About BBB of Central Illinois | Where Trust Meets Technology
Building Trust Customers Can Verify, Even When They Ask AI
BBB of Central Illinois helps businesses in Peoria and the surrounding region show customers how they operate and why they can be trusted. Our mission is to advance marketplace trust, a standard the Better Business Bureau has upheld since 1912. Today, that work also includes helping businesses prepare for the AI tools customers use to research who to hire.
Quick Summary
BBB of Central Illinois is the Better Business Bureau office in Peoria, Illinois, serving 36 counties across Central Illinois including Bloomington-Normal, Pekin, East Peoria, Morton, Washington, Galesburg, Lincoln, Decatur, and surrounding communities. We offer BBB Accreditation, free BBB Business Profiles, complaint and dispute resolution, Scam Stop reporting, and practical AI literacy resources through the BBB AI Hub. Accredited Businesses commit to the eight BBB Standards for Trust. To start an application or ask a question, call our Peoria office at (309) 688-5124, Monday through Friday.
Why the Better Business Bureau Matters More in the AI Era
The Better Business Bureau began in 1912, when business leaders came together to fight false advertising and promote a more honest marketplace. The goal was simple: give people a reliable way to decide which businesses deserve their trust.
That goal has not changed. The marketplace has.
Customers now sort through reviews, directories, listings, social profiles, and business websites before they decide who to contact. They also have a new way to research local businesses. Instead of starting with a search results page or asking someone they know, they may ask an AI tool to narrow the options for them.
Those answers are built from information that is publicly available about a business. That can include reviews, complaint history, business profiles, service information, and other third-party sources.
This is why a public record of how your business operates matters. BBB of Central Illinois gives local businesses a way to show customers, in public and on the record, how they treat people and respond when problems arise. It also gives consumers a place to find business information before they make a decision.
A Century of Trust
1912
The year the Better Business Bureau was founded to promote honest advertising and fair business practices.
For more than a century, BBB has helped consumers find businesses they can trust and helped businesses show customers how they operate.
What BBB Accreditation Means for Your Business and Customers
BBB Accreditation is not a paid listing or an advertisement. It is a public commitment, reviewed by BBB, that a business will operate according to the BBB Standards for Trust.
The Eight BBB Standards for Trust
1
Build Trust
2
Advertise Honestly
3
Tell the Truth
4
Be Transparent
5
Honor Promises
6
Be Responsive
7
Safeguard Privacy
8
Embody Integrity
What that commitment gives an Accredited Business
A verified, third-party record of trust
The BBB Accreditation Seal appears on your public BBB Business Profile, giving customers another credible source to review when they compare businesses.
A fair process when problems arise
BBB dispute resolution gives businesses and customers a documented, professional process for addressing concerns.
A public standard competitors cannot simply claim
Anyone can say a business is trustworthy. Accreditation shows that a business chose to be reviewed against recognized standards.
Free AI certifications and resources for your team
Accredited Businesses receive free access to Google AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, and practical AI literacy courses through the BBB AI Hub.
A local team in your corner
Our Peoria staff answers questions, explains the application process, and helps businesses understand how to use their Accreditation responsibly.
The BBB AI Hub
How We Help Central Illinois Businesses Use AI Responsibly
AI is changing how customers research businesses and how businesses get work done. Most owners do not need more hype. They need a practical, trustworthy place to start.
That is the purpose of the BBB AI Hub, the Better Business Bureau's AI education and training center. BBB of Central Illinois helps local businesses understand the opportunity and the responsibility that come with using AI. The guiding idea is simple: Where Trust Meets Technology.
The BBB AI Hub follows the U.S. Department of Labor's AI Literacy Framework, which covers five core skills: understanding AI principles, exploring AI uses, directing AI effectively, evaluating AI outputs, and using AI responsibly.
Foundation: For New and Occasional AI Users
Learn the basics, write simple prompts, use available AI tools, and check outputs for accuracy before relying on them.
Application: For Teams Using AI Every Day
Move from experimentation to consistent results with better prompts, repeatable workflows, and responsible use in marketing, operations, and customer service.
Innovation: For Leaders Building AI Strategy
Set direction for your organization with AI strategy, governance, written policies, risk management, and advanced automation.
For organizations that want more structured support, BBB AI consultation follows five steps: Assess, Discover, Strategize, Implement, and Measure. Advanced implementation work is handled by vetted trainers who are themselves BBB Accredited Businesses.
Business owners can also explore the BBB AI Knowledge Center, a free library of training videos, articles, podcasts, and research about AI and the workforce.
Meet the Team Serving Businesses Across Central Illinois
Our staff works with business owners and consumers every day, by phone and in person at our Peoria office.
Jessica Tharp
CEO/President
Leads BBB of Central Illinois in advancing marketplace trust and helping regional businesses adapt to digital and AI shifts.
Andrew Smith
Director of Business Engagement & Success
Works directly with local business owners across Central Illinois to guide them through Accreditation and trust-building tools.
Rachel Sweeney
Senior Director of Trust Standards & Data Integrity
Oversees business profile integrity, Accreditation standards, and review verification for Central Illinois.
Susanna O'Neall
Community Care & Support Representative
Assists consumers and Accredited Businesses with daily inquiries, dispute routing, and marketplace support.
Mandy Foster
Financial Operations & Market Intelligence Manager
Manages financial operations, marketplace reporting, and internal business intelligence for our Peoria office.
How We Show Up for the Central Illinois Business Community
Trust is built locally. These programs are how BBB of Central Illinois serves the businesses and families in our region.
Torch Awards for Business Ethics
Each year, the Torch Awards recognize Central Illinois businesses that lead with Character, Culture, Customers, and Community. Most businesses in Central Illinois are eligible for Torch Awards without Accreditation. The Customer Service Award is exclusively open to BBB Accredited Businesses. Winners are celebrated at the annual Big Blue Bash.
Learn About Torch AwardsBBB Scam Stop Program
Scam Stop helps businesses, residents, and municipalities recognize and report fraud before it costs them money. The Central Illinois Scam Tracker helps people see what scams are being reported in the area.
Visit Scam StopAll Good Things Podcast
A weekly podcast designed to support and empower local businesses through practical conversations and local stories.
Listen NowHelp for Consumers
Consumers can file a complaint, start a review, look up a business, or request a quote from BBB Accredited Businesses at no cost.
File a ComplaintCommon Questions About BBB of Central Illinois and Accreditation
Ready to Show Customers What Your Business Stands For?
Your customers are checking before they call. They may ask a neighbor, search online, or use an AI tool to compare their options. Give them a verified reason to take your business seriously.
Questions first? Call (309) 688-5124