We apologize for the delay in this week's edition as there was a technical issue.

Monday March 4, 2024

For this week’s #SpotlightSeries, please allow us to introduce Guillermo Ramirez, and his company Ramz Limo Chicago. As a one-SUV operation, with no additional employees beyond Guillermo and his wife, Ramz Limo has been building a reputation for reliability, luxury, and customer satisfaction since 2018 by developing strong, long-term relationships with their clients. Guillermo wears many hats inside of his company — reservations, farm-outs, driving — but that also means he knows exactly what is happening at all times, and allows him to make the intuitive, personalized, and sometimes unexpected decisions that set their services apart. 

Read Guillermo’s full interview on our website (www.illba.org) and follow along to learn more about our ILLBA members! 

Are you an ILLBA owner, operator, vendor or service provider who is interested in being featured? Connect with ILLBA Secretary and Executive Director Paula DeBiasi to participate. 

City of Chicago Events and Traffic Restrictions



Wrigley Field Transportation Restrictions Map 2023 - click here

Soldier Field Transportation Restrictions Map 2023 - click here

Transportation Restrictions for Bally's Temporary Casino Effective Sept. 9 - click here

Uptown Entertainment District Transportation Restrictions Eff Dec 22 - click here

Continued Closure Of Canal St. At Union Station - click here

McCormick Place Events Calendar

Stay up to date on traffic and road closures by downloading and using the Chicago OEMC App: Chicago.gov/OEMC

News You Can Use

JetBlue, Spirit Agree To Terminate Airline Merger Agreement

JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced the companies have agreed to terminate their July 2022 merger agreement.

Officials from JetBlue and Spirit mutually agreed that terminating is the best path forward for both companies as required closing conditions, including receiving necessary legal and regulatory approvals, were unlikely to be met by July 24, 2024.

Read more

Grant And Education Opportunities

City of Chicago Entrepreneur Certificate Program

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Entrepreneur Certificate Program is a free program for anyone interested in starting or growing a business in Chicago to gain knowledge across various essential business topics.

Since the program launched, more than 1,000 Chicago entrepreneurs and business owners have successfully completed the program.

All Program graduates, based in Chicagoland, are eligible to apply for the Entrepreneur Loan Program with BACP’s partner bank, CIBC.

Learn more

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Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA Illinois Event Calendar

SBA Indiana Event Calendar

SBA Wisconsin Event Calendar

Allies For Community Business -Business coaching; small business loans, grant opportunities

• Apply for a $10K grant with Fast Break for Small Business - click for details

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If you know of any opportunities in the midwest or nationally, please email the ILLBA office so we can share with members.

“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” 

-Babe Ruth