October 2nd, 2022

As a Board Member with the Chamber, I love this business community. As a Latina business owner, I love how Oak Park and River Forest have welcomed me! I have been able to grow my business, make professional connections and personal friends. So many of us live and work here. There's no other place I'd rather be!

Esther Grachan

Board of Directors

Join the Chamber this Month!

Would you like to join other businesses from the Hispanic Community?

Join the Chamber and then register for our BIPOC meetings each month to connect with our members who are a part of your community! 

When you join this month you will get 3 months of membership FREE! Join before the 10th and get a special mention at this year's Spotlight Soiree! 

Wednesday October 5, 5:30 - 7:00pm - DCRE Affinity Group Meeting at American House

Come join the Chamber's Design, Construction, and Real Estate affinity group at American House, Oak Park's newest building, not yet open to the public! Come check out this new landmark on Madison Avenue, and enjoy food and drinks courtesy of our hosts.

Plus, get to know the new co-chairs of the Chamber's Design, Construction and Real Estate Affinity Group!

Thursday October 6, 1:00 - 2:00pm - NPO Affinity Group: How to Approach Businesses for Support

Come join the Chamber's nonprofit affinity group for our monthly gathering - and this month American House is hosting us! Check out this brand new senior living home in the middle of Oak Park, before it opens to the public! 

This month we'll learn from local businesspeople about how they would like to be approached by nonprofits looking for support. Confirmed guests are Natalie Casas of First Eagle Bank and David Silverstein of Whirlwind Coffee; we hope to add one or two more! 

Thursday October 13, 4:30 - 5:00pm - Ribbon Cutting at Oak Park River Forest High School

This time we'll be at OPRF High School celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Huskies Booster Club!

For half a century, the OPRF High School Booster Club has supported academics, athletics, and activities at Oak Park - River Forest High School through their fundraising work. The Award Wall of the remodeled lobby at the school is just one project funded through the efforts of the Boosters, who also take on such immediate needs as microphones for performing arts students to use during pandemic when they had to be masked. 

Friday October 14, 9:00 - 10:30am - Women in Business Meeting at The Sheridan

We are thrilled you will be joining us this month at The Sheridan! WIB is continuing our monthly series with Maura Mitchell, JD/MBA. Maura is the Managing Director - Entrepreneurial Programs & Services of the Women's Business Development Center. Maura will be providing an overview of the resources available at WBDC for female entrepreneurs. You won't want to miss this discussion! 

Monday October 17, 12:15 - 12:45pm - Meditation Monday at Crossfunction Flexible Workspace

Join us at our Chamber program aimed at taking care of you, our small business community. Welcome to our monthly Meditation Mondays! All it takes is half an hour (that's only 30 mins!) for us to help you put your to-do list aside, empty your head of all the chatter and truly look after yourself.

We are thrilled to partner with the Kadampa Meditation Center in Oak Park to bring you this monthly meditation. Gen Zamling, the Resident Teacher of the center, will lead the meditation and talk you through every step. You don't need to do anything but show up and breathe!

Wednesday October 19, 2:00 - 3:00pm - Chamber 102 via Zoom

In this hour we will go over all of the marketing benefits that come with your membership, including:

• How to maximize your e-blast benefits.

• The role of your Member Profile in your marketing advantage and how to track digital traffic.

• How to generate marketing collateral that can be shared in your social media.

• How to tap into our Affinity Groups to grow your network and feature your business.

Wednesday October 19, 5:30 - 7:30pm - Health & Wellness Affinity Group Meeting at TBD

Join us for our classic Business Card Exchange - meet other providers, exchange cards and build a network that you can trust!

Take a break from networking and support your fellow Chamber friends who have bravely volunteered to tell us their stories of resilience and strength.

This time they will be talking on "Changing the Narrative: Stories of Failure and Resilience."

Help us launch this NEW collaboration with Chamber Member Urban Wellness and their programs that support wellness in our business community.

Thursday October 20, 3:30 - 4:00pm - Ribbon Cutting at American House

This time we'll be at American House Oak Park celebrating this new business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Check out this new business and their beautiful building!

Meet the staff and see the elegant setting with floors dedicated to independent living, assisted living, and memory care. 

American House is Oak Park's newest building, not yet open to the public. Come check out this new landmark on Madison Avenue in the middle of Oak Park, and enjoy food and drinks courtesy of our hosts.

Spotlight Celebration

Who are the Titans in YOUR Community?

When you think of all of the business people who have helped you over the years, who are they? How have these amazing Visionaries, Innovators, Community Impact Makers, Mentors, Social Responsibility Warriors, and Collaborators impacted the community? What better way to honor them, than to nominate them to be recognized by the OPRF Chamber of Commerce and the business community at large? 

Then join us at the Spotlight Soiree on October 11th at the Cheney Mansion where we will honor each of these nominees, with the the help of our Exclusive Presenting Sponsor, Oak Park Bank!

Exclusive Presenting Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Each month there will be one specific topic that is timely and relevant to the community. Planned topics include:

• October 5, 2022 - "Inflammation Eradication: Health & Harmony from the Inside Out
• November 2, 2022 - "Balanced Boundaries: Healthy Habits When Saying YES & NO"
• December 7, 2022 - "Protect Your Peace: How Not to Kill Your Family or Yourself During Obligatory Gatherings"

New Members

August & September 2022

Join us in welcoming all of these new Chamber Members into the Oak Park River Forest community! We can't wait to meet you and learn more about your business.

Complimentary Memberships

August & September 2022

These members joined the Chamber as part of the Village of Oak Park or the Village of River Forest complimentary six-month membership. Join us in welcoming them all to the Chamber!

Civinte Candle Bar

Fritzi's Delicatessen

Chicago Waffles - Oak Park

Lucky Salon

TW Fitness LLC

Niravadhi Services/Problem Solvers

Skin by Lily

Bungalow Consulting, LLC

Physicians Immediate Care

Epyk Signature

Zak Knebel Group - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago

MED AESTHETICS, LLC

Mindful Family Management

Advocacy Update

What is the Chamber doing for you?

Every month, the Executive Director, Liz Holt, along with the Advocacy Committee, Sam Yousif & Rob Guenthner, and other Chamber Board Members are working tirelessly to make sure that your voice is heard. Check out some of the accomplishments so far this month!