Illinois Economic Empowerment Centers (EEC) Program

The objective is to create an inclusive business ecosystem for communities that have traditionally faced systemic barriers to entry and growth, including those who have been justice-involved. The Department will award grants to eligible applicants who provide Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) business owners, entrepreneurs and/or dislocated workers with technical assistance, training, and access to resources necessary for their start-ups or existing businesses.

Type of assistance: Grant Award: $250,000 to $500,000 Total funding: $2500000.00 Cost sharing or matching: Yes Applications: 2026-05-11 to 2026-11-06 Apply: https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/3226-4281.html Source: Illinois's list of open state funding notices (GATA, omb.illinois.gov).

Eligible applicant types: Nonprofit Organizations; Education Organizations

Each center must: - Be operated by a Board of Directors representing community leaders in business, education, finance and government; - Be incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation; - Be located in an area accessible to eligible clients; - Establish an advisory group of community business experts, at least one-half of whom shall be representative of the clientele to be served by the center, which shall constitute a support network to provide counseling and mentoring services to minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, and veterans from the concept stage of development through the first one to 2 years of existence on a regular basis and as needed thereafter; and - Establish a referral system and linkages to existing area small business assistance programs and financing resources