The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) has created the Chicago Business Centers (CBC) program and provided grants to eight Chicago-based business service organizations located in neighborhoods to serve as regional hubs providing business licensing assistance and other resources for small businesses. The eight centers will help fill the current gap of local business resources, particularly for entrepreneurs in historically underserved locations and populations.

When to connect with your neighborhood CBC:

CBCs provide support to start-up entrepreneurs, and existing business owners, who need the following types of assistance:

1. Business License, Public Way Use Permit, and City Resources Support | City of Chicago business license and public way use permit online applications through Chicago Business Direct, as well as preparing and connecting with a BACP Business Consultant

2. Funding for Underrepresented Populations | Business funding (debt and/or non-debt) resources especially to those who have historically lacked access to banks and capital networks

3. Professional Services, including Sector-Specific Guidance | Professional development and specialized, sector-specific, business resources; BACP and CBCs, in partnership with corporate providers, present the Corporate Partner Webinar Series

CBCs are located in, and administered by, the following business service organizations:  

Due to COVID-19, all CBC consultations are conducted virtually. Please check this page periodically to find out when walk-ins services become available.