A SMALL BUSINESS TIP SHEET FOR TOUGH TIMES

Make friends with a banker. Need a place to start? Try the Illinois state treasurer’s list of institutions participating in its COVID-19 relief program: illinoistreasurer.gov/ Financial_Institutions/Access_to_ Capital. Don’t be too proud to ask for help, including from creditors. Solicit ideas and impartial advice from a Small Business Development Center in your area. Further information is at illinois.gov/dceo/ SmallBizAssistance/BeginHere/ pages/sbdc.aspx. Get a briefing on state government programs for business by calling (800) 252-2923 or emailing CEO.support@illinois.gov. Black-owned businesses can join online discussions about ways to grow. The discussions are presented by Groupon and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The next one is Aug. 20; info is at illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/ Pages/MinEcoEmp.aspx. Check out the city of Chicago’s Small Business Resource Guide at chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/ provdrs/ec_dev/svcs/covid-19-pandemic--small-business-resourceguide.html.html. Review the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s guide to the Main Street Lending Program at uschamber. com/report/guide-the-main-streetlending-program. All set to go? Now consult the U.S. Chamber’s guide to operating safely in a pandemic at uschamber.com/ co/small-business-coronavirus.