Category Archives: Illinois

Education, Illinois, IRS, Tips

Chicago Feb 2020 Business Education Workshops

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Each month the City of Chicago offers twice-weekly (Wed & Fri) FREE business education workshops presented by experts in private practice as well as representatives from various city departments. There are quite a few good ones this month — see the list below — and they’re all offered at City Hall (right downtown and near public transit). To register for any of them, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers
Wed, February 5, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the City of Chicago
To operate a successful business in Chicago you need to know what it takes to maintain compliance. Officials from several City departments will provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and highlight the do’s and don’ts of operating a business.

Construction Project Management
Fri, February 7, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) and Department of Planning & Development (DPD)
Working with design and construction professionals to make your business dream a reality takes smart planning and organization. Learn the best practices for establishing your schedule and budget, hiring the right professionals and dealing with unforeseen challenges to ensure your project is completed on-time and on-budget.    

NO WORKSHOP DUE TO HOLIDAY
2020-02-12

Speak Up and Speak Out: Public Speaking Training for Small Business Owners
Fri, February 14, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Michele Williams MSW, MA, Public Speaking Consultant and Columbia College Speech Instructor
You have started or plan to start your own business. You know you have something special to offer but does the rest of the world? Whether it’s giving an elevator pitch, hiring staff, giving a community lecture, talking to a loan officer, or speaking at a National Conference knowing the basics of public speaking will enhance your ability to confidently speak up and speak out. Your speaker Michele Williams has been adjunct faculty at Columbia College for over 32 years and is a public speaking consultant. She has helped over 1,000 people become more confident public speakers. Topics include: choosing topics, types of speeches, organizing the speech, dealing with fear, relaxation, non verbal communication, relating to the audience, use of language and creating new opportunities. 

How to Obtain a Sidewalk Café Permit
Wed, February 19, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP), Public Way Use (PWU) Unit, Anthony Bertuca
Come learn about the Sidewalk Café Permit Application process by attending this informative workshop.  We will explain the application process, inform you of all the requirements, and help you get prepared to submit an application.  The entire application process may take up to 30 days and the 2020 Sidewalk Cafés Season begins on March 1st.

Choosing the Right Legal Entity: A Small Business Entity Workshop
Fri, February 21, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights (CLC)
As an entrepreneur starting a new business, you will be faced with many important decisions; one of the first and most important decisions will be selecting the right legal structure for your business. The legal entity you choose will impact many critical aspects of your business, such as your ability to raise capital, how your company will be managed, its tax treatment, liability protection for managers and more. At “Choosing the Right Legal Entity: A Small Business Entity Workshop”, CLC equitable development and small business attorney, Akele Parnell, will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various business structures including the Sole Proprietorship, C-Corp, S-Corp, LLC, Benefit Corporation, Cooperative Association and more.  

What You Need to Know About Your Business & Taxes
Wed, February 26, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Ladder Up
This workshop will answer important tax questions for your business including: Are you required to file a tax return? Is your worker an independent contractor or an employee? What will the IRS request during an audit? Are you required to make estimated tax payments? What resources does the IRS have for small business owners?

Digital Mindset for Growth 101
Fri, February 28, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Grow With Google #GoogleDigitalCoaches with JinJa Birkenbeuel 
Learn how to change your mindset from analog to digital by translating your entrepreneurial dreams into online action for your brand and your business. We will give guidance on how to create goal-based strategies for your business that will help it become more “discoverable’ and recognized online so you can connect with customers. We will touch on creative branding, social media, YouTube and content strategies. Come ready with your mobile phone to work and learn!

To register for a workshop, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

Also, in case you weren’t aware, BACP offers a Business Start-Up Certificate Program, designed to give business owners the essential elements in starting and growing a business. Attend nine workshops at BACP and learn the essentials of business planning, financing, marketing, legal issues, technology and more. Complete the program workshops within six months and earn your certificate, as well as get free advice on your business plan. You can register for the Business Start-Up Certificate Program at any BACP workshop. Learn about the full set of BACP offerings here.

And visit their Business Video Library here.

Source: City of Chicago :: Business Education Workshop Calendar

Illinois, IRS, Tips

How to Pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes Online – IRS & IL DoR

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UPDATED 12/31/2021: Due to a new law, Illinois S-Corps and Partnerships should generally now pay quarterly IL state (not federal) taxes through the business, rather than personally. This post below is about how to pay IRS and IL taxes personally; here’s how to make IL business tax payments.

There are multiple options for paying personal quarterly estimated taxes. You can a) have your tax preparer create vouchers for you, that you then print and mail with a check; b) prepare your own vouchers for the IRS and IL DoR; c) pay online.

As of March 2020, federal and state agencies and the Postal Service are having so many challenges with paper-mailed checks and vouchers that we are encouraging everyone to make any tax payments online.

If you want to pay online, the easiest way to do this is to use IRS Direct Pay and IDOR MyTaxIllinois. Paying online offers confirmation that the payment made it to the agency, reducing the chance of issues down the road, especially if the check is lost in the mail or routed incorrectly in the processing department. It also allows taxpayers to be very clear about what type of tax and tax period are being submitted, again eliminating confusion on the part of the agency and preventing future problems.

If you are paying online, I recommend making payments one day before the due dates, as sometimes it takes overnight for the agencies’ systems to process payments. The funds are usually pulled from your bank account the same day or one day later, so there is very little wiggle room.

You do not have to have an account with either the IRS or IL DoR in order to make payments using these methods.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

For the IRS, once you get to the site, select the following options (noted in the screen shot below) — 1) the reason for the payment, 2) the form you would be mailing in if you weren’t doing this online, and 3) the year to which the payment should apply… for example, for 4th-quarter 2019 personal estimated taxes, you’d select the following:

Settings for IRS Direct Pay

Here’s a nice little video that walks you through the process of verifying your identity.

Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR)

For the IDOR, go to the MyTax Illinois site (if you already have an account for sales taxes or another reason — do not log in, unless you are making business tax payments), and then click the “> Make an IL-1040, IL-1040-ES, or IL-505-I payment” link (see print screen below).

image.png

Then follow the instructions for making a quarterly estimated tax payment; it will make you enter your personal information (SSN, etc.) and ask you what kind of tax payment you wish to make.

It may require you to enter your driver’s license information or your AGI from a past tax return to confirm identity and get your IL-PIN.

Then it will take you to a Payment Information page.

You’ll want to select “IL-1040 Estimated Payment” and enter your tax year. Make sure it’s for the correct year and quarter — this is very important. The example below is for the fourth quarter of 2021.

Then, enter your payment information and click the Submit button.

It will require you to enter and confirm your email address before clicking OK.

Make sure to print the confirmation screen, even though they will send you an email receipt — every once-in-a-while IDOR fails to push the request through, and the amount is not debited or recorded. If you have the print-screen, you can prove you attempted to pay it on-time and that the mistake was theirs.

It will also include a confirmation code, the date/time of the request, the reporting period and amount, and bank withdrawal information. You can click “Printable Confirmation” or just print the webpage to pdf.

Please make sure to note how much you paid to each agency and on which dates — and let your tax preparer know this information as well. Securely uploading copies of the final confirmation screen to your tax preparer or bookkeeper is a great practice, so they can easily store the info in your file.

If this or any other posts on the website were useful to you, and your financial situation permits it, please consider contributing to my tip jar. Ths allows me to continue to provide free accounting resources to small businesses who do not have the funds available to hire a CPA.

Education, Illinois, QuickBooks Software, Software, Tips

Chicago Jan 2020 Business Education Workshops

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Each month the City of Chicago offers twice-weekly (Wed & Fri) FREE business education workshops presented by experts in private practice as well as representatives from various city departments. There are quite a few good ones this month — see the list below — and they’re all offered at City Hall (right downtown and near public transit). To register for any of them, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers
Wed, January 8, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805

Presented by the City of Chicago

To operate a successful business in Chicago you need to know what it takes to maintain compliance. Officials from several City departments will provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and highlight the do’s and don’ts of operating a business.

Business Licensing 101
Fri, January 10, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103

Presented by the City of Chicago Departmentof Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP)   

Attendees will learn the 3 steps to obtain a business license and access free business resources to start or expand their business. 

Accounting in Quickbooks
Wed, January 15, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805

Presented by Trak Patel, ARCC Consulting

Learn how to keep your financial record-keeping books using QuickBooks. We will identify the differences between QuickBooks Online vs. QuickBooks Desktop and list the important features and benefits.

Credit and Your Business
Fri, January 17, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103

Presented by AnnetteVega, CIBC Bank

This workshop will help the attendees understand the importance of credit,calculating their global cash flow, collateral and capitalization.

How To Really Start Your Own Business
Wed, January 22, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805

Presented by Score Chicago

Do you have what it takes to start and run a successful business? If so, what first steps should you take? This workshop will help you assess your prospects, give you the initial direction you need, and inspire you to move forward to realize your dream.  Workshop topics include myths, business opportunities, assessing your journey, organization, insurance, regulations, funding and cash management, business and marketing plan.

Facebook and Instagram Posts: Take Your Posts to the Next Level
Fri, January 24, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103

Presented by Francisco Ramirez, Chimbly Consultants, LLC

Have you been posting for some time, but struggling to reach or engage your audience? Are you confused by how the algorithms decide whether or not to show your posts? Participants of this workshop will examine Facebook and Instagram posts and compare what makes a post rise to the top and what knocks a post off news feeds. Participants will leave with tools to take their posts to the next level.

Resources for Women Entrepreneurs, by Women Entrepreneurs
Wed, January 29, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805

Presented by the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and Bossy Chicago

Are you a business owner tired of trying to search through all the resources that might benefit your business growth? There’s a lot of support out there for women-owned businesses, but it can be hard to find the right resources and community for your business. Join Bossy Chicago and the Women’s Business Development Center as they discuss the vast ecosystem of support services for women entrepreneurs. Participants will leave with a plan of action to start and grow their women-owned business.   

To register for a workshop, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

Also, in case you weren’t aware, BACP offers a Business Start-Up Certificate Program, designed to give business owners the essential elements in starting and growing a business. Attend nine workshops at BACP and learn the essentials of business planning, financing, marketing, legal issues, technology and more. Complete the program workshops within six months and earn your certificate, as well as get free advice on your business plan. You can register for the Business Start-Up Certificate Program at any BACP workshop. Learn about the full set of BACP offerings here.

And visit their Business Video Library here.

Source: City of Chicago :: Business Education Workshop Calendar

Education, Illinois, Tips

Happy Holidays – Santa To Collect Sales Tax?

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Happy Holidays! I’ve been meaning to write a comprehensive post about the changes in state sales taxes since the June 2018 Supreme Court “Wayfair” decision — which as many of you know, overruled the physical presence rule.

“While having a physical presence in a state still establishes a sales tax collection obligation, physical presence is no longer requisite.” As a result, states won the right to tax remote sales.

As Accounting Web notes:

In the year and a half since the decision, 43 of the 45 states with a general sales tax (plus Washington, D.C.) have adopted economic nexus: They now require sellers with no physical presence but a certain amount of sales and/or transactions in the state to register with the tax department and collect and remit sales tax.

In the spirit of the holidays, Accounting Web reports that the City of North Pole, Alaska, is considering joining a local municipal league to tax online sales.

The Alaska Intergovernmental Remote Seller Sales Tax Agreement will “implement single-level, statewide administration of remote sales tax collection and remittance.” It will be overseen by the newly formed Alaska Remote Seller Sales Tax Commission.

During the December 2, 2019, North Pole City Council meeting, North Pole Mayor Mike Welch said “an online sales tax is something we have to do.”

Sorry for the extra administrative burden, Santa! If it’s anything like Illinois sales taxes, my guess is that it’s tougher than squeezing down a chimney — but seeing as you’ve mastered that challenge, I bet you’re up to this as well. Just make sure to consult with a small business tax professional first.

Source: Santa and Sales Tax: News from the North Pole | AccountingWEB

Education, Illinois, Tips

City of Chicago December 2019 Business Education Workshops

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Each month the City of Chicago offers twice-weekly (Wed & Fri) FREE business education workshops presented by experts in private practice as well as representatives from various city departments. There are quite a few good ones this month — see the list below — and they’re all offered at City Hall (right downtown and near public transit). To register for any of them, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers
Wed, December 4, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the City of Chicago
To operate a successful business in Chicago you need to know what it takes to maintain compliance. Officials from several City departments will provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and highlight the do’s and don’ts of operating a business.

Starting a Business In Illinois
Fri, December 6, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103

Presented by LemaKhorshid, Fuksa Khorshid, LLC

Running a small business takes a lot of work. Often, a handful of employees fill a variety of roles, meaning that everyone has to bring serious hard work, dedication, self-motivation, and multitasking skills to the table. Amid all this, it can be easy to forget about the legal aspects of running a business.  However, attending to these matters sooner rather than later is likely to save you time, stress, and expense in the long run.  Join us in this workshop to learn our top 10 legal tips for small business success.

Level Up
Wed, December 11, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103

Moderated by Kenya Merritt, Chicago Chief Small Business Officer

In this workshop, our panelists will share tips on how to take your business to the next level. Our presenters will share their personal experience and offer advice on how to properly scale and grow your business.

Construction Project Management
Fri, December 13, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103

Presented by City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) and the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) – NOF
Working with design and construction pros to make your business dream a reality takes smart planning and organization.  Learn the best practices for establishing your schedule and budget, hiring the right professionals and dealing with unforeseen challenges to ensure your project is completed on-time and on-budget.

A Legal Update on Policies and Procedures in the Employment Law Landscape
Wed, December 18, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805

Presented by Charles Krugel, a Management Side Labor, Employment and Human Resource Attorney
A roundtable discussion of all of the changes that have gone into effect this year, and that will probably be in effect next year, including the minimum wage, paid time off,fair work week, overtime wage exemptions, asking job candidates about salary/wage history & sexual harassment training.

Everything You Need To Know About Business Insurance
Fri, December 20, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103

Presented by Sandra Cavoto Insurance Agency

In this session, attendees will learn the coverages needed for their business.We’ll discuss the right questions to ask your insurance professional and how to protect yourself and your business against lawsuits.

No Workshop Due to Holiday
2019-12-25

No Workshop Due to Holiday
2019-12-27

To register for a workshop, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

Also, in case you weren’t aware, BACP offers a Business Start-Up Certificate Program, designed to give business owners the essential elements in starting and growing a business. Attend nine workshops at BACP and learn the essentials of business planning, financing, marketing, legal issues, technology and more. Complete the program workshops within six months and earn your certificate, as well as get free advice on your business plan. You can register for the Business Start-Up Certificate Program at any BACP workshop. Learn about the full set of BACP offerings here.

And visit their Business Video Library here.

Source: City of Chicago :: Business Education Workshop Calendar

Education, Illinois, Tips

City of Chicago November 2019 Business Education Workshops

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Each month the City of Chicago offers twice-weekly (Wed & Fri) FREE business education workshops presented by experts in private practice as well as representatives from various city departments. There are quite a few good ones this month — see the list below — and they’re all offered at City Hall (right downtown and near public transit). To register for any of them, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

Designing Products and Services
Fri, November 1, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Kevin Smith, TEP Corporation
Have you ever wanted to start a business, but don’t know where to start? This workshop is designed to help entrepreneurs craft out their business, which will position their company for the next steps of launching a business. During this interactive workshop, participants will identify what business to start and products and services to compare to their competition in their respective industries. The outcome of this workshop will equip each participant with ways to discovering their unique value proposition and SWOT analysis.

Small Business Center on the Road
Sat, November 2
Malcolm X College, 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612
The Small Business Center on the Road Expo is free and open to the public. It provides new and existing entrepreneurs resources to start or grow their business here in Chicago.
For more information and to register go to
www.chismallbizexpo.com 

City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers
Wed, November 6, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the City of Chicago
To operate a successful business in Chicago you need to know what it takes to maintain compliance. Officials from several City departments will provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and highlight the do’s and don’ts of operating a business.

Master Plan Workshop
Fri, November 8, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Vincent Williams, Director of Illinois SBDC at YWCA Metropolitan Chicago & Vice President of Economic Empowerment
In this workshop you will learn ways to navigate and create your Master Business Plan.

Contracts 101 and Negotiation Tips
Wed, November 13, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Lauren Cichowski of 3BL, Law LLC
You were always told read everything before you sign it. But what are you supposed to be looking for? Learn about what makes a contract, how to spot red flags, and important terms every contract should have. Sometimes it takes some negotiation to get the best deal for your business. Pick up some tips on how to prepare for and tackle contract negotiations before, during, and after you get to the table.

Digital Mindset for Growth 101
Fri, November 15, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Google Digital Coaches with JinJa Birkenbeuel
Learn how to change your mindset from analog to digital by translating your entrepreneurial dreams into online action for your brand and your business. We will give guidance on how to create goal-based strategies for your business that will help it become more “discoverable” and recognized online so you can connect with customers. We will touch on creative branding, social media, YouTube and content strategies. Come ready with your mobile phone to work and learn!

How to Open a Concession at O’Hare or Midway Airport
Wed, November 20, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the Chicago Department of Aviation – Concessions Department
Are you interested in operating a restaurant or shop at O’Hare or Midway International Airport, but don’t know where to begin? Come and learn about the Request for Proposals (RFP) process, how to operate a business at the airport, and a summary of the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program.

Get Capital for Your Small Business with Kiva and Accion
Fri, November 22, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Accion & Kiva
Hear from Kiva, a nonprofit that provides 0% interest loans of up to $10,000 to small business owners and entrepreneurs, and from Accion, a small business lender with loan ranges of up to $100,000 for small and existing businesses.

No Workshop Due to Holiday
Wed, November 27

No Workshop Due To Holiday
Fri, November 29

To register for a workshop, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

Also, in case you weren’t aware, BACP offers a Business Start-Up Certificate Program, designed to give business owners the essential elements in starting and growing a business. Attend nine workshops at BACP and learn the essentials of business planning, financing, marketing, legal issues, technology and more. Complete the program workshops within six months and earn your certificate, as well as get free advice on your business plan. You can register for the Business Start-Up Certificate Program at any BACP workshop. Learn about the full set of BACP offerings here.

And visit their Business Video Library here.

Source: City of Chicago :: Business Education Workshop Calendar

Illinois, Tips

2019 Illinois Tax Delinquency Amnesty Act

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If you have an existing Illinois tax liability, make full payments between October 1, 2019, and November 15, 2019 and your penalties and interest will be waived.

Eligible liabilities are taxes due from periods ending after June 30, 2011, and prior to July 1, 2018. If you failed to file a tax return or incorrectly reported the liability due on a previously filed return for these tax periods, now is the time to file returns, make corrections, and pay the tax. Eligible penalties and interest will be waived.

You must file an original return for non-filed periods or file an amended return to make corrections.

The Illinois Department of Revenue has a Bulletin on the topic here, and a related FAQ here.

Education, Illinois, Site News, Tips

City of Chicago October 2019 Business Education Workshops

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Each month the City of Chicago offers twice-weekly (Wed & Fri) FREE business education workshops presented by experts in private practice as well as representatives from various city departments. There are quite a few good ones this month — see the list below — and they’re all offered at City Hall (right downtown and near public transit). To register for any of them, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers
Wed, October 2, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the City of Chicago
To operate a successful business in Chicago you need to know what it takes to maintain compliance. Officials from several City departments will provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and highlight the do’s and don’ts of operating a business.

The Nuts and Bolts of Small Business Funding
Fri, October 4, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – Room 1103
Presented by Hannah Fernandez, ROI Business Funding
Access to capital continues to be a pressing challenge among small business owners. In this workshop, you will have a better understanding of the spectrum of funding options that exist for small businesses in the “missing middle” gap, where the capital amount the business owner is looking for is too small for a traditional bank or too big for a microfinance institution or nonprofit lender (typically between $50K-$2MM). You will learn how to identify which funding option(s) is most appropriate for your business and know what it takes to become fundable.

Negotiation Skills Workshop
Wed, October 9, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Awatif Yahya, Founder, Awe Horizons LLC
Think about the last time you bought a car, negotiated your pay, agreed with a customer on a price, or got consensus with your kids on where to dine. How did it go? Were you happy with the outcome? Did you get what you wanted? There is science behind a good negotiation. It is a skill that can be learned and mastered over time. The aim of this workshop is to develop and enhance your negotiation skills, be it in a business environment or a personal setting, to get to a win-win situation. This workshop will address what makes up a good negotiator, cover negotiation myths and mistakes, negotiation satisfies and dig into 5 negotiation tactics. We will close with practicing tips to help you master your negotiations.

Lending Tools for Small Businesses in Growth Mode
Fri, October 11, 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Jake Stern, SVP & Director of Economic Development at SomerCor
Interested in taking the next step to expand your business? Learn about powerful lending tools that meet the capital needs of existing businesses in growth mode. Topics include SBA 504 loans, Small Business Improve Fund (SBIF) grants and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grants.

Forming Your Business: Choosing a Legal Entity
Wed, October 16, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Agostino Filippone, Partner, Chokshi Filippone Law, LLC
Whether LLC, Corp, or another legal entity, when starting a business, organizing your company the right way can significantly limit risk. Agostino Filippone, a Partner at Chokshi Filippone Law, LLC, will present on entity options, as well as provide information and material to help you navigate around common pitfalls faced by business-owners.

How to Use Networking to Build Your Business
Fri, October 18, 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Anna Maria Viti-Welch, The Viti Companies
Anna Maria will discuss different ways to network, as well as how to begin networking, where to find the best networking opportunities for your business and how to make the most of your networking efforts.

How to Write a Business Plan – What you need to know!
Wed, October 23, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Donna R. Rockin, Managing Partner at Rockin Enterprises, Inc.
Learn how to create a comprehensive business plan. It’s easier than you think when you understand all the components that get included. You’ll receive a complete list of what to include to demystify the process. Writing a solid business plan is your roadmap to business success.

Identifying Your Optimal Marketing Tactics
Fri, October 25, 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Rainier de Ocampo, MBA (Adjunct Marketing Professor at UCLA Extension and Cal State University, Los Angeles)
There are many digital channels and marketing tactics to choose from that it can be overwhelming and difficult to know which ones will work best for your business or brand. This session will unpack and help integrate the following marketing tactics: Social media; Email marketing; Digital advertising; PR & media outreach; Blog content; And more!

Fighting Cybercrime and Meeting Your Cyber Security Challenges in 5 Steps
Wed, October 30, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Cyber crime targeting businesses is on- going and continues to be a major concern. Learn how five steps can build awareness and an action plan to deter cyber criminals and help avoid the problems that could destroy a business. This presentation uses the latest information about hackers and data breaches to educate businesses how to protect themselves. Better Business Bureau teamed with National Cyber Security Alliance and National Institute for Science & Technology, along with local cyber security experts to create a scale-able program that any size company can use to create an individualized cyber security program. This workshop is in recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

To register for a workshop, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

Also, in case you weren’t aware, BACP offers a Business Start-Up Certificate Program, designed to give business owners the essential elements in starting and growing a business. Attend nine workshops at BACP and learn the essentials of business planning, financing, marketing, legal issues, technology and more. Complete the program workshops within six months and earn your certificate, as well as get free advice on your business plan. You can register for the Business Start-Up Certificate Program at any BACP workshop. Learn about the full set of BACP offerings here.

And visit their Business Video Library here.

Source: City of Chicago :: Business Education Workshop Calendar

Illinois, Tips

Employer Alert: Illinois Amends Equal Pay Act

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Just wanted to share a quick post regarding an important new Illinois law that goes into effect Sunday, September 29.

This year, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law House Bill 834, which amends the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 to prohibit employers from inquiring about a candidate’s compensation history. Failure to comply to the Illinois Equal Pay Act may result in legal action, audits and significant financial penalties. The law becomes effective on September 29, 2019.

For more information, see the Illinois General Assembly webpage.

The National Law Review provides the following recommended takeaways:

The 2019 IEPA amendments provide for increased penalties and damages for violations of the law, and applicants and employees have five years to bring a claim. With all of this in mind, employers are encouraged to do the following:

  • Promptly engage with external head hunters and internal talent acquisition teams to ensure that they understand the law and the limitations it will impose on the recruiting process;
  • Remove any wage and salary history inquiries from job applications;
  • Review and revise policies and practices relating to recruiting, interviewing and hiring, and ensure that employees who interview candidates are informed of what they cannot ask regarding pay history, and of how they should handle voluntary disclosures of pay history;
  • Review and revise policies and agreements which limit an employee’s ability to discuss compensation, including as may be found in confidentiality and restrictive covenant agreements; and
  • Consider whether conducting gender and/or race based pay equity audits with legal counsel is appropriate in order to evaluate (and correct) potential disparities.

UPDATE — The Illinois Department of Labor released this FAQ on September 27th:

  1. Can employers ask for salary history or use salary history when determining whether to offer a job or when determining how much to pay the job applicant?
    No. It is unlawful for an employer to request or require a wage or salary history from a job applicant as a condition of being considered for employment or as a condition of employment.
  2. Can employers ask about employment benefits that have been provided in the past to a job applicant during the application process?
    No. It is also unlawful for an employer to request or require a job applicant to disclose benefits or other compensation received at any current or former employer as a condition of being considered for employment or as a condition of employment.
  3. Who is covered by the law?
    Illinois job applicants. This includes applicants to part-time and full-time positions, temporary or permanent, whether hourly or salary. The law however does not cover independent contractors.
  4. Can employers use recruiters to determine applicants’ salary histories?
    No. Recruiters, employment agencies, staffing agency or any other agent of an employer may not screen applicants based on their current or prior wages or salary histories, benefits or other compensation.
  5. Can an employer ask a current or former employer of the job applicant for the applicant’s wage history?
    No. It is unlawful for an employer or their agent to ask for a wage or salary history, benefits or other compensation from an applicant’s employer or former employers when conducting verification or reference checks.
  6. What if the employee already works for the company where he or she is applying?
    The prohibition does not apply if a job applicant’s salary history is a matter of public record or if the applicant is a current employee applying with the same employer.
  7. Can an employer prohibit employees from discussing their salaries?
    No. An employer cannot prohibit its employees from disclosing their own salaries, benefits or other compensation to other individuals.
  8. Can job applicants volunteer salary history information?
    Yes. Applicants may voluntarily disclose their prior wage or salary history including benefits or other compensation. The employer shall not consider or rely on the voluntary disclosures as a factor in determining whether to offer a job applicant employment, in making an offer of compensation, or determining future wages, salary or benefits.
  9. Can employers provide a salary range to an applicant or discuss with an applicant their salary and benefits expectations?
    Yes. An employer can provide information about the wages, benefits, compensation, or salary offered in relation to a position. The employer can also engage in discussions with an applicant about the applicant’s expectations with respect to wage or salary or benefits.
  10. Who do I contact if I have questions about the new law?
    You should call the Illinois Department of Labor at the Equal Pay Hotline 866-372-4365.

Source: Employer Alert: Illinois Amends Equal Pay Act

Education, Illinois, Tips

City of Chicago September 2019 Business Education Workshops

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Each month the City of Chicago offers twice-weekly (Wed & Fri) FREE business education workshops presented by experts in private practice as well as representatives from various city departments. There are quite a few good ones this month — see the list below — and they’re all offered at City Hall (right downtown and near public transit). To register for any of them, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers
Wed, September 4, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the City of Chicago
To operate a successful business in Chicago you need to know what it takes to maintain compliance. Officials from several City departments will provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and highlight the do’s and don’ts of operating a business.

Side Hustle Success
Fri, September 6, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Moderated by Kenya Merritt, Chicago Chief Small Business Officer
In this workshop you will hear from entrepreneurs who have turned their passion into a profit. This workshop is targeted for entrepreneurs looking to establish a business within the creative or arts sector. Our panelists will share their strategies on how they moved from side hustle to success.

Small Business Center on the Road Expo
2019-09-07
Harry S Truman College, 1145 W Wilson Ave – McKeon Lobby
The Small Business Center on the Road Expo is free and open to the public. It provides new and existing entrepreneurs resources to start or grow their business here in Chicago.
For more information and to register go to
www.chismallbizexpo.com 

Social Media Workplace Policies & the Law
Wed, September 11, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Charles Krugel, a Management Side Labor, Employment and Human Resource Attorney
This is an open discussion with human resources lawyer Charles Krugel concerning: what courts and government regulators are saying about workplace social media policies, employee content & account ownership (who owns what); how a business can protect its social media image; what should a business do if an employee discusses something inappropriate; what businesses should do to control how & who uses its social media & related hardware or equipment; & what are the areas of liability for businesses and how to avoid or minimize liability. 

Access to Capital and Avoiding Predatory Financing
Fri, September 13, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Geri Aglipay, The Small Business Majority
Learn about how to navigate safe financing options in Chicago to start and grow your business. Understand how to avoid predatory small business funding and where to go for free assistance. An overview of crowdfunding will also be provided.

Como Lanzar Su Negocio En Chicago
Wed, September 18, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presentado por ESDC – Economic Strategies Development Corporation
(Workshop will be presented in Spanish)
Exploramos los primeros pasos para empezar su negocio, incluyendo: primeros pasos, investigación de mercado, plan de negocio y recursos estatales gratis, ademas aprenda acerca del tipo de licencia que necesitará y los tipos de estructura legal que existen.

How To Be A “YouTuber” For Your Business, Video Marketing 101
Fri, September 20, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by JinJa Birkenbeuel, Founder, The Honest Field Guide Podcast and CEO, Birk Creative
This YouTube workshop is for small business owners with a working website who want to learn how to create custom content and also create YouTube ads for your business. Learn how to create a business YouTube channel, understand the anatomy of a YouTube channel, learn how to use tags, and best practices for shooting a basic video. You will also learn how to promote your video on YouTube and other channels.

Everything You Need To Know About Business Insurance
Wed, September 25, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Sandra Cavato Insurance Agency
In this session, attendees will learn the coverages needed for their business. We’ll discuss the right questions to ask your insurance professional and how to protect yourself and your business against lawsuits.

Buying and Selling a Business: Find, Evaluate and Negotiate
Fri, September 27, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Lema Khorshid, Fuksa Khorshid, LLC
Do you want to buy a business and don’t know where to start? In this step-by-step seminar learn how buying a business can be an alternative to starting up a new business. Also, learn how to effectively analyze new business opportunities and understand a business purchase contract so that you can quickly close the deal.

To register for a workshop, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

Also, in case you weren’t aware, BACP offers a Business Start-Up Certificate Program, designed to give business owners the essential elements in starting and growing a business. Attend nine workshops at BACP and learn the essentials of business planning, financing, marketing, legal issues, technology and more. Complete the program workshops within six months and earn your certificate, as well as get free advice on your business plan. You can register for the Business Start-Up Certificate Program at any BACP workshop. Learn about the full set of BACP offerings here.

And visit their Business Video Library here.

Source: City of Chicago :: Business Education Workshop Calendar