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Events in your area

Enter your ZIP code to find business-related events in your area of Illinois.

An event has a specific location (zip code) and occurance date   A news item is used for announcing general information for a local workforce investment area (LWIA) or state-wide 

 

  

City Creates Bid Incentives to Promote Disabled-Owned Businesses


On January 13, the Chicago City Council passed an ammendment to the Business Enterprise Owned by People with Disabilities (BEPD) ordinance to encourage the utilization of City-certified, disabled-owned businesses and contractors.

"BEPDs are underutilized business enterprises in Chicago," said Mayor Daley.  "The new bid incentives underscore the City's commitment to increasing procurement opportunities for disabled-owned businesses by stimulating the participation of BEPDs as both prime contractors and subcontractors."

The incentive levels are contingent upon the percentage of the contract performed by the BEPD.  The earned credits would then be applied as a bid incentive to future contracts sought by the contractor for up to three years.  The BEPD program was established in 2002 as part of the City's commitment to address the high unemployment rate of people with disabilities by enhancing economic opportunities for the disability community.

For more information on becoming a BEPD contact:
Department of Procurement Services: (312) 744-4900 (voice) (312) 744-2949 (TTY) 
Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities: (312) 744-7071 (voice) (312) 744-4964 (TTY)

 


For more information, visit: http://www.cityofchicago.org/disabilities External link opens in a new window

Black Star Project Mentoring Program

The Black Star Project is looking for successful and professional men and women of all races to become part of the largest classroom-based mentoring program in the country.  With as little as two hours per year, you can make a difference in the lives of students in Chicago-area schools.

We will train you to be a successful mentor.  The most important thing is that you share your life story and talk about your education, family and business success.   Please call Ivory Harris for more information at (773) 285-9600.


SAVE THE DATE - Veterans Job Fairs

Weekdays 8:00 AM To 3:30 PM

State of Illinois - Veteran Job Fairs
Sponsored by the Illinois Department of Employment Security
Multiple Statewide locations: for more information and to register contact:

Chicago Metro Area 
Northern Area - November 4, 2010
9am - 1pm
McHenry VFW Hall
Contact Jack Borders at 312-793-2620

Chicago Area - November 11, 2010
9am - 2pm
Daley College (Main Auditorium)
Contact Luis Gonzalez at 312-814-3463

Metro South Area - November 13, 2010
10am - 2pm
River Oaks Community Church
Contact Gregory Shephard at 708-596-8051

Northern Illinois Area
Northwest Area - November 12, 2010
9am - 1pm
VFW Post#1303, Rock Island
Contact Sue Colloton at 309-671-3157

Central Illinois Area
Springfield Area - November 9, 2010
10am - 2pm
Bloomington National Guard Armory
Contact Alison Williams at 217-558-1262

Southern Illinois Area
Metro East St. Louis Area - November 10, 2010
9am - 2pm
Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville
Contact John Otey at 618-242-6121 x130

   

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  • Local Interest
    Attention: Developers, Contractors, and Sub-Contracting Firms: Neighborhood Stabilization Program RFP
    In August, 2008 the United States Congress authorized the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) as a federal grant under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).  The purpose of this program is to provide emergency assistance for the acquisition and redevelopment of foreclosed and abandoned properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities.  The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), as the NSP administrator for the State, is currently seeking housing redevelopment proposals that will help revitalize and stabilize communities that have been the most negatively impacted by foreclosures, high-risk mortgages, and high rates of abandoned or vacant properties.

    HACIA has been hired as a sub-contractor to provide assistance with:
    -Outreach of potential and interested developers, general contractors and sub-contracting firms
    -Technical assistance in the preparation of responses to the NSP RFP
    -Technical assistance and consultation to sub-recipients throughout the duration of the program
    -Assistance with referrals of qualified contractors to interested applicants to meet diversity goals
    -Minority Certification assistance to qualified contractors

    The program requires the utilization of firms with the state's BEP (Business Enterprise Program).  The State recognizes the following agencie's certifications:

    -Illinois Department of Transportation
    -Chicago Minority Business Development Council
    -Women's Business Development Center
    -City of Chicago
    -Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA)
    -METRA
    -PACE
    -Cook County

    For more information or a copy of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program RFP please log on to www.haciaworks.org External link opens in a new window.

    For technical assistance and consultation related to NSP, please contact Juan Calahorrano or Gilbert Villegas at (312) 666-5910.

  • Innovate Now! Transforming the Chicagoland Region into a Globally Recognized Center for Innovation
    Innovate Now Logo

    Innovate Now! is a partnership of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Council on Competitiveness, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and World Business Chicago.

    Innovate Now! will transform Chicagoland into a globally recognized center for innovation. The initiative encourages widespread adoption of innovative practices and strategies within the Chicagoland region, improving our capacity for growth and our ability to compete in the global economy.

    For more information on this initiative, visit the Innovate Now! External link opens in a new windowwebsite. 


  • Power your business with sustainability
    CSBA Image The Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance (part of Foresight Design Initiative) has effectively established itself as a hub and catalyst for the sustainable business community in Chicago, fostering the exchange of best practices and fueling business growth. We provide our members with opportunities for connection, education, knowledge sharing and promotion through our referral network, online Green Business Directory, and more.
    Visit the Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance External link opens in a new windowtoday!

  • Statewide Interest
    Economic Recovery Resources
    AARA emblem
    To learn about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and identify projects being funded with taxpayer money, look for this emblem throughout Illinois workNet and on the internet.

    Learn more about the ARRA External link opens in a new window

  • WIA Works for You
    WIA Works in Illinois WIA Works is an initiative to inform our communities of the important and successful work that takes place every day across Illinois to help career dreams become a reality.

    Take action, and contact your Representative. Let them know how and why Workforce Investment Act (WIA) matters to you and tell your WIA employment and training success story.

    Follow WIA Works on Twitter External link opens in a new window and Facebook External link opens in a new window

  • Is Your Business Positioned to Grow?
    IEN Banner Is your business positioned to grow with just a little help from people with know-how and the right connections? If so, the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network (IEN), the umbrella for all Illinois' small business services, can give you that help.  IEN helps you cut through the tangle of resources and find the ones you need to achieve your goals. This one seamless system makes it easy for you to to accelerate your company's growth.

    Visit the IEN website External link opens in a new window today.

  • Looking for the Official Business Link to the U.S. Government?
    Business.gov logo Business.gov provides quick and easy access to business laws, government regulations, forms and agency contacts.

    Visit the Business.gov External link opens in a new windowwebsite today.

  • Low Income Energy Efficient Residential Retrofit Program

    More than $213,000 in grants will help existing low-income homeowners replace items such as refrigerators, furnaces, lighting, dishwashers and air conditioners with energy-efficient models.

    Legislation approved last year created funding for programs and incentives through money from ComEd and Ameren to reduce electrical energy usage and demand by company customers.

    Click here External link opens in a new window to learn who is eligible and  how the process works.


  • Mentoring and Volunteerism as a Dropout Prevention Strategy
    Tutor/Mentor Connection In many of our schools, half or more of high school students do not graduate, let alone leave high school prepared to fully participate in civic life. 

    Businesses have an opportunity to get more personally involved in the lives of students in high poverty neighborhoods with failing schools to help end this crisis. 

    Learn more at the Tutor/Mentor Connection External link opens in a new window.

  • Register Your Company with Buy Illinois.Net
    Buy Illinois Logo The "Buy Illinois" initiative is a statewide series of regional trade fairs, procurement workshops and training programs designed to stimulate more in-state, business-to-business commerce and increase the self-sufficiency of the Illinois economy.

    Register your company at the Buy Illinois External link opens in a new windowwebsite.

  • The U.S. Economic Census
    U.S. Economic Census Logo The Economic Census profiles American business every 5 years, from the national to the local level. Detailed information provided by geographic area, zip code, and industry.

    Visit the U.S. Economic Census External link opens in a new windowto increase your knowledge of the business climate.

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