From time to time, the Government Affairs Committee of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) contacts local media outlets and neighborhood partners - from elected officials and community organizations to businesses and residents - to share our position on key issues affecting business and Lincoln Park.

Recent Issues

Artistic Bike Racks

The LPCC supports Alderman Vi Daley's ordinance to bring artistic bike racks to Chicago as it would provide for an enhanced shopping experience, added public art and work for local artisans. The ordinance will be of benefit to the shopping, artist and bicycle communities in Chicago.  This public-private partnership will benefit businesses and customers alike.

Read the LPCC's letter to Transportation Chairman Alderman Thomas Allen (38th) here.

Mobile Food Trucks

The concept of Mobile Food Trucks is a culinary concept in place in dozens of major U.S. cities.  A proposed ordinance, supported by Lincoln Park Aldermen Vi Daley and Scott Waguespack, would bring warm, cooked meals to the streets of Chicago in a responsible, safe and healthy fashion.  Not only would the food scene in Chicago be further enhanced, the ordinance would help spur new businesses and job creation.

Read the LPCC's letter to Alderman Daley here.

Ordinance Banning Massage Parlors in Residential Areas

Although the proposed ordinance has been watered down  by the City Council, any ban restricting a sector of the business community from opening a new business at an available storefront is a detriment to the Chicago business community.  A proposed ordinance eliminating potential entrepreneurs by barring them from certain commercial zones would cost the city jobs and revenue.

Read the LPCC's complete statement here.

In summary, the ordinance was drafted to eliminate prostitution rings under the cover of massage parlor, but does not currently attack this issue.

Vacation Rental Ordinance

The LPCC is strongly against the proposed "Vacation Rental Ordinance" introduced once in the Fall and again in early April 2010 by Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd). Vacation rental properties are a unique part of the City's accomodations for out of town guests and an additional $500 per unit tax would lead to both direct and indirect closures of businesses in Chicago.

Read the LPCC's complete statement here.

Read the LPCC's initial letter to Alderman Brendan Reilly here.

Read the LPCC's follow-up letter to Alderman Vi Daley here.

Lincoln Park Hospital

Since the hospital closed in 2008, the site occupied by Lincoln Park Hospital has been an eyesore on the neighborhood.  With developers presenting proposals to community residents, Alderman Vi Daley and more, the LPCC feels that a mixed use project including retail, office space and residential will help contribute to the vitality of the surrounding area.

Read the LPCC's complete statement here.

Lincoln Park Post Office Branch

A cause for some debate, the LPCC has learned that the United States Post Office location at the corner of Fullerton and Sheffield - a busy local intersection for businesses and residents alike - may be slated for closing in the near future.  To combat this, the LPCC contacted our local U.S. Representatives for more information and share our support for maintaining

Read the LPCC's letter to U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (5th) here.

Update: After reaching out to Congressman Quigley's office, the LPCC has learned that a lease is in place with the owner of the buidling - DePaul University - through the summer of 2010.  Beyond that, the status of the Post Office at that location is dependent on the lease terms and the U.S. Postal Service budget.  Stay tuned for more information.

Economic Landscape Rattles Boutique Businesses

Throughout this difficult economic stretch, the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) has recognized the problems affecting businesses both large and small and continues to work to provide businesses the tools, resources and connections necessary to remain profitable, no matter what the economy is doing.

Read the LPCC's full statement.

LPCC Supports DePaul's 10-Year Plan

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce announced their support early this summer of DePaul University's upcoming Strategic Plan and community agreement release, anticipating a comprehensive document more than a year in the making.

Read our letter to Alderman Daley here and read our press release, covered in both The Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune.

Contact Us

Interested in sharing your support for a key legislative issue?  Have an issue you'd like the LPCC to consider?? Contact us today at (773) 880-5200.