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This February, we’re celebrating the vibrant, diverse, and resilient restaurant and food small business community of Cook County. Whether you're seeking resources to stay informed about immigration policies and workplace compliance, or looking for valuable networking and learning opportunities, The Source is here to support and empower you every step of the way.

Source Spotlight, Revisited: Focus on Food

In 2024, we connected with dynamic small business owners throughout Cook County to establish our Source Spotlight features. Now, in 2025, we are checking in with a restaurateur interviewed in 2024 to understand how business advising has supported her in opening a second business–and continued to help her with her first restaurant.

Latrice Wright – Pink Panini

When we first met Latrice in 2024, she was in the midst of building her second restaurant concept next to her first venture, Pink Panini, in Hazel Crest, IL. Now, a year later, Latrice’s new restaurant is open for business, and she’s continued to receive business advising support from the Southland Development Authority (SDA) to refine her concept and business operations. With the help of her business advisor, Antoine Scott, Latrice conducted a market analysis to further refine the concept behind her second restaurant, the Jamaican-influenced Jerk & Cocktails. Latrice is also working with trusted consultants the SDA has connected her with to help support her vision for 2025, which includes utilizing the latest in technology to enhance both of her restaurants with streamlined catering operations, social media marketing, search engine optimization, and robust profit and loss reporting.



No matter how your business dreams evolve, The Source is here to help elevate your vision. Our dedicated advisors are ready to provide guidance tailored to your journey.

February Webinar Wednesday:

Business Owners - Know Your Rights

Join us for an empowering session this February! We're proud to partner with the Illinois Restaurant Association - a Source Business Support Organization - and the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) to bring you February’s “Business Owners - Know Your Rights” Webinar Wednesday, a must-attend event packed with information to understand your rights as a business owner in today’s immigration regulatory landscape.

Get the latest information you need to know to: 

• Safeguard your business
• Support your employees
• Ensure compliance with labor regulations
• Stay prepared and protected during these evolving times

Don’t miss out on this webinar—reserve your spot today and take proactive steps to confidently inform your workforce!

Cook County Government is committed to serving all residents and workers, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. To view Cook County Government resources for immigrants, information from the Illinois Attorney General, and local organizations that serve immigrants and refugees, click here.

February 26, 2025

10 AM - 11 AM 

Can’t attend Webinar Wednesday? No worries! 

The webinar recording will be available on our YouTube channel, and ABIC has produced essential resource guides outlining the three primary enforcement methods, as well as actionable steps you can take to ensure you and your team are fully prepared.

Are you ready for Restaurant Week?

Restaurant Week is being celebrated throughout Cook County—don’t miss your chance to participate and reap the rewards, even if you’re not a restaurant owner! While Chicago already held its Restaurant Week, promotions are still planned throughout the suburbs this month and into March. Connect with your local convention and visitors bureau (CVB) today to learn how your business can get involved. (And don’t forget to grab a bite to eat and support your fellow small business owners!)

Meet Chicago Northwest – Chicago Northwest Restaurant Week: February 28 - March 9

Visit Chicago Southland - Chicago Southland Restaurant Month: All February long

Chicago’s North Shore - North Shore Restaurant Month: Coming in March; check back for exact dates soon!

Rosemont Restaurant Week: March 2 - 8

Interested in learning how your local CVB can help you get involved in events such as Restaurant Week? Watch a past Webinar Wednesday, “Tapping into Tourism: How Small Businesses Can Benefit from CVBs,” or visit Cook County Tourism Alive to learn how to work with Cook County CVBs today!

Upcoming events

Funding opportunities

McKinsey Fast Grants 2025

Through the Fast Grants initiative, McKinsey & Company’s Chicago office helps local organizations with underrepresented founders tackle their toughest challenges and achieve sustainable, inclusive growth at scale. McKinsey is partnering with Source BSO Allies for Community Business (A4CB) to provide four $10,000 grants to organizations whose founders show significant promise for impact. Grantees will also have access to McKinsey support to help refine and scale their organizations over a six-month period. Apply by February 28, 2025, at 11:59PM here.

Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2)

The State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is offering grant funding to support energy-efficient upgrades in grocery stores. This program provides reimbursement for the purchase and installation of new energy-efficient equipment, helping existing independently-owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, and not-for-profit grocery stores reduce costs and improve sustainability. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 15, 2025. Learn more here.