Alderman Bennett Lawson - 44th Ward Chicago

Alderman Bennett Lawson
44th Ward
Seal of Chicago

Articles under Chamber News

Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Update

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.

Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce: Update from Governor Executive Order

Dear Business Owners,

At today’s press conference, Governor Pritzker announced a statewide executive order for Illinois residents to stay at home. Beginning Saturday, March 21st at 5PM, all residents in the State of Illinois are to stay home unless traveling for essential needs or businesses.  S#8 and SSA#17 will continue to have security patrols in the late night/early morning hours to do frequent checks of our business district.

Here is an update from BCAP (Business Affairs and Consumer Protection):

Businesses that are considered essential operations that can continue operating, include, but not limited to:

  • Emergency City services and other essential government services
  • Gas stations
  • Pharmacies
  • Grocery stores, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants
  • Hardware stores/plumbers
  • Banks
  • Laundromats/laundry services
  • Transportation, including CTA and private transportation
  • Essential infrastructure, such as utilities and public transportation

We encourage everyone to read the order and pay particular attention to section 12, which lists in three pages of detail the essential businesses that are able continue operations. Non-Essential businesses can maintain minimum basic activities to preserve the value and condition of the business’s inventory, equipment and location, to maintain security and to process payroll and employee benefits. Additionally, the business can take the minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences. Please read the FAQ for more information.

We understand that this order will have an impact on all Illinoisans, but this is a critical step to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. To help support businesses in this time of need, last night, Mayor Lightfoot announced the details of her relief package, headlined by a $100 million loan fund, to support small businesses affected by COVID-19.These measures are intended to provide much-needed local cash flow and stopgap relief for small businesses as we await federal support that will be necessary for businesses affected by this crisis. Please know that your City is working hard to put the necessary emergency measures in place to support all small businesses during this unprecedented time.

The following measures are included in Mayor Lightfoot’s Relief Package

  • Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund: Through an innovative public-private partnership, Chicago has dedicated over $100 million to provide emergency, low-interest loans to severely affected small businesses. The fund will lend up to $50,000 in working capital loans to small businesses with fewer than 50 employees that have seen a 25% revenue decrease due to the impact of COVID-19. Applications will be accepted starting March 31st. Interested business owners are encouraged to fill out an interest form for more information. Philanthropic institutions or corporations interested in contributing to the fund, may submit their information to resiliency.funds@cityofchicago.org.
  • Business Tax Deferral: To further provide relief for businesses over the coming weeks, the City is also extending due dates for tax payments until April 30, 2020 for the following City taxes:
    • Bottled Water tax
    • Checkout Bag tax
    • Amusement tax
    • Hotel Accommodation tax
    • Restaurant tax
    • Parking tax
  • Additional Support Measures: On March 18, Mayor Lightfoot announced the temporary suspension or debt collection, ticketing and towing practices until April 30, 2020. The City will also temporarily defer all business fine collections as well as license renewal and late fees for Chicago’s businesses until April 30th. Finally, the City will also be temporarily suspending non-public safety related business penalties until that date.

Importantly, all of these local measures are meant to serve as immediate, temporary relief to ensure cash flow and supplement federal support that may take a bit longer to activate. All Illinois small businesses are currently eligible to apply for loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Economic Injury Loan Program. These loans can go toward working capital to meet needs including payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments until the situation improves. Interest rates are 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits. Business owners can apply for a loan now at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The Illinois District of the SBA is hosting twice daily webinars on the Economic Injury Disaster Loans starting Thursday, March 18. You can find details and register for these training events at www.sba.gov/il.

We know that this is an incredibly difficult time for all Americans, and that small business owners are particularly hit hard by this crisis. This is time for decisive action, and we hope that these relief measures can make an immediate difference. We will be sharing additional information on Chicago’s Small Business Resiliency Fund in the coming days.

In the meantime, please check out www.chicago.gov/BACPCOVID19 for business resources, including information on Governor Pritzker’s restaurant and bar closure. We remind all businesses to keep their business secure during closures. Please yourself and your family safe, and continue to visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus for us to date information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

Lakeview Chamber of Commerce: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update March 20, 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

March 20, 2020

What We’re Working On:
We’ve been focused on promoting local businesses and relaying your requests to our partners. We’ve had multiple conversations with local, state, and federal officials to gather the latest information for our community, which you’ll find contained in this email. Keep in mind: we’re here to help you. If you’d like our office’s guidance and support navigating challenges you’re facing, please reach out to us at (773) 472-7171 or info@lakeviewchamber.com. In other news, we’re rolling out two new rebate programs aimed at supporting local businesses with Special Service Area (SSA) 27 funding: a Digital Marketing Rebate Program and a Health & Sanitation Rebate Program. And we’ve announced a second Coronavirus Business Roundtable call Tuesday at 1 PM. We’ve included more information below.Going forward, we’ll plan to send out these emails as soon as there are enough updates to warrant it. In the meantime, we’ll continue posting the latest information on our COVID-19 Business Resource page at www.lakeviewchamber.com/COVID19, so check back frequently for updates.Save the Date:
Weekly Coronavirus Business Roundtable Call
Tuesday, March 24 at 1:00 PM
Register HereIn This Update:

Federal and City Loans Now Available for Lakeview Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved the state’s eligibility for disaster assistance loans for small businesses facing financial hardship in all Illinois counties due to COVID-19. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $2 million in low-interest loans at https://disasterloan.sba.gov. More information:

  • SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
  • These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
  • SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

Learn More

City of Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced a new $100 million economic relief package to support Chicago’s small businesses that are experiencing a temporary loss of revenue as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Funds will be provided to eligible businesses as low-interest loans that can be repaid over a term of up to five years.

To be eligible, businesses must meet the following requirements:

  • Suffered more than 25% revenue decrease due to COVID-19
  • Employ fewer than 50 employees and have gross revenues of less than $3 million in 2019
  • Provide a City business address or City business license
  • No pre-existing tax liens or legal judgments

Learn More

 

SSA 27 Announces Rebates to Assist Lakeview Businesses During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Special Service Area (SSA) 27 is rolling out two rebate programs to assist Lakeview businesses and support the local economy during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak. Communities have been confronted with the need to quickly adapt to the current environment, and these measures are meant to support this transitionary period so that local businesses can continue to promote themselves while providing a clean and safe environment for customers and employees, which will help sustain economic activity across Lakeview.

  • The Digital Marketing Rebate Program supports local businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak by providing rebates to businesses who invest in a digital marketing and social media strategy through working with a digital marketing or social media consultant, purchasing online ads (e.g., Google ads), or use of social media boosting. Applicants that meet all Program requirements may receive a rebate of up to 50% of eligible costs, not to exceed a total of $400 per project.
  • The Health Sanitation Rebate Program is an extension of SSA 27’s Security Rebate Program and supports local businesses impacted by high sanitation materials costs due to COVID-19, reinforcing a safe and clean environment by providing rebates to businesses with an increased need for personal and commercial sanitation, cleaning, and sterilization products. Applicants that meet all Program requirements may receive a rebate of up to 50% of eligible costs, not to exceed a total of $200 per project.

More information about both of these programs is available on our COVID-19 Business Resource page, www.lakeviewchamber.com/covid19. For an application, email ssa27@lakeviewchamber.com.

 

Other Relief Available to Lakeview Businesses

Officials have announced the following measures intended to provide relief to small businesses experiencing hardship during this challenging time. Be sure to review the links below for additional information and to make sure you’re in compliance.

  • State Sales Tax Deferral for Bars and Restaurants: To help alleviate some of the unprecedented challenges facing bars and restaurants due to COVID-19, Gov. Pritzker has directed the Department of Revenue to defer sales tax payments for more than 24,000 small- and medium-sized bars and restaurants in the State of Illinois. Under the directive, eating and drinking establishments that incurred less than $75,000 in sales tax liabilities last year will not be charged penalties or interest on payments due in March, April or May made late. Be sure to read this official bulletin (PDF) from the Illinois Department of Revenue to ensure compliance. (For bars and restaurants that exceed this annual tax threshold, The Hospitality Business Association of Chicago is soliciting signatures on this letter, asking Gov. Pritzker to expand the relief to accommodate more businesses.)
  • Federal Income Tax Deferral: The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance allowing all individual and other non-corporate tax filers to defer up to $1 million of federal income tax (including self-employment tax) payments due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest.  The guidance also allows corporate taxpayers a similar deferment of up to $10 million of federal income tax payments that would be due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest. This morning, the Federal Government also announced an extension of the filing deadline; however, more details were pending as of this email.
  • Temporary Suspension of City Debt Collection: The City of Chicago will be temporarily suspending debt collection practices and non-safety related citations and impounds, as well as penalties for late payment. Additionally, there will be no new interest accumulated on current compliance plans. These measures take effect immediately through April 30, 2020.
  • Deferral of City Business Fines and Tax Payment Extensions: Building on the the temporary suspension of debt collection, the City of Chicago’s new economic relief package will temporarily defer all business fine collections as well as license renewal and late fees for Chicago’s businesses until April 30, 2020. To further provide relief for businesses over the coming weeks, the City is also extending due dates for tax payments until April 30, 2020 for the following City taxes:
    • Bottled Water tax
    • Checkout Bag tax
    • Amusement tax
    • Hotel Accommodation tax
    • Restaurant tax
    • Parking tax

If you experience any issues with taxes, fees, bank loans, rent, or other payments due during this challenging time, please email us at info@lakeviewchamber.com. We’re doing our best to help our businesses navigate concerns related to the impact caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. We’ll do everything we can to help you solve any issues your business is facing.

 

Updates from Washington: Awaiting Debate on the Phase Three Coronavirus Stimulus Package

We’re watching closely as Congress begins debate on the next phase of stimulus packages aimed at shoring up the economy and helping small businesses. We expect this process to move very quickly, so be sure to share any feedback with us on the kinds of support you’d like to see offered and we’ll relay your feedback to our elected officials. In the meantime, here’s an update on the latest from Washington, courtesy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

On Wednesday, the Senate passed H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This bill provides, among other things, provisions to address Paid Sick Leave, Paid Family and Medical Leave, and Unemployment Insurance for workers displaced by the ongoing outbreak. Furthermore, it includes provisions to provide diagnostic testing for coronavirus, and bolsters Medicaid and nutrition programs for at risk populations. Click here to see the U.S. Chamber’s summary.

Congress’s focus will now turn to the Phase Three stimulus package. Click here to see the U.S. Chamber’s letter to Congress and the President with the business community’s recommendations.

 

Connect With Lakeview Businesses in Real Time: Share Ideas via the Lakeview Chamber’s New Business Connection Facebook Group

Join our brand new Lakeview Chamber Business Connection Facebook Group! We created this group based on recommendations from a few of our Lakeview businesses during our Coronavirus Business Roundtable earlier this week. It will allow Lakeview businesses to connect with each other, ask questions, brainstorm ideas and find opportunities to collaborate during and in the aftermath of these uncertain times. The Lakeview Chamber will moderate the group, but the main goal is for businesses to connect with each other through this Facebook Group. If you have any specific questions for the Lakeview Chamber, the best way to reach us is by emailing us at info@lakeviewchamber.com.

Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce: FREE Pickup & Delivery Signage

 

The UPS Store at will be printing the attached 24” x 36” pickup and delivery signs free of charge for all local restaurants/bars. If your business would like a sign, stop into the UPS Store at 3023 N. Clark starting today between 11am-6pm. After today, hours will be 10am-6pm. Please call (773) 281-8988 or email upsclark@gmail.com beforehand and they will have your sign waiting.