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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 HERstory Month 2026

Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) as we empower HER during national Women’s HERstory Month in March. Throughout the month, DCEO is elevating resources to advance women-owned businesses and future female entrepreneurs throughout the state. Join us in advancing HER Illinois business!

Data

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

Events

Overview of Financial Capital Resources for Small Businesses
Wednesday | March 4, 2026 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | virtual
tailored for businesses of all stages & industries 

Join OE3's Business Development Managers online and get the latest updates on financial resources from the state, federal, and local government programs, and other funding opportunities from private/community organizations, as well as the opportunity to ask us any questions about your business in English and Spanish!

Our March guest speaker is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) who will provide information on licensing.

 

Leveraging Illinois’ Clean Energy Resources for HER Illinois Business
Thursday | March 12, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | virtual

This event is presented by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Power Agency (IPA). It’s tailored for small and emerging businesses, those interested in working on clean energy projects, subcontractors, general contractors, developers, municipalities, economic development professional, with attendees from all genders welcome to join.

As part of Illinois’ economic growth strategy, the state is focused on building out the new clean energy economy and promoting equitable growth by empowering workers, entrepreneurs and communities, as outlined in the Open for Business - Illinois’ 2024 Economic Growth Plan. Join us for an informational overview on how to leverage clean energy resources for HER Illinois business, including for contractors.

DCEO’s Office of Energy and Business Utility’s Deputy Director, Hilary Scott-Ogunrinde and the Illinois Power Agency’s (IPA) DEI Bureau Chief, Tanvi Shah and DEI Partnerships Manager, Esther Kim will share more about the equitable energy future grant, Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program, various agencies that makes up CEJA, Illinois Shines, Solar for All and much more!

As this virtual session is presented by Southeast Senior Region Manager, Kala Lambert from DCEO’s Office of Regional Economic Development (RED) and Women’s Business Development Manager, Michelle Lura White from DCEO’s Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3), attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions during Q&A. 

 


Milestone Circles Mentoring Program Info Session
Tuesday | March 17, 2026 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST | virtual

This event is presented by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center. Attendees from all genders and backgrounds are welcome to join.

Learn more about the free, virtual mentoring program for entrepreneurs, Milestone Circles! You’ll have a chance to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs as you elevate your business to new heights! In this informational session, you’ll hear from Michelle Lura White from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Kamy Twiggs Taylor from the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center as they share more about the Milestone Circles program. You’ll also hear from two Illinois women entrepreneurs who are Milestone Circles alumni, Dr. Tramayne Butler-DeLong and Lynette Correa-Velez, who will share their experiences.

Open to all business industries, Milestone Circles now has industry focused cohorts which include:

  • Climate & Clean Tech (Energy Tech, Carbon Capture/Sustainable Manufacturing, Ag Tech)
  • Consumer Tech (Marketplaces, Creator Economy, Consumer Apps)
  • Ed Tech, Property Tech, Web3/Blockchain*
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences (Health Tech, Biotech, Med Tech)
  • Mobility & Transportation (EVs/Charging Infrastructure, Autonomous Vehicles, Logistics Tech)
  • Technology (SaaS, AI/Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Cloud Infrastructure, Fintech, eCommerce Platforms)

 

Additional Events Throughout Illinois’ Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

To view additional upcoming events for women-owned businesses happening throughout Illinois during the month of March 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 guide 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! 

Mentoring Program Invite & Additional Opportunities

Milestone Circles
We invite Illinois entrepreneurs to apply and join Milestone Circles during National Women’s HERStory Month in March as well as in April! Milestone Circles is a free, virtual mentoring program, which is powered by the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center with the support of the Wells Fargo Foundation, in collaboration with the Illinois Women’s Business Collective which is powered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) – Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3). We encourage Illinois women-owned businesses to select a virtual onboarding session anytime in March or in April. You’re also welcome to choose a different onboarding session anytime during the year if you can’t start in March or in April.

Learn more here about the Milestone Circles invite and application.

 

Additional Mentoring/Bootcamp/Cohort/Fellowship Programs
For additional programs for business owners as well as volunteer opportunities for mentors, check out the Social Capital for HER Illinois Business tool.

 

Celebrate Illinois Women-Owned Businesses
Throughout the month of March, 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 which 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  

E-news Tailored for Illinois Women Entrepreneurs

The recent statewide e-news tailored for Illinois women entrepreneurs include applications for mentoring programs, upcoming events in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for business owners in different industries/business stage levels/regions in Illinois/etc., nominations for awards, etc. Many of the presented resources in the statewide e-news, are also applicable to business owners of all genders as well.

Come join the e-news community tailored for the women’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in Illinois, sign-up today and select the women’s e-news. You’re also welcome to join other e-news communities as well! 

About DCEO’s Women’s HERstory Month

The state’s Women’s HERstory Month resources for Illinois women-owned businesses, future women business owners, aspiring female entrepreneurs, 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 HERstory 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 to the 2026 DCEO Women’s HERstory Month Committee: