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Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced a plan today to cut the number of business licenses the city requires by 60 percent.
The mayor said he wants to avoid repetition by consolidating the number of licenses needed from 117 to 49. The approach includes the elimination of 17 categories.
“The goal isn’t just fewer, it’s a simpler process, it’s smarter and it’s streamlined,” Emanuel said.
While the city estimates small businesses will save over $2 million, that also means there will be less money coming into the city’s coffers. Emanuel said the anticipated economic growth will make up the difference.
“It’s not a zero-sum game,” he said.