On March 10^th the City announced the launch of the Vendor Impact Fund, intended to increase the capacity and competitiveness of our local, diverse vendor community. As part of the Fund, certified City vendors can apply for loans through the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and 7(a) loan program.

Please be advised that the PPP deadline has been extended to May 31, 2021.

For more information and to apply, please visit www.ChicagoImpactFund.com or email [email protected]

Vendors can get assistance by emailing [email protected] or calling 312-744-HELP between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M-F (excluding City Holidays).

A DPS workshop about eProcurement has been scheduled for March 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. to help vendors learn about the changes and what they need to do to be ready to bid on City contracts. To register for workshops, visit www.chicago.gov/dpsevents

DPS participates in many outreach events around the Chicagoland area. Check out the upcoming events happening soon. For a full calendar of events, please visit www.chicago.gov/dpsevents

This 2-day virtual conference will feature a presentation by the Department of Procurement Services (DPS) and the developers behind some of Chicago's most exciting new property developments.

Are you interested in doing business with the CTA? This webinar will go over the topics of how to become Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified, learn about upcoming contracting opportunities with the CTA, and navigating invoice, payment, and compliance regulations.

We are now offering our workshops virtually. View the full workshop schedule at www.chicago.gov/dpsevents. To request an accommodation, please contact DPS Public Affairs at [email protected].

The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for grants each month in various TIF districts across Chicago. The program's three-year funding plan currently runs through 2023.

Eligible businesses must submit their application during the month-long application window for their TIF district to qualify for funding. To find out if and when SBIF grants are available for your business, search the address on the SBIF eligibility page. Other eligibility requirements apply, and application dates are subject to change.

The City continues to work with stakeholders to explore additional funding and capital resources to further support Chicago's business owners and entrepreneurs throughout this public health crisis.  

For the latest information on COVID-19 visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus and to sign up for the Chicago Department of Public Health newsletter click here.

The City of Chicago has established Small Business Resource Navigators to provide 1:1 assistance to small businesses looking for support during this difficult time. For more information, click here.

Mayor Lightfoot recently released industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as the city prepares to begin safely reopening. Industry-specific guidelines include details such as how businesses can engage in healthy interactions between workers and customers, how to maintain safe working spaces and conditions, and how to design and monitor workplace operations to create flexibility and maintain safety for employees and customers. Guidelines can be found at www.chicago.gov/reopening.

The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program is a $636 million program developed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. Funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs; rent; utilities; and other operational costs as defined in the eligible cost list found below. For more information, click here.

Our DPS website provides information to keep our vendor community informed of procurement news, outreach, initiative and programs. Visit www.chicago.gov/dps to learn about the following: