Lakeview East Businesses,

Below are some webinars and documents that could be helpful in your current business efforts. We encourage you to attend them and read the documents to learn as much as you can about your options during this time. Also – if your business is running any Easter/Passover specials, please send them to courtney@lakevieweast.com so that we can help you promote them.

• Running Your Business in the Age of Covid 19
  • ​TODAY, April 8th at 3pm
  • Register here
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Overview for Small Businesses
  • TODAY at 11am
  • Register here
• Navigating the CARES Act & Covid 19
  • Watch recording here
• Covid-19 Guidance for Businesses & Employers
  • ​Read document here

You can always check out our website here for more updates as well.

 

Dear Business Owners and Operators,

There has been some additional information to share with you regarding stimulus and relief programs through our government entities:

FEDERAL RELIEF
The $2 Trillion stimulus package has a lot of information to digest and the full package has not been released or fully voted on just yet.  Once we have the final version, we will pass it on to you.  We do have some important information from this package that you can review regarding the Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act.  

The Stimulus package will provide direct payments by mailing out checks:

$1,200 for those under $75,000 annual salary
(phase out up to $99,000)
families $500 each child
$2400 for married couples
independent contractors under review in this package

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has outlined some new relief for Hospitality and Small businesses. Emergency Loan funds and hospitality grant opportunities should be a available on their website on Friday.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements

Employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.[1] The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020. VISIT THE US LABOR WEBSITE for more information.

Governor Pritzker stated in today’s conference Fannie Mae has agreed to work with their customers on term mortgages. Many banks will also talk to you about a 90 day hold on your mortgage to be paid on the back end of your term.

Some businesses are still filing for business interruption insurance in hopes insurance companies may have to pay out.  Insurance companies are currently denying these claims, however businesses are still making the claim.

The Chicago Police Department will begin ticketing any groups of people that are outside and not following the stay at home rules.  If you see something, please call 911.

Our security will continue to work overnight until further notice.

Please be safe and please visit our website for the latest updates.

We have been closely watching the $2 Trillion dollar stimulus package for employees and businesses be held up  from Congress and then now in the Senate.  We will continue to monitor the changes and progress of this new stimulus package.The Democrats are trying to pass a new version of this Bill and you can read about it here.

LIQUOR LICENSEES
There is a request for liquor distributors to not blacklist liquor licensees who fail to pay their bills on time.  This request is with the Governor and we hope to have some resolution so business owners do not fear the future of distributor relationships. Remember how they are treating you now so when you are back in business you have choices to make.

There is a petition going around to allow cocktails and mixed drinks to be added to the carry-out and delivery during the COVID19 pandemic.  This could be a way to unload any of your open bottles or the liquor you can not return in time

CITY OF CHICAGO BACP UPDATES
The City has put together simplified information for you to review the $100 Million Resiliency Relief Fund.  This will explain the SBA loans and how to apply and who is eligible.

The city of Chicago is also providing further relief to small businesses by extending the due dates for tax payments until April 30th for the following City taxes:

• Bottled Water Tax
• Checkout bag tax
• Amusement tax
• Hotel Accommodation tax
• Restaurant Tax
• Parking Tax

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
For a quick Q&A for filing for unemployment insurance, please visit IDES.  Also, please check with your insurance companies for any type of business interruption or lost income provision that may be part of your policy.

SECURITY
Please make sure you don’t cover your windows completely so security and the Police can see inside your business.  We currently have overnight patrols and the 19th District is making checks throughout the district for retail corridors.  Set alarms, cameras and make sure you register your business with the 19th District so they can contact you if an emergency occurs.

Our Marketing Team continues to promote our businesses with virtual and innovate new ways of marketing.  Please send your promos or ideas to sammi@lakevieweast.com 

Deuce’s is giving our free meals from 3PM-7PM for the bar and hospitality industry.  Please pick up curbside.

Although it may make no sense to pressure wash sidewalks at this time, an anti-bacterial solution was added to help disinfect the commercial district.  They will be finishing their applications over the next week.

We will continue to update everyone when more information becomes available.  Please continue to visit our website to review information that has been distributed to date.  We are in close communications with the City departments who are relying on us all to work together to get us through this horrific time. We also want to thank the Illinois Restaurant Association who have shown great leadership to help the hospitality industry.  We are working with BACP, City Departments, the Chicago Police and our local elected officials to help navigate our next steps in recovery.

Thank you to all the business owners and operators who continue to email us and share information to get us to the next steps.  We are here for you.

Be safe; we will get through this together and be stronger for it.