No matter what point you're at in business ownership, this page was designed to give you a leg up. From starting your first business to opening up your fiftieth location, you'll find the resource you're looking for listed on this page.
Develop Your Business Plan & Get Educated
Don’t do it alone, let an expert help you in solving common business problems at no cost to you.
- Visit the Small Business Solution Station every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and get free business counseling, legal assistance and financial and loan assistance from trusted non-profit partner agencies.
- Monthly Business Education Workshops from the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
- Free business counseling, management consulting and low cost workshops from SCORE Chicago
- Resources for starting and maintaining your business from the Chicago Public Library
- Restaurant Start-up Program from the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
- Download the Restaurant Quick Start Guide (Get started in another language).
- Download the full documentation.
Find Your Space
- Available commercial property in the Wicker Park Bucktown Property Database
- Local Real Estate Agents of the WPB Chamber of Commerce
- Available properties of all zoning types through the City of Chicago Site Selector
Present Your Plan to the Community
Once you’ve drafted your business or development plans, it is suggested that you present your plans to the Chamber of Commerce, Alderman and Community Organizations for support. For more information about this, please contact our office at (773) 384-2672.
Obtain Your City of Chicago Permits & Licenses
Don’t let the business permitting and licensing process get you down. Get the info you need at the start. The Chamber is here to assist you, so give us a call or check out the resources below.
City of Chicago Small Business Center- City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
- Apply For A Business License Online This page has all the links you will need for business licensing
- 3-Simple Steps to Obtain a Business License - The quick reference guide
- License Application Requirements Information - All of the Paper work to prepare your business license application
- Public Way Permits (For sidewalk cafes, signs, awnings, canopies, benches, etc.)
- Liquor License Information
- License/Zoning Reference Guide
- Festival and Special Events Permit Resource Guide and Permit ApplicationsÂ
(PDFs to download are on the right hand side of the page)
City of Chicago Small Business Center
Receive Financial Support
- ACCION Chicago (from $500 to $50,000 credit for small business who don’t have access to commercial resources)
- Small Business Association Loans & Grants
- City of Chicago Small Business Loan Program
- SomerCor 504 Inc. (grants for 25%, 50%, or 75% of the cost of remodeling work up to $ 150,000)
Become a Chamber Member
- Maintain a powerful local presence on our website
- Network with other local business owners
- Receive relevant and timely business training at our regular Business 101 Seminars
- Get promoted in our weekly e-newsletter and through our active Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages
- Receive discounted Members-only pricing on a variety of goods and services like up to 25% off Constant Contact feesÂ
- Join a Committee and help shape the future of the neighborhood
- Join a group of like-minded entrepreneurs
Sustain & Grow Your Business
- 10 Simple Steps to Go Green (& Save Money)
- WPB SSA #33 Grants/Rebates
- Safety/Security Rebate
- Community Grant
- World Business Chicago Incentive Programs
- Improvement Funding
- City of Chicago Guide to Inspections
- City of Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection Workshops
- On-Line Resources for Chicago Businesses
- Crain’s Small Business Blog
- City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
- Illinois Small Business AssociationÂ
- Score Chicago (free business counseling, management consulting, and low cost workshops)
- Office of City Treasurer Small Business Resources Guide
Business Resources A-Z
ACCION Chicago
1436 W. Randolph Street, Suite 300Chicago, IL 60607
P: (312) 275-3000
F: (312) 275-3010
info@accionchicago.org
Offers small business development loans, workshops and business resources
Center for Neighborhood Technology
2125 W North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
P: (773) 269-4037
F: (773) 278-3840
info@cntenergy.org
Provides grants for small businesses to help pay electric bills, advises on green construction and design and offers other eco-oriented programs for property and business owners
CFL Workers Assistance Committee
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 2600
Chicago, IL 60601
P: (312) 565-9431
F: (312) 565-6537
We make it easier for employers to recruit and hire the right workers.
Chicago Better Business Bureau
330 N Wabash Ave., Suite 2006
Chicago, IL 60611
P: (312) 832-0500
F: (312) 832-9985
info@chicago.bbb.org
Awards accreditation to businesses that meet accreditation standards which includes a committment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaint
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Small Business Development and Resource Center
Aon Center, 200 E. Randolph St., Ste 2200
Chicago, IL 60601
P: (312) 494-6700
F: (312) 861-0660
info@chicagolandchamber.org
Offers business advisory services to small businesses at no cost in the areas of:
- Business Plan Development/Business Model Iteration
- Mentoring/Networking
- Customer/Client Acquisition
- Sales & Marketing
- Operational Best Practices
- Human Capital Development
- Financing
City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer ProtectionÂ
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 800
Chicago, IL 60602
P: (312) 744-6249
F: (312) 0744-0254
Issues business licenses in the City of Chicago, regulates industries including the sale of liquor and handles General Grants of Privilege for the use of the public way (signs, canopies, awnings, benches, sidewalk cafes, or anything that extends over, under, or is on the public way)
Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago
320 N. Damen Avenue, First Floor
Chicago, IL 60612
P: (312) 421-3941
F: (312) 421-1871
info@industrialcouncil.com
Provides small business development assistance, advocacy and consulting services to companies in and around the Kinzie Corridor
Local First Chicago
1946 W. Potomac Avenue, 2W
Chicago, IL 60622
P: (773) 988-2006
info@localfirstchicago.org
Educates the community, through media and Buy Local campaigns, about the importance of choosing locally owned, independent businesses
SCORE Chicago
Citigroup Center
500 W. Madison St., Suite 1150
Chicago, IL 60661-2511
P: (312) 353-7724
SCORE matches volunteeer business counselors with clients in need of expert advice in every area of business management
SomerCor 504 Inc.
601 S. LaSalle, Suite 510
Chicago, IL 60605
P: (312) 360-3300
F: (312) 360-3333
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) helps make improvements to small business properties in selected Chicago neighborhoods.
United States Small Business Administration
500 W. Madison St., Ste 1150
Chicago, IL 60661
P: (312) 353-4528
F: (312) 886-5688
Offers various programs and support services to help small businesses navigate the initial application process and resources for after one opens for business
Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce
1414 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
P: (773) 384-2672
F: (773) 384-7525
info@wickerparkbucktown.com
- As a City recognized Delegate Agency, the Chamber is your voice at City Hall
- The Chamber is a Member of the National Concierge Association, increasing Wicker Park Bucktown’s exposure to Chicago’s tourism economy
- Discounted health insurance programs are available for Chamber Members
- Preferred partnership programs offer a variety of goods and services at a discounted rate to Chamber Members (sign into your account to view these Members-only discounts)
- Advertising and promotional campaigns are conducted throughout the year to attract customers to our member businesses and events.
WPB SSA #33
1414 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
P: (773) 384-2672
F: (773) 384-7525
info@wickerparkbucktown.com
The Graffiti Abatement Program offers funding to assist with the repair and replacement of glass and graffiti prevention measures. The Façade Rebate Program provides funding to business and property owners for improvements of the overall physical appearance of storefronts.