Mayor Emanuel announced new efforts to boost small business in Chicago on Thursday. Anyone who has done business in City Hall probably came out saying, "There's got to be a better way."
The mayor said City Hall has found a way to cut the red tape and help entrepreneurs open new businesses in the city faster.
The new Small Business Center is on the eighth floor at City Hall. It's the place to find licenses and permits for construction, or zoning for small businesses.
Through a pilot program involving 200 start-ups over nine months, the city found that on average, a new restaurant would take 180 days to get going. The city's restaurant start-up program cut that time to about 75 days.
Mayor Emanuel said City Hall should be a partner in business, not an obstacle to them. He also said they should treat constituents as customers.
"What happens is they're already getting and have to make payments on their bank line of credit," Emanuel said. "Yet the door is not open, because they didn't get a liquor license or the license came at a different time when the restaurant license came. My goal is to not have people paying the banks before they have to get a customer through the door."
Those restaurant owners said they were so worried about their business plans and their product lines, and they would come to City Hall and would be banging their heads against the wall.
But the City Hall has now cut some of that process. They have reduced the license categories required from 117 to 49 categories. That's still a lot, but the small business owners said it reduces their headaches too.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Saturday, May 25 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-25 15:04:24 GMT
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings.
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings on their properties.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:58 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:58:00 GMT
CTA Ventra payment card holders who use the card's controversial debit features won't be charged for talking to public transit customer service operators or using the cards for cash ATM withdrawals.
CTA Ventra payment card holders who use the card's controversial debit features won't be charged for talking to public transit customer service operators or using the cards for cash ATM withdrawals.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:32 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:32:16 GMT
Some aldermen have questions as a City Council committee gets ready to hold a hearing on Mayor Emanuel's proposed changes to the Chicago parking meter deal.
Some aldermen have questions as a City Council committee gets ready to hold a hearing on Mayor Emanuel's proposed changes to the Chicago parking meter deal.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:40:45 GMT
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Former Groupon exec Jayna Cooke founded Closet Angels, a new organization that sells donated designer clothing and all the proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Former Groupon exec Jayna Cooke founded Closet Angels, a new organization that sells donated designer clothing and all the proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
FOX Business Network's Jo Ling Kent shared advice about a phishing scam traversing Twitter right now, that could be sitting in your direct message inbox. If you don't know where a link will lead you, don't click on it!
FOX Business Network's Jo Ling Kent shared advice about a phishing scam traversing Twitter right now, that could be sitting in your direct message inbox. If you don't know where a link will lead you, don't click on it!
Mommy beta blogger and home & family technology expert Natali Morris shared some quick tips to save cash on household costs this summer, like using a land line, smart appliances and cloth diapers.
Mommy beta blogger and home & family technology expert Natali Morris shared some quick tips to save cash on household costs this summer, like using a land line, smart appliances and cloth diapers.
David's Tea teamed up one of Chicago's hottest artisinal cocktail lounges, Chicago's Violet Hour, to create a new line of summer drinks! Lisa Tipton and Tyler Fry joined Good Day Chicago to explain.
David's Tea teamed up one of Chicago's hottest artisinal cocktail lounges, Chicago's Violet Hour, to create a new line of summer drinks! Lisa Tipton and Tyler Fry joined Good Day Chicago to explain.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:53:15 GMT
Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.
Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:20 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:20:26 GMT
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:40:54 GMT
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:27:07 GMT
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Saturday, May 25 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-25 15:04:24 GMT
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings.
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings on their properties.
