ILLINOIS · NAICS NAICS 484, 4885, 4931 families
Illinois trucking and logistics is the state's signature SBA class: general freight trucking tops Illinois volume over the past decade, a direct product of Chicagoland's position as the continent's rail and intermodal crossroads. Studies translate rate per mile, utilization, fuel, insurance, and contract concentration into defensible projections, and stress-test cash flow against rate cycles and equipment debt service.
FEASIBILITY TRIGGER
Projection-sensitive underwriting with rate per mile, fuel, and contract concentration stress-tested by the lender.
SBA 7(a) and 504 lenders funded 2,387 trucking and logistics projects across Illinois between FY2010 and FY2026, moving $661.0 million in approved capital at an average ticket of $277,000. That volume places Illinois at #4 of 38 states measured for trucking and logistics SBA activity, or 7.4% of national trucking and logistics dollars. The 7(a) program carried 93.2% of the loan count, with 504 taking the balance, and 495 approvals have hit the pipeline since FY2024.
| Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026) | 2,387 |
| Approved volume | $661.0 million |
| Average loan size | $277,000 |
| 7(a) share | 93.2% |
| Approvals since FY2024 | 495 |
| State rank by loan count | #4 of 38 |
Among the 1,458 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 9.7% reached adverse resolution — purchased, liquidated, or charged off. The national benchmark for trucking and logistics is 9.2%, against 7.3% across all industries. That performance runs above the national benchmark for this asset class, which is a factor lenders weigh in their credit decision.
Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.
A 9.7% adverse-resolution rate against the national trucking and logistics benchmark of 9.2% tells credit committees to scrutinize revenue projections and coverage assumptions closely on Illinois deals in this class. A rigorous third-party feasibility study — built on documented demand, defensible pricing, and stressed coverage — carries meaningful weight in that underwriting conversation, particularly at an average loan size of $277,000 across 2,387 loans.
Every Illinois trucking and logistics project we underwrite follows the same lender ready process: independent market analysis, site and technical review, and financial projections tested against SBA SOP 50 10 8 standards. Our SBA feasibility study consultants guide explains scope, timing, deliverables, and what lenders and CDCs expect in the report.
General freight trucking is Illinois's number one SBA category over the past decade, making this the state's signature class and the one where lenders see the most files. From July 4, 2026 eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 for up to $10 million in total program credit.
Chicagoland's rail and intermodal centrality anchors the continent's freight crossroads.
For a national view of this asset class, see our trucking and logistics SBA feasibility overview, and read our related analysis in the trucking and logistics lending research on our blog.
Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence
Two SBA 504 loans through SomerCor
Refinance and building improvements renovating 8,500 square feet and cutting annual occupancy costs by roughly $52,000, moving and storage operator
Chicago, Cook County
Fifteen-minute scoping call, written proposal inside one business day, firm fixed fee before you sign.
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