A Message from the BACP Commissioner |
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Dear Chicagoan,
As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to thank Chicago’s businesses, consumers, and workers for making the choice to support and grow our local economy.
With small businesses in need of continued support, I encourage Chicagoans to shop and dine at neighborhood favorites. The unofficial kick-off to the holiday shopping season is Saturday, November 26, 2022 – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. When shopping and dining at neighborhood favorites, you’re investing in your community and the neighborhood economies that are the livelihood of so many working families and business owners across Chicago.
Starting November 15 and going into the New Year, the Small Business Storefront Activation Program grantees will support small businesses by activating vacant storefronts across the city. The activations allow Chicago’s small business owners and landlords to work with artists to reimagine vacant storefronts and create inviting spaces. There will be both interior activations (pop-up stores, neighborhood markets, free community programming) and window activations (artistic signage, light displays, etc.). This program unites and positively shapes economic growth and vitality in our commercial corridors. A listing of participating organizations and storefront locations will be available at Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan.
The holiday season also brings with it the potential for consumers to be targeted by scams. BACP hosted a webinar about common schemes and how to protect yourself from being victimized this holiday season. You can view the webinar by visiting YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP. Additionally, in this newsletter, you will find helpful consumer protection tips and resources to ensure you are informed and protected.
Before we know it, we’ll be ringing in the new year. As we look forward, I wish you health, happiness, and prosperity.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Meyer
BACP Commissioner
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Holiday Season is Upon Us |
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Shop, Eat, and Live Local
As the Holiday season approaches, BACP wants to remind all Chicagoans to spend wisely and support Chicago’s small businesses. When consumers make purchases from independent, locally owned businesses, a significantly greater portion of money is then cycled back through the local economy. Saturday, November 27th, between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is a day to shop local to support independent businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Plus, you never know what unique items you might find when you shop local!
The City of Chicago is partnering with business service organizations to support holiday campaigns. We encourage business owners and entrepreneurs to reach out to their Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDCs), such as Chambers of Commerce, to become involved with local campaigns and learn ways to make the most of the gift-buying season. Small businesses are the economic engines of Chicago, and we want businesses to have access to resources. Find your NBDC by visiting Chicago.gov/NBDC.
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Holiday Shopping Tips
The comprehensive Be Informed. Be Protected. campaign aims to provide consumers with simplified tips and resources across a wide array of topics. They are geared towards protecting consumers from fraud and informing them of the actions they can take if they have become a victim of fraud.
Here are some helpful consumer protection tips to make your holiday shopping experience a jolly one:
- Keep Your Receipts – Receipts are the key to hassle-free returns and cash refunds. Without a receipt, a retailer may reject the return or may only provide a merchandise credit.
- Check on Restocking Fees – After purchasing big ticket items, do not open or use the item right away. This can prevent any restocking fees if you decide not to keep the item.
- Check Store Policies Before Purchasing - Retailers set their own return and exchange policies, they are under no legal obligation to offer refunds. Stores in Chicago are required to post return and exchange policies in plain view, and to provide consumers with a written receipt.
- Gift Cards – Gift cards purchased in Illinois can have an expiration date that must be good for at least five years after the date of issuance. If the gift card does expire, the date must be on the card. Issuers of gift cards are not allowed to reduce the value of the card or charge the card value after time.
- Check Your Credit Card Statement – Always check your credit card statement thoroughly. If something looks suspicious or unfamiliar, contact your credit card company first.
- Make sure the location you receive packages is secure.
Additionally, the City of Chicago wants everyone to please be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. The Chicago Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) encourages residents and visitors to report any suspicious objects, persons or any unusual activity by calling 9-1-1 immediately or to notify security personnel on site.
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Small Business Storefront Activations Renew Vibrancy in Commercial Corridors
Through the Small Business Storefront Activation Program, the City has provided grant funding to seventeen local community development organizations and chambers of commerce to support small businesses by activating vacant storefronts across the city.
These organizations are working closely with small business owners, artists, and landlords to provide rapid relief to small businesses by designing and implementing vacant storefront activations on commercial corridors – all just in time for the Holidays. There will be both interior activations (pop-up stores, neighborhood markets, free community programming) and window activations (artistic signage, light displays, etc.).
Participating locations of the Small Business Storefront Activation Program will be open by November 15th. Once available, a full listing of participating locations will be available for review by visiting Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan.
The Small Business Storefront Activation Program is part of the Chicago Recovery Plan, the City’s plan to amplify once-in-a-generation federal funding to create an equity-based investment strategy to catalyze a sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chicago Recovery Plan invests holistically in communities and industries hardest hit by the pandemic to support equitable economic recovery across the city.
To learn more about BACP’s Recovery Plan efforts, please visit Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan.
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Upcoming Empower Hour Webinars |
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Thursday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m.:
Empower Hour: Plant Salon
Join this month’s Empower Hour as BACP Commissioner Ken Meyer chats with Nika Vaughan, Founder of Plant Salon in West Town and Bucktown. The boutiques offers a wide ride of beauty products and plants for self-care rituals or thoughtful gifts as the holiday season approaches.
The candid conversation will cover the concept creation of the unique store, store expansion topics, product selection, and the ultimate gift giving guide. The Q&A will end with the opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
Save the date!
December's Empower Hour will be on Thursday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m.
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RFP: Neighborhood Business Development Centers |
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The City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will provide funding to nonprofit (i.e., 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6)) business service organizations (BSOs) to deliver no-cost business development assistance to start-up entrepreneurs and business owners in Chicago, and/or professional/program development for their fellow BSOs, through its Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) program. Participants of the NBDC program, also known as NBDC “grantees”, will deliver highly specialized business programs/services that help entrepreneurs start, and business owners grow or sustain their small businesses, as well as assist their NBDC Program peers to build their respective capacities.
Pre-Submittal Conference
A virtual pre-submittal conference will be held on the following dates:
RFP Due Date/Submission Location
- November 30, 2022; 12:00 PM, NOON CST
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Proposals must be submitted via online application in the eProcurement/iSupplier system. Emailed or faxed proposals will not be accepted.
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Additional 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 to apply, please visit Chicago.gov/SBIF.
American Rescue Plan Act Funding - City, County, and State Grant Opportunities
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a national pandemic recovery initiative designed to support local governments in addressing ongoing public health and economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This unprecedented level of funding will be transformative for cities and municipalities throughout the country.
Information about all active City of Chicago, Cook County, and State of Illinois American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Request for Proposals (RFPs) and grant opportunities can be found by visiting GreaterChicagoTogether.org. Information on City of Chicago programs can be found by visiting Chicago.gov/RecoveryPlan.
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Taxicab Driver Excellence Awards |
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The 2022 Taxicab Excellence Award Ceremony was held on November 2, 2022, recognizing 10 outstanding taxicab drivers for displaying exemplary service to people with disabilities in Chicago. BACP Commissioner Meyer and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Commissioner Arfa presented the awards. Wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) taxicab drivers provide a critical service for people with disabilities by increasing accessible transportation options throughout Chicago.
The Taxicab Driver Excellence Award recipients were each awarded a free medallion. For the recipients, a free taxicab medallion license symbolizes independence and freedom from lease payments, allowing taxicabs chauffeurs to transition from lease cab driver to small business owner.
During the past decade, Chicago has more than quintupled the number of WAV taxicabs and currently more than 500 taxicabs are designated as wheelchair accessible. Chicago remains one of the few cities in the country where wheelchair passengers can request a WAV cab or WAV ride-hail.
Chicago residents and visitors can request a WAV taxicab ride by calling 1-888-WAV-CABS (1-888-928-2227) or by downloading the CURB app. Passengers will also be able to make in-app electronic payments for their rides via the CURB app. For more information, including steps on how to download the CURB app, visit GoCurb.com.
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BACP ensures Chicago’s public vehicles are safe, reliable, and provide residents and visitors a positive transportation experience. The Ride Smart Chicago campaign provides safety and consumer awareness information for passengers of taxicabs, ride-hail, and other public passenger vehicles. Compliments or complaints may be reported to the CHI 311 system (call 3-1-1, use the CHI311 mobile app, or visit 311.chicago.gov).
Visit Ride Smart Chicago for more tips, including how to spot licensed versus unlicensed taxicabs.
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Home and Business Protection Program |
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If you own or operate a business located in Chicago, you can take advantage of the City's Home and Business Protection Program (HBPP) and receive reimbursement up to certain limits for the costs of private security devices such as outdoor cameras and lights. To date, the City has distributed over $1 million in reimbursement to help Chicago residents and organizations obtain tools needed to protect their property and feel safe.
You can apply by providing proof of Chicago address, proof of purchase of devices on or after 6/6/2022, and photos of installed devices. The program is first-come, first-serve. It will run through December 31, 2024 or until funds are depleted, whichever comes first.
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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, November 9 at 3:00 p.m. :
- KPIs for Managing a Small Business & Strategic Plan Prep presented by Score Chicago
Friday, November 11:
- No webinar due to holiday
Wednesday, November 16 at 3:00 p.m.:
- How to open a Concession at O'Hare and Midway International Airports presented by the Department of Aviation and Concessions Department and Unison Retail Management.
Friday, November 18 at 9:30 am.:
- Increasing Sales Through an Enhanced Customer Experience presented by Shelby Parchman, InUrban Strategies, LLC.
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BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program
The BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program is a free and optional program available to attendees of the BACP business education workshop and webinar series. Once you successfully complete the program, you 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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Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDCs)
NBDCs provide free hyper-local support to entrepreneurs and business owners through 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 to 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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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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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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Flu Shot
The flu vaccine has saved millions of lives. It is safe, effective, and available at no cost citywide at many doctor’s offices, pharmacies, community health centers, and flu clinics. For more information, visit Chicago.gov/Flu.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available across Chicago. Individuals can find a vaccine by calling 312-746-4835 or visiting Chicago.gov/COVIDVax.
If you're looking for a testing site in Chicago, visit Chicago.gov/COVIDTest for options or call the COVID helpline at (312) 746-4835.
BACP does not license or regulate COVID-19 testing operations. Also, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) does not oversee or regulate testing operators. Healthcare providers and laboratories are regulated by state entities.
See below for resources regarding state regulation:
MPV (Monkeypox)
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The City of Chicago is hiring!
Find purpose in the public sector. Positions include:
- Entry Level
- Management
- Senior Leadership
The Chicago Department of Human Resources serves the City of Chicago by driving best human resources practices, acting as stewards of change, and establishing and maintaining fair, equitable and transparent employment practices free of political influence.
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BACP offices will be closed on the following date due to City Holiday:
- Friday, November 11, 2022 (in observance of Veterans Day)
- Thursday, November 24, 2022 (in observance of Thanksgiving Day)
- Monday, December 26, 2022 (in observance of Christmas Day)
- Tuesday, January 2, 2022 (in observance of New Years Day)
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We look forward to 2023 programs and services to continue making Chicago a fair and vibrant marketplace for businesses, workers and consumers in the City of Chicago. |
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City of Chicago | Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection
| 312-744-2086 |
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