Resources & Links
Cook County Board President Tony Preckwinkle launches fund to help small businesses. Click here to read the document.
Cook County Community Recovery Initiative. Click here to read the document
For more information Click here.
- Chamber hosts gathering Wednesday Oct. 13
Chamber hosts gathering Wednesday Oct. 13 The Cicero Chamber of Commerce is inviting all licensed Cicero businesses to attend a “Meet & Greet” event with the new Interim Board of Directors on Wednesday, Oct. 13 beginning at 5 PM at the Cicero Community Center, 2250 S. 49th Avenue. The special guest speaker will be Ismael Vargas, Business License Department Director. Please RSVP with your name, business name, business address to Maru Ayala, by email at MaruAyala0@gmail.com (MaruAyala (zero) @ Gmail.com).
- Aguilar offers info on “Back to Business” Grant Program
Aguilar offers info on “Back to Business” Grant Program As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s overall economic recovery strategy, the $250 million Back to Business (B2B) grant program aims to deploy small businesses recovery grants for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. The B2B grant program builds on the success of last year’s Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program – an equity focused business relief program, which directed $290 million to 9,000 businesses in 98 communities across Illinois. B2B is a key component of the Governor’s $1.5 billion economic recovery plan, aimed toward a swift and equitable deployment of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds that have been designated for Illinois to assist in recovery from the COVID pandemic. To assist small businesses with the B2B application process and other upcoming or ongoing economic recovery grant programs offered at the State or federal level. DCEO has invested $9 million in support of Community Navigator organizations working in every region of the state. These organizations will provide technical assistance to businesses, with a focus on underserved businesses including minority, rural, veteran and women-owned businesses. How to apply: Application Portal Now Open. Apply here! Applications can be tracked in real-time Check out the videos on how to fill out the application in English and Spanish Allies for Community Business (A4CB), DCEO’s grant administrator, is now accepting applications (create an account first and then select your language of choice) Learn about the information and documentation required Documentation required also available in: Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic Documentation needed: Business owner ID (ITIN business owners eligible) Business’s 2019 AND 2020 Federal tax returns Two (2) business bank statements – one from the period April through December 2020, and most recent statement List of Frequently Asked Questions also available in: Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic If you have any questions regarding your Back to Business application process please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. District Office 7833 Ogden Avenue Lyons, IL 60534 (708)-447-5461 Downtown Office 118 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 603-4735
- Cicero welcomes opening of new Jimmy Johns fast food restaurant
Cicero welcomes opening of new Jimmy Johns fast food restaurant Jimmy John’s Sandwich Shop Opens in Cicero. New Jimmy John’s Sandwich Shop at 3312 S Cicero Will Immediately Begin Serving Freaky Fast, Freaky Fresh® Sandwiches. New business Town President Larry Dominick Tuesday welcomed the official opening of the Jimmy John’s Sandwich shop at 3312 S. Cicero Avenue. The restaurant opened this week. “We are proud of the many new businesses and industries that have come to the Town of Cicero bringing not only great quality products from food to retail items,” President Dominick said Tuesday (August 31, 2021). “Not only do the many new businesses bring great products but they also bring new jobs for our residents, and contribute to the Town’s sales tax revenues which alleviates the tax burden on residents and business property. We are proud to welcome Jimmy Johns to the Town of Cicero and encourage residents to patronize the business and always shop local.” Here is the release from Jimmy Johns. CICERO, IL (August 31st, 2021) – A new Jimmy John’s sandwich shop located at 3312 S Cicero is now open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM and ready to serve gourmet sandwiches to the people of Cicero. “This will be our first store in Cicero and our team is excited to serve fresh, fast and tasty sandwiches to a new set of customers in the area,” said owner Sal Abdallah. “Whether it’s in our new store, through contactless delivery or ordered through our Freaky Fast Rewards® loyalty program – our team is ready to serve even more guests on their terms in a way that only Jimmy John’s can deliver. Abdallah says he plans to hire around 25 employees. Anyone interested in applying can call or text 708.639.8282 or email afssubsllc@gmail.com. Founded in 1983., Jimmy John’s has built its reputation on serving up fast and fresh sandwiches in communities across the country and is one of the fastest growing franchises in the U.S. with over 2,700 Jimmy John’s locations across 43 states. The new Jimmy John’s in Cicero will deliver sandwiches right to your door if you are inside the delivery area and offers convenient catering for any occasion. Customers can stop by the new location, call the store at 708.477.4949, or order online at online.jimmyjohns.com or through the Jimmy John’s mobile app.
- Cicero Chamber Partners with Morton 201 Foundation to host Auction
Cicero Chamber Partners with Morton 201 Foundation to host Auction The Morton 201 Foundation, in partnership with the Berwyn Development Corporation and the Cicero Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a Support Local Online Auction to benefit our Pay It Forward Scholarship Fund from November 28 to December 4. Since 2019, the Pay It Forward Scholarship Fund has awarded 22 scholarships totaling $30,000. We want to keep that momentum going but we need your help to reach our fundraising goal of $25,000. We know that 2020 was a challenging year for everyone and the Morton 201 Foundation wants to help promote local businesses while raising money for scholarships. In exchange for your donation, businesses will be promoted on our online auction site, the Foundation’s website, social media platforms and included in all pre-auction promotional materials. Businesses will also be acknowledged on the Berwyn Development Corporation and the Cicero Chamber of Commerce websites and social media platforms. For more details or to make a donation, please contact Scott Goodman at 312-401-0527.
- State offers support for local businesses in Cicero
Back to Business Grant Program Overview As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s overall economic recovery strategy, the $250 million Back to Business (B2B) grant program aims to deploy small businesses recovery grants for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. State Representative Lisa Hernandez and Town President Larry Dominick and the Town of Cicero Board are supporting and promoting the program widely, and encourage local businesses to apply for the grant support. The B2B grant program builds on the success of last year’s Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program – an equity focused business relief program, which directed $290 million to 9,000 businesses in 98 communities across Illinois. B2B is a key component of the Governor’s $1.5 billion economic recovery plan, aimed toward a swift and equitable deployment of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds that have been designated for Illinois to assist in recovery from the COVID pandemic. To assist small businesses with the B2B application process and other upcoming or ongoing economic recovery grant programs offered at the State or federal level. DCEO has invested $9 million in support of Community Navigator organizations working in every region of the state. These organizations will provide technical assistance to businesses, with a focus on underserved businesses including minority, rural, veteran and women-owned businesses. Funding available: $250 million to small businesses across the state that experienced losses in 2020 due to COVID-19, including the following set-asides. $100 million – Businesses located in Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs). (See DIA Map below) $30 million – Arts and Entertainment businesses that didn’t receive Shuttered Venue Operators grants $25 million – Restaurants and taverns that didn’t receive the Restaurant Revitalization Fund $25 million – Hotels $25 million – Businesses that didn’t receive a BIG grant due to exhaustion of funds Grants will range from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations/staff/overhead costs Up to $250,000 for hotels Eligibility requirements: Businesses with revenues of $20 million or less in 2019 and a reduction in revenue in 2020 due to COVID-19 $35 million or less for hotels Priority will be given to the following categories: Hard-hit industries (see eligibility guidelines for a full list of priority industries and their definitions) Hard-hit areas – DIAs comprising of 176 zip codes Businesses who have yet to qualify for state funding or federal assistance (including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), business Interruption Grant (BIG), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), and more) Businesses that had less than $5 million in revenue in 2019 Learn about eligibility guidelines Eligibility guidelines also available in: Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic Upon receiving an award, all grantees will need to sign the program Certification Agreement. How to apply: Application Portal Now Open Applications can be tracked in real-time Allies for Community Business (A4CB), DCEO’s grant administrator, is now accepting applications (create an account first and then select your language of choice) Learn about the information and documentation required Documentation required also available in: Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic Documentation needed: Business owner ID (ITIN business owners eligible) Business’s 2019 AND 2020 Federal tax returns Two (2) business bank statements – one from the period April through December 2020, and most recent statement List of Frequently Asked Questions also available in: Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic Need help? Application assistance and webinars Over 100 community navigators providing 1:1 regional support service for small businesses. Find your community outreach partner including navigators, SBDCs, as well as DCEO Support Teams with the B2B search tool or view the list by name, county, or language service. View recordings of past webinars: 8/13/2021 8/13/2021 (Spanish) 8/17/2021 8/19/2021
LIKE our Facebook Page
Follow us on Twitter- Cicero welcomes opening of new Jimmy Johns fast food restaurant
Cicero welcomes opening of new Jimmy Johns fast food restaurant Jimmy John’s Sandwich Shop Opens in Cicero. New Jimmy John’s Sandwich Shop at 3312 S Cicero …
- Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance Program to offer financial wellness webinar Jan. 27
Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance Program to offer financial wellness webinar Jan. 27 The COVID-19 pandemic introduced uncertainty and fear to the lives …
- Insurance Navy & the Town of Cicero Host a Food Drive October 8, 2020 at Community Park
Insurance Navy & the Town of Cicero Host a Food Drive October 8, 2020 at Community Park Insurance Navy and the Town of Cicero is …