Covid-19 Information

B2B Grants

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the $250 million Back to Business (B2B) grant program to support the continued recovery of small businesses across Illinois. The first in a series of economic recovery programs set to launch by the administration, B2B will offer small businesses access to funds that can help offset losses due to COVID-19, bring back workers, and take continued steps to rebuild amid the fallout from the pandemic. The program builds on last year’s Business Interruption Grant program, which provided $580 million to small businesses and childcare providers across the state.

The application portal opens on August 18.

Funding available:

Eligibility requirements:

How to apply:


Applications for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund
NOW OPEN

Applications for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund are now open as of 11 AM CST Monday, May 3rd. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, grants will be allocated to businesses until the fund is depleted.

What is the Restaurant Revitalization Fund?

The RRF provides a total of $28.6 billion in direct relief funds to restaurants and other hard-hit food establishments that have experienced losses due to COVID-19. It will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business.

Click Here for Info


Please find new and updated info on various Covid-19 relief programs that many of you are eligible for:

Restaurant Revitalization Act FAQ
The American Rescue Plan included the $26.8 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund Act to provide direct federal monetary relief to bar, restaurants and other eating and drinking establishments. While the SBA has yet to provide much public information and is not yet accepting applications, the National Restaurant Association has put together an 8-page Frequently Asked Questions document that discusses eligibility, use of funds, application process, and the interplay between this program and other federal programs like the Paycheck Protection Program. You can read the FAQ document here.

Shuttered Venue Operator Grant Program Now Accepting Applications
The Small Business Administration is now accepting applications for its Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. More information and the application can be found here. For the first two weeks of the program (April 8 - 21), SBA has prioritized entities that suffered a 90% or greater revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following two weeks (April 22 - May 5), the priority will be entities with 70% or greater loss. After these two priority windows close, SBA will focus on entities with a 25% or greater loss. SBA has also posted a revision to their Frequently Asked Questions (April 8) which can be found here.

SBA Increased Lending Limit for COVID19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
On March 24, U.S. Small Business Administration announced it was increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. More here.

SBA Funding Guide for Small Businesses
The SBA has compiled an on-line resources database of public and private financing programs for small businesses. The database defaults to nationally available programs but includes a function to search for local programs via zip code. The database can be found here.

Paycheck Protection Program Deadline Extended until May 31
Recent legislation extended the deadline of the popular Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from March 31 to May 31, 2021. Businesses who have not yet received a PPP loan, including certain types of nonprofit organizations who were previously ineligible, are now eligible to apply for a loan. Businesses who received a PPP loan in one of the first rounds of the program can apply for a “second draw” loan if they can demonstrate a 25% loss in revenue between 2019 and 2020.

Assistance with Funeral Costs
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. FEMA will begin accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021, through a dedicated call center. You can reach the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number at 844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585) Monday - Friday from 8a - 8p Central Time.

If you or those you serve had COVID-19 funeral expenses, you are encouraged to keep and gather documentation. Types of information should include:

For more information, click here.


Phase 4
Region 2 Moves to Phase 4

The Illinois Department of Public Health has stated that Region 2, which includes Henry County, has progressed to Phase 4, effective immediately.

Full regulations for Phase 4 can be found here

In general Phase 4 consists of the following:

Important Information
11-18-2020

I am sure all of you know that the entire state of Illinois will go into Tier 3 Mitigation Friday one week before Thanksgiving and the beginning of the 2020 Christmas Shopping season. I have included information below regarding the order and a few programs that are available to help get you through this.

We knew this would be a different year for shopkeepers and shoppers. Many of you have heard of Small Business Saturday which is November 28th this year. It was a day designated to encourage people to buy something at a local small business. Over the years it has gained momentum and results have actually been recorded. This year is different!! We need to change Small Business Saturday into Small Business SEASON starting as soon as possible.

We have been fortunate in Kewanee and have actually seen an increase in small businesses this year, something not every community can say. In order for us to stay on this course we need to concentrate on keeping these new and not so new small businesses viable. I urge you to think before you spend and just try to help our local businesses for your goods and services this season.

Below is a post my sister in law posted, she owns a small business in Michigan I wanted to share this not coming from me but from someone actually in the trenches trying to survive. This post could just as well be from anybody right here in Kewanee though, thanks Cheryl.


I know that you’re hearing a lot right now about the importance of shopping small businesses this holiday season. As a small business owner I can tell you that pretty much every one of us is in the fight of our lives. If you want to help us all survive and thrive, please consider this insider scoop. I’m not going to sugar coat this. I’m going to tell you like it is. I hope you don’t mind.

1. Small businesses are NOT Amazon. We don&rsquol;t have the access to the perks and deals that they can offer. Please don’t ask. We cannot compete in that arena.

2. Free Shipping is NOT FREE. We eat that shipping cost, and shipping prices are up to $8.60 at a minimum. Many local retailers are offering curb-side pickup. Take advantage of that if you can.

3. This is no time to ask for special discounts or to cash in all of your coupons or gift certificates. All of these things cut into our bottom line and every little bit counts.

4. Please be patient and please be kind. We WANT to do business with you. Many of us create our products in batches and by hand. These things take time and manpower. Most of us are running on limited amounts of both.

5. Please plan ahead. Understand that it can take a few days to get orders out or take care of special requests. We all want to make it as perfect for you as possible.

Thank you for your thoughtful support of small businesses this holiday season!

Downtown Ferndale - ROUGE Organic Beauty


Entire State Subject to Higher Mitigation Regulations Effective Friday, November 20

Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health announced a new set of stricter mitigation regulations to combat the spread of COVID-19. These rules go into effect at 12:01 am on Friday, November 20. Full details of the regulations can be found here. Below is a broad summary of the major elements of regulations impacting different business types:

Again, the above is just a summary. Please see here for details.

Reminder: Second Round of Business Interruption Grant Still Available

Illinois DCEO is still accepting applications for its Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program. This is a very broad program covering a variety of different businesses. Among the qualified businesses:

More details, as well as the application portal, can be found at DCEO’s website here. Applications are being taken, reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis.

Reminder: Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

The Illinois Restaurant Association has launched a relief fund to help struggling restaurant workers that qualify with one-time $500 grants. To qualify for the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, you must have either: been diagnosed with COVID-19, served as a caregiver for an immediate family member who had COVID-19, or quarantined with a doctor's note; or been out of work for three weeks or more without unemployment benefits. More information here.


Virus Update
11-2-2020

The Henry Stark County Health Department as of 10/31/2020 are reporting 879 cases in Henry and 96 cases in Stark county. There have been 11 deaths

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Sunday that Region 2, located in the western portion of the state (Henry County is in Region 2), will see enhanced coronavirus mitigations put into place after reporting a positivity rate of more than 8% for three consecutive days.

With that announcement, all 11 health care regions in the state of Illinois will now be operating under enhanced mitigation rules as a result of elevated positivity rates and hospitalizations.

The new rules will take effect on Wednesday 11/4/2020, the governor said.

Bars

Restaurants

Meetings, Social Events, Gatherings

These mitigations do not apply to schools or polling places.

Election Information

On Election Day, the polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Voters who are not able to vote at their respective precincts on Election Day may request an application to vote by mail. Voting by mail allows voters to cast a ballot prior to Election Day by applying for a ballot through the mail or in person at the County Clerk’s Office.

Illinois State Statutes allows for early voting which allows voters to cast a ballot prior to Election Day without having to offer a reason or excuse for wanting to vote early.

Grace period voting allows any unregistered qualified elector who missed the deadline for registering to vote, to come to the County Clerk's Office to register to vote and submit a change of address but requires them to vote their ballot at the time they do so.

For more information contact County Clerk/Recorder Barb Link

309-937-3575

NOTICE TO REGISTERED VOTERS!!!!!!

The following precincts have changed for the upcoming General Election to be held on November 3, 2020:

KEWANEE 5 will be held at
FLEMISH AMERICAN CLUB
313 N BURR BLVD, KEWANEE
(Formerly Washington Apts)

WETHERSFIELD 1 will be held at
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
105 DWIGHT ST, KEWANEE
(Formerly Henry County Senior Citizen Center)

WETHERSFIELD 2 will be held at
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
105 DWIGHT ST, KEWANEE
(Formerly Hollis House)

WETHERSFIELD 4 will be held at
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
105 DWIGHT ST, KEWANEE
(Formerly Courtyard Village)


Virus Update
8-14-2020

The Henry Stark County Health Department as of this email are reporting 266 cases in Henry with 1 death and 8 cases in Stark county.

With the increased cases in Kewanee and in the State it is important we prevent the spread so that businesses REMAIN open.

Stay Safe.

Below is info provided by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association(IRMA). We are a member agency and I am passing this information on to our membership.

Businesses can now be fined if a consumer fails to wear a mask. Within the rule are “reasonable efforts” businesses can take to avoid a fine.

Per the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), any business following the Phase 4 Guidelines is considered to be in compliance.

Additionally, the emergency rule imposing fines on businesses has something of a hold harmless provision if the business undertakes “reasonable efforts”

Reasonable efforts include but are not limited to:

Verbally interacting directly with a consumer who is not wearing a mask bears significant risk as we have seen countless times in Illinois and nationwide. In order to assist Illinois retailers with meeting the last two points and thereby meet the “reasonable effort” standard, yet attempt to protect them from dangerous interaction, IRMA has developed two handout options employees can simply hand a consumer and walk away rather than endangering themselves. One includes a “must leave” statement. The other does not contain that statement in the event you find that statement too confrontational.


Virus Update 17
6-22-2020

The Henry Stark County Health Department as of this email are reporting 79 cases in Henry with 1 death and 3 cases in Stark county.

Below is the press release on how to open up safely under Phase 4, a little lengthy but does contain the links to view the DCEO guidelines for specific businesses as well as downloadable signage. If all goes as planned we will enter Phase 4 on Friday.

The Business Interruption Grants application is now set for release on Tuesday.

Read the full Phase 4 guidelines by industry here

Phase 4 Guidelines Overview Here

Gov. Pritzker Releases Guidelines to Safely Reopen Additional Businesses
and Industries as State Advances to Next Phase of Restore Illinois

400,000 Illinois residents set to return to work as state moves into Phase 4 on June 26; New guidelines will allow key leisure, recreation and business sectors to safely reopen

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker today released plans to safely continue reopening businesses and industries as Illinois moves into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan. Working with public health officials and business representatives, guidelines were developed to keep workers and customers safe as the economy recovers. All four regions of the state are currently on track to move into Phase 4 on June 26 as the state continues to make significant progress in reducing new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, with the average 7-day statewide case positivity rate falling to just 2.5 percent as of June 20.

Phase 4 allows for the safe reopening or expansion of several key business segments – such as health and fitness, movies and theater, museums and zoos, as well as indoor dining at restaurants. Phase 4 also allows for expanded gathering sizes, increasing the limit from 10 in Phase 3, to 50 people or fewer. This expanded gathering limit extends to key activities like meetings, events, and funerals. For full guidance and other resources visit: Illinois.gov/businessguidelines.

Over the last four months, Illinoisans have pulled together with the common mission of keeping each other safe. By staying home and practicing social distancing, the rate of new COVID-19 cases continues to drop and each region throughout the state is prepared to move to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Science and data are the overarching guardrails for how Illinois will keep moving forward. By continuing to wear face coverings and following the guidance from health experts we can continue to safely reopen our economy and move forward together.

The state of Illinois has made great progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19, largely because of the measures our administration enacted to protect residents and communities during this public health crisis,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Our strategy to encourage social distancing and expand testing and contact tracing will enable Illinois communities to continue to take steps to reopen, to return to work and to resume daily activities.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) collaborated closely with local governments, businesses, and other stakeholders in the development of guidelines for Phase 4. In all, more than 150 businesses and regional partners were consulted on the guidelines developed with IDPH to ensure alignment with the State’s Restore Framework and the latest public health data.

From the beginning, our administration has worked tirelessly to find solutions for businesses and communities impacted by this crisis so they can reopen safely,” said DCEO Acting Director, Michael Negron. “These new guidelines for Phase 4 represent our continued progress in overcoming the virus and will make way for hundreds of thousands more to return to work, and for more Illinoisans and Illinois businesses to come back into the economy.

To ensure businesses can reopen safely, the state released a common set of standards expected of all employers, while also outlining industry-specific guidelines using a risk-based approach to support unique operational needs of businesses across the state. Industry guidance will help businesses and residents feel safe in returning to many of these new activities that have been closed for the past several months.

Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan creates safety guidelines for the following permitted activities and businesses to resume, with capacity rules in place:

Industries with revised guidelines in Phase 4:

Additionally, retail, service counters, offices, personal care (including salons, barber, nail salons), manufacturing and other industries allowed to reopen in Phase 3 will continue to operate at a reduced capacity.

To help businesses prepare to reopen and remain in compliance with new guidelines over the next two weeks, DCEO has released a new set of downloadable materials. Business toolkits are complete with signage, training checklists and other resources to help business owners and workers implement safety procedures and adhere to the latest capacity restrictions. Materials for businesses and operators pertaining to Phases 3 and 4 of the Restore Plan, can be found at Illinois.gov/businessguidelines.

During Phase 4, common public health standards remain in effect – including the use of face coverings and social distancing. Industry-specific guidelines may vary but are designed to help employers, workers and residents feel safe in transitioning to the next phase of reopening the state. All industries should continue to conduct regular cleanings, employee health screenings upon entry and mid-shift, and allow employees who can continue working from home to do so.

The state’s move to Phase 4 of the plan is expected to bring approximately 400,000 additional Illinoisans back to the workplace across all industries. While Phase 4 marks the return of 7 percent of the state’s workforce, it accounts for about $30 billion in annual GDP returned to operations and represents continuous progress towards fully reopening the state’s economy.

Phase 4 guidelines were designed by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in coordination with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to ensure that as more activities and businesses resume operations, policies are in place to protect the health and safety of Illinois residents.

To help businesses that have been impacted or closed as a result of COVID-19, earlier this week Governor Pritzker announced an additional $85 million will be made available through two new grant programs designed to help alleviate the burden for businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. The new Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG) will make $60 million available for up to 3,500 businesses experiencing losses and/or unable to fully reopen until Phase 4 or 5. This program is earmarked specifically for restaurants which haven’t been permitted to allow outdoor dining, health and fitness centers, barbershops and salons, and other businesses located in disproportionately impacted areas (DIAs) of the state.

The second initiative, the Distressed Capital Program brings forward $25 million in Rebuild Illinois capital funds to help those businesses sustaining damages as a result of events related to civil unrest begin to restore and repair. Both programs will give priority to minority-owned businesses, or businesses located in DIAs. Together, these programs mark over $150 million in assistance made available since the onset of COVID-19 to help businesses with urgent needs. More information on these programs and other available grant opportunities can be found on DCEO’s website.


Business Interruption Grants

On June 17, Governor Pritzker outlined a number of new relief programs for both households and businesses. The full list of programs can be found here. Within that list are two programs targeting businesses: $540 million in the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program and $25 million for the Distressed Capital Program. Please refer to the press release regarding theDistress Capital Program. The BIG program is further defined below:

DCEO will launch the first BIG round by providing $60 million to businesses experiencing losses or business interruption as a result of COVID-19 related closures. The BIG Program is available for up to 3,500 businesses that experienced a limited ability to operate due to COVID-19 related closures. DCEO will begin distributing funds to qualifying businesses in early July. The total program funding will amount to at least $540 million in grants for small businesses, $270 million of which has been set aside for childcare providers and is funded by the CARES Act. In the first wave of grants, priority will be given to small businesses that have been heavily restricted or completely shut down during the pandemic and are located in “Disproportionately Impacted Areas” (DIA), generally defined as low-income and historically underinvested areas of the state (further definition forthcoming). Businesses eligible for the program must have experienced extreme hardship, demonstrated by eligible costs or losses in excess of the grant amount, since March and may continue to face depressed revenues or closure. Businesses must also have been in operation for at least three months prior to March 2020. An emphasis will also be placed on those businesses that are located in areas that have experienced recent property damage due to civil unrest, exacerbating the economic impacts of COVID-19. DCEO will make the application for BIG available on Monday, June 22nd. Check here for more details after June 22.

Specifically, the program includes support for:


Virus Update 16
6-19-2020

The Henry Stark County Health Department as of this email are reporting 77 cases in Henry with 1 death and 3 cases in Stark county.

If everything stays on track the North-Central region of which Kewanee is a part of will proceed to Phase 4 on Friday June 26th. A recap of the Phase 4 is below. It is important that when this transition is allowed that businesses are aware of what will be required of them. Hopefully DCEO will release a set of guidelines as they did for Phase 3. Our office will keep you posted if and when these guidelines are released.

The Governor also released a new Business Interruption Grant (BIG) information on this new program is below.

The Henry County Revolving Loan Fund will be releasing information soon on a special allotment of money for Covid-19 affected businesses. This program will be streamlined and will have very favorable terms.

We are also happy to announce the opening of a new/previous business that has not been operating for quite some time:

Hometown Transportation

A new taxi company serving Kewanee and the surrounding area. We receive many calls regarding taxi service throughout the year and are excited that this service is once again serving Kewanee.

Reach them at 309-883-6382

Stay Safe


ILLINOIS PHASE 4: REVITALIZATION

WHAT THIS PHASE LOOKS LIKE

There is a continued decline in the rate of infection in new COVID-19 cases. Hospitals have capacity and can quickly adapt for a surge of new cases in their communities. Additional measures can be carefully lifted allowing for schools and child care programs to reopen with social distancing policies in place. Restaurants can open with limited capacity and following strict public health procedures, including personal protective equipment for employees. Gatherings with 50 people or fewer will be permitted. Testing is widely available, and tracing is commonplace.

WHAT’S OPEN?

Gatherings: All gatherings of 50 people or fewer are allowed with this limit subject to change based on latest data & guidance

Travel: Travel should follow IDPH and CDC approved guidance

Health care: All health care providers are open

Education and child care: P-12 schools, higher education, all summer programs, and child care open with IDPH approved safety guidance

Outdoor recreation: All outdoor recreation allowed

Businesses:


Business Interruption Grants

On June 17, Governor Pritzker outlined a number of new relief programs for both households and businesses. The full list of programs can be found HERE. Within that list are two programs targeting businesses: $540 million in the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program and $25 million for the Distressed Capital Program. Please refer to the press release regarding theDistress Capital Program. The BIG program is further defined below:

DCEO will launch the first BIG round by providing $60 million to businesses experiencing losses or business interruption as a result of COVID-19 related closures. The BIG Program is available for up to 3,500 businesses that experienced a limited ability to operate due to COVID-19 related closures. DCEO will begin distributing funds to qualifying businesses in early July. The total program funding will amount to at least $540 million in grants for small businesses, $270 million of which has been set aside for childcare providers and is funded by the CARES Act. In the first wave of grants, priority will be given to small businesses that have been heavily restricted or completely shut down during the pandemic and are located in “Disproportionately Impacted Areas” (DIA), generally defined as low-income and historically underinvested areas of the state (further definition forthcoming). Businesses eligible for the program must have experienced extreme hardship, demonstrated by eligible costs or losses in excess of the grant amount, since March and may continue to face depressed revenues or closure. Businesses must also have been in operation for at least three months prior to March 2020. An emphasis will also be placed on those businesses that are located in areas that have experienced recent property damage due to civil unrest, exacerbating the economic impacts of COVID-19. DCEO will make the application for BIG available on Monday, June 22nd. Check HERE for more details after June 22.

Specifically, the program includes support for:


Virus Update 15
5-29-2020

The Henry Stark County Health Department as of this email are reporting 72 cases in Henry and 3 in Stark county.

Ribbon Cutting
Open for Business!

Today, May 29th many businesses that have been closed for weeks will be allowed to reopen. We wish you well!

Reopening Guidelines

If your business needs information on what the guidelines are to open safely the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has put them on their website. The entire set of guidelines can be found here. The website includes a toolkit for all businesses that includes letters, posters, signage and social media materials.

Local Business providing Hand Sanitizer

If you need hand sanitizer for your business in bulk Global Impact Innovation located on the campus of Big River Resources ethanol plant in Galva may be able to help you. Working with state officials early on in the pandemic they were able to retool their facility and have the capability of producing over 150,000 gallons a week. Recently they have been able to obtain containers and are now able to have it 1 gallon and 5 gallon containers. They have supplied many local hospitals, health care organizations and will continue to help local charitable organizations with donations. They also will be available to supply private industry at very reasonable pricing in the $13 per gallon range. For more information contact them at 309-320-2175.


Virus Update 14
5-26-2020

The Henry Stark County Health Department as of this email are reporting 69 cases in Henry and 3 in Stark county.

Getting Back to Business!

Friday, May 29th many businesses that have been closed for weeks will be allowed to finally reopen.

Phase 3 Reopening Guidelines

Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) released a set of guidelines for businesses able to reopen in Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan. The entire set of guidelines can be found here. The website includes a toolkit for all businesses that includes letters, posters, signage and social media materials.

The website also includes individual guidelines and tool kits for specific industries that are allowed to reopen or further reopen in Phase 3, which is to begin on Friday, May 29. Please click on the links below for particular industries.

Industry/Business Type

Manufacturing: Guideline - Toolkit

Health & Fitness Centers: Guideline - Toolkit

Offices: Guideline - Toolkit

Personal Care (i.e. salons, tattoos, nails, massage): Guideline - Toolkit

Retail: Guideline - Toolkit

Outdoor Recreation: Guideline - Toolkit Pending

Service Counters (i.e. dry cleaners, car washes, repair shops): Guideline - Toolkit

Day Camps: Guideline - Toolkit Pending

Youth Sports: Guideline - Toolkit

Restaurants & Bars: Guideline - Toolkit

In order for you to prepare and to let your customers and employees know you care about their health and safety the 2 posters below can be printed out by clicking on the following links:

Covid-19 Notice
Five Ways to Prepare

Virus Update 11
5-13-2020

The Henry Stark County Health Department as of this email are reporting 62 cases in Henry and 1 in Stark county.

Regional Progress

Progress on the regional metrics that must be met under the Governor’s Restore Illinois plan in order to move from Phase 2 to Phase 3.

Under the Governor’s plan, the state’s 11 medical regions were reconfigured from 11 to 4. In each region, there must be a surge capacity of at least 14% for hospital beds, ICU beds and ventilators. The positivity rating must be under 20% for a 14-day period. Any number in red means that region has not met the capacity requirement for that category.

To view the regions dashboard click here. We are in the North Central Region.


Below find 2 programs that may be of interest to your business:

Hometown Hope Local Marketing Grant Program
COVID-19
Pandemic Relief

ABOUT THIS EMERGENCY GRANT PROGRAM

Local businesses are one of the most important parts of our community’s identity. Whether it is the tens of thousands of jobs that are created, the mark they leave on the community or the services they provide, they truly are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods. As the local leader in news and media consumption, and on behalf of each local business we serve as the advertising leader, we are here to help through Regional Media’s Hometown Hope Local Marketing Grant. Our Hometown Hope Local Marketing Grant Program is another way we are looking to strengthen our communities, one locally owned business at a time.

During this time, it's essential for you to know the facts.
92% REACHED EACH WEEK (P18+) -
RADIO IS AMERICA'S #1 REACH MEDIUM
*Nielsen Total Audience Report February 2020
More adults use Broadcast Radio each week than:
CABLE TELEVISION, BROADCAST TELEVISION, STREAMING TELEVISION, FACEBOOK,
TWITTER, NEWSPAPER, SMARTPHONES, and THE INTERNET
Radio is #1 plain and simple.

Regional Media's Hometown Hope
Local Marketing Grant will be awarded to small to medium-sized businesses in the Regional Media listening area effected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To apply for the Hometown Hope grant, please visit: https://www.illinoisnewsnow.com/hometown-hope/


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Event Update
5-13-2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce is announcing the cancellation of the following events:

Stay Informed
Stay Healthy


Update Addendum
5-1-2020

Passing this along from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association of
which the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce is a member.
As you can see there are still many questions to be answered.
Once information is received I will pass it along.

NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER

During his briefing on Thursday, Governor JB Pritzker noted that his new Executive Order will be effective May 1st thru May 30th.

The following social distancing measures have to be implemented by essential stores “to the greatest extent possible7rdquo;:

A. Facial coverings are required in public places or when working and unable to maintain a six-foot social distance. This requirement applies to anyone over the age of two who is able to medically tolerate a face-covering. The face covering must cover the nose and mouth. Employers must provide face coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain a minimum six-foot social distance at all times.

NOTE: The Governor’s office agreed that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will issue a guidance that retailers are NOT required to confront consumers who are not wearing fade coverings. Instead, the retailer must have a sign at the entrance notifying consumers that they are required to wear a mask. If the retailer notices a number of customers not wearing masks as required, the retailer needs to call local officials and request enforcement. If those two things happen, the retailer has done its job. However, at this writing, that guidance is not available. IRMA will pass it along as soon as it is issued.

IRMA GUIDANCE:

1.Treat the face covering requirement as an absolute. Do not attempt to rely upon the qualifying phrase “unable to maintain a six-foot social distance”.

2. Expect active local enforcement and customers calling law enforcement or the state to complain every time they see an individual without a face covering.

3. Post a prominent sign at the entrance stating something to the effect of “At the order of Governor JB Pritzker, all consumers are required to wear a facial covering while in this store.”

4. If you have consumers who are not wearing a face covering, contact local law enforcement, explain that you have customers who are not wearing face coverings and request their assistance in enforcing pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order. Log this call.

5. Be aware there will be localities, such as the City of Chicago, who will be looking to impose substantial fines for the slightest violation and they will be looking to do so on businesses as they do not have the political courage to do so on individuals.

B. Occupancy limits are being imposed. The EO limits occupancy to 50% of store capacity OR at the occupancy limits based on store square footage set by DCEO. NOTE: At IRMA’s request, the Governor’s Office will be directing DCEO to issue a guidance that gives retailers the alternative option of imposing a 5 people per 1,000 square foot standard. This was a request of IRMA as a result of member feedback. However, at this writing, that guidance is not available. IRMA will pass it along as soon as it is issued.

IRMA GUIDANCE: IRMA strongly suggests retailers post a sign at the entrance stating how many consumers are allowed in the store at one time pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order.

C. One-way aisles are required “where practicable” with “conspicuous signage and/or floor markings”. NOTE: DCEO will be issuing a guidance that one-way does not apply to front, middle, or back aisles. This was requested by IRMA members and recognizes the experiences of retailers who have tried one-way aisles.

However, at this writing, that guidance is not available. IRMA will pass it along as soon as it is issued. For those stores with very small foot prints, please note the EO states “where practicable”.

D. Communicate social distancing requirements “through in-store signage, and public service announcements and advertisements”. NOTE: As a result of IRMA’s two-week radio campaign, the Governor’s office told IRMA we have covered the ‘advertisement’ requirement so retailers do not have to worry about that. Thank you to the IRMA members who helped make that campaign possible. IF a local government takes a different stance, please let IRMA know promptly.

E. Discontinue the use of reusable bags. NOTE: IRMA has asked on a number of occasions for the City of Chicago to remove the bag tax. They have steadfastly refused and given no indication of a willingness to remove it. If you are in a location that imposes a bag tax, and that location has not suspended it, please continue to collect it as you can be certain the local government in question will come looking for their money.

Other items of note:

Households must limit the number of members who enter stores to the minimum necessary. There is no enforcement requirement here and you will note it is listed separately from the requirements on ‘essential businesses’.

So called ‘non-essential’ stores are allowed to re-open for curbside and delivery fulfillment of telephone and on-line orders. The employees of the store must follow social distancing requirements and must wear a face covering within 6-feet of another employee or customer.

All businesses are required to ‘evaluate’ which employees are able to work from home and are encouraged to facilitate remote work from home where possible. NOTE: At IRMA’s request, DCEO will be issuing guidance that retailers do not have to do such evaluations because retail employees can’t function from home. However, at this writing, that guidance is not available. IRMA will pass it along as soon as it is issued.

On page 14, under the ‘Enforcement’ section, please note businesses are specifically prohibited from retaliating against an employee for disclosing information where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of the Executive Order.

Finally, a few moments ago, IRMA communicated directly with the Director of DCEO regarding the aforementioned guidances. We will be notifying you as soon as we have them.


Friday Update
4-24-2020

The Henry Stark County Health Department as of this email are reporting 41 cases in Henry and 1 in Stark county. Now is not the time to become complacent.

Stay Healthy.

Program Information

Save Small Business Fund

The U.S. Chamber Foundation Save Small Business Fund website was overloaded and shut down on Monday. It opened back up and at this time is no longer taking grant applications.

Paycheck Protection Program Depleted/Replenished

The SBA Paycheck Protection Program depleted funds last week as expected. Additional funds were passed by Congress yesterday and should be signed by the President soon. This will add almost 300 billion to be loaned out but most lending leaders are reporting this is most likely spoken for with the large amount of pending applications on file. Those interested should contact their lender to discuss options.

Illinois update

To continue flattening the curve of COVID-19 across the state, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday announced a modification to the state’s stay-at-home order that will take effect May 1 and extend through the end of the month. The modified order aims to strengthen the state’s social distancing requirements, allow residents additional flexibility and provide measured relief to nonessential businesses.

The new executive order includes the following modifications effective May 1:

All individuals over the age of 2 will be required to wear a face covering in public indoor places where they cannot maintain a six-foot distance from others.

Greenhouses, garden centers, nurseries and animal grooming sites may reopen as essential businesses. These businesses must follow social distancing requirements and require employees and customers to wear a face covering.

Retail stores designated as nonessential businesses and operations may reopen to fulfill telephone and online orders through curbside pickup and delivery service.

Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain a six-foot distance from others.

Illinois state parks will begin reopening under guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. Fishing and boating in groups of two people will be permitted. Additional guidelines and a list of parks that will open May 1 can be found on the DNR website.

Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

According to the state-issued news release, “Lifting mitigation measures is only possible with widespread availability and access to COVID-19 testing, tracing and treatment. The data show that if the state were to lift mitigations abruptly this week, this would result in a second wave of infections, hospitalizations and deaths.”

Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program Grant

The City of Kewanee is still looking into this state sponsored program. Additional details will be released soon on the city website and social media platform.

The City of Kewanee is also looking into possible city sponsored loan program that would have favorable rates and payback terms.


Friday, April 17th, 2020

The Henry Stark County Health Department as of this email are reporting 26 cases in Henry and 1 in Stark county. Now is not the time to become complacent. The virus is and has been among us and the best way to minimize the chance of contracting it, until a vaccine is developed is to limit contact with others. Stay Healthy.

Food for thought!!

While I can’t claim this as my own, it resonated with me from one of my fellow chamber director friends and I personalized it quite a bit.

We are lucky that we do have some economic draw in Kewanee from both commerce and tourism but please read the following words.

Cities should step out of the rubble created by COVID-19 with torches in hand, ready to melt down the golden calf of tourism, grind it into ash, and scatter it into the sea.

Who is keeping the city intact during a pandemic that has brought the entire world to screeching halt?

It’s not Jim and Karen driving over from the other side of state to have some drinks and enjoy their anniversary weekend.

Whose actions will decide whether downtown disintegrates into ruin or, despite everything, continues to grow?

It’s the people who call Kewanee HOME.

Kewaneeans are the ones buying takeout, cheering on local businesses who don’t think they can make it, and sewing face masks for the local nursing home staff. They’re the ones who will flood local businesses when things open up with support not because “I hear the steak here is good,” but because the owners are their neighbors.

Citizens are the troops that are rallying and saving the day because they are proud of where they live.

Pride is the prerequisite of action.

And action saves cities.

Before this, pride may have seemed warm and fuzzy and “nice”, but after this, it should be seen as the thing that influences everything else.

Maybe, just maybe, after this, more cities will stop asking, “How can we get more people to come here on the weekend?” and start asking, “How can we build a city people are proud to call home?” Think about it and feel free to share this as much as you desire.

Program Information

Save Small Business Fund

FYI 61443 is valid

The U.S. Chamber Foundation is launching their Save Small Business Fund. Funded by contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, the U.S. Chamber Foundation will be providing $5,000 supplemental grants to small employers (between 3-20 employees) in economically vulnerable communities. A zip-code lookup on their website will tell you if a business is considered to be located in a “vulnerable community.” Applications for the Save Small Business Grant Fund will open this Monday, April 20, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Interested individuals can sign up for an email alert to be notified of the window opening. The effort is part of the U.S. Chamber’s larger Save Small Business Initiative.

Paycheck Protection Program Depleted

The SBA announced Thursday that the Paycheck Protection Program had been depleted and no more applications were being accepted. Congress is currently debating a new relief package that is likely to include more funds for PPP. Those interested should contact their lender to discuss options. Please contact your US Senators and your US Congresswoman/Congressman and ask them to immediately approve additional appropriations for the program. You may find your elected officials and their contact information here.

Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program Grant

The City of Kewanee is still looking into this state sponsored program. Additional details will be released soon on the city website and social media platform.

The City of Kewanee is also looking into possible city sponsored loan program that would have favorable rates and payback terms.


COVID-19 Update: April 3rd

It's Friday
We made it through another week!!

Please find below some information regarding a couple of programs available to businesses. Please be advised that the information is changing, sometimes hourly. So please check with your lender and bear with them as they get the information processed. Since the lobbies are closed, an appointment is required so please call ahead.

Please look over the links that detail what is needed to hopefully streamline the process.

Just a reminder the Kewanee Chamber office is closed to the public but we are working as best we can on-site and remotely.

We have been told that adding new information on to the previous updates is helpful if someone did not see the previous one. Therefore we will continue to add new information instead of composing all new page edits.


Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program Grant

The City of Kewanee is preparing the grant information and will be holding a public hearing on April 9th at 6:30 p.m. Information will be made available on the City website and on social media on how to participate in this meeting by electronic device.


Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The U.S. Treasury Department and Small Business Administration (SBA) on March 31 unveiled details of the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, including instructions for businesses to apply for funds. Established by the federal CARES Act, this program is designed to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis.

Who, what, when?

Beginning Friday, April 3, businesses with fewer than 500 employees, including sole proprietors, private nonprofit organizations and veterans organizations, may apply for loans of up to $10 million. Beginning April 10, independent contractors and self-employed individuals may apply for funds.

How to apply

The Chamber encourages businesses and entrepreneurs to contact the Small Business Development Center and their bank or credit union for immediate assistance.

Loan forgiveness

The SBA will forgive loans if the funds are used to cover payroll costs, including benefits, rent, mortgage interest and utilities for eight weeks after the loan is made and all employee and compensation levels are maintained. Due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must be used for payroll.


Governor Pritzker unveils new "All In Illinois" campaign to encourage residents to continue observing social distancing guidelines. Check out the new campaign by clicking on the link below:


Bars, Restaurants, Lodging Grant Deadline!!
The deadline to submit an application is 5:00 p.m. April 1st

The Illinois DCEO has released information on how to obtain a possible grant if you are in the hospitality industry. Please click on the link below which will take you to the City of Kewanee website and the information needed to fill out the grant application. Additional small business grants and loan information will be available soon.


Please find 2 informative flyers provided by OSF Healthcare and a release from Regional Daily news that will allow businesses the ability to get the word out on their opening and closings notices. Please click on the links to access them.


Healthcare, First Responders and Service Personnel

Shoe Sensation is closed to the public but wants to make sure that the Healthcare Workers, First Responders and Service personnel have access to shoes in case they blow out a shoe helping patients. Shoe Sensation will start offering curbside pick up for those essential workers.

Essential workers can call the store at 309-761-8063 between 9am and 7pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm to 4pm on Sunday, to talk to the managers to place orders for any shoe they need for work and set up a time to pick them up.

Curbside pick up is not available to the general public.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact:
Loren Gates
Store Manager
Shoe Sensation Store 884
137 D W South St
Kewanee, IL 61443
309-761-8063


We still feel the best information can be found at the websites below as they are updated regularly with official information.

Also go to the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Facebook page and check out the list of local restaurants and post a picture.

We continue to assemble resources and information for the business community regarding COVID-19.

Illinois DCEO is tracking the impact of this crisis on business and is asking businesses to complete a short survey.  Answers to these questions will help inform state policy makers on shaping responses.

Hope you find the quick guide of Kewanee Restaurants useful.  Remember they may not all be open for service at this time.

Kewanee Restaurants