ILoveLocal

All across Illinois, small businesses provide our communities with good jobs, quality customer service, and the character that makes our cities, towns and neighborhoods feel like home. According to the SBA, small businesses make up an astonishing 99.6 of all businesses in Illinois.
 
That's why from Chicago to Carbondale, from Abingdon to Zion, Illinois chambers of commerce and small businesses have come together in this time of unprecedented challenge to share resources, build community and unite to champion small businesses across the state.
 
Meet ILove Local, our statewide initiative to encourage shopping locally. Look for your local chamber below to connect to  businesses in your community.

Thank You!

DOWNLOAD LOGOS, MESSAGING, SOCIAL MEDIA LOGOS HERE

Click your chamber's logo for their business listing

(city of Chicago Chambers are in the next section)

City of Chicago Chambers

#ILoveLocal

WANT TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN?

Chambers or Business Associations:

Please share the ILove Local website with your members, customers and community.

Please reach out to Lisa Weitzel at 217-585-2995 or lisa@iacce.org to add your logo and website link to send businesses to this site.

For businesses who previously submitted to our businesses who were open for delivery, pick up, gift certificates or essential businesses, the response was overwhelming so please ensure you are listed in your local chamber listings above.

Why support local Illinois businesses now?
 
Now more than ever, Illinois small businesses need your support! Here’s just a few of the reasons why:
 

  • 40-60% of small businesses that close after a disaster never re-open (Source)
  • 93% of shoppers say that they prefer local retailers (Source)
  • Small businesses account for 99.6 of businesses in Illinois (Source)
  • Each dollar you spend at a local business returns 50 times more money to your local economy. (Source)
  • Collectively small, local businesses are the states’ largest employer. (Source)
  • Small businesses employ more than half of working class in the United States (source)


I’m a consumer who wants to support my local businesses! Where do I start?
 
Shopping local is not an annual event, nor a novelty. It must be a daily practice that makes our community stronger. We are asking you to put your money where your heart is and support your small, local businesses through the ILove Local initiative.
 
There are so many ways to support your local businesses, including:
 

  • Stay healthy by staying home! Most importantly, we urge everyone to stay home as much as possible and follow social distancing and health guidelines if you do go out. Not only are you protecting the health of you and your family, but your fellow community members and the employees at your favorite businesses.
  • Buy a gift card! Plan your next night out or stock up on gifts! Buy a gift certificate from your favorite local shop, theater, restaurant or service provider to gift to a loved one, or treat yourself later!
  • Buy local online! If your favorite restaurant, store or service provider offers online ordering or other virtual ways to support, choose them over giant e-retailers, or reach out to see if you can buy from your favorite store now to pick up later.
  • Get social! Follow your favorite local spots on Facebook and Instagram for frequent updates on their health & safety practices, schedule, and events & specials.
  • Take virtual classes! If your favorite gym or art or music school is offering virtual classes, sign yourself or your family up for some fun, enriching activities while staying home.
  • Keep your memberships! If you have a membership for a gym, music or art classes or other activities, if you are able to do so, please keep your membership even if you can't be there in person.
  • Show some love on social! Give your favorite business a positive review on Yelp, Facebook or Google Reviews to lift spirits and their online presence during this time. 
  • Don't be afraid to reach out! If you're a regular somewhere, stop in, give a call or send an email asking how you can be supportive.
  • When ordering takeout or delivery, pay it forward! Order from your favorite restaurants to help keep them afloat, and tip generously to support their employees—every little bit helps during this tough time!

 
But you can do even more than that. Pay it forward by buying lunch or dinner for healthcare workers or first responders in your community to support local restaurants and the people who serve us all (be sure to call their offices for safety guidelines and make sure it’s okay first!). Buy gift cards from local businesses or restaurants to give to your favorite hospitality workers!
 
Or do what Common Pantry and local chambers in Chicago did and establish partnerships between local restaurants and your local food pantry, to provide the win-win of feeding your hungry neighbors while generating revenue for local restaurants.

WANT TO JOIN US?

If you are a chamber or business association who wants to participate:
 

  • Please share the ILove Local website with your members, customers and community.
  • Please reach out to Lisa Weitzel at 217-585-2995 or lisa@iacce.org to add your logo and website link to you businesses to this site.
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