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BUSINESS USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA – YES, NO, MAYBE

Entrepreneurs, small businesses, and some not so small businesses have seized on social media as marketing and recruiting tools. Twitter, blogs, Linkedin, and Facebook are among the most commonly used by businesses. Interestingly, surveys reveal that the most successful business applications use the same old approaches with updated technology. Building relationships with clients closes more deals than building a big following.

Read this month's Feature Article ...
 
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Illinois workNet provides your business with the tools to RECRUIT the best employees, to TRAIN and upgrade the skills of your current workforce, and to DEVELOP your business with a range of resources for entrepreneurs and established firms. 

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Illinois Key Sector Industries

The state is committed to supporting sectors critical to the Illinois' economy and their continued growth and competitiveness. Inside, you will find sector labor market information (LMI), an industry events calendar, and industry-specific resources.


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Enter your ZIP code to find business-related events in your area of Illinois. You can also specify an optional number of miles to search outside of the ZIP code.

 

  

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  • Local Interest
    Attention: Developers, Contractors, and Sub-Contracting Firms: Neighborhood Stabilization Program RFP
    In August, 2008 the United States Congress authorized the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) as a federal grant under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).  The purpose of this program is to provide emergency assistance for the acquisition and redevelopment of foreclosed and abandoned properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities.  The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), as the NSP administrator for the State, is currently seeking housing redevelopment proposals that will help revitalize and stabilize communities that have been the most negatively impacted by foreclosures, high-risk mortgages, and high rates of abandoned or vacant properties.

    HACIA has been hired as a sub-contractor to provide assistance with:
    -Outreach of potential and interested developers, general contractors and sub-contracting firms
    -Technical assistance in the preparation of responses to the NSP RFP
    -Technical assistance and consultation to sub-recipients throughout the duration of the program
    -Assistance with referrals of qualified contractors to interested applicants to meet diversity goals
    -Minority Certification assistance to qualified contractors

    The program requires the utilization of firms with the state's BEP (Business Enterprise Program).  The State recognizes the following agencie's certifications:

    -Illinois Department of Transportation
    -Chicago Minority Business Development Council
    -Women's Business Development Center
    -City of Chicago
    -Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA)
    -METRA
    -PACE
    -Cook County

    For more information or a copy of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program RFP please log on to www.haciaworks.org External link opens in a new window.

    For technical assistance and consultation related to NSP, please contact Juan Calahorrano or Gilbert Villegas at (312) 666-5910.

  •
    Innovate Now! Transforming the Chicagoland Region into a Globally Recognized Center for Innovation
    Innovate Now Logo

    Innovate Now! is a partnership of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Council on Competitiveness, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and World Business Chicago.

    Innovate Now! will transform Chicagoland into a globally recognized center for innovation. The initiative encourages widespread adoption of innovative practices and strategies within the Chicagoland region, improving our capacity for growth and our ability to compete in the global economy.

    For more information on this initiative, visit the Innovate Now! External link opens in a new windowwebsite. 


  •
    Power your business with sustainability
    CSBA Image The Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance (part of Foresight Design Initiative) has effectively established itself as a hub and catalyst for the sustainable business community in Chicago, fostering the exchange of best practices and fueling business growth. We provide our members with opportunities for connection, education, knowledge sharing and promotion through our referral network, online Green Business Directory, and more.
    Visit the Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance External link opens in a new windowtoday!

  • Statewide Interest
    Economic Recovery Resources
    AARA emblem
    To learn about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and identify projects being funded with taxpayer money, look for this emblem throughout Illinois workNet and on the internet.

    Learn more about the ARRA External link opens in a new window

  • IL Department of Transportation - Economic Recovery Information

    The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) includes $48 billion for transportation infrastructure consisting of highways and bridges, mass transit, rail and aviation.

    The transportation system in Illinois is at a crossroads, and is in need of the additional federal funds provided by the ARRA. ARRA funds will be utilized to support safer transportation systems, address environmental concerns, offset the erosion of the construction dollar, address the crippling levels of congestion/delay and meet the transportation demands of the future.

    In order to access the first half of the highway stimulus funds coming to Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has identified projects that can be awarded quickly to put people to work in the construction industry and to utilize the upcoming construction season. While the list of projects is larger than expected in the first wave of funding, it will allow Illinois to be in a position to spend any funds redistributed from other states.

    Click here External link opens in a new window to get more information and see a list of projects.


  •
    Is Your Business Positioned to Grow?
    IEN Banner Is your business positioned to grow with just a little help from people with know-how and the right connections? If so, the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network (IEN), the umbrella for all Illinois' small business services, can give you that help.  IEN helps you cut through the tangle of resources and find the ones you need to achieve your goals. This one seamless system makes it easy for you to to accelerate your company's growth.

    Visit the IEN website External link opens in a new window today.

  • Looking for the Official Business Link to the U.S. Government?
    Business.gov logo Business.gov provides quick and easy access to business laws, government regulations, forms and agency contacts.

    Visit the Business.gov External link opens in a new windowwebsite today.

  • Low Income Energy Efficient Residential Retrofit Program

    More than $213,000 in grants will help existing low-income homeowners replace items such as refrigerators, furnaces, lighting, dishwashers and air conditioners with energy-efficient models.

    Legislation approved last year created funding for programs and incentives through money from ComEd and Ameren to reduce electrical energy usage and demand by company customers.

    Click here External link opens in a new window to learn who is eligible and  how the process works.


  •
    Mentoring and Volunteerism as a Dropout Prevention Strategy
    Tutor/Mentor Connection In many of our schools, half or more of high school students do not graduate, let alone leave high school prepared to fully participate in civic life. 

    Businesses have an opportunity to get more personally involved in the lives of students in high poverty neighborhoods with failing schools to help end this crisis. 

    Learn more at the Tutor/Mentor Connection External link opens in a new window.

  • Register Your Company with Buy Illinois.Net
    Buy Illinois Logo The "Buy Illinois" initiative is a statewide series of regional trade fairs, procurement workshops and training programs designed to stimulate more in-state, business-to-business commerce and increase the self-sufficiency of the Illinois economy.

    Register your company at the Buy Illinois External link opens in a new windowwebsite.

  • The U.S. Economic Census
    U.S. Economic Census Logo The Economic Census profiles American business every 5 years, from the national to the local level. Detailed information provided by geographic area, zip code, and industry.

    Visit the U.S. Economic Census External link opens in a new windowto increase your knowledge of the business climate.

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Illinois workNet Centers are an equal opportunity employer/program. At Illinois workNet Centers, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this website may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment by calling TTY (800) 785-6055 or 711.