July 1:
Deadline to submit materials for the Quarterly Mailbag program. $100 for 400 flyers to be direct mailed to your fellow chamber businesses the week of July 6. More info in box below.
July 3 - 4:
Our first ever 4th of July House/Business Decorating Contest. Decorate the outside of your home or business in a manner that shows patriotism and follows the themes of “Independence Day.” No charge to participate.
Register by July 1
to be included in the judging. Register your home or business
here
or by calling the chamber office. More info in box below.
July 14:
Monthly General Membership Meeting - 9 to 10:15 a.m. on Zoom. More info coming soon.
July 18:
Our first ever Mokena Chamber Garden Walk, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Map pick-up at the chamber office beginning at 10:30 a.m. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. 8 residential gardens to tour. More info in box below.
Purchase tickets here.
July 31:
Deadline to participate in the Roadside Banner program. Receive a 1-year return on your small investment with approximately 1,000 people each day viewing your business Banner on the streets of Mokena! $200 per banner, or $550 for 3.
Download application here.
More info in box below.
|
|
|
Join us for our first ever Garden Walk on July 18!
|
Please come to the Mokena Chamber of Commerce office on July 18 to pick up your map to the gardens. 11104 Front Street. Plenty of parking available in the Metra parking lot directly across from our office. Office opens promptly at 10:30 a.m. Everyone will be required to sign a Hold Harmless waiver upon picking up the map.
We have 8 beautiful residential gardens on the walk, each with their own unique personality.
This is a fundraiser for the Mokena Chamber of Commerce as most of our fundraising events were cancelled this year due to the Illinois Phase I and Phase II gathering restrictions from March - June.
Please practice social distancing when touring the gardens.
|
|
4th of July House/Business Decorating Contest
|
The Mokena Chamber of Commerce is inviting residents & businesses to participate in our first ever "4th of July House/Business Decorating Contest."
You are encouraged to decorate the outside of your home or business in a manner that shows patriotism and follows the themes of “Independence Day.” The side of the house/business that is most visible from the street should be decorated so everyone can see the displays without exiting their vehicles to maintain safe social distancing.
Judging will take place beginning at
noon on July 3 and ending at 5 p.m. on July 4.
Who are the judges you ask? ALL OF US!
The morning of July 3rd,
we will list the entries on our website and Facebook page for you to view and cast your votes! There will be a survey on our
website
that will allow you to vote on your favorite!
Prizes will be awarded to
Best Residential entry
and
Best Business entry.
The winners will be announced on our website and Facebook page on July 4 just before the fireworks. We hope everyone uses this opportunity to get creative and have fun as we celebrate Independence Day 2020 in Mokena!
|
|
*If you would like to donate prizes for the winners, please contact the chamber office.*
|
|
It's time for the Quarterly Mailbag!
|
Do you have something special you need to promote? Let us do the work for you!
Just provide us with 400 copies of your flyer* and $100 (cash, check or credit card) and we will mail your flyer to our 400 chamber member businesses!
Feature your business specials, announcements, etc.
Contact the chamber office to arrange pick-up of your materials as our physical office location is currently by appointment only. DEADLINE: July 1
The mailbag will be sent out the week of July 6.
*One page only please. Double-sided is okay. Call the Chamber office at (708) 479-2468 or email
chamber@mokena.com
with questions.
|
|
|
Advertise your business every day for 1 YEAR with a Roadside Banner!
|
Receive a 1-year return on your small investment with approximately 1,000 people each day viewing your business Banner on the streets of Mokena!
This wildly popular, chamber-member exclusive program is only offered
once a year.
Banners are hung at random along Wolf Road and LaPorte Road. Have your logo, business name, and website on a vinyl banner.
Banners are displayed from September 2020 to September 2021.
Join the program for only $200 per banner, or take advantage of our discount by purchasing 3 banners for $550.
DEADLINE JULY 31, 2020
-
This is your last opportunity to purchase a banner until June 2021, so don't miss out!
|
|
|
Cindy & Melissa discuss July!
|
4th of July Parade Chair Cindy Gamboa and Melissa Fedora discuss the cancelled parade, our NEW initiative for celebrating July 4th during the pandemic with a socially distant home/business decorating contest, and our first ever Garden Walk on July 18!
|
|
|
Village of Mokena announces plan for 4th of July fireworks
|
Plans for Mokena’s annual 4th of July fireworks have been set!
After considerable debate on how to best stage the celebration in a manner compliant with the Governor’s COVID-19-related executive orders regarding social distancing and public gatherings, Mokena’s Village Board this week selected a new location for the 2020 event. This new site is designed to provide the community’s residents with the maximum “bang for the buck” while adhering to applicable guidelines.
The new location for the fireworks display will be the Ozinga Bros. site located northeast of the intersection of LaGrange Road and 191st Street. The show will be conducted on July 4 at approximately 9 p.m. The launch site, which has been used in years past for the fireworks, will offer the majority of the residents of the community of over 20,000 the opportunity to view the display from the safety of their own front porch or back deck.
The Village is additionally making a limited number of nearby “socially distanced” parking spaces at the Hickory Creek Metra lot available to Mokena residents for drive-in viewing. Access to these spaces will be restricted to drivers of vehicles able to present a valid Illinois driver’s license validating their status as a Mokena resident.
Gates to the lot will open at 7 p.m., with any remaining available slots opened to non-resident members of the public after 8:30. Other gathering at the display site is strongly discouraged, and the Village will require that all viewers adhere to the social distancing guidelines in place on July 4.
For those residents that don’t want to miss a single detail of the show, the Village is additionally providing a live stream of the event that viewers throughout the community (and beyond) can tune into via their personal laptops, mobile devices, or other digital media. The link for live stream viewing of the show will be available on the Village’s website, www.mokena.org.
As always, conducting a fireworks celebration is dependent on the weather. If a weather event occurs which could cause the show to be canceled or postponed, the Village will provide that information to the public via its “Community Alerts” mass notification system (sign-up for alerts is available at www.mokena.org).
Those with further questions regarding the 4th of July fireworks can contact the Mokena Village Hall at (708) 479-3900.
|
|
Come by the chamber office at 11104 Front Street and take a look at our front window all decked out for Independence Day. Every one of our 400 members has their own individual star!
Last Friday, to celebrate the start of Phase 4 and our first day back at dining indoors, we hand wrote each of your business names on the stars at chamber member
Post Game Pub & Sedona Grille.
Photo to the right: Jim and Samantha Tunney display their star for CTO Enterprises, Melissa Fedora displays the star for the Mokena Chamber of Commerce, Maureen Wall-Coultas displays her star for Post Game Pub & Sedona Grille, and Mackenzie and Fox display the star for their school Mokena School District #159.
|
|
|
So much important info from your fellow chamber members. Please read & support each other!!!
|
|
If you would like your information included below, submit as either a Word Document, PDF, or a website link by 3:30 p.m. on the Friday before the week you would like it included. Reply to this email or send to
chamber@mokena.com
|
|
Fresh Air Experts SanitizeIT
are infection control specialists. We come to your home and business to bring you to Clinically Clean with our disinfecting spray service. We lightly fog our hospital grade disinfectant that is CDC listed and EPA registered to eliminate bacteria, odors, and viruses like
MRSA, Coronavirus, H1N1, Staph
and more. Quick dry, Food & Animal Safe, affordable. Chamber Discount 10% off. Based on sq ft and appointments required. We Clear the Air to give you Peace of Mind 708-888-2008
www.SanitizeITClean.com/Chicago-il
and FreshAirExpert.com for more information.
|
|
DCEO Offering Business Interruption Grants (BIG)
|
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently announced it is offering $60 million in grants to businesses experiencing losses or business interruption as a result of COVID-19 related closures.
The BIG Program is available for up to 3,500 businesses, and DCEO will begin distributing funds to qualifying businesses in mid-July. Specifically, the program includes support for the following:
- Bars and restaurants. $20 million in funding has been allocated for bars and restaurants unable to offer outside (al fresco) service. At least 1,000 grants of up to $20,000 each will be made. Grants are for businesses with $80,000 to $3 million in annual revenue.
- Barbershops and salons. 1,000 grants of $10,000 each will be made to barbershops and salons (total of $10 million). Grants are for businesses with $80,000 to $500,000 in annual revenue.
- Gyms and fitness centers. $10 million has been earmarked for gyms and fitness centers that have lost significant revenue due to COVID-19. 500 grants of $20,000 each are being offered. Grants are for businesses with $80,000 to $2 million in annual revenue.
- Businesses in disproportionate impacted areas (DIAs). Although not applicable to Mokena businesses, an additional $20 million is available for businesses that have recently experienced significant property damage.
Applications for the above grants will be accepted through Tuesday, July 7, at 5 p.m.
|
|
|
Employers can grant paid leave for COVID-19
|
Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, employers can grant paid leave for an employee to take care of their health needs related to COVID -19 or to care for their family members. This relief helps ensure employees are not forced to choose between being paid or staying home to care for themselves, a child or other family member.
|
|
|
Federal Reserve Main Street Lending Program expanded
|
The Federal Reserve Board expanded its Main Street Lending Program to allow more small and medium-sized businesses to be able to receive support. The Board lowered the minimum loan amount, raised the maximum loan limit, adjusted the principal repayment schedule to begin after two years, and extended the term to five years, providing borrowers with greater flexibility in repaying the loans. The Board expects the Main Street program to be open for lender registration soon and to be actively buying loans shortly afterwards.
The changes include:
- Lowering the minimum loan size for certain loans to $250,000 from $500,000;
- Increasing the maximum loan size for all facilities;
- Increasing the term of each loan option to five years, from four years;
- Extending the repayment period for all loans by delaying principal payments for two years, rather than one; and
- Raising the Reserve Bank's participation to 95% for all loans.
|
|
|
Mokena Chamber on Chicagoland Chats!
|
|
|
The Great American Bagel on Chicagoland Chats
|
The Great American Bagel
is back providing amazing bagels and sandwiches - learn about how you can enjoy them with Luke Lally from Great American Bagel in Oak Lawn and Mokena.
|
|
|
Cancer Support Center on Chicagoland Chats
|
Learn about the
Cancer Support Center's
support throughout the Southland with their Development Manager, Jen Linares and Program Manager, Jason Kieffer.
|
|
|
Shark Shredding and Document Management Services on Chicagoland Chats
|
Shark Shredding
is ready to protect your and your clients' personal information... come learn how with Brian Ciapinski with Shark Shredding.
|
|
|
Joliet Junior College offering 10 FREE online courses
|
This special offer ends June 30, 2020.
Topics are:
- Managing Customer Service
- Fundamentals of Supervision and Management
- Personal Finance
- Twelve Steps to a Successful Job Search
- Creating Web Pages
- Creating WordPress Websites
- Individual Excellence
- Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
- Keys to Effective Communication
- Marketing Your Business on the Internet
|
|
|
Upcoming Complimentary Webcasts
|
|
COVID-19 Response Program offered by American Family Insurance
June 22–July 17
The four-week program will give small business and nonprofit customers access to webinars, roundtables and one-on-one consultations with business experts.
The program will include:
Weekly, one-hour webinars covering:
- Week of June 22 | Employee and Customer Safety: Considerations for reopening.
- Week of June 29 | Marketing: Customer retention, attraction and consumer behaviors in our “new normal.”
- Week of July 6 | Operational Planning: Digital and drive through sales plan and how to pivot and reboot.
- Week of July 13 | Finances: Current and future state of federal funding, cash flow management, grant programs and more!
Weekly, one-hour virtual roundtable conversations with your peers to discuss challenges, share best practices and create community.
Weekly email guidance on the changing landscape
By signing up you are not committing to attend all events. You may choose as many of the events that interest you.
You DO NOT have to be an American Family Insurance customer to participate. Presented by
American Family Insurance Maria Hohman Agency
|
|
|
Take our Weekly Poll!
Final results in next week's E-Newsletter.
|
|
|
Tony Award winning 'Hamilton' will be released this week on Disney+. Will you be watching?
|
|
|
|
Now that it's officially summer, what is your favorite way to beat the heat?
Enjoying a pool - 23.1%
Cool drinks on a patio - 38.5%
Staying in the air conditioning - 30.8%
Nothing, I love the heat - 7.7%
|
|
The Cancer Support Center's Walk of Hope has gone VIRTUAL with a new date! July 11 - 12.
|
|
3 Different Sponsorship Opportunities!
|
|
Your Response Matters - U.S. Census 2020
|
Health clinics. Fire departments. Schools. Even roads and highways. The census can shape many different aspects of your community. Census results affect our community every day.
According to the
Illinois Department of Human Services website
, on the
state level
, an accurate count of Illinois' population is essential to ensure that the State receives the funding it needs to properly care for its residents and provide critical services and programs. In 2015, Illinois received $19,738,866,367, or approximately $1,535 per capita, in federal assistance for sixteen programs. The failure to count every Illinois resident would have devastating effects on Illinois' ability to meet the needs of its residents. Even a one-percent undercount would result in the State losing $19,557,435 per year for a decade, resulting in a total loss of $195,574,350.
More information regarding the U.S. Census can be
found here.
|
|
Are you interested in helping with the census and earning some extra money in the process? Become a Census Taker!
Complete details here!
|
|
Welcome to our new members that joined in the past 30 days!
|
|
19201 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 203, Mokena
708-995-1978
8509 Golfview Drive, Orland Park
708-828-0752
19135 S. Blackhawk Pkwy., Mokena
708-429-3636
|
|
|
These members renewed their chamber investment in the past 30 days!
|
|
Constant Contact now offering ecomdash - A new way to list and sell your products online
|
Selling products and services online is more important than ever, especially in times like these. Introducing Ecomdash by Constant Contact, where you can sell products and services to over 250+ marketplaces—all from one place.
Here are just a few ways Ecomdash by Constant Contact can help your business:
•
List and sell products on popular sites like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and more.
•
Prevent backorders and overselling with 24/7 automated inventory syncing.
•
Save time and money by connecting with popular platforms like Stamps.com and QuickBooks.
•
Print, pack, and ship from one system—no more multiple logins.
•
Sync buyers' email addresses directly to a Constant Contact account to include them in marketing campaigns.
And don't forget, as a member of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce, you are always eligible for Constant Contact service.
|
|
|
COVID-19 Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources
|
Businesses can access additional information by clicking
here.
|
|
|
New Resident 'Swag Bag' marketing opportunity for you.
|
As a member of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce you can be one of the first businesses to welcome new residents to Mokena!
When new residents set up their utilities account at Village Hall, they are given a card to bring to the Chamber Office to redeem for a Welcome Swag Bag of free gifts, including promotional items and coupons from Chamber member businesses, along with information about the community.
To participate in the Welcome to Mokena program, we just ask that you provide a promotional item for the Welcome Bag, and/or a coupon for your business.
To participate, we ask for a 12-month commitment in the program. In return, at the end of each quarter, you will receive the mailing addresses of the Welcome Swag Bag recipients who have opted to receive information from you.
The program fee is only $200 per year!
|
|
Do you like to know stuff?
|
Do you like information? Do you like to know what's happening in the community? Do you like to be interactive and social (virtually)? Do you like to impress your friends and colleagues with your knowledge of all things Mokena?
For even MORE daily content and updates regarding our chamber, community and chamber members, follow our Facebook page
HERE!
|
|
Our 2020 Premier Sponsors
|
|
Melissa M. Fedora
Executive Director
Mokena Chamber of Commerce
11104 Front Street, Suite 1B
Mokena, IL 60448
Tel: 708-479-2468
Fax: 708-479-7144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
