COVID19 DISRUPTION – THURSDAY JUNE 18, 2020
Business Interruption Grants (BIG) & Community Support:
Governor JB Pritzker has announced $900 million in additional relief measures to support families and businesses facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent civil unrest. This assistance, including Business Interruption Grants, rental and mortgage assistance, additional relief for childcare providers, and expanded IDHS and Department of Aging programs, will give a much-needed boost to suffering community members and small businesses in communities disparately impacted by COVID-19.
Business Interruption Grants (BIG) – The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will be accepting applications for the new $270 million Business Interruption Grant program. The first round of funding will focus on small business located in disproportionately impacted areas whose operations have been severely restricted or completely shut down.
These funds are designed to help impacted small businesses stay afloat through this crisis, help offset the costs incurred during months of shut down or restricted operations, and ensure they have the resources to reopen safely in the coming months. DCEO will partner with community based financial institutions to administer this program. Bars and restaurants with $2-3 million in 2019 revenue may be eligible for a $20,000 grant. Those with under $2 million in 2019 revenue may qualify for $15,000. Applicants must confirm losses of at least this size since the Stay at Home Order was put in place on March 21, 2020. Only bars and restaurants that have not provided outdoor food and beverage service during Phase 3 will be eligible. Priority will be given to businesses that have not received another DCEO grant, Coronavirus Relief Fund program, or PPP loan. Companies that have received a grant or loan from another program are only eligible if they can attest their costs exceed the funds they have received through other programs. DCEO will make the application for BIG available on Monday, June 22.
Minimum Wage Increase July 1, 2020:
- Current minimum wage – $9.25
- Current tipped wage – $5.55
- Current Youths (under 18) wage – $8.00 (working less than 650 hours per calendar year)
- Minimum wage starting July 1, 2020 – $10.00
- Tipped wage starting July 1, 2020 – $6.00
- Youths wage starting July 1, 2020 – $8.50
Bars in the City of Chicago Can Open for Outdoor Service:
Beginning Wednesday, June 17, bars, lounges, taverns, breweries and other drinking establishments that sell alcohol for on-site consumption without a Retail Food License will be able to open for outdoor service only. Under the industry guidelines, drinking establishments may reopen under similar health and safety restrictions that restaurants have been following since June 3, including the same requirements for outdoor service only.
Patrons must be seated at tables that are six feet apart, with six people or fewer per table. Furthermore, seating at drinking establishments will be limited to a maximum of two hours. Finally, alcohol sales at bars and restaurants for on-site consumption must end at 11:00 p.m. each night, however the sale of alcohol for carryout or delivery must cease at 9:00 p.m. each night.
Click here to read the full announcement. Click here to read the industry guidelines for food service and bars.
Video Gaming – Ivan Fernandez, Executive Director of the IGMOA has provided the below statement:
“While there can’t be an “official” relaunch date until we get closer to June 26th, please know Terminal Operators have been issued protocols and have begun making preparations to resume full operations as soon as permitted by state officials. If you have not been contacted, please call your TO to find out how you can help prepare your gaming areas. There is a great amount of work to get done in a short period of time. The sooner we all get started and the more willing you are to contribute to the necessary preparations, the greater the likelihood your gaming area will restart at full capacity.” www.IGMOA.org for the full Play-It-Safe protocol.
COCKTAILS-TO-GO
FYI – Many places have found using mason jars for cocktails-to-go to be the easiest way to follow guidelines.
Daniel D. Clausner, Executive Director
Illinois Licensed Beverage Association