Run the Room — Illinois
Resources for people starting and running a business in Illinois — the national programs that apply everywhere, the state offices that register and support businesses here, and the local help in Illinois's largest metro areas. Compiled by Run the Room, the weekly podcast on how business actually works, hosted by Alex and Jordan.
Illinois Resources
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA Illinois District Office
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Illinois.
- Small Business Development CenterIllinois SBDC Network
Free, confidential business advising and low-cost training across Illinois.
- Business Registration & Entity SearchIllinois Secretary of State — Business Entity Search
Register a business, search entity records, and keep filings current.
- Commerce & Economic DevelopmentIllinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
The state's economic development agency — programs, incentives, and business assistance.
- State Chamber of CommerceIllinois Chamber of Commerce
The statewide business association and chamber network.
- Business One-Stop PortalDCEO Small Business Assistance (one-stop shop for startups)
The state's official one-stop portal for business registration and licensing.
Local Resources — Largest Metro Areas
Chicago
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Chicagoland
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- Chamber of CommerceChicagoland Chamber of Commerce
The metro chamber of commerce.
Springfield
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Land of Lincoln
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterIllinois SBDC for Central Illinois
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceGreater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
The metro chamber of commerce.
Peoria
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Peoria
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterIllinois SBDC at Bradley University — Turner Center for Entrepreneurship
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommercePeoria Area Chamber of Commerce
The metro chamber of commerce.
Rockford
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Land of Lincoln
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterRockford SBDC
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceGreater Rockford Chamber of Commerce
The metro chamber of commerce.
National Resources
- National ResourceU.S. Small Business Administration
The federal agency for small business — starting, funding, growing, and government contracting.
- National ResourceSBA Local Assistance Finder
Find SBA offices, SBDCs, SCORE chapters, and other resource partners near you.
- National ResourceSCORE — Mentoring & Workshops
Free mentoring and low-cost workshops from experienced business volunteers.
- National ResourceAmerica's SBDC
The national network of Small Business Development Centers — free advising in every state.
- National ResourceSBA Funding Programs
Loans, investment capital, grants, and surety bonds administered or backed by the SBA.
- National ResourceIRS Small Business & Self-Employed Tax Center
Federal tax guidance, forms, and deadlines for small businesses and the self-employed.
- National ResourceUSA.gov — Business
The federal government's official business portal: licenses, permits, and regulations.
- National ResourceMinority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
Programs and business centers supporting minority-owned businesses.
- National ResourceVeterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)
Business training and counseling for veterans, service members, and military spouses.
Listen
New episodes every Sunday at 7:00 PM ET — business built from the very beginning. Browse the complete episode index, or listen on your platform of choice:
Resource links point to official program and agency sites and were verified when this page was generated. Programs and URLs change — if a link fails, the SBA Local Assistance Finder above will route you to the current office.