West Town Wards & Aldermen
The City of Chicago is divided into fifty legislative districts, known as wards. Each district is represented by an alderman who is elected by their constituency to serve a four year term. In addition to representing the interests of their ward residents, together the fifty aldermen comprise the Chicago City Council, which serves as the legislative branch of government of the City of Chicago.
1958 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
info@the1stward.com
872-206-2685
2nd Ward - Alderman Brian Hopkins
1400 N. Ashland
Chicago, IL 60622
ward02@cityofchicago.org
312-643-2299
6560 W Fullerton Ave Unit #C118
Suite A
Chicago, IL 60707
ward36@cityofchicago.org
773-745-4636
26th Ward - Alderman Jessie Fuentes
1746 N Kimball Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
jessiefor26thward@gmail.com
Government Agency Resources
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City of Chicago
Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) licenses, educates, regulates and empowers Chicago businesses to grow and succeed as well as, receives and processes consumer complaints. BACP provides bi-weekly and monthly informative sessions to help businesses act responsibly and create economic vitality and vibrant communities for the people in Chicago. BACP also educates small business and consumers to ensure the public is protected against fraudulent practices, and investigates for business compliance in areas such as: sales practices, fuel, natural gas, electricity, durable and non-durable merchandise and services. Additionally, BACP enforces rules and regulations relating to liquor establishments, weights and measures, public chauffeurs, public
passenger vehicles, ambulances, and transportation network providers.
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The Small Business Center
The Small Business Center (SBC) is the business licensing division of the City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) and the City’s “one-stop-shop” for business licensing, public way use permitting, and connecting entrepreneurs to business resources.
Chicago Business Center Program
The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) has created the Chicago Business Centers (CBC) program and provided grants to eight Chicago-based business service organizations located in neighborhoods to serve as regional hubs providing business licensing assistance and other resources for small businesses. The eight centers will help fill the current gap of local business resources, particularly for entrepreneurs in historically underserved locations and populations.
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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.
State of Illinois​
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Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) 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.
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Office of the State Treasurer
The Illinois State Treasurer's 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.
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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.
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.
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Internal Revenue Service - Chicago Office
Businesses are required to register as a taxpayer with the Internal Revenue Service by obtaining a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can apply for an EIN online.
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Small Business Administration - Illinois 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.
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Other Business Resources
Allies for Community Business
Allies for Community Business's mission is to provide the capital, coaching, and collaboration entrepreneurs need to grow great businesses in their communities.
America's Small Business Development Center
America’s nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) is the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories. SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners, and funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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BMO Harris Bank - BMO for Black and Latinx Business
As part of their recently announced five-year, $5 billion BMO EMpower initiative, BMO has committed $800 million to small business and commercial lending for Black and Latinx-owned businesses.
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ChiBizHub
ChiBizHub's mission is to help Chicago entrepreneurs grow and succeed. They provide small businesses with free, easy access to the help and information you need - when you need it. ChiBizHub connects a large network of primarily nonprofit service providers offering a wide variety of business-building services for small businesses. They facilitate the linking of these resource organizations to one another and to established, emerging and startup small businesses throughout the region.
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.
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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.
Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights - Legal Help for Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights attorneys have helped to build, strengthen and support nonprofit organizations and small businesses that contribute to economic development and deliver social services in low-income neighborhoods since 1985. Our work is focused in historically disinvested communities of color on Chicago’s South and West Sides. Our attorney volunteers and expert legal staff provide nonprofit leaders and small businesses owners with the knowledge to sustain the quality of their programs, improve outcomes, and spur economic development. Chicago Lawyers’ Committee recognizes that structural racism is a major contributor toward economic injustice; we work to eradicate racism and end poverty in our city and coordinate our activities in close working relationship with our community partners.
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Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago
The Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC) is a nonprofit business organization dedicated to bringing economic and community development to the Near West Side of Chicago.
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Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber serves as a cornerstone of the Wicker Park and Bucktown commercial districts, advancing the financial goals of neighborhood businesses by enhancing the dynamic economic climate, increasing the neighborhood’s visibility and viability, and encouraging profitable relationships within the community.
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.
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World Business Chicago
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.
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