Evaluate yourself: Are you honestly ready to submit a demo? Most producers enjoy working with unheralded acts, but they want evidence of a clear career path--regular live shows, a notable online presence and consistent local press coverage. If you can't point to any of these things, it may be time to revisit the woodshed.
Determine which kind of producer suits your musical style; get recommendations, haunt music blogs and post on related bulletin boards. This kind of relationship can make or break an artist, so it's worth spending some time to refine your shortlist.
Start gathering contact information. Check the publications that are geared toward the local music community, such as "The Chicago Reader" or "Illinois Entertainer." It's also worthwhile to attend music conferences or answer classified ad posts on MySpace or Craigslist, but beware of scams. Posts laced with misspellings tend to be more suspect than those that aren't.
Submit a demo and contact information to your first choice, with a goal of setting up a meeting. Until then, all you can do is wait. Hopefully, your music does the talking and inspires a positive outcome. Allow a couple of weeks before following up. Post your contact information in a prominent place, whether you scrawl it on the CD itself or tape a business card to the jewel case. CDs and cases are often separated, which may delay your chances of making contact.
Find ways to approach producers directly at music industry conferences, lectures or workshops. Check your local area publications and music scene websites for relevant events that may be happening in your area.