The ILLBA Roundup

Monday January 1, 2024

Upcoming Events

Ring In The New Year With the ILLBA

Tuesday January 9th, 4:30pm -8:30pm

Carlucci, Rosemont

Registration Open !

Deadline Friday January 5th

Join us for a fantastic new year celebration! We're excited to bring together members and friends for a night of networking, celebrating, a 3 course Italian dinner, plus prizes and surprises.

Start the new year with a new image! Get a complimentary headshot by a professional photographer (a $150 value).

Sponsorships still available, contact Paula for details.

Early Bird Registration Ends January 29th

Save The Date

Coffee With the ILLBA (Virtual)

Tuesday February 13, 2024 Via Zoom

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT

Topic suggestions? Contact Paula or a board member.

Sponsorships are available

City of Chicago Updates

Webinars and Workshops

Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection’s

FREE business education webinars .Click here for the schedule

No webinars from Monday, December 25, 2023 to Tuesday, January 9, 2024

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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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Compliments? Complaints, Incidents?

Report it!

Non Emergency - call 311

Emergency numbers

O'Hare 773-894-9111

Midway 773-838-9111

Incident Report - issues, complaints and compliments

Click here for incident report

If you witness an incident, do not confront the individual(s) for safety reasons. The CDA encourages you to use one of the above ways to inform authorities.

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TOOL KITS FOR

PUBLIC PASSENGER VEHICLE LICENSEES

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) created TOOL KITS to provide information and resources to support TAXI and PUBLIC PASSENGER VEHICLE license holders.

Click here for details

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CITY OF CHICAGO OFFICE CLOSINGS

Monday, January 1, 2024 (in observance of New Year's Day)
Monday, January 15, 2024 (in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday)
Monday, February 12, 2024 (in observance of Lincoln's Birthday)
Monday, February 19, 2024 (in observance of Washington's Birthday)

An Invitation - Spotlight With The ILLBA

Join us as we feature and introduce our members in the ILLBA Spotlight Series.

What is the ILLBA Spotlight ?

The ILLBA Spotlight is an opportunity for members and vendor/suppliers to introduce themselves and their company to the ILLBA community in a feature article.

Articles will be published in the ILLBA Roundup as well as on social media.

What are the benefits of participating in the ILLBA Spotlight Series ?

Introducing yourself to the community provides an opportunity for fellow members to learn more about your company and you.
Provides the opportunity to develop professional and business relationships with members.
The article can be shared across your networks, giving you more business and professional exposure

Learn more

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

UPDATED ! 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

Chicago Skyway Tolls Increasing Jan. 1

Motorists on the Chicago Skyway toll road will have to pay a little more when the clock strikes 12 on Jan. 1.

Beginning in 2024, the rate for two-axle vehicles — passenger vehicles and some light trucks — on the 7.8-mile shortcut from Chicago to Indiana will rise from $6.60 to $7.20, according to the Chicago Skyway website.

Travellers Face Another Year Of Disruption in 2024

Demand is recovering faster than supply, which means delays and higher prices.

The Must-Know Ways Small Business Will Change In 2024

From technological advancements to shifts in consumer and employee demand, small businesses must continuously adapt to market changes. With 2023 winding down, many entrepreneurs are looking ahead to 2024 and adjusting their strategies to meet the needs of the business climate.

Chicago Taxis Have A New Look

Taxi license holders had asked BACP to explore an alternative solution to damaging the taxi vehicle by drilling a hole to bolt the taxi medallion metal plate to the vehicle hood.

In May 2023, BACP launched a survey asking the taxi industry to vote to keep or replace the metal plate. The majority, 85%, voted to replace the metal plate.

Starting with the 2024 taxi license renewal, BACP will be issuing adhesive taxi license decals to be affixed and displayed on the passenger side dashboard of the taxi vehicle. The new decal eliminates drilling holes into taxi vehicles, is visible to the public and enforcement, and is a positive sustainability initiative.

Grant Opportunities

ILLINOIS DCECO B2B NEWBIZ Grant Deadline January 11th

The state of IL has allocated $25 million in grant funding to support businesses in hard-hit sectors that started operations between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, but have not been eligible for other federal or state relief programs. Applications for eligible for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations are open from November 30 through January 11, 2024.

Click to learn more

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

“Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

– Winston Churchill