Pride Month 2025

View the Pride Month 2025 proclamation.

Proud to be Pride - Emerging Leaders Chicago
Thursday | June 26, 2025 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | in-person
Hopsmith Tavern (15 W Division St). Chicago, IL

This special event will feature a series of TEDx-style presentations where members of our community will share their personal stories and lived experiences—highlighting the diverse voices that make up our vibrant network. Julio Rodriguez of DCEO will be one of the speakers. This event requires a registration fee.

Rainbow Resilience: Companies Navigating Approaches to LGBTQIA+ Engagement (This event has been cancelled. A different event will take place in July).

Join DCEO & Central Illinois Friends for a discussion with business leaders on the best practices the business community are taking to support LGBTQIA+ owned businesses.  Panelists will share insights on navigating consumers, assessing business impacts, and more.

Illinois Office of Tourism Pride Events

• PRIDE Festivals in Illinois
• Pride in the Middle of Everything

Business Tours

DCEO’s team OE3 and RED are partnering to connect with local businesses directly. In June, both teams will be touring LGBTQIA+ owned businesses across the state and meeting with business owners to discuss available resources and opportunities.  To learn more about available resources see “Business Resources” below.

Business and/or nonprofit resources and directories:

• First Stop Business Information Center - Provides comprehensive information and technical support to businesses with questions and concerns about mitigations, government regulations and business assistance programs. First Stop can be reached at 1-800-252-2923 or ceo.firststop@illinois.gov.
• Incentives and Tax Assistance - Illinois offers a competitive range of incentives for locating and expanding your business, including tax credits and exemptions that encourage business growth and job creation.
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - Centers are located across the state that provide free business counseling for small for-profit businesses.
• Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) - The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program is a non-regulatory program which provides free, confidential assistance to Illinois small businesses to help them succeed. Services include a toll-free helpline 1-800-252-3998 for confidential regulatory questions.
• LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois - Promoting Economic Opportunities for the LGTBQ+ Business Community
• Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action (ALMA) Chicago - One of the oldest Latinx LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in the United States.
• Equality Illinois - The state's oldest, largest and most effective advocacy organization dedicated to defending rights for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans.
• DCEO OE3 Newsletter - DCEO OE3’s monthly newsletter shares business resources including grants, loans, and other helpful resources for businesses

Access the PRIDE Month 2025 toolkit, to find tips, sample social media posts, graphics, and newsletter ideas on how to celebrate and promote PRIDE Month 2025!

For more information on PRIDE creativities or questions, contact OE3 team member, Diana Alfaro at diana.alfaro@illinois.gov or RED team member Renee Wott at Renee.Wott@Illinois.gov. To learn more about ongoing resources and programs for businesses, follow DCEO on social media @IllinoisDCEO.