Governor JB Pritzker just concluded his daily briefing and information is below regarding financial assistance for employers as well as employment info and an update on Illinois’s COVID-19 cases.
GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING
The Governor’s brief focused on hospitals and in-state testing and labs. He briefed on state-run testing sites stood-up by the Illinois National Guard and FEMA sites in Illinois. He also provided an in-depth report on available hospital beds compared to potential scenarios as well as the current states of equipment such as ventilators.
The Governor also emphasized that science has driven his decision-making and will going forward.
EMPLOYER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
While we await word from Washington, DC as the details and final passage of a stimulus package, retailers are encouraged to contact their local financial institutions. Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced a program thru which his office has invested $250 million with community banks to give them greater ability to provide loans at ‘near-zero rates’.
Below are resources for additional financial assistance.
US Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
US SBA Disaster Assistance Information
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
City of Chicago Resiliency Fund and in Spanish
JOBS
Anyone looking for at least temporary employment can find employment possibilities at IRMA’s website. Additionally, retailers not listed who are hiring can email IRMA and we will add the link you provide to our resource page. Job seekers and retailers looking to hire should click here.
ILLINOIS UPDATE
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, MD, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health announced 250 new cases and four new deaths. The number of counties with at least one case increased by one to 32. That brings the total count to 1,285. This information can be found here.