***As of 3/30/2020: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress***
Additional detailed information will be communicated in the days to come on the CARES Act. The federal agencies involved are working diligently to get program rules and processes in place to small businesses as soon as possible. However, it is premature to discuss program implementation specifics of the CARES Act because that work is still being done and program details may change. Our focus at the SBDC is providing our small businesses, lenders, and other small business stakeholders with information that reflects the actual program implementation of the legislation with associated rules and requirements.
The information our center has at this time (as of 3/30/2020) is as follows:
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The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now.
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When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers.
-
You can view the CARES Act Guide to see information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.
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Struggling to get started? The following questions might help point you in the right direction.
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Do you need:
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Capital to cover the cost of retaining employees?
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The Paycheck Protection Program starting on page 2 might be right for you.
-
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A quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash to cover you right now?
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Look into an Emergency Economic Injury Grant starting on page 7.
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To ease your fears about keeping up with payments on your current or potential SBA loan?
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The Small Business Debt Relief Program starting on page 6 could help.
-
-
Quality, free counseling to help you navigate this uncertain economic time?
-
Look into the resource partners in the Counseling and Training section on page 9.
-
-
***As of 3/30/2020: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress***
Additional detailed information will be communicated in the days to come on the CARES Act. The federal agencies involved are working diligently to get program rules and processes in place to small businesses as soon as possible. However, it is premature to discuss program implementation specifics of the CARES Act because that work is still being done and program details may change. Our focus at the SBDC is providing our small businesses, lenders, and other small business stakeholders with information that reflects the actual program implementation of the legislation with associated rules and requirements.
The information our center has at this time (as of 3/30/2020) is as follows:
-
The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now.
-
When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers.
-
You can view the CARES Act Guide to see information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.
-
Struggling to get started? The following questions might help point you in the right direction.
-
Do you need:
-
Capital to cover the cost of retaining employees?
-
The Paycheck Protection Program starting on page 2 might be right for you.
-
-
A quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash to cover you right now?
-
Look into an Emergency Economic Injury Grant starting on page 7.
-
-
To ease your fears about keeping up with payments on your current or potential SBA loan?
-
The Small Business Debt Relief Program starting on page 6 could help.
-
-
Quality, free counseling to help you navigate this uncertain economic time?
-
Look into the resource partners in the Counseling and Training section on page 9.
-
-
***As of 3/30/2020: Illinois Department of Human Services is assessing the acute needs for PPE items ***
Direct from the Illinois Department of Human Services:
In order to understand the acute needs for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among community-based organizations across the state, please consider completing this short survey before April 1.
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The survey is designed to more precisely understand statewide PPE needs.
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Please note that completing the survey, unfortunately, is not a guarantee that you will receive the supplies, and it is not a purchasing order.
-
As you fill out the survey, please give your best estimate of need over the next 30-90 days, accounting for both your organization’s staff and customer/client populations.
***As of 3/30/2020: Illinois Department of Human Services is assessing the acute needs for PPE items ***
Direct from the Illinois Department of Human Services:
In order to understand the acute needs for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among community-based organizations across the state, please consider completing this short survey before April 1.
-
The survey is designed to more precisely understand statewide PPE needs.
-
Please note that completing the survey, unfortunately, is not a guarantee that you will receive the supplies, and it is not a purchasing order.
-
As you fill out the survey, please give your best estimate of need over the next 30-90 days, accounting for both your organization’s staff and customer/client populations.
***As of 3/30/2020: Illinois Department of Human Services is assessing the acute needs for PPE items ***
Direct from the Illinois Department of Human Services:
In order to understand the acute needs for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among community-based organizations across the state, please consider completing this short survey before April 1.
-
The survey is designed to more precisely understand statewide PPE needs.
-
Please note that completing the survey, unfortunately, is not a guarantee that you will receive the supplies, and it is not a purchasing order.
-
As you fill out the survey, please give your best estimate of need over the next 30-90 days, accounting for both your organization’s staff and customer/client populations.
***As of 3/27/2020: Illinois DCEO is calling for your support in donations of PPE items***
Under the leadership of Erin Guthrie, Director, the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recognizes the tremendous impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having, not only on businesses, but our communities and families as well.
Not surprisingly, during this challenge Illinoisans are stepping up and pulling together. Many businesses and organizations have already reached out to DCEO to offer support, donations and assistance in any way they can. Their contributions are much appreciated by us all. For example, iBio.org a Chicago-based life sciences industry association, is coordinating efforts from among their membership to donate much-needed medical supplies vital for our Illinois communities.
We are asking for your support in providing our hospitals, Illinois doctors and first responders that are in desperate need of items. For donations of personal protective equipment, please email: PPE.donations@illinois.gov.
Here’s the list of items they are looking for:
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Ventilators – LTV1200 Vyaire/ReVel Carefusion or BiPAP v60 Phillips Respironics
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Masks: N-95, ear loop, or surgical
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Gowns: Isolation or non-descript
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Gloves: Nitrile, sterile, or surgical
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Eye Protection: Face shields and goggles
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Infection Control Kits
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Hand Sanitizer: Any size
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Disinfectant Wipes: Any size
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Thermometers: Forehead only
All donated items should be in the manufacture's original packaging and unopened. When emailing items available for donation to PPE.donations@illinois.gov it is essential to list the items’ current location and exact quantity in an “each” type standard as opposed to boxes/pallet, etc. We will then be in touch about the next logistical steps. Please note that if you have smaller quantities of these items, you may redirect or donate to your nearby police, fire, and ambulance services in order to minimize your travel and other logistical steps with your donation.
For non-PPE items, tangible or financial, please email: CEO.BusinessDonations@illinois.gov.
“Make”: Manufacturers who are ramping up or altering their operations to provide more essential items should contact the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) at: https://ima-net.org/covid-19/supplies/
“Sell”: Wholesalers, suppliers, or manufacturers that already have items on hand to sell or will in the future, should contact: COVID.procurement@illinois.gov.
The following items are in greatest need:
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N-95 masks
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Gloves (non-powdered)
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Gowns (impermeable)
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Isolation gowns (all sizes)
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Surgical masks
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Regular masks, ear loop
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Procedure masks with face shields
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Goggles
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Face shields
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Sanitizing wipes
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Purple-top wipes
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Hand sanitizers
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Digital thermometers
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PAPR hoods
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Ventilators – LTV1200 Vyaire/ReVel Carefusion or BiPAP v60 Phillips Respironics
Illinois Small Business
Development Center of
McLean County at IWU
Region 2/McLean County
Mitigation Measures
Updated: 1/19/21
Updated 1/19/21: On Friday 1/15/21 Governor JB Pritzker announced the unfreeze of all Illinois regions from Tier 3 mitigations implemented in November, as well as revisions to Tier 1 mitigations to allow for limited indoor dining.
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In response to decreased positivity rates, hospitalization rates, and hospital bed usage, any region that has met the metrics for a reduction of mitigations will move out of Tier 3 to less restrictive measures beginning 1/15.
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See the full press release here.
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IDPH will continue to work with local health departments to monitor regional resurgence, with the guiding short-term goal of getting as many regions as possible back to Phase 4.
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Regions 1, 2, and 5 moved to Tier 2 as of Friday 1/15/21.
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The revisions to Tier 1 mitigations for Bars and Restaurants include:
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Indoor service limited to lesser of 25% or 25 persons per room
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No tables exceeding 4 people indoors
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Suspend indoor service if not serving food
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Outdoor, delivery and takeout service continues under updated hours
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For more information regarding the Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan:
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View the Mitigation Plan page which outlines each Region, and the three Tiers as well as revisions to Tier 1 mitigations to allow for limited indoor dining.
On 1/18/21 Region 2 (which McLean County is a part of) health metrics met the criteria of the Illinois Dept of Public Health to move to Tier 1 mitigations.
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Visit the Illinois Dept of Public Health Illinois Regional COVID-19 Resurgence Criteria page for full details.
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Until further notice, businesses and organizations in Region 2 should follow the Tier 1 Resurgence Mitigation guidelines as outlined by the Restore Illinois Plan.
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For more information regarding the Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan:
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View the Mitigation Plan page which outlines each Region, and the three Tiers as well as revisions to Tier 1 mitigations to allow for limited indoor dining.
Our center strives to direct you to accurate and reliable resources you can use to make informed decisions regarding these announcements. We encourage you to consider these five steps when responding to this and future Executive Orders, Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan changes, and/or local mitigation efforts:
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Educate yourself on the appropriate laws, orders, and guidelines relevant to your business at the federal, state, and local levels as well as how your local community is responding.
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Consider multiple "what-if" scenarios to plan for and think through the pros-cons of each scenario as well as your possible responses/actions.
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Decide how you and your business will respond to the laws, orders, and guidelines through actions, policies, and decisions. Repeat this step every few weeks as the situation evolves.
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Communicate with your team (both employees and professional resources your business relies upon) transparently and frequently.
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Communicate with your customers transparently and frequently to share any changes and/or decisions you make.
Local/McLean County level resources:
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BNPrepared.com Bloomington-Normal COVID-19 Information - including employment, community, business, and hospitality resources
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Economic Development/COVID-19 Resources for Bloomington, IL Businesses
State of Illinois level resources:
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Governor Issued Disaster Proclamation, Executive orders, & Administrative orders,
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Illinois Dept of Public Health - Workplace Health and Safety Guidance for Employees and Staff of Businesses
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Phase 4 Guidelines FAQs for Businesses as of October 30th
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IL DCEO - State of Illinois Financial Aid & Programs to Small Businesses
Federal level resources:
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US Dept of Health & Human Services - Laws & Regulations
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Center for Disease and Control & Prevention - Resources for Businesses and Workplaces