The Illinois Entrepreneurship Network (IEN) and the many business incubators located throughout Illinois stand ready to assist your new business through its tenuous first years. Services provided may include a physical location, loans and/or other capital funds, business expense discounts and knowledgeable advice. The connections and shared information can save you time and money and prevent you from making costly errors.
The first documented incubator, according to the National Business Incubator Association, began in 1956 in a vacant Massey Ferguson plant at Batavia, NY, under the guidance of Joseph L. Marcuso. The facility, called the Batavia Industrial Center, is still a flourishing business incubator
Illinois Entrepreneurship Network 
is a consortium of Illinois governmental entities that have the expertise, information, and connections to help your small business succeed through its infancy or expansion.
Most business incubators are members of the National Business Incubator Association . This membership allows them to stay current with changes in business regulations and current business trends and to participate in informational conferences. Members also receive special partner discounts and savings on many goods and services.
Business incubators are sponsored by organizations such as cities, universities, and business partnerships. Services offered and types of businesses included vary from location to location. Some are industry specific such as manufacturing, technology-based, or green friendly businesses only.
Gaebler Ventures of Chicago, provides a list of some Illinois business incubators. Follow the site links to find an incubator offering the services and location to meet your needs.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s Small Business Incubator Program and the Research Park (for technology-based businesses) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are examples of two highly successful small business incubators.
Contact the Illinois 
Entrepreneurship Network for assistance finding a small business incubator in your area and for help with other business questions. Additional resources can be found at Business Development in Illinois which provides numerous links to sites pertinent to business start-up.