Big win for small businesses!

For Immediate Release
July 21, 2021

SBAC Applauds Mayor Lightfoot and the Chicago City Council for Providing Small Businesses a Big Win

Statement by Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) President Elliot
Richardson:

The SBAC and a robust coalition of business and community organizations have been fighting to reduce the time it takes for small businesses to obtain a sign or other public way use permit. We have been calling on policymakers to cut red tape so small businesses can display a sign more quickly and let potential customers know they are open for business. Mayor Lightfoot and the Chicago City Council have answered that call and come through in a big way! Today an ordinance was passed that eliminates the need for City Council approval on almost all sign and other public way use permits.

The ordinance that passed eliminates the requirement that an overwhelming number of sign or other public way use permits be approved by the City Council. Indeed, only where there is a disagreement between the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and an Alderman/Alderwoman regarding a permit application will an ordinance need to be passed before its issuance. However, in almost all cases, the approval of the City Council will no longer be necessary, shaving up to 60 days off the process.

Small businesses and local communities face difficult challenges as they attempt to recover from the pandemic. The City Council and Mayor Lightfoot just eliminated one of them. We thank the City Council for making this important reform because it will help small businesses succeed and local communities recover from the pandemic.

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