The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Tuesday joined business leaders in Rockford to celebrate national "Support Latino Business Day," and encouraged residents to support Latino and Hispanic businesses throughout the state during this year's Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins tomorrow. Festivities include an official proclamation from Governor Pritzker recognizing the inaugural Support Latino Business Day during the grand opening of the Rockford Regional Hispanic Chamber.
For this year's Hispanic Heritage Month -- DCEO is teaming up with industry organizations, chambers of commerce, civic groups, and small business owners to host a series of events focused on honoring the Latino business legacy, supporting their recovery from COVID-19, and connecting new and existing business owners with state resources to help them grow and thrive.
"Illinois is the first state to recognize National Support Latino Business Day, a time for Illinoisans in every community across the state to recognize Latino owned businesses and their contributions to the state's economy," said Governor JB Pritzker. "My administration has committed to supporting new business owners and making sure they have the resources needed to thrive and create new jobs throughout the state. During National Support Latino Business Day, Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the year, I encourage all Illinoisans to join me in supporting Latino businesses and celebrating the invaluable contributions they provide to the state."
DCEO is leading the charge to encourage Illinoisans to "Support Latino Businesses," by offering various initiatives through DCEO's Office of Tourism including two detailed itineraries supporting iconic cultural Latino businesses and attractions and online by utilizing the Groupon website and services. As part of the inaugural recognition of Support Latino Business Day and monthlong HHM celebration, DCEO and several organizations will host a series of events, exploring resources available to support businesses, and to help businesses navigate the pandemic and look ahead toward recovery.
"As the first Latina to lead the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, I'm proud to recognize the significant economic contributions of Latino businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Illinois and celebrate the first-ever statewide Support Latino Business Day," said Acting Director of DCEO, Sylvia Garcia. "During Hispanic Heritage Month, and every day of the year, we at DCEO are focused on delivering resources that will remove systemic barriers and ensure all Illinois small businesses have an equal shot at economic success."
All events are free to attend, and information and registration can be found on the DCEO website:
- Sept 17 Facebook Live (en espanol): Recursos de DCEO para pequenas empresas -- Recursos disponibles de DCEO que le puede ayudar su negocio como ayuda financiera y asistencia tecnica. Link: DCEO Facebook Live @illinoisdceo
- Sept 21 Through the DCEO Office of Film and OMEE presents in collaboration with Mezcla Media Collective Nuestra Historia: A Panel with Latinx Women in Film. Latinx women in film lack representation. According to the report titled Latinos in Film: Erasure on Screen & Behind the Camera Across 1,200 Popular Movies, across the 100 top grossing movies from 2007-2018, only 3% of films featured leads or co leads with Latino actors.
- Sept 24 DCEO Resources for Small Businesses -- Presented by DCEO a workshop for
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle