The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State...

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Third round of Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program provides $31.8 million in direct forgivable loans 

Governor Pritzker Awards 95 Loans to Licensed Social Equity Cannabis Businesses Across All License Types 

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the recipients of $31.8 million in loans through Round III of the Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program. Through the program, 95 qualified, licensed social equity businesses across all license types – craft growers, dispensaries, infusers, and transporters – are receiving Direct Forgivable Loans (DFL) financed by the State of Illinois. Recipients were determined based on factors including social equity status, financial need, financial resources, and progress toward becoming operational. The full list of this round’s recipients can be found here.

$4.85 million in grant funding awarded through Tourism Attractions, Tourism Marketing Partnership, and Tourism Private Sector Grant Programs 

Governor Pritzker Announces Over 60 Tourism Grant Program Awards 

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced more than $4.85 million in grant funding has been awarded to 66 grantees through three grant programs – the Tourism Attractions Grant Program ($2 million), Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program ($2.25 million), and Tourism Private Sector Grant Program ($598,900) – as part of the State’s efforts to build upon the record-breaking tourism industry and welcome more visitors to Illinois.

Grant funding supports the state’s continued effort to build a pipeline of talent and increase access to good-paying jobs for historically underrepresented populations 

Governor Pritzker Awards More Than $17 Million Through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program  

CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today awarded more than $17 million in funding to 39 program recipients, serving up to nearly 2,000 community members statewide, to expand the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The program creates a qualified talent pipeline of diverse candidates in the construction and building trades.

State’s Talent Pipeline and Training Drive National Recognition

Illinois Ranks #1 for Workforce Development in Midwest, Climbs to #3 in the Nation

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that Site Selection Magazine, the leading economic development publication, has named Illinois #1 for workforce development in the Midwest and #3 in the nation for 2026 – up from #2 regionally and up from #4 nationally. The ranking highlights Illinois’ commitment to providing innovative workforce programs, career training and employment services that create resources for jobseekers and ensure businesses continue to thrive.

Grant funding will increase advanced workforce training facilities at Illinois community colleges

Governor Pritzker Announces $24 Million Manufacturing Training Academy Expansion

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $24 million is now available in grant funding to establish six new Manufacturing Training Academies (MTAs) at community colleges in the state’s downstate regions to expand training for high-demand manufacturing jobs in Illinois. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is celebrating National Women's Business Month throughout October by recognizing the significant contributions of women-owned businesses across the state. There are nearly 561,000 women-owned businesses in Illinois employing more than 661,000 workers and bringing in $165 billion in revenue each year. During this monthlong celebration, DCEO will be elevating resources and events to help bolster Illinois’ women-owned businesses and aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Illinois Celebrates National 
Women’s Business Month  

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is celebrating National Women's Business Month throughout October by...

Third round of Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program will provide $40 million in forgivable loans 

Loan Applications for All Cannabis Social Equity Licensees Set to Open August 11th  

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced that applications for Round 3 of the Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program will open August 11th. This round of funding includes $40 million, which will be available through Direct Forgivable Loans (DFL) fully financed by the State. Loans will be available to qualified, licensed social equity craft growers, infusers, transporters, and adult-use dispensing organizations.

Illinois maintained momentum in various categories and added new rankings in two categories

Illinois Secures 11 Top Spots on Business Facilities’ Annual Report

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Intersect Illinois announced that Illinois has ranked in the top 10 spots across 11 categories on Business Facilities’ 21st Annual Rankings. Illinois ranked number one in nuclear energy with top-ten wins in other categories including: Foreign Direct Investment (#5), Agribusiness (#5), Exports (#5), Wind Power (#5), AI Job Hubs (#6), Cybersecurity Talent (#7), Solar Power (#7), Film and Television (#8), AI Job Market (#9), and MedTech/Medical Devices (#10).

Capital grant funding supports entrepreneurship in key growth industries around Illinois

Governor Pritzker Awards Multiple Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that $7 million in grant funding has been awarded to four grantees through the Tech Incubator Enhancement Grant (TIEG) Program to support entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries around the state. These grant awards will strengthen the resilience of both existing and new startup incubators.

$6.3 million in grant funding will build upon Illinois’ record-breaking tourism industry

Governor Pritzker Announces 36 Awards Through Tourism Grant Programs

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that $6.3 million in grant funding has been awarded to 36 grantees through three grant programs – the Route 66 Grant Program ($4 million), Tourism Attractions Grant Program ($1.7 million), and Tourism Private Sector Grant Program ($600,000) – as part of the state's continued effort to boost tourism and welcome more visitors to Illinois.

Governor Pritzker Awards 95 Loans to Licensed Social Equity Cannabis Businesses Across All License Types

Governor Pritzker Announces Over 60 Tourism Grant Program Awards

Governor Pritzker Awards More Than $17 Million Through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Illinois Ranks #1 for Workforce Development in Midwest, Climbs to #3 in the Nation

Governor Pritzker Announces $24 Million Manufacturing Training Academy Expansion

Illinois Celebrates National Women’s Business Month

Loan Applications for All Cannabis Social Equity Licensees Set to Open August 11th

Illinois Secures 11 Top Spots on Business Facilities’ Annual Report

Governor Pritzker Awards Multiple Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants

Governor Pritzker Announces 36 Awards Through Tourism Grant Programs

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