Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Celebrate National Small Business Week

Today Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) proudly highlight the invaluable contributions of Chicago’s small business owners and entrepreneurs who create jobs, boost the local economy and engage with their communities. This year, National Small Business Week (NSBW) will take place May 4th to May 9th. NSBW, sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the vital contributions of small businesses in our communities and city.

“During National Small Business Week, the City of Chicago renews its commitment to helping our small businesses thrive by providing valuable support and resources,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Under initiatives like the recently announced the Build Better Together initiative, we will continue to drive economic growth that benefits every commercial corridor of our city.” 

“BACP ensures every Chicago business owner and entrepreneur has access to the resources, education and support they need to thrive,” said BACP Commissioner Ivan Capifali. “National Small Business Week is a powerful reminder of the importance of investing in small businesses and celebrating those who keep our city moving forward.”

In recognition of NSBW, BACP will host webinars on:

• Tuesday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m.: Get In The Know: Resources for Your Small Businesses presented by BACP
• Wednesday, May 7 at 3:00 p.m.: City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers presented by BACP, the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Chicago Department of Buildings
• Thursday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m.: Steps to Obtain a Business License presented by BACP
• Friday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m.: Small Business Development Grants presented by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development 

The BACP free business education webinars are a long-standing program designed to prepare and empower entrepreneurs and business owners for success. Learn more and register by visiting Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars.

Additional BACP efforts and resources include: 

• Empowering businesses with detailed license application information online: BACP’s website now features easy to read, comprehensive guidance on how to obtain a business license including pages featuring required documents and application steps. Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/BusinessLicensing. 
• Promoting the BACP Behind the Business License video series: Each episode details a business owner sharing their experiences of working with the City of Chicago and their local business service organization. Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/BTBL.
• Celebrating business ownership: A selfie station has been placed outside of the Small Business Center to serve as a creative and engaging way to celebrate the accomplishments of business owners. BACP encourages newly licensed businesses to share their selfie photos on social media and tag @ChicagoBACP. BACP shares photos to encourage participation, boost visibility and build community among small business owners.
• Partnering with business advocacy groups: BACP will continue its collaboration with organizations like the SBA and Neighborhood Business Development Centers to amplify the reach of business educational materials and initiatives. Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/NBDC. 
• Utilizing social media: Throughout the week, BACP will share business information on its social media platforms using #SmallBusinessWeek to build awareness.
• Highlighting the Shop Local Chicago campaign: The campaign outlines the benefits of shopping local such as the shopping experience, workforce contribution and local economy boost. Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/ShopLocal. 

“During National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is pleased to celebrate Illinois small businesses that fuel local economies, create jobs and build resilient communities,” said Willette LeGrant, SBA Illinois District Director. “The SBA is proud to partner with small business owners at every step of their journey to help them start, grow and excel.”

“As a BACP Neighborhood Business Development Center, we provide no-cost hyper-local business development assistance to entrepreneurs and business owners-we understand the importance of small businesses to our community,” said Wallace Goode, President and CEO, Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce. “It’s empowering to see Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago investing in small businesses and recognizing their impact during National Small Business Week, as well as through the year-round programs and events.” 

BACP ensures a fair and vibrant marketplace for businesses, workers and consumers in the City of Chicago. BACP licenses businesses and public vehicles, regulates business activity, protects consumers from fraud, enforces Chicago’s labor laws, partners with business service organizations, and provides education and resources for businesses. Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/BACP.