DoorDash is excited to accept applications through Tuesday, March 2 for its first round of the Main Street Strong Accelerator, a program designed to help revitalize the future of the food industry and increase opportunities for underserved businesses, especially for restaurants owned by women, immigrants, and people of color. In partnership with the Accion Opportunity Fund, selected recipients receive grant money, an 8-week support curriculum, and more.
Read MoreEffective immediately, bars, restaurants, and events can increase to the lesser of 40% or 50 people per room/floor. All other regulations remain in place, pending further progress against COVID-19. On Thursday at 1PM, BACP is holding a webinar, with Q&A, for businesses needing help.
Read MoreDPD’s updated plan for real estate development and infrastructure investment within the Fulton Market neighborhood will be presented to the Chicago Plan Commission at its next meeting on February 18. Members of the public wishing to provide public comment on the plan update may do so in writing by February 17, and anybody interested in providing verbal public comment during the Plan Commission meeting should fill out the form linked on this post.
Read MoreIndoor capacity at bars, restaurants and events can increase to the lesser of 25% or 50 people per room or floor beginning tomorrow, February 11. All other regulations specified in the most recent phase change for bars, restaurants and events remain in place. The easing of additional regulations will be possible once we meet specific metrics. Additionally, in order to help businesses navigate this framework for expanding capacity, BACP will be holding a webinar tomorrow at 1PM.
Read MoreThe pandemic and recession have created unprecedented challenges, but community members and businesses in predominantly minority neighborhoods have experienced an unfair and dramatically more significant burden. To offer support to its small business neighbors on the West Side, the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, with generous support from United Airlines, will launch a Small Business Grant Recovery Program, “Support West.”
Read MoreChicago has continued to make significant enough progress in the fight against COVID-19 that, effective today, we have moved into Phase Four regulations. However, given that State-level mitigations have been lifted at an interval faster than the coronavirus’s incubation period, only some restrictions will be eased at first — while others (mostly capacity regulations) will stay in place.
Read MoreWe invite all West Loop businesses to join us Tuesday, February 2 at 12PM for a lunchtime brief with our local Chicago Police Department (CPD) officials from the 12th District. Sergeant Michael Karczewski and Officer Luis Crespo will present recent crime statistics, discuss changes in foot patrol, and provide assistance to businesses through security assessments.
Read MoreIn Phase 1B, which began this Monday, January 25, the COVID-19 vaccine is made available to frontline essential workers, including correctional workers and first responders; grocery store workers and those in manufacturing/factory settings with outbreaks; daycare, K-12 and early education workers; public transit, other manufacturing and agriculture workers; continuity-of-government officials and postal workers.
Read MorePlease join 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) for a virtual community meeting regarding the proposed development at 911-925 West Fulton Market; 201-233 North Sangamon Street; 900-924 West Lake Street; and 200-212 North Peoria Street.
Read MorePlease join 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) on Thursday, February 11 at 6PM for a virtual community meeting regarding the proposed development at 1229 West Randolph Street: a 9-story, 120-foot-tall retail/office building.
Read MorePlease join 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly and the Neighbors of the West Loop (NOWL) for a virtual community meeting regarding the proposed development at 640 West Washington Boulevard, where the applicant is looking to build a 47-story residential building.
Read MorePlease be advised that, effective immediately, Chicago has moved to the Tier 1 Mitigations Measures set by the State of Illinois. See this post for an overview of these new mitigations, which are in effect as of 9:00am today, Saturday, January 23, 2021. Additionally, to help businesses navigate these new mitigations, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will be holding two webinars this week.
Read MoreOn Tuesday, February 2 at 6PM, please join 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez and the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) for a virtual community meeting regarding the proposed development at 23 South Sangamon Street.
Read MoreThe 46th President of the United States of America, Joseph R. Biden Jr., will be sworn in tomorrow, Wednesday, January 20, 2021 on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building. Here at home, the City of Chicago is be prepared for any public gatherings or civil unrest that may occur throughout the city during the Inauguration to ensure the safety and welfare of our citizens.
Read MorePlease be advised that, effective immediately, the State of Illinois has determined that the City of Chicago has made significant enough progress in the fight against COVID-19 to move to Tier 2 Mitigation measures. Under these Mitigation measures, which are set by the state, certain regulations are more relaxed.
Read MoreThe 12th District Chicago Police Department (CPD) has informed us of two planned, permitted public assemblies taking place tomorrow, Friday, January 15 at Union Park. Neither of these protests is related to the insurrection that occurred in Washington, D.C. last week, and there is no reason to expect civil unrest at either event.
Read MoreThe Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) will co-host a community webinar Thursday, January 21 at 6PM about DPD's efforts to update the Fulton Market Innovation District Plan (FMID). The FMID Plan was adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission in 2014 to guide land uses and the implementation of public and private projects within the Fulton Market area.
Read MoreRecognizing that artists have always played an important role in advancing the causes of justice and equity, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) seeks to support developing projects that engage the public in a constructive, civic dialogue and make Chicago a model city for the nation. Through a new Artist Response Program, DCASE will select artists/artist teams and 3–5 Re-granting Partners to distribute funds to artists, in addition to the annual CityArts Program opening for applications Tuesday, January 19.
Read MoreFollowing the attacks that took place on the Capitol last week, and at the request of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), we are forwarding to everyone a public safety advisory from the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). It contains information and resources to help the public identify and address any discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED).
Read MoreStarting today, Monday, businesses that did not receive a loan during the first round of the PPP will be eligible to apply for a First Draw PPP Loan at participating Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). On Wednesday, January 13, certain businesses that have already received a PPP loan through the first round will be eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan through a participating CDFI.
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