Illinois Small Business Guide
Green Business Resources in Illinois
Learn how to lower energy costs and protect the environment.
Starting a Business
If you are thinking of starting a small business, or already own a small business, several free counseling and training programs are available to help you get started and expand your operations. Services cover all aspects of starting and running a business, from getting loans and financing for starting or expanding to developing business plans and marketing strategies.
- Illinois Small Business Development Center
Provides free start-up advice, training and counseling services to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the state. Supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). - U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Chicago District Office
Offers business development counseling and training programs and information on SBA loan programs.
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives Association) is a nonprofit organization and SBA resource partner dedicated to helping small business growth through free mentoring and business counseling and low-cost workshops. Contact your local SCORE for small business development programs in your area:
- Aurora - Fox Valley SCORE
- Bloomington - Central Illinois SCORE
- Champaign - E. Central Illinois SCORE
- Chicago - Chicago SCORE
- Decatur - Decatur SCORE
- Godfrey - SW Illinois SCORE
- Kankakee - Kankakee Valley SCORE
- Moline - Quad Cities SCORE #0432
- Peoria - Peoria SCORE
- Quincy - Quincy Tri-State SCORE
- Rockford - Northern Illinois SCORE
- Springfield - Springfield SCORE #0571
There are also a number of local small business centers sponsored or partially funded by SBA that help women and minorities with start-up counseling and financial assistance:
- Chicago Minority Business Development Center
Provides free business consulting services and financial management advice to minority-owned businesses in the state. Supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce. - Women's Business Development Center
WBDC is a nationally and internationally recognized not-for-profit organization established in 1986 to work with women to launch new businesses and strengthen existing businesses in the Chicago area.
Doing Business in Illinois
From getting a business license to filing your taxes, the following sites provides resources you need to start and manage a business in Illinois.
- Illinois Business Portal
Resources you need to start and operate a business in Illinois, file your business taxes, get a business license and much more.
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