LEGISLATION TO HELP & PROTECT BUSINESSES
NEW GUIDELINES TO REQUIRE BUSINESSES TO ENFORCE MASKS
On August 7, Governor Pritzker announced that his administration is filing new emergency rules to require businesses to enforce mask requirements that include the possibility of fines up to $2,500.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statewide masking mandate May 1, but the new rules would give local health and police departments more options — including fines up to $2,500 — to enforce it, without revoking a business’ license.
Businesses that don’t comply will be given a written notice warning. If they don’t voluntarily comply, businesses will then be given an order for patrons to leave the property "as needed to comply with public health guidance and reduce risks." If businesses still do not comply, they can receive a class A misdemeanor, subject to a fine of $75 to $2,500.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statewide masking mandate May 1, but the new rules would give local health and police departments more options — including fines up to $2,500 — to enforce it, without revoking a business’ license.
Businesses that don’t comply will be given a written notice warning. If they don’t voluntarily comply, businesses will then be given an order for patrons to leave the property "as needed to comply with public health guidance and reduce risks." If businesses still do not comply, they can receive a class A misdemeanor, subject to a fine of $75 to $2,500.
GUIDELINES FOR YOUTH & ADULT RECREATIONAL SPORTS
On July 29, Governor Pritzker announced guidance for youth and adult recreational sports, including, but not limited to, school-based sports (IHSA & IESA), travel clubs, private leagues and clubs, recreational leagues and centers, and park district sports programs. The guidance was developed in coordination with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
The newly released guidance categorizes sports into three risk levels, lower, medium, or higher, based on the amount of contact between athletes and their proximity during play. The guidance sets four levels of play allowed based on current public health conditions. In level 1, only no-contact practices and training are allowed. In level 2, intra-team scrimmages are allowed with parental consent for minors but there can be no competitive play. In level 3 intra-conference, intra-EMS-region or intra-league play is allowed and there may be state- or league-championship games allowed for low-risk sports only. In level 4, tournaments, out-of-conference/league play, and out-of-state play are allowed. Championship games would also be allowed in level 4. This guidance takes effect Saturday, August 15th.
Based on current conditions, lower risk sports can be played at levels 1, 2, and 3. Medium risk sports can be played at levels 1 and 2, and higher risk sports can be played at level 1. Please see the complete guidance document for more detailed information.
The newly released guidance categorizes sports into three risk levels, lower, medium, or higher, based on the amount of contact between athletes and their proximity during play. The guidance sets four levels of play allowed based on current public health conditions. In level 1, only no-contact practices and training are allowed. In level 2, intra-team scrimmages are allowed with parental consent for minors but there can be no competitive play. In level 3 intra-conference, intra-EMS-region or intra-league play is allowed and there may be state- or league-championship games allowed for low-risk sports only. In level 4, tournaments, out-of-conference/league play, and out-of-state play are allowed. Championship games would also be allowed in level 4. This guidance takes effect Saturday, August 15th.
Based on current conditions, lower risk sports can be played at levels 1, 2, and 3. Medium risk sports can be played at levels 1 and 2, and higher risk sports can be played at level 1. Please see the complete guidance document for more detailed information.
COVID-19 MITIGATION PLAN
On July 15, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health announced a new COVID-19 mitigation plan focused on combating a resurgence of cases will maintaining the progress the state has made towards bending the curve over the last four months. As states across the country experience a surge of new COVID-19 cases, Illinois remains an outlier with lower hospitalization and infection rates and one of the highest rates of testing in the U.S. The resurgence plan recognizes that the state is in its strongest position to combat the virus since the pandemic began, with a robust testing operation regularly yielding more than 30,000 tests per day, expanded tracing operations with 1,450 contact tracers, a growing stockpile of personal protective equipment, and hospital surge capacity. The plan also accounts for months of additional data and research as public health experts reach a greater scientific understanding of this virus and how it spreads. Learn more.
RESTORE ILLINOIS PLAN
On May 5, Governor Pritzker announced the Restore Illinois plan. Restore Illinois is about saving lives and livelihoods. The five-phased plan will reopen our state, guided by health metrics and with distinct business, education, and recreation activities characterizing each phase. This is an initial framework that will likely be updates as research and science develop and as the potential for treatments or vaccines is realized. The plan is based upon regional healthcare availability, and it recognizes the distinct impact COVID-19 has had on different regions of our state as well as regional variations in hospital capacity. View the full Restore Illinois Plan.
ILLINOIS IMPLEMENTS STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE
Beginning May 1, Illinois residents will be required to wear a mask or face covering in public places and in situations where they are unable to keep their distance from others. The new mandate is part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s extension of the stay-at-home order. Learn more.
STAY-AT-HOME EXECUTIVE ORDER
On Friday, March 20th, 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 gatherings of more than 10 people and closes all nonessential establishments, including most retail, recreation and entertainment businesses. It does NOT prohibit essential activities like going to the grocery store, or receiving medical care. Learn more about what this order means for your business. Download the Essential Businesses & Operations FAQ.
SALES TAX DEFERRAL FOR BARS & RESTAURANTS
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.
Under the directive, eating and drinking establishments that incurred less than $75,000 in sales tax liabilities last year will not be charged penalties or interest on payments due in March, April or May made late. The Department of Revenue estimates this will give relief to nearly 80% of bars and restaurants in Illinois.
Penalties and interest will be automatically waived; however, qualified taxpayers must still file their sales tax return even if they are unable to make a payment. Any taxpayers taking advantage of this relief will be required to pay their sales tax liabilities due in March, April and May in four installments starting on May 20 and extending through August 20. For more information, please view IDOR’s informational bulletin available at tax.illinois.gov.
Under the directive, eating and drinking establishments that incurred less than $75,000 in sales tax liabilities last year will not be charged penalties or interest on payments due in March, April or May made late. The Department of Revenue estimates this will give relief to nearly 80% of bars and restaurants in Illinois.
Penalties and interest will be automatically waived; however, qualified taxpayers must still file their sales tax return even if they are unable to make a payment. Any taxpayers taking advantage of this relief will be required to pay their sales tax liabilities due in March, April and May in four installments starting on May 20 and extending through August 20. For more information, please view IDOR’s informational bulletin available at tax.illinois.gov.
FEDERAL CARES ACT
The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain nonprofits and other employers. Download a guide for information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the SBA to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA. Click here to read about the Employee Retention Tax Credit.
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT:
EMPLOYER PAID LEAVE REQUIREMENTS
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.[1] The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.
EXECUTIVE ACTION: DEFERRING SOCIAL SECURITY PAYROLL TAXES
The tax deferral executive action permits deferral of the employee portion of Social Security taxes for selection employees. This executive action only defers Social Security taxes, it does not forgive them, which means employees will have to pay these taxes later. This deferment can be used from September 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Please see IRS guidance for further information.
AURORA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THE CATALYST FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS
Visit us at aurora-chamber.com
Visit us at aurora-chamber.com
Although we are currently working remotely, we are still here to help the businesses in the greater regional Aurora area.
Phone: 630.256.3180
Fax: 630.256.3189 |
43 W. Galena Blvd.
Aurora, Illinois 60506 |