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Illinois Veterans Business Program

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Illinois Veterans Business Program

Program at a Glance

  • Location: Illinois (businesses with a home office in Illinois)
  • Status: Open; the state page lists no deadline
  • Maximum benefit: Access to State of Illinois contracting opportunities (the page gives no dollar amount)
  • Who it’s for: Businesses at least 51% owned by qualified veterans or service-disabled veterans who live in Illinois, with annual gross sales under $150 million
  • How to apply: Apply through the Veterans Business Program certification page of the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion
  • Last verified: November 2026

About the Program

The Veterans Business Program helps certified businesses reach State of Illinois contracting opportunities and take part in competitive procurement. To qualify, the business has to be at least 51% owned by one or more qualified service-disabled veterans or veterans who live in Illinois, have a home office in Illinois, and have annual gross sales below $150 million. You need a valid DD214. The program is run by the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion, and the certification steps are on the program’s certification page, which the state links from its program page. You can call the Veterans Business Program at 1-312-814-4190 or 1-800-356-9206, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The commission warns about scam messages that pretend to come from it, so check any unexpected message against those contact details.

Official source: Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion: Veterans Business Program


Thinking About Illinois?

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Last checked Nov 10, 2026.