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Featured Resource
Business Plans Handbooks »
This collection offers entrepreneurs over three hundred actual business plans to use as models in developing their own.
Note that a Chicago Public Library card is required to use this resource from home, school, or work.
Related Databases
Use these resources from home, school, or work with your Chicago Public Library card.
ABI/INFORM »
Find industry news, including forecasts, from over 750 trade and industry publications as well as both local and national news from publications such as Crain's Chicago Business and the Wall Street Journal.
Business & Company Resource Center »
This resource is no longer available. For business directory information, use ReferenceUSA. For short descriptions of industries, use Industry Overviews.
Illinois Newsstand »
Find local and state business news from the Chicago Defender, Chicago Tribune, La Raza, State Journal Register, and other state papers.
Industry Overviews »
Find overviews, including history, current conditions, and leading firms, for over one thousand industries from The Encyclopedia of American Industries, The Encyclopedia of Emerging Industries, and The Encyclopedia of Global Industries.
ReferenceUSA »
Identify competitors and potential customers using the U.S. business directory, or create lists of potential customers near your business using the residential directory.
Search in the Library
- Starting a Small Business »
- Small Business Legal Guides »
- Incorporating Your Business »
- Forming a Limited Liability Company »
- Writing a Business Plan »
- Financing Your Business »
- Hiring Staff »
- Keeping the Books »
- Paying Taxes »
- Buying or Selling a Business »
- Buying a Franchise/Franchising Your Business »
- Starting a Home-based Business »
Helpful Websites
- City of Chicago: For Business »
The City of Chicago offers numerous resources to educate small business owners about complying with City and other laws in the areas of licenses, inspections, permits, zoning, hiring, etc.
- State of Illinois Business Portal »
Find extensive information about starting and running a business in Illinois, including information on registration, incorporation, licensing, taxes, incentives, etc.
- Small Business Administration »
Find numerous resources, including information about SBA loans, on the SBA's website, from help with writing a business plan to important things to know when selling your business. Information about local services offered by the Chicago District Office may be found under the Local Resources tab.
- SCORE »
SCORE offers a wealth of how-to articles and online tutorials that offer advice to businesspeople at all stages of the business development process. Free in-person counseling and low-cost workshops are offered by the local chapter.
- U.S. Census Bureau »
Find demographic information, industry statistics, NAICS and SIC codes, and more through programs such as the Decennial Census, American Community Survey, and Economic Census. Demographic and economic information for Chicago community areas may be had from the City's Department of Community Development.
- Entrepreneur.com »
From the publishers of Entrepreneur magazine, this site offers current news on franchising, startup, financing, etc. for the small business.