State of Illinois Resources
Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce
The Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the empowerment of black entrepreneurs across the State. We are strong advocates and partners with our business community providing advocacy, education, resources and services designed to promote our chamber constituents. We support job creation by helping our members to strengthen their businesses and hire workers in their communities. The Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice of the black business community in the State of Illinois.
Illinois Chamber of Commerce
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce represents the state’s employers on issues of economic development and jobs; employment law topics, such as workers’ compensation and healthcare; business taxes and infrastructure investment.
Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)
The ICC’s mission is to pursue an appropriate balance between the interest of consumers and existing and emerging service providers to ensure the provision of adequate, efficient, reliable, safe and least-cost public utility services.
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
DCEO seeks to provide a foundation for the economic prosperity of all Illinoisans, through coordination of business recruitment and retention, provision of essential capital to small businesses, investment in infrastructure and job training, and administration of state and federal grant programs. DCEO leads the Illinois economic development process in partnership with businesses, local governments, workers and families.
Illinois Department of Revenue
The primary responsibility of the Department of Revenue is to serve as the tax collection agency for state government and for local governments. The department also oversees local property tax assessments, and functions as the funding agent for the Illinois Housing Development Authority, as well as regulating gaming and the manufacturing, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages.
Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is the principal voice for the more than 45,000 Hispanic owned businesses in the State of Illinois. IHCC promotes the growth and success of Hispanic firms and serves as a strong advocate for business issues.
Illinois LGBT Chamber of Commerce
The Illinois LGBTCC seeks to promote economic opportunities for the LGBT community by being an advocate for all member businesses that promote equality.
International Trade Club of Chicago
Founded in 1919, the International Trade Club of Chicago (ITCC) is a not-for-profit trade association based in Chicago, Illinois. Members represent a broad range of manufacturing, technology and service sectors, as well as educational institutions, government agencies, and the diplomatic corps. The ITCC aims to foster international trade and investment; to encourage the profession of international business management on a high ethical plane; to provide a medium for exchange and a forum for the discussion of issues of mutual interest; to seek by concerted action to remove barriers which may interfere with the development of international trade and investment; and to promote better understanding and appreciation of its significance.
Small Business Growth Corporation
Small Business Growth Corporation (Growth Corp) is a statewide, not-for-profit corporation that works in conjunction with financial institutions to provide financing assistance to small businesses throughout Illinois. SBGC’s loan officers offer their expertise on the 504 Loan Program for small businesses.
State of Illinois Business Portal
Wherever you are in the entrepreneurship process, the State of Illinois Business Portal can help. Find a wealth of information and resources for starting, running, expanding, relocating, or closing a business. Links include sections on agriculture, data, finance and taxes and more.
National Resources
American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA)
AMIBA builds a strong Local Economy Movement by supporting the growth and development of local business alliances.
American Business Women’s Association (ABWA)
The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.
Black Enterprise
Black Enterprise is the premier business, investing and wealth-building resource for African-American entrepreneurs. BE provides essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs and decision-makers. Black Enterprise is the definitive source of information for and about African-American business markets and leaders, and the authority on black business news and trends.
Independent We Stand
Independent We Stand is a website and online database of independently owned businesses across the country reaching out to their communities and educating their neighbors about the many benefits of “buying local.” Local, independent businesses across the country can register for free or premium listings in their directory and on their app.
Latin American Chamber of Commerce
At more than 1,300 members, the LACC is the largest Latin American business development organization in the Midwest and one of the largest in the country. The LACC assists Latin American-owned businesses in a variety of areas, including business financing, contract procurement and general business consulting, including marketing managing and training development.
National Black Chamber of Commerce
The National Black Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States and via interaction with the Black Diaspora.
SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business
SCORE 'Counselors to America's Small Business' is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Social Security Administration
The Ticket To Work Program can help Social Security beneficiaries go to work, get a good job that may lead to a career, save more money, and become financially independent, all while they keep their health coverage. Ticket to Work is a free and voluntary program that gives beneficiaries real choices that can help them create and lead better lives.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. It includes hundreds of associations, thousands of local chambers, and 106 American Chambers of Commerce in 94 countries. Its core mission is to fight for business and free enterprise before Congress, the White House, regulatory agencies, the courts, the court of public opinion, and governments around the world.
U.S. Pan-Asian American Chamber of Commerce
he US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) is the oldest and largest national, nonprofit, non partisan organization representing all Asian American and Asian American-related groups in business, sciences, the arts, sports, education, public and community services. As a thought leader with 28-year of track record in business matchmaking accomplishments, strong partnerships with corporations, government, and Asian American businesses, USPAACC is poised to raise the bar to yet another level.
United States Small Business Administration (SBA)
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace.
Women’s Business Development Center
WBDC services are available in Spanish and English, and include business assessments, loan packaging, public and private sector procurement assistance, classes/workshops, and individualized counseling on all aspects of business development, management, and strategy. The WBDC also provides assistance to develop home-and center-based childcare businesses.
Women’s Leadership Exchange
Women's Leadership Exchange® (WLE) is a social entrepreneurship organization founded by and for successful businesswomen. Recognizing the unique challenges facing women in business – whether they are leading their own companies or are leaders in the corporate, government or not-for-profit sectors, WLE offers a program that helps them fill the information gap and provides a venue for building connections that will facilitate their success in business and in life.