Employer Resources
State of Illinois Business Portal
Contact: |
Springfield Office |
Chicago Office |
Website: The State of Illinois Business Portal is the official website for the State of Illinois. Here are just a few links to choose from:
http://www2.illinois.gov/business
Business Registration (IDOR): (Learn more about registration requirements)
https://www2.illinois.gov/services/IDOR/BusinessRegistration-taxes-revenue
Start a Business (DCEO): (A wide range of resources offered)
https://www2.illinois.gov/services/DCEO/start-business)
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
Contact: Illinois Department of Employment Security
250 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 6043
Phone: (815) 740-5148
Website:
http://www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax
Overview:
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) reduces an employer's cost of doing business,
while helping those most in need gain valuable work experience. The credit provides tax savings
to employers who hire people from certain target groups, including welfare recipients, veterans,
youth and ex-felons. In the end, WOTC helps increase America's economic growth and productivity.
Eligibility: The WOTC Target Groups include:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Recipients
- Unemployed Veterans
- Ex-Felons
- Designated Community Residents
- Vocational Rehabilitation Referrals
- Summer Youth Employees
- Food Stamp Recipients
- SSI Recipients
Employer Benefits: The Work Opportunity Tax Credit saves employers money and requires little
paperwork. Helping those most in need find and retain jobs and gain on-the-job experience benefits
all employers and increases America's economic growth and productivity.
Illinois workNet
Website:
http://www.illinoisworknet.com
Overview:
Illinois workNet is a portal for connecting employers and job seekers and expanding economic
opportunity in Illinois. The portal is a cooperative effort between state and economic development,
workforce development, education agencies, and local workforce investment boards along with their
public and private partners including local governments, community colleges and non-profit organizations.
It is designed to provide easy access to information and services through a network of public and
private partners.
Illinois workNet provides businesses with the tools to recruit the best employees, to train and upgrade
the skills of the current workforce, and to develop businesses with a range of resources for entrepreneurs
and established firms.
Employer Services:
- Recruit and retain qualified workers
- Connect with local business service teams to analyze hiring needs
- Sign up for valuable on-the-job training programs for your existing workforce
- Links to pertinent employer-related information
Illinois JobLink
Contact: Illinois Department of Employment Security
250 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 6043
Phone: (815) 740-5148
Website:
https://illinoisjoblnk.illinois.gov/ada/r/
Overview:
Illinois JobLink is an interactive website where thousands of qualified job seekers register every day.
Illinois JobLink allows businesses to describe specific skills and job requirements for which they are seeking
qualified candidates. Illinois JobLink then selects and matches the best qualified job seekers with the employer's
criteria and generates a list of those individuals. Employers determine whether they want to handle all recruiting,
screening and hiring themselves, communicating directly with job seekers, or obtain assistance from the
Illinois Department of Employment Services.
Employer Services:
- Online matching of job requirements and preferences with job seekers qualifications
- Recruitment of veterans
Illinois Secretary of State
Contact: Office of the Secretary of State
Department of Business Services
17 N. State Street, Suite 1137
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 793-3380
Website:
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/securities/infocntr.html
Overview:
The Small Business Information Center is designed for small issuers and various intermediary organizations.
Staff is available to explain the various financing options available for smaller firms and to describe the processes
required for a small firm securities offering. Staff also is available for pre-filing conferences and to answer any
questions small business owners may have about the filing process.
Federal & State Business Registration & Licenses
Federal Employer Identification Numbers (FEIN)
Contact: IRS Tax Payer Assistance Center
230 Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 292-4912
Website:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
Overview:
The United States Internal Revenue Service website lets you select business topics using their A-Z Index
for Business. Business topics include starting a business, operating a business, closing a business, and Employer
ID#'s (EINs). There is also information on filing/paying taxes, post-filing issues, and deducting expenses.
Business Licenses
Contact: Illinois Department of Finance & Professional Regulation
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, Suite 9-300
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (888) 473-4858
Website:
Overview:
The process of becoming licensed in Illinois is designed to ensure that all professionals meet at least the minimum
requirements for licensure set forth by law. Professionals seeking to work in Illinois must first receive, and properly
complete, an application for licensure.
General Information for Employers
Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
Contact: Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
Phone: (312) 814-6611
Website:
http://www.iwcc.il.gov/insurance.htm
Overview:
Illinois law requires employers to provide workers' compensation insurance for almost everyone who is hired, injured,
or whose employment is localized in Illinois. Sole proprietors, business partners, corporate officers, and members of limited
liability companies may exempt themselves.
Unemployment Insurance
Contact: Illinois Department of Employment Security
Unemployment Insurance Revenue Division
Phone: (312) 793-4880 or (800) 247-4984
Website:
Overview:
Employers may be required to make unemployment insurance contributions to the Illinois Department of Employment
Security (IDES). For help in determining your contribution, contact IDES for an Unemployment Insurance Start-up Kit.
New Hire Reporting
Contact: Illinois Department of Employment Security
Unemployment Insurance Revenue Division
Phone: (800) 327-HIRE (4473)
Website:
http://www.ides.illinois.gov/Pages/New_Hire_Reporting.aspx
Overview:
The New Hire Reporting Program is part of the federal welfare law and now includes increased efforts to locate absent
parents who are not supporting their children. Since 1997, a nationwide employer New Hire Registry has been used
to locate absent parents in order to enforce child support orders. In Illinois, IDES has the responsibility for obtaining
the information for this registry.
Labor Market Information
Illinois Department of Employment Security - Labor Market Information
Website:
http://www.ides.illinois.gov/LMI/Pages/default.aspx
Overview:
IDES Labor Market Information includes employment statistics, job forecast, wages and demographics. IDES
collects, analyzes and disseminates this data in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) and Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
Women's Business Development Center (WBDC)
Contact: Women's Business Development Center
8 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312) 853-3477
Website:
Overview:
The mission of the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) is to provide services and programs that support
and accelerate women's business ownership and strengthen their impact on the economy.
Since 1986, the WBDC has offered a full-service approach to assist prospective and established women's business owners
in the Chicago area. The objectives of the WBDC are:
- To accelerate the rate of growth of women's business ownership
- To increase the economic impact of women-owned businesses on both families and communities
- To increase awareness of business ownership as a viable means of economic self-sufficiency
- To stimulate public policy and system changes which support and strengthen the economic impact of women
Minority Business Development Agency
Contact: Minority Business Development Agency
105 W. Adams Street, Suite 2300
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312) 755-2565
Website:
Overview:
The Minority Business Development Agency is a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and maintains a national
network of business centers to assist minority owned businesses.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Contact: U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd Street, SW
Washington, DC 20416
Phone: (800) 827-5722
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Overview:
Small Business Administration is America's most powerful engine of opportunity and economic growth. SBA offers
a variety of programs and support services to help you navigate the issues you face with your initial applications, and
resources to help after you open for business.
SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business)
Contact: SCORE Chicago
500 W. Madison, Suite 1150
Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: (312) 353-7724
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Overview:
SCORE is a non-profit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their
goals through education and mentorship. Its volunteers provide free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs.