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Hang in there McHenry County!

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Hang in there McHenry County!

We’re getting there – don’t let your guard down!

The light at the end of the tunnel is slowly but surely getting closer. The COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out to our front-line health care workers and senior living residents. Inoculations of staff and residents at Valley Hi Nursing Home is under way, and the McHenry County Department of Health successfully administered the first dose to 166 emergency services personnel at its first vaccination clinic.

There’s more good news

Region 9, which consists of Lake and McHenry counties, can return to Tier 2 mitigation this Friday which means looser restrictions on businesses and social gatherings – but only if we continue to meet the state benchmarks. Click below to hear what the Governor has to say:
Within the first full week of vaccinations , Illinois has administered the most COVID-19 vaccine doses compared to any other state nationwide, Governor JB Pritzker said Wednesday. NBC 5’s Charlie Wojcieschowski reports.

 
In plain English, that means we still need to follow the common-sense guidelines of wearing a mask in public, maintaining a six-foot distance between people, and frequently washing and sanitizing our hands. Let’s work together so we can take another step closer this Friday to an eventual full re-opening.
For trusted information on the COVID-19 pandemic, turn to these credible local, state and federal sources:

Business Relief Grant deadline extended to Friday

McHenry County has extended the deadline for small businesses to apply for the Immediate Business Relief Grant to 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15.
The grant awards $15,000 to eligible businesses in the food service, accommodation, arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors that have suffered financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To be eligible, businesses must be located within McHenry County and must have been in business for at least two years as of Sept. 1, 2020. They must employ between two and 25 employees, and must be able to demonstrate at least $25,000 in lost revenue for any six-month period between March and October.
A complete list of eligibility requirements and restrictions can be found here
Business owners are encouraged to read the list in full before applying. Eligible businesses must apply through an application portal called “Neighborly,” and must first complete an applicant profile; they can do so by visiting here
But again, time’s running out, and the grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so spread the word!

 

Second round of PPP underway

A second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans opened Monday for small businesses hurt by the pandemic.
Businesses that received PPP loans under the first round are eligible to reapply for a second round. Also, more businesses are eligible for the loans because Congress relaxed the criteria; you can learn more from the US Small Business Administration by clicking here.
Collecting a PPP loan does not make a business ineligible for other state and local business assistance.
A list of participating lenders approved by the SBA can be found by clicking here. 

 

Virtual People in Need Forum set for January 23rd

There is an abundance of resources available for people struggling to get by in McHenry County.
The annual People in Need Forum, which will be held virtually this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, takes place from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 23. Exhibitors showcase the vital community resources available to help those in need, and hold workshops to address topics such as immigration, senior issues, caregiver resources, LGBTQ, substance abuse and addictions, and homelessness.
While the virtual forum is free and open to the public, pre-registration is encouraged. Click here to register.
The forum is an excellent resource for human service agencies, faith-based organizations, civic group members, law enforcement, elected officials, school personnel, individuals interested in volunteer opportunities, and those seeking assistance.

 

We’re keeping an eye on current and future COVID-19 stimulus

Resume McHenry County, through its partnership with MCEDC and McHenry County, is monitoring the $980 billion stimulus bill signed into law in the final days of 2020 for whatever additional local resources it may bring. With the results of the 2020 election finally decided and a new administration and Congress beginning next week, we also will be watching as another stimulus bill promised by President-elect Biden begins to materialize. Keep reading our e-newsletter as we bring developments to you!
We hope we got your attention. We need your help reaching more McHenry County residents and businesses to share this important information about the COVID-19 response and connect them with vital resources.
Please take these four steps:
1. Share/forward to your email/newsletter contacts.
2. Post information to your website.
3. Follow us on social media (see below); share our posts with your followers.
4. If you are not on the McHenry County Constant Contact list, please subscribe here

 

Follow McHenry County Government On Social Media

Staying connected and informed is more important now than ever! Follow McHenry County on social media for regular updates on COVID-19 in our region, resources to help you navigate the pandemic, safety tips and more!