The Illinois Chamber knows budgets are tight this year, but you still need to stay informed on important employment law compliance issues that can impact your bottom line. To help, we are offering a series of affordable webinars on new and changing employment related laws and regulations.

Return To Work: A Sample Program In Detail
Tuesday, February 9, 11:00 am - $29.

Understanding Your Experience Modification Factor
Tuesday, March 9, 11:00 am - $29.

Policy & Market Trends; The 5 Factors Every CFO Should Know
Tuesday, April 13, 11:00 am - $29.

Overview of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act
Tuesday, May 11, 11:00 am - $29.

Loss Control and Claims Management: A Start to Finish Solution
Tuesday, June 8, 11:00 am - $29.

SBA recently launched a new online training course: Winning Federal Contracts - A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs which is part of an ongoing government-wide initiative to promote opportunities for women-owned businesses in the area of government contracting.

This free online tutorial is a practical and easy to use guide that walks a woman-owned small business through the contracting process. The Winning Federal Contracts course is designed to help women entrepreneurs learn about the federal procurement process and to prepare them to compete for contracting opportunities. The Winning Federal Contracts course is available on SBA's Web site at http://www.sba.gov/fedcontractingtraining/.

The Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee Community College is partnering with the National Association for the Self-Employed to bring micro-business tax strategies to you. This small-group two-hour seminar offers close access to a CPA specializing in taxes affecting the self-employed.

• Find hidden deductions
• Save by employing your spouse and children
• Learn Tax Code changes for 2009
• Enjoy breakfast and networking with fellow micro-business owners in your community

Thursday, March 4, 2010
Registration/Breakfast: 8:30 a.m.
Seminar: 9 - 11 a.m.

Waubonsee Community College, 5 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora, Room 133

Special pricing for SBDC clients and NASE members -- Register now for $20!
To register, call (800) 232-NASE, or visit: www.nase.org/KnowledgeCenter/TaxResourceCenter/TaxTalkSeminarList.aspx

For a list of upcoming business workshops, click here.

Attend a free 30 minute webinar to assess your state of business 'readiness' in the event of a disaster. You will boost your awareness of critical business functions and how they can be impacted by natural, business or technological disasters. Or, attend a workshop to create a Business Ready Plan.

Both programs are offered free as a result of the new Disaster Assistance Program supported by grant funding provided by the SBA, DCEO and College of DuPage. For more information or to attend either a webinar or a workshop, contact Kris Fay at (630) 942-3088 or by email at faykris@cod.edu.

Webinars:
   Tuesday, Feb. 9, 1 p.m.
   Thursday, Feb. 18, 9 a.m.

Workshop:
   Thursday, Feb. 25, 9:00 a.m.

Starting Your Business in Illinois
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6 - 9 p.m., $30
Thursday, March 18, 6 - 9 p.m., $30
Wednesday, April 14, 6 - 9 p.m., $30
Wednesday, May 12, 6 - 9 p.m., $30

Marketing in the 21st Century: Using New Technologies
Thursday, March 11, 6 - 9 p.m., $30
Tuesday, May 11, 6 - 9 p.m., $30

Is Franchising Right for You?
Wednesday, March 3, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., $30

Finding the Right Space for Your Business
Tuesday, April 20, 6 - 8 p.m., $25

Marketing in the 21st Century: Using New Technologies
Wednesday, Feb. 10, 6 - 8 p.m., $30
Thursday, April 22, 6 - 8 p.m., $30

Check seminar details online for class descriptions, locations, ticket numbers, prices and registration information, or call the Illinois SBDC office at (630) 906-4143.

NEW QuickBooks classes are also available to meet your small business accounting needs Class titles include:

• QuickBooks: Exploring Products to Meet Your Small Business Needs
• Using QuickBooks: An Introduction to the Setup Process
• QuickBooks Basics
• Using QuickBooks: One-to-One Consulting
• Year-End Closing with QuickBooks
• Using QuickBooks: Complete the Payroll Process

Click here for complete QuickBooks class descriptions, locations, dates, time and costs.

The Illinois International Trade Center at College of DuPage is offering the following exporting workshops at their Lisle campus:

Learn the Basics of Exporting
Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 23, 9 - 11 a.m.

International Marketing
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 23, 1 - 3 p.m.

For more information or to register, please call (630) 942-2600, or email mayorga(at)cod.edu.