Classes and Events

North-Pulaski-Armitage Chamber of Commerce Coffee Networking

admin@accionchicago.org (admin@accionchicago.org) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Topics Include:

Business mentoring

Location: Harris Bank, 4959 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL

North-Pulaski-Armitage Chamber of Commerce Business Task Force

admin@accionchicago.org (admin@accionchicago.org) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Topics Include:

NPACC Schedule for 2009
Investments
Credit scores

Location: Liberty Bank, 2392 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL

DePaul University's Coleman Entrepreneurship Center presents "Start-Up! Chicago" classes!

admin@accionchicago.org (admin@accionchicago.org) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Are you working on a business idea, or have you recently launched a venture? Start Up! Chicago gives you the tools to turn your big idea into a business opportunity and be your own boss. We'll take you - step by step - through the process so you're prepared to hit the ground running with your new venture.

Business plans
Finance
Target markets
Hiring employees

This comprehensive 10-week course delivers insight into everything you need to know to be truly successful!

Cost: $595, with early registration (by 9/5/08) tuition is $550

Department of Business Affairs and Licensing November Workshops

admin@accionchicago.org (admin@accionchicago.org) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:00:00 GMT

Ready for City Inspectors?*
November 5th, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Presented by the City of Chicago
Most businesses need to pass inspections to obtain a City business license or operate a business. Come learn from the major inspecting departments that will share important information to help you prepare your business for inspection.
Know the do’s and don’ts, ask questions and get answers pertaining to your next inspection.

How to Write a Business Plan
November 7th, 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Presented by Illinois SBDC/Duman Micro Enterprise Center at JVS
Discover the basic elements necessary to complete a Business Plan for your new or existing small business. Topics include why it’s needed, where to start, what it should contain, what’s most important, and how to use it.

City Contracting 101: How to Respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP)
November 12th, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Presented by the Department of Procurement Services (DPS)
This workshop is a must for small businesses interested in completing a City of Chicago Request for Proposal (RFP). Learn best practices on how to respond to an RFP. Know what evaluators look for in RFPs and learn the common mistakes as well as helpful tips to navigate the RFP
specification.

Facts About The New Expediter License
November 14th, 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Presented by Department of Business Affairs & Licensing
Starting in January 2009, individuals commonly referred to as “expediters” who often work on the behalf of developers,
contractors and homeowners in obtaining permits, business licenses and certificates will be required to obtain an Expediter Business License. Attend this workshop and learn the requirements and steps to obtain this license.

How to Get Certified
November 19th, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Doing Business with the CITY of chicago
November 19th, 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Presented by the Department of Procurement Services (DPS)
Are you interested in doing business with or being a certified
vendor with the City of Chicago? You don’t want to miss this workshop. Come learn about the different types of procurement opportunities as well as the City’s contract monitoring and compliance standards.

Business Works Seminar** Presented by ACCION Chicago
November 20th, 5:30 pm –9:00 pm
West Side Technical Institute, 2800 S. Western Avenue
This free business seminar is a must for anybody interested in starting or growing a business. Visit with over 30 exhibitors,
4 free workshops: importing, financing your business, locating and marketing research, and in spanish, Como Iniciar un Negocio en Chicago**.

Choosing Your Legal Entity
November 21st, 9:30 am –11:00 am
Presented by Brian Fons from Corporate Creations
All businesses need to choose the legal entity that best suits them. Learn the differences between a C-corporation, S-corporation, LLC, and other types of legal entities. Learn how to maintain a legal entity and maximize protection for you. Learn the legal and tax implications of each entity.

*Workshops offered once a month.

All workshops are FREE and are located at the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Licensing
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 805

Public Building Commission of Chicago's 3rd Annual Contractors' Open House

admin@accionchicago.org (admin@accionchicago.org) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Building A Better Chicago
3rd Annual Contractors' Open House

Invitation
Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chairman and Erin Lavin Cabonargi, Executive Director are inviting contractors and subcontractors to Building a Better Chicago. This open house will help all construction firms in their relationships with others in the industry and provide more information about changes at the PBC and upcoming construction opportunities.

Location and Time:
The open house will be in the Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson Blvd. from 10 am to 2 pm, Thursday, November 13th. Free parking and refreshments.

Open House Highlights:

Linking Subcontractors with Prime Contractors
How the PBC is Changing
Upcoming PBC Opportunities

Upcoming PBC Construction Projects:
Modern Schools Across Chicago:

Avondale Irving Park Area Elementary School
Boone Clinton Area Elementary School
Lee Pasteur Hurley Area Elementary School
Powell Replacement Elementary School
Brighton Park I Area Elementary School
Brighton Park II Area Elementary School
Gwendolyn Brooks High School Addition
Northwest Area Elementary School

Chicago Fire Department:

Engine Company 109

Chicago Public Library:

Grand Crossing Branch Library
Whitney Young Branch Library
West Humboldt Park Branch Library

Information and RSVP:
For more information or to RSVP contact Ms. Malisa Torres at rsvp@pbcchicago.com

Department of Business Affairs and Licensing Business Works Seminar

admin@accionchicago.org (admin@accionchicago.org) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:30:00 GMT

Business Works is designed to grow business in every community providing entrepreneurs opportunities to learn how to start or grow a business, networking with agencies that provide assistance and connect with other business owners and government officials.

“We are strongly committed to growing small businesses in every neighborhood," said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “I encourage all residents who are thinking about starting a business or trying to get their existing one to grow to take advantage of these free seminars.”

The event will kick off with an inspiring keynote speaker, John Trainor, General Manager of the Tribune’s Spanish-language Hoy newspaper. Trainor has an extensive entrepreneurial background that started in college in the food service industry. His career then took off in the media arena, establishing a successful LLC that would eventually oversee the management of several companies including a media planning service, an advertising agency and a media monitoring service. Later in the evening, Trainor will conduct a workshop in Spanish to help entrepreneurs with the challenges of being a new business owner.

Event Highlights:

Exhibitors

•Meet face to face with nearly 30 exhibitors from different organizations and government agencies that assist small businesses
•Discover and connect with non profit organizations that provide business services
•Visit the business “Financial Resource” area to help finance your business

Business Education Workshops

•Importing and Exporting as a Business- SCORE
•Alternative Financing for Your Business- Accion Chicago
•Location, Location, Location (for your business)- Dev Corp North
•(In Spanish) How to Start Your Business- John Trainor, HOY Newspaper

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2008
Time: 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: West Side Technical Institute – 2800 S. Western Avenue

*Admission is FREE, registration is not required Free Business Workshops are also offered twice a week at the
Department of Business Affairs & Licensing. For more information call 311 or visit cityofchicago.org/businessaffairs.

Public Building Commission of Chicago Pre-Bid Meeting

admin@accionchicago.org (admin@accionchicago.org) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:00:00 GMT

The Public Building Commission has invited the 13 firms, which have been prequalified, to bid on Contract 1476, construction of the Avondale-Irving Park Elementary School, 3231 North Springfield. A copy of the ad can be found here.

A pre-bid meeting will be held Monday, November 24, 2008 at 10:00 am in the 2nd Floor Board Room of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington. Contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers are invited to attend to meet the contractors bidding on this contract. After the pre-bid meeting, a list of firms attending the pre-bid meeting will be added to the Web site ad.

A mandatory technical review meeting will be held Monday, December 1, 2008 at 10:00 am CL115, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington. Note: Only Pre-qualified Bidders who attend the Technical Review Meeting are eligible to bid.

Sealed bids shall be received at the Public Building Commission, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington, Room 200, until 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 19, 2008, at which time they will be publicly opened.

Information on this contract and all of the projects currently open for bid is available at www.pbcchicago.com.

Location: 2nd Floor Board Room of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington

Department of Business Affairs and Licensing December Workshops

admin@accionchicago.org (admin@accionchicago.org) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Ready for City Inspectors?*
Date: December 3, 2008
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Presented by the City of Chicago
Most businesses need to pass inspections to obtain a City business license or operate a business. Come learn from the major inspecting departments that will share important information to help you prepare your business for inspection. Know the do’s and don’ts, ask questions and get answers pertaining to your next inspection.

“Business Law boot camp”
Date: December 5, 2008
Time: 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Presented by Lema Khorshid
This intensive “business boot camp” will focus on counseling business owners through some of the most pressing legal issues they face as their business grows. Business owners will learn the dynamics of their organizational entity, laying the foundation for a profitable business structure, capitalizing on intangible assets in their business and effectively negotiating contracts to achieve a favorable outcome. A must attend workshop.

Taking Your Business Online
Date: December 10, 2008
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Presented by SCORE-Counselors to America’s Small Business
This workshop will introduce you to everything you need to know to take your business online. Learn about all of the tools to market your business on the internet, including building a website, managing an email newsletter or mailing list, blogging, social networking, and e-commerce. Walk away with a list of resources and step-by-step instructions to take your business online.

How to Finance Your Business
Date: December 12, 2008
Time: 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Presented by Chicago Community Venture (CCV)
If you are having trouble obtaining a business loan, you don’t want to miss this workshop. Learn what banks are looking for to finance your business. Learn the difference between small business loans, short-term loans and pre-loan qualifications. Know the basics of loan preparation and what type of loans are the best fit for your business.

Facts About The New Expediter License
Date: December 17, 2008
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Presented by the Department of Business Affairs & Licensing
Starting in January 2009, individuals commonly referred to as “expediters” and often work on the behalf of architects, developers, engineers, contractors and homeowners in obtaining permits, business licenses and certificates will be required to obtain an Expediter Business License. Attend this workshop and learn the requirements and steps to obtain this license.

How to Start Your Business
Date: December 19, 2008
Time: 9:30 am –11:00 am
Presented by Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA)
A must attend workshop for new and emerging business owners. This workshop will cover the basic steps a person should take when starting a business, such as marketing, and legal and financial issues that are essential to the success of a new venture.

All workshops are FREE and are located at the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Licensing City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 805

Space is limited. Please reserve your attendance by calling 312.744.5344

To learn more about DBA’s workshops, visit www.cityofchicago.org/businessaffairs

Starting a Business in Illinois

admin@accionchicago.org (admin@accionchicago.org) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Are you wondering if starting a business is right for you?

Come to this FREE Illinois Small Business Development Center at Hull House workshop for information about how to start a small business, including advice for checking the feasibility of your business idea, the basics of writing a business plan, the different forms of business ownership, how to register your business, and other business start-up procedures and resources. A primary sponsor of this workshop is Chase Bank.

Location: Bessie Coleman Library, 731 E. 63rd Street, Chicago IL
Cost: FREE!

To register please call Lisa Heidorn or Kathleen Robbins at 773-955-8027 or sign up online at www.hullhouse.org/calendar/index.php.

Jane Addams Day Lecture and Conversation with Marian Wright Edelman

admin@accionchicago.org (admin@accionchicago.org) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 312.413.5353.

Join us on Jane Addams Day, December 10^th, 2008 to celebrate those who work for peace and justice with Marian Wright Edelman, legendary civil rights activist and founder of the Children's Defense Fund. Edelman will read from and discuss her new book The Sea is So Wide and My Boat is So Small: Charting a Course for the Next Generation. A tea reception will accompany the conversation!

On December 10, 1931, Jane Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The State of Illinois honors her memory with a commemorative holiday to remind us of her lifelong commitment to making the city of Chicago and the world a more just and peaceful place.

About the Keynote Speaker

This event is co-sponsored by Jane Addams Hull House Museum, The Public Square, Institute for Race and Research on Public Policy at UIC, Gender and Women Studies at UIC, African American Studies at UIC, and Women and Children First Bookstore.

Location: Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Resident's Dining Hall, 800 South Halsted Street, Chicago IL