ILBA INFORMATIONAL UPDATE APRIL 24, 2020
COVID19 Disruption – Friday, April 24, 2020
Governor J.B. Pritzker Extends Stay at Home Order Until May 30, Masks Required Starting May 1:
Yesterday, Governor Pritzker announced that he will be signing an executive order next week to extend the state’s stay-at-home order through May 30. This new executive order will require all individuals to wear a mask in public places where a 6-foot social distancing order cannot be implemented. Some essential businesses now must provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing. The Executive Order will not be released until next week.
FEDERAL AID: (PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM – PPP)
Both Chambers of the U.S. Congress and President Trump approved another $484 billion package to deliver relief to small businesses. This includes an additional $320 billion in (PPP) funding. The bill did not include any policy changes to the PPP such as pegging the origination date of a PPP loan to the first day that any given business can fully reopen or extending the maximum loan amounts to 3 months after businesses are allowed to reopen and operate at full capacity. Both of these potential changes would be helpful to bars/taverns.
HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE:
If you have lost your health insurance because you are newly unemployed, coverage options are still available. Job loss is considered a “Qualifying Life Event” for special enrollment on the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace. You have 60 days after your job loss to enroll in a marketplace health plan. You may enroll before your current coverage ends to avoid a gap in coverage. Your new health plan coverage can begin on the 1st of the month after your previous coverage ends. ACA Health Insurance Marketplace plans also offer subsidies to help reduce monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. For more information or to enroll in a plan, please visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. If your spouse or domestic partner still has employer-based health insurance, you might be able to add yourself to their plan. Since there are time limits for enrollment, please check with your partner’s employer or insurance carrier for details. Medicaid coverage is an option for those with limited or no income. This federal-and-state-funded health insurance program has year-round enrollment and is based on monthly income, not annual income. You can apply for Medicaid online through the DHS website. The State of Illinois also offers health insurance for pregnant mothers and children. The Moms & Babies program covers women throughout their pregnancy and for another 60 days after their child is born. The All Kids program covers children in families with low income. You can learn more about and apply for these programs online or by calling 1-800-843-6154.
SCAMS:
Online Extortion Scams Increasing During The COVID-19 Crisis
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has seen an increase in reports of online extortion scams during the current “stay-at-home” orders due to the #COVID19 crisis. Learn more and get new tips to protect yourself: https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/200420.aspx
New York Times: ‘Pure Hell for Victims’ as Stimulus Programs Draw a Flood of Scammers
ILBA REQUESTS:
The ILBA has been proposing “re-opening” requests via zoom meetings ongoing with statewide elected officials, in addition, to our participation in many coalition group requests. The ILBA has been asking for:
- Regionalized re-opening based upon infection rates, hospitalization rates, and ICU bed availability.
- Allow bars and on-premise establishments with valid liquor license to sell cocktails/mixed drinks for off-premise consumption.
- Assistance with business interruption insurance
- Allow VGT’s to be moved by Terminal Operators to provide social distancing without the need for an IGB representative on-site.
- Suspend the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) retailer delinquency list for non-payment of liquor invoices to 120 days.
- Suspend the implementation of the state’s next minimum wage increase until July 1, 2021.
- Suspend 1% VGT Tax for 1 year from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021.
Plus, many other items have been requested.
Daniel D. Clausner, ILBA Executive Director