Nearly 300 people attended the 24th Annual Mardi Gras Celebration on February 21st at Prairie View Reception Center!

The fun-filled event featured fine cuisine by Fulgenzi's Catering, with dessert by the Apple Barn, cocktails by Just the Basics Mobile Bar, games of chance, and entertainment by Dave Littrell.

Thanks to Chatham Village President Dave Kimsey who served as our auctioneer, and to Taylor Stevens, Synergy HomeCare, for serving as our photographer!

A very special thank you goes out to our presenting sponsor, Bank of Springfield ~ Chatham Banking Center, and to all of our event sponsors and donors as listed below.

Thank You for Helping Make this Year's Mardi Gras One of the Most Successful Ever!

We would like to say "THANK YOU" to our committee members, sponsors, item donors, and those who attended and bought games of chance tickets, bid on the live and silent auction items, or simply spread the word about our Mardi Gras 2026 event this year!

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.

March Chamber Luncheon to Be Held on the 13th

AI: Did we just become best friends?!

Learn how to properly prompt and interact with AI to assist you with various tasks, and use it to leverage your productivity.

Hy-Vee Market Grille will serve:

Assorted Sushi, Sesame Chicken, Orange Chicken, Fried Rice, Lo Mein, Crab Rangoon, and Vegetable Egg Rolls.

Please note: If you register and your plans change, please notify the Chamber office as soon as possible by emailing coordinator@chatham-il-chamber.com since we must pay for every confirmed reservation. Please note that you will be billed for the cost of food if you do not cancel your reservation by the indicated RSVP deadline.

Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce St. in Chatham

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 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.

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.

Library News

Upcoming Member & Community Events

Please note: The Chamber reserves the right to request modifications to submissions to ensure software compatibility.

Chatham Jaycees Trivia Night is February 27th

Glenwood Middle School to Offer a Babysitting Night

The GMS Beta Club, Dance Team, and Student Council are hosting a babysitting night on March 20th. This is a fundraiser for an 8th-grade ELA teacher whose wife is battling breast cancer. We would like to keep the costs minimal so we can donate as much as possible to the family. We are seeking donations or help with the food and supplies. (We will not know the amount of what we need until the deadline on 3/15.) If you can help, please contact Beta Club Sponsor, Tricia Langheim, at tlangheim@bcsd5.org.

Chamber Member's New Children's Book is Published - Book Signing March 21st at Scoop Du Jour

Jessica Derhake, owner/founder of JD Haley People Strategies, has authored and illustrated a new book, "Goodbye Starlight," for children navigating grief and loss. A book signing will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, March 21st, at Scoop Du Jour in Chatham.

Land of Lincoln Goodwill is Offering Free Access to Google's AI Essentials Online Course

You're Invited to Speak at GIS' Career Week!

Illinois Senior Games Coming Soon

If interested in any of these spaces, call or text Todd Musso at 217-725-5458, or email tmusso@mussoteam.com.

Birth to Five Illinois - Region 51 News

Birth to Five Illinois: Region 51 Team is excited to share our new Community Resource Directory flyers, created in partnership with Sangamon HEART, Sangamon County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC), Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), and United Way’s 211!



These flyers aim to help families in Menard and Sangamon Counties quickly connect to food, housing, health care, recovery services, child care, and more. Would you like copies to share at your site or event? Let us know — we’re happy to provide them!