COVID-19 Resources

Small Business Funding

SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan
On March 19th the U.S. Small Business Administration approved Governor Pritzker’s application for an economic injury declaration due to the coronavirus. Now small businesses across the state of Illinois are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) through the SBA. In addition, please visit www.sba.gov/disaster for detailed information regarding the program.

• To apply, log onto the SBA Disaster Loan Assistance application page. If you do not already have a login, you can register to create an account. You will then be directed to the required application form.
• In addition to the application form, be prepared to submit: a completed and signed
• Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T); complete copies of the most recent Federal income tax returns for the applicant business; completed and signed Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413) and a Schedule of Liabilities listing all fixed debts (SBA Form 2202).
• EIDL’s offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business.
• EIDL’s may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.
• The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible.
• SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund
On March 19th, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the launch of the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund. This is a new $100 million economic relief package to support Chicago’s small businesses that are experiencing a temporary loss of revenue as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. SomerCor is proud to partner with the City of Chicago in administering the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grants. If your business has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 outbreak, click here to learn more. Official application for the fund will start on March 31st.

LISC-State Farm Small Business Relief Loan Program
LISC and State Farm today announced that LISC has received a $10 million low-interest loan through State Farm’s Good Neighbor Relief response to COVID-19 to help Chicago and Central Illinois small business owners and nonprofit organizations work through the economic fallout from the pandemic. With the loan, LISC will establish a Small Business Rescue Fund to distribute loans to small businesses and nonprofit social enterprises for urgent needs, including operational costs like paying employees, vendors and rent. For more information please visit this flyer or fill out this questionnaire to determine eligibility.

Grant Opportunities

Facebook Small Business Grants
We know that your business may be experiencing disruptions resulting from the global outbreak of COVID-19. We’ve heard that a little financial support can go a long way, so we are offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time.

Timeframe: Opens | Apr. 20, 2020, 10:00 AM (EDT); Deadline | May 6, 2020 11:59 PM (EDT)
Amount: Offering a $4000 grant for the recipients in the US; $2500 cash, and $1500 in optional ads credits

Salesforce Care Small Business Grants
As part of Salesforce’s commitment to small businesses and giving back to the community, Salesforce is partnering with Ureeka to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a $10,000 grant to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak.

The grant is intended for For Profit businesses with annual sales of $250k to $2M with 2-50 employees. Non Profits and entities that received PPP funding are not eligible. Please click here for a FAQ’s and the application details.

​HR and Employee Resources

Business Owners

COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. IDES recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible.

COVID-19 Guidance for Employer
As the coronavirus outbreak spreads around the world, employers must respond in rapid fashion and face a series of questions regarding the impact the virus will have on the workplace.

City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
To assist businesses, consumers and employees during this difficult time, the City of Chicago’s Business Affairs and Consumer Protection has created a dedicated resources page. Please visit this page for updated information on the available resources and steps the City is taking to support business owners.

University of Chicago Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation - Small Business Resource Guide
Our hearts go out to you, your families, and all of our communities during this uncertain time. While this is a challenging, scary situation for everyone, we know that it is especially difficult for those, like so many of you, who are working to build a new business or keep a small, local business afloat. Now and always, you are our greatest inspiration. Below, please find a list of resources for small businesses during this difficult time.

Independent Contractors andEmployees

Independent Contractor Resources
The State of Illinois just released new guidance for unemployment benefits for independent contractors. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recommends ALL unemployed individuals to apply for benefits immediately, regardless of what type of worker you are.

Independent contractors, self-employed individuals, sole proprietors and 1099 workers are now eligible for up to 39 weeks of benefits under the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program in the CARES Act. However, IDES emphasized that, to qualify for PUA unemployment, an individual must first be denied traditional unemployment benefits. The denial letter will be the basis for approval under their subsequent PUA application. For more information, visit the IDES website. Here are FAQs.

Federal Housing Finance Agency
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and the Federal Home Loan Banks are taking steps to help people who have been impacted by the coronavirus. If your ability to pay your mortgage is impacted, and your loan is owned by Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac, you may be eligible to delay making monthly mortgage payments for a temporary period.

One Fair Wage
One Fair Wage has set up an emergency coronavirus tipped and service worker support fund. Cash assistance is being provided to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers, and more.