Supporting Information

Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

10 Things Every Consumer Should Know About Credit Download the booklet - 10 Things Every Consumer Should Know About Credit

2013 Consumer Recalls Find children products that were recalled.

3 Simple Steps to Obtain a Business License To prepare yourself before applying for a City of Chicago business license, you must first decide what type of business you are interested in starting. Prepare a business plan that will suit your short and long term goals. We encourage you to visit BACP online for more information on business planning, connecting with resources and other important information to help you in being successful.

Annual Plastic Bag Recycling Reporting Information Find information on how to report Annual Plastic Bag Recycling.

Approved Vehicle List Approved vehicle list for taxicabs and liveries.

Bill of Rights for Consumers Using Tax Preparation Services Tax payers in Chicago will now have recourse against unscrupulous tax preparers after the City Council passed Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Tax Preparer Ordinance

Business Affairs and Consumer Protection - Other Office Locations Business Affairs and Consumer Protection - Other Office Locations

Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Hearing Schedule The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection holds hearings and community meetings in its Room 805 offices.

Business License Exemptions Some Occupations are exempt from city licensing if the occupation/profession is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Business License Forms Business License Forms

Business Licenses City of Chicago Business Licenses listed within sectors of common business attributes.

Businesses Businesses

Cable Operator Contact Information For additional information, please refer to the company's website, or call the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection at 312-744-4052.

Certification of Weighing and Measuring Devices All devices used for weighing or measuring, where products are directly sold to consumers, must be certified by the City of Chicago.

Changes to Your Business License As a licensed business in the City of Chicago you must report any changes in ownership/officers, business location or business name to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Chicago's Quick Guide to Liquor Licensing Chicago's Quick Guide to Liquor Licensing

City-County Collaboration on Cigarette Investigations City-County Collaboration on Cigarette Investigations

Consumer Recalls The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) provides consumers with information about recalled merchandise and ensures that recalled products are removed from store shelves.

Debt Collector License

Energy Disclosure Application The Application for Energy Disclosure is used to request gas or electric disclosures on a particular address and / or unit number.

File a Business Affairs and Consumer Protection FOIA Request The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state law that provides citizens with access to public records.

Free Business Counseling at BACP Solution Station Visit the Small Business Solution station every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and get free business counseling, legal assistance and financial and loan assistance from our trusted non-profit partner agencies.

Give Us Your Feedback The City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection relies on feedback from our customers to improve services. We take customer satisfaction seriously and measure our performance based on your input.

Home Repair Tips For Consumers The City of Chicago is offering consumers smart tips on how to choose the right contractor and how to detect red flags to avoid getting scammed by a rip off contractor.

Information/Applications for Affiliations, License Managers & Brokers, and Taxicab Two-Way Dispatch Affiliation License Manager Broker Application / Information

Liquor License Forms Forms needed for liquor licenses.

Mobile Food Vendor Licenses Mayor Emanuel introduced an ordinance passed by the City Council to expand mobile food vehicle operations in neighborhoods across Chicago.

Monthly Business Education Workshop Schedules The Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers free workshops every Wednesday and Friday. Workshops vary each month and are conducted by City Officials, experts and partner business organizations.

Mortgage and Foreclosure Rescue Scams Foreclosure Rescue and Loan Modification Scams

New American Small Business Series The City of Chicago's Office of New Americans (ONA) and the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) invite small business owners and entrepreneurs to four quarterly expos as a part of the New American Small Business Series.

Outdoor Pay Telephone Information All outdoor pay telephones are regulated by ordinance and the program is administered by the Public Way Unit of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Private Booting Information The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection licenses and regulates private vehicle booting businesses in the city of Chicago

Public Chauffeur Licenses Currently Suspended. Public Chauffeur Licenses Currently Suspended.

Purchasing A Mattress In Chicago Before buying a mattress, there are certain things every consumer should know.

Refund Anticipation Loans (Instant Refunds). What Consumers Need To Know. The High Cost of “Instant Refunds” or Refund Anticipation Loans. Important tips for Consumers during Tax Season.

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Initial Microlender Trainee Candidates Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Initial Microlender Trainee Candidates

Rules and Regulations

Tax Preparer Business Information Tax Preparation businesses are required to prepare and submit a Disclosure Form pursuant to Municipal Code 4-44-030[1].

The Flagged Business List The Flagged Business List is an initiative to target “problem” businesses in Chicago’s neighborhoods. The list is a data driven list that isolates businesses with two or more violations pled liable over the past twelve months.

Tips to Avoid Post Storm Damage Scams Tips to avoid post storm damage scams

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Information If you need to order a wheelchair accessible taxicab, one free phone call can put you in touch with every taxicab company that operates wheelchair accessible cabs.