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1. Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. -  City of Chicago :: Ward 27 
2. Senator Collins -  Contact - State Senator Lakesia Collins
3. Illinois General Assembly: Legislation & Laws, Senate, House and additional resources
4. The Encompassing Center - Free Services 
5. Mental and Substance Abuse Assistance - TASC
6. Counseling Services -  NAMI Chicago
7. Register for College - Log In | Federal Student Aid 
8. Learning and Training at Malcolm X College -  Malcolm X College - City Colleges of Chicago (ccc.edu)
9. Learning and Training at UIC -  Discover the University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
10. CHA Vendor Compliance Reporting System -  Vendor Compliance Reporting System | Chicago Housing Authority 
11. Free Courses -  Free Online Business Courses | Alison 
12. Small Business Administration -  Plan your business | U.S. Small Business Administration 
13.  CTA's Diversity Programs Certification Drive 
14.  ORDer UP! ACDBE Workshop | Jan. 16th @ West Chicago Ave Library 4856 W Chicago Ave  
15.  2025 Small Business Educational Series For Construction Application ( In - Person Class) 
16.  CITY OF CHICAGO BID OPPORTUNITY LIST January 6, 2025 - 010625.pdf 
17.  City of Chicago :: Current Bid Opportunities 
18.  City of Chicago :: City of Chicago Consolidated Buying Plan 
19.  City of Chicago :: DPS Resource Guides 
20.  City of Chicago :: DPS Training 
21.  City of Chicago :: Rules, Regulations and Ordinances
    

The Encompassing Center

Dear Partners and Friends,

We’re excited to share some upcoming community events hosted by The Encompassing Center that we hope you and your network can participate in:

1. Focus Group – 3/10/25

We’re hosting a Focus Group on Monday, March 10th, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The discussion will focus on important topics related to mental health, and we’d love for you to join us in sharing your insights or encouraging others to be part of the conversation.

• Date & Time: 3/10/25, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Topic: Mental Health and Wellness
• Registration: Free (RSVP please)
• Incentive: $25 gift card raffle
• Food: Light dinner provided

"Let Your Voice Be Heard!" – This focus group is a great opportunity to contribute to meaningful discussions that could lead to impactful solutions.

• Book Club – April 2025

Our next Book Club selection is A Good Cry by Nikki Giovanni. The event will take place in April 2025. It will be a wonderful chance to discuss the book, share reflections, and connect with others in the community.

• Book: A Good Cry by Nikki Giovanni
• Date & Time: April 7, 2025 5pm-7pm (details coming soon)
• Women's Grief Support Group – Ongoing

Our Women’s Grief Support Group meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM virtually. This group provides a supportive environment for women navigating grief, and we encourage anyone who could benefit from this resource to join.

• Date & Time: Every 2nd and 4th Thursday, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• Format: Virtual

We hope you can join us for one or more of these events! If you have any questions or need further details, don’t hesitate to reach out. Please feel free to share these events with your network as well.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Friends of the Park Presents The Black Harvest Film Festival 

• Movie Location: Union Park, Chicago Park District
• Date & Time: March 19th at 4:30 pm (details coming soon)
• Q&A discussion after and refreshments

Location: Union Park, Chicago Park District

1501 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607

Supervisor: Donte Givan Phone Number: Main (312) 746-5494 

GRANT RESOURCES:

Freed Fellowship Grant - Every month, the Freed Fellowship gives a $500 grant to a business owner to invest in their existing business. 

https://freedfellowship.com/grant-b

Coach K Legacy Grant – Coach K is giving away $2,500 every quarter to help aspiring entrepreneurs & existing business owners take their businesses to the next level.

https://thelegacygrant.com/#col-xkaFogsxcx

Verizon Small Business Grant - The latest round of Verizon’s $10,000 small business grants just launched. Unlock free opportunities to grow your business and apply for a $10,000 grant. (you will have to register and take two courses to unlock the grant application.  Don’t wait until the last minute.) 

https://startupnation.com/grow-your-business/qa-verizon-small-business-digital-ready-can-help/

SoGal Foundation – Offers grants and tactical help to Black women or Black nonbinary entrepreneurs looking to scale their business. Apply now.

https://usbusinessgrants.org/grants/sogal-black-founder-startup-grant.html

Date Issued: Tuesday, Feb. 4th, 2025
Response Due: March 5th, 2025

Our Hope Is Unity invites qualified consultant firms to submit proposals to assist with establishing a Business Improvement District (BID) in the Near West Side area of Chicago. The consultant will provide expertis, research, and community engagement to achieexpertise ve BID designation by May 14th, 2025.

The proposed BID in the Near West Side area aims to foster economic growth, enhance community engagement, and improve the neighborhood’s infrastructure. Key objectives include:

• Strengthening the local business environment
• Promoting the area as a vibrant community hub
• Improving public spaces and amenities for residents and visitors
• Enhancing safety and cleanliness

The boundaries of the BID will include designated sections of the Near West Side, with specific strategic goals to drive economic development and support neighborhood stakeholders.

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Conducting comprehensive research on the BID area and surrounding community
• Facilitating community engagement efforts, including surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder meetings
• Developing a detailed BID proposal with clear strategic goals and financial plans
• Assisting in the preparation of official documentation for submission to the City of Chicago
• Ensuring that all required milestones are met to obtain BID designation by May 14th, 2025

Deliverables will include a BID proposal, community engagement summary, financial plan, and any other necessary documentation required by the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD).

To be considered, proposals must include:

1. Cover Letter: Brief introduction of the consultant firm, its qualifications, and approach to the project.
2. Technical Proposal: A detailed plan that outlines the consultant’s approach to the scope of work, including methodology and timeline.
3. Price Proposal: A breakdown of costs, including consultant fees, expenses, and any other associated costs.
4. Qualifications: A list of relevant experience, past projects, and key team members.
5. Completion Schedule: A timeline showing how the consultant will meet the necessary milestones, including the final BID designation by May 14th, 2025.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria (outlined below). The selection process will consist of:

1. Initial review of proposals for completeness.
2. Shortlisting of top candidates based on qualifications, experience, and proposed approach.
3. Interview or presentation, if needed, to further assess the consultant's expertise and approach.
4. Final selection based on the best fit for project goals, cost-effectiveness, and ability to meet deadlines.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Experience and Qualifications: Demonstrated experience in managing similar projects, with a focus on Business Improvement Districts, urban planning, and community engagement.
• Approach and Methodology: Clarity and effectiveness of the proposed plan to address the BID’s strategic goals, including community involvement and project milestones.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Reasonableness of the price proposal about the scope of work and overall project goals.
• Timeline: Ability to meet the May 14th, 2025 BID designation deadline.
• References: Positive feedback from prior clients or project partners.

All proposals must be submitted no later than March 5th, 2025. Proposals should be sent electronically to:

• Email: cwilson@ourhopeisunity.org

For further details or questions regarding this RFP, please contact:

Contact Information:
Charles Wilson
Phone: (312) 810-3940
Email: cwilson@ourhopeisunity.org

Our Hope Is Unity reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, request additional information from proposers, and negotiate with selected consultants to ensure the project’s success.

All proposals will be treated confidentially. The contents of the proposals will not be shared outside of the selection process unless required by law. Proposers should mark any confidential or proprietary information in their submissions.

1.  State ID: Information on Obtaining a State Identification Card with the Secretary of State -  REAL ID (ilsos.gov)
2. State Drivers license: Information on obtaining a State Drivers License with the Secretary of State -  Driver’s License/State ID Card (ilsos.gov)

The Expungement and Sealing suites of forms are published by Illinois Courts. They are required for use in all Illinois courts by statute 750 ILCS 5/501(a)(1). 

The forms are available here. When you click this link, you will be directed to the Illinois Courts website. The forms suite as a whole includes the following: 

Adult 

1. ORDER TO EXPUNGE & IMPOUND AND/OR SEAL CRIMINAL RECORDS 

2. REQUEST TO EXPUNGE & IMPOUND AND/OR SEAL CRIMINAL RECORDS 

3. ORDER DENYING REQUEST TO EXPUNGE & IMPOUND AND/OR SEAL CRIMINAL RECORDS 

4. NOTICE OF FILING FOR EXPUNGEMENT AND/OR SEALING 

5. ADDITIONAL ARRESTS OR CASES FOR EXPUNGEMENT 

6. ADDITIONAL ARRESTS OR CASES FOR SEALING 

7. ADDITIONAL NOTICE OF FILING FOR EXPUNGEMENT AND/OR SEALING 

Juvenile 

1. REQUEST TO EXPUNGE JUVENILE RECORDS 

2. NOTICE OF FILING FOR JUVENILE EXPUNGEMENT

3. ORDER TO EXPUNGE JUVENILE RECORDS 

4. ADDITIONAL JUVENILE RECORDS

5. ADDITIONAL ARRESTING AGENCIES

6. CHANGE OF ADDRESS  

Black Women Professionals League – Women Leading Change for Ourselves, Our Families, and Our Communities 

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