Chicago’s small business community is too important to the economic vitality of our city to be hampered by onerous regulations. Improving the process for business owners to hang their signs and renew their permits will allow them to focus more on growth and job creation. Indeed, paving the way for entrepreneurs to succeed is a necessary ingredient to empowering all Chicago neighborhoods.
Getting a sign permit in Chicago is a lengthy process that involves multiple departments within City Hall and lengthy approval times for signs small and large. Currently, if the sign overhangs the sidewalk, even by an inch, along with a sign permit, the business will also have to get a public way use permit. A public way use permit requires passage by the entire City Council, just like any ordinance. Currently, the public way use permit is valid for five years. At the end of the five year term, the application process must be repeated.
Ordinance 2015-8286 will reduce the time it takes to obtain a public way use permit by eliminating the need for a separate ordinance to be passed by City Council every time someone wants to hang a sign outside their business. It also creates a renewal process for unchanged signs. This ordinance is simple and common-sense and only applies to wall signs projecting 12 inches or less over the public way. The local alderman would be notified and have a chance to weigh in. Moreover, this bill does not affect safety oversight or departmental review.
Even though 39 of the council's 50 members signed on as co-sponsors, this ordinance is being held up in the Committee on Transportation and Public Way by Alderman Anthony Beale. Ask your alderman to support this ordinance and compel Alderman Beale to call it for a vote in the committee.
Chicago small businesses are a major contributor to the strength of local economies. They present employment opportunities to residents and infuse our city’s neighborhoods with culture and personality. Chicago’s small business community is too important to the economic vitality of our city to be hampered by onerous regulations.
