MEDIA ADVISORY: More Room for Chicagoans to Grow Home-based Businesses

CHICAGO, IL 𑁋 Today, the substitute ordinance (record no. SO2021-332) reforming the home-based business process passed in City Council, an awaited win for the small business and entrepreneurial community.

The substitute ordinance represents the successful collaboration between partnerships with Elliot Richardson, Co-Founder and President of the Small Business Advocacy Council;  Beth Kregor, the Director of the IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School; and the Departments of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, Buildings, and Planning and Development.

“This is a crucial time to support entrepreneurs with the dream of launching and growing their businesses in Chicago. This ordinance will unleash Chicagoans looking to build a business that will support local communities,” said Elliot Richardson. “We appreciate the support and leadership of Chairman Villegas in moving this ordinance forward. We are also thankful to the Aldermen and Alderwomen who sponsored the ordinance and those at the City who we worked with on home-based business reform.”

“Chicagoans need the freedom to start a business in their own homes.  We are thrilled that the City Council made this change so everyone in Chicago will have the space they need to make a living in the space they have. It’s an important step that encourages and honors the entrepreneurial spirit of Chicagoans who are finding a way to create their own jobs in the wake of the pandemic,” said Beth Kregor.

“Of the many changes, we are most proud of the equity component within the ordinance that changed from the previous 10% to now 300 square feet or 25% of the total space, whichever is greater. This is vital because it helps move Chicago towards a more robust and accessible economic recovery. This is just the beginning, we look forward to working with these partnerships to build off of this momentum,” said Chairman Villegas.

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