5/15/2020: Supply Chain Woes - Chicago's 5 Phase Transition - City Seeks Your Feedback - New Legislation

Thanks for plugging into the May 14th issue

of the NORTHWEST SIDE BUSINESS NEWS

Supply Chain Woes - Chicago's 5 Phase Transition - City Seeks Your Feedback - New Legislation - COVID-19: SBA Loan Resources - Safe Space

for a Returning Workforce

Supply Chain Woes Leading

Manufacturers to "Bring It On Home"

A Thomas.net survey of 1,000 manufacturing and industrial suppliers revealed that nearly two-thirds of them are likely to bring production and sourcing back home. While 'reshoring has been ongoing more than several years, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated it from 10% to 64%. Nudging those statistics are high shipping and logistics costs associated with offshoring - especially with companies with supply chains relying on China. Read the BISNOW article

Push For Supply Chain Resilience, Reshoring Likely To Boost Industrial CRE

Dean Boerner, Bisnow - 5/12/2020

"Protecting Chicago"

Framework & Proposed Legislation

Last Friday, Mayor Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health announced the framework for the reopening of Chicago amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The "Protecting Chicago"

plan ( 7-page pdf ) is organized into five phases in alig nment with the State of Illinois' "Restore Illinois" plan, advising Chicagoans

on how to safely exit from shelter-in-place while continuing to prioritize the

health of its most vulnerable residents.

Chicago has already transitioned from Phase One ( Strict Stay-at-Home ) to Phase Two ( Stay-at-Home ) of the "Protecting Chicago" Framework. The goal of this phase is to continue flattening the curve while safely being outside:

Essential workers go to work; everyone else works from home.
Stay at home as much as possible
Wear a face covering while outside your home
Physically distance from anyone you do not live with, especially vulnerable friends and family.

Take the Survey, Give Your Feedback

The City is looking for feedback to ensure the reopening is phased in a way that eases concerns that businesses and residents may have.

click to fill out the survey

Additional BACP Updates

There are two pending pieces of legislation

both will be considered by City Council on Wednesday, May 20.

License Extension: Under this law, licenses expiring during the COVID-19 outbreak will have their expiration date extended along with renewal and late fees deferred. Upon passage of this law, all business or public vehicle licenses that expire between March 15 and June 30, 2020, will be considered active until July 30, 2020, and will have until that date to renew without paying late fees. This date could be sooner if the Department of Public Health Commissioner determines that the public health threat has diminished and issues guidance to lift the order.
Anti-Retaliation: Under this law, employers would not be allowed to fire, demote, or retaliate against a worker staying home from work because they are sick with COVID-19 symptoms or because they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
New rules to increase transparency for third-party food delivery companies. Starting Friday, May 22, these companies will be required to disclose a cost breakdown for each purchase, including the amount of the commission paid by the restaurant to customers

Read the Industry Notice for more information.

Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) free webinars - for topics, dates, details, and to register: www.chicago.gov/businessworkshops .

Battling COVID-2019

Petra & Holum Switches

Production Capabilities to PPE

A little over a month ago , presentation packaging custom manufacturer Petra & Holum repurposed its manufacturing capabilities and converted its sewing and assembly of custom and specialized packaging to make PPEs.

Click for Petra & Holum website - Click to view/download PPE Price List

COVID-19: Small Business Loan Resources

The spread of the COVID-19 virus presents new challenges for our communities and the U.S. economy. SBA resources can help navigate the crisis.

Click underlined links below for details.

Paycheck Protection Program This loan program provides loan forgiveness for retaining employees by temporarily expanding the traditional SBA 7(a) loan program. Find a lender .

SBA Express Bridge Loans Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. Apply through current SBA Express lender

SBA Debt Relief The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.