About Illinois District Office

The Chicago Offices are responsible for the delivery of SBA's many programs and services to 102 counties in Illinois. Our offices are located in Chicago and Springfield.

Services Available

Over the years, the SBA has developed many small business loan and assistance programs, special outreach efforts and initiatives to aid and inform small businesses. The following describes briefly all the services and information available through this office:

• Free counseling, advice and information on starting a business are available through SCORE: Counselors to America's Small Business.

• Financial assistance for new or existing businesses through guaranteed loans made by area bank and non-bank lenders. The Illinois District Office assisted 2,309 businesses in obtaining $996.4 million in loans in the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2011. For questions or additional information, contact us at justaskus@sba.gov.

• Free consulting services through the network of Small Business Development Centers. SBDCs also conduct training events throughout the district - some require a nominal registration fee.

• Assistance to businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals through the Minority Enterprise Development Program. Orientation workshops for the 8(a) Program are held the first and third Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. Please call (312) 353-4385 to register for this free seminar or to obtain additional information.

• A Women's Business Ownership Representative is available to advise women business owners. For questions or additional information, contact us at justaskus@sba.gov.

• Special loan programs are available for businesses involved in international trade.

• A Veterans Affairs Officer is available to counsel veterans. For questions or additional information, contact us at justaskus@sba.gov.