What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

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Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

The City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) ensures a fair and vibrant market place for both businesses and consumers. BACP licenses businesses and public vehicles, provides business education and access to resources, enforces the Municipal Code, and protects consumers from fraud.

Operating as usual

10/28/2022

🚕

Passenger safety tip for getting around the City this weekend with children:

10/28/2022

Does your car need repairs?

You have the right to:
1️⃣ inspect parts the shop replaced
2️⃣ know whether the work is warranted or not and
3️⃣ decide in advance what will happen if the cost to repair exceeds the estimate by $15 or 10%, whichever is less.

Be Informed. Be Protected. Chicago.gov/ConsumerProtection

10/28/2022

Today's free business education webinar starts in just a few minutes -- still time to register: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

"StartUp Success: How to Use the Business Model Canvas" presented by Women's Business Development Center

10/27/2022

A special business education webinar today at 2 🎁

"Holiday Marketing Strategies to Increase Sales" presented by SCORE Mentors.

We'll go through the process of getting your business ready for holiday marketing and advertising. Learn more and register: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/26/2022

REMINDER // Three free business education webinars this week:

🦺Wed: "Emerging Issues in Worker Protections"
🎁Thurs: "Holiday Marketing Strategies to Increase Sales"
📊Fri: "StartUp Success: How to Use the Business Model Canvas"

Learn more and register: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/26/2022

🟢Live: 10/11
🟢Webinar 10/13 (Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYbPHMyTpGA)
🔴Due: 10/28

Nonprofits saw significant decrease in funding with increased costs & requests for assistance during pandemic. BACP will offer grants for recovery.

Learn more & apply: Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan

10/25/2022

Tomorrow's free business education webinar at 3pm:

"Emerging Issues in Worker Protections" presented by Andy Fox, Director, Office of Labor Standards (OLS). This webinar will highlight legal issues in enforcement actions at OLS.

Learn more and register: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/24/2022

Please share with your network -- BACP is for the following roles:

✔ SENIOR BUSINESS CONSULTANT
✔ ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT II
✔ STAFF ASSISTANT

For full details and application, visit Chicago.gov/Careers

10/24/2022

Three free business education webinars this week:

🦺Wed: "Emerging Issues in Worker Protections"
🎁Thurs: "Holiday Marketing Strategies to Increase Sales"
📊Fri: "StartUp Success: How to Use the Business Model Canvas"

Learn more and register: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/21/2022

🚕

Passenger safety tip for getting around the City this weekend:

10/21/2022

Our Friday morning free business education webinar starts in just a few minutes!

"Launch Your Business with Customer-Focused Marketing" Learn more and register now: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/20/2022

Today, BACP is proud to to stand up against domestic violence.

1 out of 3 women experience violence in their home. You aren't alone, and this is not your fault. If you need help, call or text 1-877-863-6338. chi.gov/dvhelp

10/20/2022

TODAY AT 2PM!

Excited to celebrate 🇵🇱 for this month's w/ co-owners of PolombiaChi, a restaurant with a modern take on Polish and Colombian dishes that infuses both countries' ingredients.

Learn more and register: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/19/2022

Our hearing has started! Tune in at chicityclerk.com

10/19/2022

BACP educación de negocios seminario:

"Conozca Su Flujo De Efectivo" presentado por Alejandra Fajardo, Vicepresidenta y asesora de negocios del Programa de Empresarios de Minorías de Chase for Business.

REGISTRARSE: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/19/2022

🟢RFP is live 9/23
🟢Webinar on 9/30 (Recording: https://youtu.be/ocpDUPLmI6E)
🔴RFP due 10/21

BACP will provide funding to one nonprofit organization to serve as a lead delegate agency for the Food Equity Community Growers Program 🥕🥬🥔

Learn more: Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan

10/18/2022

Please share with your network -- BACP is for the following role:

✔ SENIOR BUSINESS CONSULTANT

For full details and application, visit Chicago.gov/Careers

10/17/2022

Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur in Chicago?

Register for World Business Chicago's Tech Symposium, a one-day event TMRW aimed at providing business owners with the technology and resources they need to create successful and resilient businesses! https://eventbrite.com/e/small-business-tech-symposium-tickets-412351834437

10/17/2022

Mark your calendars for this week's free business education webinars 📅

Wed 3pm: "Conozca Su Flujo De Efectivo" with Chase

Thurs 2pm: with PolombiaChi

Fri 9:30am: "Launch Your Biz with Customer-Focused Marketing"

Learn more and register at Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/14/2022

🚕

Passenger safety tip for getting around the City this weekend:

10/14/2022

Photos from Chicago Office of Emergency Management & Communications's post

10/14/2022

Still time to register for this morning's 9:30am webinar!

"Get Going with Government Contracting - Grow your Business with Uncle Sam" presented by Michael Crino - Illinois PTAC Director at Greater Southwest.

Register now: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/12/2022

Excited to celebrate for this month's w/ the co-owners of PolombiaChi, a restaurant in Time Out Chicago with a modern take on Polish and Colombian dishes that infuses both countries' ingredients.

Learn more & register: http://Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/12/2022

Sign up for this afternoon's free business education webinar at 3pm📝

"Effective Marketing Strategies" presented by SCORE Mentors. Learn how to use market research, conduct analysis to validate your idea, and how to market to ideal customers.

Register at Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/11/2022

🟢Live: 10/11
🔴Webinar 10/13, 2pm (Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83574938159?pwd=b0NWd0kyQ0ExQlZkVzUwaGhGYXNuUT09)
🔴Due: 10/28

Nonprofits saw significant decrease in funding while experiencing increased costs & requests for assistance during pandemic. BACP will offer grants to aid recovery.

Apply: Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan

10/11/2022

📅This week's free business education webinars📅

Wed: "Effective Marketing Strategies" presented by SCORE Mentors

Fri: "Get Going with Government Contracting - Grow your Business with Uncle Sam" presented by Greater Southwest

Register: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation📝

10/07/2022

🚕

Safety tip for getting around the City this weekend:

10/07/2022

Operational Update:
BACP offices will be closed on Monday, October 10, and will be back open to regular hours on Tuesday, October 11. Thank you

10/07/2022

The LAST line-up of 2022:

🍤Haire's Gulf Shrimp
🍕Giordano's
🍗Uncle Remus
🌮Mr. Quiles
🍔Tasty's
🥘Cynthia's Gumbo
🍗Harold's

We're out on Daley Plaza from 11am to 3pm today -- rain🌧 or shine🌞. Hope to see you there!

10/06/2022

Tomorrow morning's free business education webinar:

"Grants, Incentives, and FREE Assistance for your Business" presented by Andrew Fogaty, Executive Director 36Squared Business Incubator.

Register: Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation

10/06/2022

Start making your plans with friends and co-workers!

TOMORROW is the LAST of the year -- check out our social media tomorrow morning for the line-up of trucks 🌮🍔🌯🍗🥟🧁

10/06/2022

A busy September at BACP, which included a Empower Hour, our last of the year and the publication and submission of Chicago Recovery Plan RFPs.

October is !Now's the perfect time to protect your business from cyberattacks by:📶 Securing networks💻 Using antivirus so...

10/05/2022

Cybersecurity: Fundamentals to Protect Your Business and Your Employees

October is !

Now's the perfect time to protect your business from cyberattacks by:
📶 Securing networks
💻 Using antivirus software
☁️ Backing up sensitive data

Get more tips from our recent SCORE Mentors webinar:

Presented by Score ChicagoSmall businesses are often targets of cyberattacks. Cyber criminals are organized and know how to mimic your business operations to...

Address

City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Rm 805
Chicago, IL
60602

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13127446060

Website

http://Chicago.gov/BACP

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection:

Videos

#RideSmartChicago🚕 Passenger safety tip for getting around the City this #Halloween weekend with children:

Does your car need repairs? You have the right to: 1️⃣ inspect parts the shop replaced 2️⃣ know whether the work is warranted or not and 3️⃣ decide in advance what will happen if the cost to repair exceeds the estimate by $15 or 10%, whichever is less. #ConsumerProtection Be Informed. Be Protected. Chicago.gov/ConsumerProtection

#RideSmartChicago🚕 Passenger safety tip for getting around the City this weekend:

#RideSmartChicago🚕 Safety tip for getting around the City this weekend:

Less than 24 hours until our final #ChiSmallBizExpo of the year! Join us for business resources, exhibitors, an inspiring keynote, networking, workshops and more -- there's still time to register FOR FREE at Chicago.gov/BizExpo

The final #ChiSmallBizExpo of the year is this Saturday, 9/17! Join us for business resources, exhibitors, an inspiring keynote, networking, workshops and more -- register for FREE at Chicago.gov/BizExpo

The final #ChiSmallBizExpo of the year is SATURDAY at Truman College from 10am-2pm. We're excited to announce that Corey Gilkey, experienced entrepreneurial leader and founder of Leaders 1354, will be our keynote speaker! Learn more and register FOR FREE: Chicago.gov/BizExpo

On 1/3, the Chicago Vaccine Requirement went into effect. Check out the message from BACP Commissioner @KMeyer606 on what is required by Chicago's businesses covered under the new Public Health Order.

Learn about the success and setbacks of BACP Remote Small Business Expo keynote speaker Christopher LeMark of Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health ! The remote #ChiSmallBizExpo is Thursday from 9AM-2PM. Register at www.chismallbizexpo.com

Virtual COVID-19 Town Hall: Latinx Workers

COVID-19 Liquor Sales Curfew

BACP YouTube Page

Smart Business Chicago: City Clerk Anna Valencia is Keeping Chicago Government Transparent

BACP YouTube Channel

La Oficina de Normas Laborales de Chicago

Office of Labor Standards Overview

Smart Business Chicago: When Media and Meals Meet

Smart Business Chicago: Paper Source

Chicago’s Minimum Wage

2020 Budget: Chicago's Minimum Wage

Small Business Saturday

Smart Business Chicago: Hop 22

Smart Business Chicago: 2112 Chicago

Comments

It is extremely frustrating trying to navigate through the fiasco of a database you have just to conduct a city business search. It is complicated, and I'm educated with IT experience. Keep it user friendly please. Just let us enter the business name, and then the information comes up. Why in the hell are you making us work to get this information? Its ridiculous! Use this database internally but for the general public, use the KISS theory please...Keep It Simply Stupid.

DON'T BUY LIT SOLAR PORTABLE POWER check the BBB website. They are a scam. After they take your money they will not respond to emails. They block you on Facebook and will not respond to messages. The owners Matthew Gedz and Chingiz Aghayev refuse to answer for any if the negative reviews or multiple emails sent. This Company Is Fraudulent- One Pays And Never Receives The Product Or A Refund...

.....Hi..I live 116 west elm street and there is construction going on in the next block. The drilling or riveting is daily from 9-500pm ....the noise is deafing even through the closed window.....its been going on for months....How can they get away with this.....you cant enjoy anything until after 5 pm......When will it end....This is a Senior Citizen building.....Some folks need to sleep at some point during the day...Cant hear the tv Help Joan Smith

and the citys website is useless

Please shut down and revoke the licenses of Pocket Puppies, Park Pet Shop, and Pet Luv that are all operating illegally by violating the Chicago ordinance and selling sick puppy mill dogs to unsuspecting consumers. This is unacceptable.

The ultimate purpose of developing a vision board is to have a successful business. In the long run, it is fruitless to comprise a plan that can raise the funds you seek if your enterprise is so poorly conceived it is bound to fail. So a successful vision board should address the long-term needs of your business and devise strategies that enhance both the overall performance of your company and your personal satisfaction.
Proper Planning Prevent Poor Performance!!
Join me as we bring in the New Year with a fresh vision! Tickets on sale NOW!

Thousands descended upon the Mag Mile Saturday for one of the largest holiday parades in the country and stuck in the middle of the chaos were terrified and agitated thousand pound farm animals. One carriage horse was so distraught, it took three handlers to try and calm him down. My volunteer witnessed one driver smack a horse in the face twice. She has one of the strikes on video.

The carriage operators and owners claim they love their horses. If that were true, they wouldn't hit them, subject them to such commotion on one of the busiest nights in Chicago and overwork them every single weekend. Plus, if they are willing to abuse these gentle animals in plain sight, we truly worry about what happens behind closed doors.

The horse carriage licenses are due to be renewed this week, but that didn't stop the operators from breaking the law and overworking at least three horses this weekend. They know full well that neither the City's office of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), Chicago's Animal Care and Control (CACC) nor the police will monitor them or enforce the animal welfare laws on Chicago's books.

CAA’s nearly 1600 members, more than twenty thousand people who've signed online and paper petitions and the millions represented by our hundreds of business endorsements (including veterinarians, legislators, equine experts, animal protection organizations, local businesses, etc.) want to know how much longer carriage horses will be overworked and abused on Chicago's streets.

The following is just a sampling of violations of the law since all 3 Chicago horse carriage companies were taken to court by the City of Chicago and were allowed to settle with BACP and pay only a fraction of what they should have owed over the summer of 2018.

It is not, in any way, a comprehensive list of violations:

1. 1 horse struck in the face twice 11/23/19

2. 3 horses overworked 11/23/19

3. Horse overworked 11/16/19

4. Horse with no water bucket on 11/8/19

5. Horse left unattended 11/8/19

6. 3 horses overworked 10/27/19

7. 5 horses overworked 10/19/19

8. 2 horses overworked 9/29/19

9. Horse being forced to trot and worked during Rush Hour (5:32 pm) on 9/5/19 (a Thursday) = 2 violations

10. 2 horses overworked & 1 horse sent back to the stable by CACC because he had open wounds & was limping 8/25/19

11. 3 horses worked when it was 91 degrees (too hot) 7/4/19

12. INFORMATION CARD – 5/18/19

13. DRIVER PROXIMITY AND CONTROL – 5/18/19

14. OPERATING A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE ON RUSH STREET DURING PROHIBITED TIMES 5/18/19

15. PERMIT REQUIRED violation – 12/13/18

16. PASSENGER LOADING AND UNLOADING AREA 12/13/18

17. DRIVING CARRIAGE WITHIN A PROHIBITED ROUTE 12/13/18

18. OPERATING DURING PROHIBITED HOURS 12/13/18

19. Curbside Driving 12/1/18

20. At least four horses overworked & other violations on the weekend of Dec. 1 & 2, 2018

21. At least 6 horses overworked and other violations on 11/24/18

22. Antique Coach & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 11/1/18

23. Chicago Horse & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 11/1/18

24. Great Lakes Horse & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 11/1/18

25. Horses overworked & other violations on 10/27/18

26. 1 horse was worked approximately 13 hours on 10/13/18

27. Antique Coach & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 10/1/18

28. Chicago Horse & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 10/1/18

29. Great Lakes Horse & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 10/1/18

30. Horses overworked on 9/22/18 Horses overworked & other violations on 9/15/18

31. At least 14 violations on 9/1/18 including 8 horses overworked

32. Antique Coach & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 9/1/18

33. Chicago Horse & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 9/1/18

34. Great Lakes Horse & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 9/1/18

35. Horses worked when too hot on 8/26/18

36. Horses worked when too hot on 8/5/18

37. Horses worked when too hot on 8/4/18

38. Antique Coach & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 8/1/18

39. Chicago Horse & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 8/1/18

40. Great Lakes Horse & Carriage failed to submit required log books - 8/1/18

It's high time to revoke these licenses. Chicago's horse carriage operators have proven time and time again their complete disregard for the horses' welfare as well as Chicago's law.

www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1150972545069451

https://www.facebook.com/JodieWiederkehr/videos/10155746898801669/?t=2

https://www.facebook.com/JodieWiederkehr/videos/10155746963961669/?t=19

I am disappointed to see that the horse drawn carriage owner/operators are in such chronic disregard of the city ordinance that limits the daily labor of each animal to six hours and yet they are forced into 9-12 hour days, plus the eight mile round trip the horses trod just to get to and from their work stations. This is abuse of the horses and abuse of the laws in place that would defend the animals against this abuse. Why are the licenses of the carriage owners continuously re-issued if they blatantly disregard the law? Please intervene! The horses are visibly stressed and unhealthy! Any day, they are likely to collapse and cause a catastrophe on our city streets. I am asking for your help!
-Greg Reynolds

Dear Rosa Escareno, Commissioner for the BACP,

I email you today Commissioner because I understand that Chicago's office of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) is the city agency that is supposed to monitor and enforce the laws related to Chicago's horse carriage trade.

There were at least 6 horses (witnessed and documented) who were overworked again this past weekend along with many other violations. One horse was worked approximately 11 hours and two others were worked for at least 10 hours, yet Chicago's law CLEARLY states they can only work 6 hours in a 24 hour period.

I ask you Commissioner Escareno to please NOT renew Chicago's horse carriage licenses (for 2019) at the end of this week. Why should these companies and chauffeurs be allowed to continue working on Chicago's streets? They've racked up 334 violations last year and continue to break the law regularly,

The following violations are the ones KNOWN in just the last few months when observers have been able to spend free time documenting:

* At least 6 horses overworked and other violations on 11/24/18
* Horses overworked & other violations on 10/27/18
* 1 horse who was worked approximately 13 hours on 10/13/18
* Horses overworked on 9/22/18
* Horses overworked & other violations on 9/15/18
* At least 14 violations on 9/1/18 including 8 horses overworked
* Horses worked when too hot on 8/26/18
* Horses worked when too hot on 8/5/18
* Horses worked when too hot on 8/4/18

All these violations occurred AFTER each company settled with BACP over the summer with the promise to start following the law. It's clear that they refuse to follow the laws created with the input of veterinarians and equine experts.

Of course, there were plenty more violations throughout the year as well.

There is also a video of a toddler falling out of a carriage and landing on her face. It's just another of many reasons to not renew the licenses of this very dangerous activity.

Thank you for to what I have to say for those without a say in how they live.

Commissioner Escareno,
I am a concerned citizen and asking you to NOT renew Chicago's horse carriage licenses (for 2019) at the end of this week. These companies and chauffeurs, who racked up 334 violations last year and who continue to break the law regularly, should NOT be allowed to continue working on Chicago's streets. It is a cruel industry that does not fit in with modern traffic. These animals are often forced to overwork long hours and are constantly inhaling exhaust fumes from vehicles.