I am trying to obtain simple financial data (most recently available
revenues and profit) for a Chicago company (GH Smart & Company, Inc)
but am not sure how to proceed. I know that registration is handled at
State level (Illinois, presumably). In Britain a quasi-governmental
organisation ('Companies House')provide such information for a small
price via their website. The Illinois Secretary of State's site,
however, does not seem to offer this facility but instead only a name
availability facility.

Englishresearcher --

For private companies in the U.S., there's no agency that would
disclose revenues or profits.  According to Hoover's Online, GH Smart
is private:
http://www.hoovers.com/free/search/simple/xmillion/index.xhtml?page=1&HoovHome=premium.hoovers.com%2Fsubscribe%2F&query_string=GH+Smart&which=company&x=26&y=7

You'll note that Hoovers Online has a link to Dun & Bradstreet
reports.  D&B is a private firm that provides summary information for
credit purposes, including whether or not the firm is a prompt payer. 
However, D&B relies upon companies disclosing any information
voluntarily.  You might find revenues but rarely find profitability
numbers in D&B reports.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

Dear Omnivorous.

Thanks very much for this helpful clarification. Things are as you say
which is a bit unfortunate as the information is rather expensive,
albeit also more extensive than I what can obtain more cheaply in the
UK. I need to think it over. Best regards, Mike