As we watch COVID-19 cases rise in states across the country and right next door, we need to be more vigilant than ever about protecting ourselves, our families and our communities from this disease. Please always remember the 3 Ws:
- WEAR a face covering
- WAIT 6 feet apart
- WASH your hands.
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In response to increasing cases, Chicago has issued new guidelines to try to stop the spread of COVID-19. These changes go into effect today, Friday, July 24, and include prohibiting indoor seating in bars and taverns, limiting table sizes to six people at restaurants, reducing the number of people allowed in fitness classes and prohibiting personal services that require the removal of a face mask. Learn more about all of the changes
here
.
Chicago continues to update travel restrictions on people traveling from other states. If you travel to states including, Iowa, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and more, you must quarantine for two weeks upon arriving to Chicago. Again, this measure is designed to help protect our neighbors and communities. For the most up-to-date information about states under travel restrictions, visit:
Chicago.gov.
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Money Mondays with Melissa
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Join us for our next
Money Mondays with Melissa
on July 27 at 12 p.m. Our discussion will focus on financial resources available to help small businesses navigate the increasing uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Panel guest speakers include:
- Rosa Escareno, Commissioner, Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, City of Chicago
- Brad McConnell, CEO, Accion Chicago
- Shelby Parchman, Managing Partner, InUrban Strategies
In addition, two local small business owners will share how they are sustaining their businesses through the pandemic.
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It’s not too late to complete your 2020 Census! You can fill out your questionnaire
online
by phone or by mail. While Illinois has an overall response rate of 67%, Chicago has a response rate of only 55%, which means our City could lose important resources, including funding for:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Community and Mental Health Care Services
- Public Transportation
- Infrastructure Improvements
- Head Start and Early Childhood Education
- SNAP and Financial Assistance for Low-Income Residents
- Housing Assistance
If you respond online, you must complete the census in one sitting, as you are unable to save your progress. You should be counted where you were living for the majority of the time as of April 1, 2020. Please note that if someone was staying with you temporarily on April 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they should be counted where they usually live. For example, if college students usually live in student housing, the college will count them.
The State of Illinois will lose $35 billion for every 1% of the population that doesn’t respond to the Census. As our state and city recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and work to address systemic racism, we must ensure that we receive these funds to help rebuild our communities and prepare them for the future.
If you did not receive an invitation to respond from the Census Bureau, you may respond online at
2020census.gov
or through any of these toll-free phone numbers:
- English: 844-330-2020
- Spanish: 844-468-2020
- TDD: 844-467-2020
- Mandarin: 844-391-2020
- Cantonese: 844-398-2020
- Polish: 844-479-2020
- Arabic: 844-416-2020
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Stay Home: Pay Property Taxes Online
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Property Tax Deadline
The second installment of property taxes is due August 3, but property owners may make partial payments through October 1, 2020, without being charged late fees. Property tax owners are now able to make payments
online
with an address only. Property owners will be charged a late penalty of 1.5% per month after October 1.
Fresh Start for City College Students
Due to the pandemic, many people are looking to continue their education in preparation for a new career. City Colleges recently announced the new
Fresh Start Program
,
which will allow students in good academic standing to continue their education and have half of their outstanding debt to City Colleges forgiven. To learn more or to apply, visit:
http://pages.ccc.edu/apply/freshstart
.
Paycheck Protection Program Extension
The
Paycheck Protection Program
is designed to provide loans to small businesses that keep their workers on payroll. The loans can be 100% forgivable under certain circumstances.
There’s still money available, and every eligible business should take advantage of this funding opportunity.
The new deadline to apply is Saturday, August 8.
To apply, complete this
application
and take it to your bank, which will submit the application to the SBA. If your bank is unable to help, search for a program lender
here
or find one on this
list.
Beware of Scams
New scams have started to emerge, aiming to take advantage of people who are receiving unemployment benefits. A
growing number of people
have received fraudulent debit cards in the mail. If you receive one that you were not expecting or are concerned about a scam, please report it to the
Illinois Department of Employment Security
immediately.
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Educational Opportunities
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TechStars Chicago
The deadline for tech entrepreneurs to apply to participate in the TechStars Chicago Accelerator program is Sunday, July 26. The program helps provide funding to support entrepreneurs and offers assistance and mentorships as their businesses grow . Learn more about the program
here
.
PIPE Program
Do you work for a certified Minority Business Enterprise? Are you looking to expand your business knowledge to help the business grow? The Progress, Insight & Performance Education (PIPE) Program is for you. Learn more about this 8-week business course at
http://www.chicagomsdc.org/programs/pipe
.
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