• As noted in yesterday’s update, the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity submitted Illinois' application for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program to assist small businesses and private non-profits in paying expenses during the COVID-19 disaster.
• They believe a decision on that application is imminent, and know of no hurdles causing denial.
• Approval would allow Illinois businesses and non-profits to begin submitting their applications. 
• This is a direct loan program. Applicants will apply directly to the SBA and the SBA will disperse funds directly from the U.S. Treasury to the applicant.
• There will be considerable funding available, but it is recommend getting applications in as quickly as possible. You can also amend your application downstream to ask for more funds if your need becomes greater. 

• Concerns from the GOP and business community were raised on the up-front cost of mandatory paid time off on employers included in The Families First Corona Virus Response Act HR 6201.
• Those concerns were not addressed in the US Senate and the president signed the US House version yesterday. 
• You can read the US Chamber's analysis of the bill here. 

• In Executive Order 2020-04 banning gatherings of 1,000 or more people, there was an explicit exemption for normal workplace activity.
• However, in the subsequent Executive Order 2020-07 banning gatherings of 50 or more people, that explicit exemption for workplace activity was removed from the order. 
• The governor has given verbal assurance that the 50 person limit does not apply to our larger businesses, but they are urging businesses to adhere to the guidelines from the IDPH and the CDC, to keep the number of employees they have in close proximity to each other under 50, and apply social distancing practices as best they can.