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Chicago BACP
@chicagobacp.bsky.social
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The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection ensures a fair and vibrant marketplace for businesses, workers and consumers in the City.

Follow BACP on social and subscribe to our newsletters: Chi.gov/BACPUpdates
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Chicago BACP @chicagobacp.bsky.social · Aug 20
We're here to help you start your business in Chicago today!

✶ Business Education Webinars: Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars
✶ Entrepreneur Certficate: Chicago.gov/BACPCertificate
✶ Neighborhood Business Developments Centers: Chicago.gov/NBDC
✶ Small Business Center: Chicago.gov/SmallBusiness
Promotional graphic for the City of Chicago's Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) featuring four services: free business education webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays, Entrepreneur Certificate program registration, Neighborhood Business Development Centers contact info, and Chicago Small Business Center's free consultations schedule. Each section has relevant icons and website links for more information.
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Let’s go, Bears! 🐻💙🧡
A group of seven adults wearing Chicago Bears jerseys stands smiling in a room with posters of Chicago cityscapes on the walls.
January 9, 2026 at 10:23 PM
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Small businesses are the backbone of Chicago’s neighborhoods and commercial corridors. ​"Cut The Tape for Small Business" is designed to streamline and simplify regulatory processes, enhance transparency, and increase access to small business education and resources.
Promotional poster titled "Cut the Red Tape for Small Business," featuring a large binder clip and text advocating for standardized pre-licensing inspection guidance to help small business owners understand compliance requirements for city inspections in Chicago. Includes the City of Chicago seal and a link to Chicago.gov/CutTheTape.
January 9, 2026 at 4:07 PM
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Want to start a new business in 2026? For the final day of our week-long campaign for 2026 New Years Resolutions, we're sharing government resources for new and existing business owners.

From federal gov't to local City gov't, there are many avenues for assistance! #BACP2026
Four icons representing different levels of government resources for business, from top left to bottom right: Federal - U.S. Small Business Administration logo with website URL SBA.gov/Start, State - Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity logo with website URL DCEO.Illinois.gov, County - Cook County Small Business Source with symbol of urban buildings, City - City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection with star symbol and website URL Chicago.gov/BACP.
January 9, 2026 at 3:53 PM
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This morning's free business education webinar starts at 9:30. Register: Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars

Join us to learn more about the various business resources that BACP offers to existing or future entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their own businesses.
Promotional flyer for a BACP Business Education Webinar titled "Get In The Know: Resources for Your Small Business," scheduled for Friday, January 9 at 9:30 AM. Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection. Registration link provided: Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars. The flyer features a graphic design with blue tones and a red star.
January 9, 2026 at 3:04 PM
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Looking back on BACP's 2025:
⭐ Our Better Business Team consulted & advised 4,460 local businesses.
⭐ Our Neighborhood Business Development Centers provided 5,857 one on one business consultations to local businesses, totaling 10,495 hrs.
⭐ + our #BACPAtAGlance yearly wrap-up!
January 8, 2026 at 8:05 PM
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Starting a new business in 2026? BACP's Entrepreneur Certificate Program teaches essential topics to help start & grow your biz! #BACP2026
💻Register: Chicago.gov/BACPCertificate
📝Attend 6 webinars: Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars
🎓Graduate: Eligible for CIBC Bank loan &/or College Credit
Promotional graphic for the BACP Entrepreneur Program titled 'As easy as 1-2-3!' Steps include attending six free BACP webinars to receive credits, graduating, and receiving your certificate. Includes a partnership with CIBC Bank USA's Entrepreneurial Loan Program. More details available at BACP.gov/BACPCertificate.
January 8, 2026 at 7:52 PM
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This month’s #BACPEmpowerHour will feature Christy Sears, Owner of Pickleball Clubhouse. Located in Irving Park, Pickleball Clubhouse offers premier indoor pickleball courts for a high-quality, community-driven playing experience for all.

Register: Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars
Promotional graphic for Empower Hour with the owner of Picklebears Clubhouse, discussing marketing, customer experience, and community in sports. Scheduled for January 15th at 2PM. Includes time for Q&A. More info at Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars.
January 8, 2026 at 4:15 PM
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Want to start a new business in 2026? Find your Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC)! These 65 business service orgs provide no-cost hyper-local business development assistance to entrepreneurs & business owners across the city.

Start: Chicago.gov/NBDC #BACP2026
Promotional graphic for Neighborhood Business Development Centers in Chicago. Features a map of Chicago with locations marked, highlights free support to small business owners, and mentions BACP logo. Learn more at Chicago.gov/NBDC.
January 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM
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Today's free business education webinar begins at 3pm. Register here: Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars

Topics covered include how to prepare for inspections, building permits, sign display requirements, food inspection overview & necessary certificates, zoning review procedures and more.
Promotional graphic for a BACP Business Education Webinar titled "City Inspections - Ask Questions," scheduled for Wednesday, January 7 at 3:00 PM, presented by the City of Chicago. Features a registration link: Chicago.gov/BACPwebinars.
January 7, 2026 at 3:00 PM
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Want to start a new business in 2025? BACP offers free business education webinars every Wed & Fri! Topics include licensing, financial resources, ops, marketing & more: Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars

And our Youtube is full of recordings to watch anytime: YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP #BACP2026
January 6, 2026 at 6:34 PM
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Next week is #NationalMocktailWeek! If you're looking to cut back on drinking this January, or altogether, there are still some amazing non-alcoholic drinks (aka mocktails!) to be had.

Which Chicago spot has your favorite? Tag in the comments! #TagLocalTuesday #ShopLocalChicago
Promotional image for #TagLocalTuesday by BACP featuring a question, "What local Chicago small business or restaurant serves your favorite mocktail?" Illustrated with various colorful mocktails.
January 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM
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Happy New Year! Is your resolution to start your own business in 2026? For this first full week of the new year, BACP will be sharing tips on how to make your dream a reality. Stay tuned #BACP2026
January 5, 2026 at 6:08 PM
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We're back! This week's free business education webinars:
Wed: City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers
Fri: Get In The Know: Resources for Your Small Businesses

Learn more and register: Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars
Promotional image for a BACP Business Education Webinar titled "City Inspections - Ask Questions," scheduled for Wednesday, January 7 at 3:00 PM. Presented by the City of Chicago. Instructions to register at Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars. The background features a subtle blue design with a red star icon. Promotional image for a BACP Business Education webinar titled 'Get In The Know: Resources for Your Small Business.' Scheduled for Friday, January 9 at 9:30 AM, presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection. Registration details available at Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars.
January 5, 2026 at 3:23 PM
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Happy New Year🎆 Follow your dream to start a business in 2026! BACP's Small Business Center is the City’s “one-stop-shop” for business licensing, public way use permitting and other resources to start and grow your business.

Get started: Chicago.gov/SmallBusiness
Promotional poster by BACP encouraging to start your business in 2026, featuring a vibrant night view of city lights with the text 'Start your business in 2026' and a link to Chicago.gov/SmallBusiness.
January 2, 2026 at 6:46 PM
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DEADLINE MONDAY: RFP Opportunity! Business License Support Specialists will act as an extension of BACP’s Small Business Center & provide on-the-ground support to ensure small business owners can successfully start & operate within their communities. More: Chicago.gov/NBDC
Advertisement for Request for Proposal (RFP): BACP's Business License Support Specialist. Details include supporting small business owners with technical assistance to operate within their communities, ensuring compliance for City of Chicago business licenses. Deadline for submission is January 5, 2026, 12:00pm CST. More information available at Chicago.gov/NBDC. Features BACP and Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection logos.
January 2, 2026 at 6:18 PM
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BACP will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 1, 2026 in observance of New Year's Day. BACP offices will reopen on Friday, January 2, 2026.

Additionally, BACP offices will be closed on the upcoming dates due to City Holidays:
Monday, 1/19/26
Thursday, 2/12/26
Monday, 2/16/26
Notice from the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection stating it will be closed on Thursday, January 1, 2026, in observance of New Year's Day. The logo of BACP and the website link, Chicago.gov/BACP, are displayed at the bottom.
December 31, 2025 at 3:26 PM
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REMINDER: No webinars will be held from Monday, December 22, 2025 until Tuesday, January 6, 2026 due to the holidays.

In the meantime, you can:
View and register for upcoming webinars by visiting Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars
View previous webinars by visiting YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP
Promotional image for a BACP Business Education webinar, featuring a blue background with overlapping images of hands and documents, a large 'WEBINAR' text, and 'HAPPY HOLIDAYS!' message. Includes a registration link: Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars.
December 31, 2025 at 3:24 PM
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The best gifts are the ones from the heart (and from local small businesses.) #ShopLocalChicago
December 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
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RFP Opportunity! Business License Support Specialists will act as an extension of BACP’s Small Business Center to provide on-the-ground support to ensure small business owners can successfully start & operate within their communities. Learn more and apply: Chicago.gov/NBDC
Image of a Request for Proposal (RFP) poster titled 'RFP: Request for Proposal', with a deadline to submit by noon CST on January 5, 2026. It announces a search for a Business License Support Specialist for BACP's Small Business Start Provider Hyper-Local Assistance to Small Small Businesses. The bottom of the poster includes the logo of the BACP (Business Affairs and Consumer Protection) and directs to the website chicagogov.org/nbdc for more details.
December 30, 2025 at 4:42 PM
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Tomorrow is New Year's Eve 🎆🍾

Will you be ringing in the New Year at a Chicago bar? Tag them! Will you be ringing in at home? Tag the small businesses you will visit to stock up on supplies! #TagLocalTuesday #ShopLocalChicago
Graphic promoting "#TagLocalTuesday" asking individuals to tag a local Chicago small business. Features an image of two champagne glasses toasting, symbolizing a New Year's celebration.
December 30, 2025 at 2:44 PM
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Looking back on BACP's 2025:
⭐ Our Better Business Team consulted & advised 4,460 local businesses.
⭐ Our Neighborhood Business Development Centers provided 5,857 one on one business consultations to local businesses, totaling 10,495 hrs.
⭐ + our #BACPAtAGlace yearly wrap-up!
December 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
chicagobacp.bsky.social
No webinars will be held from Monday, December 22, 2025 until Tuesday, January 6, 2026 due to the holidays.

In the meantime, you can:
View and register for upcoming webinars by visiting Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars
View previous webinars by visiting YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP
Promotional graphic for a BACP Business Education webinar, featuring the text 'Webinar' prominently displayed over a blue background accompanied by the message 'Happy Holidays!' and registration details at 'Chicago.gov/BACPWebinars'.
December 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
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Local businesses are the largest employers nationally and tend to hire employees from the community. Support your neighborhood economy and #ShopLocalChicago!
Gift wrapped in polka dot paper with a red ribbon and a tag reading "Shop Local Chicago," surrounded by Christmas decorations.
December 26, 2025 at 3:20 PM
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BACP's #RideSmartChicago campaign provides safety and consumer awareness information for passengers of taxicabs, ride-hail, and other public passenger vehicles. Be informed this holiday season: Chicago.gov/RideSmart
Promotional image titled 'Ride Smart Chicago' featuring a busy Chicago street scene during evening with pedestrians, lit trees, taxis, and buses.
December 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
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Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Holidays to all Chicagoans — especially our hard-working small business owners! #ShopLocalChicago
Gift tag with "Shop Local Chicago" logo attached to a wrapped package, surrounded by holiday decorations and pine cones.
December 24, 2025 at 3:16 PM