|
| Welcome to "Business Source," the monthly City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) official business newsletter bringing you important business licensing information, upcoming events, and more. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Stories in the Spotlight |
SHREDDER DAY - June 23rd
Shredder Day is here! If you are a business and have files that you were looking to shred - let us shred your stuff for free!
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the US. Last year alone, more than 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft, a crime that cost them roughly $5 billion. Businesses can be victims of identity theft as well.
SHREDDER DAY 2012
When: Saturday, June 23rd
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: United Center - Parking Lot E
(On Wood Street between Madison & Warren Blvd.)
What: Consumers can shred up to 10 boxes of documents....FREE!
And this year, FREE! electronics recycling, including:
-TVs and Computer Monitors
-PCs/Laptops/Servers
-Data Storage Devices
-Printers
-Fax and Copy Machines
-Cell Phones
-VCRs/DVD Players/Video Game Consoles
You do not want to miss this free shredding event! Click here for more information. |
| BACP News |
 NEW LICENSE FOR VENDORS SELLING PRODUCE FROM A STAND
Upon passage this month, a new business activity called Produce Merchant will go into effect and license vendors who sell produce (i.e. whole and uncooked agricultural, plant based items, including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, legumes, edible grains, nuts, spices, herbs and cut flowers) outdoors from a produce stand, and must conduct 50 percent of their business operations in areas underserved by grocery stores. Produce stands must be non-motorized free standing, temporary structures that may be located on private or public property, with written permission from the property owner, or on the public way, with a Produce Stand Public Way Use Permit. Click here for more information about this new business activity or call 312-74-GOBIZ.
 TAXI RULES GO INTO EFFECT 7/1
Last January, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and City Council passed a broad set of reforms to taxi industry regulations to incentivize quality vehicles, quality drivers and a quality customer experience.
The new laws are effective 7/1/2012. The changes make specific improvements to a number of key areas that will result in increased safety for passengers, drivers, and pedestrians, while revampingregulations and providing financial incentives to put fuel-efficient and wheelchair-accessible taxis on the road. Click here for more information. Click here to see the new farecard to be found in the back of all cabs. |
|
 |
Did You Know ?
BACP WANTS TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK - GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK
The City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection relies on feedback from our customers to improve services. We take customer satisfaction seriously and measure our performance based on your input.
Each division of BACP delivers a specific function. Click here to provide feedback on the division or divisions most relevant to your interaction with BACP. The surveys will take no more than one minute each to complete. Click here
for more information.
DON'T MISS FREE TAX COUNSELING WITH THE IRS
On June 29th, and July 27th, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be at the Small Business Solution Station from 9:30am to 3:00pm. The IRS will have bilingual (Spanish/English) staff on hand for free one-on-one consultation for small business owners on all tax-related matters. Click here for more information on the summer partnership with the IRS.
Don't miss BACP monthly consumer newsletter. Find out about current scams, ways to protect your identity and other consumer protection stories and tips. Click here to sign up.
|
|
|
|
| Business News |
PROPER INTERVIEW PROTOCOL
While job interviews are useful to assess a candidate's qualifications, asking questions that are related to the candidate's protected status -such as race, age, marital status or parental status- may violate the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance. To prevent problems, only ask interview questions directly related to the position. Please click here for more information.
10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a $500 million national program designed to help small businesses in the United State create jobs and economic growth by providing entrepreneurs with a practical business education, access to capital and business support services.
The 10,000 Small Businesses initiative at the City Colleges of Chicago is a practical business management education program that helps small business owners develop the skills they need to grow their companies. In addition to course work, participants will receive one-on-one business advising from dedicated professionals to help them develop a tailored plan for growth.
ACCEPTED APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE A SCHOLARSHIP COVERING THE FULL COST OF THE PROGRAM FROM CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO, WHICH IS FUNDED BY THE GOLDMAN SACHS FOUNDATION. Applications for the September 2012 class are due on July 6, 2012 at 5pm. Click here for details and eligibility requirements.
Interested business owners are encouraged to attend one of the following information sessions:
- June 15th (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) at Malcolm X College, Hurst Room
- June 18th (8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.) at Kennedy-King College, Mini-Great Hall in the U Building
- June 22nd (8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.) at Truman College, McKeon Conference Room 146
- June 29th (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) at Harold Washington College, Room 102
|
| BACP EVENTS
|
 ASIAN AMERICAN BUSINESS EXPO
The Asian American Business Expo was a huge success with over 700 people in attendance. The small business fair at the expo was a part of the City of Chicago's Office of New Americans and the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection's New American Small Business Series where business resources on financing, licensing processes, and tax laws are offered along with business networking. Stay tuned for information on upcoming expos.
BACP OFFERS FREE BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
BACP continues to offer free workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall in room 805. They are open to the public, and on a variety of topics. If you are looking to start or grow your business, do not miss this great resource. Click here to download the June calendar.
This month, attend workshops on business fundamentals with "How to Write a Winning Business Plan... Your Roadmap to Success", "Marketing Advertising, and Social Media for Todays Entrepreneurs" and "Business Financial Incentives." Learn about how to grow your business with workshops like "Contracting 101: How to Respond to a Request for Proposal" and "How to Open a Concession at O'Hare or Midway Airport." Lastly, you do not want to miss these new workshops on how to prepare and protect your business with "Quickbooks Basics" and "Identity Theft for Business and Consumers." Click here to register.
Additionally, BACP is now filming workshops and posting You-Tube videos on-line! Click here to watch the always informative and popular "How to Obtain a Liquor License." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
312-744-2086
