The Small Business Advocacy Council has been working with a strong coalition on efforts to revitalize neighborhood business districts in Chicago. As part of these efforts, we are advocating to reduce fees for small businesses that want to open in Chicago. We are thrilled to report that we have worked with Alderman David Moore to file an ordinance that will cut fees for Chicago special use permits in half! A special use permit creates an exception to zoning regulations that may prohibit innovative businesses from opening.
The special use permit will still need to be approved by the Chicago zoning board of appeals. This simply makes it more affordable for certain small businesses to open in Chicago. The fee will be reduced from $1000.00 to $500.00 for businesses with 100 or fewer employees.
We look forward to engaging with politicians to get this ordinance passed!
What can politicians do right now to help businesses?
With the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, we need politicians to support the small business community now. The SBAC’s Elliot Richardson explains some things politicians can do right now to help in his Business Ledger article! Read Article
501(c)(6) Relief
Stimulus for 501(c)(6) Organizations Small businesses, nonprofits, and chambers of commerce across the nation are struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the CARES Act included relief for 501(c)(3) organizations, 501(c)(6)s were inexplicably excluded from this important legislation that would have provided significant aid to these crucial nonprofits, including local chambers of…