Posted on July 22, 2021

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Small Business Advocacy Council and a robust coalition of business and community organizations have been fighting to reduce the time it takes for small businesses to obtain a sign or other public way use permit. Today, an ordinance was passed that eliminates the need for City Council approval on almost all sign and other public way use permits.

The ordinance that passed eliminates the requirement that an overwhelming number of sign or other public way use permits be approved by the City Council. Indeed, only where there is a disagreement between the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and an Alderman/Alderwoman regarding a permit application will an ordinance need to be passed before its issuance. However, in almost all cases, the approval of the City Council will no longer be necessary, shaving up to 60 days off the process.

Small businesses and local communities face difficult challenges as they attempt to recover from the pandemic. The City Council and Mayor Lightfoot just eliminated one of them. We thank the City Council for making this important reform because it will help small businesses succeed and local communities recover from the pandemic.