MONDAY, JULY 27

Senate Republicans to Unveil $1 Trillion Stimulus Proposal Later tonight, Senate Republicans are expected to release their $1 trillion coronavirus relief package, which includes a cut of $400 to enhanced federal unemployment benefits. The GOP proposal will be called the HEALS Act, an acronym for Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools. Republicans are, just on Monday, releasing their opening bid, which President Trump's administration is already moving away from in order to pitch a scaled-back proposal Democrats have already rejected. Hard-fought negotiations are expected ahead given that Democrats and Republicans are far away from each other in terms of both topline numbers as well as specifics in their proposals. Democrats are already unified behind their own opening offer -- a $3 trillion proposal that passed the House back in May. Below is a rundown of what is in the GOP proposal, according to people briefed on it: Second round of direct payments Some form of an extension, at a reduced rate, to the federal enhanced unemployment benefit Second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans, targeted toward the hardest hit small businesses based on lost revenue and expanded to include more flexibility to forgive money used for operational and supplier costs $105 billion in education funds, split as $70 billion for K-12, $30 billion for colleges/universities, $5 billion for governors to utilize $16 billion in new funds for state testing grants, plus an administration commitment to designate $9 billion in unused funds from the CARES Act (making the total $25 billion) $26 billion for vaccine research and distribution $15.5 billion for the National Institute of Health Increased flexibility and time window for states to utilize initial CARES Act funds, but no explicit new funds Liability protections to create a safe harbor for businesses, schools, health care providers and nonprofits Enhanced employee retention tax credit Deductions for employer purchases of testing, PPE and other supplies Increase in business meal deduction to 100%, from 50% Extension of federal eviction moratorium. Click here to read more from CNN. Take one minute to urge Illinois' Congressional leaders to support restaurants and employees by passing the Blueprint for Restaurant Revival. Click here to take action.

ILCC Allows Payment Plans Between Retailers and Distributors, Delinquency List Resumes Earlier today, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) issued the below temporary action: Until Phase V of the Governors Restore Illinois Plan, licensed distributors and licensed retailers may enter into payment plans to pay an existing debt on a sale or sales of wine and spirits occurring between February 15, 2020 and May 1, 2020. All payment plans shall be active requiring regular payments. If a retailer is participating in an active payment plan for qualifying debts, they shall not be reported delinquent. Distributors shall offer payment plans to all similarly situated retailers and shall not base the offer of a payment plan on the amount of existing debt or the average volume of retailer purchases. Payment plans are only permitted under specified guidelines.  As of today, Monday, July 27, ILCC will post an updated Delinquency List and will continue to post updated lists every subsequent Thursday as required by the Liquor Control Act. If a retailer is named on a published Delinquency List and has a good faith bona fide dispute of the amount that is owed, the retailer may file (or refile) a “bona fide dispute” with the Commission at that time.  Click here  to read the updated ILCC guidance.

Wisconsin Added to Chicago's 14-Day Quarantine List  Earlier today, Mayor Lightfoot announced that Wisconsin will become the 19th state on Chicago’s 14-day quarantine list, and Indiana is being closely watched. The updated order is expected to go into effect Friday, July 31. Click here to read more from Chicago Sun-Times.

Sangamon County and Springfield Restaurants and Bars Limited to 50 People or 50% Capacity Sangamon County officials have issued orders to enforce social distancing guidelines and occupancy limits in restaurants and bars. Click here to read the notice from Sangamon County. Restaurants and bars in Sangamon County must operate at the lesser of 50 people or 50% of overall space capacity, allow for six feet of distance between tables, and adhere to 25% capacity in standing areas. The orders apply to all restaurants and bars operating in Sangamon County - including those in the city of Springfield and unincorporated Sangamon County. Click here to read the latest from ABC 20.

Mayor Lightfoot Introduces Human Trafficking Notice Ordinance Mayor Lightfoot has introduced an ordinance in the Chicago City Council that would amend Chicago's minimum wage law to require employers to include information about human trafficking and resources to combat it in the minimum wage notice that must be provided by the employer.  Click here to read the ordinance.

Please  visit our website  for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 27.

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌