Some 100 members are signed up to attend tonight’s Business After Hours hosted by Catalano & Associates, in partnership with Café Amano, Goalie’s Goodies, Pazzi di Pizza, Pints and The Snuggery.
Today kicks off a busy month (aren’t they all?) that includes two major multi-chamber events—“A Passport to Success” Business-to-Business Expo at the Midwest Conference Center in Northlake on October 23 and Legislative Luncheon in Bloomingdale on October 15—three Professional Speakers Series presentations by Predictive Personnel Assets at the Chamber on October 16 and the October 29 Membership Breakfastat Faith Evangelical United Methodist Church co-host by Journey Church.
Health Care Exchange Notice
Today also marks the deadline for employers who are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to notify their employees about the Health Insurance Marketplace of Illinois.
According to the United States Department of Labor, the FLSA applies to employers that employ one or more employees who are engaged in, or produce goods for, interstate commerce. For most employers, a test of not less than $500,000 in annual dollar volume of business applies.
The FLSA also specifically covers the following entities: hospitals; institutions primarily engaged in the care of the sick, the aged, mentally ill or disabled who reside on the premises; schools for children who are mentally or physically disabled or gifted; preschools, elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education; and federal, state and local government agencies.
Thanks to Cathy Bajkowski of CB Health Insurance and Russ Caforio of Russell F. Caforio & Associates for keeping our Chamber apprised of the latest news.
Hahn Street Redevelopment Project
Based on Aldermen’s scores in eight categories, the Elmhurst City Council at its September 23 Committee of the Whole meeting agreed to take the next step on the Hahn Street Redevelopment Project in downtown Elmhurst with three of five developers who made Request For Proposal (RFP) presentations on September 9 and 10.
Lincoln Property Group (79.16 points) ranked No. 1 overall and in applicant qualifications/financial capacity/experience (15.51) and economic impacts to community (15.64), with Morningside Group (75.60) and Banner Apartments (72.74) close behind. Buckingham Companies (54.06) and Jupiter Realty Group (53.92) rounded out the five.
Morningside Group ranked No. 1 in parking solutions (7.26), quality architecture (13.60) and site layout/land use (8.31), while Banner ranked No. 1 in pedestrian/amenities/open space (7.94), consistency with downtown plan/city codes (9.00) and sustainability (5.73).
Addison LLC Redevelopment Project
City staff will send a safety-enhanced option of the Addison LLC Redevelopment Project plan for a six-story parking garage with first-floor retail space that the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning (Z&P) Commission rejected last June back to Z&P for consideration.
The Elmhurst Economic Development Commission (EEDC) and Elmhurst City Centre Board of Directors endorsed the City staff-proposed Option 1, which was first presented at the City Council’s August 26 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Our Chamber’s Board of Directors supported the project per the following resolution:
“Be it hereby resolved that the Board of Directors of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry supports redevelopment of the vacant Addison Avenue property in downtown Elmhurst that provides first-floor retail space along Addison and the Schiller Walkway, considers options for multiple floors of office space and maximizes the amount of garage parking for both the public and tenants.”
Happy Anniversary
Five members are celebrating Chamber anniversaries in October, as follows: 35 years—Superior Air-Ground Ambulance; and 5 years—Bridgeway of Bensenville.
New Members
The Chamber welcomed 17 new members in September, as follows (in alphabetical order): All Corporate Video, The Brickman Group, Chick-fil-A, Deja vu Hair & Nail Lounge, Essential Bodywear, Forum Financial Management, Give Your Kid a Million, In Home Personal Services, Leapfrog Technology Group, LinJen Promotions, Mature Focus, Panda Windows & Doors, PowerForward DuPage, R.U. Marketing?, Riordan Artistry, Technology Center of DuPage and Zani’s Italian Deli.
Reactivated Members
The following two businesses reactivated as Chamber members in September: Barnhart Investment Advisory and Extended Stay America.
No Longer Members
The Chamber said goodbye to the following five members in September: Auto Works of Elmhurst, Firearm Safety Group, Lincoln at Ovaltine Court, James E. Williams Jr. CPA, and Wise Tax & Accounting.
Gone, But Not Forgotten
Emory T. Hultgren, former Owner and Operator of the still-family-run Elmhurst Ace Hardware in downtown Elmhurst, passed away July 29 in Florida at the age of 94. His wife Laverne is a niece of one of Ace Hardware Corporation’s four founders. His son Ken and Ken’s wife Jan have run the business since 1983, when he retired.