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, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
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, June 19 2013 4:14 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:14:33 GMT
Two government aid programs somehow became one Wednesday afternoon on the West Side. Hundreds of people lined up for both food and flood assistance at the state office at Chicago and Pulaski.
Two government aid programs somehow became one Wednesday afternoon on the West Side. Hundreds of people lined up for both food and flood assistance at the state office at Chicago and Pulaski.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:08 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:08:32 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
FOX consumer reporter Steve Noviello joined Good Day Chicago live from Dallas Wednesday morning to share tips on how to get the best deals on flights and hotels this summer.
FOX consumer reporter Steve Noviello joined Good Day Chicago live from Dallas Wednesday morning to share tips on how to get the best deals on flights and hotels this summer.
Summer is here and running season is in full swing, but you might not have everything you need. David Zimmer of Fleet Feet Sports shared tips on how to buy the best pair of running shoes for your feet.
Summer is here and running season is in full swing, but you might not have everything you need. David Zimmer of Fleet Feet Sports shared tips on how to buy the best pair of running shoes for your feet.
Monday, June 17 2013 3:09 PM EDT2013-06-17 19:09:21 GMT
On the first day of deliberation, the jury hearing former Chicago alderman Ambrosio Medrano's trial found him guilty of bribery. He could face up to five years in prison.
On the first day of deliberation, the jury hearing former Chicago alderman Ambrosio Medrano's trial found him guilty of bribery. He could face up to five years in prison.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:44 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:44:33 GMT
A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn says he has fully backed the tough pension proposal supported by the Illinois House and has "fought hard" to get it passed.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn says he has fully backed the tough pension proposal supported by the Illinois House and has "fought hard" to get it passed.
Amy Le started out behind the wheel at Duck-N-Roll. Now she's bringing some Asian-Latin spice to Chicago's financial district with her new restaurant Saucy Porka. Ever heard of a "baco?"
Amy Le started out behind the wheel at Duck-N-Roll. Now she's bringing some Asian-Latin spice to Chicago's financial district with her new restaurant Saucy Porka. Ever heard of a "baco?"
Monday, June 17 2013 12:48 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:48:35 GMT
Jewel-Osco was offering a $0.05 per gallon discount on fuel at Shell stations for every $50 in grocery purchases. But they have decided to cut the program.
Jewel-Osco was offering a $0.05 per gallon discount on fuel at Shell stations for every $50 in grocery purchases. But they have decided to cut the program.
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