Click here to learn about the 63rd Street Parade

In 1984, GSDC teamed with the Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor Chambers of Commerce to launch the 63rd Street Growth Commission, which is credited with forming one of the first neighborhood Special Service Areas (SSA) in Chicago.

The 63rd Street Growth Commission helps maintain the vitality of the commercial district by supporting business owners in the following locations: (Click here to view a map.)

• 63rd Street (from Bell Avenue to Central Park Avenue)
• Western Avenue (from 61st Street to 64th Street)
• Kedzie Avenue (from 62nd Street to 64th Street)

Using funds generated from a special property tax in the 63rd Street business area, the Growth Commission works to:

Advertise and Promote Local Businesses.
Through a series of coordinated advertising & promotional programs, businesses in the district benefit from being advertised and promoted as one large shopping area. Promotions include the annual 63rd Street Holiday Parade, the Holiday Parade Poster Contest, summertime Street Fairs, seasonal and event banners, and a neighborhood guidebook. The Growth Commission also helps individual businesses market and promote themselves.

Assist with Business Development.
The Growth Commission offers consultative services to small business owners in the district to help assess business needs and concerns, and connect them with available services.

Sponsor Business Training Workshops.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs can attend workshops sponsored by the Growth Commission that develop and strengthen small business. Topics include writing business plans, obtaining financing, marketing and sales, and financial reporting.

Connect Business Owners with the Right Property.
The Growth Commission's comprehensive data base of buildings for rent and sale in the 63rd Street business district helps businesses find just the right site.

Wipe Out Graffiti.
Business owners can contact the Growth Commission to clean up unattractive graffiti and keep the area inviting for customers.

Scrub Sidewalks Clean.
Daily sidewalk sweeping by the Growth Commission's "green machine" keeps the business district looking its best.

Keep it Green.
The commercial district's attractiveness and charm "grows" with each new planter the Growth Commission adds to its commercial sidewalks.

Deck out Light Poles.
As each season changes, so do the 600 colorful banners hung by the Growth Commission in the 63rd Street business district.

63rd Street Holiday Parade
An annual tradition for more than 20 years, the parade is held the first Saturday of December and attracts over 25,000 spectators. An ideal opportunity to promote local businesses!

Financial Assistance for Commercial Businesses

The 63rd Street Growth Commission also helps business owners apply for financial assistance from SSA and City of Chicago incentive programs, including:

Business Security Incentive Program
Offering rebates of up to $1000 to eligible commercial business owners, this program assists in purchasing and installing new surveillance equipment.

Awning Rebate Program
Commercial business owners taking advantage of this program can receive a rebate of up to $1000 for installing a storefront awning and decoration that meets program guidelines.

Please email Nick Kollias, Commercial Director, or call him at 773-436-1000 (extension 113) for more information or to request an application for the programs and services listed on this page.