IL Small Business Development Center - SBDC at Chicagoland Chamber

03/31/2026

🎤 Calling All Chicago Small Business Owners!

We’re hosting our Small Business Week Pitch Competition and YOU can be part of it — either as a participant or in the audience!

If you’ve been thinking about growing your business, getting funding, or just want to practice your pitch… this is your moment 👏🏾

💼 Pitch your business
💡 Get in front of real decision-makers
✈️ Win a pair of roundtrip Southwest Airlines tickets

Or just come support and connect with other amazing entrepreneurs in the city!

📅 May 7, 2026
📍 Wintrust Bank

Click here to apply OR attend:
https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/events/2026-05-07/34540/ilsbdc-small-business-week-capital-readiness-pitch/

Tag a business owner who needs to be in the room! 👇🏾

03/10/2026

📊 Small Business Owners: Let’s Talk Taxes

Understanding how taxes affect your business is an important part of running a healthy and sustainable company. Whether you're just starting out or have been in business for years, having a clear understanding of tax planning and reporting can help you make smarter financial decisions.

Join the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce for an informative virtual session designed to help entrepreneurs better understand the role taxes play in their business.

📅 Thursday, March 12, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
💻 Virtual Event

This session will feature Ric Porrez, V.P. Relationship Manager at Wintrust Bank, who will share insights on how taxes can impact your business operations, planning, and overall financial strategy.

Whether you're preparing for tax season or looking to strengthen your financial knowledge as a business owner, this session is a great opportunity to learn and ask questions.

👉 Register here:
https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/events/2026-03-12/33922/tax-planning-and-reporting-understanding-taxes-and-your-business/

02/10/2026

We’re kicking off 2026 with our first training of the year!

Thinking about starting a business in Illinois—or recently launched and want to make sure you’re doing things the right way? Join the Illinois SBDC for our Starting a Business in Illinois training on:

📅 February 25, 2026
📍 In-person at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
⏱️ 1-hour session- 12:00pm-1:00pm

During this session, we’ll walk through:
✅ What you need to legally start a business in Illinois
✅ Common mistakes to avoid early on
✅ Free resources and technical assistance available through the ILSBDC

This training is great for aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners looking for guidance and support.

💡 Space is limited—come learn, ask questions, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs.
We can’t wait to see you there!

10/28/2025

🎖️ Calling all veteran-owned businesses!

Join us on Monday, November 10th, 2025 from 10 AM – 12 PM for Empowering Veteran-Owned Businesses: Certification & Supplier Readiness — hosted by the Illinois SBDC at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce in partnership with ⚡️

This free event will help you:
👉 Learn how to qualify and apply for certifications (VBE, DBE, MBE, WBE, etc.)
👉 Understand how certification strengthens your supplier readiness
👉 Connect directly with experts and procurement professionals who can help you grow

Featuring:
💼 Kristina M. Wynne, The Wynners Club
⚙️ Jonathan Catellani, ComEd

📍 410 N Michigan Ave, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60611
🗓️ Monday, November 10, 2025 | 10 AM – 12 PM
🎟️ FREE — Register today:
👉 Click Here to Register

Let’s honor our veterans by equipping them with the tools and connections to succeed in business. 🇺🇸



Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

09/30/2025

📣 Don’t Miss Out – Registration Closes Wednesday! 📣

This Thursday, October 2nd, we’re hosting:

✨ Solutions for Manufacturers – Powering Chicagoland Manufacturing through Talent & Capital ✨

📍 Daley College MTEC
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

We’ll be covering key topics to support Chicagoland manufacturers and also sharing details on the Cook County Catalyst Grant – including step-by-step guidance on how to apply. If your business is ready to grow, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

✅ Connect with capital providers
✅ Learn about workforce resources
✅ Get insider tips on the Catalyst Grant application

👉 Register today before the deadline: https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/events/2025-10-02/32265/solutions-for-manufacturers-powering-chicagoland-manufacturing-through-talent-and-capital/

Let’s build stronger manufacturing together. 💪 Please like and share this post so other business owners don’t miss out!

09/19/2025

⚙️ Manufacturing Month is Almost Here! ⚙️

October is Manufacturing Month, and we’re kicking it off with a powerful event:
“Solutions for Manufacturers: Powering Chicago Manufacturing Through Talent & Capital.”

📅 Thursday, October 2 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Daley College MTEC

This program will bring together manufacturers, lenders, and workforce leaders to discuss strategies that help Illinois manufacturers access capital, strengthen their talent pipelines, and position themselves for long-term growth.

Stay tuned as we highlight speakers, partners, and opportunities leading up to the event. Let’s celebrate the impact of manufacturing in Illinois and set the stage for a stronger future.

🔗 Register today:
chicagolandchamber.org/events/2025-10-02/32265/solutions-for-manufacturers-powering-chicagoland-manufacturing-through-talent-and-capital/

09/08/2025

📣 Calling all Chicago manufacturers and small business champions!

On October 2, 2025, we’re bringing together manufacturers, workforce experts, and capital partners for Solutions for Manufacturers: Powering Chicagoland Manufacturing Through Talent and Capital at Daley College MTEC.

This half-day event will highlight the talent pipelines, recruitment strategies, and capital resources that are driving growth in Chicago’s manufacturing community.

🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Daley College MTEC

✅ Reserve your spot now: https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/events/2025-10-02/32265/solutions-for-manufacturers-powering-chicagoland-manufacturing-through-talent-and-capital/

Help us spread the word—tag a colleague or friend who should join this important conversation!

04/23/2025

📍 Get Your Local Business on Google Maps
In celebration of National Small Business Week, join us for a free workshop to learn how to create and manage your Google Business Profile so customers can find you easily on Google Search and Maps.

📅 May 9, 2025
🕘 9:00AM - 11:00AM CST
🏢 1020 W. Fulton Market

🔗Register Here: https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/events/2025-05-09/29814/get-your-local-business-on-google-search-and-maps/

04/16/2025

🎉 Calling all Small Business Owners! 🎉

Celebrate Small Business Week with us at a powerful Lunch and Learn hosted by the ILSBDC at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Comcast Business!

📍 SBA Chicago District Office
🗓️ Wednesday, May 7 | 🕦 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM CST

🌟 This FREE in-person event will cover:
🔹 Cybersecurity & Cloud Solutions
🔹 Digital Marketing Strategies
🔹 Digital Payments & Capital Access... and of course, lunch is on us!

Let’s come together to explore how digital transformation can help your business grow.

📲 Register now by scanning the QR code or visit: https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/events/2025-05-07/29984/empowering-small-businesses-through-digital-transformation-with-comcast-business-a-small-business-week-event/
✅ Space is limited – don’t wait!

04/09/2025

🔑 Wintrust Training: Managing Cash Flow 💼

Cash flow challenges can make or break a business. In our upcoming Wintrust Bank Chicago Training, we'll teach you how to:
✅ Effectively track and predict cash flow
✅ Cut unnecessary expenses without sacrificing growth
✅ Strengthen your financial position and liquidity

This session is designed to provide you with actionable strategies that will help you stay financially secure and make confident decisions.

📅 Date: April 17, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00AM - 11:00AM CST
📍 Virtual Session

🔗 Register Now: https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/events/2025-04-17/28770/wintrust-training-organizational-types-2/

Secure your spot and build a stronger financial foundation for your business!

Effective cash flow management is essential for maintaining business stability and growth. In this session, you will learn how to monitor and forecast cash flow, manage expenses, and ensure your business remains financially sound. Walk away with key strategies to

03/07/2025

Join us for the SBDC Day Pitch Competition! 🚀

Come watch local entrepreneurs compete and support their big ideas.

Don't miss out! ⬇️

🔗 Sign up here: https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/events/2025-03-19/28825/sdbc-day-pitch-competition/

01/30/2025

🚨 Last Chance to Register! 🚨

Join Illinois SBDC at Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce for the Creating and Optimizing Reels Workshop with Meta Certified Lead Trainer Gibran Jones! 📲🎥

📅 Date: February 5, 2025

📍 Location: In-person at Chicagoland chamber of commerce (Registration is required)

🔗 Register Now:

https://www.chicagolandchamber.org/events/2025-02-05/26902/creating-optimizing-reels-intermediate-workshop/

This intermediate-level workshop is designed to take your Instagram Reels strategy to the next level. Whether you're looking to boost engagement, create compelling content, or master Instagram’s creative tools, this session will equip you with the skills to elevate your brand’s digital presence.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Fundamentals of creating effective Reels

✅ Hands-on Reel creation

✅ Optimization techniques for better reach & engagement

✅ Storytelling strategies to captivate your audience

✅ How to unlock Instagram’s native creative tools

📢 About the Trainer:

Gibran Jones is a Meta Certified Lead Trainer and digital marketing expert with 20+ years of experience in Facebook Ads, SEO, and Instagram Reels. A sought-after speaker and trainer, he has helped thousands of businesses maximize their online presence.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert and take your content to the next level! Spaces are filling up fast—register now! 🎯📲