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SCAM ALERT: DCEO has been made aware of organizations receiving fraudulent “notice of award” letters claiming to be from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. These are not legitimate notices from DCEO. If your organization receives a notice, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Women's Business Month 2026

Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) as we equip Illinois women-owned businesses and future female entrepreneurs with tools during National Women’s Business Month. Throughout October, 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!  

Events

Business Advising/Technical Assistance Office Hours - Connect with Us!
Tailored for women-owned businesses of all stages & industries and future female entrepreneurs, with business owners of all genders & community members from all backgrounds welcome to stop by to ask questions

Looking for business resources and don’t know where to begin? Join us at one of the office hours where we will connect you to state government resources and beyond!  Register to join us at one of the office hour events!

 

Additional Events Throughout Illinois’ Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

View 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
As the most in-depth, cross-sector business resources tool in the state, this tool provides a wealth of knowledge for Illinois women-owned businesses, future women business owners, aspiring female entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs from all communities; many of the resources are applicable to all genders, too. Offerings in the statewide tool include business resources presented by entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) and aligned multisector organizations. Resources include financial capital (grants, loans, tools, etc.), social capital (mentoring programs & networking opportunities), contractor & vendor opportunities, and much more! 

Data

Learn how Illinois is supporting Illinois women-owned businesses and how we’re one of the top innovative U.S. states. Click here for the fact sheet to learn more!

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 several business directories and articles that list Illinois women-owned businesses. Check with your local chambers of commerce organizations, economic development corporations (EDCs), non-profits, etc. for business directories as well!

Enjoy Illinois: Women-Owned Businesses to Support in Your Communities and During Road Trips in Illinois
Check out ideas for road trips & women-owned businesses throughout Illinois to support!

Directories Featuring Illinois Women-Owned Businesses  

About DCEO’s National Women’s Business Month

The state’s Women’s Business Month resources for Illinois women-owned businesses and future women business owners, and entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, are presented by DCEO’s Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3) and Office of Regional Economic Development (RED). For more information on Illinois’ Women’s Business Month 2026 events planned for businesses and/or to learn more about ongoing resources and programs for women-owned businesses and future women entrepreneurs, please follow DCEO on social media @IllinoisDCEO. You can also contact any team member from Team OE3 and/or Team RED, as well as the 2026 DCEO Women’s Business Month Committee: