Restore Illinois: Phase 4 Information

• Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Phase 4 quick guides.
• Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Phase 4 Specific Industry guides.
• (DCEO) Business Toolkit.
• Note: As of Tuesday, November 17, it was announced that all 11 regions within Illinois will be placed into tier 3 mitigation measures.  Click here for more information on these mitigation measures.

Village’s Economic Relief Package

• Restaurant Relief Package –The Wilmette Village Board approved an additional $169,249 economic relief package to support Wilmette restaurants in response to stricter mitigations imposed by the State of Illinois in Region 10 (suburban Cook County). These new restrictions have a significant impact on the restaurant industry, including a ban on indoor dining and reduced capacity and party sizes for outdoor dining. The program is provisional: it will take effect if the current mitigations put in place on Oct. 28 extend beyond four weeks, which would be Nov. 25. The program will provide financial support to restaurants through a municipal sales tax rebate program.
  • Program Rules
  • Application
  • Email completed applications to wilmettegrantapplication@wilmette.com

ComEd’s Small Business Assistance Program

• The Small Business Assistance Program provides eligible small business customers, with a one-time grant up to $2,000 towards a past due balance. Eligible customers may also place a remaining balance into a payment plan of up to six months. To apply for the Small Business Assistance Program, please call 1-877-426-6331.
• Click here for more information on the program.

How to Support Local Businesses

• Interactive Restaurant Map
• Chamber of Commerce Business Listing

State of Illinois

• The State of Illinois is working to provide emergency assistance program for Illinois small businesses and include Hospitality Emergency Grants, Small Business Emergency Loan Fund, and a Downstate Small Business Stabilization Fund.
  • Resources for Businesses
  • Emergency Small Business Grants and Loans
  • Illinois Department of Revenue – Tax Extension Information
  • State Treasurer’s Small Business Relief Program
  • IDES COVID-19 and Unemployement Benefits FAQ
  • Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG)
    • As of 9/21/20: The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program is a $636 million program developed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. Funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs; rent; utilities; and other operational costs.

Cook County

• Community Recovery Fund: 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. Businesses must be located in suburban Cook County.
  • Application
  • FAQ

Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources for Small Businesses

• After submitting documentation demonstrating the impact of COVID-19 on more than 3,000 businesses across the state, Gov. Pritzker announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved the state’s eligibility for disaster assistance loans for small businesses facing financial hardship in all 102 counties due to COVID-19. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $2 million in low-interest loans to help offset the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
  • SBA Disaster Loan Information
    • SBA Webinars on Economic Disaster Recovery Loans
  • SBA Small Business Guidance

Note: This webpage will be updated and revised as necessary. This page was last updated December 11, 2020.