Our Letter to City Council:

Published

September 4, 2026

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A Game-Changer for Small Businesses:

Alderman Matt Martin has taken compelling action to improve the process by which small businesses can operate in Chicago. Recognizing the crucial role small businesses play in our economy and the numerous challenges they are facing at this moment, Alderman Martin has proposed an Order that, if adopted by City Council, will direct the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) to formulate an implementation plan for a “One-Stop Shop Business Licensing and Permitting Portal” through which small businesses in Chicago can:

  • apply for or renew all licenses or permits,
  • request inspections,
  • coordinate directly with City Department liaisons, and
  • find personalized information, including the status of their permit or license application, the status of their inspection request, and inspection requirements.

You can read the full order here. We encourage small business owners and advocates to reach out to their Alder and encourage them to support and adopt this order.

The SBAC drafted a Letter to City Council supporting the Order. Forty Chambers and Place-Based Organizations have signed on. 

The SBAC deeply appreciates Alderman Martin’s leadership on this issue, and thanks Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Cruz, Alderperson Fuentes, Alderman Knudsen, Alderman Reilly, Alderman La Spata, and Alderman Rodriguez for their support.

Endorsed By:

Albany Park Chamber of Commerce

Andersonville Chamber of Commerce

Belmont-Central Chamber of Commerce

Building Owners and Managers Assoc. of Chicago

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Edgewater Chamber of Commerce

The Foundation of Little Village

Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce

Greater Northwest Chicago Development Corporation

Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce

Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce

Greater Southwest Development Corporation

Illinois Restaurant Association

Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago

Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship

Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce

Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce

Lawndale Business Renaissance Association

Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce

Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce

Logan Square Chamber of Commerce

National Federation of Independent Business

New Covenant Community Development Corporation

North Branch Works

North River Commission

Northcenter Chamber of Commerce

Northwest Side Community Development Corporation

Old Town Merchants & Residents Association

Quad Communities Development Corporation

Rogers Park Business Alliance

Small Business Advocacy Council

Small Business Majority

South East Chicago Chamber of Commerce

South East Chicago Commission

South Loop Chamber of Commerce

South Shore Chamber of Commerce

Uptown Chamber of Commerce

West Town Chamber of Commerce

Woodlawn Chamber of Commerce

Woodstock Institute