June 25th, 2023

It is with heart-felt gratitude that I write my final newsletter, and bid a fond adieu to the Chamber! It has been a fun and fabulous six years filled with amazing times and unforeseen challenges. But I was by no means alone. An incredible staff, dedicated Board of Directors and vibrant membership made every step memorable. Together we have celebrated community milestones, together we weathered the pandemic, and together you will continue to make this Chamber - your Chamber - the best it can be. And so, I leave you with this: lead with integrity, celebrate like you mean it, and every chance you get, share the love. The rest will follow. #chamberLOVE

Liz Holt

Executive Director

We believe that all who live and work in our community should have the opportunity to thrive. This is our Chamber vision, and we work tirelessly to make this a reality in everything we do! Keep an eye on our NEW LGBTQ+ Programming and Resources page to stay up-to-date on any events and resources to help your business starting in May and continuing throughout June, and the rest of the year!

Plan Your Week!

What is coming up this week?

We know you are busy. To help make it easier and help you to join us at as many things as you would like, we have gathered our events for this week.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Monday June 26, 5:30 - 7:00pm - BIPOC Affinity Group Spring Potluck at Jeffrey Hines State Farm

Jeffrey Hines and his team at Jeffrey Hines State Farm invite everyone to a BIPOC Spring Potluck! Enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal as you relax and network with fellow Chamber members. When you register, simply specify what you'll be bringing to share. Bragging rights for the best dish may be at stake...

Tuesday June 27, 6:00 - 7:00pm - Summertime Yoga

Close out Pride month and get ready for the July 4th holiday weekend with an hour of yoga with Yoga Six Oak Park, followed by a smoothie tasting from Smoothie King! Come along for some gentle and revitalizing yoga, and nourishing smoothies. Everyone is invited to join us!

Friday June 30, 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM - Chamber Takeout Stakeout at Ice Ice Baby

Come join your fellow Chamber members for our next Takeout Stakeout, this time at the new Ice Ice Baby in River Forest! In this event, we convene at a designated restaurant to pick up our takeout lunch choices, and get to see each other for a bit. Lunch is a flat $16 including tax and tip.

Plan Your Month!

Like to plan ahead?

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

Join us for these wonderful networking opportunities and

continue to grow your business!

Friday July 7, 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM - Save the Date! OPRF Chamber Take-out Stake-out!

We are still organizing this amazing lunch for you, so we aren't sure where we are meeting yet! Check back soon and we guarantee some great food and wonderful company!

Tuesday July 11, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Business After Hours - Wonder Works Children's Museum

Don't let the kids have all the fun!  Our July Business After Hours (BAH) will be hosted by Wonder Works Children's Museum.  Join us for a night of networking and hors d'oeuvres in this playful setting, to enjoy a summer evening in great company!  

Friday July 14, 2023 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Women in Business Hosts Shakespeare in the Park July 2023

Summertime means being outdoors! Women in Business cordially invites all members of the Chamber to join us for an evening for comedy, tragedy and Shakespeare in the Park. The Oak Park Festival Theatre has graciously offered a Chamber Night in Austin Gardens for Chamber members in good standing. A perk of being a Chamber member is the group ticket rate of only $20 per ticket. This is a preview night for the show and we are lucky to be invited! 

Wednesday July 19, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Ten Thousand Villages STOP&SHOP Member Sale Day

Drop by Ten Thousand Villages during regular business hours on Wednesday, July 19:

• Meet the staff of this iconic Oak Park store.
• Receive 15% off your purchase all day (during normal open hours).

Tell them that you are a member of the OPRF Chamber of Commerce. We guarantee they will take care of you!

REMINDER

For those of you renewing your memberships in July, please remember, if mailing in your payment, to send it to our new address:

141 S. Oak Park Ave

Suite 3

Oak Park, IL 60302

Thank you!

Cook County recently issued a notice to employees regarding the Minimum Wage Ordinance (MWO).

Effective July 1, 2023, the minimum wage increases to $13.70 for non-tipped workers and $8.00 for tipped workers.

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

Employees who believe their employer is not paying the required minimum wage should first check to ensure the municipality where they work does not have a different minimum wage. If the municipality has not opted out, employees can file a complaint with the Cook County Commission on Human Rights. Complaint forms and additional information can be found online.

Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce

141 S Oak Park Avenue

Suite 3

708.613.0550

[email protected]

www.oprfchamber.org