REOPENING

Keep Your Customers Updated on Your Status

Whether your business is currently open or not, please log your business at SpringfieldZoom.com so the public knows your status and you can update it as things change. This is free and will take less than three minutes to get set up. You will never be spammed. Thanks to DSI Member AlertsMadeEasy.com for donating this service during the COVID-19 crisis.
We recommend posting regularly on your social media accounts whether you are open or not. Your customers want to hear from you and know how you’re doing. A picture is worth 1000 words.
Recording of webinar Top three ideas for tourism economies to save some business during the coronavirus from Destination Development Association

Restore Illinois 5-Phase Plan

Announced by Governor on May 5
State broken up into four regions – Sangamon County is in the Central Region
Each region can open up based on the benchmarks in this plan
Overview of plan
IDPH Tracking Numbers for each Region here

Phase 3 Reopening on May 29

Read the State guidelines for your industry
Download the State business toolkit which includes signage, training checklists and other resources to help business owners and workers implement safety procedures and precautions aligned with public health standards
Guide to Reopening Your Business by Greater Springfield Chamber
Local PPE Supplies by Greater Springfield Chamber
Ace Sign Co has developed a simple, yet comprehensive set of easy to use graphics including informative wall posters and floor graphics that give clear social distancing guidance in your business. DSI members enjoy a 10% discount here
Star Graphics has cardstock 12 x 18 posters and adhesive floor graphics available for sale. Details here
Letter from Police Chief Winslow to Businesses regarding guideline to wear masks
FAQ from IDPH for Businesses regarding customers’ use of masks

More Reopening Considerations

Building Customer Trust Kit
Reopening Safely: Helpful Tips for Small Business Owners by National Main Street
Spreadsheet of Other States’ Reopening Regulations by DSI President Brian Wojcicki
What Not to Do When You Reopen Your Business from a liability standpoint
Reopening Guidance for Restaurants from the National Restaurant Association
Safety Advice for Reopening from Wall Street Journal
American Hotel Lodging Association’s Industry-Wide Hotel Cleaning Standards “Safe Stay” Initiative
American Institute of Architect’s Reopening Checklist
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a new video and poster for employers and workers on how to properly wear and remove a respirator
The Long Runway to Return: The Role of Anchor Cultural Institutions by AMS Planning & Research
State legislature passes Cocktails to Go
Questions employees might have about returning to work

Reopening For Property Owners

Recorded video discussion on Landlord/Tenant Radical Transparency:
a landlord response to working through tenant financial hardships from the Incremental Development Alliance
Leveraging Buildings to Mitigate Viral Transmission by Center for Active Design
Cultivating employee and tenant trust by Center for Active Design

For Food Service Providers Only

GOVERNMENT ACTION

Changes to the Statewide Stay at Home Order as of May 1

Governor Extends Stay at Home Thru May 30 with revisions
Requires individuals to stay at home or their place of residence. Individuals are required to wear a face covering in public places when they are unable to maintain a six-foot social distance, such as in stores. Prohibits all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household. Permits leaving the home for essential
activities while following social distancing guidelines. Permits fishing, boating, and golf, when following the guidelines. Defines essential businesses and operations. Retail stores may fulfill online and telephonic orders through pick-up outside the store or delivery. This supersedes Executive Order 2020-18.
State Disaster Proclamation by Governor on April 30
Governor Extends Stay at Home Thru April 30
Read the Original Stay at Home Executive Order Thru April 8
What is an Essential Business?
Essential Business Flowchart
Delivery and Curbside Pickup are Now Allowed for Small Retail Too – with Masks
FAQs for Business Owners from State of Illinois

Other Governor Executive Orders

Governor’s Executive Order 2020-25 (COVID-19 EO 23) suspends sections in the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure that permit the service of a garnishment summons, wage deduction summons, or a citation to discover assets on a consumer debtor or consumer garnishee. The goal is to protect the use of the stimulus money for food, shelter, and transportation as it was intended. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation also issued Best Practices to Illinois licensed lenders encouraging them to work with struggling borrowers during the pandemic to extend the time for payment, waive late charges, and defer collection measures.

Federal Action

Families First Coronavirus Response Act – summary provided by DSI members Brown Hay & Stephens
IRS News Release IR-2020-57 regarding Coronavirus-Related Paid Leave for Workers and Tax Credits for Businesses provided by Eck Schafer & Punke
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) Historic $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Package Executive Summary by IRA
How do You Decide which Program is Right for You? Guide to CARES Act for Small Business Owners including Paycheck Protection Program

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Description of all federal stimulus programs managed by the Illinois Department of Employment Security
IDES Instructs 1099 Workers to Apply for Regular Unemployment Benefits Before PUA Program Goes Live – PUA Portal to Launch on May 11
Governor Pritzker says Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (for people who cannot traditionally access unemployment) system will be ready no earlier than May 11
The program allows self-employed workers, freelancers, and independent contractors to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. This program provides a total of 39 weeks of federally funded unemployment benefits to individuals not typically eligible for unemployment benefits, including independent contractors and self-proprietors, who have become unemployed as a direct result of COVID-19.
PUA claims will be backdated to the individual’s first week of unemployment, but no earlier than February 2, 2020. Benefits will continue for as long as the individual remains unemployed as a result of COVID-19, but no later than the week ending December 26, 2020. While a program of this magnitude might normally take up to a year to design and implement, IDES plans to get this program online by the week of May 11.

City of Springfield

Mayoral Order for Conduct of Essential Businesses Permitted to Remain Open prior to May 1: COVID-19 Emergency Order #4
As of May 1: Businesses should post this sign from the City
The City Council passed an Emergency Powers ordinance which includes suspension of parking meter fees until 14 days after Gov. Pritzker’s emergency declaration is lifted and fees or penalties that would have accrued in during that period are waived

CDBG-City Funds for Micro-Business Comment Period

DSI sent this Policy Position to City Officials on April 16
DSI sent this follow-up letter for the Public Comment period on the city’s proposed use of the CDBG fund
Read the City’s plans and leave your feedback before Thursday, May 14th.
The next public hearing will be on Thursday, May 14th at 5 pm. If you want to speak at this hearing, email feedback@springfield.il.us. If you just want to watch, you can view the hearing on the City’s Channel 18.

Employees

Covid-19 And Your Workplace Checklist provided by TROXELL HR
New Employee Rights Poster to post by 3/25 under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and FAQ regarding the notice (thanks to Brown, Hay & Stephens, LLP for providing)
Recording of IMA Call with IL Dept of Employment Security on Unemployment Insurance
Comprehensive And Updated FAQs For Employers On The COVID-19 Coronavirus
Employee Leave Laws and FMLA: Your Questions Answered – recorded webinar from IL Manufacturers Association
Restaurant employees currently experiencing hardship because of COVID can apply through the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund operated by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

LOANS

No Matter What You’re Apply For

Have this paperwork ready

Paycheck Protection Program (Federal CARES Act)

Need guidance for your application from a fellow business owner who has already gone through the process? Contact DSI to be matched with a peer donating their time to help others
Applications will start being accepted on April 3, 2020 (and April 10th for sole proprietors and independent contractors)
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans through the SBA and participating banks — including a mechanism for the loan to be completely forgiven. Congress waived an array of rules and tests for SBA loan applications that traditionally slow up the process for small businesses.
Official guidance from the US Treasury on how to calculate how much to apply for
IRS Denies Deductions for Forgiven Paycheck Protection Loans (April 30)
Official guidance from the US Treasury including FAQs updated as of April 23
What NOT to do when applying, from bankers’ perspective
The PPP can cover payroll costs, paid sick leave, supply chain disruptions, employee salaries, health insurance premiums, mortgage payments, and other debt obligations
PPP Executive Summary for Restaurants from Restaurant Association
Overview of PPP from Eck Schafer & Punke. Note three potential approaches for owners to consider outlined in the last portion of the document.
How do I calculate my payroll costs and what will limit the forgiveness clause, if anything?
A tax attorney outlines how to calculate payroll costs for federal paycheck protection program loan applications
How to navigate emergency small-business funds and unemployment benefits at the same time
Loan Forgiveness Procedures: New Treasury guidance explains how PPP borrowers can apply for loan forgiveness (Page 7 of the Interim Final Rule). Essentially, each borrower must fill out a separate application form (SBA FORM 3508) and submit it to their lender who will then transmit the loan forgiveness application to the SBA.The SBA Form 3508 walks the borrower through how to calculate their loan forgiveness amount and what costs that are eligible for forgiveness (which includes the 75/25 ratio – see bottom of page 2 of SBA Form 3508).

Small Business Administration Disaster Loans (EIDL) – NOT TAKING NEW APPS

Apply Now. It may take up to 12 hours online to finish your application because the system is getting slammed. SBA says loan applications are usually processed in 18-21 days but they are processing faster than that. Money reaches businesses 2-5 days after approval.
Borrowers can receive $10,000 in an Emergency Economic Injury Grant (cash advance) that can be forgiven if spent on paid leave, maintaining payroll, increased costs due to supply chain disruption, mortgage or lease payments or repaying obligations that cannot be met due to revenue loss. Applicants can get the emergency cash even if they don’t qualify for additional funds through the EIDL process. Because lending decisions are based on self-certification and the applicant’s credit score, the review process should go quickly.
In addition to the application form, be prepared to submit a completed and signed
Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T); complete copies of the most recent Federal income tax returns for the applicant business; completed and signed Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413) and a Schedule of Liabilities listing all fixed debts (SBA Form 2202).
Register for Disaster Loan Trainings
Check out this handy one-pager about the process
Independent Contractors – “When in Doubt, Apply.” Sole proprietors are eligible. You will need to have tax returns and/or a profit and loss statement for 2019 if your taxes haven’t yet been filed. Apply even if you don’t have an EIN. You will need to demonstrate that you have been generating business revenue in order to demonstrate economic injury. – Advice from Illinois SBDC at Lincoln Land Community College

Accessing Low Interest Loans via Local Banks

State Treasurer’s Small Business Relief Fund
Contact your local banker for new programs they may have due to COVID-19.
Search a list of local SBA-approved banks

Accessing Low Interest Loans via Justine Petersen (City Partnership)

Apply Online Here

DCEO (State) Small Business Emergency Loan Fund (Currently No New Applications are Being Accepted as DCEO Deals with Backlog of Submissions)

Small businesses (outside of Chicago) with fewer than 50 employees and less than $3M in 2019 revenue are eligible for this program, allowing up to $50k loans with 5 year low interest repayment terms. Six month deferral on repayments.
First-step applications are now available on DCEO’s website.

GRANTS

FedEx Small Business Grant

For small business in operation and selling for more than 1 year with less than 50 employees; and have shipped in the last 12 months and/or plan to ship in the coming 12 months as part of your business
Each grant recipient will receive a check for $5,000. Additionally, each recipient will receive a $500 credit at FedEx Office to use toward printing services.
Application here due by June 12
Only 200 grants will be awarded nationwide

LISC Small Business Relief Grant (CLOSED)

Awards will be made to qualified businesses, and eligibility is based on accurate and complete submission.Priority will be given to minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses. All awardees will have to certify that they are promoting the best interests of the community and are negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Grantsof $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000
Your application must be completed by Tuesday, April 28th, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Application here

US Chamber Foundation Small Business Grants (CLOSED)

For small businesses with 3-20 employees, $5k grants
Applications opened April 20 for about four hours then closed.

Greater Springfield Chamber’s Business Relief Fund (for all Sangamon County businesses regardless of Chamber member status) (CLOSED)

State Hospitality Emergency Grant Program (CLOSED)

$14m fund to help hotels, bars and restaurants support payroll and rent. Including job training and technology for operations to adjust to new options like delivery and curbside
Lottery winners are listed here.

Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund

The James Beard Foundation is launching a Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund to provide micro-grants to independent food and beverage businesses in need. Click here to sign up for the email list so that when they launch their application, you know.

DEFERRALS

Electric and Water Bills

City Water, Light & Power is suspending ALL disconnections for nonpayment for electric and water services for its customers effective immediately. This order remains in effect until May 1, 2020, at such time it will be re-evaluated. Find out more

Tax Deferrals

Governor Announces Sales Tax Deferral for Bars & Restaurants
Federal Tax Day now July 15
State Tax Day now July 15
IDES Suspends Late Wage Report Filing Fee for late February 2020 reports
The property tax installment payments due to Sangamon County on June 12 can be paid as late as the second payment due date on September 12th without interest penalty per this County Board order

County License Fees

Liquor licensees can now pay pay half of their fees by June 30 with the other half now due by Dec. 31. per this County Board order
The Sangamon County Board has temporarily postponed both the requirement to renew food service establishment licenses and pay the renewal fees per this County Board order

OTHER INFORMATION

Register your restaurant at RallyforRestaurants.com
Your brand through a crisis – think through your response thanks to Mullen Lowe

IRS/Tax Implications

IRS: Remember these 3 coronavirus tax credits

Alcohol

Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) authorizes the return of wine and spirits sold and delivered by a distributor to a retailer based on ten conditions.
Liquor licensees can now pay pay half of their fees by June 30 with the other half now due by Dec. 31. per this County Board order
State legislature passes Cocktails-to-Go legislation good for one year

Event Planning

Summer festival organizers should ‘think carefully about canceling,’ says Gov. J.B. Pritzker
The Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide here