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AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.

Byline Bank

With more than 40 full-service branch locations throughout the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas, Byline Bank offers a broad range of commercial and retail banking products and services and is one of the top Small Business Administration lenders in the United States.

Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

BACP ensures a fair and vibrant market place for both businesses and consumers. BACP licenses businesses and public vehicles, provides business education and access to resources, enforces the Municipal Code, and protects consumers from fraud.

First American Bank

At First American Bank, we're small enough to provide the personal attention that makes you comfortable coming to us for a multi-thousand-dollar auto loan. As the largest privately held bank in Illinois, we're big enough that you can also get multi-million-dollar financing if your company exports auto parts – or anything else.

Huntington Bank

Huntington is more than checking, more than savings, more than lending. It’s people who understand where you’re coming from, with the know-how to get you where you want to be.

Old National Bank

Old National is a regional bank with approximately $48 billion in assets, but we have the heart, culture and DNA of a smaller community bank. Since our founding in 1834, we have had an unwavering commitment to being a trusted financial and community partner.

PNC

For more than 170 years, we have been committed to providing our clients with great service and powerful financial expertise to help them meet their financial goals. We are proud of our longstanding history of supporting not only our customers but also our communities, employees and shareholders.

Small Business Administration

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

As a company, we’re at an exciting moment in our transformative journey. During the past five years, we’ve laid the groundwork for where we want to go and positioned ourselves for growth. We have made significant investments in digital and technology – and continue to do so – and strategically enhanced our products and services. These modern business foundations have become our strength, and it’s time to expand what we can do with them. As we look ahead, we’re excited about the potential.

Verizon

We supply the reliable network, you design the plan that fits your needs with the flexibility to customize - and change - your wireless phone plan anytime. Our goal is to move the world forward for everyone by expanding digital access, protecting the climate, and preparing people for the jobs of the future.

Better Business Bureau

BBB helps people find and recommend businesses, brands and charities they can trust. Our mission to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. BBB consumer services are offered free to everyone available locally, nationally, online and in person.

ChiBizHub

ChiBizHub connects a large network of nonprofit service providers offering a wide variety of business-building services for small businesses. We match these organizations to early, emerging, and established small businesses throughout the region who visit the site looking for help.

Economic Strategies Development Corporation

Our holistic approach to economic development provides the business community with the resources it needs to thrive, while enabling individuals to take advantage of professional and developmental opportunities.

Inner City Capital Connections

Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) is a tuition-free executive leadership training program designed by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) to help business owners in under-resourced communities build capacity for sustainable growth and resiliency as well as survive the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Institute for Justice (IJ) Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School

The IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship provides free legal assistance, support and advocacy for low-income entrepreneurs in Chicago. The IJ Clinic also trains the next generation of attorneys from the University of Chicago Law School to be vigorous and creative advocates for entrepreneurs.

Lawyers for the Creative Arts

Lawyers for the Creative Arts provides free legal services to financially eligible clients in all areas of the arts—visual, music, dance, theatrical, literary, digital media, arts education, and much more. We help individuals and organizations with business issues, contracts, copyrights, trademarks and many other legal areas.

Quad County Urban League

The Quad County Urban League (QCUL) supports racial justice, civil rights and economic empowerment for African Americans and others within the Quad Counties (DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will) of Illinois. As an advocate for educational excellence and economic self-reliance; we develop programs and services to empower children, youth and adults.