Illinois Office of Trade and Investment (OTI)

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Trade & Investment (OTI) promotes export growth and attracts foreign direct investment for the State of Illinois. OTI is committed to engaging with Illinois businesses to facilitate their growth through overseas opportunities. 95% of the world’s consumers are outside of the United States, which provides substantial market opportunities for the sale of Illinois manufactured goods and services. OTI is headquartered in Chicago, with its fiscal office in Springfield, and a foreign trade office network located in six international cities. A team of senior international trade specialists and six regional foreign trade representatives are available to counsel and support Illinois businesses interested in entering new international markets or expand in markets they are currently in. Business services available to all Illinois businesses and institutions seeking assistance include: technical export assistance needed to succeed in the global marketplace; identifying potential customers, distributors or agents; qualifying identified potential customers; assistance; logistics support preparing for international trade shows; country specific market research; and insight into country specific market regulations. Illinois State Trade and Export (ISTEP) Program Financial assistance for export promotion is available to qualified Illinois small businesses through OTI’s ISTEP Program. The ISTEP Program, which is partially funded through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, offers financial reimbursements directly to companies pursuing the program’s export promotion activities.