27th Ward Newsletter

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Wednesday, 1/5 Webinar at 3:00 PM

City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers

Presented by the City of Chicago

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, and the Department of Buildings will provide insight on how operate a compliant business in the City of Chicago. Topics covered will include how to prepare for inspections, building permits and sign display requirements, food inspection overview and necessary certificates, and zoning review procedures. Learn how to operate safely and avoid common setbacks.

Friday, 1/7 Webinar at 9:30 AM

10 Practical Legal Tips to Start a Small Business Successfully

Presented by Lema Khorshid, Fuksa Khorshid, LLC

Running a small business takes a lot of work. Often, a handful of employees fill a variety of roles, meaning that everyone has to bring serious hard work, dedication, self-motivation, and multitasking skills to the table. Amid all this, it can be easy to forget about the legal aspects of running a business. However, attending to these matters sooner rather than later is likely to save you time, stress, and expense in the long run. Join us in this workshop to learn our top 10 legal tips for small business success.

Dr. Allison Arwady, CDPH Commissioner

January 4, 2022

Noble Schools: Shift to partial-day schedule for the next 4 weeks

In order to maximize safety during this significant surge, we will need to make a number of modifications to our normal school procedures because of the very high rate of COVID cases currently being experienced across Chicago:

With cases currently at record-setting numbers, we do not believe we can safely have students eat lunch in our schools without an unacceptable risk of contracting COVID. For this reason, we will shift to a partial-day schedule, without lunch, starting next week through at least January 28, 2021. This schedule will be similar to what many campuses conduct on Fridays. We plan to have “grab and go” lunches available at the end of the school day. With this schedule, additional homework will be expected–students who need a space to learn will have the opportunity to remain at school until the end of a typical school day, and all staff will stay in the building until that time as well.

Starting next week, everyone in our buildings will be required to wear either a 3-ply surgical mask, N95, KN95, KF94, or similar. Cloth masks will not be permitted unless one is being worn over a surgical mask. To aid in this requirement, Noble has 127,500 3-ply surgical masks arriving at our campuses for next week, but students and staff are encouraged to bring their own. You should also be advised that N95, KN95, and KF94 are rated for use for multiple days and that a simple “knot and tuck” procedure can make a 3-ply surgical mask even more effective.

Because of the very high number of cases in the community, we expect that many of our schools will need to briefly shift to short periods of remote learning–known as adaptive or operational pauses–if we cannot reasonably staff our classrooms due to staff in isolation or quarantine due to COVID. We may also need to shift to adaptive pauses if a high number of students test positive. Prior to the winter break, we shifted a number of our schools to such a pause, and we will continue to make these decisions on a case-by-case basis using data and science as our guide.

If you test positive for COVID, please let us know by filling out this form. Please fill out this form if you had COVID at any point over the break and have not previously reported it. Our contact tracing team will be in touch with you to determine if there are any close contacts and when it will be safe for you to return to school.

Home Buyer Education Webinars

Learn about the home buying process such as the basics of budgeting, improving credit, understanding the closing process and down payment assistance programs.

These are online courses taught by a live instructor via Zoom.

Saturdays January 8 and 15

9AM - 1PM: Eight-hour course delivered in two 4-hour sessions

Wednesdays January 5, 12, 19, and 26

6PM - 8PM: Eight-hour course delivered in four 2-hour sessions

Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

Our 90-minute foreclosure prevention education workshop provides insight into the foreclosure process, loan modification options, mediation, forbearance, housing counselor assistance, and mortgage assistance grant programs:

These are online courses taught by a live instructor via Zoom.

Thursday January 20

6PM - 7:30PM: One 90-minute session

Financial Fresh Start (Financial Capability)

Our two-hour financial education workshop helps you:

These are online courses taught by a live instructor via Zoom.

Tuesday January 11

6PM - 8PM: One 2-hour session

Tuesday January 25

6PM - 8PM: One 2-hour session

Director, Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at ICNC

ABOUT ICNC

ICNC works to strengthen the companies in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor on Chicago's Near West Side. In addition to representing and providing assistance to hundreds of companies in its community, ICNC owns and operates Make City, a small business incubator which houses 100 small business tenants in its 416,000 square foot facility.

ICNC also co-owns The Hatchery, a food and beverage manufacturing incubator in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood which assists food & beverage entrepreneurs grow their businesses. This facility is a one-stop-shop aiming to solve three major challenges in the industry: access to production space, financing, and resources.

Please visit http://www.industrialcouncil.com and http://www.thehatcherychicago.org for information on ICNC's mission and activities.

POSITION ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The IL Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at ICNC is part of a statewide and national SBDC network that provides no-cost business advising and education to all small businesses including start-ups and existing companies.

The Director for the SBDC at ICNC will assume responsibility for all day-to-day operations including, but not limited to, providing business advising, training and educational services, tracking performance, and budget compliance. The position necessitates a close working relationship with community, businesses, economic development and industry leaders to align resources, programming and training for regional prosperity and sustainability. This position reports to the Programs Manager.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

CLIENT ADVISING, TRAINING AND EVENTS/WORKSHOPS

· Advise small business clients and assist in developing strategies, performing financial reviews, plans for improvement and makes recommendations using organizational tools/templates for business plans and marketing strategies

· Assist small businesses in solving problems in all areas that support small business growth and expansion, innovation, increased productivity and management improvement

Identify high-impact client prospects and conceive, initiate, and complete consulting engagements with them

· Manage all NeoSerra (CRM) activity, including but not limited to, creating client profiles, organizing client files, outreach to inactive members, following standard reporting procedures and meeting monthly obligation goals

· Work closely with programming and membership team to develop content for classes, workshops and networking events

· Coordinate and manage industry specific seminars, workshops, classes pitch sessions and networking events

COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND COLLABORATION

· Create necessary and sustainable training that provide small business with skills and knowledge to be successful

· Establish and maintain relationships with community groups, agencies, educational institutions and businesses

· Attend meetings and events that create action plans, resolve issues, share best practices and solicit feedback

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

· Plan, organize, coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Small Business Development Center at ICNC

· Inform the Program Manager on issues regarding SBDC accreditation, program and pertinent updates requirements of state, and federal contraction agencies

· Negotiate agreements and contracts with businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to offer services

· Create tools and processes to ensure contractually required metrics, reports, and timelines are met

· Monitor program activities to ensure goals are aligned and compliant

· Review, improve and develop advanced reporting tools

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in related field (business or economic development, marketing)
Entrepreneurial experience a plus, as is the understanding of small business issues across industries such as business management, finance, human resources and operations

· Comfortable hosting virtual, hybrid or in person workshops, utilizing seminar/meeting software, cameras and other technology

High energy, outgoing, and a passion for ICNC’s mission is essential

· Strong communication, follow-up and customer service skills are mandatory

A proven track record of successfully developing and maintaining business, community and industry partner relationships
Working knowledge of CRM databases, virtual meeting platforms and intermediate Internet research techniques
Willing to travel and use personal vehicle as necessary for work-related activities –mileage expenses are reimbursable
Excellent time management and strong organizational skills;
Able to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and meet established goals and deadlines
Willingness to work flexible, varying hours, including evenings and weekends as needed

WORKING CONDITIONS

ICNC: office environment, but much time to be spent in face-to-face/virtual meetings, involving substantial local travel;

POSITION STRUCTURE & BENEFITS INCENTIVES

This is a full-time position; Monday-Friday, work schedule can vary; with the ability to work remote 40% of work week
Starting annual salary range is $53K-58K; commensurate with experience;
Benefit incentives include: One week paid vacation to start and one week personal/sick time off, participation in group health insurance plan, SIMPLE IRA, short and long term disability and life insurance; training and career development opportunities available
This position is eligible to participate in ICNC’s Great Game of Business growth incentive bonus plan

TO APPLY

Please email letter of interest, current resume, and three professional references to:

ICNC

Director, Small Business Development Center

jobs@industrialcouncil.com

The subject line must include the recruiting code SBDC

ICNC is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for its team, the businesses it supports, and ultimately the communities in which it works.

Advocacy & Economic Development Specialist

Please visit http://www.industrialcouncil.com and http://www.thehatcherychicago.org for information on ICNC's mission and activities.

POSITION ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Advocacy & Economic Development Specialist locates, curates, and disseminates economic development and market information to assist ICNC to understand modern urban industrial firms and Chicago’s West Side. This position reports to the Marketing Communications Manager.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING

· Lead economic development initiatives

· Research, identify, and share relevant policies including Planned Manufacturing Districts, Tax Increment Financing, Industrial Corridors, etc. and track and report on policy changes relevant to organizational priorities

· Develop strategies to comply with policy changes and share with the entrepreneurial community

· Establish and maintain strong relationships with policy makers and stakeholders

· Work closely with incubation graduates and members to navigate licensing and permitting, incentive programs and applications, and general interactions with city departments

· Conduct research and analysis to identify new market opportunities

· Communicate market analysis reports to organization for maximum campaign success rates

· Identify opportunities for neighborhood development

· Explore other organizations and influencers to partner with and develop communications

· Work closely with programming team to develop training around new policy implementation

· Support organization-wide events

· Oversee city industrial retention contract and executes its objectives, including marketing TIF programs and other support services to local businesses

· Complete and report on contract requirements each fiscal year

· Maintain record of local industrial real estate listings and market them to relocating or expanding businesses

· Identify opportunities for incubator development, including expansion, improvements, and funding

· Participates in the West Side Outreach Team, creating and implementing outreach strategies

· Maintains calendar of outreach activities, including community events, workshops, appearances, and other communication opportunities

ADVOCACY

· Guide ICNC policy positions to best organize them around constituency and advocate for public policy that advances them

· Regularly review policies and procedures of ICNC brands to best advocate for the community

· Monitor development and policy issues that impact the neighborhood

· Assess zoning changes, neighborhood plans, transit initiatives, and other proposals

· Develop a response plan for the organization

· Conduct regular interviews and surveys to collect data and enhance advocacy efforts

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in related field (urban planning, economic or business development);
Experience in such areas as community organizing, manufacturing, public policy and land use;
Comfortable interacting with city government and public speaking;
High energy, outgoing, and a passion for ICNC’s mission is essential;
Strong communication, research, and marketing skills mandatory;
Active listener who can relate well with all types of people, builds rapport, constructive and effective relationships;
Able to maintain strong, positive, collaborative working relationships;
Willing to travel and use personal vehicle as necessary for work-related activities –mileage expenses are reimbursable;
Excellent time management and strong organizational skills;
Able to work in a fast-paced environment to meet established goals and deadlines;
Skilled coordinating a variety of projects simultaneously;
Willingness to work flexible, varying hours, including evenings and weekends as needed;
Experience with public data outlets (US Census, Legistar, Chicago Data Portal, etc), design software, and mapping software (GIS, Google Earth) a plus

WORKING CONDITIONS

· ICNC: office environment, but much time to be spent in face-to-face/virtual meetings, involving substantial local travel;

POSITION STRUCTURE & BENEFITS INCENTIVES

This is a full-time position; Monday-Friday, work schedule can vary; with the ability to work remote 40% of work week
Starting annual salary range is $51K-60K; commensurate with experience;
Benefit incentives include: One week paid vacation to start and one week personal/sick time off, participation in group health insurance plan, SIMPLE IRA, short and long term disability and life insurance; training and career development opportunities available
This position is eligible to participate in ICNC’s Great Game of Business growth incentive bonus plan

TO APPLY

Please email letter of interest, current resume, and three professional references to:

ICNC

Advocacy and Economic Development Specialist

jobs@industrialcouncil.com

The subject line must include the recruiting code AED

ICNC is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for its team, the businesses it supports, and ultimately the communities in which it works.