| 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. |
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| Story in the Spotlight |
CHICAGO'S RESTAURANT START-UP PROGRAM This new program will make it easier for small business owners to start and operate restaurants in Chicago and it continues to deliver on the promise of making Chicago a partner to small business. The program includes several elements that will be helpful to new restaurant owners:
- Greater transparency: A new restaurant start-up guide and dedicated website will help walk business owners through the process of starting a restaurant, including licensing, permitting, zoning, and inspections. The City will also be providing additional resources to local business chambers, associations, and Alderman's offices.
- Streamlined process: Business owners will require fewer steps and fewer visits to get their restaurant license, helping them open their doors quicker.
- Fewer inspection visits: Restaurants will have the option of team-based building inspections and will receive their licensing inspections in a shorter window of time. They will also be able to request optional onsite food consultations to help them design their kitchen and pass their food safety inspections.
These elements will help restaurants open their doors quicker and start making money faster. For further information, visit www.cityofchicago.org/restaurant or call 312.74-GOBIZ.
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| City News |
 EXPANDING THE FOOD TRUCK INDUSTRY ACROSS CHICAGO
Mayor Emanuel and Aldermen Tom Tunney, Joe Moreno, Scott Waguespack, Brendan Reilly, Emma Mitts, Michele Smith, and Walter Burnett introduced an ordinance to expand food truck operations in neighborhoods across Chicago by allowing food truck operators to prepare "food to order" on board their trucks. Currently, food truck operators are only allowed to sell packaged food prepared in a commercial kitchen. The new law will further encourage this creative industry that spurs small business development and a diverse and vibrant cultural scene across the city. Click here for more information.
HOMEMADE GOODS NOW AVAILABLE AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS
This year, the Cottage Food Operation law (P.A.097-0393) law went into effect, allowing certain foods made in home kitchens to be sold at farmers' markets throughout the State and in Chicago. This new law promotes and supports the agriculture and cottage food industries. Now products that can be made in a home kitchen and sold at a farmers' market include certain fruit butters, jams, jellies, baked goods and dried foods. To sell these items at a farmers markets in Chicago you must first register with the Chicago Department of Public Health. Click herefor more information. |
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THE CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS HAS LAUNCHED THEIR NEW E-PLAN PROGRAM
The Department of Buildings has announced its transition from a paper-based plan review system to an electronic plan review system (E-Plan). E-Plan will be fully implemented for all Standard Plan Review projects and Self-Certification projects. Click here for more information.
SHREDDER DAY 2012 - A HUGE SUCCESS!
On June 23rd Shredder Day was held at the United Center. Over 1200 businesses and consumers attended and shredded nearly 100,000 pounds of paper plus electronics. Stay tuned for information on upcoming shredder days.
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.
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| BACP NEWS & EVENTS |
 TAXI NEWS FOR THE RIDING PUBLIC
Taxi customers will notice some changes this month. In the past, when a passenger entered a cab, the meter used to read $2.25 and the driver would manually add $1.00 for a fuel surcharge. The added fuel surcharge was temporary and tied to gas prices. After July 1st, the driver no longer adds the $1.00 as the price on the flag pull (the numbers on the left) will automatically read $3.25 to reflect a permanent $1.00 fare increase. Keep in mind that if you have additional passengers in the cab or are coming from an airport, the driver will still manually make additions. Be sure to consult the new taxi placards placed in all city cabs that provide a clear breakdown of your fare. The fare changes are part of a new taxi ordinance aimed at cleaning up the taxi industry to provide safer, cleaner and more accessible taxi service in Chicago. Click here for more information.
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 July calendar.
JULY MUST ATTEND WORKSHOPS!
You don't want to miss these two great workshops in July:
"Understanding Labor & Employment Law - From a Business Perspective"
will be held on Wednesday, July 18th from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. at BACP City Hall, 8th Floor. Misunderstanding and misapplying employment practices can cost a business a great deal of money when disputes and misunderstandings occur. By understanding how our labor and employment laws regulate the workplace, a business owner or operator can save a great deal of money. This workshop is an interactive Q&A based discussion of attendees concerns. Click here to register.
"Navigating a Commercial Real Estate Transaction for Business Owners" will be held on Friday, July 27th from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. at BACP City Hall, 8th Floor.
Are you interested in leasing a commercial property for your business? This is a tough real estate market - know how to navigate your way through a commercial lease. You will learn how to locate the ideal property, negotiate the right lease for your business and understand the pitfalls in commercial leases, all while learning how to save money. Click here to register. |
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