Membership

Join Illinois Local.

Join 125+ independently owned businesses, from Springfield and Central Illinois to the Chicago area and the Metro East, that promote each other, trade referrals, and help customers choose local. Membership starts at $235 a year.

See membership levelsWhy join
  • 125+member businesses
  • Freemember photo shoots
  • Monthlynetworking events

What's included

Every membership includes everything.

Every level gets the same benefits. Your price is based only on the size of your business.

  • Member Directory listing

    A profile customers can search by keyword, not just category, with room for multiple locations.

  • Your member story

    Answer six questions and we publish a feature about your business on our News page, the most visited page on the site.

  • Professional photo shoots

    We organize and pay for professional member photo shoots, in the studio or on location, so you have fresh photos for your website and social media.

  • Social media promotion

    We promote members on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, plus a private members-only Facebook group.

  • Press coverage

    We help members get press. Members have been featured on NPR Illinois and in regional magazines.

  • Monthly networking

    Meet other owners at monthly events hosted by members in Springfield, and trade referrals.

  • Small Business Saturday Holiday Market

    Our Holiday Market at the Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

  • Illinois Local Business Awards

    Annual awards, designed and sponsored by members, that honor four member businesses and one individual.

  • Monthly newsletter

    Illinois Local news, upcoming events, and member updates in your inbox every month.

“Illinois Local has most certainly helped us to grow. They have gone above and beyond by providing networking opportunities, free professional photographs of our products, and highlighting us in their social media posts and newsletters.”
FaithOwner, Smart Owl Coffee
“It is great to have a network of individuals at our fingertips. If our clients ask us for a referral, we have an easy resource to go to in order to connect them to whatever service they are looking for.”
Alysse HewellTroxell Insurance

Who can join

If you can say yes to these, you're in.

  • Headquartered in Illinois

    Your business is headquartered and operates in Illinois.

  • Owner lives in Illinois

    You're an independent business, and the owner lives in Illinois.

  • Willing to participate

    Illinois Local is about supporting fellow local businesses. If you join, we want you involved.

  • Not a franchise or MLM

    Franchises and multi-level marketing businesses aren't eligible. Local insurance and real estate agents of national companies are welcome.

  • Nonprofits welcome

    Registered nonprofits headquartered in Illinois can join. Choose the level that matches your number of employees.

  • Global corporations, by exception

    Corporations headquartered in Illinois that are committed to sourcing goods and services from local Illinois businesses.

Nonprofits and causes welcome.

Registered Illinois nonprofits headquartered in Illinois can join too. Choose the membership tier that matches your number of employees.

Pricing

Choose your membership level.

Pick the level that matches your number of employees. Every level is billed yearly and includes every benefit.

Huge Global Corporation

Headquartered in Illinois and committed to sourcing from local Illinois businesses

$5,500/year

Plus a one-time $250 initial fee

Choose Global
  1. Choose your levelBased on your number of employees.
  2. Complete the formPay by card or Google Pay, or ask us to email you an invoice.
  3. Set up your listingSign in on Manage Account to fill out your Member Directory profile.

Sign up

Complete your membership.

Tiny is selected below. Choose a different level if your business has more than three employees.

Membership renews automatically each year. To stop renewal, turn off auto renewal in your profile on Manage Account or email hello@illinoislocal.org before your renewal date. If a renewal goes through and you ask for a refund, we refund your membership minus transaction and admin fees.

Questions

Membership questions, answered.

How much does it cost to join Illinois Local?

Membership is billed yearly and is based on your number of employees: $235 for 1 to 3 employees, $360 for 4 to 12, $520 for 13 to 50, $840 for 51 to 125, and $1,600 for 126 or more. Global corporations headquartered in Illinois pay $5,500 a year plus a one-time $250 initial fee.

Do all membership levels get the same benefits?

Yes. Every level includes the same benefits: a Member Directory listing, a member story, professional photo shoots, social media promotion, press help, networking events, the Holiday Market, the Business Awards, and the monthly newsletter. Your price is based only on the size of your business.

Who can join Illinois Local?

Independent businesses headquartered and operating in Illinois, with an owner who lives in Illinois. Franchises and multi-level marketing businesses aren't eligible. Local insurance and real estate agents of national companies are welcome, and so are registered Illinois nonprofits.

Can nonprofits join?

Yes. Registered nonprofits headquartered in Illinois can join. Choose the membership level that matches your number of employees.

Does my membership renew automatically?

Yes. Your card on file is charged again one year after you join. To stop renewal, turn off auto renewal in your profile on the Manage Account page, or email hello@illinoislocal.org before your renewal date.

Can I get a refund?

If your membership auto renews and you ask for a refund, we refund your membership minus transaction and admin fees. Email hello@illinoislocal.org.

How can I pay?

Pay by credit card or Google Pay on the form, or choose to have an invoice emailed to you. If you have a discount code, enter it before you submit.

What happens after I join?

Sign in on the Manage Account page to fill out your Member Directory profile with your description, logo, website, and social links. Then watch your inbox for the monthly newsletter and upcoming events.

Questions before you join?

We're happy to help you pick a level or tell you more about membership.

Email hello@illinoislocal.orgWhy join Illinois Local
Loading...