March 24, 2020
Dear Glen Ellyn,

On Wednesday March 25 at 5 PM I am hosting a webinar for local small businesses to discuss the resources available as you seek to navigate the economic disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak. I will be joined by Small Business Administrator Illinois District Director Robert Steiner.
If you would like to join the conversation RSVP here .
Rep. Sean Casten Webinar on Small Business Resources
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
5:00-6:00pm CT
I wanted to make you aware of new economic assistance available to small businesses affected by the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. As of March 19, 2020, Illinois small businesses may be eligible to receive emergency low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million dollars.
What businesses are eligible to apply?
  • Businesses directly affected by the disaster including private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by COVID-19.
  • Other businesses indirectly related to industries that are likely to be harmed by losses in their community.
What is the criteria for a loan approval?
  • Credit History-Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA.
  • Repayment –SBA must determine that the applicant business has the ability to repay the SBA loan.
  • Eligibility-The applicant business must be physically located in the state of Illinois and have suffered working capital losses due to COVID-19.
How much can businesses borrow? 
  • Eligible entities may qualify for loans up to $2 million.
  • The interest rates for these loans are 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for non-profit organizations with terms up to 30 years.
  • Eligibility for these working capital loans are based on the size (must be a small business) and type of business and its financial resources.
How to Apply?
  • Applying is free.
  • Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
  • Applicants may also apply by mail. Paper loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster and mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road Fort Worth, TX 76155
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to [email protected] .
Congress is now working on additional economic stimulus legislation to assist small businesses and workers around the country. My office will send regular updates as more information becomes available.
You can also visit my website at:  https://casten.house.gov/covid-19-health-and-safety-updates or follow me on   Facebook   or   Twitter  f or regular updates on COVID-19. Though my team and I are working remotely, we remain available to help you through these unprecedented times.
Sincerely,

U.S. Representative Sean Casten
March 24, 2020
Dear Glen Ellyn,

All of us are so concerned about this outbreak and its impacts on our families, our friends, our communities, our state, and our nation. I am so very proud of the many people in DuPage County who are stepping up to donate and volunteer to help those in need.

If you’re looking for a way to contribute your time or resources, you’ll find a list of organizations at the G i ving DuPage website . Right now, the most pressing need is for donations to the DuPage Pads program (their list of needed items is here ) or to local food pantries. If you want to make a donation, please let us know. You can leave the items on your porch and we will pick them up and deliver then to the appropriate organization.

Please know that all of us in state government are doing everything can to help you get through this. To provide updates and answer questions, we have launched Coronavirus.Illinois.gov , a new website with centralized information about the COVID-19 outbreak, FAQs for individuals and businesses, and resources for families and medical providers. If you have further questions related to COVID-19 you can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health's hotline by calling 800-889-3931 or email [email protected] .
 
STAY-AT-HOME ORDER
I hope you are abiding by Governor Pritzker’s order for all non-essential businesses to close and for individuals to stay home, through Tuesday, April 7. It is important for all of us – no matter our age or our health status – to stay home to help slow the spread of this virus. Each of us has a responsibility to do everything we can to protect others especially those who are most vulnerable.

The Governor’s order allows us to leave our homes for physician visits and veterinarian visits. Grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies remain open. Essential infrastructure and public transportation will continue. You can read the full order here. Please follow this order as carefully as you can. We are appealing to your sense of personal responsibility to stay home and keep yourself and others safe.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
By far, the most frequent question I’m hearing from constituents is “How do I apply for unemployment benefits?” You’ll find details in this FAQ from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. As you can imagine, there are many people applying for benefits right now, so please be patient if you have trouble accessing the online application. We’re aware of the technical issues, and we’re working on it.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Although all IDHS is closing all Family Community Resource Centers and Department of Rehabilitation Services facilities through the end of March, you can still apply for and manage your benefits and request assistance.
 
You can apply for SNAP, cash, and medical benefits online or by calling 1-800-843-6154. You can check application status, review benefits, and report changes through Manage My Case . You can also request Vocational Rehabilitation services or Home Services.

CHILD CARE CENTERS
All child care centers, all child care homes, and all public and private early education centers are to remain closed while K-12 schools are closed. This mandate covers any early childhood program for children ages birth through 5 located in public or private schools. You can find more information here.

The State has launched an effort to provide licenses for emergency child care providers to ensure that essential service providers can still access safe child care that meets the CDC guidelines. To apply to be an emergency child care center, click here.

SPECIAL SHOPPING HOURS FOR SENIORS
Many grocery stores are now offering special shopping hours just for people over 60 and those with health conditions that make them more vulnerable to the virus. To find a store near you that is offering senior hours, or please visit the Illinois Retail Merchants Association website.

SBA ASSISTANCE LOANS
Small businesses and non-profit organizations facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak may be eligible for a federal loan program. The low-interest loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per eligible small business or non-profit organization that applies. These loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The interest rate for businesses without credit available elsewhere is 3.75% the non-profit rate is 2.75%. According to the Small Business Administration, loans are available with long-term repayments to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years.

Business owners and non-profit leaders can find more information, including how to apply, by clicking here. For additional information, please contact your nearest IL Small Business Development Center. Staff are working remotely but can still be reached online. You can also contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center directly at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or by e-mail at [email protected] .

SALES TAX PAYMENT DEFERMENT
The Governor has signed an executive order deferring sales tax payments for small- and medium-sized bars and restaurants in Illinois. Any eating and drinking establishment that incurred less than $75,000 in sales tax liability will not be charged any penalties or interest on payments due in March, April, or May made late. 80% of bars and restaurants in Illinois will qualify for this relief.

Qualified taxpayers must still file their sales tax returns even if they are unable to make a payment. Any taxpayers taking advantage of this relief will be required to pay their sales tax liabilities due in March, April and May in four installments starting on May 20 and extending through August 20. For more information, please see IDOR's informational bulletin.
 
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE RENEWAL
Effective immediately, the expiration date for professional licenses up for renewal between March 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 has been extended to September 30, 2020. The continuing education requirements with renewal deadlines within that same period will also be extended to September 30, 2020. A complete list of professions with extended renewal deadlines can be found here.

TELEHEALTH FOR MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Governor JB Pritzker has signed an executive order greatly expanding access to telehealth services in Illinois, including psychiatry, mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, and related services to a patient, using phone and other online services. Insurers are required to expand coverage to all telehealth services delivered by in-network providers which are already covered benefits when provided in-person to the patient. This order provides greater access to telehealth services for Medicaid patients. Under the new rules, HFS will reimburse medically necessary and clinically appropriate telehealth and virtual care throughout this public health emergency. The rules also require providers to be paid the same rate for telehealth services as services delivered by traditional in-person methods.

Please don't hesitate to email or call if you have questions or if you need help accessing services from the State of Illinois during these challenging times. Together, we're getting through this.

Sincerely,

Terra Costa Howard
State Representative, 48th District

913 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL  60148

630 -812-9292
Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce
810 N. Main Street
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630.469.0907