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Women's Business Month 2024

Illinois is honored to celebrate and advance Illinois women-owned businesses and future female entrepreneurs during National Women’s Business Month. Throughout October, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is elevating resources to bolster women-owned businesses throughout the state. Learn more about how to get involved and support women-owned businesses throughout Illinois below!

Stats About Illinois Women-Owned Businesses

Illinois Women Entrepreneurs Stats as of October 2024

Events

Overview of Financial Capital Resources for Small Businesses
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Virtual | Register here.

Is access to financial capital important for your business? During the monthly Online with OMEE series, Team OE3 provides the latest financial capital resources and opportunities offered across the sectors. In recognition of National Women’s Business Month, we will share tailored resources for women-owned businesses.

 

Connecting HER with Illinois Business Resources-Decatur
Thursday, October 3, 2024 | 1:00-3:30 PM | In-person at the MetroDecatur Black Chamber of Commerce | Space is limited. Register here.

Come celebrate National Women's Business Month by joining us at this community presentation focused on inspiring, connecting, and advancing Illinois women-owned businesses, future women business owners, and aspiring female entrepreneurs with business resources and opportunities offered across Illinois' entrepreneurial ecosystem. Connecting HER with Illinois Business Resources-Decatur is presented by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the MetroDecatur Black Chamber of Commerce, together with the support of the Illinois Small Business Development Center for Central Illinois (IL SBDC for Central Illinois), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Illinois District Office,  Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), and Women Employed.

 

Coffee & Conversation: Advancing Black Women Entrepreneurs’ Growth
Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 8:30 – 11:30 AM | In-person in Chicago at the
Chicago Urban League | Register here.

In honor of National Women's Business Month, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Chicago Urban League (CHIUL), and Illinois Minority Business Development Agency Business Center (IL MBDA Business Center) are excited to present Coffee & Conversation: Advancing Black Women Entrepreneurs’ Growth, a dynamic and empowering event designed to uplift, connect, and support Black women in business.

In honor of National Women's Business Month, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Chicago Urban League (CHIUL), and Illinois Minority Business Development Agency Business Center (IL MBDA Business Center) are excited to present Coffee & Conversation: Advancing Black Women Entrepreneurs’ Growth, a dynamic and empowering event designed to uplift, connect, and support Black women in business. In addition to the co-hosts, welcome remarks will be provided by Illinois State Representative Kimberly Du Buclet from the 5th District. 

 

Additional Events Throughout Illinois’ Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Women in Manufacturing 2024
Thursday, October 3, 2024 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM | In-person at mHUB | Register here

The half-day program will convene influential women making tremendous impact in the manufacturing industry and empower young women interested in STEM to explore opportunities in a variety of career fields. 

 

 

Learn more about additional upcoming events for women-owned businesses happening throughout Illinois during the month of October and year-round.

Resources

Connecting HER to Illinois Business Resources Guide

Conectando a Ella con recursos de negocios en Illinois/Connecting HER to Illinois Business Resources Guide in Spanish

As the most complete cross-sector business resources tool in the state, this guide provides a wealth of knowledge for Illinois women-owned businesses, future women business owners, and aspiring female entrepreneurs. Resources include financial capital (grants, loans, tools, etc.), social capital (mentoring programs & networking opportunities), contractor & vendor opportunities, resources for women dealing with the double-double shift, and much more.

 

Women’s Business Month Tool Kit

In the link below, you’ll find tips, sample social media posts, graphics, and ideas on how to celebrate and promote Women’s Business Month 2024.

Women’s Business Month 2024 Toolkit

Twitter: @IllinoisDCEO
Facebook: @illinoisdceo
LinkedIn: Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Hashtags: #ILWBM2024

Celebrate Illinois Women-Owned Businesses

Throughout the month of October, we encourage Illinoisans to support and utilize women-owned businesses in their local communities and during their travels in the state. Below are a few business directories and articles which list Illinois women-owned businesses. Check with your local chambers of commerce organizations and economic development corporations (EDCs) for business directories as well. To help promote Illinois women-owned businesses, please share photos and the businesses’ website and/or social media pages by using the hashtag #ILWBM2024

The State’s Women’s Business Month activities for Illinois women-owned businesses and future female entrepreneurs are presented by DCEO’s Office of Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment  “OE3” (formerly known as the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment “OMEE”) and Office of Regional Economic Development (RED). Team OE3 plays an important role in providing support to women-owned businesses of all stages, sizes, and industries, including connections to business resources throughout the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Team RED provides incentives to bolster enterprises, and the team also offers confidential services to companies seeking to expand or relocate within Illinois. For more information on Illinois’ Women’s Business Month 2024 events planned for businesses and to learn more about ongoing resources and programs for women-owned businesses and future women entrepreneurs, please visit the Women’s Business Month webpage and follow DCEO on social media @IllinoisDCEO. You can also contact any team member from Team OE3 and/or Team RED, in addition to DCEO’s Women’s Business Month 2024 Committee: