Gurnee Business Partner:

Effective June 26, all regions of the state have advanced to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. We are thrilled to be back together (6 feet apart of course) again – dining, shopping, working, and recreating!   

Business toolkits with guidance for Meetings and Social Events, Recreation, Dining, Theaters, Youth and Recreational Sports, Day Camps, Manufacturing, Offices, Retail, Services, Health & Fitness Centers and more can be found here: Phase 4 Guidelines for Reopening. For clarification or interpretations, please utilize the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity hotline 1-800-252-2923 or ceo.support@illinois.gov. The Village of Gurnee is mirroring State of Illinois guidelines.

Business Resource Highlights

The next Lake County Health Department biweekly business briefing is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, 11:00am, with a special focus on Phase 4 updates. Click here for the Zoom link, or participate by phone at 312-626-6799. By phone or web, use: Meeting ID: 341 317 913 Password: 427820.

Readiness for Reopening Guide here:  local sources for PPE and cleaning/sanitizing supplies

Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG): $60 million available for up to 3,500 businesses experiencing losses or business interruption due to COVID-19 closures, with set-asides for businesses located in disproportionately impacted areas.   Application materials and portal are available here; applications accepted until 5pm on July 7. 

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications are due by June 30; over $100 billion is still available, and recent legislation has made it easier than ever to use these funds, but the window is closing fast.  Several local lenders are still accepting applications.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is also open for online applications here.  The EIDL consists of an advance, which does not need to be repaid, in the amount of $1,000 per employee up to a maximum of $10,000; and a low interest 3.75% loan with a 30 year term to be used for working capital.

New! Lake County Small Business Recovery Grants:  The Lake County Board has authorized $10 million of CARES Act funding for small businesses. Eligibility criteria and applications will be available on or around July 1, with applications due by mid-July. These grants are intended to assist businesses with less than $2.5 million in annual revenue, with preference given to those that did not receive PPP or EIDL funds. Check back herefor details to be released next week.

Watch the recent Virtual Town Hall here, hosted by Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, featuring panelists addressing everything from testing and tracing to school in the fall.

Lastly, there are many more Small Business COVID-19 Assistance resources available. Please click here to visit a list of those resources on the Village website. 

Thank you again for your commitment to getting us safely to Phase 4. We’re so glad you’re back!  Gurnee’s Got It! 

Sincerely,

Ellen Dean
Economic Development Director
Village of Gurnee
edean@village.gurnee.il.us