A Message from the BACP Commissioner |
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Dear Chicagoan,
Chicago has welcomed Brandon Johnson as its 57th Mayor. It is always exciting to welcome a new leader who brings fresh ideas and perspective as we work towards a shared vision for our city. By embracing new ideas and possibilities, we can create a thriving and inclusive city that supports the well-being and success of all its residents. Additionally, I congratulate the new Chicago City Council on another term and welcome the 13 newly elected Alderpersons to the Chicago City Council.
Chicago’s business community is the backbone of our local economy and plays a vital role in our city's success. Together, we can build a stronger and more prosperous city that benefits everyone. By staying informed about upcoming events and initiatives, you can play an active role in creating a better, safer, and stronger Chicago.
BACP Big Three:
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Support Small Business: The Chicago Food Truck Festival kicks-off this Friday, May 19 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The weekly event occurs every Friday from May 19-October 6 and supports small businesses, our food truck industry, while creating a lively and welcoming event for residents, workers, and visitors in the Loop. Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/FoodTruckFest.
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Encourage Youth Opportunities: Investing in our youth is essential for the long-term success of our city. I encourage businesses and community-based organizations to offer employment and internship opportunities. This is an opportunity for the youth to learn new skills and find a passion to help shape their future. Learn about the One Summer Chicago program.
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Learn New Strategies: BACP offers free business education webinars to support businesses on all steps of the entrepreneurial journey. Every Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning webinars are hosted on topics such as business licensing, operations, financial resources, marketing, and more. Register for webinars by visiting Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation. In addition, BACP’s Nonprofit Capacity Building Program offers webinars, in-depth training and one-on-one coaching on specific topics for nonprofits seeking to apply for recovery funding to grow their organizations. Find upcoming Nonprofit Capacity Building Program assistance by visiting Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan.
I am here to listen, support, and advocate for the needs of Chicago businesses, consumers, and workers. One of my top priorities is to ensure that our city is a thriving and prosperous place for everyone. This includes advocating for policies and initiatives that promote economic growth, protect our workforce, and ensure fair and equitable access to resources and opportunities. For example, in the upcoming weeks, BACP will be sharing information on the Chicago minimum wage increase effective July 1, 2023.
I look forward to working closely with you all to ensure a bright and prosperous future for our city.
Ken Meyer
Commissioner
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Food Truck Fest is back for 2023! |
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BACP is pleased to announce the return of the Chicago Food Truck Festival at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street. The popular weekly event features food trucks from around the city every Friday beginning May 19 through October 6, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
The fest features a rotating selection of food trucks from around the city and is a great opportunity to support small businesses. The fest is designed to provide support for Chicago's food truck industry while bringing new and diverse lunch options to Chicago's Loop.
The Chicago Food Truck Fest line-up will be announced each week on BACP social media platforms using the hashtag #ChiFoodTruckFest. Follow ChicagoBACP on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Mobile food truck and mobile merchant operators that are interested in participating in this year’s fest must submit a completed application. Application and additional information can be found by visiting Chicago.gov/FoodTruckFest.
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WAV Taxicab Awards Nomination |
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The deadline to nominate a taxicab driver for the Taxicab Driver Excellence Award is Wednesday, May 31, 2023! Use the nomination form to nominate a taxicab driver who serves our community of people with disabilities, drives a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) taxicab and provides exemplary customer service to passengers. Winners will receive a free Chicago taxicab medallion.
Wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) taxicab drivers provide a critical service for people with disabilities by increasing accessible transportation options throughout Chicago.
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BACP Request for Proposal |
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This program will provide targeted support to small businesses who want to become city contractors, as well as those which are generally subcontractors and want to become the main contractors on City funded projects. Grantees will work closely with the BACP EDGE team to execute capacity building programs and provide community-based outreach. More information at Chicago.gov/EDGE.
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Nonprofit Capacity Building Program – Ongoing Initiatives |
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The City of Chicago’s next Nonprofit Readiness Summit is taking place on Thursday, June 15th from 9AM - 12PM. This half-day virtual session will support community-based organizations and service providers in becoming more aware of and better positioned to apply for and manage Chicago Recovery Plan opportunities.
Topics will include:
- Overview of Nonprofit Capacity Building Program Basics of Applying for a City Grant
- Request for Proposal (RFP) Best Practices Common Mistakes Panel of Successfully Funded Nonprofits and more.
Register for the summit at above, visit
The Nonprofit Capacity Building Program aims to support nonprofits disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through the provision of technical assistance and capacity building services to help stabilize and scale their operations. The Nonprofit Capacity Building Program includes four types of programs: Readiness Summits, Monthly Webinars, Weekly Small-Group Workshops, and One-on-One Application Assistance.
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Upcoming Empower Hour Webinars |
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Thursday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m.
Empower Hour: Mandala South Asian Performing Arts
In honor and recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, this month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Commissioner Ken Meyer chatting with Pranita Nayar, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Mandala South Asian Performing Arts.
Mandala Arts is a MacArthur Award-winning organization offering evocative dance, theatre, and musical arts of South Asia. Mandala connects audiences and students with the vibrancy of the performing arts traditions of South Asia. The candid conversation will cover the start of the organization, marketing practices, community involvement and building, and utilizing business resources. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
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Thursday, June 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Empower Hour: Taylor’s Tacos
In honor and recognition of LGBTQ+ Month, this month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Commissioner Ken Meyer chatting with Taylor and Maya Mason, Co-Owners of Taylor’s Tacos.
Taylor and Maya met in 2016, two years after the first Taylor's taco was made. Maya brought on the creative direction and unique flavor profiles and Taylor took on the business execution and branding. Together, they officially launched Taylor's Tacos Chicago in 2018. They began with working out of a private commercial kitchen, and now proudly call the UIC/Medical district home to their first brick-and-mortar location.
The candid conversation will cover the start of the business, marketing practices, community involvement and building, and utilizing business resources. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
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A walk-up service window is a window on the exterior wall of a building that is accessible to pedestrians and allows for the dispensing of retail goods to pedestrian customers. A business located on the ground floor may operate a walk-up service window within certain zoning districts.
Requirements for walk-up windows that are directly accessible from the public way:
- Operating hours of 7:00 a.m. to midnight
- No sale of alcohol through the window, except for Navy Pier liquor licenses; Lakefront Venue liquor licenses; Riverwalk Venue liquor licenses; and establishments with a sidewalk café permit for a sidewalk café adjacent to the walk-up window, during the operating hours of the sidewalk café
- No sale of cigarettes or other tobacco products
Zoning Requirements:
- Per the Chicago Zoning Ordinance, in B1, B2, B3, and C1 Districts, walk-up service windows are only allowed at eating and drinking establishments.
- Eating and drinking establishments with a walk-up service window must provide sufficient queuing area.
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Looking For Summer Help?
Sign-up with One Summer Chicago
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NASCAR Chicago Street Race |
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The NASCAR Chicago Street Race will take place July 1–2, 2023. The City of Chicago and NASCAR traffic plan provides an outline for street closures, parking restrictions, and pedestrian routes in and around Grant Park. As Chicago hosts the first-ever cup series street race in NASCAR’s 75-year history, residents and visitors are encouraged to be mindful of the traffic impacts, as well as safety measures in place.
As the course and viewing structures are assembled and disassembled, Chicago residents and visitors can expect to see street closures, parking restrictions, reroutes, and traffic impacts. All businesses and residences will remain accessible throughout the race weekend.
Please feel free to use NASCAR Chicago Street Race graphics to help spread the message around public safety and the event. The Pole Markers in Grant Park can be referenced in an emergency when calling 9-1-1 for first responders to pinpoint the location. They can also be used by race goers as meeting points.
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Recap: National Small Business Week |
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BACP celebrated the 60th Anniversary of National Small Business Week (NSBW), which took place April 30-May 5, 2023. NSBW is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the vital contributions of small businesses in our communities and city.
To assist small businesses, BACP hosted business education webinars for current and future business owners to start, grow, and sustain their business. View the webinars by visiting Youtube.com/ChicagoBACP.
Keep the momentum going by celebrating and supporting small businesses and all they do for our communities!
The Shop Local Chicago campaign reinforces the importance of small businesses to our workforce and economy and drives consumers to make the conscious decision to shop local.
Why Shop Local Chicago?
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Shopping Experience: Local businesses provide personal attention and are passionate about their products
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Workforce: Local businesses are the largest employers nationally and tend to hire employees from the community
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Unique Products: Local businesses carry inventory you might not find at national chain stores and tend to work with other local artisans and craftsmen
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Local Economy: Local businesses cycle money back into your community through taxes and investments
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Engagement: Local businesses support local charities and nonprofits through events and fundraising
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BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program |
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The BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program is a free and optional program available to attendees of the free BACP business education webinar series. The program is designed to give entrepreneurs the essential information they need to start and grow a business in Chicago. The program’s curriculum covers essentials in business planning, financing, marketing, legal topics, technology, and more. Upon completion of the program, participants will be eligible to apply for an entrepreneurial loan with our partner bank, CIBC.
The CIBC Entrepreneur Loan Program was created to support small businesses with important working capital. For program details (enrollment, requirements, contact information, etc.) and to enroll visit Entrepreneur Certificate Program.
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City of Chicago MWDBE Certification |
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Also, DPS offers weekly workshops on more than 30 topics, including Procurement 101, Certification, and Bid Incentives & Programs. The workshops are a key transparency initiative and a helpful tool for small business owners who want to position their firm for access to City contracting opportunities. View the workshop calendar and register by visiting Chicago.gov/DPS. If you’d like more information about the services DPS offers, email [email protected]. |
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Grant Funding Opportunities |
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Apply for the Small Business Improvement Fund
SBIF is offered to tenants and owners of industrial and commercial properties. Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30 percent to 90 percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf, does not have to be repaid. To learn about eligibility and how to apply, please visit Chicago.gov/SBIF.
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Business Education Webinars
BACP continues to offer free business education webinars. The webinars feature a variety of topics aimed at helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their business and are open to the public. Previous webinars are available for viewing by visiting YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP.
Upcoming business education webinars:
- Wednesday, May 17 at 3:00 p.m.:
- Entity Selection and Formation presented by the Donald Pritzker Entrepreneurship Law Center, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- Friday, May 19 at 9:30 a.m. (webinar in Spanish):
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El Poder Del Capital presentado por Alejandra Fajardo, Vicepresidenta y asesora de negocios del Programa de Empresarios de Minorías de Chase for Business.
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Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDCs)
NBDCs provide free hyper-local support to entrepreneurs and business owners through a strong neighborhood network to help connect businesses to financial resources, business-to-business networking opportunities, employment and workforce development assistance, and more. Find your local NBDC by visiting Chicago.gov/NBDC.
Chicago Business Centers (CBCs)
CBCs are eight Chicago-based business service organizations located in neighborhoods that serve as regional hubs providing free business licensing assistance and other resources for small businesses. The eight centers fill the current gap of local business resources, particularly for entrepreneurs in historically underserved locations and populations. To learn more, visit Chicago.gov/CBC.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. To learn more, visit SBA.gov.
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Chicago Resident Financial Relief Programs |
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Clear Path Relief (CPR) Pilot program and Fix-It Defense
- Pay off the original fine amount for tickets issued in the last 3 years and all eligible older debt will be waived.
- 50% reduction of new tickets issued within 365 days from down payment of debt relief payment plan.
- New unpaid tickets will not be assessed penalties until after December 31, 2023.
To qualify, an applicant must reside in a household currently enrolled in the Utility Billing Relief program or have a household income of less than, or equal to, 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. CPR applications will be accepted through December 31, 2023. To learn more, please visit Chicago.gov/CPR.
Utility Billing Relief (UBR)
The UBR provides low-income City of Chicago residents with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer taxes. It also provides debt relief for those who are able to manage the reduced rate bills for one year. Benefits for UBR participants include:
- A reduced rate on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax.
- No late payment penalties or debt collection activity including water shut-off.
- Debt forgiveness after successfully completing one year with no past due balance.
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The federal Public Health Emergency declaration ended on May 11, 2023. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will continue to closely monitor and publicly share local COVID-19 data, including local variant and wastewater data. COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments will continue to be widely available in Chicago. But Chicagoans should be aware of coming changes including that COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines will no longer automatically be at no cost for everyone.
The following are some of the changes that Chicagoans can expect as a result of the public health emergency ending:
- Vaccines will still be widely available for all Chicagoans ages 6 months and up, including at doctors’ offices, hospitals, pharmacies, community health centers, City-operated clinics and the Mobile CareVan. For as long as these federally purchased vaccines remain available, COVID-19 vaccines will remain free for all Chicagoans, regardless of insurance coverage.
- Both at-home rapid antigen tests and lab-based PCR tests will continue to be available in Chicago, although they may no longer be at no cost for everyone.
- Therapeutics to treat and limit the severity of COVID-19, including Paxlovid, Molnupiravir, and Remdesivir (Veklury), will continue to be available after May 11 from physicians, hospitals and pharmacies.
- Medicare and Medicaid will continue to cover these treatments through at least September 2024 (Medicaid) and December 2024 (Medicare).
- For those with private health insurance, coverage and out of pocket costs will vary based on their insurance provider and plan. Individuals should contact their insurance provider for more details.
- Individuals and families that receive health insurance through Medicaid will need to be re-authorized for coverage. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will be contacting Medicaid enrollees regarding eligibility redetermination. Information will be mailed to different households at different times, starting in May and continuing for the next 14 months, and it is important that residents make sure their addresses are up to date with HFS.
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BACP Operations and Opportunities |
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BACP offices will be closed on the following dates due to City Holiday:
- Monday, May 29, 2023 (in observance of Memorial Day)
- Monday, June 19, 2023 (in observance of Juneteenth Day)
Don't miss applying for BACP job opportunities! Find purpose in the public sector. Positions include:
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City of Chicago | Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
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