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COVID-19 Information center

The situation surrounding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic is rapidly changing, with government guidelines, emergency legislation, stay at home orders, and other directives being released on a daily, if not hourly, basis. In order to stay on top of all of the new developments regarding the pandemic, SATC|Law remains committed to be a resource for you by providing you with our analysis of the ever developing changes. Below is a summary of our Special Reports issued to date pertaining to the pandemic.

To receive the Special Reports directly to your inbox, email “Subscribe” to info@satclaw.com.

SPECIAL REPORT: PPP Loan Guidance

January 18, 2021

SPECIAL REPORT: PPP Loans - Round Two

December 30, 2020

SPECIAL REPORT: An Update on the COVID-19 Business-Interruption Legal Fight

October 23, 2020

SPECIAL REPORT: Important PPP Changes

June 10, 2020

SPECIAL REPORT: Chicago’s Phase 3 Guidelines for Reopening

May 28, 2020

On Wednesday, June 3, Chicago will begin a partial reopening of many businesses. A closer look on what the guidelines are for Chicago's phase 3 plan in reopening the city by each industry:

  • Education and Childcare

  • Office and Real Estate (including Commercial and Residential Buildings)

  • Accommodation and Tourism (Hotel & Accommodations and Parks & Outdoor Attractions)

  • Food Service

  • Retail (including Personal Services and Health & Fitness Clubs)

  • B2B (Manufacturing, Construction, Transportation & Warehousing)

  • Healthcare

  • Parks and Outdoor Attractions

SPECIAL REPORT: Illinois’ Phase 3 Guidelines for Reopening

May 28, 2020



The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has released industry specific guidelines and toolkits for businesses and workplaces that plan to reopen after the executive stay-at-home order expires on May 29th.

Phase 3 safety guidelines and toolkits include guidance for the following 10 different industry categories:

  • Manufacturing

  • Health and Fitness Centers

  • Offices

  • Personal Care Services

  • Retail

  • Outdoor Recreation

  • Service Counters

  • Day Camps

  • Youth Sports

  • Restaurants and Bars (outdoor dining and drinking)

SPECIAL REPORT: Exploring the Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application

May 21, 2020



The Small Business Administration (SBA) has released its form application for borrowers to use when applying for forgiveness of their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. A brief assessment for what is required in order for the PPP loan to be forgiven. The loan forgiveness application consists of these four parts:

  • The PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculation Form;

  • PPP Schedule A;

  • A PPP Schedule A Worksheet; and,

  • An optional PPP Borrower Demographic Information Form.

SPECIAL REPORT: PPP Eligibility for Bankruptcy Debtors

May 14, 2020

  • Courts are currently split as to whether the Small Business Administration (SBA) can bar bankruptcy debtors from obtaining PPP loans. A look on what actions are being taken by debtors in efforts to secure a PPP loan.

SPECIAL REPORT: What You Need to Know About the Use of No-Contact Temperature Devices

May 13, 2020

With workplaces and businesses planning on reopening, companies may possibly consider implementing temperature taking policies. Information on the use of no contact temperature devices and how they may raise different privacy issues under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”).

Information on the following types of temperature taking devices:

·       No-Contact Infrared Scanners

·       Facial Recognition and Thermal Scanners

·       Wearables

SPECIAL REPORT: Mayor Lightfoot’s Five-Phase Plan to “Protecting Chicago”

May 12, 2020

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Plan to Reopen Chicago
• Phase 1: Strict Stay at Home
• Phase 2: Stay at Home
• Phase 3: Cautiously Reopen
• Phase 4: Gradually Resume
• Phase 5: Protect
• How we Transition
• Criteria for Transitioning to Phase 3
• Employee Safety Guidelines

SPECIAL REPORT: Restore Illinois - A Five-Phase Plan to Reopen the State of Illinois

May 6, 2020

  • Governor Pritzker’s five-phase plan to begin to reopen the state of Illinois.

    o   Phase 1: Rapid Spread

    o   Phase 2: Flattening

    o   Phase 3: Recovery

    o   Phase 4: Revitalization

    o   Phase 5: Illinois restored

SPECIAL REPORT: Modified Stay at Home Order (Illinois)

May 1, 2020

  • Governor Pritzker’s modification of the Stay at Home order extending it until the end of May

  • Recap on recent litigation challenging the Governor’s authority to extend the Stay at Home order.

  • A closer look on what the modified Executive Order means to:

    o   Golfing

    o   Essential Businesses and Operations

    o   Essential and Non-Essential retail

    o   Requirements for Manufacturers

    o   All Businesses

    o   The Wearing of Face Coverings

SPECIAL REPORT: [Updated] What is Happening to my Case During the Pandemic?

April 29, 2020

  • We revisit our April 13, 2020 report to provide some additional information on the amended administrative orders affecting pending cases in Federal and Illinois county courts.

SPECIAL REPORT: Additional CARES Relief for Real Estate Professionals and Businesses Through NOL Carrybacks, Bonus Depreciation, and 1031 Deadline Extensions.

April 28, 2020

  • Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act summary (Cares Act)

  • Net Operating Loss Carrybacks (NOL’s)

  • Adjustable Tax Income Amendment (ATI)

  • Reinstatement of Quality Improvement Property (QIP)

  • Deadlines for 1031 Exchanges

SPECIAL REPORT: What the FAQ? Finally Some More Guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program.

April 27, 2020

A brief examination of the expansion of the funds available under the PPP loan program and the additional guidance issued to borrowers under the FAQ and Paycheck Protection Program Interim Final Rule.

SPECIAL REPORT: Additional Funding Relief Under the CARES Act

April 22, 2020

  • Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”)

  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”)

  • Healthcare Funding

SPECIAL REPORT: Covid-19 Losses and Claims Insurance Coverage

April 17, 2020

  • Business Interruption Insurance

  • Civil Authority Coverage

  • Contingent Business Interruption

  • Ingress/Egress Coverage

  • Event Cancellation Coverage

  • Proposed Legislation and Pending Lawsuits

SPECIAL REPORT: Examining the Plan on “Opening America Up Again”

April 17, 2020

  • Proposed State and Regional Gating Criteria

  • Core State Preparedness Responsibilities

  • Guidelines for All Phases: Individuals

  • Guidelines for All Phases: Employers

  • Phase One – For States and Regions that Satisfy the Gating Criteria

  • Phase Two – For States and Regions with No Evidence of a Rebound and that Satisfy the Gating Criteria a Second Time

  • Phase Three – For States and Regions with No Evidence of a Rebound and that Satisfy the Gating Criteria a Third Time

SPECIAL REPORT: [UPDATED] The “Coronavirus Effect” on Cook County Property Values

April 15, 2020

  • We revisit our April 7, 2020 Special Report to provide some new and additional information on the reassessments by the Cook County Assessor’s Office.

SPECIAL REPORT: Status of Federal Unemployment Benefits

April 14, 2020

  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)

  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)

SPECIAL REPORT: Deferral of Social Security Payroll Tax

April 13, 2020

  • A brief summary setting additional information regarding the deferral of Social Security Tax under the CARES Act, as well as what employers partaking in Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) need to know

SPECIAL REPORT: What is Happening to my Case During the Pandemic?

April 13, 2020

  • United States District Court Northern District of Illinois

  • Circuit Court of Cook County

    • First Municipal District

    • Law Division

    • Chancery Division

    • Probate Division

SPECIAL REPORT: What Do the New Federal Reserve Programs Mean for You?

April 10, 2020

  • Main Street Lending Program

  • Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (PPPLF)

  • Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF)

  • Municipal Liquidity Facility

  • Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility (PMCCF)

  • Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility (SMCCF)

  • Conclusion

SPECIAL REPORT: The ‘Coronavirus Effect’ on Cook County Property Values

April 7, 2020

  • A brief summary regarding the reassessments on property values being done by the Cook County Assessor’s office

SPECIAL REPORT: Unemployment Filing Guidance

April 6, 2020

  • Qualifying for Unemployment Benefits

  • Filing for Unemployment Benefits

  • Information Needed to File Application

  • Federal Stimulus Package Unemployment Benefits

  • Individuals with Exhausted Benefits

  • Self-Employed Workers, Freelancers and Independent Contractors

SPECIAL REPORT: Interim Authority to Execute Certain Legal Documents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 3, 2020

  • Remotely Executing Legal Documents

  • Remote Notaries

  • Requirements

 SPECIAL REPORT: Guidance on the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

April 3, 2020

  • Renters and Homeowners

  • State Banks and Credit Unions

  • Loan Guidance

  • Student Loans

  • Office Closures

  • Debt Collection

  • Credit History

  • Vehicle Repossessions

  • Professional Licenses

SPECIAL REPORT: What Is Forgiven Under the Paycheck Protection Program Loans

April 2, 2020

  • (Defining) Payroll Costs

  • Calculating Payroll Taxes

  • How is Forgiveness Reduced

    • Reduction based on Reduction of Number of Employees

    • Reduction based on Reduction in Salaries

  • Payroll Tax Deferral

SPECIAL REPORT: What's Next for Insureds and Insurers?

April 1, 2020

  • A brief summary of the current state of business interruption coverage and civil authority insurance coverage resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19 and Guidance on Small Business Loans

March 31, 2020

  • Is my business eligible

  • What will Lenders be looking for

  • How much can my business borrow

  • Is there any loan forgiveness and, if so, how much

  • What are triggers for reducing the loan forgiveness

  • How do I apply for loan forgiveness

  • What’s next

SPECIAL REPORT: City of Chicago Resources

March 31, 2020

  • Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund

  • Construction – Essential Service

  • Unemployment Issues – Emergency Rules

  • Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund

SPECIAL REPORT: CARES Act

March 30, 2020

  • Keeping America Workers Paid and Employed Act

    • Changes to the Bankruptcy Code

  • Assistance for American Workers, Families, and Businesses

    • Unemployment Insurance Provisions

    • Recovery Rebates & Other Individual Provisions

    • Special Rules for Use of Retirement Funds

    • Charitable Contribution Provisions

    • Business Provisions

SPECIAL REPORT- [UPDATED] Coronavirus Considerations for those Engaged in Commercial Real Estate

March 27, 2020

  • Health Guidelines

  • Force Majeure

  • Doctrine of Impossibility

  • Doctrine of Commercial Frustration

  • Default Considerations under Loan Documents (UPDATED)

  • Crises Coverage Limitations of Business Interruption Insurance (UPDATED)

  • Rent Loss Insurance Policy Coverage

  • Guidance for Employers and Employees

  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act

SPECIAL REPORT: Economic Relief In Light of The COVID-19 Pandemic

March 26, 2020

  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans

  • H.R. 6074. Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020

  • H.R. 6201. Families First Coronavirus Response Act

    • The Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act

    • Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act

    • Tax Credits for Paid Sick and Paid Family and Medical Leave

    • Emergency Unemployment Insurance and Stabilization and Access Act of 2020

  • Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)

  • H.R. 748. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act

  • Income Tax Filing & Payment Extension

SPECIAL REPORT: Coronavirus Considerations for those Engaged in Commercial Real Estate

March 17, 2020

  • Health Guidelines

  • Force Majeure

  • Doctrine of Impossibility

  • Doctrine of Commercial Frustration

  • Default Considerations under Loan Documents

  • Limitations of Business Interruption Insurance

  • Rent Loss Insurance Policy Coverage

  • Guidance for Employers and Employees

  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS)

March 3, 2020

  • Interim guidelines on prevention and notice

Please visit our regularly updated News Page for additional resources intended to help guide you and your business through these difficult and ever changing times.

We would like to say thank you to all of our team members that have been working diligently on researching, writing, editing and publishing the Special Reports. They have been working hard to keep you as informed as possible in this ever changing landscape. Special thanks to Tomasz Sobieraj, Audrey Gamble, Tara Coffman, Leona Kuhar, Nathan Ciulla, Kiran Sulaiman, Alex Norlander, Robert Tepper, Andrew Annes and John Campbell. We also say thank you to all of the essential workers who are making sure that we are safe and protected as we stay home to stay safe.