Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently announced a new framework for Illinois to advance to Phase 5 of the state’s Restore Illinois Plan. In recognition of an increasing national vaccine supply and the state now averaging 100,000 vaccine administrations per day, all Illinois residents age 16 and older also will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting April 12.

These new metrics offer Illinois a bridge between the state’s current Phase 4 restrictions and the “new normal” operations of Phase 5. This “Bridge Phase” will serve as a transition period with higher capacity limits and increased business operations. All regions of the state will move together through the Bridge Phase and ultimately to Phase 5. The state’s mask mandate will continue in accordance with current CDC guidance.

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The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Office of Regional Economic Development will host a series of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) webinars for small businesses owners. Upcoming webinars include:

Other DCEO webinars this week include:

For a full list of upcoming webinars, visit the DCEO website.

The Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) will host a webinar titled "Ramping Up: Ordering, Staffing and Investing for Spring and Beyond" at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 25.

Panelists from Gordon Food Service, the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership and Vintro will join IRA representatives to offer practical advice on ordering and staffing up this spring, as well as investor funding opportunities to position your restaurant for the future.

Visit the event page to register or for more information.