Illinois State House District 41 issued the following announcement on April 24.
COVID-19 and the associated Stay Home Orders, have created a crisis like nothing we’ve ever seen or experienced in Illinois. This economic hardship is devastating businesses across the state, and the Naperville and Warrenville areas are no exception. On Tuesday I hosted a Zoom meeting with more than 20 regional business leaders. They shared their struggles and their financial realities (some worry if they will be able to open their doors again), and together we brainstormed ideas for getting the economy going again and putting people back to work.
Earlier, I sponsored a Zoom event for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, where experts provided a deep dive into State loan programs that are helping businesses stay afloat during this crisis. Thank you to Margaret Croke of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Brad McConnell of Accion Illinois, for presenting information about the Small Business Emergency Loan Program, and to Rebecca Huston of the Illinois Treasurer’s Office, for presenting detailed information about the State’s Bridge Loan Program. Great information was shared and I was pleased to facilitate the delivery of useful information to the Naperville area business community.
As a reminder for all, those who lose healthcare coverage due to job loss can apply for insurance through GetCoveredIllinois within 60 days of the loss of a job.
Stay Home Order Extended through May 30
Governor Pritzker announced he will extend the Illinois Stay Home Order until May 30. Along with the extension, the Governor announced a few modest changes to the restrictions associated with the Order. These changes included recommendations made by House Republicans in a letter sent to the Governor by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin based on discussions within our caucus over the last few weeks.
While I’m pleased with the changes to the order, I feel the Governor did not go nearly far enough to help small businesses that are on the brink of financial ruin. We can and should use common sense to reopen the economy where it can be done safely with proper health measures in place. I’ve heard from many businesses in the 41st District that are facing the real possibility of permanent closure. As the governing body for the State of Illinois, we must take steps to restore the livelihoods of these job creators. My hope is that prior to the new Stay Home Order taking effect on May 1, the Governor will revisit his list of modifications and allow small businesses that can easily enforce social distancing and use heightened cleaning regimens to reopen and call their employees back to work.
New provisions in the Order that takes effect on May 1 include:
NEW ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES: Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may re-open as essential businesses. These stores must follow social distancing requirements and must require that employees and customers wear a face covering. Animal grooming services may also re-open.
NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL: Retail stores now designated as non-essential businesses and operations may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up outside the store and delivery.
OUTDOOR RECREATION: State parks will begin a phased re-opening under guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. Fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people will be permitted. A list of parks that will be open on May 1 and additional guidelines can be found on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and when ensuring that social distancing is followed.
FACE COVERINGS: Beginning on May 1, individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can’t maintain a six-foot social distance. Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores. This new requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask. Consumer reports has offered some helpful information as we transition into this new phase.
ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURING: Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing, as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers. This will include occupancy limits for essential businesses and precautions such as staggering shifts and operating only essential lines for manufacturers.
SCHOOLS: Educational institutions may allow and establish procedures for pick-up of necessary supplies or student belongings. Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.
The Illinois Department of Public Health will also be issuing guidance to surgi-centers and hospitals to allow for certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions, starting on May 1. Facilities will need to meet specific criteria, including proper PPE, ensuring enough overall space for COVID-19 patients remains available, and testing of elective surgery patients to ensure COVID-19 negative status.
Blood Drive Scheduled for May 2 in Naperville
The Red Cross is still reporting shortages of blood, so if you’re healthy and able, please consider making a blood donation on Saturday, May 2 at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, 908 West Jackson, in Naperville. Proper precautions are in place to ensure safety at this 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM event. To ensure a safe environment that includes adequate social distancing, donations will be scheduled by appointment only. Please call 877-258-4825 or go to Vitalant.org to schedule your blood donation on May 2. Donors should enter through the north entrance (Kendall Hall), and all donors should wear a mask or face covering to protect others.
For anyone who has recovered from COVID-19, please consider donating plasma at one of the centers.
Share Your Ideas for How to Reopen the Economy!
If you have an idea for how we can put people back to work while protecting the publics’ health, please share it through this portal. We are collecting any and all ideas so we can continue to present viable options for moving toward economic recovery.to share your ideas.
Companies Stepping Up to Offer Bill Deferment and other Help
My office continues to receive calls and emails from individuals who are having trouble filing and certifying unemployment benefits through IDES. While I share in the frustration that people aren’t having success within the system, I do applaud the current IDES staff, which is working incredibly hard and doing the best they can to process claims and certify benefits within a system that is inadequate. Please know I will continue to press for changes that will fix systemic problems that are prohibiting Illinoisans from receiving the unemployment benefits they deserve.
On a positive note, companies across the United States and Illinois are voluntarily or mandatorily offering bill deferment programs to assist people during these difficult times. If you are facing a tough economic decision, please know that you are not the only one, and there are programs out there to help. Below is a list of some of the programs available:
Utility Providers
Most of us in Naperville get our water and electric through the City of Naperville. Whether you receive your utilities through the City or through another source, protections are in place to avoid shut-offs through the remainder of the Stay Home Order. The IL Commerce Commission (ICC) has ordered that each gas, electric distribution, water, and sewer utility design and implement more flexible credit and collections procedures for use through the conclusion of health crisis.
ComEd Services
ComEd has voluntarily implemented a moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment. This suspension applies to both residential and commercial customers.
Ameren
Ameren will continue normal billing for power usage, but to help, they are forgiving late payment fees for both residential and business customers. All disconnections have been temporarily suspended until further notice.
American Water
Given the importance of personal hygiene in preventing the spread of coronavirus, American Water has suspended billing related service shut offs. Additionally, they are turning water service back on for customers who were previously shut-off for non-payment. For more info click here.
Local Water Utilities
If you feel you may be unable to pay your water bill or any other utility, contact your local provider or your municipality to defer your payment. It is important to contact your utility provider and work with them.
People’s Gas
People’s gas is not disconnecting customer’s service for non-payment. Click the following links to get help with payment arrangements for home or business. They are also working to connect customers with organizations that can help provide payment assistance.
Nicor Gas
Nicor is voluntarily suspending service disconnections and waiving late payment charges until at least May 1. In the meantime, they are reminding customers to visit nicorgas.com to learn more about financial assistance or payment programs available. Visit Nicor’s billing page for more info.
LIHEAP is one resource that can be used by customers facing a hardship. LIHEAP funds do not need to be paid back.
Propane Bills
In order to help with propane bills, the LIHEAP application period has been extended until June 30, 2020, or until funding is exhausted. Residents can contact their local propane tank provider if they are unable to pay their current bill to work out a potential payment plan.
Cell Phone Carriers
The four biggest carriers—AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon—have all committed to not cutting off customers who can’t pay their bill because of this crisis and waiving late fees. They have also implemented a number of policies that help customers stay connected to loved ones, work, and school. Residents having trouble paying their bill should contact them to get their payment deferred:
AT&T
Verizon
Wireless
Business
In Home
T-Mobile
Sprint
Internet Providers are offering free access to WiFi hot spots for everyone, including non-subscribers, for 60 days. They are also providing more data to customers for no extra charge and are not disconnecting internet service or charging late fees for customers who say they cannot pay their bills. Please contact your provider if you need more assistance:
AT&T
Comcast/Xfinity
Mediacom
Viastat
Home Mortgage Forbearance
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided the option of mortgage forbearance to homeowners with federally backed mortgages. Homeowners can request a forbearance period of six months, and they have the option to extend it another six months. The program is NOT automatic, and the onus is on the borrowers to ask be placed in forbearance. Each lender has implemented a slightly different program. For more information, borrowers should contact their lender
Student Loans
For federal student loans, payments will automatically stop from March 13, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020. No new payment will be due until after September 30. Federal student loan borrowers are automatically being placed in an administrative forbearance, which temporarily stops monthly loan payments. This suspension of payments will last until Sept. 30, 2020, but borrowers can still make payments if they choose. Interest on student loans is also not accruing during that time.
Renters
Renters cannot be evicted from their housing during the Stay Home Order. After issuing the Stay Home Order for Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker issued another executive order prohibiting state, county and local law enforcement officers in Illinois from enforcing eviction orders for the length of the Stay Home Order. People still are obligated to pay rent and make mortgage payments, and still comply with other obligations under their tenancy, but steps to evict them due to non-payment is prohibited. For renters facing financial hardship, it is recommended they appeal to their landlords regarding waiving late fees, etc. until the Stay Home Order is lifted, or try to work out partial payments with balances due once the Order is lifted.
Original source can be found here.
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