Crime Prevention, License Renewals

Crime Prevention Strategies for Businesses

The IRA is in constant communication with the Mayor’s Office regarding the alarming increase in crime in the Central Business District and throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods.

To help prevent local crime issues, all restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses in Chicago can make their voices heard and be engaged in the following ways:

• Find Your Police District

• Click here to find your police district, district homepage and events, beat number, and beat meetings.

• Attend CAPS/Beat Meetings

• Beat meetings and CAPS meetings are held by the Police Department on a regular basis, often once a month, in each of the City’s 281 beats. At the meeting, residents and beat officers discuss priority crime and disorder issues, as well as develop strategies to address those issues. 

• Use TipSubmit

• Submit a tip anonymously regarding a crime or suspicious activity. In this submission you can include photos or videos related to the tip, involved suspects, involved vehicles, and a general description of the crime or suspicious activity.

• Top Tips for Liquor Licensees

• Liquor licensees have an affirmative duty to report promptly to police all illegal activity reported to or observed by the licensee or within sight of the licensed premises. This includes a requirement to call 911 for illegal activity that occurs outside your premises if the incident occurs in front of your premises or in your parking lot.

• Tips for Reducing Business Theft

• Burglary Checklist for Business Locations

• Engage with Your Local Chamber

• Click here for a listing of neighborhood chambers of commerce.

• Contact Your Alderman

• Find the contact information for your Alderman to discuss neighborhood issues.

• Sign Up for Chi Biz Alerts

• Click here to opt-in to receive targeted emergency alerts from BACP and OEMC.

Reminder - Renew City of Chicago Licenses by July 15

All licenses issued by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (“BACP”) under Title 4 or Title 9 of the Municipal Code of Chicago (“MCC”) that were extended temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic will expire on Thursday, July 15.

Impacted licensees must renew by July 15 in order to continue legal operations in Chicago. Read the Industry Notice to learn more.

Business licensees can renew online via Chicago Business Direct.

Taste America: Chicago Dinner Event at Frontier

Join Chef Brian Jupiter on Tuesday, July 13 at Frontier for the James Beard Foundation's Taste America: Chicago dinner event. Seatings are at 5:00 and 7:45 p.m. Purchase tickets here.

Click here to learn more. Contact jbftaste@bowenandco.com with any questions.

Get Certified in ServSafe Sanitation Manager Training - IRA Class Schedule Posted Through September

The IRA's Sanitation Manager class schedule is posted through September. Protect your business and reassure your customers that you are prepared to meet ongoing challenges by having certified Sanitation Managers on staff. 

The IRA is your trusted source for training and certification. We continue to follow all regulatory guidance to keep guests and staff as safe as possible. Non-vaccinated guests are required to wear a face mask, and all attendees should bring a photo id, and a number 2 pencil for the exam. 

Our instructors are recognized as leaders in foodservice instruction, and are certified by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the National Restaurant Association.

We offer classes every week, year-round, with bilingual instruction available in English and Spanish. IRA members receive discounted pricing.

Sign up today for a class through September, or call (312) 787-4000 to schedule a private class at your location. 

Overview of the Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Given the rapidly increasing hiring by restaurants, the National Restaurant Association has developed a new slide deck overview on the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) hiring incentive. This refresh includes a breakdown of the well-established program, what it can save a restaurant in taxes, and how hiring the long-term unemployed (~7 months) will qualify the hire for WOTC support. 

Click here to read the overview.

Tomorrow Afternoon - McDonald's Vaccine Event in Woodlawn

McDonald's has partnered with the city of Chicago to offer free vaccinations, a chicken sandwich meal, and Ventra passes on Thursday, July 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the McDonald's at 6560 S. Stony Island. No health insurance or ID is required.

Click here to learn more.