Community

Business Resources

  • City of Chicago Small Business Development Center – The Department of Business Affairs and Licensing is a gateway for new and existing businesses in Chicago and provides a primary point of contact for the many City services that aid Chicago’s business community. www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bacp/sbc/small_business_centerhome.html
  • City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development – This multifaceted department oversees all development and long-range planning from Lake Calumet to Rogers Park, from the lakefront to O’Hare and every neighborhood in between. www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dcd.html
  • City of Chicago 311 Services – www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/311.html
  • Chicago land Chamber of Commerce – The Chicago land Chamber of Commerce is a membership-driven organization comprised of established companies whose members pay annual membership dues to belong. Members may participate in a variety of business-building, growth, advocacy and educational programs and take advantage of a wide variety of services. www.chicagolandchamber.org
  • Illinois Business Portal: The Illinois Business Portal can help you at any stage in your business life cycle. Whether you are starting a new business, running a business, or changing an existing business, this site can help you get the answers you need. http://business.illinois.gov/default.cfm
  • U.S. Small Business Association 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. The SBA offers a variety of financial and technical resources to help Small Businesses succeed.  http://www.sba.gov/

Financial Resources

  • 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.  By encouraging the economic self-reliance of micro entrepreneurs throughout the Chicagoland area, ACCION Chicago strives to help businesses and communities grow. www.accionchicago.org
  • SomerCor 504 has a range of services to help grow your business. www.somercor.com

Community Organizations

Aldermanic Offices

State Elected Officials

  • State Representative Greg Harris website
  • State Representative Kelly Cassidy website
  • State Senator Heather Steans website

Federal Elected Officials