Mayor Emanuel announced new efforts to boost small business in Chicago on Thursday. Anyone who has done business in City Hall probably came out saying, "There's got to be a better way."
The mayor said City Hall has found a way to cut the red tape and help entrepreneurs open new businesses in the city faster.
The new Small Business Center is on the eighth floor at City Hall. It's the place to find licenses and permits for construction, or zoning for small businesses.
Through a pilot program involving 200 start-ups over nine months, the city found that on average, a new restaurant would take 180 days to get going. The city's restaurant start-up program cut that time to about 75 days.
Mayor Emanuel said City Hall should be a partner in business, not an obstacle to them. He also said they should treat constituents as customers.
"What happens is they're already getting and have to make payments on their bank line of credit," Emanuel said. "Yet the door is not open, because they didn't get a liquor license or the license came at a different time when the restaurant license came. My goal is to not have people paying the banks before they have to get a customer through the door."
Those restaurant owners said they were so worried about their business plans and their product lines, and they would come to City Hall and would be banging their heads against the wall.
But the City Hall has now cut some of that process. They have reduced the license categories required from 117 to 49 categories. That's still a lot, but the small business owners said it reduces their headaches too.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:53:15 GMT
Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.
Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.
On this week's Ask the Expert, Redfin real estate agent and local housing market expert Jenna Smith answered your questions about pre-financial crisis prices, a good time to buy and what "comps" are.
On this week's Ask the Expert, Redfin real estate agent and local housing market expert Jenna Smith answered your questions about pre-financial crisis prices, a good time to buy and what "comps" are.
Yahoo is buying online blogging forum Tumblr for $1.1 billion as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to rejuvenate an Internet icon that had fallen behind the times.
After falling woefully out of fashion, Yahoo wants to be cool again while catering to the capitalistic demands of its shareholders. That goal led CEO Marissa Mayer to make a $1.1 billion bet on online blogging forum Tumblr...
A Chicago startup wants to make finding your lost items easier, with a new website and mobile app called "crowdfynd." Co-founders Jay Sebben and Pinaki Saha explained how they're helping relieve your anxiety.
A Chicago startup wants to make finding your lost items easier, with a new website and mobile app called "crowdfynd." Co-founders Jay Sebben and Pinaki Saha explained how they're helping relieve your anxiety.
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-19 15:50:06 GMT
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
Friday, May 17 2013 2:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 18:26:00 GMT
The Powerball jackpot has jumped again! An incredible $600 million is up for grabs, and officials expect it will increase even more before Saturday night's drawing.
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The Powerball jackpot has jumped again! An incredible $600 million is up for grabs, and officials expect it will increase even more before Saturday night's drawing.
Chicago born designer Samantha Sleeper is making a triumphant return home this weekend, to showcase her latest collection in the Gold Coast at her very own pop-up shop.
Chicago born designer Samantha Sleeper is making a triumphant return home this weekend, to showcase her latest collection in the Gold Coast at her very own pop-up shop.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:51 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:51:56 GMT
The Chicago Farmer's Market opened for business in Daley Plaza on Thursday, offering fresh fruit, vegetables, plants and flowers to anyone who stops by the downtown set-up.
The Chicago Farmer's Market opened for business in Daley Plaza on Thursday, offering fresh fruit, vegetables, plants and flowers to anyone who stops by the downtown set-up.
