General Business Resources

• Article Finder: Look here for articles from journals, magazines, or newspapers. See especially:
• CEO Express: Directory of websites related to business and investing.
• Homer Chamber of Commerce: Membership directory, events.
• LearningExpressLibrary : Includes online practice tests and exam guides for basic skills and somejobs.

Handbooks and Guides

• Business Plans Handbook : Hundreds of examples from real businesses; may be downloaded and edited.
• Employment Law Guide: From the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Small Business Handbook: Information about all aspects of running a business. From Office Depot.
• Starting a Business in Illinois
• Tax Guide for Small Business: IRS Publication 334 (PDF file).

Business Forms

• Thomson Gale LegalForms : Employment forms, contracts, sales, real estate, incorporation, etc.
• Business Plans Handbook : Hundreds of examples from real businesses; may be downloaded and edited.
• Illinois Department of Revenue: State tax forms, including business registration.
• Illinois Secretary of State: Forms for corporations and other business organizations and nonprofits.
• Internal Revenue Service: Federal tax forms and publications.
  • Employer ID Number (EIN)application information
• Office Depot: Free business form templates.
• U.S. Trademark Electronic Application System

Government and Non-Profit Services for Businesses

• Illinois Entrepreneurship Network
• Patent and Trademark Office
• SCORE: Business counseling service.
• Small Business Administration

Information About Companies

• CorporateInformation: Search for reports on companies.
• Reference USA: Business and residential information for reference and research.
• SEC Filings and Forms (EDGAR)
• Thomas Register: National directory of manufacturing and service companies.
• U.S. Patent Search