Message and Resources from the Joliet Chamber regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease)
The Joliet Chamber Staff and the Board of Directors are actively monitoring the continuing developments regarding the spread of COVID-19. At this time, we encourage all of our Chamber Members and their employees to educate themselves to the fullest in order to understand all of the facts surrounding this coronavirus disease.
We also encourage everyone to follow recommendations from trusted healthcare institutions and centers. We urge you as employers to consider steps that can be taken to prepare for potential impact on your workplace and your employees.
Please be aware of issues that may develop such as: leaves of absence, privacy, working remotely, and workforce reduction. We will continue to update our membership with any changes on the local, State and Federal level. Here are some useful links to review and share:
- Will County Health Department
- Illinois Department of Health
- COVID-19 updates from the World Health Organization
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Workplace Tips for Employees
- Guidance For Employers To Plan and Respond To Coronavirus
- Facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions
Additional resources from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
Again, we encourage all to constantly review facts regarding COVID-19 by utilizing the above links. A common message has been we’re all in this together, so let’s support one another, continue to do business local and with fellow Chamber members, and follow recommendations from the health professionals. Finally, you will be receiving a packet in the mail of upcoming Chamber programs and events. We plan to take each program and event on a case by case basis as the safety and well-being of our Chamber members, as well as the community, is of utmost importance. Please check our social media, your email, and our Chamber website for any updates.
We thank you all for your continued patience and support as we navigate this situation together.
Sincerely,
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry Staff and Board of Directors

Upcoming Programs – Virtual and In-Person
Useful documents to guide you through questions and answers from the COVID-19 crisis
Gov_Bridge_Phase_Executive_Order 5.17.21
WILL COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM ROUND 3 FLYER
Restaurant Revitalization Funding Program Guide 4.2021
SBA RRF Application Sample 4.2021
Tax Credit for Establishing Remote Work
ARP Funding Fact Sheet for childcare
A Bridge to Phase 5 / Phase 4 Updates
UnderstandingRestaurant Revitalization Fund
Covid Impact Survey Results_Report 3.10.21
Updated allowances under Tiers
IL Tier 1 Resurgence Mitigations – January 18, 2021 Update
IL Vaccine Administration Plan – January 15, 2021 Update
IL All Sports Guidance – January 15, 2021 Update
Industry Recap of allowances under Tiers
Biden COVID_Relief Package Fact Sheet
PPP Borrower Application Form (revised 1.8.2021)
PPP Second Draw Borrower Application Form (1.8.2021)
Summary of Emergency Relief Pkg
Emergency Relief Section by Section
ASAE_December-2020-COVID-Relief-Package
Small Biz Majority New-Stimulus Presentation Slides
Will County Economy Overview Dec 2020
WCWC Business Services Webinar Dec 2020
Tier-3-COVID-19-Resurgence-Mitigations
ComEd Small Biz Assistance release FINAL
Tier-2-COVID-19-Resurgence-Migitations
COVID outbreak report IDPH 11.6.2020
BIG Program Certifications and Requirements – Round 2 9-17
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508S
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508S Instructions
Updated Heroes Act One Pager_0
Updated Heroes Act State and Local_0
PPP Forgiveness Application 3508EZ
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form EZ Instructions
Emergency Grant Phase II – CCP
Will County Small Business Grant Assistance Program
Letter to Governor on Region 7
Restaurant Full BlueprintforRevival
Restaurant BlueprintforRevivalOnePager
B.I.G. Eligbility Requirements 6.23.20
B.I.G. Application Questions 6.23.20
DCEO Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program_Final External Summary
uscc_ppp_forgiveness-guide 6.17.20
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application (Revised 6.16.2020)
PPP-Forgiveness-Application-3508EZ
PPP-IFR-Revisions-to-First-Interim-Final-Rule
Grants for Female Owned Businesses
Paycheck-Protection-Program-Frequently-Asked-Questions_05 27 20
ILL Phase 3 Toolkit for reopen
Illinois Chamber of Commerce Responsible Reopening and Rehiring Legislation
SBA Form 3508 PPP Forgiveness Application
uscc_covid19_main-street-lending-program
Restore Illinois – A Public Health Approach To Safely Reopen Our State
PR_Restore Illinois_A Public Health Approach To Safely Reopen Our State
IL DCEO Essential Business FAQ on stayathome continuance
Paycheck-Protection-Program-Frequently-Asked-Questions 5.3
Letter to Gov from women of the House Republican Caucus
USChamber_reopeningtheeconomy ltr
uscc_coronavirus_unemployment-insurance
uscc_coronavirus_health-coverage
uscc_coronavirus_independent-contractors
Responsible Reopening_US Chamber
ILWorkComp-Emergency_Amendment_Only
Paycheck-Protection-Program-28 Frequently-Asked-Questions
DCEO COVID_19 Emergency Resource UPDATED
COVID19 Employee Health Screening Form
IDES_Security_Waiving_Penalty_for_Employers
Paycheck-Protection-Program-Frequenty-Asked-Questions_USTreasury
Application for Paid Leave COVID-19
uscc_coronavirus_fmla_paid-leave-programs-guide
Federal Stimulus Unemployment Benefits FAQ_IDES
uscc_covid19_employee-retention-tax-credit
uscc_covid19_sb-economic-injury-disaster-loans
corona_virus_smallbiz_loan_final_USCofC_update
Borrower-Paycheck-Protection-Program-Application-sample
PPP Borrower Information Fact Sheet
DCEOCOVID-19EmergencyResourcesforBusiness
UScofc_corona_virus_smallbiz_loan_final_chklist
IDFPR_Announces_Help_for_Consumers_Press_Release
usf_chamber CARES Act fact sheet
final—one-pager—keeping-workers-paid-and-employed-act
COVID-19_ Guidance_for_Large Biz
US CofC Phase_3_Bipart_Summary_FINAL (CARES Act)
IL Treasurer SmallBizCOVID19ReliefProgram Due April 1
HR 6201 summary Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Governor Pritzker Announces New Phase 5 Guidelines
YouTube (Friday) Video Update Playlist
Latest COVID-19 Updates
Coronavirus update for 2.16.2021 – Virus Retreat?, CDC Announcements, and Daily Vaccine News
Chamber Members: Good news to share today as newly reported covid cases in the U.S. hit their lowest level in nearly four months. Locally, we’re below 5% on the rolling seven-day average for the first time since the middle of July. The bad news is the continuation of...
Coronavirus update for 2.12.2021 – 200Mil Vaccines on Way, Biden Budget Delay, and Illinois Aid Dollars
Chamber Members: We’ll start off today wishing everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day and maybe this will serve as a reminder for those that may have forgot! Before I forget, the update will take a day off on Monday in observance of Presidents’ Day. Today however, we report...
Coronavirus update for 2.11.2021 – Weekly Jobs Report, IL House Finally Ok’s Virtual Meetings, and Eviction Extension
Chamber Members: Happy Thursday! Today we share the weekly jobs report and it’s not horrible. Additionally, there is information about mortgage relief, eviction bans, new state partners for vaccines, an unfortunate report on the Mainstreet Lending program, and some...
Coronavirus update for 2.10.2021 – No Income Tax Raise, 1B Vaccine Expanded, and a New Drug Approved
Chamber Members: Today’s big news hints at what will be delivered next Wednesday during the combined Illinois Budget address & State of the State address. There is so much news circulating on vaccines it is hard not to get it out right away, so today’s update is...
Coronavirus update for 2.9.2021 – Governor Budget Talk, New House Rules, Vaccine Assistance, and More
Chamber Members: We have some interesting news coming out of our state and federal capitols today regarding budgets, rules, aid, and of course vaccines. In addition, the Will County Health Department will be getting some needed financial assistance to help with the...
Coronavirus update for 2.8.2021 – Act Quick on New Grant, Stimulus News (Child Addition), and Impeachment Rules
Chamber Members: In addition to the Super Bowl itself yesterday, Verizon also hosted a concert for small business aid and has opened a truly short window for applications. See information below for your opportunity to secure a grant in the amount of $10,000. Today’s...
Coronavirus update for 2.5.2021 – Targeted EIDL Advance Grant, January Econ Report, and New Vaccine Info
Chamber Members: Here’s the wrap to the weekend as we get ready for the Super Bowl. Not sure if you can even say that anymore, but we all know what the “Big Game” is. The SBA has announced a name change for one of their programs so read below about the Targeted EIDL...
Coronavirus update for 2.4.2021 – Relief for Gig Workers & Self-Employed, Aid Package Process Begins, and some Marketing Tips
Chamber Members: In addition to the arrival of the weekly jobs report, we’ve been greeted by some more snow (yay?!?!). Today begins the process to start a reconciliation vote on the Biden administration coronavirus aid package, relief for gig workers and the...
Coronavirus update for 2.3.2021 – Various Vaccine Items, Stimulus and Overall Aid Updates, and a New Grant Program
Chamber Members: Well, the good news may have slowed down as it’s been predicted that we’re in for six more weeks of winter. Of course that comes from a groundhog and we certainly have many other issues to keep an eye on. Today we share a variety of vaccine related...
Coronavirus update for 2.2.2021 – Positive Covid/Vaccine News, Follow Up on Aid Talks, Check Debate, and SALT Cap
Chamber Members: The new month continues to bring good news. COVID-19 hospitalizations and positivity rates continued on a steady decline in Illinois Monday as the state reported just 16 virus-related deaths over the previous 24 hours. Daily death counts fluctuate...
Virtual Conference Series: Joliet City Council Candidates Forum (Register Here)
Virtual Conference Series: State of the City Address with Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk (Register Here)
Virtual Conference Series: Economic Trends & Reopening of the Economy (Register Here)
Virtual Conference Series: Legislative Coffee Presented by CITGO w/ Illinois State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel and State Senator John Connor (Video Recording)
Virtual Conference Series: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) First and Second Draw, PPP Forgiveness and EIDL Information for Businesses (Register Here)
Virtual Conference Series: Town Hall Meeting – A Follow Up Discussion (Video Recording)
Virtual Conference Series: City of Joliet Status Report on Projects & Programs (Video Recording)
Virtual Conference Series: Anti-Sexual Harassment Training (Register Here)
Virtual Conference Series: 2020 Meet the Candidates Forum (Video Recording)
Virtual Conference Series: State of the County Address with Will County Executive Denise Winfrey (Video Recording)
Virtual Conference Series: Government Affairs Coffee Series – Progressive Income Tax Discussion with Leslie Munger (Video Recording)
Virtual Conference Series: Community Disaster Preparedness: Red Cross Ready Rating (Video Recording)
Virtual Conference Series: Answers to COVID Questions Moving Forward (Video Recording)
Virtual Conference Series: Government Affairs Legislative Coffee with U.S. Congressman Bill Foster and Jason Keller, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (Video Recording)
Video link to information on the Main Street Lending Program through the Fed
Virtual Conference Series: The Renaissance Continues – Updates from the Joliet City Center Partnership (Video Recording)
Click here for presentation slides: https://jolietchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Renaissance-Continues_CCP-slides.pdf
Virtual Conference Series: Child care: Increasingly vital to our workforce & economy (Video Recording)
Slide Presentation can be downloaded here: ReadyNation PPT 8.5.2020
Additional Resources:
Child Care Restoration Grants: $270 million for licensed providers with reduced capacity and experiencing business interruption-
Application info: https://tinyurl.com/ILGrantApp
Background: https://tinyurl.com/
*Note: Aug. 14 application deadline
Info on ordering Personal Protective Equipment for child care providers (only pay shipping): https://tinyurl.com/ILPPEhelp
Virtual Conference Series: Challenge Accepted! Now What Questions to Ask (Video Recording)
Slide Presentation can be downloaded here: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED PRESENTATION