Get involved in We Will Chicago, the first citywide plan in over 50 years. Artist-organizer teams from Honey Pot Performance are hosting events across the city based on the seven pillars of We Will. Members of the public are invited to meet the artists, learn about the citywide plan, and share their thoughts on the future of Chicago.
Visit WeWillChicago.com/Calendar for a full schedule of events. All events are free and open to the public. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status.
- Practical Life Skills | Tuesday, October 5, 12 PM
- Civic Participation | Wednesday, October 6, 12 PM
- School as Community Hub | October 12, 6:30 PM
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VIRTUAL OUTREACH AND EVENTS |
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DPS participates in many outreach events around the Chicagoland area. Check out the upcoming events happening soon. For a full calendar of events, please visit www.chicago.gov/dpsevents
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Attention Small Business Owners! The Illinois Back 2 Business Grant Has Gone Live Apply now! |
As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s overall economic recovery strategy, the $250 million Back to Business (B2B) grant program aims to deploy small businesses recovery grants for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. DCEO has invested $9 million in support of Community Navigator organizations working in every region of the state. These organizations will provide technical assistance to businesses, with a focus on underserved businesses including minority, rural, veteran and women-owned businesses.
You can also set up an appointment with the Urban League’s Business Coaches who can help you apply.
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City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers
October 6, 2021 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, and the Department of Buildings will provide insight on how operate a compliant business in the City of Chicago. Topics covered will include how to prepare for inspections, building permits and sign display requirements, food inspection overview and necessary certificates, and zoning review procedures. Learn how to operate safely and avoid common setbacks. |
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Spotlight on Manufacturing Webinar Series |
Join us throughout October to hear insights from exporting and manufacturing experts. This month-long Manufacturing webinar series starts on September 30th and continues every Thursday in October.
Manufacturing Month Webinar Lineup:
Early-stage Manufacturers – Oct 7: Explore federal resources available to support the idea phase,
commercialization, and global growth journey of early-stage manufacturers.
Financing/Credit Insurance – Oct 14: Listen in on a discussion of financial challenges and solutions for
manufacturers. Learn from the experts!
Supply Chain – Oct 21: The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) will facilitate a discussion on supply
chain solutions for SME manufacturers. Learn how your company improves operations, reduce costs, and
mitigate risk through effective supply chain management!
Celebrando el Mes de la Manufactura – Oct 28: This Spanish language webinar will feature Hispanic-owned manufacturers sharing their export success stories and an overview of Federal export promotion resources.
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Supplier Diversity – Understanding the Supplier Diversity Program Lifecycle
October 7, 2021 | 5:30 AM - 7:00 PM
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Join us for "Supplier Diversity - Understanding the Supplier Diversity Program Lifecycle". From start-up to best in class, join us as we take a closer look at organizations in all different stages of their Supplier Diversity Program. Learn from Supplier Diversity industry leaders as they share their programs in detail. Walk away with key fundamentals and key best practices in Supplier Diversity. |
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WealthNOW Conference
October 9, 2021 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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The WealthNOW Conference is a highly anticipated, virtual event presented by the Economic Empowerment Institute of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. Invest in yourself by attending this life-changing conference. Learn innovative financial tools, invaluable wealth-building tips, and how to secure your home and neighborhood. |
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Access to Capital
October 13, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
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To continue ensuring that MBEs can compete and have access to resources, ChicagoMSDC will highlight ways, MBEs can access capital for business growth. |
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Resources to Start and Grow Your Business
October 13, 2021 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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To honor and recognize Polish American Heritage Month, the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs (BACP) will host a business education webinar geared towards the Polish business community. Polish American Heritage Month is observed in October and celebrates the vital contributions people of Polish descent have made in history and culture. The free webinar will inform and empower business owners and entrepreneurs of the available resources offered by business development organizations. The presentation will be in English with the opportunity to ask questions in Polish during the Q&A. |
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ByBlack Platform Conference
October 13-14, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Attendees will have the flexibility to customize their in-person or virtual experience with the ability to access sessions in-person, live streamed online, or viewed on demand after they’ve posted. Speakers will include top industry leaders selected by USBC and NABOB on the latest strategies to grow Black businesses, Black Chambers of Commerce, and Black-Owned Media in this growing economy. |
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LatinX Heritage Month Business Roundtable
October 14, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Please join MWRD for a virtual roundtable. Learn how and why to do business with the MWRD. Presentations on how to do business with the MWRD, diversity in consulting and construction contracts Current and upcoming contracting opportunities will be discussed. |
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TRACKING CONTRACT PAYMENTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
October 6, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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The Certification & Compliance (C2) Network System is a web-based tool that provides up-to-date tracking of payments made to prime contractors and sub-contractors. Prime contractors are responsible for reporting payments to all sub-contractors on a monthly basis. Come learn the roles and responsibilities of both the prime and subcontractors. |
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FIRST LOOK: THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT (DWM)
October 7, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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The Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) will preview potential upcoming construction contracts for the year. Additionally, focused on the ambitious 10-year Capital Improvement Plan, DWM has opportunities in water and sewer main replacement, facilities modernization for engineering and construction projects. These contracts, both term agreements, and standalone contracts will be available to bid by vendors and DWM staff will be available to provide highlights and specifics on these upcoming projects. |
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HOW TO BECOME CERTIFIED
October 13, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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DPS is the certifying agency for the following certifications: Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran-Owned Business (VBE), Business Enterprise for People with Disabilities (BEPD), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE). This workshop will provide detailed information on who is qualified to be a Chicago certified firm. Learn out what documents are needed when submitting an application and how to avoid the most common mistakes in the certification process. Subject matter experts will be on-hand to answer all your questions about common certification topics. |
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PROCUREMENT FUNDAMENTALS: DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY
October 14, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Do you have questions about how to become a successful bidder on City contracting opportunities? Unsure where to begin? This informational workshop highlights the role and responsibility of DPS in the City’s purchasing process. Come learn about different procurement methods and the laws which govern the procurement process. Once completed, you will better understand what it takes before you start the bidding process and your responsibilities after you have won a contract with the City of Chicago. |
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WEEKLY BID OPPORTUNITY LIST |
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Bid Opportunity List for the Week of October 4, 2021 |
The weekly Bid Opportunity List (BOL) is the resource to find currently advertised contracting opportunities with the City of Chicago. The information on the BOL is subject to change.
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Please be advised that all contracts awarded on March 10, 2021 and beyond will include Terms related to compliance with Executive Order 2021-2. These terms include quarterly reporting requirements for the projected and actual utilization of M/WBE firms. |
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RESOURCES FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY |
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Resource Navigators
The City of Chicago has established Small Business Resource Navigators to provide 1:1 assistance to small businesses looking for support. For more information, click here.
Information on Chicago Reopening Guidelines
Mayor Lightfoot recently released industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as the city prepares to begin safely reopening. Industry-specific guidelines include details such as how businesses can engage in healthy interactions between workers and customers, how to maintain safe working spaces and conditions, and how to design and monitor workplace operations to create flexibility and maintain safety for employees and customers. Guidelines can be found at www.chicago.gov/reopening.
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DPS believes that everyone should have a chance to participate in the business of government. This includes participation by way of bidding on a contract, being a supplier, becoming a certified vendor, or even learning about how to do business with the City.
Our DPS website provides information to keep our vendor community informed of procurement news, outreach, initiative and programs. Visit www.chicago.gov/dps to learn about the following:
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DEPARTMENT OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES | www.chicago.gov/dps |
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