The City of Chicago has a new weapon in the fight against crime — and that new weapon is you, the community. A new partnership between police and community is the foundation of Chicago’s own philosophy of community policing, known as CAPS — Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy.
What makes CAPS innovative is that it brings the police, the community, and other City agencies together to identify and solve neighborhood crime problems, rather than simply react to their symptoms after the fact. Problem solving at the neighborhood level is supported by a variety of strategies, including neighborhood-based beat officers; regular Beat Community Meetings involving police and residents; extensive training for both police and community; more efficient use of City services that impact crime; and new technology to help police and residents target crime hot spots.
With CAPS, police officers continue to enforce the law and respond rapidly to serious crimes and life-threatening emergencies. But CAPS recognizes that the police alone cannot solve the City’s crime problems. It takes a combined effort of police, community, and City government working together.
Beat Meetings
CAPS has bi-monthly community meetings where residents have the opportunity to talk to the officers who patrol their neighborhood. Residents are encouraged to bring questions or concerns regarding safety, quality of life issues and City services.
The 44th Ward is served by the 19th District which is bounded by Lawrence, Lake Shore Drive, Fullerton, and the Chicago River. Each police district is divided in beats, and each beat has a team of beat officers assigned to it. Police representatives from these teams and local community leaders conduct the CAPS meetings.
19th District Beat Meetings in the 44th Ward
To find what beat you live or work in please click here.
Beat meetings are virtual until further notice. If you would like to sign up for meetings please email your name and address to CAPS019District@chicagopolice.org or call the District at (312) 744-0064.
Beat 1922 – Second Thursday of odd months.
Beat 1923 – First Wednesday of odd months.
Beat 1924 – Fourth Thursday of even months.
Beat 1925 – Third Tuesday of even months.
Beat 1933 – Second Tuesday of odd months.
Beat 1934 – Second Monday of even months.
Government Affairs Update 2026: Sales Tax + Minimum Wage Changes for Chicago Businesses
Lakeview East business owners and managers should be aware of two important compliance updates taking effect this summer. For a complete list of taxes, visit MyTax Illinois
Sales Tax Increase Effective August 1, 2026
Beginning August 1, 2026, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority tax, formerly the RTA tax, will increase by 0.25%.
For most Chicago businesses, the new sales tax rate will be:
10.50%
General Sales Tax Breakdown
| Taxing Body | Rate |
|---|---|
| State of Illinois | 6.25% |
| Cook County | 1.75% |
| City of Chicago | 1.25% |
| NITA/RTA Tax | 1.25% |
| Total | 10.50% |
Businesses should update their point-of-sale systems by August 1, 2026 to reflect the new rate.
Restaurant + Prepared Food Tax
Restaurants and prepared food establishments should also include the City of Chicago prepared food surcharge.
For restaurants and prepared food establishments, the total tax rate will be:
11.00%
Restaurant / Prepared Food Tax Breakdown
| Taxing Body | Rate |
| State of Illinois | 6.25% |
| Cook County | 1.75% |
| City of Chicago | 1.25% |
| Chicago Prepared Food Surcharge | 0.50% |
| NITA/RTA Tax | 1.25% |
| Total | 11.00% |
Restaurants located within the MPEA taxing district should add an additional 1.00%, bringing the total to 12.00%.
Please update your POS systems accordingly before August 1, 2026.
For a complete list of sales tax rates, businesses can visit MyTax Illinois.
Minimum Wage Increase Effective July 1, 2026
Chicago’s minimum wage increased on July 1, 2026.
For employers with four or more employees:
| Worker Type | Minimum Wage |
| Non-tipped employees | $17.05 per hour |
| Tipped employees | $12.96 per hour |
If a tipped employee’s wage plus tips does not equal the full minimum wage, the employer is responsible for making up the difference.
Employers with fewer than four employees follow the State of Illinois minimum wage:
| Worker Type | Minimum Wage |
| Non-tipped employees | $15.00 per hour |
| Tipped employees | $9.00 per hour |
Required Workplace Notices
Every employer must post required workplace notices in a visible location for employees. These may include:
- Minimum Wage
- Fair Workweek, if applicable
- Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave
- Wage Theft
You can find these notices here
Employers should also provide covered employees with the required notices regarding current minimum wage, Fair Workweek, Paid Leave, and Paid Sick Leave within the required timeline.
BACP has been checking for required workplace notices, and businesses can be fined for failing to display them properly. Please make sure your notices are posted and up to date.
Wish we had better news, but as always, it is better to know early, update your systems, and stay compliant than get surprised later by fines, back taxes, or wage issues.
New in 2025: Advantage Illinois
Due to the struggles that small businesses have in obtaining financing through normal means, the U.S. Treasury has allocated funds to states and jurisdictions, including Illinois, to assist lenders in offsetting their risk. This funding was reauthorized under the State Small Business Credit Initiative. The goal of the allocated funds is to grow the economy and create jobs at a faster rate.
Illinois has developed two different programs under Advantage Illinois to offset the risks involved in lending to businesses. The programs can enable lenders to evaluate a project with a stronger outlook if the State can reduce their uncertainty. The lender’s exposure can be reduced by the State providing either a Guarantee or by Participation in a portion of the loan. By utilizing either one of the programs, lenders can help to ensure that Community Reinvestment Act standards are obtained; overall commercial lending volume to small businesses is increased; and jobs are created or retained in Illinois.
Entrepreneurs or existing business owners should approach their lender with a well-structured business plan and be aware of any potential challenges that they have. DCEO offers no cost business consulting through our network of Small Business Development Centers throughout the state to assist in business plan construction; evaluation of challenges; and other business assistance services. Find a Center near you.
Businesses that are eligible must have a present challenge in obtaining financing through normal means as defined by the financial institution in addition to meeting the following standards:
- Have less than 750 employees
- Operate in the State of Illinois
- Be in good standing with the Secretary of State
- Clear of any back taxes
- No Bankruptcies, Judgements, or Liens in the last five years
The programs are administered solely through lenders and are not a direct loan or guarantee program. Lenders are not obligated to utilize the programs in their lending decisions. If your lender intends to utilize the program, they will provide you with the necessary paperwork required. Additionally, a lender must be approved and enrolled in Advantage Illinois by DCEO to utilize the programs. To become an approved lender, email CEO.SSBCI@illinois.gov. View a list of our current participating lenders.
If a project meets qualification standards and is recommended for credit support, DCEO will determine potential participation or guarantee amounts up to certain limits based upon job creation (or retention); project or loan size; and risk. These limits can range from $10,000 up to $2,000,000.
For further information please Email: CEO.SSBCI@illinois.gov
Sidewalk Cafe Permits 2025
Sidewalk café permits are issued by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) starting January 1st and are valid from March 1st through the end of the following February on an annual basis.
To renew a sidewalk café, renew online using the permitting web portal Apply_for_Sidewalk_Cafe_Permit.pdf
Sidewalk Café Operating Requirements
- A sidewalk café permit allows a restaurant or tavern to serve customers on the sidewalk, maintaining 6 feet of pedestrian clearance along the sidewalk, among other requirements.
- Sidewalk cafes must remain operational when set up on the sidewalk and may not be used for storage of tables, chairs, shoveled snow, or other items.
- When snow has accumulated, sidewalk cafes must be removed from the public way until the snow is removed (the threshold for café removal is any snow for a street-side sidewalk cafe and 2 inches of snow for a building-side sidewalk café).
- While a canopy or awning may be used to provide overhead coverage, the complete enclosure of a sidewalk café is prohibited.
For more information and to apply for a sidewalk café, visit the sidewalk café webpage or email BACP’s public way use division at publicwayuse@cityofchicago.org with any questions regarding sidewalk cafes.
PTO Ordinance Update 2023
Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF)
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) provides reimbursement grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city.
Offered by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to tenants and owners of industrial and commercial properties, SBIF grants are funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues in designated TIF districts citywide.
Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf, does not have to be repaid.
Who is eligible?
Business properties located in a TIF district where SBIF funds are available and the SBIF is open for applications
Commercial businesses with gross annual sales up to $9 million on average over the previous three years
Commercial property owners with net worth up to $ 9 million and liquid assets up to $500,000
Industrial businesses with up to 200 full-time employees
Residential projects are not eligible for SBIF grants
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Minimum Wage Ordinance Update
Minimum Wage Increase July 1 2023:
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), announced the annual scheduled increase in Chicago’s minimum wage and a scheduled enhancement of the Fair Workweek Ordinance requirements. Additionally, BACP has awarded Arise Chicago a $100,000 grant to conduct outreach and education on Chicago’s labor laws. Arise Chicago will work in partnership with the City to create resources for vulnerable workers. The scheduled changes support the vision of building an inclusive, prosperous city that values and supports its workforce. Information on Chicago’s labor laws can be found by visiting Chicago.gov/Labor Standards.
“Working people and working families of Chicago deserve to know that their wages will keep pace with inflation and that they can count on an increase in their paychecks every year,” said Mayor Johnson. “Additionally, the Fair Workweek Ordinance enhancements going into effect in July will ensure that tens of thousands of Chicagoans will have more predictable work schedules, giving them a better work-life balance. Thank you to the team at BACP for putting in great work to move this initiative forward.”
Every July 1, Chicago’s minimum wage increases per the Minimum Wage Ordinance. The Chicago minimum wage is tiered for large businesses with 21 or more employees, and small businesses with 4 to 20 employees. The minimum wage for larger employees increases annually according to the Consumer Price Index or 2.5%, whichever is lower. The minimum wage as of July 1, 2023, will be:
$15.80 for employers with 21 or more employees (including all domestic workers, regardless of the number employed)
$15.00 for employers with 4 to 20 employees
The minimum wage for tipped employees will be $9.48 for employers with 21 or more employees, and $9.00 for employers with 4 to 20 employees (employers must make up the difference between any tips received and the applicable minimum wage for non-tipped workers.)
Additionally, on July 1, 2023, the Fair Workweek Ordinance will include updated compensation metrics. Employees will be covered by the ordinance if they work in one of seven “covered” industries (building services, healthcare, hotel, manufacturing, restaurant, retail, or warehouse services), earn less than or equal to $30.80/hour or earn less than or equal to $59,161.50/year, and the employer has at least 100 employees globally (250 employees and 30 locations if operating a restaurant). The Fair Workweek Ordinance requires certain employers to provide workers with predictable work schedules and compensation for changes.