MPEI Hops To It Brewery Workshop May 9, 2018

All businesses are encouraged to complete a survey by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; responses will assist them in evaluating specific areas of need related to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Resources for Small Business

The Village updates this page regularly as news of new opportunities are posted.

[UPDATE April 2, 2020]

State Programs

Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund (for businesses with fewer than 50 employees and $3 million in 2019 revenue). Successful applicants will pay nothing for six months and will then begin making fixed payments at a below market interest rate for the remainder of a five-year loan term. Applications are accepted starting April 1, 2020 - however, you can express an interest in this program now.

State Treasurer Announces Bridge Loan Program: view the 3.23.2020 Press Release and Program Flyer for more information. Through this program, the Treasurer's Office partners with approved financial institutions to provide loans -- either lower rate loans, or loans to a business or non-profit that would not otherwise qualify -- to Illinois small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more at the Illinois Treasurers website.

Illinois Department of Revenue Relief from Sales Tax: Short-Term Relief from Penalties for Late Sales Tax Payments for Eating and Drinking Establishments.

SBA's Coronavirus Resource Page | Includes details on their Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (links below), Guidance for Businesses and Employers on slowing the spread, has links to Local Assistance and Access to Capital.

SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan Fact Sheet contains eligibility requirements and loan limit amounts.

SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Program (Application Link). Application filing deadline is December 18, 2020.

Federal Programs | CARES Act

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. The US Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship has published an extensive guide, see link below.

Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act | Includes details on: Paycheck Protection Program Loans, Small Business Debt Relief Program (non-disaster loans), Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Grants, and Small Business Tax Provisions.

Paycheck Protection Program Loans: The PPP program is designed to help small businesses maintain payroll in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible businesses who enroll in the program will receive a forgivable loan to use for payroll purposes, in addition to helping pay for utilities, rent, mortgage interest payments, and more. The SBA has distributed additional guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury on how the PPP is going to be implemented and what both lenders and borrowers need to know. Refer to the following documents:

Key Dates: The start date for small businesses and sole proprietorships to submit PPP loan applications is April 3, 2020. The start date for independent contractors and self-employed individuals to submit PPP loan applications is April 10, 2020. Importantly, the Treasury Department guidance urges businesses to apply as soon as possible, due to a funding cap in place on this program.

PPP loans will be 100% federally guaranteed but handled by SBA-certified lenders. Lending institutions that are not currently SBA-certified but want to participate should email DelegatedAuthority@sba.gov.

Interested parties should contact their local lender to see if they are SBA-certified and/or planning on participating in the program. Applicants will have to provide payroll documentation to the lender.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program: The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program provides small businesses with a long-term, low interest loan of up to $2 million to pay for expenses they would have met if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. Note that these are loans, not grants, although refinancing an EIDL into a PPP Loan is a possibility, provided you used the fund for the proper purpose. Additionally, applicants can apply for both EIDL and PPP loans simultaneously, although the funds cannot be used for the same purpose.

The SBA has just recently rolled out a new, streamlined application process that is available here. Note that if your business needs short term assistance, and you applied before March 30th, you may need to re-submit your application via the aforementioned link. If you have already applied for funds through EIDL and do not need the $10,000 advance, your application should continue to be processed without additional steps. You may check on the status of your application by calling 800-659-2955.

Emergency Economic Injury Grants (advance on EIDL loans): Businesses that need an infusion of capital in the short-term and who have applied for a loan through the EIDL program can also apply for an Emergency Economic Injury Grant, which will provide an advance of $10,000 from the requested EIDL amount. This process can be started from the EIDL application, available here. Importantly, if you already submitted an EIDL application prior to the launch of this program (before March 30, 2020), you will have to resubmit an application using the streamlined process at the link above.

SBA Small Business Debt Relief Program: The Small Business Administration is providing a program to assist small businesses who have non-disaster SBA loans – namely 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and microloans. The SBA will cover payments (on principal and interest) in addition to fees for six months. This program will apply to preexisting loans in these categories, in addition to new borrowers who take out these loans within six months of the CARES Act becoming law. Refer to the links below if you think that your business could benefit from these options:

Employee Retention Tax Credit: The CARES Act includes an Employee Retention Tax Credit, designed to encourage employers to retain their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. The IRS describes the credit as a “fully refundable tax credit for employers equal to 50 percent of qualified wages (including allocable qualified health plan expenses) that Eligible Employers pay their employees. This applies to wages paid between March 12, 2020 and January 1, 2021, with a maximum credit for any employee amounting to $5,000. Additional IRS guidance is available here. Key Caveat: This credit is not available to employers receiving assistance via the Paycheck Protection Program.

Employer Payroll Tax Deferral: A provision in the CARES Act allows for the deferral of the employer portion of certain payroll taxes through the end of 2020. These deferred amounts are due in two installments – one at the end of 2021, the other at the end of 2022. Included deferrable taxes include the employer portion of FICA taxes and half of SECA tax liability. Guidance should be posted soon at the IRS coronavirus webpage. Key Caveat: Deferral is not available to employers receiving assistance via the Paycheck Protection Program.

Business Counseling (+ Assistance with Applications): In addition to direct financial assistance to small businesses and non-profits, the recent stimulus packages have included significant funding for enhanced small business counseling services. These organizations are well versed in how to help small businesses succeed and stand ready and willing to help your organization navigate these difficult times. Counseling resources include:

Illinois Small Business Development Center at College of Lake County
Contact Mitch Bienvenue at (847) 543-2033 or illinoissbdc@clcillinois.edu
Women’s Business Development Center
312-853-3477 / wbdc@wbdc.org / contact for loan assistance: Lotika Pai, lpai@wbdc.org
In addition to serving women entrepreneurs, the Women’s Business Development Center is mandated to serve the needs of underserved entrepreneurs, including low-income entrepreneurs.
Minority Business Development Agency Business Center
312-755-2563
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

CEO.Support@illinois.gov

Paid Sick and Family Leave Tax Credits: The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service are offering small and mid-size employers more information on refundable tax credits that reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing their employees paid sick and family leave wages related to COVID-19. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), signed by President Trump on March 18, 2020, gives businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide employees with paid sick leave and family and medical leave related to COVID-19. Eligible employers can receive a credit in the full amount of the qualified sick leave and family leave wages paid for between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. Employers can be reimbursed immediately by reducing their federal employment tax deposits. If there are insufficient federal employment taxes to cover the amount of the credits, employers may request an accelerated payment from the IRS. View the FAQs.

Tax Extensions

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) COVID-19 resource page, including information on the Federal tax deadline extension.

State of Illinois Department of Revenue COVID-19 resource page, including information on the State tax deadline extension.

Other Support

SCORE | All in-person events have been suspended, but online support is available, such as remote mentoring. Additional SCORE links: How Businesses Can Prepare for Coronavirus, The Coronavirus Economic Impact: Will Business Interruption Insurance Help (& What Are My Other Options)? and a Crisis Communications Planning Checklist.

Facebook | Facebook has announced they will be awarding cash grants and ad credits to 30,000 small businesses. The program has not yet opened to applications, but you may sign up to stay posted on this news.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) | A key source in keeping your workforce healthy, the CDC has specific guidelines for business owners.

Information for All Mount Prospect Businesses

[Updated 3-23-2020] The Village requests businesses comply with the State Executive Order (2020-10) prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people.

Non-essential business and operations must cease. All businesses and operations in the State, except "Essential Businesses and Operations" as defined below, are required to cease. Businesses may continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home).
All Essential Businesses and Operations are encouraged to remain open. To the greatest extent feasible, Essential Businesses and Operations shall comply with Social Distancing Requirements by maintaining six-foot social distancing for both employees and members of the public at all times, including, but not limited to, when any customers are standing in line.
Prohibited activities. Pursuant to current guidance from the CDC, any public or private gathering of more than ten people is prohibited unless otherwise exempted, such as families living in a residence. All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children's play centers, playgrounds, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert and music halls, and country clubs or social clubs shall be closed to the public.
Essential Businesses and Operations per Executive Order 2020-10 means:
- Healthcare and Public Health Operations, Human Services Operations
- Essential Governmental Functions
- Essential Infrastructure
- And the following businesses (view the complete Executive Order for more details):
  - Stores that sell groceries and medicine.
  - Food, beverage, and cannabis production and agriculture.
  - Organizations that provide charitable and social services.
  - Media. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;
  - Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation.
  - Financial institutions.
  - Hardware and supply stores.
  - Critical trades. Building and Construction Tradesmen and Tradeswomen, and other trades.
  - Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services.
  - Educational institutions. This is consistent with and does not amend or supersede Executive Order 2020-05 or 2020-06, except that affected schools are ordered closed through April 7, 2020
  - Laundry services.
  - Restaurants for consumption off-premises.
  - Businesses that sell, manufacture, or supply products needed for people to work from home.
  - Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations.
  - Transportation.
  - Home-based care and services.
  - Professional services, such as legal services, accounting services, insurance services, real estate services (including appraisal and title services).
  - Day care centers for employees exempted by this Executive Order. Day care centers granted an emergency license pursuant to Title 89, Section 407.400 of the Illinois Administrative Code, governing Emergency Day Care Programs for children of employees exempted by this Executive Order to work as permitted. The licensing requirements for day care homes pursuant to Section 4 of the Child Care Act, 225 ILCS 10/4, are hereby suspended for family homes that receive up to 6 children for the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation.
  - Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries.
  - Critical labor union functions.
  - Hotels and motels.
  - Funeral services.

Information for Restaurants/Bars

[Updated 3-23-2020] The Village has implemented the following in response to the State Executive Order (2020-10) prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people.

Restaurants may still offer take-out food via pick up (with adequate social distancing measures), delivery (either own service or 3rd party service such as DoorDash or GrubHub) and via drive-thru. Some have implemented "curbside" service as well. Dine-in at any restaurant is prohibited.
Restaurants with a Class "F" or Class "S8" liquor license may sell beer and wine as part of take-out food service through April 3, 2020. Only Basset certified employees shall be able to sell directly to or deliver to the patron sealed and packaged beer and wine. Delivery services such as GrubHub, Uber Eats, or DoorDash will not be permitted to deliver alcohol under this Order. All beer and wine must be in the original sealed container. Beer must be sold in six (6), twelve (12) or twenty-four (24) packs. Only 22 oz. or larger bottles of beer may be sold individually. Only a BASSETT certified staff member can hand off beer and wine to the customer, who must show a valid ID to verify age.
Restaurants with questions about take-out or alcohol sales restrictions may contact the Village at 847-818-5300 or email Doreen Jarosz, Executive Assistant to the Village Manager.
The Village is maintaining a list of restaurants offering food for take-out. To be included or update your listing, email us.

Welcome to MPEI! We offer resources to help strengthen and support entrepreneurship.

Business Event Calendar. MPEI updates a calendar of events which cater specifically to entrepreneurs. A wide variety of workshops, webinars, and expos are listed, along with registration details. Many of these events are free of charge and are hosted locally.
Business workshops. From finance to social media, we'll help you find the program that will help you strengthen, or even start, your small business.
Spotlight on Success Film Series. Featuring films designed to inspire and educate current and future entrepreneurs.
MPEI E-Newsletter. An informative email newsletter filled with articles of interest to small business owners, is delivered straight to your inbox. Never miss an upcoming business event, sign up today!
MPEI Podcasts. Entertaining and enlightening, these brief interviews feature our Access to Advisors business owners. Accessible anytime, anywhere!
A2A - Access to Advisors. MPEI's own list of proven, successful entrepreneurs who have made themselves available to offer advice to those just starting out. Many of our advisors participate in our MPEI roundtable and networking sessions. Learn more about A2A.