Lake County Board Approves Agreement for Small Business Recovery Program | LGBTQ Flag Raised at County Building 

The Lake County Board passed a resolution today approving a professional services agreement with Lake County Partners to administer the Small Business Recovery Program. Earlier this month, the Lake County Board allocated $10 million dollars to fund the program which was created to assist small businesses in the county, that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Beginning in early July, businesses will be able to apply for up to $30,000 to cover occupancy costs (rent, mortgage, utilities) as well as expenses incurred due to COVID-19 (masks, sanitization services/materials, employee training, etc.). Information on how to apply will be made available soon. 

The Lake County Board voted today to extend its coronavirus disaster proclamation through July 28, 2020. This proactive measure allows Lake County to continue to access additional state and federal funding and resources for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. 

The original disaster proclamation was signed by Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart on March 13, 2020, and has been extended by the Lake County Board numerous times. The proclamation will be in place through July 28 unless the Governor terminates the State's declaration of disaster. 

The Lake County Board also passed a resolution to display the LGBTQ Pride Flag in Lincoln Plaza at the Lake County Administrative Complex in Waukegan. The flag was raised after the Board meeting today, and will be displayed through July 3, 2020, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride March and in support of the Lake County LGBTQ Community. 

The Lake County Financial and Administrative (F&A) Special Committee on COVID-19 Recovery met today to further review and discuss programs to assist residents and businesses with the impacts of COVID-19. Lake County Task Force Directors provided updates on the following:  

• Rental, Utility, and Food Assistance Programs 
• Municipality and Fire Protection District Reimbursement Program 
• Small Business Assistance Program 
• CARES Act Fund Planning 

These programs will be further discussed with the entire F&A Committee on Thursday, July 9 at 8:30 a.m. A video recording of today's meeting can be found online at lakecountyil.gov/forward.