Small Business Resources

Expansion of Community Navigator Program for Small Businesses: Additional grant monies are being made available by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to small businesses struggling with the pandemic's effects. The effort - an expansion of DCEO's Community Navigator Program - will entail up to $10 million in grants. DCEO is issuing a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) aimed at helping more disadvantaged businesses benefit from relief efforts to strengthen economic recovery. Under the program, navigator partners give direct help on applications for funding as well as providing technical assistance sessions, webinars, and general outreach. Targeted businesses include small businesses located in rural areas or disproportionately impacted areas (DIAs) and those owned by racial or ethnic minorities, veterans, immigrants, women, and those with disabilities. Learn more here.

​Resources Available to Businesses Amid Increased COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts

On Tuesday, October 20, Governor Pritzker issued resurgence mitigations for bars, restaurants, banquet halls and event spaces in DuPage County starting Friday, October 23rd, 2020.  In light of these steps, the Village of Lisle encourages businesses to seek assistance through the State of Illinois, DuPage County and the Lisle Business Relief programs. Businesses are also encouraged to work collaboratively with one another to further develop creative solutions that will allow and support outdoor eating and drinking as well as carryout and curbside pickup during this resurgence period. 

The Village remains committed to supporting businesses as the pandemic continues to evolve and impact the community. To offer relief, several steps have been taken over the past several months that remain available to Lisle bars and restaurants:

• The Outdoor Eating and Drinking Program allows for service outdoors both on private property and in Village rights-of-ways. Service of food and drink can occur outdoors according to IDPH guidelines and expires 30 days after the Lisle area public health region enters Phase 5 of Restore Illinois or until such a time as repealed by the Mayor and Board of Trustees.

• The Sale and Delivery of To-Go Sales of pre-mixed drinks/cocktails is available in accordance with Illinois Liquor Control Commission until January 3, 2024. Guidance on specific container, sealing and labeling information can be found at the Illinois Liquor Control Commission website. 
• Additional resources can be found through the DuPage County Business Toolkit at the Choose DuPage website. Information on the DuPage County Small Business Relief Grant Program, as well as the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Business Interruption Grants (BIG) are linked at this site. DuPage County Health Department's Business Response Team (BRT) offers businesses support and guidance to assist in keeping their businesses open safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. This team is available to answer questions and direct businesses to the appropriate resources. For assistance, please contact covid19business@dupagehealth.org.

The Illinois Restaurant Association has announced the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. This program provides one-time grants of $500 to support restaurant employees facing an unforeseen hardship due to Covid-19. For more information and to apply, visit their website.