The Excellent Eats Award goes to a restaurant, bakery, or catering service doing more than putting good food on a plate. It recognizes the places that make a meal worth remembering, that support fellow local businesses, and that give Oak Park and River Forest a dining scene worth bragging about.

Nominations close August 16. A few sentences on why someone deserves recognition goes a long way toward getting them to the finalist stage.

If nominating someone isn't enough and you want to show your support in a bigger way, sponsorship is open at every level. New this year is the Award Sponsor level, where the award carries your business name on the certificate, the screen, and the announcement from the stage. You'll also help choose the honoree, present the award yourself, and reserve a table for eight.



Award sponsorships are first come, first served. Take a look at what's included at each level, or reach out directly to claim yours.

Another round of applause for last year's winners...

Click any graphic for details and to register.

Four this month, from a night in a greenhouse to a Friday lunch.

COMING UP THIS WEEK

PLAN YOUR MONTH

Here you'll find recent updates and resources from our community partners!

In late 2025, the Illinois General Assembly passed a tax increase to help fund mass transit. Effective August 1, 2026, the NITA (formerly the Regional Transportation Authority) occupation and use tax rate increased by 0.25% in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.

The tax applies to general merchandise, qualifying groceries, qualifying drugs and medical appliances, items that must be titled or registered in Illinois, medical and adult use cannabis, and aviation fuel. NITA rates are added to the statewide rate (6.25% or 1.00%) plus any local taxes collected by IDOR.



To find your updated rate, use the MyTax Illinois Tax Rate Finder and select rates for August 2026. Be sure to update your cash register or software so you are collecting the correct rate. If you use software to prepare your forms, check with your vendor for updates.

The Oak Park Public Library is hosting a free session on aging at home, built around a fictional senior neighbor named Evelyn who takes a fall. The presentation follows what happens next — EMTs, surgery, rehab, home care, and the supports that come after — with a panel of local professionals from emergency, medical, and long-term care taking questions at the end.



Free and open to everyone, registration required. Worth passing along to clients, staff, or anyone in your life caring for an older adult.

That’s it for this week—thanks for reading and for helping our business community thrive together!

Stay Connected

Hungry for more? Follow us on social media below. Or, fill out our Member Connections Form to choose updates on programs, events, and get involved.

Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce

1101 Lake St., Suite 307, Oak Park, IL 60301

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