Small business relief

• Sales tax deferment: To help alleviate some of the unprecedented challenges facing bars and restaurants due to COVID-19, Gov. Pritzker has directed the Department of Revenue to defer sales tax payments for more than 24,000 small- and medium-sized bars and restaurants — accounting for nearly 80% of all such entities statewide. For more information, please view IDOR's informational bulletin available at tax.illinois.gov.
• Small business disaster loans: Gov. Pritzker announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved the state's eligibility for disaster assistance loans for small businesses facing financial hardship in all 102 counties due to COVID-19. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $2 million in low-interest loans here.
• Counseling for small businesses: Advisors at Illinois Small Business Development Centers across the state are available to assist businesses with preparedness planning and accessing disaster loans approved for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. You can find the location and contact information of your nearest SBDC here.
  

Health care and pharmacy support

• Telemedicine expansion: Through emergency rules imposed by the Pritzker administration, the state has significantly relaxed rules around telemedicine for both Medicaid and private insurers, allowing more providers to get reimbursed for these services that allow patients more flexibility and safety.
  
• Health care access for families: The State of Illinois has filed a waiver with the federal government to loosen restrictions on Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Pritzker administration is seeking to increase access to telehealth and the number of health care providers that can screen patients, allow 90-day prescription supplies without prior authorization and early refills, as well as several other items that will increase flexibility and provide additional resources.
• Bolstering rural pharmacies: To protect the vital role of rural pharmacies during this crisis, the state is expediting payments under the Critical Access Pharmacy (CAP) Program, which supports small, independently owned pharmacies in rural counties and medically underserved areas of the state.
  

Food Security

• Food assistance for children and families: The Department of Human Services has filed a federal waiver to ease eligibility requirements for food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC, which cover 1.8 million Illinoisans and 174,000 pregnant women and parents of young children respectively.
• Free meals for students: The Illinois State Board of Education is working to provide meals every day to all students, no questions asked. Grab-and-go meals are available statewide for students who need them, and some schools are even offering delivery. Contact your child’s school district for more information.
• Grocery store hours for seniors: Gov. Pritzker announced Saturday that a growing coalition of grocery stores statewide will set aside one or more hours of operation for older residents to shop, before stores open to the general public. Contact your prefered store to see if they are participating.

SPRINGFIELD - On Friday, March 20, Illinois Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-10 requiring all Illinoisans to stay in their homes to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The order prohibits things like visiting the homes of friends and holding gatherings of any size and closes all nonessential establishments, including most retail, recreation and entertainment businesses. It does NOT prohibit essential activities like going to the grocery store, receiving medical care, or taking your pet for a walk. For more information on what this order means for you, please see the FAQs below.

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