Happy Holidays Fellow Members of the OPRF Chamber of Commerce!

I am Rev. Adonna Reid, Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Oak Park. I am also

a proud OPRF Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member. I have enjoyed

serving on the Board and actively engaging the church in the Chamber because it

allows us to live out the belief that the church has to get “out of the church and into

the community.” As a Board member, I work to integrate various sectors that make up

OPRF and surrounding neighborhoods, with the goal being to build a stronger

community.

We are happy to have been one of the sponsors for several Business After Hours

events, including the signature Spotlight Soirees for two years and the first Dry January

event of its type last year. In addition, for two years, we have sponsored the Health and

Wellness Fair, highlighting the connection between mind, body, and spirit. These have

been great ways to reach people beyond Sunday mornings, again, meeting people

where they are while also contributing to such fun and festive ways of fostering

connections between Chamber members and guests.

This holiday season, I encourage you to support fellow Chamber members in your

shopping and planning for celebrations in your home and business. Worried about

getting the “right item”? The Keep the Cheer Here Gift cards are always a good option, allowing recipients an opportunity to choose something special for themselves from you.

Beyond material things, during the “Holy-days”, you are invited to gift yourself, family

and friends with experiences for nurturing strength for today and bright hope for

tomorrow:

• Monday, 12/16, at 6:30 pm, we will offer a “Blue Christmas” observance for those

who aren’t feeling quite so merry. It will be a time especially meant to offer hope

for the heavy-hearted.

• Sunday, 12/22, at 3:00 pm, A Sing-Along Messiah will be led by members of the

renown Apollo Chorus. Come to sing or just listen. Musical scores will be

available for purchase and a free-will offering will be received to benefit Housing

Forward.

• Christmas Eve Services: Family-Friendly & Interactive- 12/22 10:00 am;

Traditional- 12/24 6:00 pm. Candlelight singing of Silent Night at both.

As 2024 draws to a close, I want to wish all the best to you and your family both now

and in the new year.

Peace to you,

Rev. Adonna D. Reid

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

We've recently partnered with the Village of Oak Park to create a fun holiday marketing campaign to encourage shoppers to Keep the Cheer Here in Oak Park! Apply now opt-in your business to our incredible gift card program, completely free to you!

The digital gift cards are a great holiday gift, get your own today!

View upcoming community events!

No plans for the weekend?

Check out Keep the Cheer Here website in the "Community events" for what's happening around town.

If you want to see your event on our list? Submit your event here.

Food Vendors, we need your help to make the 8th Annual Bite Nite 2025, the most delicious event of the year!

Warm up a crowd this winter by serving unforgettable culinary delights and/or drinks. We'll take care of the rest! The Nineteenth Century Club's historic ballroom will be filled with live music and hungry guests!

We're carefully picking over 30 local eateries, caterers, and food brands for ONE NIGHT ONLY to treat food enthusiasts to an array of savory bites and sweet treats. 

Ready to take on the challenge to serve your specialties to locals?

Sign up today!

Showcase your health and wellness business by vending at our premier event, where you'll connect with hundreds of engaged residents and network with over 80 health-related businesses, including owners and managers. Early bird pricing ends 12/31/24.

With marketing that reaches an audience of 70,000+ through e-blasts, social media, and print advertising, sponsorship is an affordable and

effective way to grow your brand!



You'll get premium booth placement, waived booth fees, and more- but they sell out quickly, so act fast! Find out more on our event page.

You asked for it and we answered! If you're interested in staying in the loop of all things nonprofit, join our new group on Facebook. Once the 2025 meeting details are confirmed, we'll post them there first!

We've Planned Your Week!

Here are some events we have coming up over the next week so you can register now and receive a reminder right before the event!

Monday Dec 16,

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Celebrate the season and the incredible community of BIPOC participants with a festive evening of connection and cheer! Join us on Monday, December 16th, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Styles for Kidz as we gather for one last hurrah before the New Year.



To participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped gift valued at $5-$10.

Thursday Dec 19,

2:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Perfect for new members and those who need a refresher. This fast-paced seminar will review all of your digital benefits to maximize your digital advantage.

Friday Dec 20,

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Join us for Meet Me for Lunch at Rustico! A favorite for chamber members: enjoy a business lunch in a casual setting, with small group networking. Come enjoy the food while you connect and get to know Chamber members

2025 Minimum Wage Increase

On December 1, Cook County issued a notice to employees regarding the Minimum Wage Ordinance (MWO).

Effective January 1, 2025, the minimum wage for non-tipped workers increases to $15.00 and the minimum wage for tipped workers increases to $9.00. These increases are required in alignment with the Illinois State minimum wage. 

The updated "Notice to Employees" and "Frequently Asked Questions" documents are available here.

Holiday Office Closure Notice

Our incredible team has worked tirelessly this year, and it’s time for a well-deserved holiday break!

Our office will be closed from Monday, December 23rd through Monday, January 6th as our fantastic staff takes time to celebrate and recharge with their families.

We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to reach out with any time-sensitive matters before our temporary closure. Thank you for your support, and we wish you a joyous holiday season!

Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce

141 S Oak Park Avenue, Suite 3 Oak Park, IL 60302

708.613.0550 | info@oprfchamber.org | www.oprfchamber.org