The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is urging Illinois residents to support local businesses on Small Business Saturday, which falls on November 29, 2025.
“From Chicago’s storefronts to Main Streets across Illinois, every purchase on Small Business Saturday helps our local entrepreneurs build more than just a business—it builds our community’s future,” said NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley. “Our small businesses are the backbone of our local communities, and we should support them not only on Small Business Saturday, but every day of the year.”
Recent data from the NFIB Small Business Optimism report for October shows that small business owners have faced declining sales. A net negative 13% of owners reported higher nominal sales over the past three months, which is a decrease of six points compared to September. The organization views Small Business Saturday as an important chance for these businesses to increase their sales and contribute positively to the economy.
Small Business Saturday was launched in 2010 with the goal of attracting more customers to local shops and restaurants following the Great Recession. In 2024, shoppers spent an estimated $22 billion at locally owned businesses nationwide. The NFIB emphasizes that purchases made during this event represent direct investments in local communities.
