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Some good news to share on PPP, Vaccines and more!

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‘Resume McHenry County’ Update!
Through our collaboration with McHenry County, we will continue to share important information on stimulus programs, PPP loans, COVID-19 updates and more through its ‘Resume McHenry County’ Updates.
Please take a moment to scroll down to the section on new PPP and vaccine distribution information and forward it to anyone that you think would benefit from this information. As always, MCEDC is here to help, if you have any questions or if we can be of service, please let us know.

Support our local eateries during Restaurant Week

It may look a little different this year, but Visit McHenry County’s Third Annual McHenry County Restaurant Week is on as scheduled – and it’s more important than ever that we do whatever we can to support our local eateries.
This year’s event, which showcases our many and diverse dining destinations, is free to any McHenry County restaurant interested in offering a takeout deal between Friday, February 19, and Sunday, February 28. Restaurants are encouraged to offer a variety of takeout packages and family-friendly deals.
If you’ve ever driven by a restaurant and said to yourself that you’d like to give it a try, McHenry County Restaurant Week gives you the perfect reason!
Help us spread the word for our local restaurants to participate! They can sign up and receive more information at Visit McHenry County.

McHenry, Lake counties move down to Tier 2 mitigation

McHenry and Lake counties, which make up IDPH Region 9, was allowed to advance to less restrictive Tier 2 mitigations for COVID-19.
Simply put, cultural institutions such as museums can reopen at 25% capacity, indoor fitness and recreation can reopen at 25% capacity or 25 people (whichever is less), and meetings and events can resume with a maximum of 10 people. A complete list of Tier 2 restrictions can be found by clicking here.
Unfortunately, restrictions on bars and restaurants remain unchanged; however, indoor dining with capacity restrictions can resume under Tier 1 mitigation, and restrictions are further loosened once we enter Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, which two downstate regions have already reached. And if they can do it, we can do it!

 

President-elect Biden unveils $1.9T stimulus plan

President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday afternoon unveiled the details of his American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion support package for households, businesses, and governments affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A detailed list can be found by clicking here.
Among other things, the plan includes direct $1,400 payments to most Americans, increases the federal weekly unemployment benefit to $400 and extends it through September, and increases the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
The plan also calls for $350 billion in aid to state and local governments, which was a sticking point in previous stimulus packages.
Resume McHenry County, through its partnership with MCEDC and McHenry County, is monitoring the progress of this stimulus plan – and is unpacking the $980 billion stimulus bill signed into law in the final days of 2020 – for whatever local resources it may bring. Keep reading our e-newsletter as we bring developments to you.

 

Second round of PPP underway

A second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans opened Monday for small businesses hurt by the pandemic.
It’s important to note that businesses that received PPP loans under the first round are also eligible for loans under this new round. However, it’s advised that said businesses use the same bank for the sake of expediency, because many more businesses are eligible for this second round because Congress relaxed the criteria. It’s also advised that businesses that receive PPP loans apply for loan forgiveness as soon as possible.
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.

Health Department seeking signup for 1B/1C vaccinations

As McHenry County continues apace with vaccinating our front-line health care workers and nursing home staff and residents identified in Phase 1a of the state inoculation program, the McHenry County Department of Health is encouraging people identified in Phase 1b and 1c to fill out a vaccine enrollment form.
The form, which can be found at HERE, will help the MCDH determine the need. People who complete the enrollment form will be emailed additional information on how to schedule an appointment once clinics are made available. A comprehensive list of people eligible for vaccinations under Phase 1b and 1c, as well as a wealth of other information on the vaccine, can be found at the MCDH vaccine webpage, where they also can sign up for an e-newsletter (like this one) to receive the latest updates.

 

The (Virtual) People in Need Forum is upcoming

Remember – a virtual one-stop shop for people needing assistance in McHenry County is taking place this weekend.
The annual People in Need Forum will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Exhibitors will 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.
The forum is being held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic; it’s free and open to the public, but pre-registration is encouraged, and you can do so at 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 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!

What is Resume McHenry County?

Resume McHenry County is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents. The goal is to ensure a successful reopening of our economy so that we can return to our lifestyles safely and responsibly.