The Mardi Gras Silent Auction Opens this Saturday at 9 a.m. - New Items Added Regularly | |
The online Silent Auction for the Chamber’s Mardi Gras event will open for perusal and bidding on February 14th at 9 a.m.! To access the auction, just scan the QR code above or go online to https://www.32auctions.com/MG26.
New items are being added regularly, so check back often!
| Here are Just a Few of Our Silent Auction Items! | |  | |
February 12
Chamber Luncheon - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Prairie View Reception Center
February 21
Chamber Mardi Gras Event - 6-10:30 p.m., Prairie View Reception Center
March 5
Business After Hours, sponsored by Dream Vacations - 5-7 p.m., Fairfield Inn & Suites, 3951 MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield
March 11
Chamber Board Meeting - 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Chatham Area Public Library
March 12
Chamber Luncheon - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chatham Area Public Library
March 26
Chamber Blood Drive - 3 to 6 p.m., Chatham Village Square
| Want to see more events? Click here! | | |
Purchase a Chance to Win $250 in Lottery Tickets!
The Million Dollar Lottery Tree is sponsored by Security Bank
The link to purchase a chance to win $250 in Illinois Lottery Scratch-Off tickets is live on our website at chatham-il-chamber.com/mardi-gras-community-celebration!
Once you make your purchase, your name will be entered into a drawing which will take place the night of the event. Need not be present to win.
| | | Business After Hours, Sponsored by Dream Vacations will be Held March 5 | | |
The Chatham Area Chamber is hosting a Business After-Hours event on Thursday, March 5th, from 5-7 p.m. at the new Fairfield Inn & Suites,3951 MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield. The event is sponsored by Kris Croenne, Dream Vacations.
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.
| | 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
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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 Chambers website to check our member roster.
The goal of the Chamber Scholarship Program is to promote business
within the community. All applications must be submitted by Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Senior may apply online, or download and print the application and return it to the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce, 106 E. Mulberry St., Chatham, IL 62629.
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February 2026
Member of the Month
Docs Just Off 66
| | Pictured L to R: Jared Koester, Will Formea, Becca Lamon, Wendy Dulakis, Amanda Coyle, Courtney Bouvet, Marcie Williams, and Casey Claypool. | | |
Congratulations to Docs Just Off 66 for being chosen the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce’s Member of the Month for February!
What began in 1884 as Decks Drugstore, is today a must-see for Route 66 travelers, or anyone who just wants great food!
In December 2021, Chatham residents, Steve and Casey Claypool, purchased Doc's Soda Fountain and renamed the historic business, Docs Just Off 66. The business has been completely renovated, and reopened on June 18, 2022.
The nostalgic soda fountain is still in place, all the relics from the pharmacy and drug store have been put on display, and the new owners expanded the restaurant and added a full-service bar and gaming to this historic stop along Illinois Route 66. Docs Just Off 66 has successfully preserved the history and nostalgia of the longest operating business in Girard, Illinois.
Just a short distance from Chatham, but well-worth the drive, come in and enjoy soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, chicken, and more. Then treat yourself to delicious ice cream, shakes & malts, sundaes and ice cream floats from their old-fashioned soda fountain!
Docs is open Sundays through Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. They are closed on Wednesdays. Reach Docs at 217-627-3491 or go online to docsjustoff66.com.
The Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Docs Just Off 66 as our Member of the Month for February.
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The Many Worlds of Magic: Wonderland Mini Golf | Step into Wonderland and putt your way through a whimsical mini golf course filled with curious surprises and playful twists! This magical, topsy-turvy adventure is perfect for the whole family. For all ages. Groups of up to 5 may play together. | | | | Upcoming Member & Community Events | | Please note: The Chamber reserves the right to request modifications to submissions to ensure software compatibility. | | Be Strong Mental Health is Offering Low Cost Mental Health Therapy | Be Strong Mental Health is currently offering low cost therapy in conjunction with Masters Level Intern from the UIS Human Development Department. There is still space available for incoming clients. Call 217-979-5645 to schedule. | | You're Invited to Speak at GIS' Career Week! | | Mark Your Calendars for the 26th Annual Senior Celebration on May 20 | |
Office Space Available
(Photo top)
602 E. Walnut, Chatham
Unit A - 644 sq ft - Leasing for $900 a month - water sewer included. Great space for retail shop, office, ice cream shop, novelty store...the possibilities are endless! Situated in the middle of Chatham on high traffic road, it offers great visibility along with a high traffic count.
(Photo center)
602 E. Walnut, Chatham
Unit C - 513 sq ft - Leasing for $700 a month - water sewer included. Great storefront available immediately! Ideal for a small office or boutique. Attractive frontage with excellent visibility and endless possibilities for your business.
(Photo Bottom)
602 E. Walnut, Chatham - selling for $240,000
This building is available for purchase! Opportunity to own solid strip style building in Chatham. Currently divided into 4 separate units. Building has a new roof and units have been updated. High visibility! Great investment.
| | | If interested in any of these spaces, call or text Todd Musso at 217-725-5458, or email tmusso@mussoteam.com. | | Check Out the Latest Birth to Five Illinois State Newsletter! | | |
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| | Dream Vacations' 1st Quarter Sweepstakes is Underway! | | St. Joe's Preschool Registration Now Open | | Chatham PD to Offer BASSET Training | | | | 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.
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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.
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