Resources for Small Businesses
SBDC and General Business Guidance
Start here if you are not sure which resource fits your situation.
• Schedule an SBDC Appointment: Meet with an Illinois SBDC at Sauk Valley advisor for confidential, no-cost business advising.
• Illinois SBDC at Sauk Valley: Explore local advising services, workshops and contact information.
• Find an Illinois SBDC: Locate an Illinois SBDC outside the Sauk Valley service area.
• Illinois DCEO Small Business Assistance: Access statewide guidance, programs and business support from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
• SCORE Resources: Browse business templates, guides, webinars and mentoring resources.
Start, Register and Pay Taxes
These links cover the most common state and federal setup steps. Your legal structure, location and industry may create additional requirements.
• 2026 Illinois Starting Your Business Guide: Use this state guide as a practical overview of planning, registration, taxes, employment and financing.
• Illinois Business Portal: Use the state's central page to find business registrations, licenses, permits, tax services and vendor resources.
• Illinois Secretary of State Business Services: Find corporation and LLC forms, filing information, annual reports and business services.
• Illinois Business Entity Search: Search registered corporations and LLCs in Illinois.
• Apply for an IRS Employer Identification Number: Apply directly with the IRS for a free EIN after forming the entity with the state, when state formation is required.
• IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center: Find federal tax forms, deadlines, recordkeeping information and employer guidance.
• IRS Business Tax Account: Access eligible business tax records, balances, payments, notices and EIN verification information. Available features depend on the entity type and the user's role.
• Illinois Department of Revenue Business Registration: Determine whether the business must register for Illinois taxes and review registration options.
• MyTax Illinois: Register, file and manage many Illinois business tax accounts online.
• Illinois Tax Rate Database: Look up Illinois tax rates and use the MyTax Illinois Tax Rate Finder for location-specific sales tax rates.
• Illinois Certificate of Resale: Learn when a retailer buying goods for resale should provide and retain Form CRT-61 or another valid certificate of resale.
• Illinois Professional License Lookup: Check professional licenses regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Business Planning, Research and Training
Use these tools to test assumptions, understand customers and competitors, and strengthen a business plan.
• SBA Business Guide: Review guidance for planning, launching, managing and growing a business.
• SBA Buying a Business or Franchise: Review due diligence, valuation, purchase and franchise considerations before acquiring an existing business.
• SBA Business Credit Guidance: Learn how personal and business credit can affect financing and how to establish, monitor and protect business credit.
• SBDC Market Research Guide: Use curated market research sources from Sauk Valley Community College.
• LivePlan Sample Business Plans: Review sample plans by industry for structure and content ideas.
• Census Business Builder: Explore demographic, consumer and business data for a selected geography and industry.
• North American Industry Classification System: Find the NAICS code used to classify the business.
• Google Trends: Compare relative search interest across topics, locations and time periods.
• SBA Learning Platform: Take self-paced courses on business ownership and government contracting.
• Sauk Valley Community College Continuing Education: Explore local noncredit training and professional development.
Access to Capital Quick Guide
Most public loan programs work through an approved bank, credit union, Certified Development Company or nonprofit intermediary. Approval still depends on lender underwriting, repayment ability, credit, collateral and program eligibility. Confirm current terms before applying.
• SBA 7(a) Loans: SBA's primary guaranteed loan program. Loans of up to $5 million may support working capital, equipment, owner-occupied real estate, eligible refinancing, ownership changes and other business purposes. Apply through a participating lender.
• SBA 504 Loans: Long-term, fixed-rate financing for owner-occupied real estate and major equipment through a Certified Development Company and a lender. The SBA-backed portion can be up to $5.5 million. The program generally cannot finance working capital or inventory.
• SBA Microloans: Loans of up to $50,000 through nonprofit intermediaries for working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery and equipment. Proceeds cannot be used to purchase real estate or pay existing debt.
• SBA 7(a) Working Capital Pilot: Monitored lines of credit of up to $5 million for qualifying businesses with at least one year of operating history. Designed for contract or project financing and borrowing against accounts receivable or inventory.
• SBA Lender Match: Submit a brief request to connect with participating SBA lenders. A match is not a loan approval or a guarantee of terms.
• Advantage Illinois: Illinois credit support for eligible businesses that face a financing gap. The Participation Loan Program can buy part of a term loan, while the Loan Guarantee Program can support term or revolving debt. State participation or guarantees can reach $2 million. Businesses apply through a DCEO-approved lender, not directly to DCEO.
• USDA Business and Industry Loan Guarantees: USDA guarantees eligible lender loans for rural business acquisition, expansion, real estate, equipment, inventory and certain refinancing. Projects are generally in communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer. Borrowers begin with a lender and USDA Rural Development Illinois.
• USDA Rural Energy for America Program: Guaranteed loans and periodic grants for eligible rural small businesses and agricultural producers installing renewable-energy systems or making energy-efficiency improvements. Rural location, technical review and project requirements apply.
• USDA Farm Service Agency Farm Loans: Direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans for eligible family-size farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain conventional credit. Uses can include land, livestock, equipment, feed, seed, supplies, buildings and farm improvements.
• Illinois Business Loan Guarantee Program: A participating lender may request a state guarantee of up to 25 percent for an eligible loan to a business with fewer than 500 employees in a qualifying low-income community. The guarantee can run up to five years and may be combined with SBA or USDA financing when requirements are met.
• Genz Small Business Development Fund: Gap financing for eligible businesses and entrepreneurs in Carroll and Jo Daviess counties that have been unable to obtain a traditional bank loan. Potential uses include capital purchases, a business or farm purchase, and startup or pilot projects. The application requires a lender denial letter and an SBDC-approved business plan or agricultural counselor review.
Community and Alternative Business Lenders
These nonprofit and mission-based lenders may consider smaller loans, startups or borrowers who need technical assistance. Products, service areas, rates and underwriting standards vary.
• Allies for Community Business Loans: Review small business loan options and coaching offered by a nonprofit community lender serving Illinois businesses.
• Justine PETERSEN Small Business Services: Explore credit-building, technical assistance and microloan services for small businesses.
• Pursuit Community Finance: Review small business and SBA financing from a nonprofit community lender serving Illinois.
• DCEO Approved Advantage Illinois Lenders: Search the current statewide list of institutions approved to use Advantage Illinois credit support.
Local and Regional Business Lenders
These institutions maintain business lending operations or offices in or near the six-county service area. Products, underwriting standards, service areas and participation in SBA, USDA or Advantage Illinois programs may change. Compare more than one lender and ask what programs are currently available. This is a nonexclusive informational list, not an endorsement.
• Apple River State Bank and First Community Bank of Galena: Operating lines of credit and equipment, machinery and real estate financing, with offices serving Apple River, Elizabeth, Galena, Hanover, Scales Mound and Warren.
• Byron Bank: Commercial, agricultural, SBA and Advantage Illinois financing, with offices in Byron and Davis Junction.
• Central Bank Illinois: Business term loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate and agricultural financing, with offices serving Ashton, Fulton, Oregon, Rochelle and Sterling/Rock Falls.
• Citizens State Bank: Commercial and agricultural loans and leasing programs, with offices in Elizabeth, Freeport, Lena, Savanna and Stockton.
• Community State Bank of Rock Falls: Locally based banking and lending, with offices in Dixon, Fulton, Morrison, Rock Falls and Sterling. Contact the bank about current business financing options.
• Exchange State Bank: Business lines of credit and financing for equipment, inventory, capital needs and real estate from its Lanark office.
• Farmers National Bank: Locally managed business and agricultural lending, with offices in Mount Carroll, Morrison and Prophetstown.
• Fifth Third Bank: Small business loans, lines of credit and SBA financing through a national bank with a Freeport branch.
• Flanagan State Bank: Conventional and SBA business financing through a regional bank with a lending office in Paw Paw.
• German American State Bank, Lena State Bank and State Bank of Freeport: Business lines of credit, term loans, commercial real estate, SBA and Advantage Illinois financing through State Bank of Freeport and related regional offices, including Lena State Bank.
• GreenState Credit Union: Business and commercial real estate loans through a member-owned credit union with a Freeport branch. Membership eligibility applies.
• Holcomb Bank: SBA-approved business lending for lines of credit, equipment, commercial real estate and construction, with lenders in Byron, Creston and Rochelle.
• Midland States Bank: Small business and commercial loans, lines of credit, real estate and agricultural financing, with offices in Dixon, Rock Falls and Sterling.
• NuMark Credit Union: Business lines of credit, commercial real estate and equipment financing through a credit union with branches in Paw Paw and Sublette. Membership eligibility applies.
• Sauk Valley Bank: Commercial and agricultural financing for equipment, real estate, construction and operating needs, with offices in Dixon, Rock Falls and Sterling.
• Solutions Bank: Commercial real estate, construction, equipment, operating-line and agricultural financing, with offices serving Durand, Forreston, Freeport, Kent and Lake Summerset.
• Sterling Federal Bank: SBA, commercial real estate, equipment, inventory and operating-line financing, with offices in Byron, Dixon, Morrison, Mount Morris, Rock Falls and Sterling.
• Stillman Bank: Commercial lines of credit, term loans, SBA financing and agricultural lending, with offices serving Byron, Oregon, Rochelle and Stillman Valley.
• TBK Bank: Commercial, commercial real estate, agricultural and equipment financing, with offices in Chadwick, Morrison, Mount Carroll and Savanna.
• The First National Bank in Amboy: Business and agricultural lending, including SBA 7(a) and 504 financing, with offices serving Amboy, Dixon, Franklin Grove and Monroe Center.
• UMB Bank: Term loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate and SBA financing through a regional bank with a Galena branch.
• Union Savings Bank: Business term loans, lines of credit, equipment and real estate financing, with offices in Freeport and Mount Morris.
• U.S. Bank: Small business and commercial financing through a national bank with branches in Dixon and Freeport.
Grant and Financing Searches
Grants are usually targeted, competitive and restricted rather than general startup funding. Confirm eligibility, deadlines, match requirements and permitted uses with the administering agency.
• DCEO Small Business Financing: Review Illinois financing programs and lending resources.
• SBA Illinois District Office: Find Illinois events, contacts and SBA program information.
• USDA Rural Development Illinois: Contact the Illinois office and explore rural business, energy and community programs.
• Illinois DCEO Grant Opportunities: View current DCEO funding opportunities and application details.
• Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance: Search state grant programs and identify the agency responsible for each opportunity.
• Illinois GATA Portal: Access Illinois grant registration and application systems. Availability and requirements can change, so confirm instructions for each notice.
Local Registration, Permits, Health and Property
Before signing a lease, starting construction or opening to the public, confirm zoning, occupancy, building, signage, health and other requirements with both the municipality and county. Requirements vary by location and activity.
• Carroll County: Find county offices, including county clerk and local government contacts.
• Jo Daviess County: Find county clerk, planning, health and other county services.
• Lee County Clerk and Recorder: Find assumed-name and county clerk information for Lee County.
• Ogle County Clerk: Find assumed-name and county clerk information for Ogle County.
• Stephenson County: Find county offices and local government services.
• Whiteside County: Find county offices, planning and other local government services.
• Carroll County Health Department: Review public health programs and environmental health contacts.
• Jo Daviess County Health Department: Review public health and environmental health services.
• Lee County Health Department: Review permits, inspections and public health services.
• Ogle County Health Department: Review food, environmental health and public health services.
• Stephenson County Health Department: Review environmental health and public health services.
• Whiteside County Health Department: Review environmental health and public health services.
• Commercial Marketplace Exchange: Search regional commercial property listings.
• Greater Freeport Partnership Property Listings: View available commercial and development properties in the Freeport area.
Food, Child Care and Agriculture
Regulated businesses should contact the appropriate licensing or inspection agency early in the planning process.
• Illinois Child Care Licensure: Review child care licensing information from the Illinois Department of Early Childhood.
• Illinois Cares for Kids: Find child care provider resources and local Child Care Resource and Referral support.
• Illinois Child Care Resource and Referral Locator: Locate the Child Care Resource and Referral organization serving any Illinois county and access provider support.
• YWCA Northwestern Illinois Child Care Solutions: Access regional child care provider support and referral services.
• Illinois Cottage Food Resources: Review Illinois cottage food rules, training and startup guidance.
• Illinois Retail Food Program: Find statewide retail food safety information and links to local health departments.
• Illinois Liquor Control Commission Licensing: Review state liquor licensing categories, application guidance and the current licensing portal. Also confirm local liquor licensing requirements.
• Kitchen Incubator of Northwest Illinois: Explore a furnished commercial kitchen, shared equipment and rentable production space in Sterling for eligible food entrepreneurs.
• University of Illinois Extension, Carroll-Lee-Whiteside: Find agriculture, food, community and small business education in Carroll, Lee and Whiteside counties.
• University of Illinois Extension, Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Winnebago: Find agriculture, food and community resources in Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties.
• University of Illinois Extension, Boone-DeKalb-Ogle: Find agriculture, food and community resources in Ogle County.
• Illinois Farm Bureau Agricultural Business Library: Browse business resources for agricultural producers and food enterprises.
• USDA Farm Service Agency, Illinois: Find farm programs, loans and local USDA service-center contacts.
• Rural Energy for America Program: Review USDA grants and loan guarantees for eligible rural energy and efficiency projects.
• Value-Added Producer Grants: Review USDA support for eligible agricultural producers developing value-added activities.
Employers, Hiring and Workplace Compliance
Employment requirements depend on business size, industry, location and workforce. Confirm current obligations with the responsible agency or a qualified professional.
• Illinois Department of Labor Employer Resources: Find Illinois wage, hour, leave, safety and employer compliance information.
• Illinois Required Workplace Posters: Download current Illinois labor-law notices for employers.
• Federal Workplace Posters: Determine which U.S. Department of Labor notices apply to the workplace.
• Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers: Review state guidance, notices and frequently asked questions.
• Illinois Department of Human Rights Training: Find employer training on civil rights and harassment prevention.
• EEOC Small Business Resources: Review federal equal-employment guidance designed for small employers.
• IDES Hiring Solutions: Find recruiting, workforce and employer services from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
• IllinoisJobLink: Post jobs and search for candidates through the state workforce system.
• BEST, Inc. Business Services: Connect with workforce and employer services in the region.
• Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Employer Resources: Review workers' compensation requirements and employer information.
• My Illinois Savings for Employers: Review Illinois retirement-savings requirements and employer registration information.
• HealthCare.gov SHOP Coverage: Review SHOP health and dental coverage for eligible employers, generally those with 1 to 50 full-time equivalent employees and at least one non-owner employee.
• Illinois OSHA On-Site Consultation: Request confidential workplace safety consultation for eligible Illinois employers.
Marketing, E-Commerce and Practical Tools
These tools can support research, content creation and skill-building. Some offer both free and paid features, and inclusion is not an endorsement.
• Grow with Google: Access digital-skills training and small business learning resources.
• Google Trends: Compare search interest to inform content and market research.
• Canva: Create basic marketing graphics, presentations and social media content.
• Pexels: Find stock photos and videos with a broad-use license. Review the license before publishing.
• AnswerThePublic: Explore questions people search for around a topic or product category.
• HubSpot Academy: Take free courses in marketing, sales, customer service and digital tools.
• Amazon Seller University: Learn about Amazon marketplace setup and seller operations.
• Practical Business Skills: Use free lessons and worksheets covering business fundamentals and financial management.
Cybersecurity and Disaster Readiness
Build basic protections before an incident and keep current backups, contact lists and recovery procedures.
• CISA Small and Medium Business Resources: Use federal guidance to reduce common cybersecurity risks.
• CISA No-Cost Cybersecurity Tools: Browse free tools and services from government and private-sector providers.
• NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Corner: Access plain-language cybersecurity guidance and planning resources.
• FTC Cybersecurity for Small Business: Use practical federal guidance on passwords, backups, encryption, multifactor authentication, vendor security and breach response.
• Ready Business: Build emergency response, crisis communication, business continuity and information technology recovery plans.
• SBA Disaster Assistance: Review federal disaster loan information and application guidance.
Government Contracting, Bonding and Certifications
Certification alone does not guarantee contracts. Use these resources to assess eligibility, prepare registrations and understand procurement requirements.
• Illinois APEX Accelerator Centers: Find no-cost assistance with government contracting and procurement.
• SAM.gov Entity Registration: Register to bid on federal contracts or apply for federal assistance and obtain a Unique Entity ID. Full registrations must be renewed every 365 days.
• SBA Contracting Certifications: Review federal small business certification programs and application requirements.
• Illinois State Procurement Overview: Review the registrations and compliance steps commonly required to sell goods or services to Illinois agencies.
• Illinois Procurement Gateway: Complete common state vendor disclosures and apply for Illinois small business set-aside registration through the state vendor portal.
• Illinois BidBuy: Register at no charge to receive state solicitation notices and submit bids through Illinois' e-procurement system.
• Illinois Prevailing Wage Requirements and Current Rates: Check current county rates and contractor requirements for Illinois public works projects before bidding or performing covered work.
• Illinois Capital Development Board Contractor Resources: Find contractor prequalification and state construction-procurement information.
• SBA Surety Bonds: Learn how the SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program supports eligible small contractors.
• Find a Surety Bond Producer: Use the National Association of Surety Bond Producers directory to locate a bonding professional.
• Illinois Business Enterprise Program: Review certification for eligible businesses owned by minorities, women and people with disabilities.
• Illinois DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification: Review DBE eligibility and certification for transportation-related contracting.
• Illinois Veterans Business Program: Review certification for eligible veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.
SBA HUBZone Map: Check whether a principal office or employee residence is in a designated HUBZone.
Women, Veterans, and Accessibility
These organizations and toolkits provide targeted support for entrepreneurs and employers.
• Women's Business Development Center: Access advising, training and specialized business programs.
• Veterans Business Outreach Center at WWBIC: Find training and advising for veterans, active-duty service members and military spouses.
• AskEARN Small Business Toolkit: Use disability-inclusive recruiting, hiring and retention guidance for small employers.
• Great Lakes ADA Center Business Toolkit: Review practical guidance on accessibility and Americans with Disabilities Act responsibilities.
• SCORE Resources for Rural Entrepreneurs: Find mentoring and learning resources for rural business owners.
• SCORE Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs: Find mentoring, templates and training for veterans and military families.
Innovation, Manufacturing, Exporting, Environment and Succession
Specialized programs can help businesses improve operations, commercialize technology, reach international markets and plan ownership transitions.
• Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center: Access manufacturing improvement, workforce and growth services.
• Illinois FAST Center: Get support for federal SBIR and STTR innovation funding.
• Illinois INVENT: Explore state resources for innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship.
• Illinois SBDC International Trade Centers: Find advising on exporting, market selection and international trade.
• U.S. Commercial Service Chicago: Connect with federal export-assistance specialists serving Illinois.
• EXIM Export Credit Insurance for Small Businesses: Explore federal export credit insurance that can protect eligible small exporters from foreign buyer nonpayment and support receivables financing.
• Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program: Get confidential help understanding environmental rules and permits.
• Illinois Center for Employee Ownership: Learn about employee ownership and business succession options.
• USPTO Inventor and Entrepreneur Resources: Access intellectual-property education for inventors and small businesses.
• USPTO IP Identifier: Use a guided tool to identify possible trademark, patent, copyright or trade-secret considerations.
Find Professional Help and Transaction Support
The SBDC does not recommend or guarantee individual providers. Compare qualifications, relevant experience, scope, fees, conflicts and references before hiring anyone.
• Illinois CPA Society Find a CPA: Search for Illinois accounting professionals by service and location.
• Illinois State Bar Association Lawyer Finder: Find Illinois attorneys by practice area and location.
• NACVA Credentialed Professional Directory: Search for credentialed business valuation and financial forensics professionals.
• International Business Brokers Association Directory: Search for business brokers and intermediaries when buying or selling a business.
• Illinois Insurance Producer Lookup: Verify an insurance producer or agency through the Illinois Department of Insurance.
• IDFPR Real Estate Appraisal and License Lookup: Find licensing information and verify Illinois real estate appraisers and appraisal management companies.
Local Chambers and Regional Development
Local chambers and economic development organizations can help with community connections, properties, incentives and local business information. Membership requirements vary.
• Savanna Area Chamber of Commerce: Business and community information for the Savanna area.
• Galena Area Chamber of Commerce: Business and visitor information for the Galena area.
• Discover Dixon: Business, downtown and community resources for Dixon.
• Greater Freeport Partnership: Economic development, chamber and visitor services for the Freeport area.
• Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce: Business and community resources for the Rock Falls area.
• Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce: Business resources and connections for the Sauk Valley area.
• Northwest Illinois Economic Development: Regional business development, financing and site-selection assistance.
• Blackhawk Hills Regional Council: Regional economic development and planning resources.
• Whiteside County Economic Development: Business and economic development information for Whiteside County.
• Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone: Review enterprise-zone eligibility, benefits and contact information.