The City's Department of Business Affairs & Licensing (DBA)
The Department of Business Affairs (DBA) is taking care of businesses by providing Chicago's business community a single point of contact for service delivery. DBA's "one stop shop" for business services provides businesses with a specialized consultant to guide them through the process and resolve their issues.

DBA will provide business assistance with:
· License Application and renewal
· Business start-up and expansion
· Tax Information and notification
· Business Resources and financial incentives
· Workforce development
· Guidance through government process
· Workshops and business seminars
· Permit assistance
· Use of the public way
· Zoning issues
· Inspections and investigations
· License regulations / disciplinary action
· Procurement issues

DBA is comprised of five divisions that will carry out all business related services to ensure they are handled in a more efficient and helpful manner:
1. The Business Assistance Center connects business owners to available public and private sector business resources in areas such as business start-up, procurement, workforce development, tax, licensing and permitting. The division also helps business navigate through government process and resolve issues with City, State, and Federal agencies. The Business Assistance Center processes license applications, including applications for liquor licenses. 
2. The Business Advocacy and Outreach Division oversees efforts to partner with other government agencies, foundations and business advocacy organizations to develop programs and policy to benefit small business. The Division conducts marketing / outreach activities and workshops / conferences on issues important to the Chicago business community. 
3. The Compliance and Investigations Division conducts investigations to ensure that the laws governing business licensing, taxation and public-way use permitting are upheld to preserve public safety and welfare. 
4. The License Adjudication Division functions as the regulatory authority and hearing body for business license disciplinary cases. The Division conducts hearings and issues disciplinary action when businesses are found to be non-compliant with the Chicago Municipal Code.
5. The Finance and Administration Division supports the DBA by providing oversight over contract issues, personnel and budget preparation. The Division also supports IT operations of the department.
Don't know where to start…
· Stop the DBA office at City Hall 121 N. LaSalle St. Rm. 800
· Call DBA at 312-74GOBIZ (744-6249)
· Visit DBA's website www.cityofchicago.org/businessaffairs

Additional Government Agencies:
City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development
The Department of Planning and Development offers both small and large businesses a comprehensive menu of financial resources such as programs offering financial incentives and assistance including Tax Increment Financing.
City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development
121 N. La Salle - City Hall Room 501
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 744-4190
www.cityofchicago.org/planning
City of Chicago, Office of the City Treasurer                                                                     
The City's Treasurers Office provides programs such as the Linked Deposit Program, Anti-Predatory Lending Program, Financial Literacy Program and the Small Business Expo to foster and promote economic vitality of the City's neighborhoods. The Treasurer has committed up to $75 million to the Linked Deposit Program, to assist small businesses obtain loans from banks.
City of Chicago, Office of the City Treasurer
121 N. La Salle - City Hall Room 106
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 744-3356 Fax (312) 742-0981
www.chicagocitytreasurer.com
State of Illinois, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
The State of Illinois, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers programs and services designed to help Illinois businesses thrive in today's economy by offering expansion incentives, technology support services, access to capital, global marketing expertise or job training and education for workers.
James R. Thompson Center
100 West Randolph, Suite 3-400
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 814-7179 Fax (312) 814-5247
www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo
State of Illinois, Office of the State Treasurer
Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias' office supports small Businesses through a program called Employ Illinois: Business Loans. The Treasurer's Office deposits state funds into participating banks, which enables the banks to lend money to borrowers at a below-market interest rate.
Employ Illinois: Business Loans
100 West Randolph, Suite 15-600
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-8953 Fax (312) 814-5930
http://www.treasurer.il.gov/
Illinois Secretary of State- Department of Business Services
Whether you decide to form a corporation, Limited Liability Company or operate a partnership, the Illinois Secretary of State will register your business. Forms are available online or in person.
Illinois Secretary of State
Department of Business Services
69 W. Washington Suite 1240
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 793-3380 www.cyberdriveillinois.com
Illinois Department of Revenue
The Illinois Department of Revenue provides businesses with an Illinois Business Tax Number (IBT) which can be applied for online or in person. Many types of businesses may be required to register for a IBT number if the business is liable for reporting Sales and/or Use Tax, sales for resale, or withholding for Illinois employees.
Illinois Department of Revenue
100 West Randolph, 7th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
(217) 785 - 3707
www.revenue.state.il.us
Internal Revenue Service
Businesses are required to register as a taxpayer with the Internal Revenue Service by obtaining a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). To apply for an EIN you must complete form SS4, which can be obtained by contacting:
Internal Revenue Service, Chicago Office
230 South Dearborn St. 24th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
(800) 829-4933
www.irs.gov
Small Business Administration (SBA) - Chicago District Office
The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government. They provide free financial assistance for new or existing businesses through guaranteed loans made by area banks and on bank lends. The SBA also provides free consulting services to businesses and assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1250
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511
(312) 353-4528 Fax (312) 886-5688
www.sba.gov/il/index.html
Additional Business Development Agencies:
Women's Business Development Center
The Woman's Business Development Center is a nonprofit organization that works with woman to launch new businesses and strengthen existing business in the Chicago area. Services are available in Spanish and English, and include business assessments, loan packaging, public and private sector procurement assistance, classes / workshops, and individualized counseling on all aspects of business development, management and strategy.
8 South Michigan, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60603-3306
(312) 853-3477 Fax (312) 853-0145
www.wbdc.org
Accion Chicago
Accion Chicago is an alternative lending organization dedicated to providing credit and other business services to small business owners who do not have access to traditional sources of financing.
1618 W 18th Street, Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 275-3000 Fax (312) 275-3010
www.accionchicago.org
Chicagoland SCORE
SCORE association is a resource partner of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) that offers current or would be business owners the expertise of experienced business owners. They provide free individual counseling and provide workshops for a modest fee where you can learn about various aspects about opening and running a business.
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1250
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511
(312) 353-7724 Fax (312) 886-4879
www.scorechicago.org
World Business Chicago (WBC)
WBC is a nonprofit economic development corporation, dedicated to enhancing the Chicago region's global position as a business location. This organization can provide you with free "point of first contact" assistance for economic and industry data, site location, state and local incentives, and contacts within the private, public and nonprofit sectors.
177 N. State Street, Suite 500
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 553-0500 Fax (312) 553-4355
www.worldbusinesschicago.com
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
The Chicagoland Chamber serves as the unified business voice of greater Chicago that represents your business interests at the city, county, regional and state levels.
Aon Center
200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2200
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312)494-6700 Fax (312) 861-0660
www.chicagolandchamber.org
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) is a nonprofit affiliate of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and works with high-growth entrepreneurial businesses. The CEC provides entrepreneurs with sales and client development services, financing services, strategic advisory programs, support resources and community development.
Aon Center
200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60601-6436
(312)494-6777 fax (312)861-0635
www.chicagolandec.org
Community Economic Development Law Project
The Community Economic Development Law Project provides disadvantaged communities with legal expertise for tax, corporate, real estate and finance council. The Small Business Support Program works in partnership with other nonprofit business development groups to advise low income people on how to start their own business.
100 North LaSalle Street, Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 6060
(312) 939-3638 Fax (312) 630-1127
www.clccrul.org
Jane Adams Hull House- Small Business Development Unit
The Hull House-Small Business Development Unit provides a wide range of small business training and counseling programs to new and existing businesses and provides access to the resources needed to operate a successful venture.
South Side-Parkway Community House
500 E. 67th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637
(773)955-8027 Fax (773)955-8028
www.hullhouse.org/sbdu/asp
North Side Uptown Center Hull House 4520 N. Beacon
Chicago, Illinois 60640
(773)561-3500 Fax (773)561-3507
www.hullhouse.org/sbdu/asp
Small Business Development Center Network
The Small Business Development Center Network's mission is to help new entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership, and assist existing businesses to remain competitive in the complex marketplace of an ever-changing global economy. Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can go to their local SBDCs for free, faceto-face business consulting and at-cost training on writing business plans, accessing capital, marketing, regulatory compliance, international trade and more.
To find a Small Business Development Center near you search for locations online at: www.asbdc-us.org