The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) hosts the Small Business Center to help support small business owners through the licensing and permitting processes. Contact BACP to meet with a Business Consultant for any questions or guidance regarding your business.

BACP partners with Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDCs) to offer local, individualized counseling and support for small business owners, including our local Chambers of Commerce. Visit the NBDC website for more information!

BACP's Chicago Business Center (CBC) program provides grants to eight Chicago-based business service organizations located in neighborhoods across Chicago to serve as regional hubs providing business licensing assistance and other resources for small businesses. Visit the CBC website to learn more and locate your local CBC.

Business Licensing

Most businesses are required to a hold business license from the City of Chicago and/or the State of Illinois. Chicago’s department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) provides a list of businesses that may be exempt here. You can apply for a city license online or visit BACP’s Starting Your Business page for detailed information on where to begin.

Amusement & Entertainment Licenses

A Public Place of Amusement (PPA) License is required for many types of businesses or non-profits that produce, present or conduct any type of amusement. This includes live theater, child activity centers, music venues, facilities rented for parties and venues with DJ’s. If your venue has a capacity of 100 or more people, you are required to hold a PPA license - regardless of whether you charge an admission fee. Performing Arts Venue (PAV) license can be used by smaller theaters.

Liquor Licenses

Liquor licensure is regulated by the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) and the Local Liquor Control Commissioner. As part of the application process, businesses may need to obtain the Alderman’s input. In the 1st Ward, as part of the input process, community groups like neighborhood associations and Chambers of Commerce are sent information on the applications and asked for feedback. Typical community concerns raised are noise, littering, security concerns, etc. Potential licensees should do everything to proactively address these concerns. To do so, the 1st Ward office asks those seeking new liquor licenses to prepare and submit a Plan of Operation and the list of licenses they are seeking.

Be mindful that some areas have liquor moratoriums that prohibit the issuance or transfer of tavern or packaged goods licenses. Please consult this website to find if you are applying in one of those areas.

Chambers of Commerce

The 1st Ward is serviced by three different Chambers of Commerce.

Logan Square Chamber of Commerce - https://www.loganchamber.org/

  • 2808 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

  • Phone: (773) 489-3222

Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce - http://www.wickerparkbucktown.com/

  • 1414 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

  • Phone: (773) 384-2672

  • Special Service Area #33

West Town Chamber of Commerce - https://www.westtownchamber.org/

  • 1819 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

  • Phone: (312) 850-9390

  • Special Service Area #29

Additional Resources

+ Loading / Standing / Day Care Zones

Fees: To apply for a Loading/Standing/Day Care Zone there is a $55/application fee, plus an annual maintenance fee of $110 for a 20 foot zone (this is about 1 parking space). The annual fee increases if requesting a larger zone. The cost breakdown can be found here.

Please note that while you will be the applicant and payer of the Loading or Standing Zone, it is available for public benefit for any delivery - even if not delivering specifically to your business.

If you are still interested in applying, please email our office to let us know, and submit the application on the City's permit portal. Provided our office sees no issues in installing a Loading/Standing/Day Care Zone at this location after reviewing all relevant information, we will provide you with an Aldermanic Letter of Continued Review.

Below are the instructions to apply on the permit portal:

  1. Create an account, if you don't have one already. Once your account is created and you're logged in...
  2. Select 'Create New' and then 'Permit Application'...
  3. Scroll to the bottom and select 'CDOT Loading Zone, Standing Zone, Day Care and Driveway Signs'
  4. Then, follow the prompt to complete the application. You'll need to upload the letter from our office into the application.

+ Bidding Opportunities, Dept of Procurement Services

The Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS) is the contracting, certification, and compliance authority for the City of Chicago. For Bid Opportunities, click here.

+ Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC)

ICNC offers entrepreneurs an innovative community to grow small businesses through incubation, workforce development, neighborhood planning, and business advising. Visit their website for more information - https://www.industrialcouncil.com/

+ IL Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE)

The Illinois Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) has created a set of resources to help entrepreneurs as they navigate the process of business ownership. This page will be populated with video content, helpful documents and links to information that will assist business owners as they build a successful company in Illinois - https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/OMEE/Pages/BusinessResourceLibrary.aspx

+ For Contractors

  • Small business contractors can apply for Elevate's "Elevate Line of Credit" (ELOC), a one-year program that provides both capital and coaching to support their growth in the clean energy economy. ELOC helps businesses cover upfront costs for materials, payroll, and other expenses. Learn more at elevatenp.org/green-financing.

+ Additional Resources

  • The Illinois Office of Minority Economic Empowerment has resources specifically for Women, Latinx, Veteran and African American owned businesses. For more information, click here.

  • City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin holds webinars and sharing grants/loan opportunities on her website and Twitter.

  • ICIC has a list of Illinois and Chicago specific resources, that can be found here.

  • The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity oversees the State of Illinois' business activities and operations. For more information, click here.

  • The Illinois Restaurant Association works to provide restaurant operators and suppliers in Illinois with valuable business services, networking opportunities, cost saving programs, and vital advocacy. Learn more at illinoisrestaurants.org.