Facebook Small Business Grants Program - Applications are no longer being accepted at this time. Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses.
- Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity - Resources for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
- Illinois Department of Employment Security - COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits
- IRS Taxpayer information
- Illinois Taxpayer Information
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- Center for Disease Control, Interim Guide for Business and Employers
- Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Business Resource Center
- SCORE Mentors
- Illinois Small Business Development Center
- ResumeMcHenryCounty.com
FOR THE COMMUNITY:
- Village of Huntley
- State of Illinois, Illinois Department of Health Coronavirus
- McHenry County COVID-19 Community Resource Page
- ResumeMcHenryCounty.com
- Kane County
- The United Way's 2-1-1 Community Help Line
- Help for Illinois Families: Relief for Households Across the State
- ComEd Bill Payment Assistance Program
- IHDA Emergency Rental Assistance (available through 8/21, application window may close sooner due to demand)
- IHDA Emergency Mortgage Assistance (application opens 8/24)
In this time of ongoing change, it is critical that your customers are informed. Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc), Websites and Email blasts are all helpful tools that can quickly communicate changes:
- Are you open or closed?
- Have your hours changed? Or, are you available by appointment only?
- How have your delivery and/or pick-up procedures been modified?
- How have your cleaning, check-out, store setup and/or other procedures changed due to COVID-19?
- Do you have any specials/promotions?
- Do you stock a hard to find item?
SUPPORT LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL:
VISIT OUR «RESTAURANT AND BREWERIES» PAGE FOR THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE REGARDING FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESSES OPEN FOR DELIVERY, CARRY-OUT, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING.Huntley Businesses Step Up…
a shout out to Huntley businesses helping the cause
Do you know of a Huntley business who has stepped up to help the cause during this pandemic?
Tell us about it. Please email mstocker@huntley.il.us We’d love to hear about it!
