The City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) promotes economic development by providing small businesses with reimbursable grants for permanent building improvement costs. SBIF grants use local Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue to reimburse you for the pre-approved repair or rehab of your business facilities or adjacent land acquisition. SomerCor is the program administrator contracted by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development.

Taste of Chicago returns this year with food and music events in three Chicago neighborhoods in June and a “Bite-Sized” version of the classic Lakefront Extravaganza July 8, 9, 10 — showcasing an estimated 30–40 eateries each day, and three main stage evening concerts. Interested food vendors can now apply to participate below.

On Feb. 10, the Senate joined the House of Representatives by introducing the Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act. Its sponsors are Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA).

The IRAEF Employee Relief Fund has recently expanded its mission to offer emergency assistance to any Illinois food and beverage worker facing an unanticipated hardship within the past 90 days such as accident, illness, injury, death of an immediate family member, or natural disaster.

CHICAGO — Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the city will drop its mask and proof-of-vaccination mandates on Feb. 28, the same day that masking restrictions are set to expire statewide.