Category: Updates

In 2023 more than 112 million visitors came to Illinois alone, bringing in roughly $47 billion in spending and adding $4.6 billion in state and local taxes. In Cook County, 9.8% of employment was in the hospitality and tourism industry, a figure projected to grow by 3% by 2027.  

So, can small businesses tap into this booming industry? The answer is a resounding yes, especially if you know where to look for guidance and support. Most businesses have some familiarity with a local chamber of commerce (such as our network of Referral Partners), which focuses on advocating for businesses and providing educational resources to local companies big and small, as well as sharing networking opportunities.

But there is another important organization–your local convention and visitors bureau–that can serve as your tour guide to benefit from the buying power of visitors to your area. Cook County has fostered a strong partnership with the five suburban CVBs, developing the Cook County Tourism Alive partnership. Designed to help support local small business owners in the hospitality and tourism industry during the pandemic, this partnership offers a wealth of resources and opportunities.

These organizations are laser-focused on bringing meetings, conventions, and leisure visitors to their respective areas of Cook County. Most importantly for small businesses, these CVBs are also dedicated to ensuring local businesses get their fair share of visitor spending. Many types of small businesses support the tourism and hospitality sector, including restaurants, cafes, photographers, florists, retail stores, childcare, and even ride-sharing companies.

By joining your local CVB—often for a nominal fee—you can unlock a world of opportunities including valuable networking possibilities, connecting you with a diverse range of businesses. For instance, a local catering company might find the perfect match with an upcoming convention, while a unique gift shop could attract weekend visitors looking for memorable souvenirs.

Cook County Tourism Alive participates in regional tourism campaigns, offers hiring resources, and has launched Outside Chicago, a guide to outdoor destinations in Cook County. For small business owners, the hospitality and tourism industry – with the right partners like CVBs- can lead to immense opportunity. Learn more at CookCountyTourism.com today.

The Source is collaborating with the Women’s Business Development Center to host a free webinar series titled “The Source x WBDC” that runs through mid-December.

Webinars will provide small businesses with key information related to contracting with Cook County Government, as well as offer expert insight related to credit, marketing, grants and access to capital.

For a full list of webinars, including to register, visit The Source Events page or the WBDC website today!

The Cook County Small Business Source is pleased to announce its selection of Referral Partners for 2024. Over 35 organizations will serve as Referral Partners through Nov. 1, 2024.

Referral Partners are Cook County nonprofit business-facing organizations with a substantial footprint in suburban Cook County that connect businesses to no-cost advising, a calendar of events and other resources. Cook County utilizes its own corporate funds to support Referral Partners.

The 2024 Referral Partners are as follows. An asterisk denotes a new partner for this year.

• Alsip Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development
• Arab-American Business and Professional Association
• Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois
• Austin Chamber of Commerce
• Blue Island Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Builders Avenue*
• Calumet Area Industrial Commission*
• Chamber57
• Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce
• Chicago’s Sunshine Enterprises*
• Chinese Mutual Aid Association
• Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce
• E-Local Marketplace
• Elevate*
• Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce
• Evanston Chamber of Commerce
• Fempreneur Poder Hub*
• Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce
• Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA)
• Hire360*
• Illinois Business Immigration Coalition
• Melrose Park Chamber of Commerce
• Native American Chamber of Commerce
• Next Level Northwest
• Northbrook Chamber of Commerce
• Northwest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Northwest Side Community Development Corporation
• Oak Park and River Forest Chamber of Commerce*
• Polish American Chamber of Commerce
• SomerCor
• South East Chicago Commission
• South Shore Chamber CDC
• Southland Black Chamber of Commerce
• Southwest Collective
• Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative*
• West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Winnetka-Northfield-Glencoe Chamber of Commerce

The Source welcomes these partners and looks forward to working with them throughout the year.

For more information, email info@cookcountysmallbiz.org.

The Cook County Small Business Source is proud to announce that the 2023 Source Grant was recently honored with a 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award after providing funding for thousands of businesses throughout the county.

The grant program, which ran for several months in 2023, featured a $50 million investment in small businesses to help stabilize their operations, foster recovery and resiliency, and advance equity in the post-pandemic economy. Through an equitable, complex and transparent evaluation process, Cook County reviewed over 16,000 applications and awarded 3,000 small businesses with grants of $10,000 or $20,000.

Grant recipients were notified in December 2023 and honored at a celebration in February 2024.

The grant effort was honored by NACo under the category of “Community and Economic Development” and was one of 54 Cook County initiatives to be recognized. The Source also received a NACo award in 2023, with the entire program honored as best in category.

Established in 1935, NACo unites county officials nationwide to advocate for county priorities in federal funding, promote exemplary county policies and more. The organization serves over 3 million county employees throughout the country.

In 2023, Cook County launched a $50 million grant program as an investment in small businesses to help stabilize their operations, foster recovery and resiliency, and advance equity in the post-pandemic economy.

Cook County established this program because of the central role small businesses play in the local economy as community anchors, a source of employment for thousands, and a driver of economic growth. Program eligibility requirements included a location in Cook County, less than 20 employees, and having been in operation in 2019 pre-COVID and in operation in 2022, post-COVID.

The County prioritized businesses located in suburban Cook and businesses in sectors hard hit by COVID-19, including hospitality, restaurants and retail. The program provided $10K or $20K awards depending on a business’ annual revenue.

The County engaged the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and Allies for Community Business (A4CB) to serve as the Grant Administrators, as well as Next Street to serve as a Program Coordinator to assist with the management of The Source’s network of 50-plus partners and a multi-channel marketing campaign. Through an equitable, complex, and transparent review process, the County reviewed over 16,000 applications and awarded 3,000 small businesses with grants.

As of February 2024, all $50 million grant funds have been disbursed to 3,000 small businesses throughout Cook County. 

View The 2023 Source Grant awardee list here.

Access archived 2023 Source Grant FAQs here.

The 2023 Source Grant in the News

Chicago Tribune – Glenview magician receives county grant fostering resiliency 
Block Club Chicago – CBQ Facial Beauty Bar, Ain’t She Sweet Cafe Snag Small Business Grants
CBS Chicago – One-stop-shopping and information for Chicago small business owners
Lawndale News – Cook County Celebrates Small Business Grants Awarded to 3,000 Recipients
The Southland Journal – Cook County Celebrates Small Business Grants Awarded to 3,000 Recipients
The Patch – 4 Deerfield Small Businesses Receive Cook County Grants
The Patch – 54 Arlington Heights Small Businesses Receive Cook County Grants