Why Join Illinois Local
The membership network for independent, Illinois-owned businesses
Illinois Local connects 125+ independently owned businesses, from Springfield and Central Illinois to the Chicago area and the Metro East. Members support, grow, and celebrate together: we promote your business to people who choose to buy local, and we connect you with other owners who send referrals.
Membership starts at $235 a year. Any business headquartered in Illinois and independently owned by an Illinois resident can join (no franchises or MLMs).
What Illinois Local members get
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Awards
The Illinois Local Business Awards honor four member businesses and one individual each year. The awards are designed and sponsored by our members. 2026 winners will be announced Nov. 28 at the Holiday Market; 2027 entries open Sept. 1, 2027. See past winners →
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Newsletter
Members receive a monthly newsletter with Illinois Local news, upcoming events, and member updates.
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Networking
Free monthly networking events, hosted by members in Springfield, are open to everyone. Meet other owners, trade referrals, and see member businesses up close. See upcoming events →
“Connecting us with other local businesses and individuals with similar philosophies, 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, gifting our products to others in our community, and highlighting us in their social media posts and newsletters.”
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Member stories
Answer six questions and we publish a feature story about your business on our website. The News page is the most visited page on illinoislocal.org. Read member stories →
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Press coverage
We help members get press. Members have been featured on NPR Illinois and in Illinois Country Living, Sweet Spot Living, and Prairie Land Buzz magazines.
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Social media promotion
We promote members on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and members connect with each other in a private, members-only Facebook group.
“We love being connected with other members through Illinois Local. 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.”
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Member Directory listing
Your Member Directory profile is searchable by keyword, not just a category, so customers find you for what you actually do. You can list multiple locations, too. Search the directory →
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Professional photo shoots
Illinois Local organizes and pays for four professional photo shoots a year. Our photographer captures up to 15 members per shoot, in the studio or on location across Illinois, so you have fresh photos for your website and social media.
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Small Business Saturday Holiday Market
Our Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday, one of the busiest retail days of the year, takes place Nov. 28, 2026, at the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. We are a proud American Express Neighborhood Champion. See the Holiday Market →
Questions about joining Illinois Local
Who can join Illinois Local?
Any business headquartered and operating in Illinois and independently owned by an Illinois resident. Franchises and MLM businesses are not eligible; local insurance and real estate agents are welcome.
How much does membership cost?
Annual dues start at $235 for businesses with 1 to 3 employees and scale with business size: $360, $550, $840, and $1,600 or more for larger companies. See all membership levels.
Do I need to be near Springfield to benefit?
No. Networking events are hosted in Springfield, but member stories, social media promotion, press support, the Member Directory, photo shoots, and the Annual Awards work for independent businesses anywhere in Illinois, including the Chicago area and the Metro East.
How is Illinois Local different from a chamber of commerce?
Illinois Local is only for independent, Illinois-owned businesses (no franchises or MLMs), and it works statewide rather than in a single city. The focus is on promoting members to local customers and to each other.
How do I join?
Choose your membership level on the Pricing page and sign up online. Questions? Email hello@illinoislocal.org or call (217) 391-4302.