10/19/2026
The Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protections (BACP) offers free business education workshops or webinars every Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning. All programs are currently being offered as webinars. Topics include business licensing, operations, financial resources, marketing, and more. Programs are free and open to the public and taught by industry professionals, not -for-profit agencies, and government agencies.
To register visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation
Turning Passion Into Profit: Funding Your Startup Dream
Certificate Categories Finance Business Operations & Licensing Legal
October 21st 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Presented by Score Chicago
Did you know the biggest challenge to starting a business is a shortage of capital? Do you know where successful entrepreneurs find funding for their business? Or where even to start to look? This webinar will help you navigate through the process of financing your dream. The webinar will go through real sources of capital, describe why banks will not likely be helpful, and provide valuable financial projection tools. Topics Covered in the Funding Webinar - Start-up Costs - Micro Lenders - Family & Friends - Donation Funding - Angel Investing
Advocate for Yourself: Rights & Resources for Disabled Creative Workers
Certificate Categories Marketing Legal Business Operations & Licensing
October 22nd 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Presented by The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Office of Labor Standards and 2nd Story For creative workers with disabilities, making the work is only one part of the job. Navigating access needs, researching rights and protections, finding resources, deciding when and how to disclose a disability, and advocating for accommodations is additional labor that’s part of building and sustaining a creative career. This work is essential, but it is often unrecognized. This webinar, part of the Creative Worker Rights, Art is Labor campaign, will provide information and practical tools to help disabled creative workers better understand their rights, protections, and available resources from the City of Chicago. A City representative will share information about relevant resources and support, followed by a conversation with disabled creative workers about the practical realities of self-advocacy, including communicating across needs, navigating disclosure, requesting accommodations, and finding support. Participants will leave with a better understanding of available City resources and practical ideas to consider when navigating access needs, accommodations, disclosure, and self-advocacy in their creative work.
Starting Your Business in Chicago
Certificate Categories Business Operations & Licensing Marketing Technology
October 23rd 9:30 am to 11:00 am
Presented by Erika Q. Gonzalez, Executive Director, 36Squared Business Incubator
In this webinar, we will discuss resources and available assistance for entrepreneurs wishing to start or grow their business in Chicago. Topics will include Writing a Business Plan, Export Assistance, Finding Funding, Free local assistance, Micro Lending and Grants and incentives.
Business Education Resources:
To view upcoming webinars, visit www.chicago.gov/businesseduction
To view past webinars, visit www.YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP
