Small Business Funding Workshop

Representative Robin Kelly and her team will present a small business funding workshop to help businesses prepare for federal, state and local grants.

The Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program will provide funding to small businesses that have fewer than 25 employees or owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Grant application is open now through April 7, 2025.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $42 million in funding for the Regional Site Readiness Program to ensure sites are better prepared to attract future investment and new job opportunities in Illinois’ industrial sector.

Be part of a crucial conversation involving economic, industry, and community resources dedicated to helping manufacturers not just survive, but thrive.

Black Business Month campaign – developed to celebrate and support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs across Illinois. This monthlong celebration includes a webinar highlighting community leaders, organizations, and business enterprises throughout the state, stops on the Statewide Black Business Survey Roadshow, a campaign inviting Illinoisans to “Shop Black-owned Business Saturdays,” as well as company highlights via social media.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), Chicago State University (CSU) and Chicago Urban League (CUL) are conducting a statewide survey to better understand the unique challenges Black business owners across Illinois are facing. We are requesting your participation if you identify as a Black or African American owned business located in Illinois.

To support small employers through the COVID-19 national health emergency, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has announced the availability of new U.S. Department of Labor WIOA grant funding for layoff aversion, planning and rapid response.