Illinois statewide grants & funding programs

State-funded capital and infrastructure grants supporting business expansion, equipment upgrades, and facility improvements for Illinois small businesses.

Eligible for: Illinois small businesses needing capital upgrades, facility improvements, or infrastructure investment; must meet state-defined business cr…

A statewide working-capital grant supporting small businesses in rural and downstate Illinois communities facing financial hardship.

Eligible for: Small businesses in downstate / rural Illinois; must meet size standards and demonstrate COVID-19 or economic hardship; county/municipal app…

A modernization and equipment-upgrade grant for independently owned grocery stores to improve food access and business sustainability.

Eligible for: Independently owned grocery stores, small retailers, or food-market operators in Illinois; must meet community-impact criteria

Planning grants that support community and regional site-readiness work, indirectly enabling small business expansion and job creation.

Eligible for: Local governments, developers, and regional partners; indirectly benefits small/mid-sized businesses seeking expansion locations

Statewide SBDC funding that supports free small-business consulting, training, and technical assistance programs throughout Illinois.

Eligible for: SBDC host organizations; benefits small business owners via free statewide consulting programs

Illinois’ central grant portal listing all available DCEO grant programs for small businesses, workforce, community development, and capital investments.

Eligible for: Illinois small businesses, nonprofits, community organizations, and industry groups depending on specific program

Chicago’s premier capital-improvement grant reimbursing small businesses for permanent building upgrades.

Eligible for: Commercial and industrial small businesses located in eligible Chicago TIF districts

Administrative SBIF access point helping Chicago small businesses apply for building-improvement reimbursement grants.

Eligible for: Chicago small businesses and property owners located in eligible TIF zones

Emergency grants and loan programs designed to stabilize Illinois small businesses during economic hardship.

Eligible for: Illinois small businesses impacted by economic disruptions, disasters, or emergencies

A countywide support program helping small businesses access grants, loans, technical assistance, consulting, and business-development resources.

Eligible for: Small businesses in Cook County; priority for underserved, minority-owned, or early-stage businesses

A standout grant program offering up to $10,000 to first-time homebuyers in Illinois toward down payment and closing costs, lowering upfront purchase barriers and supporting homeownership among eligible households.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers in Illinois (typically no ownership last 3 years), meet income & purchase price limits, purchasing eligible home in IL…

Offers substantial down payment or closing cost support to homebuyers in Cook County to help bridge upfront purchase cost barriers.

Eligible for: Eligible homebuyers for 1-2 unit property in Cook County, credit score ≥ 620, DTI ≤ 50%, income ≤ 120% AMI unless purchasing in a Targeted A…