Illinois Local

🚨 Have you registered for Tuesday's Skill Share?!

Join us for a morning of learning, networking, and practical insights at Innovate Springfield, in collaboration with Illinois SBDC for Central Illinois.

The event is completely FREE and is open to:

- Business Owners,
- Entrepreneurs,
- Start-ups, and
- Anyone looking to learn, connect and grow!

🎤 Featured speakers: WICS ABC Newschannel 20's Stacey Skrysak and Miles Copeland.

🥐Breakfast provided by: Small Business Growth Corp.

Whether you’re starting a business, growing an existing one, or simply looking to connect with other members of the local business community, we’d love to see you there!

👉 Registration link in the comments.

Have a question about the event? Drop it in the comments below or email [email protected].

Know Someone Deserving?🌟

There are SO many incredible independent businesses across Illinois. ❤️

The 2026 Illinois Local Awards are our opportunity to celebrate the people behind them — the entrepreneurs who took a leap, the makers who create something special, the businesses that show up for their communities and the people who are building something meaningful right here in Illinois.

So… who comes to mind?🧠

If there’s a business, entrepreneur, maker or community builder whose story deserves to be heard, take a few minutes to nominate them for a 2026 Illinois Local Award.🏆

Your nomination could help put their story in the spotlight. ✨
Submit your nomination. Link in comments.

The awards are supported by Bailey Family Insurance, designed by Ceramics Made by Rosie, and will be presented on November 28 at the Illinois Local Holiday Market.

🎉What an absolutely phenomenal turnout for this morning’s networking event at Bailey Family Insurance! 🎉

As always, Bailey Family Insurance were fantastic hosts. It was a great opportunity to meet so many new faces, reconnect with familiar ones, and get a sneak peek at Bailey Family’s new location on Clocktower in Springfield.

A huge thank you to everyone that joined us and made the morning such a success. ❤️

We hope to see you all at next week’s Skill Share Innovate Springfield in collaboration with Illinois SBDC for Central Illinois.

📆 It’s FREE and everyone is welcome!

You can register via the link in comments

📸 Calling all Illinois Local Holiday Market member vendors!
Our next photoshoot is coming up ahead of the Holiday Market — the perfect opportunity to get fresh product photos for FREE that you can use to promote your business, showcase your products, and get ready for holiday shopping!

Want to participate? Comment below and let us know! 🎄

🎄 We’re so excited to announce that Springfield Theatre Centre will be performing an excerpt from White Christmas at the Illinois Local Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday, November 28!

Join us at the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds for a festive day celebrating local businesses and causes, local talent, and the holiday season. ❤️

📅 Mark your calendars now!

Are you a local vendor interested in joining us? Registration is open! Visit our website — link in the comments — for more information and to sign up.

We can’t wait to see you there! ❤️

Members, this month’s newsletter just dropped — and it’s packed with events! 🎉

Mark your calendars:

📅 September 16 — Our next networking event, hosted by Bailey Family Insurance

📅 September 22 — Our second Skill Share event of the year, in partnership with Illinois SBDC for Central Illinois, hosted by Innovate Springfield, with breakfast provided by Small Business Growth Corp.

Interested in joining us for one or both? Head over to the Illinois Local website to register. Both events are free and open to members and nonmembers, so bring a colleague, friend, or fellow local business owner!

We’d love to see you there! 💙

Happy Labor Day weekend! Celebrate by nominating a local business or cause for an award!! Link in comments.

https://springfieldherald.news/illinois-local-awards-nominations-now-open-celebrating-independent-causes-and-businesses-across-illinois-p30929-103.htm

Thanks for sharing Springfield Herald News.

Thanks to Bailey Family Insurance for supporting this year’s Illinois Local awards! And to Ceramics Made by Rosie for designing and making them!

2026 Illinois Local Awards Nominations Now Open, Celebrating Independent Causes and Businesses Across Illinois Nominations open for 2026 Illinois Local Awards, celebrating independent businesses and community leaders

“One of my greatest passions is helping people recognize their own beauty while enhancing the natural features they already have. There is something incredibly rewarding about helping someone feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin.” - Courtney Staab, Bel Viso Medical Aesthetics

We’re so thankful to have Courtney and her team as members of Illinois Local!

Find out more about Courtney and her business on our news page. Link in comments.