Cook County announced that late-payment interest penalties will be waived for two months on the second-half installment on property tax bills.  The action means that property tax bills normally due August 3rd can be paid as late as October 1st without extra late charges.

The Village of Niles is asking residents to support Niles businesses that have been affected by the Coronavirus by purchasing gift cards from the restaurants and other businesses.  Residents can buy directly from the restaurants and businesses so they can use these funds for a month or two.  When the pandemic is over, you can redeem the gift card at Niles businesses. Businesses are encouraged to update their web sites to sell gift cards. Residents can also support the restaurants that may offer a drive-thru, a take-out menu, as well as curb service. They can also purchase meals for first responders including doctors, nurses, firefighters, police, and public works personnel.  A list of restaurants is provided below.  

Governor Pritzker's 5-Phase Plan 

Information regarding Phase IV of the Governor's 5-Phased Plan is provided below:

https://dceocovid19resources.com/restore-illinois/restore-illinois-phase-4/

https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/pages/restoreILP3.aspx

https://dceocovid19resources.com/assets/Restore-Illinois/businessguidelines3/personalcare.pdf

https://www2.illinois.gov/dhr/Documents/IDHR_FAQ_for_Businesses_Concerning_Use_of_Face-Coverings_During_COVID-19_Ver_2020511b copy.pdf

https://abc7chicago.com/society/restore-illinois-5-phase-reopening-plan-by-gov-pritzker-splits-il-into-4-regions-/6159808/

https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-cb-pritzker-plan-reopen-illinois-20200506-erfvitdovffmzd7ativx4hj57q-htmlstory.html

https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/restore-illinois-faqs

State of Illinois Business Grants

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will launch the first round of Business Interruption Grants (BIG) by providing $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 that experienced a limited ability to operate due to COVID-19 related closures. DCEO will begin distributing funds to qualifying businesses in early July. The total program funding will amount to at least $540 million in grants for small businesses, $270 of which has been set aside for childcare providers, and is funded by the CARES Act.

In the first wave of grants, priority will be given to small businesses that have been heavily restricted or completely shut down during the pandemic and are located in DIAs. Businesses eligible for the program must have experienced extreme hardship, demonstrated by eligible costs or losses in excess of the grant amount, since March and may continue to face depressed revenues or closure. Businesses must also have been in operation for at least three months prior to March 2020. An emphasis will also be placed on those businesses that are located in areas that have experienced recent property damage due to civil unrest, exacerbating the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Specifically, the program includes support for:

• Businesses in 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

DCEO will make the application for BIG available on Monday, June 22.

Congress Passed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Health Care Enhancement (HCE) on April 23, 2020

On Thursday, April 23, 2020, Congress Passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPP & HCE Act), and the President signed it into law Friday, April 24.

The PPP & HCE Act is an expansion of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) portion of the CARES ACT passed in late March. The original $350 billion earmarked for small business paycheck loans has been exhausted; the new legislation adds $310 billion more to the program. Additionally, the PPP & HCE Act includes:

• $60 billion for the SBA’s economic injury disaster loans and grants, including:

• $50 billion for economic injury disaster loans – each loan can be up to $2 million with interest rates not to exceed 4% and long-term repayment periods of up to 30 years;

• and $10 billion for grants of up to $10,000 that do not have to be repaid.

• $100 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations, $75 billion of which is designated for hospitals and health care providers, and $25 billion of which is designated for the ramp-up of COVID-19 testing

• Additional funds are provided for the SBA to administer these programs

It is critical that any small employers who have already applied for a PPP loan check with their lender, as the Interim Final Rule states explicitly, you can only apply for one PPP Loan. Contact your bank to see if they still have your application and whether or not it will be submitted when the SBA begins accepting new PPP loan applications.

If you are a small business owner who has not applied for PPP loans, you can start your application now. You must submit SBA Form 2483 (Paycheck Protection Program Application Form) and payroll documentation. Applications will be accepted again Monday, April 27 at 9:30 am!

State of Illinois Small Business Assistance

The State of Illinois announced grants for Small Business.  More information is provided at the following link:

https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/Coronavirus-Disease-2019-(COVID-19)-Information-for-Small-Business.aspx

The State of Illinois Small Business Assistance programs are provided in the link above.   Cook County announced on March 26, 2020 the Covid-19 Small Business Assistance Program.  

The State of Illinois announced the Hospitality Grant recipients for grants of between $10,000 and $25,000. The list of recipients is provided below:

https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Documents/Hospitality%20Grant%20Awardees%204.17.20.pdf

Cook County $10 million Community Recovery Fund

Cook County unveiled a $10 million Community Recovery Fund that will offer no-interest loans to suburban small businesses, gig workers, and independent contractors whose livelihoods have been battered by the new coronavirus.  The application for the newest Cook County Small Business Assistance program is provided below.  Additional information on Business Assistance Programs are provided below under Business Assistance Programs.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=rlVNi7RtBU6oXFnWolbNbmMOJwqJKYZHoxCOSMzw5rhUOUVZOVgyUjVIUjgzUDAxOElWNUwxQ0VQRS

US Chamber of Commerce Grant Program for Small Business Recovery

The US Chamber of Commerce launched a new grant program to support small business recovery.  The US Chamber will distribute $5,000 grants to small employers in the US from corporate and philanthropic partners. The link is provided below:

https://savesmallbusiness.com/

Niles Chamber of Commerce - Voice of Business Interviews

The Niles Chamber of Commerce & Industry - Voice of Niles Business Interviews with the Mayor of Niles, Mayor Andrew Przybylo,  Economic Development Director John Melaniphy, Village Trustee Denise McCreery, and Village Trustee George Alpogianis regarding the business assistance programs are provided at the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/ChamberNiles/videos/576845699852633/UzpfSTEwMDAwMDU1NjAwMjgwNjozNTYzODEyODgzNjQ3MjEw/

https://www.facebook.com/ChamberNiles/videos/1572648249568411/UzpfSTEwMDAwMDU1NjAwMjgwNjozNTI4ODQ0ODU3MTQ0MDEz/

https://www.facebook.com/ChamberNiles/videos/2689712497803935/?q=Niles%20Chamber%20of%20Commerce%20Voice%20of%20Business&epa=SEARCH_BOX

https://www.facebook.com/ChamberNiles/videos/693723261374602/UzpfSTEwMDAwMDU1NjAwMjgwNjozNjA1MDk1MDQ2MTg1NjYw/

Mayor Andrew Przybylo talks about the Phase III opening and dining Alfreso in Niles in a Chamber interview below.

https://www.facebook.com/ChamberNiles/videos/2507802432883383

There are also links for frequently asked questions pertaining to the Governor's Stay-At-Home order for businesses, as well as, information for restaurants.  We would also like to thank all the Niles grocery stores that have endured unprecedented demand and have worked diligently during this crisis to keep their store shelves stocked.  If you need assistance or have any questions please contact the Director of Economic Development John C. Melaniphy at 847 588-8074.