Cook County Small Business Source

The Cook County Small Business Source program strives to support, grow and elevate small businesses. As a Business Support Organization in the program, the Illinois Restaurant Association is here to help.

Tech Tour 2025

Join Us On December 3rd at Google Chicago

The 2025 IRA Tech Tour, hosted in partnership with the Cook County Small Business Source, will bring together restaurant operators and expert panelists on Wednesday, December 3 to address the array of technological challenges and opportunities facing restaurants.

Registration is complimentary for restaurant operators. Register today!

No Cost Business Advising to Meet Your Needs

One-on-One Sessions

The Illinois Restaurant Association is proud to partner with the Cook County Small Business Source to provide no-cost, one-on-one business advising services. Through the Source’s award-winning business advising program, experienced advisors work hand-in-hand with local small business owners to provide ongoing coaching and support to address businesses needs including:

Building or revising your business plan
Establishing credit
Growing your customer base or entering new markets
Navigating and securing procurement opportunities
Preparing your business for grant and loan opportunities
And more!

Best of all, this program is free for small businesses operating in Cook County with fewer than 20 employees. Visit the Source’s website to learn more and sign up today.

Interactive Business Advising Virtual Sessions

Join Us Online for Live Assistance

With timely topics, expert panelists, and interactive discussions, get your questions answered during these valuable live sessions.

You've got questions. We're here to help. Throughout each month, hospitality industry panelists join the Illinois Restaurant Association for live virtual discussions offering restaurant operators an easy way to login, learn, and leave with the info you need to build your business.

VISIT the IRA Calendar for more information and to register for a Business Advising virtual session. Sessions are free to join!

Advantage Illinois

Discover a pathway to empowerment with an Advantage Illinois loan. From the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Advantage Illinois programs make eligibility as flexible as possible and provide access to loans for small businesses through the:

Participation Loan Program (PLP) – helps Illinois businesses get term loan financing at lower rates by purchasing a portion of the loan and lowering the risk for the lenders.
Loan Guarantee Program (LGP) – provides a guarantee of partial principal repayment to the lender if a loan goes into default.

LEARN MORE and find a list of participating lenders in your area.

Resources

Business Plans

Business Plan Template to help you think through your business needs, create a strategy for growth, and analyze your competition.
Business Model Canvas for organizing your ideas.

Business Registration, Licensing and Permits

Many businesses will need a combination of licenses, zoning, and permits. It's best to check your local municipality website to identify local requirements.

Local

Allies for Community Business - (loans, access to capital etc.)
BACP - (webinars, educational resources)
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce - (small business events, access to capital)
Choose Chicago / Hospitality and Tourism Forward - (COVID-19 Recovery)
Chicago DCASE - (events, partner opportunities)
Legal Aid Chicago - (legal assistance)

State

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO ) - (advising, tax credits)
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) - (child care assistance)
Illinois Dept of Revenue (IDOR) - (business registration, apply for sales tax exemption)

National

American Business Immigration Coalition - (help for underserved communities)
Disaster Preparedness – (NRA toolkit)
Federal Small Business Association (SBA) - (COVID-19 relief programs and more)
Healthy Hospitality - (low cost health insurance for restaurant workers)
IRS - (free tax assistance)
NRA – (webinars)
US Chamber of Commerce Directory
Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) - (childcare assistance, access to capital, women's business certificates)

IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

A program of the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, this fund provides one-time grants of $500 to restaurant employees facing unforeseen hardship due to COVID-19.

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