Chicago Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF)
City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) / SomerCor
Up to $150,000
TIF grants for Chicago commercial improvements
TIF-funded reimbursement grants for commercial and industrial small businesses making interior or exterior property improvements in eligible Chicago TIF districts. Commercial tenants and property owners can receive 30–90% of improvement costs up to $150,000. Industrial businesses (up to 200 employees) can receive up to $250,000. Applications are accepted monthly on a rolling district-by-district rollout calendar.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- $150,000
- Realistic amount
- Most commercial awardees receive $25,000–$80,000. The 30%–90% cost-share ratio is determined by TIF district budget avai…
- Deadline
- Rolling — monthly application windows by TIF district; see rollout calendar at chicago.gov/sbif
- Status
- active
- States
- IL
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Business or property must be located within a City of Chicago SBIF-eligible TIF district (use the SBIF Locator Tool at chicago.gov/sbif to verify eligibility)
- Commercial applicants: gross annual sales of up to $9 million averaged over the prior 3 years
- Commercial property owners: net worth up to $9 million and liquid assets up to $500,000
- Industrial applicants: up to 200 full-time employees
- Must apply during the specific monthly application window for your TIF district (see rollout calendar)
- Project must be for improvements to a property where you operate — not new construction on a vacant lot
- Tenant applicants must have landlord written consent for proposed improvements
- No outstanding City tax liens or code violations on the property
Hard requirements
- Location restriction: Must be in a City of Chicago SBIF-eligible TIF district
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Exterior facade improvements (painting, tuckpointing, windows, doors, awnings)
- Signage (exterior commercial signs, window graphics)
- Roofing repairs and replacement
- HVAC system installation or replacement
- Interior buildout improvements (flooring, ceilings, lighting, plumbing, electrical)
- Accessibility improvements (ADA ramps, wider doors, accessible restrooms)
- Security systems and energy-efficiency upgrades
- Industrial equipment tied to property improvements
Ineligible expenses
- New construction on vacant lots
- Inventory, merchandise, or supplies
- Furniture and movable equipment (not permanently affixed)
- Work that began before conditional award letter was issued
- Work on properties with outstanding City tax liens or code violations (until resolved)
- Personal or residential portions of mixed-use buildings
How to apply
-
1
Verify TIF eligibility and find your application window
Use the SBIF Locator Tool at chicago.gov/sbif to confirm your property is in an eligible TIF district. Download the annual rollout calendar to find the month your district is open for applications. Missing your district's window means waiting until next year.
-
2
Get contractor bids and document the project scope
SBIF reimburses completed work — you must obtain at least two contractor bids for each project component. SomerCor reviews bids for reasonableness. Do NOT begin work before submitting your application; pre-application work is not eligible for reimbursement.
-
3
Submit application during your district's open month
Apply online via Chicago DPD's Submittable portal or download the paper application from chicago.gov/sbif. Include financial documents (3 years of tax returns or financial statements), contractor bids, property lease or ownership documentation, and landlord consent if a tenant.
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4
Receive SomerCor review and conditional award
SomerCor, the program administrator, reviews your application for eligibility and project scope. Conditional awards are issued in writing. Review takes 4–8 weeks. Work can begin after written conditional approval is issued.
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5
Complete improvements and submit for reimbursement
After work is completed and paid for, submit receipts, paid invoices, and contractor lien waivers to SomerCor for reimbursement review. A site visit may be conducted. Reimbursement checks are issued within 4–6 weeks of a complete reimbursement submission.
Do NOT start construction before receiving a written conditional award — pre-application work is categorically ineligible. Missing your TIF district's monthly window means waiting a full year.
Deadline & timing
Each TIF district has a specific one-month application window each year. Businesses must apply during the month their district is open. Missing the window means waiting until the next calendar year. Check the annual rollout calendar before planning improvements.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.