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What is the mission of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce? |
Other entities we are sometimes confused with: Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Springfield businesses, jobs, events, facilities, etc.
217-525-1173
Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau
Springfield events, restaurants, hotels, etc.
800-545-7300
Illinois Commerce Commission
Utility complaints,
consumer issues,
trucking permits
217) 782-7907
Illinois Secretary of State
Individual companies licensed/doing business
in Illinois
800 252-8980 |
A |
The mission of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is to aggressively advocate the interests of business to promote prosperity and opportunity for the citizens of Illinois.
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is a pro-business advocacy membership organization representing the state’s employers at the Capitol on issues of economic development and jobs, employment law topics such as workers’ compensation and healthcare, business taxes, and infrastructure investment.
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Is the Illinois Chamber of Commerce a state agency? |
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No. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is a private nonprofit organization supported by member dues, contributions from a diverse group of primarily Illinois-based businesses, and revenue generated by offering HR compliance educational seminars and materials.
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Does the Illinois Chamber of Commerce administer state grants? |
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Yes. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce does administrator one publicly funded grant, the Illinois Drug-Free Workplace Program Grant (IDFWP). The IDFWP grant is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Bureau of Community-Based & Primary Prevention and the Division of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse. Learn more about DFIWP.
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Who are the members of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce? |
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The Illinois Chamber has a diverse membership base. Membership is comprised of businesses and organizations of all types and sizes across the state of Illinois.
All components of Illinois' economy are represented: mining, manufacturing, construction, transportation, utilities, finance and banking, insurance, gambling, real estate, professional services, local chambers of commerce, and other trade groups and membership organizations.
Small to mid-sized businesses are the majority of our membership. Larger companies headquartered in Illinois such as Caterpillar, Deere, Boeing, and State Farm are among our members, too.
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Does the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Have a Political Action Committee (PAC)? |
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Yes. Chamber PAC functions as the political fundraising arm of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Chamber PAC solicits, collects and spends money to support targeted political state- level political races including state representative, state senate, and state-wide elected officials races. The PAC does not contribute to campaigns of local or federal elected officials.
The PAC supports candidates who have a strong record in supporting and advancing legislation that is pro-business. The PAC is overseen by a board of directors separate from the Chamber's board of directors. Learn more about Chamber PAC here, or call 217-522-5512.
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Is the Illinois Chamber of Commerce like a local chamber of commerce? |
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No. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce and local chambers of commerce have different missions. The Illinois Chamber’s mission focuses on serving as a strong business advocate in developing and maintaining public policies that support businesses in Illinois and working to create and maintain a strong and positive business climate in Illinois.
Local chambers generally provide services and activities that strengthen the local market for their business members. Many local chambers offer member networking events such as “business after hours,” local events that highlight local businesses and members, and provide local awards and recognition events for local business members.
Some local chambers are also involved in policy advocacy at both the state and local level.
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If I am a member of a local chamber of commerce, does that make me a member of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce? |
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No. All chambers are separate corporate entities. Each functions with its mission that is focused on the needs of its members. Local chambers typically operate within a defined boundary such as a county, city, or market area. The Illinois Chamber operates statewide. For example, if you are a member of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, you are not automatically a member of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. To be a member of each, you would need to join and pay dues to each separately.
The Illinois Chamber strongly encourages businesses and organizations to be members and supporters of their local chamber of commerce and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.
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What are the differences between the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and other state-level organizations such as the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA), National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), and industry/trade-specific associations such as the Illinois Association of Retail Merchants (IRMA), the Illinois Telecommunications Association (ITA), and the Taxpayers Federation of Illinois (TFI)? |
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Each organization is a separate private corporate not-for-profit entity with its own mission. On specific policy issues or in specific activity areas, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce works collaboratively with those organizations. The collaborative relationships vary from issue to issue. For example on some business tax issues, the Illinois Chamber might work in collaboration with all of the associations noted above while on other business tax issues, the organizations may have opposing views.
Common concerns include policy areas such as workers’ compensation fees, business taxes and business regulations.
The Chamber of Commerce also works with industry-specific or regionally-based business associations to educate and advocate on more focused policies, such as transportation funding and healthcare for the uninsured.
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What are the benefits of being a member of and investing in the Illinois Chamber of Commerce? |
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The basic benefits of membership include opportunities to make your business and public policy concerns known to others, and to work with other business people with similar needs and concerns in order to focus attention and achieve results. Our expertise at pro-business advocacy, products and services to be informed and improve your business, communications and events about business issues, and grassroots alerts on urgent public policy issues are among the key benefits to membership in the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about all the benefits and levels of membership.
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Are all Chamber memberships the same? |
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No. Businesses may participate at different levels of membership. These different levels provide members different benefits. Businesses may join the Chamber and participate in many ways. Learn more about levels of membership.
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What is a Business Issue Council? |
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The Chamber prides itself on the involvement of members in all aspects of our mission. The Chamber created business issue councils to provide members with peer forums to discuss issues and concerns, and to critique and create and propose new business policies. The Illinois Chamber’s policy and advocacy councils are:
- Economic Development Council
- Employment Law Council
- Healthcare Council
- Infrastructure Council
- Tax Institute
Information about each of the councils including the council charters, meeting schedules, membership and policy positions on various issues are available on their web pages.
Council membership is recommended for businesses interested in participating directly in evaluating and formulating state-level business policies that impact their industry or company.
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How can I become a member of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce? |
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To become a member of the Chamber, call or email Jack Bernhardt, our Vice President for Membership and Marketing at 312-983-7112, or just click on “Join the Chamber.” The membership unit of the Chamber is located in our Chicago office at 311 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60606.
Because the interests of your particular type, size or locations might differ from others, we recommend you contact the membership sales staff directly. |
