Businesses & Employees
News about COVID-19 is changing hourly, so the Northalsted Business Alliance (NBA) is working to provide resources for members of the Northalsted community. This webpage contains information about the available local, state, and federal resources for business and employees affected by COVID-19. For the most current information, NBA recommends monitoring updates from the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
For information on the virus itself and its symptoms, visit WHO’s Q&A page for an accurate understanding.
Please, check back often—we are constantly updating our page with new information and ways to support our community!
Healthcare Providers in Northalsted
Howard Brown Health Center
3245 N Halsted St
LGBTQ+-focused, providing primary med care, HIV/STD prevention, COVID testing/vaccinations and more.
Sameday Health
Business Resources
Vaccination Resources
Find resources, links, and information on Vaccinations in Chicago on Chicago’s COVID-19 Vaccine homepage.
Click here to see the City of Chicago Vaccine homepage.
The City of Chicago has partnered with Zocdoc, the leader in online healthcare scheduling, to streamline Chicagoans access to COVID-19 vaccines. Chicagoans are encouraged to seek a vaccine appointment first with their primary care providers, if they have one, and also through local pharmacies or their employers, if available. But the Zocdoc Vaccine Scheduler will serve as the City’s main platform for eligible Chicagoans who otherwise might have difficulty finding and accessing a vaccine.
There will be a phased roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine in Chicago with a very limited supply at the beginning, so certain groups will be prioritized. Everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as it’s their turn. Once a vaccination phase begins, people in that phase are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine indefinitely.
See Chicago’s Vaccine Distribution Plan here.
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing rapidly and requires different strategies to maintain clinical preventive services, including immunization. Find up-to-date information, links, and resources for coronavirus facts, straight from the CDC at the Vaccine Portal.
Click here to go to the vaccines portal.
Informational Resources
Northalsted Business Alliance has been sending out communications to member businesses regarding the coronavirus pandemic. This is an archive of all newsletters sent up to this date.
2021
- March 18 — UPDATE: Entering Phase 1C
- March 2 — COVID UPDATE: 50% Occupancy, Loans, Testing
- February 17 — COVID UPDATE: New Testing Site
- February 16 — UPDATE! 40% DINING & NEW COVID REBATES
- February 11 — Chicago Indoor Dining Update
- February 1 — Chicago Moves to Phase IV
- January 29 — 2020 Rebates: TWO DAYS LEFT TO SAVE
- January 26 — Snow Update
- January 23 — BREAKING: Chicago Moves to Tier 1
- January 22 — 2020 Rebates: YOUR FINAL CHANCE TO SAVE | Tier 1 Reopening!
- January 20 — Feeling Proud
- January 18 — LAST DAY to SIGN UP! Diversity Seminar
- January 15 — Restaurant Week 2021
- January 13 — 2020 Rebates: IT’S NOT TOO LATE
- January 12 — Free Diversity Workshop
- January 11 — Paycheck Protection Program Applications Have Resumed
2020
- December 28 — Free Diversity Seminar
- December 28 — FINAL REMINDER: Rebate Expenses Must be Made by 12/31
- December 27 — COVID Stimulus Package Passes
- December 23 — Rebate Expenses Must be Made by 12/31
- December 15 — Restaurant Promo Campaign
- December 11 — Membership Renewal Invoices
- December 10 — Grant & Rebate Program Updates
- December 4 — Wonderful Winter Social Promo
- December 3 — SEO Basics & Free Website Approval
- December 2 — Holliday Restaurant Promo
- December 2 — Grant & Rebate Application Deadline is 12/14
- November 20 — 2020 Proud Purchase Card Promotion
- November 17 — TIER 3 MITIGATIONS EFFECTIVE FRI NOV 20
- November 16 — New Restaurant/Bar/Small Business Assistance Programs
- November 11 — The Chicago Hospitality Grant Program
- November 6 — New Grants & Services in Chicago
- October 30 — Chicago Guidelines for New Mitigations
- October 30 — Prepare for Proud Purchase Promo
- October 27 — COVID-19 Indoor Dining Shutdown
- October 22 — COVID-19 Restrictions Increase, BIG Grant & Election Night
- October 21 — Two New SSA Rebates
- October 18 — The Pup Crawl Business Registration Deadline is TUESDAY
- October 13 — INVITE: HALLOWEEN PUP CRAWL
- October 6 — Annual Meeting is TODAY
- October 5 — *DEADLINE TONIGHT* Vote Now | Northalsted Annual Meeting
- October 1 — Invite: Northalsted Annual Meeting
- September 30 — Vote Now | Northalsted Annual Meeting
- September 28 — REOPENING UPDATE
- September 24 — Boystown Survey Results
- September 22 — BIG Round 2 Applications Open
- August 26 — New Safety Guidelines & Grant Application Deadline
- August 24 — Apply for ‘Together Now’ City Grant
- August 17 — Expanded Outdoor Dining
- July 20 — Indoor Bar Service to Shutdown
- July 16 — Should Boystown’s name be changed?
- July 14 — COVID-19 Rebates & Grants, Small Business Expo
- July 2 — $10k Fines & Closures
- June 30 — DCEO Grants & Webinar
- June 27 — Sunday: Pride Protest Changes
- June 26 — Phase IV Reopening & New Labor Laws
- June 20 — REOPENING WEBINARS
- June 19 — REOPENING: Restaurants Bars, & Breweries on June 26!
- June 18 — Grants & Cocktails to Go
- June 12 — Pride Fest | Last Chance to Submit Free Ad
- June 4 — PPP Changes | Board-Up Grant Application
- June 1 — Emergency Board Up Service Grant
- May 31 — IMPORTANT: Precaution Notice from Alderman Tunney
- May 29 — Phase III: Status Update Request
- May 28 — Phase III Reopening; JUNE 3, 2020
- May 27 — Reopening Guidelines & Virtual Pride Fest
- May 21 — Renewal Fee Waiver & Virtual Pride Fest
- May 16 — Webinar: Maximize Your Social Media Reach
- May 15 — Free Webinar: Digital Marketing
- May 13 — Latest Developments: Federal, City, County
- May 12 — Free Signage, Social Seminar, & New Bike Racks
- May 8 — Fix the Restore Plan for Restaurants
- May 5 — Illinois Reopening Plan & Business Listing Update
- May 1 — Northalsted Temporary Re-Organization
- April 30 — Northalsted Business Resources
- April 23 — Illinois Stay-at-Home Order Extended
- April 21 — Interruption Insurance Webinar
- April 17 — COVID-19 Business Update
- April 14 — COVID-19 Business Update
- April 10 — COVID-19 Business Update
- April 8 – Business Resources and Workshop on April 8th
- March 31 — Chicago Resiliency Fund Now Accepting Applications
- March 30 — Business Roundtable and Webinars
- March 27 — Stimulus Package and HR Webcast
- March 24 — Resiliency Fund & Stay at Home Specifics
- March 23 — Action Needed: Support Small Business Aid in House Bill
- March 20 — SBA Loan Update & Security Bulletin
- March 20 — COVID-19 Bulletin: Business Related Press Conference
- March 17 — COVID-19 Bulletin & Laid-Off Survey
- March 16 — COVID-19 Bulletin
- March 15 — COVID-19 Bulletin & Disaster Loan Survey
- March 13 — Business Support Bulletin
- March 10 — Newsletter Submissions St. Patrick’s Weekend
- March 5 — Important Bulletin from Chicago Dept of Public Health
The City of Chicago runs a frequently updated statistics on Positivity Rate, Tests Performed, Confirmed Cases, and more.
See the Chicago COVID dashboard here.
The U.S. Chamber has compiled Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s coronavirus recommendations for businesses and workers across the country. We continue to encourage American businesses to follow data-based guidance from the CDC and state and local officials. Provided is a toolkit that businesses can use for their social media.
Access the Toolkit here.
Access the State & Local Government Policy Tracker here.
The U.S. Department of Labor has resources to help workers and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus (also known as novel coronavirus). This webpage has lots of information regarding:
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) has resources and information available for businesses, consumers, and employees impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. BACP is working closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to keep our communities updated on guidance for those affected by the crisis. Both linked pages will be constantly updated as the pandemic continues.
Guidelines
As of January 30, 2021, Chicago is currently in PHASE IV of re-opening procedures.
Under Phase IV:
- Additional business and capacity restrictions are lifted with appropriate safeguards
- Additional public amenities open
- Residents should continue to wear a face covering and physically distance
- Residents should continue to distance and allow vulnerable residents to shelter
- Residents should get tested if symptoms are shown or if they think they have had COVID-19
See Chicago’s current re-opening plans, guidelines, and metrics on the City of Chicago Webpage
As of January 30, 2021, Chicago is currently in PHASE IV of re-opening procedures.
View Current Industry-Specific Guidelines:
Guidance for Your Establishment Regarding COVID-19
Within the guidelines, you can find step-by-step instructions on what to do when an individual with COVID-19 has been in your facility, including notification of close contacts, cleaning steps, and reporting clusters of cases to CDPH. The guidance document also includes templates for notifying staff and other health resources to support businesses as they reopen.
If two or more COVID-19 cases are identified at your facility within 14 calendar days of each other, we encourage you to report to CDPH through this confidential online reporting form. This will allow CDPH to conduct an investigation and provide additional support and recommendations if needed.
View the guidelines for your establishment here.
This webpage provides information for workers and employers about the evolving coronavirus outbreak first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The information includes links to interim guidance and other resources for preventing exposures to, and infection with, COVID-19.
View specific workplace guidance and orders here.
CDC – Businesses and Workplaces Web Portal
CDC guidelines and strategies for how to prevent and reduce transmission of COVID-19 at your workplace.
Loans, Grants, & Programs
The Small Business Administration is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business. It provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. It is a key resources for businesses who are in need of economic support in times of crisis.
On March 18, 2020, Illinois was declared a disaster area for COVID-19. You may be eligible to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). These loans range from $500 to $2 million at a fixed 3.75% interest rate over a maximum payback of 30 years. Each application’s terms are decided on a case-by-case basis. So, you are likely eligible to apply if you have suffered substantial economic injury and are one of the following types of businesses:
- Small Business
- Small agricultural cooperative
- Most private nonprofit organizations
Check that your business qualifies and follow the simple 3 Step Process to apply for a loan.
Apply for a loan here.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.
Apply for PPP here.
Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program
This new $20 million program supports small businesses in suburban and rural counties across Illinois, providing grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses in communities served by DCEO’s Office of Community Development.
These grants will offer businesses of up to 50 employees the opportunity to partner with their local governments to obtain grants of up to $25,000 in working capital. The program redeploys Community Development Block Grant funds to support local small businesses.
The final date to apply on DCEO’s website by Friday, February 26 at 5:00 pm CST.
The Small Business Relief Fund will provide one-time matching grants to qualifying small businesses to help alleviate the financial burdens during these pressing times. Donations to the relief fund will be paid out as one-time $500 grants to businesses that qualify, and which businesses have created a fundraiser through the Small Business Relief Initiative or had an existing GoFundMe.
For small business fundraisers started prior to March 24, or outside of the Small Business Relief Initiative partnerships, the organizer can update their fundraiser description with the hashtag #SmallBusinessRelief to be considered for a grant from this fund.
Create a Small Business Fundraiser here.
See more information here.
University CoWork maintains a weekly-updated list of local, national, public, and private grants and loans related to the coronavirus pandemic.
See current opportunities and more information here.
Chicago Artists Relief Fund (GoFundMe)
This fund was created by Chicago-area artists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to support our colleagues (Painters, filmmakers, sculptors, dancers, musicians, theater makers, writers, and others) in the greater Chicago arts community who are experiencing financial repercussions due to pandemic-related cancellations.
If you are an artist in need, apply for funding here.
About Northalsted
Northalsted Business Alliance is the chamber of commerce working to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in our district through programming, services, and events that celebrate our LGBTQ+ history, promote tourism and foster a welcoming, safe community for all.
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(773) 883-0500
3656 N Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60613
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