Today is Saturday, May 30, 2020. ChiBizHub, an initiative of World Business Chicago, is dedicated to supporting Chicago’s small business community. We offer this COVID-19 business resource page as one place you can regularly turn to for updated information and links to programs to help your business weather the storm. For public health information, visit chicago.gov/coronavirus UPCOMING WEBINARS: June 10 at 3 p.m. - The Power is in Your Pivot: Series 1: This webinar is the first in a series that will include a panel of business owners and ChiBizHub resource providers sharing insight on how they've pivoted their businesses during COVID-19. The webinar will provide an overview and tips on how these businesses have remained relevant, gained a new customer base and skills amidst the pandemic to keep their businesses alive. Panelists Include: • Amber Green, President of One Business Chicago and Photographer • Alfonso Barrera, Founder Hispanic Pro Network • Jerome Holston, Executive Director of LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois Click here to register. June 17 at 3 p.m. Tips to Maximize Your Time: This webinar, featuring Sherise Turner, Founder of The Buddy Effect, will discuss tips on time management and advice on how being more effective at managing one's time can produce better results for your business. Click here to register. PAST WEBINAR RECORDINGS: Understanding the PPP Loan Forgiveness Process. This webcast was sponsored by the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), Self Help Federal Credit Union, the Illinois Restaurant Association, theFlorida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), The Resurrection Project, and the National Urban League. Click here to watch. How to Better Network. We recently enjoyed a conversation with the La Villita Chamber of Commerce team talking about ways in which their chamber and Little Village businesses are sourcing available business loans and grants and how the chamber and area businesses are networking with their customers and peers. To view webinar: https://www.bigmarker.com/world-business-chicago-chibi/Going-Back-to-Basics-How-to-Better-Communicate-Network How to get your business organized so you can apply for grants, loans and more was the subject of our May 13 webinar. Click here to view. ChiBizHub joined Axion RMS for a webinar on "How to Cut Healthcare Expenses During COVID19". Click here to view. This was recorded on May 6. Shifting Your Business Online, was the topic of our May 1 webinar. ChiBizHub and City of Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection welcomed 37 Oaks Commerce Consulting and Mid South Business Association and Resource Center. On April 14 ChiBizHub's Jazmin Garcia joined Congressman Chuy Garcia for a webinar in Spanish talking about federal support and our ChiBizBub platform. Click here for link. On April 10 ChiBizHub & City of Chicago BACP hosted a PPP and Available Small Business Funding webinar featuring Manny Flores, CEO & President, SomerCor and Terrand Smith, Founder & CEO, 37 Oaks. Click here. - Download SomerCor Presentation here. - Download 37 Oaks Presentation here. Be sure to sign up for ChiBizHub’s newsletter and follow us on social media (links above) for updated information, including upcoming informational webinars.
Today is Saturday, May 30, 2020. ChiBizHub, an initiative of World Business Chicago, is dedicated to supporting Chicago’s small business community. We offer this COVID-19 business resource page as one place you can regularly turn to for updated information and links to programs to help your business weather the storm. For public health information, visit chicago.gov/coronavirus
UPCOMING WEBINARS: June 10 at 3 p.m. - The Power is in Your Pivot: Series 1: This webinar is the first in a series that will include a panel of business owners and ChiBizHub resource providers sharing insight on how they've pivoted their businesses during COVID-19. The webinar will provide an overview and tips on how these businesses have remained relevant, gained a new customer base and skills amidst the pandemic to keep their businesses alive. Panelists Include: • Amber Green, President of One Business Chicago and Photographer • Alfonso Barrera, Founder Hispanic Pro Network • Jerome Holston, Executive Director of LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois Click here to register. June 17 at 3 p.m. Tips to Maximize Your Time: This webinar, featuring Sherise Turner, Founder of The Buddy Effect, will discuss tips on time management and advice on how being more effective at managing one's time can produce better results for your business. Click here to register. PAST WEBINAR RECORDINGS:
Understanding the PPP Loan Forgiveness Process. This webcast was sponsored by the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), Self Help Federal Credit Union, the Illinois Restaurant Association, theFlorida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), The Resurrection Project, and the National Urban League. Click here to watch. How to Better Network. We recently enjoyed a conversation with the La Villita Chamber of Commerce team talking about ways in which their chamber and Little Village businesses are sourcing available business loans and grants and how the chamber and area businesses are networking with their customers and peers. To view webinar: https://www.bigmarker.com/world-business-chicago-chibi/Going-Back-to-Basics-How-to-Better-Communicate-Network
How to get your business organized so you can apply for grants, loans and more was the subject of our May 13 webinar. Click here to view. ChiBizHub joined Axion RMS for a webinar on "How to Cut Healthcare Expenses During COVID19". Click here to view. This was recorded on May 6. Shifting Your Business Online, was the topic of our May 1 webinar. ChiBizHub and City of Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection welcomed 37 Oaks Commerce Consulting and Mid South Business Association and Resource Center. On April 14 ChiBizHub's Jazmin Garcia joined Congressman Chuy Garcia for a webinar in Spanish talking about federal support and our ChiBizBub platform. Click here for link. On April 10 ChiBizHub & City of Chicago BACP hosted a PPP and Available Small Business Funding webinar featuring Manny Flores, CEO & President, SomerCor and Terrand Smith, Founder & CEO, 37 Oaks. Click here. - Download SomerCor Presentation here. - Download 37 Oaks Presentation here.
Be sure to sign up for ChiBizHub’s newsletter and follow us on social media (links above) for updated information, including upcoming informational webinars.
The CARES Act offers assistance to American businesses and households affected by the coronavirus, components include stimulus payments to individuals, expanded unemployment coverage that includes the self-employed, 6-month delay for student federal loan payments, and more. Among the elements intended to support our small business community includes:
May 18: More Than $100 Billion in PPP Funds Still Available (announced by the IL SBA).PPP funds are still available for small businesses, sole proprietors, independent contractors, self-employed persons, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 501(c)(19) veterans organization, and tribal businesses.
Recorded webinars:
Two new interim final rules were issued on May 22, including
The May 23 Paycheck Protection Program Report provided updated total PPP loan details.
Faith-based Organizations: The SBA has clarified that faith-based organizations are eligible to receive loans regardless of whether they provide secular social services. See the FAQ here.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — The U.S. Treasury Department has moved Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. (Illinois Governor Pritzker also extended the state deadline to July 15.)
CDC-recommended tips that small business owners can take to mitigate risk, protect employees and support customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Small Business Administration (SBA) — The Coronavirus Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources page is being continually updated with all SBA tools and resources, including preparedness checklists and different avenues to access capital.
Guidelines for Illinois' Phase 3 Re-Opening as well as toolkits for businesses can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/pages/restoreILP3.aspx. Illinois' GET HIRED initiative hosts virtual job fairs and professional development:
Initiative: GET HIRED
Educational & professional development: https://www.coursera.org/
Virtual Job Fair: https://www.illinoisworknet.com/virtualjobfairs#search
Illinois Modified Stay at Home Order: includes increased flexibility for non-essential businesses, face coverings, outdoor recreation, manufacturing/business, elective medical, and more. Click here for more details.
IL Small Business Relief Fund: Illinois Treasurer Business Invest – Illinois Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program (Illinois)
Information on Chicago PPE Exchange and Phase 3 of Reopening Guidelines
Mayor Lightfoot recently released industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as the city prepares to begin safely reopening in early June (Phase 3: Cautiously Reopen).
Industry-specific guidelines include details such as how businesses can engage in healthy interactions between workers and customers, how to maintain safe working spaces and conditions, and how to design and monitor workplace operations to create flexibility and maintain safety for employees and customers. The guidelines are aligned with the State of Illinois-issued guidelines, with specificity included for the city of Chicago’s context. Guidelines for the following industries, which will open the earliest in phase three in Chicago, can be found at www.chicago.gov/reopening. Mayor Lightfoot addressed the Economic Club of Chicago on May 13, 2020 to share the City’s current thinking on reopening. To view the speech, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e6o1HK6AE0
The Chicago Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund will provide more than $100 million in low-interest loans to severely impacted small businesses over the coming months. Visit chicagoresiliencyfund.com to apply. Business Affairs & Consumer Protection Small Business Center | The City of Chicago is committed to playing an active role in helping small business. Please visit www.chicago.gov/BACPCOVID19 for updates. Business Tax Deferral: To further provide relief for businesses over the coming weeks, the City is also extending due dates for tax payments until June 1, 2020 for the following City taxes:
Chicago Public Schools Updates
Chicago Department of Public Health has a website that provides mental health and well‐being resources for first responders and the healthcare community.
PRIVATE & NON PROFIT SUPPORT
The Partnership is hosting free online digital literacy training courses, available in both English and Spanish. Improve your computer skills by participating in a live digital literacy webinar. Registration is required at least 24 hours before each event starts. To register please use the links below:
University CoWork has created and is maintaining a comprehensive list (45 current opportunities) of national/state/county/city/private grants and loans geared for south-side small businesses: www.UniversityCoWork.com/pandemicrelief
LISC Rapid Relief & Recovery fund application process is now open. This is for businesses with immediate financial impact due to COVID19. Click here to apply. Your application must be completed by Wednesday, May 20th, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Before completing the application, we recommend you review our Grant Information Overview and FAQ, which can be found here.
If you have questions not answered by the FAQ, please emailsmallbusinessgrants@lisc.org. We are monitoring this inbox and updating the FAQ accordingly.
Executives' Club of Chicago Business Resources Facebook small business grants Visit https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants and apply for a chance to win a grant for $2500 and $1500 in FB advertising.
Free Legal Advice. Community Law Project is hosting a free Virtual Legal Clinic for Small Businesses & Nonprofits. Click here. Small businesses and nonprofits who have suffered adversely from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis can request an appointment to receive free legal advice during a 30-minute remote consultation with a volunteer attorney.
Tell the University of Chicago how COVID-19 has impacted your business. Business owners are invited to take a short and confidential survey about how your business has been impacted by the COVID19. Your feedback may help improve the types of assistance that city and state government agencies provide to help businesses like yours survive and recover from this crisis.
To thank you for your response, you will be entered into a lottery for the chance to win one of ten $500 prizes. (Researchers will run a computerized random draw and notify winners by May 31st.)
KPMG recently held a webcast for not-for-profits where they summarized the issues of relevance to non-profit organizations from the recently Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act); outlined opportunities for larger non-profit organizations to apply for relief under a new program at the Department of the Treasury; identified eligibility of small business loans and grants for non-profits and various tax provisions that benefit non-profit organizations and encourage charitable contributions; and distinguished expanded unemployment benefits and related provisions. To view the webcast, please click here.
Accion Chicago is now offering city and state emergency loans and will help people figure out PPP and other programs. Visit https://us.accion.org/news/emergency-capital/ , click the first link on that page that provides a side by side by side of City State Federal loans.
Arts for Illinois Relief Fund is now available to provide financial assistance to artists, artisans and cultural organizations impacted by COVID-19. The fund is a partnership between the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and the broader philanthropic community. Arts for Illinois Relief Fund is administered by Arts Alliance Illinois in partnership with 3Arts and Arts Work Fund. To date, more than $4M has been committed from public and private sources to seed an upcoming statewide campaign that will provide additional funding to meet the growing and critical needs of the state’s creative sector. Artists, artisans and cultural organizations impacted by COVID-19 are urged to apply for grants through www.artsforillinois.org. COVID-19 Insurance Implications. World Business Chicago in partnership with Willis Tower Watson, Hennessy & Roach, P.C. and Jackson Lewis, PC, recently held a webinar: Risk and Insurance Implications of COVID-19. This webinar was presented to help business leaders and owners get answers to questions related to how insurance coverage may apply to potential claims related to this pandemic. The agenda included an overview of property and business interruption coverages and how various exclusions and coverage limitations may impact coverage for policy holders. In addition, we reviewed the impact on employers and their employees relating to workers compensation and employment practices issues. We also discussed third party liability issues and how liability coverage may potentially be interpreted in claims scenarios. Please click here to access the recording, and here for the presentation. Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (Skills) is actively working with 40+ business partners across all industries to understand their current and anticipated hiring/talent needs, and are also able to support your company during this time. If you are experiencing a surge in demand and need to bring on more staff quickly, or have been forced to lay-off staff – they are here to support you. Skills has placed over 7,500 unemployed and underemployed individuals into jobs across all industries over the last eight years. If your business has been impacted, contact Cristian Sirera, Skills’ Associate Director of Business Development, at csirera@skillsforchicagoland.com and 630-750-2120. For more info visit: www.skillsforchicagolandsfuture.com.
Dining at a Distance was first launched and curated in Chicago in response to the COVID-19 crisis to provide an easy way to find local restaurants. Today the site has grown from Chicago to cities across the world. Restaurants are encouraged to register their business and those interested in supporting local businesses are encouraged to patronize restaurants on this list.
GoFundMe Small Business Relief Fund: Provides one-time matching grants to qualifying small businesses. GoFundMe, Yelp, and Intuit QuickBooks have pledged to donate up to $1.5 million in donations into the GoFundMe.org Small Business Relief Fund. Until that Fund is depleted, GoFundMe.org will continue issuing $500 matching grants to qualifying businesses. Click link to learn how to qualify.
Kabbage launched an online hub to help boost sales for U.S small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including a system through which businesses can sell gift cards to consumers for use at a later date.
MainVest, a crowdfunding platform, announced its new Main Street Initiative: a $2,000, zero-interest, 120 day loan for restaurants or other brick and mortars affected by the shutdown, in addition to its normal fundraising offerings.
Seated Hotline for Restaurant Owners: Free advice from finance and law experts in the hospitality industry
Restaurant Employee Relief Fund: Operated by The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation; Created to help restaurant industry employees experiencing hardship. Grants will be made to restaurant industry employees who have demonstrated being financially impacted by COVID-19. Application Information. Applications will open 04/02/2020
Microsoft Teams freemium — Enjoy unlimited chat, built-in group and one-on-one audio or video calling, 10 GB of team file storage and 2 GB of personal file storage per user. You also get real-time collaboration with the Office apps for web, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.
PandaDoc — The document automation software for small and medium-sized businesses has launched a free e-signature plan to help businesses keep running while they switch to remote working. Free eSign offers include unlimited document uploads, upload and send for eSignature as many documents as you’d like, unlimited eSignatures – collect an unlimited number of legally binding eSignatures; and payment processing – accept a credit card, PayPal, or ACH payment the moment your doc is signed.
Square — The payment processor is refunding all software subscription fees for the month of March for existing sellers who currently use Square Appointments, Retail, Restaurants, Loyalty, Team Management, Payroll, Marketing, and Square Online Store. Square will manage the process for you—there’s no need to do anything. Additional product updates are also in the works. You can use the just released curbside pickup option through Square Online Store, and they plan to release a local delivery feature this week. Curbside pickup and delivery fees are waived for the next three months.
Zoom Basic Plan — Host up to 100 participants in a meeting and hold unlimited one-on-one meetings with the video-conference provider’s complimentary plan. This does provide a 40-minute limit on group meetings, though you’re not limited to the number of meetings.
Businesses affected by COVID-19: Guidance on updating Google info and temporary closures (Google Business)
Work, teach, and learn from anywhere (Google’s Remote Work hub)
Facebook for Business Tips & Resources Impacted by COVID-19 (Facebook)
Backing Your Business During COVID-19 Outbreak (Quickbooks)
Resources to Help Your Small Business Survive the Coronavirus (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
COVID-19 Communications & Social Media Toolkit (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
3 Expert Strategies for Curbing Coronavirus-Related Business Losses (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
Starting an E-Commerce Business at a Moment of Crisis (Small Business Connection)
Kiva is a nonprofit, that envisions a financially inclusive world where all people hold the power to improve their lives: Established in 2005 as the world's first personal micro-lending website, Kiva enables everyday people to pool small lending contributions to provide financial access to entrepreneurs across the globe. Kiva US Loans are between $1,000 - $15,000, with repayment terms between 12 - 36 months, and 0% interest, $0 in fees. Click here to see our spotlight on Kiva.
American Express Financial Hardship — Amex is evaluating accounts on a case-by-case basis under its Financial Hardship Relief program to provide support for cardholders impacted by COVID-19. If approved, your interest rate may be lowered to rates as low as 0%, and you may receive a waiver on late and other account fees. Just note that if you accept the relief, your accounts may be frozen, and you won’t be able to use them until paid off. Your Membership Rewards balance will also be frozen, and the issuer may notify the credit bureaus that your account limits were lowered.
American Express Working Capital — Amex business cardholders can enroll with no credit check and get ongoing access to funds used for vendor payments between $500 and $150,000 with repayment terms of 30, 60 or 90 days. These charge a fixed fee between 0.6% and 5.25%.
Chase — You can call the number on the back of your card and ask to speak with an account representative about the possibility of relief from fees and interest. Multiple readers have reported success in having interest and late fees waived due to hardship related to COVID-19.
Capital One, Citi and Wells Fargo have all issued statements indicating that they are willing to work with customers that experience financial difficulties. Citi issued a statement that for 30 days, small business customers are eligible to have their monthly service fees waived.
Wells Fargo donated $6.25 million in aid to help the public relief effort. The bank encourages customers experiencing financial hardship to contact customer service for assistance. Link.
The Chicago Department of Public Health offers ‘Chi COVID Coach’, a mobile-friendly, web-based application designed to support residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. You can find the app at Chicago.gov/COVIDCOACH. Morraine Valley Community College is offering free classes through June 30, 2020:
MARKETING:
Creating Web Pages
Creating WordPress Websites
Marketing Your Business on the Internet
Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
MANAGEMENT & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS:
Fundamentals of Supervision and Management
Managing Customer Service
Keys to Effective Communication
FINANCE:
Personal Finance
PERSONAL & CAREER EXPLORATION
Twelve Steps to a Successful Job Search
Individual Excellence
OTHER AVAILABLE FAMILY SUPPORT:
Resources in Other Languages - Residents can now find more information about stopping the spread of COVID-19 and protecting themselves and their families in multiple languages:
Federally funded student loans: The CARES Act provides student debt relief in the form of suspended payments of federal loans for six months for most students. Loan forgiveness will only apply for students that have withdrawn from enrollment due to the pandemic. Click here for more information.
Senior and Older Adult Community: Helpful resources for older adults in Illinois are available at aarp.org/Chicago and aarp.org/coronavirus.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository benefits outreach team can help you apply for SNAP and Medicaid and make referrals for other public benefits. Call their hotline at 773-843-5416 for a free confidential interview Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., to provide meals (breakfast and lunch). Families can receive three days of meals for each young person in the household. If families have trouble getting to a site, they can call 773-553-KIDS or email at familyservices@cps.edu to make a request for food delivery.
The Archdiocese of Chicago offers 120 sites to support residents, which includes schools open for drive-by meal pick up Monday-Friday. Catholic Charities will continue to serve residents at their Food Pantries and Evening Meal Programs. To access other services please call 312-655-7700.
The 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 funds raised by Chicago’s philanthropies, corporations and individuals to be disbursed to nonprofit organizations across the region. As we are individually taking steps to protect our own families, workplaces and neighborhoods from the effects of the virus, let’s not forget the impact this will have on our neighbors. Missing paychecks, the inability to pay rent, and a lack of access to food and essential supplies are realities that many in our region will have to face in the coming weeks. Please join us in supporting our neighbors across the City of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. To donate, or more information, click here.
Crain's Chicago, April 21, 2020 - Every Thursday, Crain's Small Business Lifeline provides the small business community with timely expert advice and updates about navigating the COVID-19 crisis and rebuilding for the future. Click here. Wall Street Journal, April 8, 2020: Lawmakers, White House Vow to Quickly Provide More Small-Business Loans
Patch, April 7, 2020: Resources for Local Businesses Needing Help During COVID-19 Pandemic. Bisnow, April 3, 2020: COVID-19 Impact On Chicago Economy is Unknown, But Regional Players Are Already Planning On Long-Term Changes And Eventual Recovery. Webinar recording. AP News, March 31, 2020: A guide to surviving financially as the bills come due
Chicago Patch, March 27, 2020: Federal Stimulus Package: How Much Illinois Residents Can Expect. CNBC, March 25, 2020: Stimulus Package grants student borrowers a six-month break. New York Times, March 25, 2020: Congress and White House Strike Deal for $2 Trillion Stimulus Package Crain's Chicago Business, March 24, 2020: COVID-19 Fund Makes First Grants, Prioritizes Safety-Net Providers. ABC News, March 23, 2020: A look at some financial assistance available during the coronavirus crisis Apple TV+ Oprah talks COVID-19, March 22, 2020. Harvard Business School, March 20, 2020: How Small Businesses Can Survive the Coronavirus Outbreak. Chicago Sun Times, March 18, 2020: Five ways you can help small businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic. Washington Post, March 17, 2020: Details on Proposed Federal COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package
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