Via the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection

During this poor economic time, businesses need all the help we can provide.  The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection is putting together important workshops and events to help businesses navigate this tough economy.  We strongly recommend businesses in trouble attend "My Failing Business, Is it me or the economy?" workshop on Thursday February 26.

WORKSHOPS:
BACP's Monthly Education Workshop -- The February calendar includes great workshops such as financing your business, starting a non-for-profit, contracting 101, online marketing and much more. Enclosed is a PDF copy of the calendar or you may visit our website for more information at www.cityofchicago.org/businessaffairs

May Failing Business, is it me or the economy? -- Thursday, February 26 from 2-4pm at 121 N. LaSalle Street, 2nd Floor.  BACP invites you to join Jay Goltz, speaker, author and CEO of the Goltz Group; Michael Procaccio, President of PRO Financial; Esh Noojibail, SCORE Vice Chair; and, representatives from Bank of America and the SBA who will provide important advice on managing and financing your business during this tough economy as well as highlight how the federal stimulus package may impact businesses. Enclosed is a PDF flyer for you to distribute. You may call (312) 744-5344 to reserve your seat.

PROGRAMS:
BACP's Small Business Solution Station -- The Solution Station is a pilot program to provide free business planning, legal and financial counseling at City Hall. The program will be operated in partnership with Chicago business Organizations like SCORE, ACCION, Community and Economic Law Project (CEDLP), and several others.  We will be sending out information about this new services in the coming weeks.  Please feel free to call me at 312-744-5496 for additional details.

OTHER EVENTS:
Vendors Sought for the 6th annual Creative Chicago Expo.  Businesses with services, spaces or products for people in the arts are sought for the 6th annual Creative Chicago Expo, Saturday April 4, 2009 at the Chicago Cultural Center.  Over 3,500 people attend the expo, to connect with resources for fashion, music, publishing, dance, visual art, theater, and design.  Contact barbara.koenen@cityofchicago.org for more information.

City Treasurer, Small Business Expo -- After careful analysis of all events that take place within the City of
Chicago and its outskirts,  the City Treasurer's Office decided to move our Small Business Expo
to a less busy month- July!  Save the Date for  Friday,  July 17 from 8:30a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at UIC Forum (Halsted/Roosevelt

LEGISLATIVE MATTERS:
Repossessor's License ordinance -- This ordinance passed City Council on October 8, 2008 and is effective May 5, 2009.   Repossessors engaged in the location, disposition, or recovery of collateral as authorized by the self-help provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, 810 ILCS 5/1 et seq are required to obtain a City license from BACP:
 -- Class A licenses are required for legal entities engaging in the business of a repossessor in the City of Chicago.
 -- Class B licenses are required for natural persons engaging in the business of a repossessor in the City of Chicago.
All employees of entities requiring Class A licenses under the ordinance, must obtain Class B licenses if engaging in the physical recovery of collateral in the City of Chicago.   Applicants must be at least 18 years, complete the Certified Asset Recovery Specialist (C.A.R.S.) national certification program, submit proof of liability insurance, and submit to a criminal background check.  The fee for a two-year Class A license is $600.00 and $300.00 for a Class B license.  Violators can be fined up to $2,500.00 per offense.  To download this ordinance visit our website at www.cityofchicago.org/businessaffairs and go to Ordinances.

Plastic Bag Ordinance --  This ordinance passed in 2008 requiring retail stores to establish an in-store recycling program.  Businesses must install plastic bag recycling bins and collect and recycle bags. Shoppers can return plastic bags in bin and retailers are responsible for keeping them out of landfills. Plastic bags provided by retailer must state "Please Reuse or Recycle".  Stores are required to provided "reusable bags" for sale and use in lieu of plastic bags.  Effective December 11, 2008, all stores larger than 5,000 sq. ft must place visible and marked bins in the store and have reusable bags. For stores less than 5,000 sq. ft. these requirements begin March 11, 2009.  By May 11, 2009 stores larger than 5,000 sq. ft. must provide plastic bags that state "Please reuse or recycle at participating stores."  For stores with less than 5,000 sq. ft. thee requirements begin on September 11, 2009.  To download this ordinance visit our website at www.cityofchicago.org/businessaffairs and go to Ordinances.