Monday August 7, 2023

Thank You For Attending Our Show!

Tell Us How We Did!

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Thanks To Our Transportation Volunteers !

ILLBA members volunteered to provide airport transfers to the show speakers and presenters.

• Chicago CoachWorks
• EasyRide Chicago
• Galaxy Limousine
• Lux Tux Transportation
• Max's Luxury Rides
• Pontarelli Companies

Reminder: Ground Transportation Annual Tax Filing Due August 15th

1. Start at  Chicago.gov/ChicagoBusinessDirect
2. If you are already an established Chicago Business Direct user, with valid User Id and Password, click the “Sign in” button. 
3. If you are using Chicago Business Direct for the first time, you must first register and establish a personal user profile, which consists of a User Id and Password. The blue “register today” is a link that will route you to the page and through process. You only need to register once.
4. Once you log in, you may view all the Business Accounts to which you are linked, in your “MY BUSINESS ACCOUNTS” page. If you are not linked to your Business Account, please send an email to: ChicagoBusinessDirect@cityofchicago.org for assistance.  

Starting Monday, August 7th, after the evening rush hours, the Chicago Department of Transportation will break ground on a multi-phase project to rehabilitate four viaducts of Canal Street between Taylor Street and Madison Street that serve as both a major corridor into Chicago’s Central Business District, and as the roof of Chicago Union Station. Phase I of this improvement will be a viaduct rehabilitation of Canal Street from Jackson Boulevard to Adams Street, adjacent to Chicago Union Station.

The full width of Canal Street, including the roadway and sidewalks, will be fully reconstructed. To facilitate completion of this work, Canal Street will be fully closed from Jackson to Adams for approximately 18 months. Construction crews will perform day and night work. Access to Chicago Union Station will be maintained. 

For more details click here

City of Chicago Events and Traffic Restrictions



Wrigley Field Transportation Restrictions Map 2023 - click here

Soldier Field Transportation Restrictions Map 2023 - 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

Avoid Being Added to The Match List!

What is The MATCH List ?

At first glance, being included on The MATCH List might seem like an opportunity to meet someone new on Match.com. However, in credit card processing, no Merchant wants to find themselves on the Member Alert To Control High-Risk Merchants list, also known as The MATCH List. It’s also known as The Blacklist in Merchant Services.

Click here to learn more about the MATCH list in an article submitted by ILLBA vendor Jim Luff

Illinois Drivers Will Need Appointments For License Services At 44 High-Traffic Locations

Drivers who need to renew their license at a secretary of state facility will likely have to make an appointment starting this fall.

Beginning Sept. 1, 44 driver services facilities in medium and large cities around the state will require appointments for things like renewing a license, updating a license to meet Real ID requirements or taking a driving test. Vehicle services like title registration will still be offered on a walk-in basis. 

Read the Sun-Times article here

Applications are now open for The 2023 Source Grant, which provides $40 million in grants to small businesses to help stabilize operations, foster recovery and resiliency, and advance equity in a post-pandemic economy.

All businesses located in Cook County with fewer than 20 full-time employees that were in business prior to 2020 are eligible to apply. This opportunity is available for businesses in all sectors.

Read press release for details

Illinois Celebrates Contour Airlines’ New

“First Flight” Between Chicago And Marion

Contour Airlines recently celebrated its “first flight” – the very first flight of a new route established between Chicago and Marion. The new route will make Southern Illinois more accessible for business travel and visiting family and friends, while opening the door to the many tourism gems and attractions throughout each region. 

Read press release

“The richest people in the world build networks. Everyone else is trained to look for work.”

– Robert Kiyosaki