Business Resources

Workforce Training / Organization Resources

• IMEC can provide tools and techniques to create a workforce competitive edge.  618-889-2065  Website
• Man-Tra-Con can provide resources tied to recruiting, training, and other HR needs. 618-998-0970  Website

Retirement Resources Through Secure Choice

The Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program (Secure Choice) provides workers with an easy way to save their own money for retirement and is simple and straightforward for employers to facilitate.

Businesses that had at least 5 Illinois employees in every quarter of the previous calendar year, that have been in business for two or more years, and that do not currently offer or contribute to a qualified retirement plan must either begin offering a qualified plan, or automatically enroll their employees into Secure Choice. Secure Choice is also available to individuals who choose to sign up separately from an employer, including self-employed individuals.

Benefits

THE PAID LEAVE FOR ALL WORKERS ACT TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2024. Website

The Department of Labor is in the process of preparing guidance and other resources and materials to educate employees and assist employers with compliance. If you would like to submit a question or comment to inform our outreach and compliance assistance efforts, you may do so by emailing: DOL.PaidLeave@illinois.gov

Compliance

The mission of the Illinois Department of Labor is to protect and promote the wages, welfare, working conditions, and safety of Illinois workers by enforcing State labor and employment laws, providing compliance assistance to employers, and increasing public awareness of workplace protections. Through enforcement, education, and community partnerships, the Department works to ensure that workers are paid what they are owed and that employers who follow the law remain competitive.

With a team of over 90 employees and an annual operating budget of $16.5 million per year, IDOL is a medium-sized State agency that manages an extra-large workload and serves thousands of employees and businesses in the State each year. IDOL has offices throughout the State, with main offices in Springfield and Chicago; an office in the State Regional Office Building in Marion; and field staff located throughout the State. Maintaining staff and locations Statewide allows IDOL to be accessible to employees and businesses across Illinois.

Marion Office
2309 W. Main Street, Suite 115
Marion, IL 62959
(618) 993-7090  -  Fax: (618) 993-7258

Starting a Business

• The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one business advising services, training opportunities, and business resources for small businesses in southern Illinois. 618-536-2424  Website
• SIU Research Park - Office of Innovation and Economic Development can work with you to make your business dreams a reality. 618-453-3849. Website
• Economic Development and Municipal Planning with the City of Marion includes resources like the GIS Map, TIF Districts, Zoning Map, and a Business Startup Guide - 618-997-6281  Website

Expanding Your Business

• Jennifer Olson with the City of Marion for buildings, spaces, and resources within the City of Marion. Contact at jolson@cityofmarionil.gov or 618-499-7038.
• Kelly Fenton with REDCO for information about business parks and industrial zones. redco@redco.org or 618-998-8252  Website
• Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission for resources, assistance, and incentives. 618-997-9351 Website

Succession / New Ownership for Your Business

• The Illinois Center for Employee Ownership serves as the central hub for information and resources regarding transitioning businesses to an employee ownership model. Employee ownership is a business model in which employees collectively own a percentage of the business for which they work. Two of the main forms are Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and worker cooperatives. In both, employees are given a financial stake in the business. As the business prospers, employees prosper. Illinois Center for Employee Ownership (il-ceo.org)
• The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one business advising services, training opportunities, and business resources for small businesses in southern Illinois. 618-536-2424  Website

Building A Business Space - Our builders and supporting companies can be found here.

Purchasing Business Space - Our Realtor Members have listings to meet your needs.

Renting Business Space - Our Realtor Members have listings to meet your needs.

Temporary/Short Term Space - Do you need space for the occasional meeting? Printable Listing

• Meetings on Main with conference room space that is rentable, call (618) 993-2222.
• Marion Share Space with executive work space and conference space. 

Getting Started / Transitioning Your Home Business to a Brick and Mortar

• Cody Moake with the City of Marion for buildings and spaces within the City of Marion. Contact at  cmoake@cityofmarionil.gov or 618-997-2612.
• Starting of Expanding a Business in the City of Marion - PDF
• EThOs at The Citadel on Tower Square - Website

Disaster Relief & Preparedness

When the unexpected happens, resources are available to help you prepare and overcome disaster.  Please find resources below provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Community Resilience and Disaster Response program to help businesses prepare and recover from a disaster.

• Disaster Help Desk for Business—Call 1-888-My-Biz-Help (888-692-4943) for direct support from disaster recovery experts. 
• Resilience in a Box—Resource guide based on best practices designed to help educate business leaders on disaster preparedness and business resilience.
• Disaster Recovery Quick Guides—made possible by Shell, has tailored tips for small businesses looking to prepare and recover.