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The small business community was increasingly optimistic this summer. The pandemic was waning, restrictions disappeared and customers were coming back in droves.
Vaccinated individuals gathered without masks. While many businesses struggled to find qualified employees, their prospects for recovery looked good.
Then the Delta variant came and COVID cases started to significantly increase. That optimism that defined the small business community has been replaced with concern and uncertainty.
How significant will the spike in Illinois be? What, if any, mitigation measures will be put into place? How will the resurgence of the pandemic impact consumer behavior?
The trajectory of the pandemic may shift again before this article is published. It seems the only thing that remains certain during this pandemic is uncertainty.
Policymakers must be ready to support the small business community should the new surge threaten the viability of small businesses. This includes promptly getting Back to Business grants to as many struggling small businesses as possible. Policymakers have allocated about $300 million for these grants. The onset of the Delta variant makes it crucial to swiftly provide this funding to as many small businesses as possible.
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Business Interruption Grant Program
IL – Many small and local businesses were devastated by the pandemic but only 20% of applicants received Illinois Business Interruption Grants. Watch coverage of SBAC President Elliot Richardson testifying before the Illinois Senate Commerce Commission about the need for an improved and more inclusive process in the future. Please translate this page to…
Summarization of EEOC Vaccine Guidelines
December 16th – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has addressed the most common employer questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. As of now, there are currently no state or federal laws that prohibit employers from requiring vaccinations as a condition of employment, however, employees can refuse to get the vaccine if they have certain medical…
Rebuilding Lives and Businesses
Hard-working Americans had no idea what was coming in February of 2020. It seemed unfathomable that many small businesses would face the possibility of permanently closing or their employees would be without jobs in the spring. With the resurgence of Covid-19 cases, the situation for both small businesses and their employees has become even…