Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) announced that any individual 5 years of age or older will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to dine indoors, visit gyms, or enjoy entertainment venues where food or drink are being served. This new requirement goes into effect on January 3, 2022.
Read MoreThe West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) is pleased to welcome Andrew B. Gordon to its Board of Directors! Andrew is is the Managing Attorney of Gordon Law Group. A graduate of the Chicago Kent College of Law, he is also a Certified Public Accountant with a BA and Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois.
Read MoreThe West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) is pleased to share that, in joint coordination with the Mayor’s Office and the 27th Ward, 12 additional Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers are being assigned to the Fulton Market entertainment district in direct response to recent increases in local crime, including a shooting incident at Alhambra Palace (1240 W Randolph) earlier this week. This additional patrol operates 7 days a week, 6PM–3AM, between Racine to Clinton and Carroll to Washington.
Read MoreSaturday, November 27, 2021 is Small Business Saturday – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. This year, we know that small businesses need our support now more than ever as they navigate, retool and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Please join SBA and organizations across the country in supporting your local small businesses by shopping at a small business.
Read MoreThe Chicago Department of Business Affairs will host webinars this week for an overview of the Chi Biz Strong Grants Program and Outdoor Dining Grants Program. The webinars will provide information about the grants, who can apply, and details regarding eligibility and applications to assistant applicants.
Read MoreMayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced the number of City employees who have confirmed their vaccination status, as well as those who are fully vaccinated, following the implementation of the citywide vaccination policy. The policy, announced in August, required all City employees to be fully vaccinated or report their vaccination status by October 15, 2021.
Read MorePlease join 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) for a virtual community meeting regarding a new construction of a 30-story building with 316 residential units and ground floor commercial on the property located at 1353 West Fulton. The developer will present its plans and answer any questions you may have about the project.
Read MoreThis November, $330K in Central West TIF funds will rollout for new SBIF applicants to help owners of commercial and industrial properties repair or remodel their facilities. Program participants can receive grants for 30 to 90 percent of project costs, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grants are administered by SomerCor on the City's behalf and do not have to be repaid.
Read MoreAt the request of the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) 12th District, we are sharing a Parking Enforcement Bulletin to remind residents, businesses, and visitors that, effective immediately, CPD and the Department of Revenue will begin ramping up local parking enforcement, issuing citations to any and all vehicles stationed illegally — especially any violation blocking emergency vehicle access.
Read MoreNext weekend is the West Loop Art Fest! From 10AM-7PM on Saturday-Sunday, September 18-19, come out to Fulton Market between Peoria and Aberdeen for late summer shopping, live music and art, and much more. And it's free! Produced StarEvents and the West Loop Community Organization. Parking is convenient with numerous garages nearby. Public transportation will take visitors within minutes of the fest.
Read MorePlease join 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) for a virtual community meeting regarding a 26-story, mixed-use office and commercial building at 315 North May Street; and a 33-story, mixed-use building containing 378 residential units at 1112 West Carroll Avenue.
Read MoreThe Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will co-host a virtual community webinar this month with 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Junior, the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO), West Central Association (WCA), and the Neighbors of the West Loop (NOWL) to get feedback on community priorities for yet unused Local Impact Funds in the West Loop neighborhood on Wednesday, September 22 at 6PM.
Read MoreMayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced that, effective October 15, 2021, the City of Chicago will require all City employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, joining many other major municipalities and government agencies in taking this important preventive step. While masking and social distancing requirements in the workplace remain, the best protection against COVID-19 is vaccination.
Read MoreFollowing updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and based on Chicago’s current local COVID-19 data, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is requiring that everyone age two or older, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in public indoor settings, effective Friday, August 20, 2021. Masking remains optional in outdoor settings, where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is lower, though masks are recommended for unvaccinated individuals in crowded outdoor settings.
Read MoreMayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined fellow City, nonprofit, and community leaders to announce the first-of-its-kind Community Safety Coordination Center (CSCC). The CSCC is a multi-agency coordination center that will utilize the lessons learned from the City’s coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the CSCC, the City will utilize this same approach to enhance Mayor’s Lightfoot’s whole of government, community-driven approach to violence prevention and reduction.
Read MoreIn accordance with the City’s plan to provide critical financial relief to Chicago’s business community, the Department of Finance is excited to launch the Business Recovery Payment Plan Program. Through this program, eligible business license holders can enter into a payment plan with as little as $25 down with terms up to 60 months. The Business Recovery Payment Plan Program is available through June 30, 2022 for most debt types.
Read MoreStarting Saturday, the City of Chicago will be kicking off a series of three 2022 Budget Engagement Forums. These events provide opportunities for residents to speak directly to senior leaders across the Mayor's Office and every City department about values and priorities as we enter into a very important budget season. Find the schedule of events inside!
Read MoreAs COVID-19 infection rates across the state continue to increase and with a number of school districts not yet adopting CDC guidance on masking, Governor JB Pritzker and IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike today announced masks will be required for students, teachers, and staff at pre-kindergarten-12th grade schools and day cares across the state.
Read MorePlease be advised that, following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and based on Chicago’s current local COVID-19 data, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) now recommends that everyone over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in public indoor settings. Masking remains optional in outdoor settings, where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is lower, though masks are recommended for unvaccinated individuals in crowded outdoor settings.
Read MoreThe U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is launching a streamlined application portal to allow borrowers with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans $150,000 or less through participating lenders to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA beginning August 4, 2021. Lenders are required to opt-in to this program.
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