Ari Krzyzek, CEO and Head of Strategy of Chykalophia, Evanston IL Meet Ari Krzyzek, CEO and Head of Strategy at Chykalophia (see-ka-lo-fia), a woman minority-owned web agency helping femtech direct-to-consumer (DTC) & women-led brands transform their website to unlock business…
Read More

The 2023 Source Grant Program Helping Small Businesses Become More Resilient 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…
Read More

The State of Illinois has launched the Illinois Back to Business New Business Grant Program (B2B NewBiz), a grant program that will provide financial relief to businesses in the industries most impacted by the pandemic. The state has allocated $25…
Read More

Make sure your business is in good standing with the State of Illinois. Your business may need to get a copy of your certificate to: Open a business bank account Apply for a business loan Seek investments from investors Purchase…
Read More

When Lisa Marsh (second to left) retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, she decided it was time to further pursue her personal passion of creating allergen free foods. Named in honor of her mother, Lisa launched MsPsGFree, a gluten…
Read More

The launch of The 2023 Source Grant brought together many of our community partners and small businesses. The press event on July 19 featured President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, grant administrators Women’s Business Development Center and Allies…
Read More

Did you know that The Source’s work in assisting 10,000 businesses has led to its recognition as a national model for small business assistance? Since its inception, The Source has assisted small businesses by providing no cost business advising, a…
Read More

The Cook County Small Business Source is seeking non-profit organizations to join its partner network as a Referral Partner.  We seek organizations that: Have a footprint or presence in Suburban Cook County Serve historically excluded populations  Have the staffing and…
Read More

A new edition of The Source e-Newsletter just dropped! June’s newsletter highlights tools available on The Source’s new Resources page, an inspiring small business impact story, free upcoming events and financing opportunities. Click here to view the June e-Newsletter. Don’t…
Read More

The Women’s Business Development Center on behalf of the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development seeks 2-4 non-profit Business Support Organizations (BSOs) to provide business advising services for The Cook County Small Business Source. We seek organizations that: Have demonstrated…
Read More

As of 12am, May 11th, the application window for the DCEO Back To Business (B2B) Grants is closed. The State of Illinois has launched a new round of the Back to Business (B2B) program. Eligible restaurants, hotels and creative arts…
Read More

Make sure your business is in good standing with the State of Illinois. Your business may need to get a copy of your certificate to:Open a business bank accountApply for a business loanSeek investments from investorsPurchase small business insuranceRegister to…
Read More

Saturday, November 26 is Small Business Saturday, is a day designed to promote the importance of small businesses for the local economy on one of the biggest shopping days of the year! Take action now to prepare yourself and your…
Read More

March 1, 2023 Thank you to all the businesses who applied for a Grow Grant. We appreciate your interest, your participation, and your patience in moving this program forward. Please find below important updates in our effort to bring more…
Read More

Ready to take your business to the next level? On August 11, 2022, Cook County launched Manufacturing Reinvented, a $5 million grant program to support suburban Cook County manufacturers. This program reimburses manufacturers for implementation of projects designed to improve productivity, develop future leaders, train…
Read More

Congratulations to our partners at the Berwyn Development Corporation for launching Berwyn Shops, a new business incubator supported by the Cook County Small Business Source. The Berwyn Shops, features 12 women-owned (11 Latina-owned) 12’x15’ cottage-style shops and provides vendors with the…
Read More

Take advantage of our discounted 3% interest rate by applying for a small business loan today! This special offer will apply to all applications received by June 30, 2022. Applications received on July 1, 2022 or after will be subject…
Read More

The Cook County small business community thanks President Toni Preckwinkle along with Cook County Commissioners Frank Aguilar, Alma Anaya, Kevin Morrison, and Xochitl Flores, Chief of the Bureau of Economic Development, for their efforts in establishing the Cook County Small…
Read More

Join our webinar series to learn more about the State of Illinois’ Strengthen and Grow Childcare Grants Provided by the State of Illinois, these new grants give licensed and eligible childcare centers access to quarterly funding to help maintain and grow…
Read More