The economic effects of business closures are taking a harsh toll on the performing arts community. Lawyers for the Creative Arts is committed to helping the Illinois art community understand the legal issues arising from performance cancellations.

We've created our Brief Service Response Center to provide general advice by telephone on issues relating to cancellations. The Response Center is open for individual artists and managers of arts organizations affected by the Coronavirus crisis. The application form is short, and we will attempt to respond to you in a timely manner. We ask that you please be patient as we work through the requests.

For those needing representation by an attorney for any arts-related matter, please continue to use our normal Legal Referral Service, which remains fully operational. Additionally, LCA's Patricia Felch Arts Mediation Services are ready and able to provide neutral mediators to assist with all kinds of arts disputes.

If you live outside of Illinois, you may want to contact the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts organization in your state. A list of these organizations can be found here.

Visit Our Brief Service Response Center

Unemployment Benefits and PPP FAQ

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Application Assistant

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Resources

Coronavirus Resource List

This list gives those in the arts community access to sites and services that may be of assistance in navigating the challenges created by the Coronavirus pandemic. Please refer back to it periodically for new or supplemented entries.

Resources You May Need Now

Resources for Reopening Arts Organizations

Restore Illinois - Illinois Government Guidance

Information and guidance for businesses during Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan.

Be Safe Chicago - Reopening Guidelines

Information and guidance for businesses during Phase 5 of the Be Safe Chicago plan.

Curtains Up! Legal Issues for Re-Opening Venues

Discussions of Available Resources

Unemployment Relief and Related Benefits

LCA Unemployment Benefits and PPP FAQ

Rent and Mortgage Assistance

Chicago Housing Assistance Portal

Short-Term Estate Planning: Powers of Attorney - Health Care and Property

Information on estate planning in a pandemic - specific coverage of the two statutory powers of attorney.

Assistance with State Unemployment Benefits
(Please be patient in case of high call volume)

CARPLS

Call (312) 738-9200

Legal Aid Chicago

Call (312) 341-1070

Federal and State Financial Relief Programs

Paycheck Protection Program (SBA)

SBA PPP FAQ
PPP Toolbox - Fiscal Management Associates (FMA)
- How Nonprofits Can Manage Their Loans and Forgiveness
PPP Loan Forgiveness Instructions

Local Banks Serving PPP Loan Applicants

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Application

Additional Resources and Assistance

Private Assistance

Artist Relief

Fund created by small to mid-sized national arts grantmakers
$5,000 grants available to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19

Chicago Artists Relief Fund

Fund created by Chicago-area artists intended to support area artists facing financial hardship due to Coronavirus related cancellations
Donate to the fund
Applications for assistance - temporarily suspended - reach out to chicagoartistsrelief@gmail.com with questions