The U.S. Small Business Administration’s new Restaurant Revitalization Fund will provide funding to restaurants, bars, food trucks, caterers and other qualifying businesses that continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is opening for applications on Monday, May 3 at 11AM CST.
Read MoreMayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced the launch of Open Chicago, the latest initiative to safely and fully reopen the city. Open Chicago’s initial programming will feature activated, re-imagined, and pop-up spaces for Chicago residents to enjoy. These spaces will either build on ongoing Chicago traditions, are expanded from programs that launched last year, or are new programs specifically crafted to get the City back into a new normal.
Read MoreLast month, Congress extended the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application deadline from March 31 to May 31 while granting the Small Business Administration (SBA) until June 30 to process loans. All applicants interested in a PPP loan are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Read MoreThe City of Chicago moved to Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility on Monday, April 19, meaning all Chicagoans aged 16 or older are eligible to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. The vaccine is offered at no cost, and insurance is not required. Documentation regarding immigration status is also not required. Proof of address is required for all first dose appointments at City sites, with the exception of United Center.
Read MoreChicago’s essential workers are now eligible for vaccination appointments as we enter Phase 1C of the Protect Chicago vaccine distribution plan. Chicago’s essential workers have kept our City moving throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the City is working hard to make sure essential workers have access to the vaccine. There are a few options to book an appointment for a vaccine. You must be a Chicago resident to receive a vaccine at a City of Chicago vaccine site and you will need to provide proof of residency.
Read MoreIn light of this rise in COVID-19 cases, the City of Chicago will be holding a briefing this Wednesday, March 31 at 11:30AM to provide important information for Chicago bars, restaurants and residential buildings to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 regulations. It expects all restaurant owners, liquor licensees and residential building owners/associations to attend this meeting.
Read MoreLate last week, the City of Chicago announced updates to COVID-19 regulations that keep most indoor limits in place while allowing for cautious increases at outdoor spaces. In order to help businesses navigate these new guidelines, the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) is holding a webinar today, Monday, March 29 at 3:30PM.
Read MoreAs St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) and the Local Liquor Control Commission want to stress the importance of following State and City COVID-19 guidance during festivities. As you know, St. Patrick’s Day is typically a time for larger crowds at bars and restaurants for Chicago. So, it is imperative that staff and customers alike are knowledgeable about current COVID-19 regulations.
Read MoreThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just released the first set of public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people. This guidance will be updated and expanded based on the level of community spread of SARS-CoV-2, the proportion of the population that is fully vaccinated, and the rapidly evolving science on COVID-19 vaccines.
Read MoreDue to sustained progress in all four reopening metrics, effective immediately, indoor capacity at bars, restaurants and other businesses can increase to 50% or 50 people per space. Additionally, bars and restaurants can now remain open until 1AM; alcohol sales from liquor stores and other establishments with a Package Goods license can now continue until 11PM. And indoor fitness class size can increase to 20 people.
Read MoreTo build on the success of the PPP, the SBA has announced several reforms to further target the the program to the smallest businesses and those that have been left behind in previous relief efforts: now through Friday, March 9, 2021, only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for relief through the Program.
Read MorePublic health officials have eased guidelines for travel to and from eighteen states as Chicago’s COVID-19 positivity rate reaches its lowest point since the onset of the pandemic. Additionally, because positivity rates across the region have fallen, the Chicago Park District announced that lakefront parks and its 580 playgrounds are now reopen. Face coverings are still mandatory, and social distance must be maintained whenever possible.
Read MoreDoorDash is excited to accept applications through Tuesday, March 2 for its first round of the Main Street Strong Accelerator, a program designed to help revitalize the future of the food industry and increase opportunities for underserved businesses, especially for restaurants owned by women, immigrants, and people of color. In partnership with the Accion Opportunity Fund, selected recipients receive grant money, an 8-week support curriculum, and more.
Read MoreEffective immediately, bars, restaurants, and events can increase to the lesser of 40% or 50 people per room/floor. All other regulations remain in place, pending further progress against COVID-19. On Thursday at 1PM, BACP is holding a webinar, with Q&A, for businesses needing help.
Read MoreIndoor capacity at bars, restaurants and events can increase to the lesser of 25% or 50 people per room or floor beginning tomorrow, February 11. All other regulations specified in the most recent phase change for bars, restaurants and events remain in place. The easing of additional regulations will be possible once we meet specific metrics. Additionally, in order to help businesses navigate this framework for expanding capacity, BACP will be holding a webinar tomorrow at 1PM.
Read MoreThe pandemic and recession have created unprecedented challenges, but community members and businesses in predominantly minority neighborhoods have experienced an unfair and dramatically more significant burden. To offer support to its small business neighbors on the West Side, the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, with generous support from United Airlines, will launch a Small Business Grant Recovery Program, “Support West.”
Read MoreChicago has continued to make significant enough progress in the fight against COVID-19 that, effective today, we have moved into Phase Four regulations. However, given that State-level mitigations have been lifted at an interval faster than the coronavirus’s incubation period, only some restrictions will be eased at first — while others (mostly capacity regulations) will stay in place.
Read MoreIn Phase 1B, which began this Monday, January 25, the COVID-19 vaccine is made available to frontline essential workers, including correctional workers and first responders; grocery store workers and those in manufacturing/factory settings with outbreaks; daycare, K-12 and early education workers; public transit, other manufacturing and agriculture workers; continuity-of-government officials and postal workers.
Read MorePlease be advised that, effective immediately, Chicago has moved to the Tier 1 Mitigations Measures set by the State of Illinois. See this post for an overview of these new mitigations, which are in effect as of 9:00am today, Saturday, January 23, 2021. Additionally, to help businesses navigate these new mitigations, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will be holding two webinars this week.
Read MorePlease be advised that, effective immediately, the State of Illinois has determined that the City of Chicago has made significant enough progress in the fight against COVID-19 to move to Tier 2 Mitigation measures. Under these Mitigation measures, which are set by the state, certain regulations are more relaxed.
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