February 6, 2025

Chamber News & Events

The Mardi Gras Celebration is Only a Few Weeks Away!

Registrations are open for the Chamber's 2025 Mardi Gras event to be held Saturday, February 22nd from 6-10:30 p.m. at Prairie View Reception Center! To reserve your seat, scan the QR code below or go online to https://www.chatham-il-chamber.com/reserve-your-seat.

The 2025 Mardi Gras Celebration, presented by Bank of Springfield - Chatham Banking Center, will take place on February 22nd at Prairie View Reception Center in Chatham. We are grateful to the sponsors who've jumped on to support! There's still time if you'd like to join our growing list! Details are online at https://www.chatham-il-chamber.com/mardi-gras-community-celebration.

Business After Hours March 6 at The Range

The Chatham Area Chamber is hosting a Business After-Hours event on Thursday, March 6th, from 5-7 p.m. at The Range Bourbon & Brew, 316 N. Main St. in Chatham. No registration is required.


Attending events such as these is a great way for Chamber Members to connect with one another, meet fellow business owners and operators, and learn more about the local business community.


We encourage all of our Chamber members to join us for an evening of networking!


We would also like to extend a special invitation to any local businesses interested in joining the Chatham Area Chamber to stop by for more information.

February 11

Ribbon Cutting for the GHS Legacy Store, 7:30 a.m., Glenwood High School


February 12

Chamber Board meeting, 7:30 a.m., Chatham Area Public Library


February 13

February Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chatham Area Public Library


February 22

Annual Mardi Gras Celebration, 6-10:30 p.m., Prairie View Reception Center


March 6

Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m. at The Range Bourbon & Brew, 319 N. Main St., Chatham


March 12

Chamber Board meeting, 7:30 a.m., Chatham Area Public Library


March 13

March Luncheon, 11:30 to 1 p.m., Crowne Plaza, Springfield


March 18

Candidates Forum, 6-8 p.m., Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce St., Chatham


March 26

Ribbon Cutting for DC Chatham Softwash, 4 p.m., 230 Goldenrod Dr., Chatham

Want to see more events? Click here!

A few Sponsorships Still Remain

The 2025 Mardi Gras Celebration, presented by Bank of Springfield - Chatham Banking Center, will take place on February 22nd at Prairie View Reception Center in Chatham. We are grateful to the sponsors who've jumped on to support! There's still time if you'd like to join our growing list! Details are online at https://www.chatham-il-chamber.com/mardi-gras-community-celebration.

Chatham Area Chamber to Host a Candidate Forum for Those Running for Ball-Chatham School Board

The Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce will host an in-person Candidate Forum for the upcoming contested elections for Ball-Chatham School Board members on March 18th from 6-8 p.m. at the Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce St. in Chatham. The event will also be Facebook live-streamed and recorded.


Candidates in uncontested races for the Village of Chatham, Ball and Chatham Townships, and the Chatham Area Public Library Board of Trustees will also be invited to give brief introductions of themselves.


Got Questions for the Ball-Chatham School Board Candidates?


Submit your questions by filling out the Google form linked below. You may also email them to director@chatham-il-chamber.com.


Questions submitted by the public will be reviewed and selected by a moderator, and each candidate will be allowed 2 minutes to respond. 


For more information, please reach out to the Chamber office.

Submit Your Questions Here!
UIS Performing Arts Center on the Web
UIS Performing Arts Center on Facebook

The Chatham Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Ribbon Cutting ceremony to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Glenwood High School Legacy Store!


7:30 a.m. | February 11th | Glenwood High School

1501 Plummer Blvd., Chatham ~ East Entryway

Chatham Chamber Scholarship Applications are Open!

Each year, the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce awards scholarships to three local graduating seniors. The students receive a $1,000 scholarship to be applied to the college or university of their choice.


Applications are judged on a combination of academic achievement, volunteer work experience and future goals. To qualify, high school seniors must:

  • Reside in Sangamon County
  • Be either employed by a Chatham Area Chamber member, or their parent/guardian must be employed by a Chatham Area Chamber member. Not sure if the employer is a member of the Chatham Area Chamber? Just ask the business, or go online to the Chamber's website to check our member roster.


The Chamber Scholarship Program aims to promote business within the community. All applications must be submitted by Friday, March 28, 2025.

Apply Online

February 2025 Member of the Month

Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County

Pictured L to R: Tim Welch, Mike Murphy, Robert Fair, and Aaron Gant.

Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County for being chosen the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce’s Member of the Month for February! 


The Habitat for Humanity organization in Sangamon County was established in 1989 by a group of community leaders in Springfield. As an approved affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County is directly responsible for all aspects of Habitat home building in our local area: fund raising, site selection, family selection and family support, construction, and mortgage servicing.


It is a community-driven nonprofit organization that develops working partnerships with local businesses, churches, community groups and other individuals to successfully tackle a significant social problem—affordable, safe and decent housing for all. Since its founding, Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County has built/renovated 118 houses in Sangamon County (including builds in Pawnee, Glenarm, and Grandview, as well as in Springfield) while providing shelter for more than 500 individuals in need.


Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County also operates the “ReStore.” The ReStore is a wonderful place to shop for new and used home goods and building materials at affordable prices. It accepts donations, subject to customer demand, from contractors, suppliers, individuals and organizations. The ReStore then sells these goods to the general public to help fund the construction of new Habitat houses within the local community.



Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County also offers free curbside pick up of large items, to residents of Sangamon County. Residents can utilize this service one time per year of up to six items; or two times per year of up to three items per pick up.


Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County and the Habitat Restore are located at 2744 S. 6th St., Springfield, and are open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed Sunday and Monday.


The Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce is honored to name Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County as its Member of the Month for February.


Habitat on the Web
Habitat on Facebook

Library News

Valentine's Day Cookie Decorating

Thursday, February 132:00—3:30 PM

Come and celebrate Valentine's Day by decorating some sugar cookies of your favorite Valentine's Day shape! Love will be in the air (for frosting, icings, and other sweet things that is). Cookies and decorating supplies will be provided. Please register for this event....Learn More . Registration required. Spaces are limited.

Sign me up!

Upcoming Member & Community Events

Volunteer Registration is Now Open!

COUNTRY Financial to serve as Volunteer Sponsor

Volunteer registration is now open for the Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS, a PGA TOUR sanctioned golf tournament at Panther Creek Country Club.


Tournament officials announced that COUNTRY Financial® will continue to serve as the Official Sponsor of the volunteer program. The tournament is looking to recruit more than 500 volunteers to fill over 15 different committees at this year’s event scheduled for June 23 - 29.


As the sponsor of the volunteer program, COUNTRY will support this dedicated team of people who perform a variety of critical needs throughout the week. Whether one is a golf novice, an avid fan, volunteered in the past, or a new volunteer, there is something for everyone. In addition to their sponsorship, COUNTRY Financial is introducing three new incentives, register by March 1 to be entered to win a $100 Scheels gift card, April 15 to be entered to win $250 VISA gift card and on May 30 to be entered to win a $350 VISA gift card.

Read More

Pole Barn Chic to Host Motown Review! February 7

Enrollment Open for St. Joseph's Preschool Program

Birth to Five Illinois News

Mental and Behavioral Health was a prominent and reoccurring need identified in our Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessments in all 39 Regions in Illinois!

Read our new reports to learn more about the strengths and needs in our Region!

Read Region 51’s Early Childhood Mental & Behavioral Needs Assessment
Read the Statewide Mental & Behavioral Health Survey Data Report

Senior Services of Central Illinois is Hiring

Is your business or organization looking to hire?

Send your employment notices to us, and we will include them in our Network News!


Email your notices in PDF form or a link to your website, and we will post them for up to four weeks, for FREE! This is just another great benefit of Chamber Membership.

Email Your Notice

Share Your News & Events with Us


We're happy to include our members' news and events in our weekly Network News, at no cost! Simply email us at the link below and include any graphics you would like included.

Share your News / Events!

Quick Link to Member to Member Benefits

Check out the Member to Member discounts available to all Chamber members below!

Member to Member Benefits