Free small business help in Illinois
6 office and chapter listings serving Illinois. Choose an office below and confirm its service area before making an appointment.
Ask for free counseling or mentoring. Some workshops and other services have fees; confirm the cost before registering.
Sources reviewed .
Small Business Development Centers
Small Business Development Centers help owners start, manage and grow businesses, including business planning and financing questions. State and regional network offices can connect you with a local adviser.
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Illinois SBDC
Springfield, Illinois
State or regional network office
SCORE mentors
SCORE connects small business owners with volunteer mentors for advice on starting and running a business. Mentoring is available online as well as through local chapters.
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SCORE Chicagoland
Chicago, Illinois
Service area: Serving Chicago, Cook County, and Lake County.
Listed by SCORE chapter directory , SCORE IL chapter directory
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SCORE Land of Lincoln
Naperville, Illinois
Service area: Serving Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners in Illinois
Listed by SCORE chapter directory , SCORE IL chapter directory
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SCORE St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
Service area: Serving the Greater St. Louis area, Southern Illinois, Southwest Missouri and NW Arkansas
Listed by SCORE chapter directory , SCORE MO chapter directory
Women’s Business Centers
Women’s Business Centers provide business advice and training, with a focus on women starting or growing businesses. Ask about business plans, financing and local programs.
No individual office is recorded here yet. Use the official locator below to find the center serving your city or county.
Veterans Business Outreach Centers
VBOCs offer business counseling, training and referrals for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. Many centers serve several states.
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Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Service area: Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Listed by SBA Resource Partners and VBOC directory
APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs)
APEX Accelerators help businesses pursue government contracts, including registrations, finding opportunities and preparing bids. Native American APEX programs focus on Native-owned businesses.
No individual office is recorded here yet. Use the official locator below to find the center serving your city or county.
SBA district offices
SBA district offices explain SBA programs and connect businesses with local counseling partners, lenders and other assistance. Contact the office serving your county.
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SBA Illinois District Office
Chicago, Illinois
Listed by SBA district office directory , SBA Illinois District
Get free help applying
Ask whether the center can help with your application, business plan or financial projections. APEX Accelerators focus on government contracts. Services depend on your business and the center’s service area.
These listings come from official directories and organization websites. SBDC entries include state and regional network offices. Women’s Business Center and APEX office listings are a selection; use the official locators for additional offices. Confirm contact details and county coverage before visiting.