COVID RESOURCES

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Statewide Mitigation Tier 3 on 11/20/20

• IDPH recommended people stay at home for the next three weeks on 11/11/20
• State regulations concerning bars, restaurants, gatherings etc.
• Masks are required for everyone, everywhere in the City of Springfield, when in public setting – Mayor Executive Order here – mask signs for businesses here
• The Governor’s Emergency Rule including the statewide mask mandate, which requires mask wearing in public places, was renewed on January 4, 2021 for 150 days. This rule also includes a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people (or 50 percent of a building’s maximum occupancy if the occupancy limit is less than 50), meaning the limits are in effect until early June unless the Governor updates it. Rule here
• When would mitigation end? The earliest would be after a 14-day monitoring period. If the positivity rate averages less than or equal to 6.5% over a 3-day period, the region will return to Phase 4 under the Restore Illinois Plan. If the positivity rate averages between 6.5% and 8%, IDPH will continue to monitor. If the positivity rate averages greater than or equal to 8 % after 14 days, more stringent mitigation can be applied to further reduce spread of the virus.
• If you are not certain about your proper capacity, you can call the Fire Department at (217) 789-2170 and they can look up your address or the downtown Fire Inspector can visit your business to give you the proper number.

Sangamon County Enforcement of Mitigation
Update as of 12/31/20: The County and the City have determined that restaurants and bars can open at 25% capacity again starting on Sunday, January 3.

Ordinance 5.20.080(c) outlines what is allowed within food establishments permitted within Sangamon County. The County took a zero tolerance approach starting the evening of November 14, 2020. All observed violations of 5.20.080(c) are being given notice of immediate permit suspension.

The County just adopted the state mitigation regulations as of 11-23-20. Patios will need to remove 50% of a wall and then be allowed to dine within the facility (up to 8′). Tents should have at least two sides open to allow for airflow. Restaurants and bars will receive guidance on 11-24-20 from County inspectors and inspections will start this coming weekend.

In addition, tickets of $500 are being given for improper mask use.

Keep Your Customers Updated on Your Status

• As your hours change, don’t forget to change your business hours on Google – most people check your hours there first
• Log your business at SpringfieldZoom.com so the public knows your status (including if you offer “outdoor seating,” “curbside pickup” and more. You can update your listing 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.
• If you have problems logging back in, just email support@goweb1.com

Free Parking Through the End of February 2021

• Free downtown meter parking will continue through the end of the City’s fiscal year and paying the meter will resume on March 1
• Citations will still be issued for vehicles not adhering to the time limits posted on the parking signs. This means customers do not need to put change in a meter when they park. However, they will be required to move their vehicle within the time posted at that parking location.
• If you don’t have one yet, contact DSI to receive a Free Parking poster for your window and please keep using your social media to spread the word. The City took down our laminated signs on the meters themselves.

Restore Illinois 5-Phase Plan

• Announced by Governor on 5/5/20
• State broken up into 11 regions as of 7/31/20 – Sangamon County is in Region 3
• Overview of plan

Vaccine Information

• The IDPH website has the most accurate information on vaccination here

COVID Spread Data

• See IDPH’s per-region outbreak and exposure data here. If you hover over the exposure location, you will see a case number and percentages.
• Outbreaks, defined as 5 or more linked cases to a source (location) during a 14-day period of time (the incubation period), are found here for each region. If you hover, you can see the number of outbreaks per location (or look at the table under the pie chart).
• Memorial Hospital tracking numbers here
• This tracker allows you to type in or search for Springfield IL to see where we rate compared to metros across the country. As of this morning, we are ranked #55 for greatest number of new cases.
• This tracker shows you Coronavirus Restrictions and Mask Mandates for All 50 States
• Review the mobility of the virus with a simulation

AVAILABLE FINANCIAL SUPPORT

December Coronavirus Response And Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act

• Download the new SBA PPP Applications released 1/8/21: First PPP Draw Borrower Application and Second PPP Draw Borrower Application

• If you received a first round PPP loan: 1) Second draw PPP loans are available to businesses that can demonstrate a 25% loss in revenue compared to last year. This may be calculated by comparing the borrower’s quarterly gross receipts for one calendar quarter in 2020 with the corresponding quarter in 2019. 2) To be eligible for a second draw loan, the borrower must have used, or will use, the full amount of the first loan on or before the expected disbursal date of the second loan.
• Review the Nat. Small Business Assn. analysis of next round PPP here
• Nice overview from AHLA of difference between first CARES Act and this new $2.3 trillion relief package
• What this package means for restaurants from National Restaurant Association
• What this package means for 2nd draws from National Restaurant Association
• What this package means for non-profits from ASAE
• Overview of tax breaks
• Breaking Down The Changes To The Employee Retention Credit In The New COVID Relief Bill

CWLP’s Small Business Rate Relief Rebate Program – Opened 12/17/20

• This program is designated for small business electric customers located in Springfield corporate limits among three customer types: Small Businesses in Rate Classes 40, 42, 44 or 46 (Customer Rate Class is listed on Pg 1 of the CWLP bill in chart as “Rate” located next to Meter Number); Independent restaurants and bars; and veterans associations operating commercial kitchens.
• There are a number of exclusions from this program.
• Applications for this program will open on December 17 by 9 a.m. here on a first-come, first-served basis.  Rebates will be made to those qualified applicants demonstrating financial hardship until all funding is exhausted. Those awarded rebates will receive a credit on their January or February CWLP bill for coverage of August and September 2020 billing of electric charges up to $3,000. Rebate recipients must pay any balance due, or payment arrangement amount due, each month for at least 12 months. Failure to do so may result in the rebate credit being removed from account.

Security Bank New Customer Marketing Grant

• The grant (for up to 8 new business clients) includes a Complete Website Design, one-minute Promotional Video, and Digital Marketing Campaign specific for the business. Find out more

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – Ends 12/27/20

• This program is geared for workers who don’t pay into the unemployment system, like micro-business sole proprietors who may file jointly with a spouse.
• IDES Instructs 1099 Workers to Apply for Regular Unemployment Benefits before applying for PUA
• 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 2/2/20. Benefits will continue for as long as the individual remains unemployed as a result of COVID-19, but no later than the week ending 12/26/20.

State Business Interruption Grants (CLOSED)

• Round 2:  $220 million focused on businesses downstate, in disproportionately impacted areas (DIAs), and for heavily impacted industry and regions – representing businesses that have been unable to reopen or operating at a severely diminished capacity since the spring. Current list of recipients here.
• Round 1: An initial round of funding directed $49 million to restaurants, personal care services, gyms and fitness clubs, and businesses located in Disproportionately Impacted Areas. Recipients included 2,800 businesses spanning 400 towns and cities, and in 78 counties all throughout the state. Grants averaged $17,000, and the majority of funds were dedicated to businesses in economically distressed communities. More than half of the first-round grants went to minority-owned businesses. See recipients.

eBay Up & Running Grants (CLOSED)

• The Up & Running Grants are open to existing eBay sellers and new eBay business sellers who have joined the platform prior to October 31, 2020.
• Fifty eBay business sellers will receive grant packages of $10,000, including cash, eBay credits, coaching through eBay Seller School.

City of Springfield Small Business Grant of $5000 (CLOSED)

• Grant Applications were open Nov 16 – Nov 30, 2020. 184 applicants applied for 120 grants. See list of recipients.
• Total of $600,000 available through two federally-funded programs: CDBG and state DCEO Cares Act
• DSI lobbied for a municipal grant program early; we 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 funds

OUTDOOR SEATING

• Restaurants: Understanding your design options for outdoor seating
• DSI District Submission for Nov-Dec approved by Public Works 10/21/20
• Cold weather ideas to consider from around the nation here
• Outdoor Seating Guidance from City of Springfield
• Application For Outdoor Dining from City of Springfield
• Central Business District Parklet Guidelines and Application from City of Springfield
• Parklets Design Samples
• DSI District Submission for Summer approved by Mayor and Public Works 5/28/20

Heaters

• Modification to propane heaters in tents as of Dec 11 here
• Information about acceptable tents and heating elements from Springfield Fire Department here
• Questions about your heater plans? Contact the Fire Department at (217) 789-2170.

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

YOUR EMPLOYEES

Unemployment

• Description of all federal stimulus programs managed by the Illinois Department of Employment Security
• Recording of IMA Call with IL Dept of Employment Security on Unemployment Insurance
• Employee Leave Laws and FMLA: Your Questions Answered – recorded webinar from IL Manufacturers Association
• Federal $600 unemployment ended in July; President’s Executive Order providing an additional $300 ended in September

Apartment Rent Assistance

• Local Rent Assistance: Managed for the City of Springfield by the Springfield Urban League for tenants needing aid to pay for past due rent. The $400k program is being disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Other Workplace Resources

• 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)
• Comprehensive And Updated FAQs For Employers On The COVID-19 Coronavirus
• Questions employees might have about returning to work 

LOANS

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness – Federal CARES Act

• SBA Publishes PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaires
• 8/25/20 New PPP forgiveness guidance addresses owner-employee compensation, rent-related costs
• New Treasury guidance explains how PPP borrowers can apply for loan forgiveness (Page 7 of the Interim Final Rule).
• Download the revised, borrower-friendly PPP loan forgiveness application based on updates included through the PPP Flexibility Act (PPPFA).
• Download the new EZ version of the application for borrowers that are self-employed or did not reduce salaries of employees by more than 25%.
• How to navigate emergency small-business funds and unemployment benefits at the same time

No Matter What You’re Apply For

• Have this paperwork ready

Small Business Administration Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Open through 12/31/20

• Apply Now. 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.
• The Emergency Economic Injury Grant (cash advance) is closed.
• 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
• Contact Kevin Lust at Illinois SBDC at Lincoln Land Community College for questions

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.

Consumer Protections
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.

DEFERRALS

Electric and Water Bills

• City Water, Light & Power is offering payment plans. Customers can request assistance for payment plans and any other assistance by phone at 217.789.2030 or e-mail. There are many new financial assistance resources that residential and commercial customers could be eligible for, which could help you if in hardship. A number of bill assistance options are listed here.

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

MARKETING RESOURCES

• WMAY encourages all small businesses to tell your story FOR FREE about how your business is helping Springfield come back from the pandemic’s economic challenges. Sign up for an interview here
• Black-Owned Business Support: New option on Facebook for businesses to identify their Page as a Black or minority-owned business

• Black-Owned Business Support: Facebook published a new guide for Black business owners and entrepreneurs

ALCOHOL

• In November 2020, Mayor Langfelder announced through an Executive Order that the City of Springfield would apply a full credit to businesses liquor yearly license fee for 2021. This waiver excludes packaged liquor establishments normally categorized under B and C licenses.  Businesses with a City of Springfield Liquor License should have received their renewal notices in December. Even though the fee is waived, businesses still need to renew their license.
• The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) is extending current liquor license renewal dates to March 31, 2021, allowing delinquency list payment plans, and allowing for limited returns of alcohol to distributors. Licenses can easily be renewed online, and licensees do not have to wait to renew their license. If a license holder chooses to renew a license when it originally expires or at any time between original license expiration and March 31, 2021, the license holder may renew a license online. License holders are encouraged to renew licenses prior to March 31, 2021 in to order to avoid administrative delays at the end of the first quarter of 2021.
• Liquor licensees can now pay pay half of their fees by June 30 2020 with the other half now due by Dec. 31, 2020 per this County Board order
• Restaurants with “Combined” On & Off-Premises Liquor License Holders May Sell Packaged Alcoholic Liquor
• Cocktails-to-Go: Governor Pritzker signed HB 2682 into law allowing municipalities to allow the sale of cocktails by bars and restaurants with liquor licenses for pickup and delivery. Cocktails can only be delivered in a sealed, labeled container with a tamper-evident cap or seal by an employee of the liquor license holder who is over the age of 21 and trained in responsible alcohol service who has verified the age as well as the level of intoxication of the consumer. The law also provides that:
• All state liquor licenses are automatically extended through December 31, 2020.
• No renewal fees or late fees will be charged until December 31, 2020 (Renewal fees will be charged if a licensee renews before December 31, 2020.)
• Retail licensees shall not be deemed to be delinquent in payment until 30 days after the date on which our region enters Phase 4 of the Governor’s Restore Illinois Plan.
• See state Liquor Commission guidance here