Effective January 1, 2022, all Chicago employers of nannies, care workers, and home cleaners must provide their workers with a written contract in their preferred language. The contract must include the wage and the work schedule agreed upon by the employer and the domestic worker. This mandate ensures accountability, transparency, and predictability for domestic workers so they can plan for themselves and their families.

DPD is now accepting applications for grant funding to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing development. All are welcome to apply. City staff will prioritize projects in areas of Chicago where there is a history of disinvestment or limited private investment.

The city will require some businesses — including bars, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues — to start checking patrons’ COVID-19 vaccination status starting Monday, January 3rd.

Starting January 1, 2022, Illinois restaurants that offer a packaged "children's meal" will be required to offer at least one of the following beverages as the default beverage with the meal: water, sparkling water, or flavored water with no natural or artificial sweeteners, 100% fruit or vegetable juice with no added sweeteners, nonfat or 1% dairy milk, or a non-dairy milk alternative with no added or artificial sweeteners.

With the recent uptick in crime in both Lakeview and Roscoe Village, we know safety is top of mind for our business owners and residents. The safety and security of our businesses and residents remain our top priority, and the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce will continue to work with the 19th District, Wards 32, 44, and 47 office, and other community partners to make sure our businesses and residents feel safe. Below are resources that the 19th District office would like us to share with our business community. To help deter crime, business owners should ensure that surveillance systems are active and monitored. Additionally, business owners and staff should be alert, plan ahead, trust their instincts, and hide valuables. If you or your staff witness suspicious or illegal activity, do not hesitate to call 911. Please note, the 19th District office will be deploying additional resources to deter crime throughout Lakeview and Roscoe Village.

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman recently announced that the SBA intends to elevate its Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) to directly report to the Office of the Administrator. Under Administrator Guzman, the SBA has expanded the number of Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) to a record 140 locations nationwide. These WBCs offer a network of extensive on-the-ground resources that include free to low-cost counseling, training, business development technical assistance and are dedicated to assisting women entrepreneurs to start, grow, and expand their enterprises.

A great business plan can impress potential investors and pave the way for your business’s success. Use these four key questions to guide you as you create yours.