Illinois Economic Empowerment Centers (EEC) Program
Economic Empowerment Centers (EEC)
CSFA Number: 420-45-3226
STATE AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name
Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity (420)
Agency Contact
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Short Description
Pursuant to 20 ILCS 605/605-503, the purpose of the EEC program shall be to provide training, support, resources and opportunities to minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, veterans, and youth entrepreneurs.
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
HB 0665 - 20 ILCS 605/605-503
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
The objective is to create an inclusive business ecosystem for communities that have traditionally faced systemic barriers to entry and growth, including those who have been justice-involved. The Department will award grants to eligible applicants who provide Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) business owners, entrepreneurs and/or dislocated workers with technical assistance, training, and access to resources necessary for their start-ups or existing businesses.
UGA Program Terms
Information about the Program Specific Terms and requirements can be found within the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Eligible Applicants
Nonprofit Organizations; Other;
Applicant Eligibility
Each center must: - Be operated by a Board of Directors representing community leaders in business, education, finance and government; - Be incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation; - Be located in an area accessible to eligible clients; - Establish an advisory group of community business experts, at least one-half of whom shall be representative of the clientele to be served by the center, which shall constitute a support network to provide counseling and mentoring services to minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, and veterans from the concept stage of development through the first one to 2 years of existence on a regular basis and as needed thereafter; and - Establish a referral system and linkages to existing area small business assistance programs and financing resources
Beneficiary Eligibility
N/A
Types of Assistance
Project Grants
Subject / Service Area
Economic Development
Credentials / Documentation
Uniform Grant Application, Uniform Budget, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Mandatory Disclosures, Project Plan
Preapplication Coordination
Applications are due by deadline identified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity Supplement. All applications received by the deadline will be scored on merit and finalists will be notified via a Notice of State Award.
Application Procedures
Application submission format will be via a Smartsheet application form, URL will be available at the time of application release.
Criteria Selecting Proposals
Applications will be graded using the Merit Review Process and scored on the criteria specified in the Review and Selection criteria of the NOFO. Priority will be given to eligible applicants who focus on providing training and assistance to SEDI business owners, entrepreneurs and/or dislocated workers.
Award Procedures
A merit-based review will be used to select grantees. Funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis.
Deadlines
All application submissions should be received by 5:00P on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
60 – 90 days.
Appeals
The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.aspx.
Uses and Restrictions
Eligible expenses under this opportunity are limited to: - the cost of services and expenses of the Program Director; - the cost of services and expenses for instructors of the participating career education agency or not-for-profit corporation; - the cost of services and expenses of the faculty and support personnel thereof; - the cost of services and expenses for any other person in the service of providing instruction and counseling in furtherance of the program.
Reports
The Department shall monitor the performance of each entrepreneurial assistance center and require quarterly reports from each center at such time and in such a manner as prescribed by Uniform Grant Agreement Reporting Schedule.
Account Identification
TBD
Obligations
$2,500,000.00
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$250,000 - $500,000
Program Accomplishments
Each EEC must: monitor and provide a summary of the extent to which the centers serve the Targeted population and the method by which this information will be verified; provide a summary report detailing the extent to which the training program is coordinated with other assistance programs targeted to small and new businesses; detail the ability of the program to leverage other sources of funding and support; provide an overview that details the success of the program in aiding entrepreneurs to start up new businesses, including the number of new business start-ups resulting from the program.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
N/A
Regional or Local Assistance Location
N/A
Headquarters Office
500 East Monroe Springfield, IL 62701 and 555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661
Program Website
Program site has not been created yet.
Example Projects
This is a new initiative.
FUNDING INFORMATION
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2023 : $1
FY 2024 : $2,500,000
FY 2025 : $1
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
| Agency ID | Award Range | Application Range |
TOP 5 ACTIVE AWARDS
| Agency ID | Grantee Name | Start Date | End Date | Amount |
| 24-093001 | Little Village Community Foundation | 06/01/2024 | 05/31/2026 | 250,000 |
| 24-093002 | Center for Changing Lives | 06/01/2024 | 05/31/2026 | 250,000 |
| 24-093004 | Dev Corp North dba Rogers Park Business Alliance | 06/01/2024 | 05/31/2026 | 250,000 |
| 24-093005 | Southland Development Authority | 06/01/2024 | 05/31/2025 | 250,000 |
| 24-093006 | Chicago's Sunshine Enterprises, Inc. | 06/01/2024 | 05/31/2025 | 250,000 |