The First Stop Business Information Center provides comprehensive information and technical support to businesses with questions and concerns about mitigations, government regulations and business assistance programs.
With new rounds of federal COVID-19 emergency funding programs opening for applications, the Illinois Department of Commerce (DCEO) has expanded direct support available to businesses to help them learn which programs they may qualify for, how to navigate application processes, and to get further assistance that can help recover and grow their business. These resources are available to help with accessing the renewed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other programs set to launch in the coming weeks, including the EIDL Advance and Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) grant programs. Details from the Small Business Administration available
here.
Businesses in need of information and assistance have several options including the
Illinois Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs),
Community Navigators, DCEO's
Office of Regional Economic Development (Team RED) and
Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE). More information on the State's expanded small business assistance, including nearly 100 virtual events hosted through the end of February, can be found below.
Introduction To Exporting
Date and Time: 3/4/2021 - 10:00AM-11:00AM
Registration Deadline: 3/4/2021 - 9:00AM
Register Here: https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/34163
SBDC Webinar: COVID-19 Financial Assistance for Illinois Small Business & Non-Profits
Date and Time: 3/5/2021 3:00PM-4:00PM
Registration Deadline: 3/5/2021 - 9:00 AM
Register Here: www.cusbdc.org/event/sbdc-webinar-covid-19-financial-assistance-small-businesses-non-profits/2021-03-05/
Starting Your Business in Illinois
Date and Time: 3/5/2021 - 9:00AM-11:00AM
Registration Deadline: 3/5/2021 - 9:00AM
Register Here: https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/33923
SBDC Webinar: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - Loan Forgiveness
Date and Time: 3/5/2021 - 10:00AM-11:00AM
Registration Deadline: 3/5/2021 - 9:00AM
Register Here: www.cusbdc.org/event/sbdc-webinar-sbas-paycheck-protection-program-ppp-loan-forgiveness-3/2021-03-05/
West Central PPP Webinar
Presenter: Jacqui Bevelheimer, West Central Regional Manager of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Register Here:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ef639aff41a20d2a0f1902b23a0720773
Date and time: Friday, March 5, 2021 11:00 am Central Standard Time (Chicago, GMT-06:00)
Description:
Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Regional Economic Development for a webinar to learn more about the US Small Business Administration's Federal Paycheck Protection Program. This federal forgivable COVID-19 Relief Loan Program will help Illinois small businesses keep their employees on payroll during this unprecedented time.
Southwest PPP Webinar
Presenter: Tracey Glenn, Southwest Regional Manager of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Register Here:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=eb8baf0c0800e6e3bbe43834e24eb4f34
Date and time: Tuesday, March 9, 2021 10:00 am Central Standard Time (Chicago, GMT-06:00)
Description:
Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Regional Economic Development for a webinar to learn more about the US Small Business Administration's Federal Paycheck Protection Program. This federal forgivable COVID-19 Relief Loan Program will help Illinois small businesses keep their employees on payroll during this unprecedented time.
Southern Advantage Illinois Webinar
Presenter: Kim Watson, Southern Regional Manager of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Join Here:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m8b68b2dadaddf076074c3f681072ee34
Date and time: Tuesday, March 9, 2021 10:00 am Central Standard Time (Chicago, GMT-06:00)
Description:
Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Regional Economic Development for a webinar to learn more about Advantage Illinois. Advantage Illinois provides Illinois businesses and entrepreneurs with access to the capital to start new companies and expand existing business.
West Central PPP Webinar
Presenter: Salvador Garza, West Central Regional Manager of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Register Here:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=e86d5a02ceaa02cdc4940ebe7373e1dc7
Date and time: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 10:00 am Central Standard Time (Chicago, GMT-06:00)
Description:
Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Regional Economic Development for a webinar to learn more about the US Small Business Administration's Federal Paycheck Protection Program. This federal forgivable COVID-19 Relief Loan Program will help Illinois small businesses keep their employees on payroll during this unprecedented time.
Northwest EDGE Tax Credit 101 Webinar
Presenter: Adrian Madunic, Northwest Regional Manager of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Register Here:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=e3acb5062f8549701d960a0e35c3cd7d1
Date and time: Wednesday, March 11, 2021 10:00 am Central Standard Time (Chicago, GMT-06:00)
Description:
Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Regional Economic Development for a webinar to learn the basics of the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Tax Credit Program.
West Central Advantage Illinois Loan Program for Small Businesses
Presenter: Jacqui Bevelheimer, West Central Region Account Manager of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Register Here:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec089478c8d81b3fbdbb582cc3bff5ee7
Date and time: Wednesday, March 16, 2021 10:00 am Central Standard Time (Chicago, GMT-06:00)
Description:
Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Regional Economic Development for a webinar to learn more about Advantage Illinois. Advantage Illinois provides Illinois businesses and entrepreneurs with access to the capital to start new companies and expand existing business.
Southern Marketing & Selling to the Federal Government Webinar
Presenter: Kim Watson, Southern Regional Manager of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Register Here:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=e5b8d940cbbc9bfb11fc7c78dde2d9522
Password: DCEO2021
Date and time: Wednesday, March 16, 2021 10:30 am Central Standard Time (Chicago, GMT-06:00)
Description:
Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Regional Economic Development and Fernanda Pedraza-Schmitt, SBA Branch Manager, for a presentation regarding Marketing and Selling to the Federal Government.
Northeast Angel Investment Tax Credit Program
Presenter: Joe McKeown, Northeast Region Senior Account Manager of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Register Here:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ef818d7e51b16aacb5cc1cedb429010c7
Date and time: Wednesday, March 18, 2021 2:00 pm Central Standard Time (Chicago, GMT-06:00)
Description:
Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Regional Economic Development for a webinar to learn about the Illinois Angel Investment Tax Credit Program. The Illinois Angel Investment Tax Credit Program encourages investment in innovative, early-stage companies to help obtain the working capital needed to further the growth of their company in Illinois. Investors in companies that are certified as Qualified New Business Ventures (QNBVs) can receive a state tax credit equal to 25% of their investment (up to $2 million).
Southeast PPP Webinar
Presenter: Kala Lambert, Southeast Regional Manager of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity with special guest
Register Here:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=e422d5fc34746650aea20c782d01cd96e
Date and time: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 2:00 pm Central Standard Time (Chicago, GMT-06:00)
Description:
Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Regional Economic Development for a webinar to learn more about the US Small Business Administration's Federal Paycheck Protection Program. This federal forgivable COVID-19 Relief Loan Program will help Illinois small businesses keep their employees on payroll during this unprecedented time.