Frankfort Chamber Chatter 12-14-20

December 14, 2020

COVID-19 information and resources, Chamber update emails and more can be found on our website homepage under the NEWS tab at top

www.frankfortchamber.com

BIG Application TOMORROW, Dec. 15

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is informing small businesses and communities that the application period for the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program will close at 5 pm, Tuesday, December 15.

DCEO and its grant administration and outreach partners are reminding small business owners to get their application in if they haven’t already. Applying is easy, and DCEO along with its grant administrators Accion and WBDC have developed a menu of resources and technical assistance to help small businesses in need qualify for grants. Resources and more info are available HERE.

DCEO has received over 40,000 applications through the program since it launched in June. Since that time, the department has issued $168 million to over 6,300 small business owners spanning over 500 cities around the state with more awards going out in the coming days.

The State of Illinois anticipates that it will award the remainder of the $270 million in funds through this program in the coming weeks. DCEO will continue to follow the funding priorities outlined under the program including reaching heavily impacted industries, businesses located in disproportionately impacted areas (DIAs) and downstate communities, and small businesses with annual revenues of $5 million or less and/or businesses that have not received other forms of emergency assistance like PPP.

BIG was created by Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly in response to the unprecedented burdens COVID-19 has placed on small businesses around the state. BIG grants, leveraging federal CARES Act dollars, provide grants tailored to business losses, with amounts ranging between $5,000-$150,000. The average grant provided to date is $25,000. Grant funds may be used toward operational expenses, including PPE, rent and utilities, payroll, and more.

For more information on BIG eligibility, how to receive assistance with submitting your application, and to review the application, please visit DCEO’s program website HERE

SMALL BUSINESS WEBINARS

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Joliet Junior College offers one-on-one business advising, resources and seminars to assist entrepreneurs with the start-up or expansion of their business. JJC is part of a state-wide Illinois Small Business Development Center network which has been serving small businesses for over 30 years.

Upcoming webinars include:

Tuesday, Dec. 15: Website Development

Thursday, Dec. 17: Starting Your Business in Illinois

Monday, Dec. 21: SBDC Webinar: Paycheck

Protection Program (PPP) - Loan Forgiveness

Wednesday, Dec. 23: SBDC Webinar: Business

Interruption Grants Program (BIG) - Round 2

Two webinars this week to help you stand out from the crowd

With more business taking place online, the onus is on organizations,

now more than ever, to create unique relationships with their customers. From technology tools to digital strategies, you need the latest information on how to stand out from the crowd. Here are two events coming up this week to show you how. Presented by CO— by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Chase for Business and Salesforce.

Click here to register for CO— Blueprint: Deepening Customer Relationships Through Technology . We will gain insights from experts and small business owners alike on:

Tips on ensuring premier customer service.
Insights for how to integrate customer relationship management technologies with your business.
Strategies for maximizing your engagements with customers and clients.

And this Thursday (12/17) at Noon, they will host a bonus session from Salesforce, How to Simplify Digital Transformation for Your Small Business.

Click HERE to register

Help Local Non-Profits and Small Business:

The Giving Tree Project

Non-profits and small businesses have been especially hard hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please consider making a year-end donation to one of the 17 non-profits participating in our Giving Tree Project. See article below flyer for special tax deduction information.

Learn more about each non-profit and their partner businesses, check out the videos from Dec. 5 on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/frankfort.chamberofcommerce

The trees will be up until Dec. 30. See the map below for locations. Click on flyer to open and download.

You also may donate online through Dec. 30. Click here to make a donation to any of the participating non-profits or make a general donation that will be split between the organizations.

See article below flyer for special tax deduction information.

Special $300 tax deduction helps most people give to charity this year – even if they don’t itemize

The Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers of a special new provision that will allow more people to easily deduct up to $300 in donations to qualifying charities this year.

Following special tax law changes made earlier this year, cash donations of up to $300 made before Dec. 31, 2020, are now deductible when people file their taxes in 2021.

“Our nation’s charities are struggling to help those suffering from COVID-19, and many deserving organizations can use all the help they can get,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “The IRS reminds people there’s a new provision that allows for up to $300 in cash donations to qualifying organizations to be deducted from income. We encourage people to explore this option to help deserving tax-exempt organizations – and the people and causes they serve.”

More information here

Please support our local restaurants/bars/catering companies.

Below is an updated Chamber Eatery list to help with your meal planning. Click on the flyer to open and print. The list can also be found on our website here

Click here to read and download all the recent Member Spotlights

Submit your information for a Member Spotlight here

https://forms.gle/7heCUpVWQAw3ffYr5

December 31 deadline: Employers must provide sexual harassment prevention training to all employees

ALERT on Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Law: Public Act 101-0221 amended the Illinois Human Rights Act ("IHRA") requiring: Illinois employers to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training by December 31, 2020 and annually thereafter; restaurants and bars to establish and disseminate a written policy on sexual harassment prevention training and provide "supplemental" sexual harassment prevention training; and the Illinois Department of Human Rights ("IDHR") to develop a model sexual harassment prevention training program for use by employers.

Employers may develop their own sexual harassment prevention training program that equals or exceeds the minimum standards for sexual harassment prevention training outlined in Section 2-109(B) and/or Section 2-110(C) of IHRA. More information on the IDHR website here

Joliet Junior College is offering several online Sexual Harassment Workshops. More information and registration can be found here.

CHAMBER MEMBER

OFFERS & EVENTS

If you have a special offer or event you want us to share here, send text only to kris@frankfortchamber.com.

Office space for rent in Frankfort at 10175 Vans Drive.

$1,950/month for a minimum 24-month contract. All water and electric utilities are included in the rent as well as there are no additional tax bills owed.

Office 1 18 X 14; Office 2 15 X 14; Office Area 29 X 25; Storage Room 3 X 9; Kitchen 12 X 8.5; Restroom 9 X 7 + 3 X 3 shower; Entrance 14 X 7; Hall 12 X 5.

If interested, call Michael DeJong. Welsch Ready Mix, at 815-464-2000, ext.101

The SBCD at Joliet Junior College is offering a new, no- cost session to help you plan for 2021.

21 topics in 21 minutes for 2021 growth. In less than 30 minutes, the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Joliet Junior College will help you prioritize key 2021 business plans whether it is for your people, your product, your marketing, your sales, your money or the impact of this crisis. In this short one-on-one exercise, we will help you determine up to 3 of the biggest opportunities for growth in the year ahead. We will offer no-cost tools to develop your strategy for success in those areas. Email us at SBDC@JJC.edu and we will send you a link for registration.

In response to the Executive Order issued on November 17, Frankfort Park District has cancelled in-person recreation programming, effective Friday, November 20. The Founders Center office will be CLOSED effective end of day November 20.

Please contact staff via phone at (815) 469-9400 or email, info@frankfortparks.org.

Upcoming The Frankfort Public Library District events include:

Adult Cozy Winter Reading Club from Dec. 1 - Feb. 28.

Read for a chance to win gift certificates to local businesses. Keep track of the books you read. Audiobooks count too! Record those titles in your online or paper reading log. You will earn 1 raffle ticket for every book you log. Reading logs will close at 11:59pm on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Raffle prize winners will be contacted on Wednesday, Mar. 3, 2021.

Virtual Program: Yoga Nidra with Kali Om on Wed. Dec. 16 at 7pm.

Need a retreat from any stress, anxiety, or depression? Yoga Nidra, a guided relaxation practice done in a reclined position requiring minimal activity, may be your self-care solution. It is known as “yogic sleep” because it promotes relaxation, peace, and healing. Kali Om (ERYT-500), who specializes in Yoga Nidra, will guide the meditative session after a brief introduction to the philosophy and study behind the practice. Please be prepared with your yoga mat, blanket, towel, and two pillows.

One-on-One Sessions on Fri. Dec. 18 from 10am-3pm. Need computer help? Want to learn how to get eBooks, digital magazines, and streaming movies through the library? Have an in-depth question and don’t know where to start? We can help! Reserve a time slot over Zoom or by phone.

Test POSITIVE for COVID?

Call us to Disinfect To Protect! Fresh Air Experts spray service brings your facility to Certified Clinically Clean with our hospital grade disinfectant. Quick Set, Safe on Electronics, Affordable, SanitizeIT KITS available for continuous use between services, not a bleach so it is hypoallergenic and respiratory friendly. Frankfort Chamber Discount of 10% off by calling 708-888-2008 and contacting us at Fresh Air Experts