MEMBER NEWSLETTER
October 2020
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Greetings!
With the new restrictions of no indoor dining and lower capacity levels, it is now more than ever a time to promote each other and think outside the box to get customers. Restaurants promote your neighboring retailers and vice versa. Let's partner and package with those who have like-minded customers.
Our Chamber is working hard and offering a variety of programs and events. They include virtual meetings via Zoom and in person with social distancing, Scarecrow Rows, November Virtual Monthly Meeting, Virtual Multi-Chamber Meeting, support to local business programs, chamber services and more!
The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to be a resource during this difficult time. Please forward your new ideas or what you hear another community maybe doing that would work well in Glen Ellyn. Let us know how we can help you. We are all in this together and together we are stronger.
Stay Safe,
Dawn Smith
Glen Ellyn Chamber Executive Director
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Get Involved - Upcoming Events
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Glen Ellyn Community Guide Ad Sales through end of month
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Scarecrow Rows Glen Ellyn (Offer a Grab 'n Go)
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The Glen Ellyn French Market -1 Market Day left
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Chamber Monthly Meeting & Voting in 2021 BOD - (Virtual-FREE) November 10
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Multi Chamber Meeting - (Virtual) November 17
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Non-Profit Connection - (Virtual FREE) November 18
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HOLIDAY Happenings November-December
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Glen Ellyn Community Guide Ad Sales
This publication is a Community Guide showcasing all Glen Ellyn has to offer including chapters on restaurants, shopping, education, emergency services, recreation and more where your ads will be adjacent to these sections which will promote your ad all year long. Copies are mailed to all residents and businesses, will be available at all Chamber events, as well as key locations such as Village Hall, the Library, Police Station, Park District, area hotels and in the New Resident Welcome Bag. Our Suburban Life Chamber sales rep is Deb Cornell. For Info contact Deb Cornell 630-742-2311 or Dcornell79@gmail.com.
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SCARECROW ROWS GLEN ELLYN
October 21 - 31
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Thank you to all 106 Scarecrow Makers and Sponsors. This event unifies the community with highlighting the NPO's & businesses in our town while promoting pedestrian traffic to our storefronts with a FREE Family-Friendly and Socially Distant Outside Event!
Attention all storefronts, advertise your Scarecrow Grab n' Go items for guests to purchase along the route.
Vote in the SCARECROW FACEBOOK CONTEST. Scarecrow with the most likes, by Oct 21st wins! Winner will be announced on Oct 28th.
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Presenter
Ute Westphal, MBA
Director and Program Manager, Illinois Small Business Development Center
(630) 942-2630
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Annual Election of Officers & Presentation on The Change to Stay
The presentation will explain the services of the Business Development Center, the seven elementary changes derived from the recent pandemic experience in starting and managing a business. Long lasting market and industry changes, capital support initiatives, getting through the pandemic winter of 20/21. There will be time for questions, comments, lively discussion to learn from each other.
Ute Westphal has been an entrepreneur in two different countries and brings a solid understanding of today's world of entrepreneurs. She advises business owners in all questions concerning incorporating, operations, financials/capitalization, marketing and organizational structures. Under her leadership the team has helped over 150 startups and created a solid training and advising program for our area.
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Tuesday November 10
11:45 AM Zoom Link Opens
Noon - 1:00pm Annual Election of Officers & Presentation
Free to All Chamber Members
& Prospective Members
Virtual Meeting via Zoom. A link to join will be emailed prior the meeting.
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Virtual Multi-Chamber
When the crisis passes, will your small business still be standing?
Presenter: Jim Paglia, President Brand
Today’s economic climate is nothing short of harrowing. Some businesses are hanging on by sheer will. Help your business' brand weather the unprecedented combination of COVID- 19, a struggling marketplace, social unrest, and natural disasters.
As a small business owner himself, Jim Paglia, noted Brand Strategist , will share insights he applies to keep his businesses strong in these challenging times and the counsel he offers to clients ranging from entrepreneurs to Fortune 500® firms in a variety of industries, professions and settings.
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Tuesday, November 17, 3:00- 4:30 PM
$15 / member $30 / non-member
Virtual Meeting via Zoom. A link to join will be emailed prior the meeting.
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Melissa Lagowski
Founder/CEO/Queen Bee
Melissa created Big Buzz Idea Group in November 2004 so Chicagoland nonprofits would have an honest outsourcing partner to bring their largest projects to life.
With 26 years of corporate and nonprofit experience, she has launched and executed large fundraisers, conceived several innovative and lucrative new programs, coordinated a variety of dinners/awards functions and organized numerous conferences/workshops. Her largest project to date is Ribfest Chicago, where she is responsible for every facet of the event including festival promotion, sponsorship development, entertainment booking and vendor management. Having begun with 5,000 attendees, the event now draws 70,000 people annually and was featured on Food Network’s “Eating America” with Anthony Anderson (2014).
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Glen Ellyn Non-Profit Connection
Virtual Meeting
Presenter: Melissa M. Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee, Big Buzz Idea Group
The Glen Ellyn Non-Profit Connection is a resource to connect non-profits through networking and education. Non-Profits have similar issues and struggles. Together we can make each other stronger.
At these meetings, each organization will:
- Introduce themselves, their organization and share upcoming news, events and services. We will also discuss any struggles at our round-table at the meeting.
- A 30-minute Professional Speaker will be provided on an issue directed specifically to help non-profits.
- A Round Table of Discussion & Best Practices will follow as we will discuss the topics of struggles listed previously. Example topics: fundraising, volunteer recruitment, telling your story, grant writing, transitioning of the Board or staff, etc. There will be years of experience and people with many talents. Together we can support each other, foster and collaborate ideas and improve our community.
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Wednesday, August 19
9:30AM - 11:30 AM
Free to All Non-Profit Chamber Members
Virtual Meeting via Zoom. A link to join will be emailed prior the meeting.
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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS - The Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk is unlikely with the mandatory social distancing. We are looking for great ideas to bring folks to Glen Ellyn for their shopping. Please email us!
- We will be doing a themed window decorating contest for all storefronts.
- Promote: Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday
- The Village has plans to:
- Create a marketing theme "Something Always Happening in Glen Ellyn.
- A gift program for retail businesses to promote shopping & dining to customers. More info to come.
- Hire a horse and carriage for (Nov 27, Dec: 11, 12, 18, 19 from 6-8pm).
- Valet parking on weekends, off of Main/Crescent starting Nov 14th, 10-5pm on Saturdays and 12-4pm on Sundays.
- Possible installed speakers to play Christmas music & more.
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Holiday Window Decorating
2020 Window Theme: Tree of Hope
Windows will be Judged on Wednesday, November 25.
The categories:
- Best Overall
- Best Interpretation of Theme
- Best Representation of Business
- Best Children's Theme
- 3 X Honorable Mention
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Christmas Tree of Hope Window Clings
Christmas Tree Window Clings available for purchase. These are window clings that will stick on the inside of store windows. Samples and sign up sheet is at the Book Store, or they can e-mail me directly at https://robherbold@yahoo.com
- 9" x 9" (Smaller, for doors and or corners of windows) - $25.00 each
- 18" x 18" (Twice the size for smaller retailers windows) - $45.00 each
- 24" x 24" (Largest size due to material constraints) - $60.00 each
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Glen Ellyn French Market
Sundays, June - October 25
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
one market day left!
Main Street Train Station South parking lot
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Region 8, which includes Glen Ellyn, Under New Mitigation Requirements Beginning Friday, Oct. 23
Governor Pritzker announced in a news conference today that beginning Friday, October 23, 2020, Region 8 which encompasses DuPage and Kane Counties, and includes Glen Ellyn, will be under new mitigation requirements due to worsening COVID-19 metrics in the region. These restrictions include no indoor dining or bar service and restrictions on group sizes with a limit of no more than 25 people or no more than 25% of room capacity.
According to data available through the Illinois Department of Public Health , Region 8 has exceeded the 8% threshold for its seven-day positivity rate for three consecutive days, with the positivity rate currently at 9%.
Moving forward, if the positivity rate averages less than or equal to 6.5% over a 3-day period, the region will return to Phase 4 mitigations under the Restore Illinois Plan. If the positivity rate averages between 6.5% - 8% the IDPH will continue to monitor the region to determine if additional mitigations are needed. If the positivity rate averages greater than or equal to 8% after 4 days, more stringent mitigations may be applied to further reduce the spread of the virus.
Business Interruption Grants Still Open
The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program is a $636 million program developed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. Funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs; rent; utilities; and other operational costs.
Applications for a second round of funding are now live. A total of $220 million are available for small businesses of all types in Illinois. Due to the implementation of these mitigations, businesses in DuPage County, along with other affected counties, will be given priority to these funds. Learn more about the program and apply here.
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Local COVID-19 Updates from the DuPage County Health Department
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Illinois Restaurant Association Restaurant Employee Relief Grants
The Illinois Restaurant Association has just opened the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, a program of the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF). This fund provides one-time grants of $500 to support restaurant employees facing an unforeseen hardship due to COVID-19. Grants will help to cover basic living expenses such as rent, food and utilities. This fund allows IRAEF to give back to the employees at the heart of the restaurant community.
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Village Board Approves Several Business Support Initiatives
In a continued effort to support the business community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Glen Ellyn Village Board voted to approve several business support initiatives at the recent Board meeting, including:
- Matching funds increased for both downtown retail interior improvement & façade improvement award
- COVID-19 business support grant program established.
- Business registration fees waived for 2021.
- Downtown merchant parking fees reduced for 2021.
Glen Ellyn's COVID-19 Business Support Grant Program
Open Through December 1, 2020
On September 28, the Village Board also approved the creation of the Glen Ellyn COVID-19 Support Grant Program. This new program was established to assist businesses with costs associated with COVID-19 business expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 through December 1, 2020.
Approved expenses are eligible to receive COVID-19 Support Grant funds in an amount not to exceed $5,000, as determined by the Village Board. Grants will be formally issued after the purchases/improvements are completed and all requested documentation is received and reviewed by the Village to verify completion. All grants will be reviewed on a first come first served basis and the program will close on December 1, 2020 or when all funds for the program are dispersed, whichever comes first.
This program is being funded with the Village's allocation of CARES funding from DuPage County. Applications for this grant must be received by the Village by December 1, 2020. The application and additional information can be found on the Village's website, www.glenellyn.org.
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Membership Committee
This committee welcomes and mentors our newest members, helping them to take advantage of the many benefits offered by the Chamber. Not surprisingly, we often find that our newer members are the very ones who enjoy participating in this role. This committee meets the fourth Thursday every monthly.
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Thursday, October 22
8:30 - 9:30 AM
Free to All Chamber Members
Virtual Meeting via Zoom. A link to join will be emailed prior the meeting.
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Glen Ellyn Business Leaders' Forum |
The Glen Ellyn Business Leaders' Forum is comprised of non-competing businesses that provide products and services to businesses and consumers. Because each member represents a different industry we have industry specific expertise we openly share with the group. We want to share what we know so that we each become better business owners, and in turn can provide guidance to our clients and customers with relevant referrals.
Members collaborate to form effective referral partnerships for the markets they serve in Glen Ellyn and Chicago's Western Suburbs.
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Friday, October 23
7:30 - 8:30 am
Virtual Meeting via Zoom. Link will be sent to all current members and those interested prior to meeting date. For more information click link or contact :
John Hughes, VP Business Banking
Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust
(630) 469-3000 (work)
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Tuesday the Chamber held our monthly meeting live at Reserve 22 with Speaker Travis Linderman, Managing Director of Innovation DuPage. All came masked until eating lunch and we had a great turnout! We also celebrated Iryl Tortorella’s 92nd Birthday who was our Chamber President in 1995! Thank you Travis for speaking and Happy Birthday Iryl!
A special thank you to Sign Identity for Iryl's birthday banner, the Cafe at the Glen Ellyn Public Library for Iryl's birthday cake and the Green Branch for the lovely corsage.
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Glen Ellyn Chamber Member Gift Checks |
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The Chamber sells approximately $60K in gift checks annually which all goes back to our Chamber Members for a free service. Gift Checks come in the following denominations $10, $15, $20, $25, $30, $50. Gift Checks are not available at the Glen Ellyn Public Library until further notice.
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The Glen Ellyn Chamber welcomes new residents to the community! All new residents (approx. 500) of Glen Ellyn receive a Welcome Bag. Chamber Members are able to distribute marketing materials and items in these bags. It is a great way to tell new residents about your business and service!
The Glen Ellyn Chamber provides the reusable shopping bag which includes a welcome letter, map, a Glen Ellyn Community Guide and useful items, coupons, directories and brochures that offer residents information and savings, supplied by participating Glen Ellyn Chamber members. Welcome bags are distributed at the Cashier Desk at the Village Civic Center and at the Chamber office. Contact the office to place your marketing materials in the Welcome Bag.
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The Glen Ellyn Chamber is dedicated to be a resource during this difficult time. This is a very crucial time for our small business owners. We have began the following programs:
*Attention Chamber Members: Check your business listing and fill out the form below to provide business updates. If you have any questions email jaclyn@glenellynchamer.com.
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Participate in our GLEN ELLYN DINE AT HOME OR DINE IN |
Curbside Pickup / Delivery / Carryout / Drive Through / Outdoor Dining / Indoor Dining |
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Participate in our KEEP SHOPPING LOCAL program |
Curbside Pickup / Online / Shipping / In Store |
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Glen Ellyn Essential Services |
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Volunteers are needed across the state. If you are an able-bodied volunteer and are willing to volunteer, please visit DuPage County’s Volunteer Portal, Giving DuPage, that links volunteers with non-profit organizations within DuPage. If you are Non-Profit not associated with Giving DuPage and would like more information, please contact the Chamber Office.
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Glen Ellyn Business Resource During COVID-19 |
The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to be a resource during this difficult time. Please click the link to view:
- Emails shared with Glen Ellyn Chamber members regarding COVID-19 on their website
- COVID19 Links to Village, County & State.
- Additional ways to help in the pandemic.
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THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS
Without your paid memberships we are unable to provide services to strengthen the Glen Ellyn Businesses and community
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Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce
810 N. Main Street
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630.469.0907
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