First Lady Addresses Child Care Entrepreneurs, Invites Applications for Women's Business Plan Competition

CHICAGO - First Lady Patricia Blagojevich today joined more than 500 female child care entrepreneurs at Navy Pier for the 10^th Anniversary Child Care Business Expo. The First Lady addressed the group of women business owners, thanking them for their commitment to creating high-quality child care businesses. Presented by the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC), the Expo - titled Swing Into Business Success - is a one-day, informative, resource-packed, inspirational event, presented in Spanish and English, for new and established home-based and center-based child care entrepreneurs.

 

According to a 2005 report by Action For Children, Chicago Metropolis 2020 and Illinois Facilities Fund, the early care and education industry generates over $2 billion each year in Illinois and employs almost 56,000 people full-time. The State of Illinois has a long record of supporting women-owned businesses and, specifically, those in the child care industry.

 

In 2006, women were 34.9% of the states "self employed" businesses, representing a 2.8 percent increase from 2005. In 2002, the last year available, Illinois women-owned businesses numbered 285,000, representing 29.7 percent of the states businesses and generating $46.9 billion in revenue.

 

 "The need for quality childcare has skyrocketed as more and more families have two working parents. It is important to support those that have chosen to care for our children by providing them with business knowledge, tools and skills. Small businesses are critical to Illinois' economy and create good jobs for the hard-working people of our state," said First Lady Patricia Blagojevich.

 

To further develop Illinois' women-owned businesses, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Women Business Development Council are currently accepting applications for the 2008 Business Plan Competition. The competition is targeted for start-up and established businesses located in communities on the near south and near west sides of Chicago. The Business Plan Competition recognizes the spirit of entrepreneurship demonstrated by innovation, growth and personal commitment of women business owners who have developed exceptional products or services in the targeted transforming communities.

 

Winners will be selected in two categories:  Start-Up (less than two years) and Established Businesses (at least three years of operations with sales revenue less than $3,000,000).  First place winners will be awarded $10,000 and second place winners will be awarded cash, equipment, and merchandise.  All winners will be provided free consultation and business development services from the WBDC and/or its partners.  Applications will be accepted through July 16, 2008 and winners will be announced on September 4, 2008. More details on the competition can be found on the WBDC's website at www.wbdc.org.

 

"Illinois' small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Small businesses help create jobs, keep our economy moving forward and spur innovation in the state.  Programs like the Child Care Business Expo and the Women's Business Competition are examples of how we're leveraging our resources to help entrepreneurs get the training and capital they need to be successful," DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

 

Under Gov. Blagojevich's leadership, the state continues to make significant investments in small businesses and entrepreneurs. Recognizing child care entrepreneurs as an economic force in our state, DCEO chose to invest in the sector long before other public and private sector leaders. This year, WBDC awarded DCEO Director Jack Lavin the "Champion of Child Care Award" for DCEO's unwavering support of child care entrepreneurs over the past decade. 

 

The Women's Business Development Center aims to serve women interested in starting, or growing, their business. Working with public and private women's business advocates, the center promotes opportunities that support women entrepreneurs, creating significant economic impact and job creation for the state.

Those who are interested in starting a business in Illinois, or who have an existing business, are encouraged to visit the Illinois business portal at http://business.illinois.gov/, which has a wealth of information for businesses in one easy to access location.