Dear Members:
Rather than contact me directly with their questions or concerns, a member or two shared Tuesday’s “Shop Members First” Member Message about a political fundraiser with non-members, including an elected official who expressed concern that the broadcast e-mail could be mistakenly viewed as a candidate endorsement by our Chamber or by me.
So let me cut right to the quick and state that neither our Chamber nor its President and CEO have endorsed candidates for political office—although the organization and the individual have every right to do so. Our Chamber could provide financial support to candidates, but has never done so directly. We have done so indirectly via our minimal contributions to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee (PAC).
While not political, our Chamber has taken a position of being legislatively active. When we talk with elected officials at the municipal, township, county, state and federal levels, it is regarding laws and proposed legislation that can impact businesses both positively and negatively. Last year, we participated in three multi-chamber events bringing state legislators together with businesspeople and our support of the Illinois Chamber helped encourage the Illinois General Assembly to adopt worker’s compensation reform, with additional reforms on the table this legislative session. During this economic downturn, we spoke out in vain to the Elmhurst City Council against increasing the home rule retail sales tax and creating a food and beverage tax. Our Chamber has lobbied DuPage County on behalf of residents and businesses alike regarding storm water flooding. Twelve years ago, we were the first major organization in Elmhurst to endorse the School District 205 Referendum to rebuild York Community High School, which we studied as a $90 million economic redevelopment package, rather than just a property tax issue.
As an individual, I have written personal checks to candidates whether or not they could or even would get my vote. In February, I attended fundraisers in downtown Elmhurst for both candidates in the Republican primary for Illinois’ new 24th Senate District—neither of whom I can vote for because of the map redistricting.
Our Member Message program allows members to send a broadcast e-mail to some 900 member contacts in the Chamber at a cost of $150. We typically send out 30 to 40 such e-mails each year (11 already in the first two months of 2012), generating “non-related business income” on which the Chamber pays corporate income taxes. The promotions range from office products to office space, from travel to banking, and from charitable causes to political fundraisers. Members can choose to “opt out” from receiving them.
It was recommended that the Chamber add a disclaimer to future messages to avoid the “perception” of an endorsement, whether a political candidate or a ream of copy paper.
Got It! in Elmhurst
The Got It! in Elmhurst campaign partnership between the City of Elmhurst and our Chamber continues to encourage residents to shop and dine local with display advertising in Elmhurst newspapers and coupon magazines targeted around St. Patrick’s Day in March, Easter in April and Mother’s Day in May.
Community Bank of Elmhurst is now using the campaign’s post-it note in its newspaper ads, and Cottage Hill Diamonds has agreed to add a Got It! logo into its marketing plan. And your business is more than welcome to jump on the bandwagon.
Multi-Chamber Luncheons
A crowd of some 600 is expected to hear Keynote Speaker Tom Ricketts, Chairman of the Chicago Cubs, at a multi-chamber luncheon at Bobak’s Signature Events in Woodridge on Thursday, March 22, starting at 11:30 a.m. Click HERE to register.
A sellout crowd of more that 250 turned out to hear Keynote Speaker William Strauss, Senior Economist and Economic Advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, at the 10th Annual Economic Outlook Luncheon in Downers Grove on February 29. Elmhurst was well represented with 60 attendees and nine of 37 exhibitors among the 10 chambers.
Monthly Networking Events
Lexington Square of Elmhurst will host the Chamber’s Membership Breakfast on Wednesday, March 14, from 8 to 9 a.m. Click HERE to register.
Ipexus Graphics will host the Chamber’s Business After Hours at Bacci Pizzeria in Bensenville on Wednesday, March 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. Click HERE to register.
Professional Speakers Series
The Chamber is seeking 8 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. presenters for the Professional Speaker Series on Wednesday, March 21, in the Chamber conference room. The cost of $250 covers room rental, event promotion, registration and food and beverages.
Chamber Explorations will do a 5:30 p.m. presentation on the Chamber’s Trip to Ireland from November 7-15 at an all-inclusive cost of $2,519 per person.
Watch the Chamber on Line
You can still view Elmhurst Our Kind of Town’s taping of Elmhurst Mayor Peter DiCianni’s third “State of Our City” Address (hosted by Community Bank of Elmhurst on January 17) and the Chamber’s 93rd Annual Awards Gala directly at elmhursttv.com.
Congrats, Kevin
Kevin O’Keeffe, the Chamber’s new Member Advocate, enjoyed a productive first month, signing up four new members and getting six other members to reactivate.
Contact Kevin at kevino@elmhurstchamber.org if you have any leads to share.