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Happy Holidays from The Source! This December, we are celebrating the historic $50 million investment in Cook County small businesses. Plus, discover a new grant opportunity to support your business and more.

The 2023 Source Grant

Cook County Increases Funding of the 2023 Source Grant

Just in time for the holiday season, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development announced an allocation of an additional $10 million in funding to the 2023 Source Grant, totaling $50 million in grants. This increase allows the 2023 Source Grant to impact an additional 500 small businesses than initially possible, for a total of 3,000 grant awards to be disbursed throughout Cook County. View the official press release here.

Grant Notifications Sent

After an extensive review process of more than 16,000 applications, grant administrators have identified grant recipients for the 2023 Source Grant. All applicants received notification of their grant award status at the email address contained in their application from info@cookcountysmallbiz.org on December 15. For applicants who have not received an email after December 15, please check your “spam,” “junk” or “other” folders. 

For more information on the 2023 Source Grant, including details on grant eligibility requirements, the award review process, disbursement of funds, and more, please refer to the 2023 Source FAQs.

Funding Opportunities



State of Illinois B2B New Biz Grant Program

The State of Illinois has launched the Illinois Back to Business New Business Grant Program (B2B NewBiz), a grant program that will provide financial relief to businesses in the industries most impacted by the pandemic. Eligible businesses must have achieved a total revenue of $25,000 to $20 million in 2021 and commenced operations between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. Additionally, businesses that have not been eligible for other federal or state relief programs are eligible to apply.

Applications for eligible for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations are open from November 30 through January 11, 2024.

The Source in the News

Strugglebeard Bakery Featured in Block Club Chicago

Congratulations to Strugglebeard and Cook County small business owner Quinton McNair on their recent business spotlight in Block Club Chicago! Click the link here to learn more on how Quinton, an Army veteran, was inspired to expand his passion of gourmet baked goods to a recently opened brick-and-mortar location in Hyde Park. Quinton McNair is a recipient of the 2022 Next Street Small Business Grant, and used grant funds to purchase and update kitchen equipment, allowing his business to grow.

The Cook County Small Business Source partners with Next Street–a mission driven firm designing and developing solutions to connect entrepreneurs and small business owners with the right resources at the right time–to manage The Source's programs and partner network. Learn more about Next Street here.