Commercial Development
ESDC offers technical and financial resource assistance that enable property owners to
complete needed renovations. In addition, ESDC assists area businesses to resolve zoning,
licensing, and other issues which require interface with local or city government offices. ESDC
works with a variety of public and private officials to plan the location and scope of City of
Chicago and Cook County improvement projects to ensure that neighborhood needs are
addressed. In addition, ESDC seeks to promote area businesses through a variety of events
throughout the year.
Housing Development
ESDC is designated a Housing Resource Center (HRC) and provides housing-related
information, problem solving, community events, workshops and housing fairs to assist low-
moderate income homeowners. This initiative is funded by the Chicago Department of Housing.
ESDC has outreach programs to disseminate information on both public and private programs
offered throughout the city. The housing division of ESDC also administers the EZ Model
Blocks Initiative Program. This program targets current homeowners on eight pre-selected
blocks in Pilsen. Residents who have property on these blocks can qualify for $10,000 for
single-family homes and $12,000 for 2-4 flats. Repairs covered under the program include
roofs, windows, siding, tuck-pointing, porches, concrete, accessibility, heating and electrical.
Eligible properties need to be owner-occupied, 1-4 unites, have a combined household income
of less than 80% of the Chicago area median income and be situated on one of the eight
selected blocks.
Historic Preservation
With the largest National Register Historic District in the state, the community of Pilsen has great
potential to beautify its historically significant housing stock by taking advantage of the tax
incentives offered. By working with building owners, ESDC is able to improve the housing
stock through a variety of avenues, but especially by utilizing historic preservation tax benefits.
ESDC's goal remains to help the neighborhood to achieve prosperity and long-term, self-
sufficient growth, while retaining the historic character that defines the neighborhood. To help
building owners capitalize on these tax benefits and improve their buildings, ESDC provides
them with the tools to take advantage of the incentives provided. ESDC has developed an
educational curriculum that involves informing residents of the incentives offered and providing
resources to help them apply for incentives. ESDC works one-on-one with residents to
navigate a complex and often overwhelming process of securing the financing and approvals
necessary to restore their homes. This assistance starts with the preparation of financial
statements necessary to secure interim financing, working with local private and non-profit
lenders—including Charter One Bank and Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago,
assistance with obtaining necessary building permits, selection of contractors, supervision of
work and eventual approval by the State of Illinois for the tax benefit.
Industrial Development
By working with over 200 hundred small, medium and large businesses in Pilsen’s Industrial
Corridor, the Industrial Division of ESDC assists in the growth and development of employment
opportunities in the community. The Industrial Division focuses on assisting individual
businesses to retain or increase the size of their current workforce. ESDC also seeks to attract
new businesses into the 907 acre Pilsen Industrial Corridor in conjunction with related
government entities. By identifying suitable locations for new industry, assisting businesses to
locate the resources they need to survive and flourish and serving as a liaison to other
agencies that can assist businesses, ESDC fulfills its commitment to increase the quality and
quantity of jobs available to residents of the Pilsen community.
ESDC offers technical and financial resource assistance that enable property owners to
complete needed renovations. In addition, ESDC assists area businesses to resolve zoning,
licensing, and other issues which require interface with local or city government offices. ESDC
works with a variety of public and private officials to plan the location and scope of City of
Chicago and Cook County improvement projects to ensure that neighborhood needs are
addressed. In addition, ESDC seeks to promote area businesses through a variety of events
throughout the year.
Housing Development
ESDC is designated a Housing Resource Center (HRC) and provides housing-related
information, problem solving, community events, workshops and housing fairs to assist low-
moderate income homeowners. This initiative is funded by the Chicago Department of Housing.
ESDC has outreach programs to disseminate information on both public and private programs
offered throughout the city. The housing division of ESDC also administers the EZ Model
Blocks Initiative Program. This program targets current homeowners on eight pre-selected
blocks in Pilsen. Residents who have property on these blocks can qualify for $10,000 for
single-family homes and $12,000 for 2-4 flats. Repairs covered under the program include
roofs, windows, siding, tuck-pointing, porches, concrete, accessibility, heating and electrical.
Eligible properties need to be owner-occupied, 1-4 unites, have a combined household income
of less than 80% of the Chicago area median income and be situated on one of the eight
selected blocks.
Historic Preservation
With the largest National Register Historic District in the state, the community of Pilsen has great
potential to beautify its historically significant housing stock by taking advantage of the tax
incentives offered. By working with building owners, ESDC is able to improve the housing
stock through a variety of avenues, but especially by utilizing historic preservation tax benefits.
ESDC's goal remains to help the neighborhood to achieve prosperity and long-term, self-
sufficient growth, while retaining the historic character that defines the neighborhood. To help
building owners capitalize on these tax benefits and improve their buildings, ESDC provides
them with the tools to take advantage of the incentives provided. ESDC has developed an
educational curriculum that involves informing residents of the incentives offered and providing
resources to help them apply for incentives. ESDC works one-on-one with residents to
navigate a complex and often overwhelming process of securing the financing and approvals
necessary to restore their homes. This assistance starts with the preparation of financial
statements necessary to secure interim financing, working with local private and non-profit
lenders—including Charter One Bank and Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago,
assistance with obtaining necessary building permits, selection of contractors, supervision of
work and eventual approval by the State of Illinois for the tax benefit.
Industrial Development
By working with over 200 hundred small, medium and large businesses in Pilsen’s Industrial
Corridor, the Industrial Division of ESDC assists in the growth and development of employment
opportunities in the community. The Industrial Division focuses on assisting individual
businesses to retain or increase the size of their current workforce. ESDC also seeks to attract
new businesses into the 907 acre Pilsen Industrial Corridor in conjunction with related
government entities. By identifying suitable locations for new industry, assisting businesses to
locate the resources they need to survive and flourish and serving as a liaison to other
agencies that can assist businesses, ESDC fulfills its commitment to increase the quality and
quantity of jobs available to residents of the Pilsen community.
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Services
