City, State & Federal Resources for Businesses
CITY OF CHICAGO - Resources for Businesses
Apply or Renew Your Business License Online - The City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) provides a fast and easy online application to streamline your renewal and application process. Click here to begin your application or renewal process. Call BACP at (312) 744-4006.
Finances, Loans - The Office of the City Treasurer manages the Small Business Loan Program and keeps a list of the participating banks (including Chamber member Albany Bank & Trust Co, N.A. member FDIC). The Treasurer's Office hosts a yearly Small Business Expo, a business plan writing competition, and a mentorship program connecting you to Chicago business leaders from sectors as diverse as banking, technology, manufacturing and the environment. Call the Treasurer's Office at (312) 744-3356.
Free Business Education Workshops - Business Licensing and Affairs hosts dozens of free business education workshops every month covering a variety of topics, including: marketing, website creation, financial resource connection, writing a business plan, certification with the City of Chicago and MBE/WBE, and more. Monthly calendars are available here. Call BACP at (312) 744-4006.
D/M/WBE Certification - Learn how to become a certified Disadvantaged/Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise with the City of Chicago through the Department of Procurement Services. Call them at (312) 744-4900.
License and Permit Information - BACP licenses businesses and public vehicles, provides an online businses license look-up database, runs public way use programs, and more. To secure a permit (repair/replace, demolition, new construction, etc.) contact the Department of Buildings. Use their online "Easy Permit Process" to access the list of permits with streamlined applications, including sign, canopy, repair/replace. Call Department of Business at (312) 743-3600.
Restaurant Resource Center - Do you own a restaurant? Are you thinking about opening one? Visit BACP's Restaurant Resource Center to apply or renew your license, read info about liquor licenses, review sanitation and safety requirements and checklists, view results of health inspections, connect to the Illinois Restaurant Association and more! Call BACP at (312) 744-4006.
Social Media Management - Kevin Hauswirth, the first ever Social Media Director for Office of Mayor, City of Chicago, presented information to small businesses at a Chamber hosted luncheon event about how to use social media to fully communicate a business's brand, how to listen and respond to customers online, and what a business can do for free today to instantly update it's social media strategy. Email us your interest and we would be happy to share more detailed information with you.
Starting Your Own Business - BACP's Business Resource Center connects you to licensing information, a business resource list and a downloadable Guide to Starting a Business. Call BACP at (312) 744-4006.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) - Is your business located in a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District? What uses are allowed on your property? What is TIF Works and how can my business utilize it? The City's Department of Housing and Economic Development's website provides answers to these questions and more. Contact a DHED liaison for more information at (312) 744-4190.
Zoning - What is the zoning of your building? Do you need a special use permit? The City's Department of Housing and Economic Development's website has an interactive zoning map of the City of Chicago that answers all these questions and more. Contact a zoning liaison to ask specific zoning questions at (312) 744-4190.
For more information on City departments and services, contact 3-1-1, your local Alderman or visit www.cityofchicago.org
City Storefront Renovation Grant Programs
The Albany Park Chamber of Commerce works with the Lawrence Avenue Development Corporation (LADCOR), North River Commission's development affiliate, to promote storefront improvement programs and renovation grants to physically improve and beautify our commerical district. Since LADCOR's creation in 1976, we have teamed up to renovate more than 350 local storefronts, leverage the investment of more than $350 million and create/ retain nearly 4,000 jobs. Today, we continue this legacy by promoting two renovation grants, the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF), of which we have completed more than 30 renovations leveraging nearly $10 million since SBIF opened in 2001, and the City of Chicago's Facade Rebate Program, originally brought to Chicago in the 1980s and funded through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and now funded through the City of Chicago.
Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) - Receive a grant of up to $100,000 or up to 75% of your storefront renovation project costs (including all construction fees, permits, architectural drawings, etc.) The SBIF grant is funded through the local Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIF), and available to eligible* commercial tenants, owner/landlords and property owners for eligible* interior and exterior storefront renovations. The SBIF program is managed by Chamber member SomerCor 504, Inc. Visit SomerCor's website for a complete list eligible businesses and applicants, a full application, program rules, renovation guidelines and a SBIF maps. *Call SBIF Director Derrik Walvoord at (312) 360-3305 for program requirements. To enroll in the SBIF program and determine your eligibility, call the Chamber at (773) 478-0202.
Facade Rebate Program - Receive a grant of up to $10,000 for eligble exterior renovations to your storefront. This program is great for highly visible, impactful exterior projects. Remove or install new signage and lighting, restore and clean your terra cotta exterior, power wash pr tuckpoint your brick facade and more! The Facade Program is available to all businesses in the City of Chicago located outside of a TIF district. Call the Chamber to determine your eligibility at (773) 478-0202.
To see Before & After Pictures of completed renovations, click here.
Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) - Receive a grant of up to $100,000 or up to 75% of your storefront renovation project costs (including all construction fees, permits, architectural drawings, etc.) The SBIF grant is funded through the local Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIF), and available to eligible* commercial tenants, owner/landlords and property owners for eligible* interior and exterior storefront renovations. The SBIF program is managed by Chamber member SomerCor 504, Inc. Visit SomerCor's website for a complete list eligible businesses and applicants, a full application, program rules, renovation guidelines and a SBIF maps. *Call SBIF Director Derrik Walvoord at (312) 360-3305 for program requirements. To enroll in the SBIF program and determine your eligibility, call the Chamber at (773) 478-0202.
Facade Rebate Program - Receive a grant of up to $10,000 for eligble exterior renovations to your storefront. This program is great for highly visible, impactful exterior projects. Remove or install new signage and lighting, restore and clean your terra cotta exterior, power wash pr tuckpoint your brick facade and more! The Facade Program is available to all businesses in the City of Chicago located outside of a TIF district. Call the Chamber to determine your eligibility at (773) 478-0202.
To see Before & After Pictures of completed renovations, click here.
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Small Business Development Centers
The Albany Park Chamber of Commerce often refers business members to local Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to receive more intensive, hands-on assistance with specific issues, including: creating and writing your business plan, organizing your finances, packaging a loan, and much more. Below is a list of SBDCs that can give you one-on-one attention to the details of your business that you can't afford to overlook.
Chicago Community Ventures (CCV)
105 W. Adams Street (entrance on Clark), Suite 2300
Chicago, IL 60603
T: (312) 960-0320
F: (312) 960-0310
email: info@chiventures.org
http://www.chiventures.org
Works on loan assitance, referrals and small business loans, business plans, loan packaging, seminars & workshops, classroom trainings and more.
Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (PRCCI)
2622 W. Division St.
Chicago, Illinois 60622
Contact Miersa Cuevas, Executive Director
T: (773) 486-1331
F: (773) 486-1340
http://www.prcci.com/
PRCCI develops, assists, and promotes Hispanic business interests, and other businesses in the State of Illinois.
Works on capital funding, financial planning, insurance, business planning, marketing, technology, and MBE/WBE certification.
Women's Business Development Center (WBDC)
8 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60603
T: (312) 853-3477
www.wbdc.org
Works on loan assistance and referrals, business plans, loan packaging, seminars & workshops, classroom trainings and more.
State of Illinois - Resources for Businesses
The State of Illinois' Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is the lead state agency responsible for improving Illinois' competitiveness in the global economy. Guided by an innovative regional approach, DCEO administers a wide range of economic and workforce development programs, services and initiatives designed to create and retain high quality jobs and build strong communities. DCEO leads the Illinois economic development process in partnership with businesses, local governments, workers and families.
Business Development - DCEO Business Development liaisons can connect you to a variety of loan programs, tax assistance, tax structure resources and more available for your business. Click here to view information.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business - DCEO's Illinois Entrepreneurship Network provides assitance for financing, business planning, marketing and product development, training, business assessment, counseling and networking and much more. Find a list of local Entrepreneurship Center, Small Business Development Centers, International Trade Centers, Manufacturing Extension Centers and much more.
Workforce Development - The Bureau of Workforce Development is committed to encouraging statewide economic development by cultivating a well-trained workforce. A comprehensive list of employee/employer resources is available.
Technology - The Bureau of Technology and Industrial Competitiveness helps Illinois businesses, entrepreneurs and citizens to success in a changing economy by: developing the skills of their workers; promoting safe adn healthy workplaces; assisting in the commercialization of new technologies; and providing access to modernizing technologies and practices.
For more information and a full list of services and resources available from DCEO, please call (312) 814-7179 or contact DCEO's Northeastern Illinois Regional Manager, Robert Anderson at (312) 814-7129.
Business Development - DCEO Business Development liaisons can connect you to a variety of loan programs, tax assistance, tax structure resources and more available for your business. Click here to view information.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business - DCEO's Illinois Entrepreneurship Network provides assitance for financing, business planning, marketing and product development, training, business assessment, counseling and networking and much more. Find a list of local Entrepreneurship Center, Small Business Development Centers, International Trade Centers, Manufacturing Extension Centers and much more.
Workforce Development - The Bureau of Workforce Development is committed to encouraging statewide economic development by cultivating a well-trained workforce. A comprehensive list of employee/employer resources is available.
Technology - The Bureau of Technology and Industrial Competitiveness helps Illinois businesses, entrepreneurs and citizens to success in a changing economy by: developing the skills of their workers; promoting safe adn healthy workplaces; assisting in the commercialization of new technologies; and providing access to modernizing technologies and practices.
For more information and a full list of services and resources available from DCEO, please call (312) 814-7179 or contact DCEO's Northeastern Illinois Regional Manager, Robert Anderson at (312) 814-7129.
Federal Government - Resources for Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
Small Business Planner - Plan, start, manage or close your business with SBA's Small Business Planner. Receive assistance to write a business plan, buy a franchise, secure licenses and permits, pay taxes, find a mentor, market and sell your business, file bankrupcy, sell your business and much more.
Grow and Expand Your Business - SBA programs and services support you, the small business person. Learn about SBA-backed loans, government contracting opportunities, disaster assistance and training programs to help your business succeed.
Increase Your Knowledge and Productivity - SBA's Business Tool Kit provides you with a wealth of information unique to small business through monthly chat events, electronic newsletters, podcasts and a myriad of business resources to support your business needs.
For more information, call SBA's Chicago office at (312) 353-4528.
Small Business Planner - Plan, start, manage or close your business with SBA's Small Business Planner. Receive assistance to write a business plan, buy a franchise, secure licenses and permits, pay taxes, find a mentor, market and sell your business, file bankrupcy, sell your business and much more.
Grow and Expand Your Business - SBA programs and services support you, the small business person. Learn about SBA-backed loans, government contracting opportunities, disaster assistance and training programs to help your business succeed.
Increase Your Knowledge and Productivity - SBA's Business Tool Kit provides you with a wealth of information unique to small business through monthly chat events, electronic newsletters, podcasts and a myriad of business resources to support your business needs.
For more information, call SBA's Chicago office at (312) 353-4528.
Vacancy Database
Looking for space in Albany Park, North Park or Mayfair to open or relocate your business? The Albany Park Chamber of Commerce maintains a database of available properties to address the increasing demand for available commercial space in our commerical district. This database is updated on a quarterly basis.
If you are a property owner, commercial real estate management company or broker and want to add your property information to the vacancy database, pleasefill out the online form below.
We are interested in properties within the area north of Montrose Ave, south of Foster Ave, west of the Chicago River and east of Cicero Ave. There is no charge to participate, and the list will be updated on a quarterly basis. For more information, please contact the Albany Park Chamber at (773) 478-0202.
If you are a property owner, commercial real estate management company or broker and want to add your property information to the vacancy database, pleasefill out the online form below.
We are interested in properties within the area north of Montrose Ave, south of Foster Ave, west of the Chicago River and east of Cicero Ave. There is no charge to participate, and the list will be updated on a quarterly basis. For more information, please contact the Albany Park Chamber at (773) 478-0202.
