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This November, we are celebrating one Cook County small business that prioritizes giving back to the community while growing their business. Plus, learn about available resources to support your business offered through Cook County, upcoming events, and more.

Small Business Spotlight

Pizza Pete: How a Cook County Family-Owned Pizzeria Gives Back to the Community

For the Skopick family, taking over the Orland Park restaurant Pizza Pete in 2020 was more than just a decision to keep the 56-year-old local business in operation. It was an opportunity to give their children, including their daughter Danielle Skopick who has cerebral palsy, a career path to grow and flourish in. 

Danielle, who took over Pizza Pete’s second location in Frankfort in 2021, looks for ways that her family’s business can give back to the community that supports them. Starting an initiative called Pizza with a Purpose, the family contributes 20% of sales every other Tuesday to a local charity.

When Southland Development Authority (SDA), one of The Source’s 11 Business Support Organization (BSO) partners, sent an outreach email to co-owner John Skopick, he responded right away in search of ways to increase exposure for his business and share their inspirational story. SDA business relationship advisor Jaimie Makuch, excited by the Pizza Pete story, pitched it to The Chicago Tribune, which promptly featured the family and their business on the front page of the Daily Southtown feature days later. Soon after, WGN 9 News and WGN Radio featured the business, as well as a local podcast, the South Side Pod.

Ready to spread the word about your small business? The Small Business Source is here to help! Visit our Marketing resources to take the first step today. 

The 2023 Source Grant Application Review Update

Did you apply for The 2023 Source Grant? Since the end of the grant period on August 25, the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), which serves as our Grant Administrator, has been reviewing all grant applications to determine eligibility and confirm that all submitted documentation is accurate.



In some circumstances, we have found errors on the IRS W-9 Form submitted. If this applies to your application, a Grant Review Specialist will contact you this week to request an update or correction. This additional step allows for us to award grants to the maximum number of applicants and extends the review period by one week. We will provide updates to all applicants by December 8, one week later than originally planned. Please note, should you need to correct your W-9, a communication will come directly from cookcountysmallbiz@wbdc.org. Please check your inboxes and thank you for your patience. 

Visit The 2023 Source Grant webpage to stay up to date on further status updates.

Upcoming Events

Funding Opportunities



LeadCare Cook County

LeadCare Cook County supports a safe and healthy learning environment for children by offering free lead service line replacement to licensed child care providers in Cook County. When you enroll in LeadCare Cook County, you pay nothing to have your home inspected for lead pipe lines, and if found, for a licensed plumber to replace your line. Our services also help you comply with lead testing and mitigation requirements set by the Department of Children and Family Services. Learn more here.

KIVA Capital Opportunities

Kiva is a non-profit that expands access to capital for entrepreneurs around the world, with more than 2.5 million people having raised over $1 billion on Kiva. Kiva provides loans of up to $15,000 at 0% interest. Additionally, you have the opportunity to market your product to Kiva's community of 1.6 million supportive lenders. Learn more here.