Illinois Made Criteria

Criteria and Guidelines for Recommendations

A wide variety of artisans and businesses - from brewers to blacksmiths - can be featured on Illinois Made. Though each artisan is unique, all share a common thread that reveals their true bond to Illinois. To help bring out that quality across all our Makers, we are using these guidelines when considering inclusion in the program:

Maintains a meaningful presence in Illinois

• Must be located in the State of Illinois with a physical storefront or headquarters. This includes businesses operating within a cooperative, shared commercial or retail space.
• Must be open to the public with an engaging visitor experience available to travelers.
• Illinois must be the primary operational hub. Selling products or distributing outside the state is allowed.
• Seasonal businesses and appointment-only businesses are eligible to apply as long as they meet the visitor experience requirements.
• Makers are encouraged to incorporate Illinois into what they make, from locally sourced ingredients and materials to partnerships with Illinois-based vendors, suppliers, and collaborators. When local sourcing isn't feasible, businesses can show how they create meaningful value in Illinois through production, design, assembly, or other aspects of their work.

Provides memorable visitor experiences, whether through an experience, product, craft, or an immersive activity, including consistent visitor access

• To bring the Illinois Made experience to life, Makers should offer visitors a meaningful way to connect with their products, craft, story, or experience through classes, tastings, events, tours, demonstrations, opportunities to see the making process, or immersive activities.
• Businesses that offer a distinctive, hands-on, or memorable experience can also qualify as Makers, even when no specific product or craft is at the center of the experience. Businesses known for a signature product, dish, craft, or experience may also qualify, recognizing that sometimes what a business creates or offers is worth the trip.
• Makers should help visitors easily plan a visit to experience what they have to offer. Businesses must provide publicly posted, predictable hours or clearly defined opportunities for scheduled visits.
• Seasonal businesses and appointment-only businesses must offer structured opportunities for public engagement, such as tours, workshops, immersive activities, or events anchored in an experience.

Has a compelling Illinois story that reflects craftsmanship, innovation, culture, community impact, or another significant connection to the state

• Makers should have a story that brings their connection to Illinois to life and gives visitors a deeper sense of the people, craft, and communities behind what they offer.
• Stories should highlight elements such as craftsmanship, innovation, culture, community impact, or another meaningful connection to the state. Stories should have the potential to engage visitors and translate across tourism marketing and promotional channels.

The Illinois Office of Tourism and their agency partners will carefully review all nominations and select those that best meet the criteria. If a business is in good standing, meets the criteria, and is aligned with the overall intent of the program, they will be eligible for the program.