Planning a major improvement to your business or building? Now is the time to prepare for the next round of Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grants.

Enrollment opens in July for businesses along Lincoln Avenue between Foster and Devon, with applications will open July 1, 2026. Register for a webinar on July 1 here.

SBIF offers reimbursement grants of up to $150,000 for permanent building improvements, such as façade renovations, HVAC systems, ADA compliance upgrades, and interior buildouts. Funded through Chicago’s TIF program and administered by SomerCor, this grant is a great opportunity to invest in your property and grow your business.

Eligible improvements include: roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, ADA-accessible modifications, and permanent interior renovations.

Not eligible: residential work, landscaping, outdoor dining areas, or equipment-related expenses.

Is your property or business eligible?

Visit SomerCor to check guidelines and apply:

Click here to apply or learn more

Applications close July 31, 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity.

The Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) to better understand how Chicago's debt check policies affect small businesses.

Under current City rules, outstanding debts to the City can prevent businesses from obtaining or renewing licenses, permits, and other approvals. While debt checks are intended to ensure compliance, we have heard concerns from business owners who have faced unexpected barriers, delays, or operational challenges as a result of the process.

Has a City debt check:

• Prevented you from obtaining or renewing a business license?
• Delayed a permit, approval, or business expansion?
• Created compliance challenges for your business?
• Impacted your ability to operate or serve customers?

We want to hear your story.

The Chamber and SBAC are collecting real-world examples to help educate alderpersons and policymakers about how debt check policies affect small businesses.

Your experience can help inform potential reforms and ensure decision-makers understand the practical impacts these policies can have on neighborhood businesses.

Share your debt check story here.

All stories and feedback will help strengthen our advocacy efforts on behalf of Chicago's small business community.

The Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is pleased to report that the Chicago City Council has approved a delay in the implementation schedule for the One Fair Wage ordinance. We thank Aldermen Andre Vasquez and Matt Martin for supporting this measure and recognizing the importance of evaluating the policy's real-world impacts before additional increases take effect.

Throughout this process, the Chamber has advocated for a data-driven approach to policymaking. Restaurants and bars continue to face significant challenges, including rising labor costs, higher food prices, inflationary pressures, and workforce shortages. This delay provides an important opportunity to better understand how the ordinance is affecting hospitality businesses, workers, and customers.

Over the coming months, the Chamber will work with local alders, industry partners, and business owners to gather data and document firsthand experiences from the hospitality sector. Our goal is to help policymakers evaluate the economic and workforce impacts of eliminating the tip credit and determine whether the current implementation schedule remains appropriate.

What Changed?

• The tipped minimum wage will remain at 76% of the regular minimum wage through June 30, 2028.
• Future scheduled increases have been delayed, with full implementation now set for July 1, 2030.
• Businesses with 4 to 20 employees will have additional time to comply, with full implementation delayed until 2033.

We encourage hospitality businesses to continue sharing their experiences with us. Your feedback will help inform future discussions and ensure the perspectives of neighborhood businesses and workers are represented as this policy continues to be evaluated.