The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) has joined the Chicago State University (CSU) and the Chicago Urban League (CUL) to launch a new survey to collect feedback from Black and African American business owners across the state. The survey, which goes live today, is aimed at capturing the challenges and opportunities small businesses are facing amid the pandemic and current economic climate.
Through the survey, the State of Illinois and its economic development arm, DCEO, wants to learn about the pandemic resources that have helped businesses meet their needs and how to improve resource allocation, outreach and business related programs and services in the future.
Over the next few weeks, OMEE, CSU and CUL are working with local organizations to help get the word out to businesses owners about the confidential survey hosted through the Chicago State University website. The survey includes questions related to business owners’ background, challenges, motivations, needs, opportunities, and successes. The 10-minute survey does not collect personal information and survey responses will be recorded anonymously.
The survey will remain open through the end of the year and plans to share findings in early 2022. DCEO will leverage the survey findings as part of our efforts to tailor resources to meet the current needs of the business community.
In Illinois today, there are an estimated 132,000 Black-owned small businesses which contribute to the Illinois economy – providing vital services and employing thousands of residents across the state. Through DCEO’s Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), the State provides assistance to support the growth of Black and African American-owned businesses across the state. Through the OMEE team, Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs can receive support with gaining access to capital, business advising services and a range of economic relief programs made available by DCEO to support small business success.
More information can be found on the DCEO website.