Business Resources
GOVERNMENT - FEDERAL
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
312/353-7724
http://www.score.org
Through the Small Business Administration, SCORE offers assistance on starting a business. SCORE volunteers refer businesses to proper sources for information and advice and counseling financial assistance, business plan, marketing, etc.
Small Business Administration
1-800-UASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722)
http://www.sba.gov
SBA offers lots of valuable information on getting started, developing a plan, applying for a loan, training and resources.
U. S. Treasury Department
1-800-829-1040
http://www.ustreas.gov/busserv.html
Business and public liaison, Office of Procurement, Small Business Assistance, Internal Revenue Service, Tax Information and Treasury Forms. Through its Taxpayers Education Division, the IRS offers entrepreneurs monthly workshops to provide new or prospective business owners with current tax information and instructions regarding business-filing requirements.
Women's Business Development Center
312/853-3477 (Chicago Office)
http://www.onlinewbc.org
Created by the Small Business Administration's Office of Women's Business Ownership. It offers in-depth education on procurement as well as links to other online resources.
GOVERNMENT - STATE
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
1-888-367-4382
http://www.ides.state.il.us
Unemployment insurance, employment services and labor market information. A business may be required to make state unemployment contributions.
Illinois Entrepreneurship Network (IEN)
1-800-252-2923
http://www.ienconnect.com
The IEN helps to create jobs and high-growth businesses across Illinois. Throughout the state, small business owners looking to expand their companies can connect with business experts through local Entrepreneurship Centers and many other economic development centers supported by the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
www.business.Illinois.gov
http://www.business.Illinois.gov
Businesses can now log on to this site to find the information they need from state government all in one place. The website provides information to business owners at all stages of their business' development: from starting a new business, to maintaining an existing business, to changing a business. The site allows business persons to get their questions answered, download forms, licenses and permits, and locate information about different programs and services available to them.
Illinois Department of Revenue
1-800-732-8866
http://www.revenue.state.il.us
All startup businesses must register with this department. Information on income tax, sales taxes, sales tax exemptions, real estate taxes and withholding taxes.
A Resale Certificate Number (allows a business to sell a product without collecting sales tax) must be obtained if the business manufactures a product and sells it wholesale or if the business sells a product purchased elsewhere.
A Retailer's Occupation Tax Number must be obtained which allows the business to purchase materials without paying the sales tax and sell the materials retail, collecting the taxes and remitting them to the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Illinois Secretary of State Business Service Department
1-800-252-8980
http://www.sos.state.il.us
Provides information necessary to incorporate a business (Articles of Incorporation) including preliminary check on corporate name availability.
GOVERNMENT - COUNTY
Cook County Clerk's Office
312/443-5656
http://www.co.cook.il.us
Demographics, agencies and services. All businesses must register for an 'Assumed Name' if the company name is different from the person's own full name. This information is not readily available on the Web site but you can contact the Cook County Clerk's office via e-mail.
GOVERNMENT - LOCAL
Village of Palatine
200 E. Wood Street
Palatine, IL 60067
http://www.palatine.il.us/
Provides information on economic development, demographics, applications for building permits, licenses and other local regulations.
ASSOCIATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS
Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce
http://www.palatinechamber.com
Steven Gaus, Chamber Director - 847/359-7200
Networking and promotional opportunities for area businesses. Educational programs. Business resources. Referrals.
Illinois Manufacturers' Association
1-800-482-0462
http://www.ima-net.org
Technical assistance, lobbying and information on member services and programs.
Illinois Retailers' Association (IRMA)
312/726-4600
http://www.irma.org
Technical assistance and lobbying at the state level particularly on retail store operations, sales tax and unemployment insurance issues. 'Small Store Survival Guide' available to independent owners and managers.