# Customers Used to Ask Their Neighbors. Now They Ask AI. **BBB OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS | WHERE TRUST MEETS TECHNOLOGY** When a homeowner asks an AI assistant who to hire, the answer comes from what can be verified about your business online. BBB Accreditation delivers the trusted third-party proof that algorithms and customers look for. As an Accredited Business, you also receive exclusive access to free Google AI certifications and practical tools to grow your business. **See If Your Business Qualifies:** It takes less than 10 minutes to put your trust signal in motion. A Central Illinois representative will follow up to review your eligibility. **Illustrative AI chat card:** > **User:** Who is a reliable roofer near Peoria? > > **AI:** Here are three local contractors based on verified business records: > > 1. **Prairie Ridge Roofing** — BBB Accredited Business. Strong review history. Zero unresolved complaints. Verified credentials. > 2. **Summit Exteriors** — Good reviews. Unverified licensing status. > 3. **Oak Street Roofing** — Limited public records available. *Illustration only. Business names are fictional.* --- ## The Decision Happens Before Your Phone Rings A homeowner needs an urgent repair. Instead of asking around or calling three different numbers, she asks an AI assistant for a recommendation. In seconds, she has a shortlist of three companies. She calls the top name. If your business lacks the verified data to make that shortlist, you never know the opportunity existed. There is no missed call on your caller ID. There is no estimate request in your inbox. The job was won by a competitor before you had a chance to bid. **That is the shift. The first impression is no longer made on the phone. It is made in the verified trust signals available about your business right now.** --- ## What Proof of Trust Looks Like Online *The Proof* AI search tools and homeowners evaluate the exact same public trust signals before making contact. 1. **What Customers Say:** Verified reviews showing how your team treats property and people on every job. 2. **How Problems Are Handled:** A transparent public record showing you stand behind your work and resolve issues in good faith. 3. **Who Vouches for You:** An independent, century-old authority confirming your business practices, which carries far more weight than any claim you make about yourself. **BBB Accreditation establishes all three signals. It gives digital systems and local homeowners the confidence to choose you first.** --- ## Built to Protect Your Reputation and Modernize Your Business *The Value of Accreditation* The decal and website trust badge are visible parts of BBB Accreditation, but the value goes beyond the physical mark. Accreditation gives customers an independent trust signal they can verify when they look up your business. ### Verified Marketplace Trust BBB Accreditation gives your business a decal for your business window, truck, or car, plus a trust badge for your website. Get listed with accredited status in the directory local customers search every day. ### Free Google AI Certifications Through our Grow with Google partnership, Accredited Businesses receive access to Google AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, and professional career certificates for your team for FREE. Non-accredited businesses pay standard fees. ### Practical AI Readiness and Support Access the BBB AI Hub for straightforward tools that help your business. Learn how to prepare your website for AI search engines, create safe team guidelines, and automate office busywork. Professional dispute resolution support, accredited business networking, and verified trust signals included with your annual accreditation. --- ## The Difference Accreditation Makes | Without Accreditation | With BBB Accreditation | | --- | --- | | Basic unverified profile showing only standard contact details. | Official Accredited Business badge visible to customers and AI engines. | | Customers must take your word that your company is reputable. | An independent, third-party institution stands behind your commitment. | | Team training and AI tools must be purchased separately at full market rates. | Free Grow with Google AI courses and BBB AI Hub business resources included. | | Customer misunderstandings must be handled entirely on your own. | Access to BBB dispute resolution services to protect your reputation. | | No recognized consumer trust mark to set you apart from unvetted competitors. | A decal for your business window, truck, or car, plus a trust badge for your website. | Benefits of BBB Accreditation: - Lock in credibility before the customer makes their first call. - Give AI search tools and local buyers verified reasons to choose your company. - Equip your staff with Google-backed AI training at zero extra cost. - Stand apart from fly-by-night competitors across Central Illinois. --- ## Accreditation Is Earned, Not Purchased You cannot buy trust, and you cannot buy a BBB seal. Every applicant is vetted against operational and licensing standards. Accredited Businesses commit to the eight BBB Standards for Trust and agree to uphold them over time. That vetting process is why accreditation remains the standard customers rely on. 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 --- ## Three Simple Steps to Qualify 1. **Check Your Eligibility:** It takes less than 10 minutes to put your company's trust signal in motion. 2. **Complete the Review:** Provide the necessary licensing and business details for background review. 3. **Connect With Our Local Team:** A representative from our Peoria office will follow up directly to review your application and unlock your benefits. **See If Your Business Qualifies:** --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Will BBB Accreditation guarantee my company gets recommended by AI?** No organization can guarantee third-party algorithmic placement. What accreditation provides is the verified, authoritative public trust record that AI search engines and potential customers evaluate when choosing reputable local contractors. **How do the free Google AI courses work?** Through the BBB partnership with Grow with Google, Accredited Businesses and their teams receive free access to Google AI courses and professional certificate programs on Coursera. Non-accredited participants must pay standard course enrollment fees. **Does submitting an application guarantee approval?** No. Every application is reviewed against strict licensing and consumer trust standards. Our local team will guide you through the requirements. **What are the investment costs?** Accredited Businesses pay annual dues calculated by business size and employee count. Our team will review your exact rate during your follow-up call. **Who can I speak with right now?** Call our Central Illinois team directly at (309) 688-5124, or submit your basic information above to have a local representative contact you. --- ## Where Trust Meets Technology **BBB OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS** Your next customer will not spend days collecting bids. They will ask, compare verified trust signals, and choose in seconds. Make sure your business has the verified reputation and the modern tools to win the job. **See If Your Business Qualifies:** --- Copyright 2026 Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois | Privacy Policy | Accessibility --- # BBB Accreditation in Peoria, IL **BBB Accreditation | BBB of Central Illinois** ## Earn the Trust Signal Peoria Customers Check Before They Call BBB Accreditation gives businesses in Peoria and across Central Illinois a verified, third-party record of how they operate. Customers can check it in seconds, and so can the search and AI tools they use. The eligibility check takes about a minute, and our local team follows up personally. **See If Your Business Qualifies:** **Questions first? Call:** (309) 688-5124 ### Quick Summary BBB of Central Illinois offers BBB Accreditation to businesses in Peoria, IL and surrounding communities, including Bloomington-Normal, Pekin, East Peoria, and Morton. Accredited Businesses commit to the eight BBB Standards for Trust, are reviewed by BBB before approval, and display the BBB Accredited Business Seal on their public BBB Business Profile. Annual dues are calculated based on the number of employees and business locations. To see if your business qualifies, complete the short eligibility check on this page or call our Peoria office at (309) 688-5124, Monday through Friday. --- ## What Is BBB Accreditation, and What Does It Actually Mean? BBB Accreditation is a public commitment, reviewed and approved by BBB, that a business will operate according to the BBB Standards for Trust. It is not an advertisement, and it is not a paid listing. A business applies, BBB reviews it, and only businesses that meet the standards are approved. Once approved, the business earns the right to display the BBB Accredited Business Seal and agrees to keep meeting the standards. If it stops meeting them, Accreditation can be removed. That ongoing accountability is what gives the seal its meaning. --- ## Why Accreditation Works as a Trust Signal Customers Can Check A trust signal is anything a customer can verify about your business without taking your word for it. Before a customer calls, they look for three things: - **A track record.** How long you have operated and how you have treated past customers. - **A complaint history.** Whether problems were answered and resolved in good faith. - **An independent voice.** A neutral organization that has reviewed your business. Your website and ads can only make claims. BBB Accreditation is one of the few signals that comes from outside your business, is visible to the public, and is backed by an organization founded in 1912. Customers find it on your BBB Business Profile, and the search and AI tools they use draw on the same public information. BBB does not promise placement in any search or AI result. What Accreditation gives you is something credible for customers and those tools to find. **Earn My Trust Signal:** --- ## The Eight Standards Every Accredited Business Agrees to Uphold Every Accredited Business commits to the BBB Standards for Trust: 1. **Build Trust.** Establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace. 2. **Advertise Honestly.** Follow established standards of advertising and selling. 3. **Tell the Truth.** Represent products and services honestly, including clear disclosure of all terms. 4. **Be Transparent.** Openly identify the nature, location, and ownership of the business. 5. **Honor Promises.** Abide by all written agreements and verbal representations. 6. **Be Responsive.** Address marketplace disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith. 7. **Safeguard Privacy.** Protect customer data from fraud and unnecessary disclosure. 8. **Embody Integrity.** Approach all business dealings and customers with integrity. --- ## What Accredited Businesses in Central Illinois Receive - **BBB Accredited Business Seal:** BBB Accreditation gives your business a decal for your business window, truck, or car, plus a trust badge for your website. - **Accredited Business Profile:** Your BBB Business Profile shows your accredited status where local customers look you up. - **Dispute Resolution Support:** A fair, documented process to resolve customer concerns before they become bigger problems. - **AI Training Through the BBB AI Hub:** Free access to Google AI certifications and practical AI literacy resources for your team, organized by experience level. - **Local Accredited Business Network:** Access to BBB of Central Illinois events, recognition programs, and a local team that knows your market. Benefits of BBB Accreditation: - Show customers a credential they can verify themselves - Stand apart from unvetted competitors in your market - Handle customer disputes through a neutral, documented process - Give your team practical AI training they can use right away - Work with a local team in Peoria, not a distant call center **Start Accreditation:** --- ## Who Qualifies for BBB Accreditation in Central Illinois? Most established, reputable businesses in Central Illinois can qualify. To be approved, a business generally needs to: - Hold any licenses or registrations required for its industry - Have a record of responding to customer complaints in good faith - Advertise honestly and represent its services accurately - Agree in writing to follow the eight BBB Standards for Trust - Maintain a BBB rating that meets Accreditation requirements Not sure where your business stands? The eligibility check is the fastest way to find out, and a member of our team will review your answers with you. **Check My Eligibility:** --- ## How the BBB Accreditation Process Works, Step by Step 1. **Check your eligibility.** Answer a few short questions on this page. It takes about a minute. 2. **Complete the application.** Provide your business, licensing, and contact details. Most businesses finish in 10 to 20 minutes. 3. **BBB reviews your business.** Our team reviews your application against the Accreditation requirements. 4. **Talk with our local team.** A representative from our Peoria office follows up to answer questions and confirm next steps. 5. **Display your decal and trust badge.** Once approved, you can display a decal on your business window, truck, or car, and a trust badge on your website, and access the benefits available to your business. **Start My Application:** --- ## How Much Does BBB Accreditation Cost for a Local Business? BBB Accreditation is an annual investment. Dues are calculated based on the size of the business, specifically the number of employees and business locations. A small business with a few employees pays a lower rate than a larger company with multiple locations. Our team will give you your exact dues during your follow-up conversation, before you commit to anything. You will know the full cost up front. **Find Out What It Costs My Business:** --- ## How Accreditation Differs From a Free BBB Business Profile BBB publishes Business Profiles for businesses whether or not they are accredited. Accreditation is what changes the story that profile tells. | Feature | Free BBB Business Profile | BBB Accredited Business | | --- | --- | --- | | Public BBB Business Profile | Yes | Yes | | Reviewed and approved by BBB | No | Yes | | Commitment to the BBB Standards for Trust | No | Yes | | BBB Accredited Business Seal | No | Yes | | Decal for your window, truck, or car, plus a trust badge for your website | No | Yes | | Business Integrity Check for Accredited Businesses | No | Yes | | AI training through the BBB AI Hub | No | Yes | | Local Accredited Business Network | No | Yes | | Verified third-party trust signal for AI recommendation | No | Yes | A business cannot pay to remove a profile or a complaint, and Accreditation does not buy a rating. That independence is exactly why customers trust it. **Upgrade to Accredited Status:** --- ## Common Questions About BBB Accreditation in Central Illinois **Does BBB Accreditation guarantee AI tools will recommend us?** No. No one can guarantee how an AI tool chooses its recommendations, and BBB does not promise placement in any search or AI result. What Accreditation provides is a visible, third-party record of trust on your public BBB Business Profile. AI tools generally build their answers from public information, so a verified record gives customers and those tools something credible to find. **Can a business pay to remove a complaint or raise its rating?** No. BBB does not remove complaints or change ratings in exchange for payment, and Accreditation does not purchase a rating. BBB ratings reflect BBB's evaluation of a business's record. This independence is what makes the BBB Accredited Business Seal meaningful to customers. **How long does the BBB Accreditation review usually take?** The eligibility check takes about a minute, and most businesses complete the full application in 10 to 20 minutes. After you apply, our Peoria team reviews your business and follows up directly. Review time varies with how quickly licensing and business details can be confirmed. **Does my business need a license to become BBB Accredited?** If your industry requires a license or registration in Illinois or your local municipality, you will need to hold it in good standing. BBB reviews licensing as part of the Accreditation process. If your industry does not require a license, this requirement does not apply. **What happens if a customer files a complaint after we are accredited?** Complaints happen to good businesses. What matters is the response. Accredited Businesses commit to address disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith. BBB forwards the complaint to you, gives you the opportunity to respond, and helps both sides work toward a fair resolution. **Can a new or home-based business apply for BBB Accreditation?** Many new and home-based businesses can apply, as long as they meet the Accreditation requirements and agree to the BBB Standards for Trust. Some requirements may depend on time in business. Complete the eligibility check or call our office, and a team member will tell you where you stand. **Is accreditation required for the Torch Awards or BBB events?** No. Most BBB of Central Illinois events, including the Big Blue Bash, are open to businesses whether or not they are accredited, and most businesses in Central Illinois are eligible for the Torch Awards for Business Ethics. The Customer Service Award is the exception and is open to BBB Accredited Businesses. **Can BBB Accreditation be removed after it has been granted?** Yes. Accreditation is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time purchase. If a business stops meeting the BBB Standards for Trust or the Accreditation requirements, BBB can remove its Accreditation. That accountability is what keeps the seal trustworthy for every Accredited Business. --- ## Give Customers a Reason to Trust You Before They Call Your customers are checking before they reach out, whether they ask a neighbor, a search engine, or an AI tool. BBB Accreditation gives them a verified answer. Your application starts with a quick eligibility check. **Start My Application:** **Prefer to talk first? Call:** (309) 688-5124 --- Copyright 2026 BBB of Central Illinois | Privacy Policy | Accessibility --- --- # About BBB of Central Illinois **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. **Start My Application:** **Call:** (309) 688-5124 ### 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. --- ## 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. --- ## How We Help Central Illinois Businesses Use AI Responsibly *The BBB AI Hub* 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 - **Andrew Smith:** Director of Business Engagement & Success - **Rachel Sweeney:** Senior Director of Trust Standards & Data Integrity - **Susanna O'Neall:** Community Care & Support Representative - **Mandy Foster:** Financial Operations & Market Intelligence Manager --- ## 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, and Accreditation is not required to be nominated or to win. Winners are celebrated at the Big Blue Bash. ### BBB 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. ### All Good Things Podcast A weekly podcast designed to support and empower local businesses through practical conversations and local stories. ### Help 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. --- ## Common Questions About BBB of Central Illinois and Accreditation **How long has the Better Business Bureau been serving businesses?** The Better Business Bureau was founded in 1912 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. BBB of Central Illinois carries that mission forward for businesses and consumers in Peoria and the surrounding region. **Is BBB of Central Illinois a nonprofit or a government agency?** BBB of Central Illinois is a private nonprofit organization. It is not a government agency. BBB does not license businesses, set prices, or enforce laws. Instead, it sets standards for marketplace trust, publishes Business Profiles, helps resolve disputes between businesses and customers, and educates the public about scams and fraud. **Does BBB Accreditation get my business recommended by AI tools?** No one can guarantee how an AI tool chooses its recommendations, and BBB does not promise placement in any search or AI result. Accreditation provides a visible, third-party record of trust on your public BBB Business Profile. AI tools use publicly available information when forming answers, so a verified record of how your business operates gives customers and those tools another credible source to review. **What does a business have to do to become BBB Accredited?** A business applies for Accreditation and agrees to follow the eight BBB Standards for Trust. BBB then reviews the application against its Accreditation requirements. Accredited Businesses pay annual dues based on the size of the business. A member of our team can walk you through the process and answer your questions. **Can a business have a BBB Profile without being Accredited?** Yes. BBB publishes Business Profiles for businesses whether or not they are accredited, and businesses cannot pay to remove a profile. Accreditation adds the BBB Accreditation Seal and a public commitment to the BBB Standards for Trust. It shows customers that a business chose to be held to a recognized standard. **Do BBB Accredited Businesses get access to AI training programs?** Yes. Accredited Businesses receive free access to AI literacy training through the BBB AI Hub, including classes organized by experience level and free Google AI certifications. **Does a business need to be Accredited to attend BBB events?** No. Most BBB of Central Illinois events, including the Big Blue Bash, are open to businesses whether or not they are accredited. Most businesses in Central Illinois are also eligible for the Torch Awards for Business Ethics. The Customer Service Award is exclusively open to BBB Accredited Businesses. **What areas of Central Illinois does this BBB office serve?** Our office is in Peoria and serves businesses and consumers across 36 counties in Central Illinois, including Peoria, Tazewell, McLean, Woodford, Knox, Fulton, Mason, Logan, Macon, Warren, Bureau, Livingston, Marshall, Stark, Putnam, Schuyler, McDonough, Brown, Cass, Morgan, Sangamon, Menard, Christian, DeWitt, Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Ford, Iroquois, Clark, Crawford, Edgar, Henderson, Henry, Hancock, and Mercer counties. Key communities include Bloomington-Normal, Pekin, East Peoria, Morton, Washington, Galesburg, Lincoln, and Decatur. --- ## 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. **Start My Application:** **Questions first? Call:** (309) 688-5124 --- ### BBB of Central Illinois 8100 N University St. Peoria, IL 61615 (309) 688-5124 Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM Phone hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Copyright 2026 BBB of Central Illinois | Privacy Policy | Accessibility --- # Local BBB Serving Central Illinois **Service Area | BBB of Central Illinois** ## One Local BBB Team for 36 Counties Across Central Illinois BBB of Central Illinois serves businesses and consumers in 36 counties, including Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, Danville, and Galesburg. Our team works from one office in Peoria. Find your county below, then see whether your business qualifies for BBB Accreditation. The eligibility check takes about a minute. **See If Your Business Qualifies:** **Find my county:** **Questions first? Call:** (309) 688-5124 ### Quick Summary BBB of Central Illinois is the local Better Business Bureau for 36 counties in Central Illinois, with its office in Peoria, IL. The service area runs from Galesburg, Macomb, and Carthage in the west to Danville, Paris, and Robinson in the east, and from Princeton and Pontiac in the north to Springfield, Taylorville, and Jacksonville in the south. Businesses anywhere in the region can apply for BBB Accreditation and work with the same local team. To see whether your business qualifies, complete the short eligibility check on this page or call (309) 688-5124, Monday through Friday. --- ## Which Central Illinois Counties Does Our Local BBB Serve? BBB of Central Illinois serves the 36 counties shown below. Find your county in the regions listed. If your county is not listed, see the section for businesses outside our service area. The 36 counties, by region: ### Greater Peoria and the Illinois River Valley Counties: Bureau, Fulton, Henry, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell, Woodford Communities include: Peoria, East Peoria, Pekin, Morton, Washington, Peoria Heights, Chillicothe, Eureka, Metamora, Canton, Farmington, Lewistown, Havana, Lacon, Henry, Toulon, Hennepin, Princeton, Kewanee, and Geneseo. This is the home region for our Peoria office. Businesses here can reach the team by phone, by email, or in person by appointment. ### Bloomington-Normal and North Central Illinois Counties: DeWitt, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Logan, McLean Communities include: Bloomington, Normal, LeRoy, Clinton, Farmer City, Pontiac, Dwight, Fairbury, Paxton, Gibson City, Lincoln, Watseka, and Gilman. ### Champaign, Decatur, and East Central Illinois Counties: Champaign, Clark, Crawford, Edgar, Macon, Piatt, Vermilion Communities include: Champaign, Urbana, Rantoul, Savoy, Mahomet, Decatur, Mount Zion, Monticello, Danville, Hoopeston, Paris, Marshall, Martinsville, Robinson, and Oblong. ### Springfield and the Sangamon Valley Counties: Brown, Cass, Christian, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon, Schuyler Communities include: Springfield, Chatham, Rochester, Petersburg, Athens, Taylorville, Pana, Jacksonville, Beardstown, Virginia, Mount Sterling, and Rushville. ### Western Illinois Counties: Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, Warren Communities include: Galesburg, Knoxville, Abingdon, Monmouth, Roseville, Macomb, Bushnell, Aledo, Oquawka, Stronghurst, Carthage, Hamilton, and Nauvoo. ### Quick County Lookup (A to Z) Brown, Bureau, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Crawford, DeWitt, Edgar, Ford, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Knox, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Morgan, Peoria, Piatt, Putnam, Sangamon, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Vermilion, Warren, Woodford 36 counties across five regions of Central Illinois. **Check My Eligibility:** --- ## How Businesses Across the Region Work With Our Peoria Team A business in Robinson or Carthage receives the same service as a business down the street from our office. Distance does not change the Accreditation process. - **Apply online.** The eligibility check and application are completed online. - **Talk by phone.** A member of the Peoria team follows up personally to answer questions and explain the next steps. - **Meet when it helps.** Meetings at the Peoria office are available by appointment. - **Join local events.** Accredited Businesses across the region are invited to BBB of Central Illinois events and recognition programs, including the Torch Awards for Business Ethics. **Start My Application:** --- ## Need to File a Complaint or Check a Business in Your County? Consumers in all 36 counties can use BBB's online tools. Complaints filed about businesses in our service area are handled by BBB of Central Illinois. - **Check a business:** Search BBB Business Profiles on bbb.org. - **File a complaint:** Start a complaint on bbb.org. - **Report a scam:** Use the Central Illinois Scam Tracker. Text links: Check a Business | File a Complaint | Report a Scam (open in a new tab) --- ## What If Your Business Is Outside These 36 Counties? Each local BBB serves a defined set of counties. If your business is located outside the 36 counties listed on this page, a different BBB serves your area. That BBB can explain its Accreditation process and dues. You can find the BBB that serves your area using BBB's local BBB directory on bbb.org. **Find the BBB That Serves Your Area:** (opens in a new tab) Does your business have locations both inside and outside Central Illinois? Call our office at (309) 688-5124, and our team will explain how Accreditation works for your situation. --- ## BBB Services Available to Every County in Central Illinois ### BBB Accreditation A reviewed commitment to the BBB Standards for Trust, open to qualifying businesses in all 36 counties. ### Dispute Resolution A fair, documented process that helps businesses and customers resolve concerns in good faith. ### BBB Business Profiles Public profiles that help consumers across Central Illinois review a business before they hire. ### Scam Tracker A local resource for reporting and reviewing scams that affect Central Illinois residents and businesses. **Start Accreditation:** --- ## Common Questions About Our Central Illinois Service Area **Which BBB serves my business in Central Illinois?** BBB of Central Illinois serves businesses in 36 counties, including Peoria, McLean, Sangamon, Champaign, Macon, Vermilion, and Knox counties. Find your county in the regional lists on this page. If your county is not listed, a different BBB serves your area, and the BBB directory on bbb.org can show you which one. **Does BBB of Central Illinois serve Springfield and Champaign?** Yes. Sangamon County, which includes Springfield, and Champaign County, which includes Champaign and Urbana, are both part of our service area. Businesses in those communities can apply for BBB Accreditation and work directly with our local team in Peoria. **Do I need to visit the Peoria office to become accredited?** No. The eligibility check and application are completed online, and our team follows up by phone. Businesses that prefer to meet in person may schedule an appointment at our Peoria office. **Do Accreditation dues depend on where my business is located?** Accreditation dues are based on the size of the business, measured by the number of employees and locations. Our team explains the exact dues for your business during the follow-up conversation, before you commit to anything. **My business has locations in more than one BBB area. Who do I contact?** Call our office at (309) 688-5124. Our team will review where your business is headquartered and where it operates, and then explain which BBB handles your Accreditation. **How do consumers in my county file a complaint with BBB?** Consumers can file a complaint online at bbb.org. When the business is located in our 36-county service area, BBB of Central Illinois handles the complaint, forwards it to the business, and gives the business an opportunity to respond in good faith. **How do I report a scam happening in my county?** Report it on the Central Illinois Scam Tracker. Each report helps BBB warn residents and businesses across the region about scams that are active in their communities. If you lost money, also contact your bank and local law enforcement. **Is BBB of Central Illinois part of the national BBB network?** Yes. BBB of Central Illinois is one of the local Better Business Bureaus in the BBB network. It serves the 36 counties of Central Illinois, and its team is based in Peoria. --- ## Your Business Is Close to Home, and So Is Your Local BBB Customers across Central Illinois check a business before they call. BBB Accreditation gives them a public, third-party record to review, and our local team will guide you through every step. Your application starts with a quick eligibility check. **Start My Application:** **Prefer to talk first? Call:** (309) 688-5124 --- ### BBB of Central Illinois 8100 N University St. Peoria, IL 61615 (309) 688-5124 Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM Phone hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Copyright 2026 BBB of Central Illinois | Privacy Policy | Accessibility