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The Illinois Small Business Development Center International Trade Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC). Reasonable accomodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Please contact the center at (312)433-2373.

August 2019
Entrepreneurship Education at ICNC
The Illinois Small Business Development Center International Trade Center at ICNC is hosting no-cost workshops!

Small Business Legal Clinic
Join us for a no-cost, legal clinic presented by the Community Law Project of Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and other legal partners from across Chicagoland! The event will include networking and a light breakfast, 2 legal education workshops on Classifying Workers, and Contract Provisions & Negotiating Tips (30 mins. each), and private sessions with lawyers to address small business legal questions (20-30 min. slots). 

Thursday, August 22nd
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM


eCommerce Payment Essentials
E-commerce remains a new and exciting way to conduct business. In this workshop, you'll learn how to successfully and efficiently accept payments both domestically and abroad, as well as avoid common pitfalls.

Wednesday, September 18th
8:30 - 11:30 AM



Webinar -  Retail Marketing 101 - August 15th at 12:00 PM
So you have an idea for a product - what's next? How do you convert that idea into actual sales? The process from idea to retail shelf is complicated. Learn from the Retail Coach! 
This event is a live webinar hosted by Retail Bound.  
Watch here !
The Impact Culinary Training Program
The second cohort of the Impact Culinary Training Program will begin in November 2019! The program aims to provide the young adults with 8 weeks of culinary training in the kitchen, followed by 4 weeks of experience working in a restaurant during an internship. Recruitment for the next cohort will begin soon. Read about the program from Block Club Chicago, Frontera, and WBEZ. Learn more about the program here
Kinzie Framework Plan Passes Plan Commission
Last month, Chicago's City Council referred the Kinzie Framework Plan to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards to review and vote on the proposed boundary and use changes to the Kinzie Industrial Corridor's Planned Manufacturing District (PMD). If approved, the Plan will be presented at the September 18th City Council meeting for final vote. ICNC continues to support the adoption of the Kinzie Framework Plan and its proposal to retain the PMD and livable-wage jobs located near Chicago's city center. For questions regarding the plan or how to share your support for its adoption, contact Hannah.  
The HR Corner 
- Are you ready to hire staff but lack the time to screen resumes? Our workforce development department can assist you!  Learn more.

Illinois recently began implementation of the Secure Choice Savings Program , a program which establishes a statewide payroll deduction Individual Retirement Account program open to private sector employees. Participation in the program is mandatory for businesses that have been operating for at least 2 years, have more than 25 employees and do not offer their own qualified retirement plans.

- On July 31st, Governor Pritzker signed HB0834 into law, amending the state's Equal Pay Act. The amendments toughen the state's pay equity protections and includes a ban on businesses asking potential new hires about their salary history. The new law becomes effective on September 29, 2019. 

- The City Council recently passed the "Fair Workweek" Ordinance. This ordinance will put new mandates on how employers schedule their employees, including 14 days notice of scheduling, predictability pay for changes in scheduled shifts, and extra pay for workers who work two shifts within 10 hours. It also is the most expansive workweek legislation in the country.

- Your business can receive money back for hiring full-time Chicago residents through the TIFWorks 50/50 Program! For more information, contact Hannah.
 
To discuss your HR needs, please contact Nancy or Priscilla in our Workforce Development Department!
Grow Your Business @ Make City!
Enjoy a thriving entrepreneurial community and immediate access to ICNC's advising, export, and advocacy services at ICNC's Make City incubator alongside 100 other small businesses.
  
Click here to view the available spaces.    
Upcoming Food Workshops
The Hatchery, a collaboration between ICNC and Accion Chicago to bring education, capital, and support to the Chicagoland food entrepreneur community, has upcoming food workshops.  

Starting a Food Business - September 9

*Certain workshops are free for members of the West Side communities (Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and West Humboldt).
For more information, call ( 312)421-3941 or email   info@industrialcouncil.com .