January 8th, 2023

We know that property taxes are always a hot topic, especially during an assessment year. That's why we are bringing Cook County Assessor, Fritz Kaegi to you in person! That's right, the top-dog will be with us for two sessions in January to answer all your questions and explain tips on how to ensure your commercial property is assessed accurately. Don't miss out - your wallet will thank you!

Liz Holt

Executive Director

During these events, you will learn how you can help the Assessor's Office be more accurate by providing more detailed information about your property or business by submitting a Real Property Income and Expense (RPIE) form. Meet with Assessor Fritz Kaegi to learn tips to ensure an accurate assessment and ask questions you may have about this process.

Plan Your Week!

What is coming up this week?

Check out the events we have put together for you this week.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Tuesday January 10, 5:00 - 7:00pm - Business After Hours at Hit It! Fitness

Our January BAH will be hosted by Hit It! Fitness in Elmwood Park. Owner Constance Contursi welcomes us into this high-energy space, and invites you to think about your fitness and wellness goals for the new year!

Hit It! Fitness is a woman-owned gym offering everything from group classes to private personal training, Power Plate Vibration Technology training, boxing training, nutrition consulting and personal meal plans, and Latin dance.

Thursday January 12, 1:00 - 2:00pm - Tax Law Changes and Unrelated Business Income via Zoom

Jeff Schroeder from Sassetti LLC will share with us on Zoom any recent changes in tax law that are relevant for nonprofits, as well as discussing the perils and possibilities of "unrelated business income" - all the things nonprofits do to try to generate their own funding!  

Friday January 13, 9:00 - 10:30am - Women in Business at The Sheridan at River Forest

Carey Carlock, CEO of Mosaic Counseling & Wellness, LLC will be speaking on Trauma Informed Leadership, which align with the SAMSHA and CDC business strategies of Love and Compassion. Learn some proven principles to transform your workplace culture and register today! 

Mosaic Counseling & Wellness is also our new Mindful Ten Sponsor. Please join us in welcoming them for the first ten minutes of each WIB meeting this year!

Plan Your Month!

Want to plan ahead?

Here are some other regular programming events we have coming up over the next month. Join us for these wonderful networking opportunities and

continue to grow your business!

Wednesday January 18, 5:30 - 7:00pm - Health & Wellness Affinity Group Meet Up at Kettlestrings Grove

Join us at Kettlestrings Grove for our first get together of the year!

We will be asking you what the Health & Wellness industry needs from the Chamber all while enjoying signature mocktails. Help us best support you over the 2023 year and beyond all while growing and strengthening your healthcare network!

Thursday January 19, 9:30 - 11:00am - #chamberLOVE Call Campaign at Grachan Agency

Love the OPRF Chamber and eager to share your story? Looking for ways to connect with potential referrals and likeminded people? Join us at Grachan Agency for our quarterly Membership Call Campaign!

Everyone is welcome to join us, you do not need to be on the Board or Staff to attend, nor do you need to be there the whole time.

Thursday January 19, 11:00am - 7:00pm - Stop & Shop Chamber Member Sale Day at Candycopia

Join us for our very first Stop & Shop event, starting at Candycopia! Drop by during regular business hours to meet the owners and get 15% off your purchase! Just tell them that you are a member of the OPRF Chamber of Commerce and you will be all set.

We guarantee they will take care of you!

Friday January 20, 12:00 - 12:30pm - Takeout Stakeout at Tacos '76

Come join your fellow Chamber members for our next Takeout Stakeout, this time at Tacos '76, the tasty taqueria that opened on Madison Street this past year! 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 while we're at it.

Thursday January 26, 8:30 - 10:00am - Young Professionals Meetup TBD

We don't know just what we'll be doing this day yet, but it will be in great company! Mark your calendar and RSVP to stay informed. Our group does field trips, has parties, hosts discussions, goes to events, makes things, and more. It's a great way of building community, getting to know our Villages, learning new things and connecting with other businesses.

Member Benefits Series

Are you a new member

or new to your business?

Take advantage of these events geared specifically toward new Chamber Members to learn how best to take advantage of your membership! Feel free to join us for any or all of these events.

Wednesday January 18, 2:00 - 3:00pm - Chamber 101 via Zoom

In this seminar we will go over all of your digital benefits that come with your membership, including:

- how to significantly increase your SEO

- how to leverage your Member Profile to boost traffic to your own website

- how to track your Member Profile statistics

- how to be sure that your website is linked to your membership

This event is perfect for new members, or those who need a refresher!

Thursday February 16, 8:00 - 9:30am - New Member Breakfast at Belmont Village Senior Living

Join us at our quarterly New Member Breakfast to introduce yourself and tell us about your business. This is an ideal opportunity to meet fellow new members, Chamber staff and Board leadership. You will also learn about your benefits, hear how you can get involved and get answers to your questions. 

Wednesday March 15, 2:00 - 3:00pm - Chamber 102 via Zoom

In this seminar we will go over all of your 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.

Sponsor an Event!

Did you know that you can Sponsor our events?

With each of our Special Events we have many different opportunities to Sponsor the events. When you become an event Sponsor, your company will be listed on the website, and included in the marketing for the event. There are six events throughout the year, which allow you to get your logo in front of thousands of business owners throughout the Oak Park and River Forest areas, not to mention helping us to keep these fabulous events going every year.

Click on the images below to learn more about each event.

With over 440 other local businesses, we would love to help you survive these trying times, grow your business and get you more connected into the community.

Our Chamber is all about Community - plain and simple. And this Community knows that "a rising tide floats all boats"...and right now our boats need some float!

We are dedicated to embracing diversity and equity, providing marketing opportunities when you need them, and having a Board of Directors and Staff who reflects our business community and who work tirelessly for you, our small business owners. 

Want to learn more, click on the button below, or email us directly!

Gift a Membership!

Did you know that you can support a member in need this year?

While you are signing up to become a member, or renewing your membership, why not help another business out at the same time? What a great way to support your local community!

For those of you who tried to help out last week, the link has been fixed!