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Resources for Small Business Recovery

McLean County and State of Illinois

1. Recovery Guides and Resources for Businesses in McLean County

  • The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council (EDC) released the the COVID Recovery Guide for Business on April 7th 

    • The information in this guide is specific to McLean County, and  he resources and assistance programs listed are administered through state and federal agencies and you must apply through the appropriate channels listed in each section, not the EDC.

  • The McLean County Chamber of Commerce released the Reopening Your Business in the Age of COVID-19 guide on May 7th. 

    • Please be advised that some or all of the information contained in this document may not be applicable to some businesses or places of work and may not include all information necessary for certain businesses and places of work.

  • ​Visit BNPrepared.org for additional McLean County resources related to COVID-19 including:

    • Applications for restaurants to serve food outside for the town of Normal and city of Bloomington. ​

  • Visit BNBiz.org for additional EDC information and resources. 

 

2. COVID-19 Emergency Resources for Businesses in Illinois​

 

3. Restore Illinois Guidelines for Reopening Business (in Illinois)

  • On May 5th, Governor Pritzker released Restore Illinois, a five-phased plan that will reopen our state, guided by health metrics and with marked by distinct business, education, and recreation activities characterizing each phase.

    • The Restore Illinois plan recognizes that the economy will start growing again when consumers feel that it is safe to return to work, shop and dine out, and engage in social and recreational activities. Under the Restore Illinois framework, certain businesses and activities are allowed to resume in Phase 3 with IDPH-approved safety guidance in place.

  • The State of Illinois has developed a Phase 3 Business Toolkit complete with signage, training checklists, and other resources to ensure business and activities are conducted in accordance with the latest and greatest public health recommendations.

    • Phase 3 guidelines span 10 different industry categories. Each set of guidelines includes a common set of guidelines that are expected and encouraged among all employers and activity types, as well as workplace and program-specific guidelines.

    • Common Guidelines for all Phase 3 Businesses and Operations to follow can be found in the Phase 3 Business Toolkit.

  • The IL DCEO released a this FAQs for Businesses regarding specific impacts and guidelines by industry on May 28th. 

  • If you have specific questions or comments about how Phase 3 affects your business or employees, please contact DCEO for direct support:

4. CARES Act Unemployment Benefits Expansion Package​ FAQs

  • To view frequently asked questions regarding unemployment visit the Illinois Dept of Employment Security (IDES) website.

    • The FAQ section addresses questions on: insurance eligibility, filing a claim, certifying a claim to receive benefits, exhausting benefits and receiving an extension, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) incrase of $600 to  benefits, and employer considerations. 

  • The Illinois Dept of Employment Security (IDES) released an FAQ document on April 7th. ​

  • An updated "part two" FAQ document was released by IDES on April 22nd

    • Note: This document answers additional questions that members of the General Assembly submitted and IDES is continuing to work on the remainder of the questions. 

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