Chicago

LATEST UPDATES

• March 31, 2020 | City of Chicago Launches Applications for Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund; Apply Online
• March 31, 2020 | Governor Pritzker Announces Extension of Stay at Home Order to end of April; Read the Order; Frequently Asked Questions
• March 26, 2020 | Chicago Department of Public Health releases updated Guidances for Businesses and Employers
• March 19, 2020 | All BACP offices are closed to the public until further notice
• More Updates for Businesses...

EMERGENCY FINANCING

• Comparison of Emergency Loan Funds (presented by Accion Serving Illinois and Indiana)
• Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund | As a direct response to COVID-19 and the strain it is placing on our city’s small businesses, the City of Chicago is establishing a $100 million Chicago Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund which will help to provide small businesses with emergency cash flow during this immediate health crisis.
  • Applications are available now - APPLY HERE
  • The Resiliency Fund has a team of trusted experts at your service to guide you through the application, underwriting and closing phases of your loan. Questions can be submitted in English and Spanish.
  • Some Chicago Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDCs) are providing free remote/virtual application support for the Chicago Small Resiliency Loan Fund - LEARN MORE
• U.S. Paycheck Protection Program | The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing emergency loans to businesses with fewer than 500 employees through the Paycheck Protection Program. The loan will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. 
  
  • Apply starting April 3, 2020, at any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, or Farm Credit System institution that chooses to participate. Click here to find a lender eligible to issue a loan - please check with your preferred lender to determine if they are participating. 
• U.S. Economic Injury Disaster Loan | The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing small business assistance through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, with loans available for up to $2 million in assistance to small businesses. Applicants are eligible for a $10,000 grant within 3 days, regardless ofwhether the loan closes.
  • Apply for assistance

LICENSING RESOURCES

• Business Licensing | As the Department of Public Health recommends Social Distancing, BACP wants to remind business owners of the availability of online resources to support licensing.
  • Please visit Chicago Business Direct to apply for or renew a license online. Learn more about how to use Chicago Business Direct.
  • Please call 312-74-GOBIZ (312-744-6249) to answer general licensing questions and schedule a phone consultation with a Business Consultant.

MORE RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES...

LATEST UPDATES

• On March 16, 2020, BACP issued an alert to warn consumers to be aware of consumer fraud related to COVID-19 outbreak, such as false advertising and price gouging.
  • Consumers should avoid products advertised as a cure or a vaccine for COVID-19 and should report false advertising or price gouging to BACP. BACP urges consumers to submit consumer fraud complaints to BACP via 3-1-1 or at www.chicago.gov/bacp.
• The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has also warned against COVID-19 scams. Consumers can also submit complaints:
  • To the Illinois Attorney General’s Office’s website;
  • By calling the Consumer Fraud Hotline (1-800-386-5438).

RESOURCES

• BACP Consumer Protection | BACP protects consumers from fraud by resolving complaints and taking action against fraudulent businesses.
• Know Before You... |  BACP promotes consumer awareness through education and information to help consumers protect themselves.

LATEST UPDATES

• The United States Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) has taken effect as of April 1, 2020. The FFCRA will give all American businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide employees with paid leave, either for the employee’s own health needs or to care for family members.
  • Fact Sheet for Employers (Spanish)
  • Fact Sheet for Employees (Spanish)
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• Chicago’s Paid Sick Leave Law requires Chicago employers to allow employees to accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for each forty hours worked. Furthermore, the law says that employees can use sick time when they or a family member or sick, if their place of business is closed or if their child’s school is closed due to a public health emergency.
  • Know Your Rights under Chicago's Paid Sick Leave Law
• The Illinois Department of Employment Security has recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible. Please visit their website for more information.

RESOURCES

• Chicago Paid Sick Leave| Chicago's Paid Sick Leave Law requires Chicago employers to provide paid sick leave:
  • Know Your Rights during the COVID-19 Outbreak 
  • File a Complaint by:
    • Calling 3-1-1
    • Using CHI 311, or
    • Filling out a Complaint Form
• Federal Paid Sick Leave | The United States Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is effective April 1, 2020:
  • Read the Press Release
  • Fact Sheet for Employers (Spanish)
  • Fact Sheet for Employees (Spanish)
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• Unemployment Insurance | The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) handles unemployment benefits for the State of Illinois
  • If you have questions about Unemployment Insurance, please call the IDES Customer Service Center at 800-244-5631 or 866-488-4016 TTY.
  • File a complaint online
  • COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefit FAQ
• Domestic Workers | Domestic workers are facing unique challenges due to the COVID-19 Outbreak. 
  • Resources for Domestic Workers on the Coronavirus Pandemic
  • How to be a Fair Employer to Domestic Workers during the COVID-19 Outbreak