DCEO Celebrates Women’s HERstory Month

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched its annual Women’s HERstory Month campaign — developed to celebrate and support women-owned businesses, entrepreneurs and future female founders throughout Illinois. As part of the month-long celebration, DCEO is hosting events, launching a social media campaign, and sharing new resources to elevate and promote Illinois’ entrepreneurial women.

“This Women’s History Month, DCEO is proud to uplift our state’s women-owned businesses,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Ensuring Illinois continues to be the best place to live, work and do business means supporting and investing in all Illinoisans, including women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, throughout March and beyond.”

Although more than 458,000 Illinois businesses are women-owned businesses, women business owners and entrepreneurs, especially women of color, have historically experienced barriers in accessing financial and social capital and other key business resources. DCEO prioritizes creating an equitable business environment through targeted initiatives and resources like the Connecting HER to Illinois Business Resources Guide which includes cross-sector resources available throughout Illinois for women-owned businesses.

“DCEO is committed to collaborating to continue to strengthen the state’s entrepreneurship ecosystem to empower, connect, and advance women-owned businesses and future women entrepreneurs and founders to help them thrive in Illinois,” said Women’s Business Development Manager Michelle Lura White. “Prioritizing different types of investment in female founders, entrepreneurs, and businesses is essential in building strong local economies throughout every community in our state.”