Friday, May 29, 2020 | View in browser
 Evanston Moves to Phase 3
Evanston and Illinois have entered into “Phase 3 – Recovery” of the Governor's Restore Illinois plan beginning May 29. This allows additional businesses to reopen while following strict health and safety guidelines established by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the City’s Health and Human Services Department.
The Evanston Business Task Force has put together the Evanston COVID-19 Recovery Playbook with suggestions, recommendations and resources for reopening. This document also contains links to the IDPH guidelines, which include recommended best practices for each industry and a toolkit with industry-specific signage and general signage.
Businesses permitted to reopen under these health and safety guidelines and additional industry-specific guidelines include:
-
Retail establishments, such as clothing stores and department stores
-
Service counters, such as dry cleaners, electronics repair, shoe repair, and car washes
-
Personal care services, such as barber shops, hair and nail salons, and spas
- Health and fitness centers for outdoor training or one-on-one training only
-
Non-customer-facing offices, such as legal offices, accounting services, architectural/engineering design, and other professional services
-
Manufacturing facilities, such as plants and factories
-
Outdoor dining, as well as indoor dining where 50 percent or more of a wall can be removed via the opening of windows, doors, or panels, provided that dining tables are within eight feet from such openings. (See City of Evanston guidelines for outdoor dining.)
Businesses should review and implement all IDPH guidelines prior to reopening.
 Last Chance to Buy Raffle Tickets and Support Small Business!
Support local businesses by buying Keep Evanston Awesome Raffle tickets. Tickets are only $10 and the more you buy, the better your chances are to win $2,250 in gift cards to Evanston businesses. Available until Sat., May 30!
All proceeds from raffle ticket sales will be donated to LEND Evanston, which is providing grants to small businesses in Evanston. Help Keep Evanston Awesome! See additional information and purchase tickets.
Apply to Recovery University
The Evanston Chamber of Commerce is launching Recovery University, a six-month program to provide resources to help Evanston businesses be successful in the COVID-19 business environment. The Chamber has brought together experts in a wide variety of subjects to provide online classes, coaching, and peer group support.
Recovery University will meet three times per month and participants will be able to get assistance from experts, coaches, and peers as they develop ways to do business in the new environment. Apply.
Cook County Community Recovery Fund
Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development will soon be accepting applications for the Community Recovery Fund as part of the Community Recovery Initiative. This loan fund offers one-time, zero-interest loans of up to $20,000 for small businesses and up to $10,000 for independent contractors in suburban Cook County.
Small Businesses are eligible if they are:
- Employing 25 or fewer employees,
- Earning less than $3 million in annual revenue,
- Located in suburban Cook County, and
- Revenues have decreased more than 25% as a result of COVID-19
Independent Contractors are eligible if you are:
- Making at least half of your yearly income in 1099 contract work
- Earning less than $100,000 annually
- Residing in suburban Cook County
Pivot or Pause: Decision-making for women entrepreneurs during COVID-19
This online session will be held Mon., June 1 at 4 p.m. and will provide answers and guidance for women entrepreneurs who need to change their business models as a result of COVID-19 or pause operations during the crisis.
Led by Abigail Ingram of the Women in Entrepreneurship Institute at DePaul University and Geri Aglipay of Small Business Majority, this session will provide an overview of options, factors to consider, highlight the journey of women entrepreneurs in greater Chicagoland area during COVID-19 and provide a platform for discussion about issues impacting women small business owners. Register.
|
