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

Funds are restricted to retail and restaurant businesses on the 1st floor of commercial buildings in downtown. Grants available under the program at any particular time are subject to the then-available funding in the Downtown TIF Fund as budgeted by the City of West Chicago.

Applicants must complete the application, provide required supplemental documentation, and obtain City approval. The business must be located within the Downtown Business District TIF Designated Area.

To learn more about this program, please contact (630) 293-2200 x157 for further information.

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.

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.

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.

Business Incentives

Development 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. The following are some incentive options that may apply to your project:

Electrical and Gas Utility Tax Rebate

Rebate program for sharing the City’s electrical and gas utility tax is available.

The rebate program is tailored to large volume users of electricity and/or, gas, whose operations provide ancillary economic benefits to the local economy.

Water Use Charge Discount

Discount program is available for large volume users of the City’s municipal water. The discount is tailored to large volume users whose operations provide ancillary economic benefits to the local economy.

Sales Tax Rebate

Rebate program for sharing sales tax revenues is available. The rebate program can be tailored to particular clients based on sales revenues and other economic factors that benefit the local economy.

Property Tax Abatement

Property tax abatement is an incentive that may be offered to a business expanding an existing facility or locating a new facility within the jurisdiction. Abatement allows the subject business to keep a portion of the difference between the current property tax revenue from a building or site and the resulting property tax revenue after expansion, improvement, or new construction.

With cooperation from the principal taxing bodies such as the West Chicago School District #33, Community High School District #94, West Chicago Park District, West Chicago Fire Protection District, and West Chicago Public Library District such a program is made possible for large scale projects for a pre-determined/negotiated period of time.

Building Permit Fee Waivers and Expediting

Building Permit Fee Waivers (for non-pass through costs) for City permit fees available; does not apply to third-party charges. Expedited three-day permit review option available; Standard ten-day review period for all projects.

Image Marketing

A dedicated program to communicate and promote the City’s attributes and competitive edge through media and public relations.