Dear Members:
In celebration of September’s Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry will sponsor a month of networking and fundraising events, offer recruitment incentives for new and reactivating members, and conduct a special sale on Elmhurst-Opoly board games.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has proclaimed September 14-18 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois and Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley has issued a Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 14-18 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Elmhurst.
Established in 1918, our Chamber is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of “promoting an environment that creates success for local businesses and our community.”
During September, our Chamber is selling $25 Elmhurst-Opoly board games (retail sales tax included) at a buy four and get a fifth game FREE special, with delivery outside of Elmhurst an extra expense, depending on the shipping cost. Click HERE to purchase games online or stop by the Chamber office at 300A West Lake Street, Suite 201.
Our Chamber’s member recruitment campaigns runs through the month of September, with the $25 registration fee waived for all new members and all reactivated members receiving a complimentary Elmhurst-Opoly board game.
Also during September, our Chamber also will sponsor the two regularly-scheduled, in-person monthly networking events complying with Restore Illinois Phase 4 guidelines for safety and social distancing. Fitness Formula Club in downtown Elmhurst will host our September 3 Business After Hours, showcasing FFC’s roof-top lounge and outdoor swimming pool, while Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 will host our September 11 Membership Breakfast in the Normandy Room, in remembrance of 9-11. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided at both networking events.
“Networking on the 9’s,” ECCI’s 72nd Annual Golf Outing, will be held at Sugar Creek Golf Course in Villa Park on September 16, featuring corporate sponsors Park Place of Elmhurst (also non-exclusive hole), Al Piemonte Buick GMC and Edward-Elmhurst Health, Larry Roesch Family Auto Group (golf carts), CB Health Insurance (beverages), Elmhurst University (putting contest), The Stevens Group (signage), Community Bank of Elmhurst, City of Elmhurst Economic Development Commission, Elmhurst Park District and more to come. Foursome tee times and sponsorship opportunities are limited.
Thanks to Helping Hands Cleaning Service and PCT Disinfecting for hosting our August 26 Membership Breakfast and Lexington Square of Elmhurst for hosting our August 19 Business After Hours—both of which were conducted outdoors under tents in parking lots.
While some west suburban chambers have staged special events such as a golf outing, sidewalk sale and food tasting, few (if any) have resumed their monthly in-person networking schedules.
30th Annual “Virtual” New Teachers Luncheon
Thanks to the members who participated in our Chamber’s 30th Annual “Virtual” New Teachers Luncheon via Zoom video conferencing and/or donated items to the Goodie Bags for Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205’s August 11 Orientation at York Community High School for nearly 60 new teachers.
Expanded Reinvest DuPage Grants
The DuPage County Board of Commissioners at their August 11 meeting voted to more than double the initial funding and expand eligibility guidelines for Reinvest DuPage, a grant relief program administered in partnership with Choose DuPage for small businesses and independent contractors. The program provides grants to sustain some businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The County Board allocated an additional $9 million to the previous $7 million allocation as part of DuPage’s $161 million in monies received under the $2.2 trillion federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Choose DuPage is administering the plan with support from DuPage County and local banking and financial experts.
The program provide grants of up to $15,000 for DuPage County-based businesses and not-for-profit organizations (NFPs) with fewer than 15 full-time employees and less than $1.5 million in annual revenues. Monies received under the program may be used for payroll, rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and other expenses necessary to maintain operations. A 1099 contractor whose annual income is less than $100,000 can also receive relief through the program.
The County Board also expanded grant eligibility guidelines to include those businesses and NFPs that have received financial assistance from the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) administered through the United States Small Business Administration (SBA).
Choose DuPage conducted a webinar on August 12 to discuss the program with DuPage businesses. Click HERE to view the webinar.
Happy Anniversary
Seven members are celebrating Chamber anniversaries in September as follows: 20 years—Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation (ECAF); 15 years—FSR Wealth Strategies and Pathway Community Church; 10 years—Scharfenberg Dental; and 5 years—Bensenville Elementary School District 2, Control Plus and People’s Resource Center.
New Members
The Chamber welcomed three new members in August as follows: Hinton Insurance Agency – Farmers Insurance, Primos Locos and ReLive Physical Therapy.
Dropped Members
The Chamber said goodbye to the following six members in August: BMO Harris Bank (South Elmhurst), Bradford & Gordon, Casey Brain Creative, Cuvee Cellars, GreenMan Theatre Troupe and Oak Brook Medical Group.