COVID-19 Resources

Restore Illinois is about saving lives and livelihoods. This five-phased plan will reopen our state, guided by health metrics and with distinct business, education, and recreation activities characterizing each phase. This framework will likely be updated as research and science develop and as the potential for treatments or vaccines is realized. The plan is based upon regional healthcare availability, and it recognizes the distinct impact COVID-19 has had on different regions of our state as well as regional variations in hospital capacity.

McLean County falls into Region 2 of the Restore Illinois Plan. As of Friday, June 11th our region is in Phase 5 of the plan. These updates to gatherings & businesses include:

• All sectors of the economy reopen with businesses, schools, and recreation resuming normal operations with new safety guidance and procedures.
• Conventions, festivals, and large events can take place.
• Non-Vaccinated individuals should continue to social distance and wear a mask or face covering while indoors.  

Additional Resources

• Current Mitigation Status for All Regions & Regional Metrics
• Full List of Phase 5 Guidelines

COVID-19 Event, Program & Meeting Procedure

For the health and safety of our hosts, staff, members, and the McLean County community, the Chamber asks attendees that are not vaccinated to please continue to wear a mask or face covering and socially distance while indoors at Chamber events.

The host of each event, program or meeting reserves the right to require temperature checks, verbal health screenings and mask wearing of attendees, regardless of vaccination status. 

PPP Loan Forgiveness

Borrowers may be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness.

First Draw PPP loans made to eligible borrowers qualify for full loan forgiveness if during the 8- to 24-week covered period following loan disbursement:

• Employee and compensation levels are maintained
• The loan proceeds are spent on payroll costs and other eligible expenses; and
• At least 60% of the proceeds are spent on payroll costs

Second Draw PPP loans made to eligible borrowers qualify for full loan forgiveness if during the 8- to 24-week covered period following loan disbursement:

• Employee and compensation levels are maintained in the same manner as required for the First Draw PPP loan
• The loan proceeds are spent on payroll costs and other eligible expenses; and
• At least 60% of the proceeds are spent on payroll costs

Learn More Here     PPP Loan Forgiveness Application

McLean County Recovery Loans

• Recovery Loan
  • The McLean County Board has allocated $300,000 for the Recovery Loan program. The Recovery Loan is a 1% gap loan up to $20,000 (20% of total loan) for nonresidential for-profit businesses under 50 employees in McLean County. The loan requires a partnership from a bank to cover the other 80% of the loan.
• Micro-Bridge Loan
  • The McLean County Board has allocated $300,000 for the Micro-Bridge Loan program. The Micro-Bridge Loan is a 1% bridge loan up to $5,000 for nonresidential for-profit businesses under 10 employees in McLean County. The loan requires a support letter from a lender.
     

Learn More Here

 

City of Bloomington Small Business Assistance Grant Program

The second round of The City of Bloomington's CDBG-CV Small Business Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 to assist small businesses located within the City of Bloomington in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Eligible small businesses may request reimbursement for business expenses incurred during the period of January 21, 2020, through July 31, 2021. Qualifying expenses include:

• Rent / Mortgage Payments
• Utilities (Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Internet, Telephone, etc.)
• Personal Protective Equipment and other COVID-19 related costs

Eligible Businesses Include:

• Must be restaurants which prepare and sell food either for on-premise or off-premise consumption, OR
• Must have been deemed by the State of Illinois as a “non-essential” business which was required to “cease all activities except for minimum basic operations” by Illinois Executive Order 20-10.
• More information regarding “essential” vs. “non-essential” business classifications can be found here.
   

Learn More Here

McLean County Health Department

• You can find a list of available testing sites in McLean County here.
• Keep up to date on vaccine information for our community here.

• McLean County residents with questions about the coronavirus can call the McLean County Health Department's call center at (309) 888-5600. The call center is open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. You can also email questions to health@mcleancountyil.gov.

Illinois Department of Public Health

• Workplace Health and Safety Guidance for Employees and Staff of Businesses
• Guidance For Employers and Employees on Workers' Rights and Safety

Center for Disease Control & Prevention

• The CDC provides workplace guidance and strategies to prevent and reduce transmission and maintain healthy business operations and work environments. Learn more here.

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce is providing all businesses with a guide on Reopening Your Business in the Age of COVID-19. This toolkit will help you navigate the new normal and ensure the safety of our community, providing guidance to safely serve your customers and accommodate your employees.

Download Here