ILBA INFORMATIONAL UPDATE SEPTEMBER 17, 2020
The Illinois Licensed Beverage Association (ILBA) continues to work to keep our member’s businesses open.
STATE LEVEL:
The Governor announced the opening of the second round of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program. These grants will be available to all small businesses statewide that experienced losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting today, the application is available on the DCEO website to review. On the afternoon of September 17th, they will begin to accept applications. Grants will be awarded and funded on a rolling basis until funding is depleted.
Funding for this round is approximately $200 million, with more than half of the funds earmarked for businesses downstate. Of this funding, $70 million will be invested in Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs) and $60 million in heavily impacted industries. A map of the DIAs can be found on the DCEO website. The heavily impacted industries are defined as having annual revenues of $10 million or less and have been closed or operating at a very diminished capacity since mid-March and are likely to continue to do so until Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan. These industries include the following:
Event spaces Music Venues Performing Arts Venues Indoor recreation
Amusement Parks Movie Theaters Museums Charter/Shuttle Buses
While these priority areas are part of the program, the BIG program is open to all eligible businesses (for profit and nonprofit) with $20 million or less in annual revenue in 2019 and experienced losses due to COVID-19. The grant size will be equivalent to two months of expenses.
NATIONAL LEVEL: In Washington, DC – The House returned to the floor this week and joins the Senate in continuing negotiations on temporary government funding, which currently expires on September 30, and possibly COVID-19 stimulus. After months of negotiations (and posturing), the question has shifted from WHEN Congress will pass another COVID relief bill to WILL Congress pass another COVID relief bill AT ALL? Our Coalition is working on legislative initiatives to help our respective industries. American Beverage Licensees (ABL) has been working with industry and coalition partners on targeted topics that have bipartisan support. These include tax credits for perishable food, grants to hospitality businesses, additional loan eligibility to small businesses, COVID-19-specific liability issues and a handful of others.
Our priority is to secure relief for our members and their businesses as soon as possible. We continue to remind Congress and others that our members – on-premise in particular – are at risk of bankruptcy without further relief. If nothing is agreed to before the end of September due to the political activities ahead of the elections, late November and into December may be the next best chance for relief legislation.
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR OUTDOOR SEATING AREA IN THE WINTER: Make it Warm – Vinyl Curtains, Patio Heaters, Outdoor Fireplace. Make is Comfy – Patio Furniture with cushions and lap blankets. Make it Exclusive – special appetizer or hot drink item exclusively for outdoor guests. Make it an Experience – add mood lighting, add music. Drinking and eating outdoors is one of the simple pleasures a restaurant patron can experience. Food tastes better and drinks go down easier in the fresh air.
Welcome New Members: Recently the following businesses have joined the ILBA.
Gambits Place, Bartlett Jimbo’s Pkwy, Manteno
Sophie’s Jack Pot Slots, Bradley Midwest Equip. Co., Fenton Mo
Hank & Lilly’s Fountain Inn, Valmeyer Benderz, Auburn
The Hole Shot, East Peoria Mikey’s Pub, Smithton
Next Gen. Mang. Solutions, Highland Ambraw Frat. Ord. of Eagles, Newton
The Backroom, Lawrenceville New Mill Tap, Rockford
Stella’s Backstreet, LaSalle
Daniel D. Clausner
Executive Director