Business Resources
The West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce is a member based 501 C6 non-profit organization and receives a Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) Place-Based Generalist grant from the City of Chicago in order to provide technical assistance, programs, and services for the small businesses in West Town Chicago.
The Chamber shares business resource information such as contacts for the city and state, demographic information, financial resources, and a list of commercial spaces available in an effort to retain existing businesses and recruit new businesses to move to West Town Chicago.
Technical Assistance from West Town Chamber
What is Technical Assistance?
The West Town Chamber of Commerce can help local businesses by providing a variety of types of technical assistance. Below are some of the types of assistance. If you have a question related to the City of Chicago or City services, we may be able to help with that too!
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Becoming a certified minority or woman owned business M/WBE
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Bidding on City contracts
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CAPS and neighborhood meetings
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City service request tracking
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City services schedules
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Funding resources for starting a business in Chicago
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Identification of existence of TIF, SSA, Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Zone, Planning District, Planned Manufacturing District, Landmark District
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Identification of full ZIP code, Ward, Community Area
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Informational resources for starting a business in Chicago
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Liaison between business and proper City department
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Liaison to public officials as advocate for issue
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Local fire and police department location, contacts
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Neighborhood school information, schedules, contacts
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Permit tracking
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Principal owners/operators & contact information for businesses
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Public way use permits for items like signs, awnings, loading zones
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Reporting and tracking abandoned/illegally parked vehicle
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Reporting and tracking for tree trimming
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Reporting and tracking graffiti and graffiti removal
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Requests and tracking for installation of bike racks
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Zoning information
Government Agency Resources
City of Chicago - Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) & The Small Business Center (SBC)
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.
121 N. LaSalle Street, 8th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
312-744-6060
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bacp.html
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. The Small Business Center is located at City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street, in Chicago; Room 800. We may be reached at 312.74.GOBIZ (744.6249), or 312.744.1944 for TTY. SBC hours of operation are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; Monday through Friday. Appointments, to meet with a Business Consultant, are recommended, and may be made by calling our Business Contact Center at 312.74.GOBIZ (312.744.6249).
City of Chicago - 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.
For a listing of all CBCs and more information on the program, visit: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bacp/supp_info/chicagobusinesscenters.html
City of Chicago - Ward & Alderman
The City of Chicago is divided into fifty legislative districts or 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. To lookup your Ward and Alderman, visit: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html
1st Ward - Alderman Daniel La Spata
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
https://www.aldermanhopkins.com
26th Ward - Alderman Roberto Maldonado
2511 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-395-0143
http://www.robertomaldonado.com
27th Ward - Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr.
4 N. Western Ave., Unit 1C
Chicago, IL 60612
312-432-1995
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.
121 N. La Salle – City Hall Room 106
Chicago, IL 60602
312-744-3356
http://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.
100 West Randolph - James R. Thompson Center Suite 3-400
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 814-7179
http://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo
State of Illinois, 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.
100 West Randolph - James R. Thompson Center Suite 15-600
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-8953
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.
69 W. Washington Suite 1240
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 793-3380
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com
State of 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.
100 West Randolph, 7th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
(217) 785 - 3707
http://www.revenue.state.il.us
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). To apply for an EIN you must complete form SS4, which can be obtained by contacting:
230 South Dearborn St. 24th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
(800) 829-4933
http://www.irs.gov
Small Business Administration (SBA) - 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.
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1150
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 353-4528
https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/il/chicago
Other Business Resources
Allies for Community Business (formerly Accion)
Accion Serving Illinois & Indiana is now Allies for Community Business! Our mission is to provide the capital, coaching, and collaboration entrepreneurs need to grow great businesses in their communities.
135 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
312-275-3000
America's Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
America’s SBDC represents America’s nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) – 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.
To find a Small Business Development Center near you search for locations online at: https://americassbdc.org/small-business-consulting-and-training/find-your-sbdc/
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.
For businesses with annual revenue greater than $10 million
BMO’s Economic Equity Advisory Group focuses on accelerating lending to Black and Latinx-owned commercial businesses. Led by Anthony Hudson (Anthony.Hudson@bmo.com), the team is identifying Black and Latinx prospects across industries, sectors and markets nationwide. Learn more about this program here.
For businesses with annual revenue of $10 million or less
They have launched BMO for Black and Latinx Small Businesses. Led by Vachon Harper-Young (Vachon.Harper-Young@bmo.com), the program offers improved access to capital, education and partnerships for Black- and Latinx-owned small businesses in Illinois and in Indiana’s Lake and Porter counties. More information is available at bmoharris.com/blackandlatinx, but in short, the program offers:
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Improved access to funding with expanded credit criteria
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A revolving line of credit with interest-only payments on what you borrow
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A 0.25% rate discount if making automatic payments from a BMO Harris Business checking account
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Partnerships with organizations with meaningful networks and alternative funding sources, including Accion Chicago, Chicago Urban League and Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
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Financial seminars, networking events, and referrals for business coaching
Applications are being accepted at local branches in Illinois and NW Indiana (Porter and Lake counties). To locate a branch nearest to your members, please use the branch locator.
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.
177 N. State St., Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60601
info@chibizhub.com
(312) 589-5777
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.
410 N. Michigan Ave, Suite #900
Chicago, IL 60611
info@chicagolandchamber.org
312-494-6700
http://www.chicagolandchamber.org
Chicagoland SCORE Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
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 St, Suite 1150
Chicago, IL 60661
312-353-7724
http://www.scorechicago.org
Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights - Legal Help for Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Formerly called the Community Law Project, their 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.
100 N. LaSalle St, Suite 600
Chicago, IL, 60602
312-630-9744
info@clccrul.org
https://www.clccrul.org/legal-help-pbw
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.
320 N Damen Ave., 1st Floor
Chicago, IL 60612
312-421-3941
https://www.industrialcouncil.com
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.
1414 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-384-2672
http://www.wickerparkbucktown.com
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 S. Michigan Ave., 4th Fl
Chicago, IL 60603
312-853-3477
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, IL 60601
wbc@WorldBusinessChicago.com
(312) 553-0500
http://www.worldbusinesschicago.com