Cook County Small Business Assistance Program

Cook County Small Business Source

Working with the Cook County Small Business Source, a Community Navigator providing support to small businesses, the Illinois Restaurant Association is here to help.

Below are resources available.

Business Advising through the Source

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.

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.

Meet The Experts Event

Hosted in partnership with the Cook County Small Business Source, we are able to provide an exciting speed coaching event every year, featuring experts in the industry. Hosted in May, stay tuned for an upcoming 2025 date!

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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IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

Webinars for Restaurants (Recordings)