Business Incentives
The City of West Chicago recognizes that business incentives are not “one size fits all” and seeks to assess the unique needs of the individual business with the goal of creating a mutually beneficial arrangement for the prospective business and the community. Creative, customized incentives based on need and current economic conditions are available.
The City strives to provide the smoothest experience for developers while maintaining conformance to all codes. It offers weekly meetings with interested developers from the pre-application to the plan review stages of a project, updated permit applications and guidelines, and clear, constant communication throughout the project.
Business Incentives & Programs
Electrical & Gas Utility Tax Rebates
Water Usage Service Fee Discounts
Sales Tax Rebates
Property Tax Abatements
Building Permit Fee Waivers & Expediting
Image Marketing
Business Programs
Retail and Restaurant Business Grant Program
The Retail and Restaurant Business Grant Program is sponsored by the City of West Chicago for the purpose of strengthening retail business activity in the Downtown Business District by attracting new retail and restaurant businesses as well as to assist existing retail and restaurant businesses.
This program offers 50/50 matching reimbursement awards (up to $10,000) for select eligible expenses. Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to the following:
- Structural Repairs
- Fire sprinklers and Alarms
- Electrical and Interior Lighting
- Plumbing, Grease traps
- HVAC, Exhaust hoods
To learn more about this program, please contact (630) 293-2200 x157 for further information.
Beautification Programs
Enhancements like new gateway monument signage, community banners, public art and “greening” initiatives contribute to the general stature of the community as a compelling place to live and do business.
Brilliance in Business Awards Program
The Brilliance in Business Awards Program was created as another vehicle for the City to connect with its business community. It aims to acknowledge the efforts businesses are making on behalf of their objectives and those of greater benefit to the community. The formal program, which conveys appreciation and acknowledges successful initiatives, projects, business practices and strategies, was developed to inspire, create momentum, increase satisfaction levels and stimulate further economic development. It also hopes to bring awareness to the level of diversity, creativity and corporate citizenship that epitomizes West Chicago business.
Façade Improvement Program
This 50/50 matching grant (up to $10,000 in a fiscal year) is available for businesses/buildings in the City’s Historic District and may be granted up to three (3) years of match funding (not to exceed $30,000). This program assists with improvements to building exteriors that preserve the historic nature and aesthetic appeal of the City’s historic properties. Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to the following:
- Façade restoration
- Masonry repair
- Exterior lighting
- Awnings and shutters
- Permanent new exterior signs
To learn more about this program, please contact 630.293.2200 x158 for further information.
Utility Service Fees
Water Services
Provider: City of West Chicago
Connection fee: Connection charge varies based on several factors such as: location of improvement, number of fixtures, and type of fixtures being installed.
Volumetric fee: Minimum bimonthly water service charge based on meter size and includes the first two thousand four hundred ninety-one (2,491) gallons of water used. The water usage rate is $3.88 per 1,000 gallons.
Capacity: At this time, the City can produce a constant 4,400 GPM or 6.34 MGD (dedicating a constant 900 GPM to any one industry for 24 hours/day or dedicating a constant 1,500 GPM to any one industry for 18 hours/day). Current average system availability is between 2.74 and 3.98 million gallons per day. The City currently maintains 8 wells with a current pumping capacity of 5,402 GPM or 7.78 MGD, with a current usage of approximately 3.8 million gallons per day (5.04 MGD during summer dry weather conditions). The City is currenlty constructing a ninth well station that will produce an additional approximately 1,000 GPM or 1.44 MGD.
Sanitary Sewer Service
Provider: City of West Chicago
Connection fee: Connection charge varies depending on several factors such as: location of improvement, and type of connection i.e. connection to existing sanitary sewer system or the extension of said system. Charge is per fixture unit.
Capacity fee: Capacity charge is $805.00 per population equivalent (P.E.). A capacity charge per connection per P.E. is assessed to all users connecting to the system. The capacity charge is adjusted annually upward by three percent (3%) and rounded to up to the nearest five dollars to account for inflation.
Volumetric fee: Minimum bimonthly billing charge of $3.00 and basic sewer charge based upon metered consumption is $5.61 per 1,000 gallons.
Capacity: The City’s wastewater treatment plant is a 7.64 MGD plant. The plant currently treats approximately 5.3 MGD based on current demand.
Electrical Service
Providers: Multiple (ComEd is sole distributor)
Applicable Fees: The average industrial rate is about 6.35 ¢/kWh. Illinois offers customers a robust, competitive electric supply market with more than 40 certified suppliers. Competition helps keep electricity rates low. Illinois prices have averaged seven percent below the national average since the Illinois electric industry was deregulated in 1999, resulting in more than $31 billion in electricity cost savings for businesses, government, schools, hospitals and households. Illinois’ competitive energy rates compare favorably across the Midwest and country. Average electricity prices list Illinois at 5.73/kWh, which is the 6th lowest for industrial rates in the country.
Gas Service
Provider: Nicor Gas
Applicable Fees: Natural gas load requirements for projects needs to be defined to determine what infrastructure and/or system improvements would be required to serve a requested load. A cost will then be defined for these requirements. That cost is then compared to the projected revenues Nicor Gas will receive in serving the new facility. To the extent that Nicor Gas meets its tariffed rate-of-return (8.1%) there is no cost to the customer. In the event of shortfall, Nicor Gas will look to the customer to make up the difference.