SPRINGFIELD—Businesses in Illinois will now be able to more easily access resources to help them better compete with companies in neighboring states.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., a Chicago Democrat, sponsored the Illinois Home Grown Business Opportunity Act, which aims to help Illinois businesses identify existing state resources.

“Business owners have enough on their plate with the day-to-day challenges of running their businesses. That’s why it’s important that we make it easy for them to find resources to help them prosper in Illinois,” Sims said. “As a state we need to focus our attention on economic development to attract new businesses, but we also need to nurture the companies that are currently in Illinois. I’m confident this legislation will help these businesses better compete and thrive.”

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will create a plan to assist cities, towns and villages located along the borders of Illinois. The information will be posted on the department’s website, so businesses throughout the state will have access to it.

“These resources will specifically help businesses along Illinois’ border, but they could help all businesses, which is why we’re making the information available statewide,” Sims said. “Entrepreneurs in my district have made it clear that they need help competing with their out-of-state neighbors, and this law will help Illinois’ businesses do just that.”

Senate Bill 3285 was signed by the governor Friday. It takes effect immediately.