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Coming 2027

AI Ready Illinois

A statewide small business initiative

Helping 1,500 Illinois small businesses move from experimenting with AI to applying it intentionally across their business.

Sign up for updatesSee the 2027 calendar
1,500Small businesses
13Illinois markets
4Statewide virtual sessions
2027Statewide programming
Why Illinois

Illinois is built on small business.

AI is changing how businesses market, hire, operate and compete. For most owners, adoption is happening one experiment at a time, without technology, HR or legal teams to help decide where AI fits.

1.4Msmall businesses
99.6%of all Illinois businesses
2.4Mpeople employed

Source: U.S. SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 Illinois Small Business Profile

What we cover

Four practical topics.

Every program centers on one topic, with panels, fireside chats and hands-on resources. This is not a conference. Businesses leave with next steps.

AI for Business

Where AI fits in a small business today, and where it doesn't.

Building a Workforce in the Age of AI

Hiring and building a team responsibly, led by Ellyo.

Ready to Grow

Capital, payroll, benefits and the resources that support the rest of your business.

AI-Powered Growth

Turning AI from an experiment into how your business runs.

2027 Statewide Calendar

13 regional markets. Four virtual sessions. One statewide mission.

In 2027, AI Ready Illinois travels across the state, from Chicago to Carbondale, bringing small businesses practical education, trusted resources and new opportunities close to home. Each regional program focuses on one of four topics.

ConfirmedTentative: planning details that may change

Regional programs In person · 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT

  1. FebTBDChicago SouthBuilding a WorkforceVenue confirmed · Date TBDView details

    Hiring and building a team responsibly in the age of AI, led by Ellyo.

    When
    February 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    Rubenstein Forum, University of Chicago Venue confirmed
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Chicago & Northern Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Chicago South
  2. MarTBDDuPageAI-Powered GrowthTentativeView details

    Turning AI from an experiment into how your business runs, from customers to operations.

    When
    March 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    College of DuPage Proposed venue
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Chicago & Northern Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for DuPage
  3. Apr28AuroraReady to GrowDate and venue confirmedView details

    Capital, payroll, benefits and the business resources that support growth, with the organizations that provide them.

    When
    Wednesday, April 28, 2027
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    Aurora University Venue confirmed
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Chicago & Northern Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Aurora
  4. MayTBDPeoriaAI for BusinessTentativeView details

    Where AI fits in a small business today, and where it doesn't. Practical use cases, responsible adoption and tools that save time.

    When
    May 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    Distillery Labs Proposed venue
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Central Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Peoria
  5. JunTBDSpringfieldBuilding a WorkforceTentativeView details

    Hiring and building a team responsibly in the age of AI, led by Ellyo.

    When
    June 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    Innovate Springfield Proposed venue
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Central Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Springfield
  6. JulTBDJolietAI-Powered GrowthTentativeView details

    Turning AI from an experiment into how your business runs, from customers to operations.

    When
    July 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    Joliet Junior College Proposed venue
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Chicago & Northern Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Joliet
  7. AugTBDChicago WestReady to GrowTentativeView details

    Capital, payroll, benefits and the business resources that support growth, with the organizations that provide them.

    When
    August 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    University of Illinois Chicago Proposed venue
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Chicago & Northern Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Chicago West
  8. AugTBDCountry Club HillsReady to GrowTentativeView details

    Capital, payroll, benefits and the business resources that support growth, with the organizations that provide them.

    When
    August 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    To be announced
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Chicago & Northern Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Country Club Hills
  9. SepTBDChampaign-UrbanaAI for BusinessTentativeView details

    Where AI fits in a small business today, and where it doesn't. Practical use cases, responsible adoption and tools that save time.

    When
    September 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    EnterpriseWorks, University of Illinois Research Park Proposed venue
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Central Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Champaign-Urbana
  10. OctTBDRockfordAI-Powered GrowthTentativeView details

    Turning AI from an experiment into how your business runs, from customers to operations.

    When
    October 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    Think Big Proposed venue
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Chicago & Northern Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Rockford
  11. OctTBDLake CountyAI-Powered GrowthTentativeView details

    Turning AI from an experiment into how your business runs, from customers to operations.

    When
    October 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    To be announced
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Chicago & Northern Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Lake County
  12. NovTBDMetro EastReady to GrowTentativeView details

    Capital, payroll, benefits and the business resources that support growth, with the organizations that provide them.

    When
    November 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    Illinois SBDC at SIUE Proposed venue
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Southern Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Metro East
  13. DecTBDCarbondaleAI for BusinessTentativeView details

    Where AI fits in a small business today, and where it doesn't. Practical use cases, responsible adoption and tools that save time.

    When
    December 2027 · Date to be announced
    Planned hours
    8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Venue
    Dunn-Richmond Center, Southern Illinois University Proposed venue
    Address
    Shared when registration opens
    Region
    Southern Illinois
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified for Carbondale

Statewide virtual sessions Free · Open to all · 90 minutes

  1. Session 01Tuesday, March 2AI for Business10:00 to 11:30 a.m. CT · OnlineView details

    Where AI fits in a small business today, and where it doesn't. Practical use cases, responsible adoption and tools that save time.

    Format
    Live online session, 90 minutes, free and open to businesses anywhere
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified
  2. Session 02Tuesday, June 8Building a Workforce in the Age of AI10:00 to 11:30 a.m. CT · OnlineView details

    Hiring and building a team responsibly in the age of AI, led by Ellyo.

    Format
    Live online session, 90 minutes, free and open to businesses anywhere
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified
  3. Session 03Tuesday, September 14Ready to Grow10:00 to 11:30 a.m. CT · OnlineView details

    Capital, payroll, benefits and the business resources that support growth, with the organizations that provide them.

    Format
    Live online session, 90 minutes, free and open to businesses anywhere
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified
  4. Session 04Tuesday, December 7AI-Powered Growth10:00 to 11:30 a.m. CT · OnlineView details

    Turning AI from an experiment into how your business runs, from customers to operations.

    Format
    Live online session, 90 minutes, free and open to businesses anywhere
    Speakers
    To be announced
    Registration is not yet open.Get notified

Dates, venues and speakers are confirmed with each host and shared first with people on the update list. Sign up for updates

For organizations

One initiative. Many front doors.

Corporations, financial institutions, universities, chambers, and economic development and workforce organizations each bring something Illinois small businesses need.

Sponsor

Make practical education and statewide access possible.

Host

Bring a regional program to your community and convene local businesses.

Contribute expertise

Share what you know through panels, fireside chats and virtual sessions.

Schedule a partner conversation30 minutes with the AI Ready Illinois team