10/12/2026
The Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protections (BACP) offers free business education workshops or webinars every Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning. All programs are currently being offered as webinars. Topics include business licensing, operations, financial resources, marketing, and more. Programs are free and open to the public and taught by industry professionals, not -for-profit agencies, and government agencies.
To register visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation
AI Governance as a Business Asset
Certificate Categories Technology Marketing Finance
October 14th 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Presented by AIQA Global, LLC, the Chicago-based AI governance ratings firm and creator of the AIQ™ Score , Featuring Chase J. Malackowski, Co-Founder & Head of Product.
This session makes the business case for responsible AI management and shows how AI quality is becoming something stakeholders can measure and compare. Participants will work through the six Chicago Principles for Independent AI Assurance and see how each one becomes a practical decision about how an organization builds, buys, and uses AI. The session closes with a simple way to identify where AI translates to real operational value and how risk concentrates within operations, and the first steps toward a documented, defensible program.
Empower Hour: Educational & Communication Consulting
Certificate Categories Business Operations & Licensing Marketing Finance
October 15th 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
In honor of Polish American Heritage Month, celebrated in October, September’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Chief Small Business Officer Lotika Pai in conversation with Alina Mikolajczyk, owner of Educational & Communication Consulting and co-founder of Polish Women in Business.
Alina Mikolajczyk has dedicated decades to empowering students and immigrant communities through education, mentorship, and advocacy. From her work at National Louis University to founding Educational & Communication Consulting, she has guided countless individuals toward academic, professional, and personal success. As a co-founder of Polish Women in Business (PWB) and a leader in several Polish-American organizations, Alina continues to support and empower others through conferences, workshops, and the “NEXT – Talks for the Future Generation” series. She also serves as Employment Department Manager at the Polish American Association. The department provides comprehensive employment support to unemployed and low-income individuals, helping them prepare for the workforce, develop their careers, and secure suitable employment opportunities. The candid conversation will cover the start and growth of the business, community engagement, and community-level resources. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
10 Costly Mistakes Holding Your Small to Mid-sized Business Back — and How to Fix Them Now
Certificate Categories Legal Finance Technology
October 16th 9:30 am to 11:00 am
Presented by the National Association of Women Owners (NAWBO) member Eileen Lysaught, Attorney/Partner Laner Muchin, Ltd.
Most owners of small and middle-market Chicago-area companies are making critical mistakes right now costing them time, money, and growth. In this webinar, you will: 1. Identify and reduce risk Spot warning signs before they become costly problems. 2. Know when to request support Recognize when professional help pays for itself. 3. Make confident decisions Act decisively with practical, proven strategies. You'll leave with strategies you can use the very next day.
Business Education Resources:
To view upcoming webinars, visit www.chicago.gov/businesseduction
To view past webinars, visit www.YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP
