FEATURED EVENTS
Webinar: How to Start a Business in Illinois
Friday, Jan. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Virtual Community Meeting: 23 S. Sangamon St.
Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m.
District 12 CAPS Beat Meeting: Sector 1224
Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.
District 12 CAPS Beat Meeting: Sector 1214
Wednesday, March 17 at 6 p.m.
|
|
This Friday at 10 a.m. join the Together We Heal 2021 Virtual Summit featuring a conversation with Mayor Lightfoot and Governor JB Pritzker. BACP Commissioner Rosa Escareno will be a speaker for the event about bringing our city together.
Stream live here: http://chi.gov/3qY134t
#TogetherWeHeal
|
|
The Kinzie Industrial Corridor’s Small Business Improvement Fund application opens on Jan. 4- Feb. 8, 2020.
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) program uses Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues to help owners of commercial and industrial properties within specific TIF districts to repair or remodel their facilities for their own business or on behalf of tenants.
Starting Jan. 1, 2021, SBIF staff will begin to roll out a series of enhancements to the program. Program participants will receive grants to cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City's behalf, does not have to be repaid.
Contact Rod Burch at rod@wcachicago.org to see if you qualify.
|
|
Congress is in session for only a few days more, and if they do not get their job done – restaurants will be in the cold until this February at the earliest.

Earlier this week, the National Restaurant Association sent a letter to Congress with their latest survey on the economic health of the industry, and the findings are bleak.
Last week, a group of moderate Democrats and Republicans unveiled a compromise plan. They are calling for a $909 billion relief bill, including a second round of Paycheck Protection Program grants, which with improvements could provide immediate assistance to restaurants.
Congress has heard from you before, but they need to hear from you in these final days of 2020 as we push for the future of the restaurant industry.
|
|
WCA partners with Stella Artois and Illinois Restaurant Association on Dine Together, Apart Initiative |
|
As the temperatures continue to drop, we are happy to announce an innovative, outdoor dining solution: Dining Together, Apart. This was made possible by WCA’s partnership with the Illinois Restaurant Association and Stella Artois.
Dining Together, Apart invites Chicagoans to dine al fresco comfortably and safely well into colder months with 6 domes and 15 greenhouse-like pods. Beginning on Oct. 16, both the Dine Out on Fulton Market will feature these structures. Come experience them on Fulton Market between Green and Peoria at these fine restaurant's:
In Fulton Market, the pods will surround a temporary chalk street mural designed by famed artist Shepard Fairey’s Studio One to bring an artful approach to social distancing and collective-yet-safe dining. Originally commissioned by Stella Artois to encourage social distancing in East London, the 3,840 sq ft mural will be reimagined in Chicago-based artists.
Following the launch weekend, Oct. 16-18, Stella Artois will continue to allocate Chicago restaurants the dining pods to safely serve diners through the cold weather months.
|
|
Support our open local businesses! Check out our website for information on businesses open for delivery, pick up, live-streaming and more. |
|
NEW MEMBER PROFILE: GYMGUYZ |
|
GYMGUYZ brings the gym to you. Our clients are busy professionals. Fitness is important to them, but their professional and personal lives don't always allow fitness to be a priority. A GYMGUYZ personal trainer makes accountability easy with Convenient, Customized, Creative workouts in your home, or any other location you select. We're excited to service the West Loop and other Chicago communities.
"If you want to be extraordinary, you can't live ordinary."— Josh York, founder & CEO of GYMGUYZ
Read below to learn more about Intercultural GYMGUYZ Chicago South!
Who are you?
James Patterson. I'm the owner/operator of GYMGUYZ Chicago South
How old is your business?
We opened our GYMGUYZ franchise location in January 2021.
How long have you been in the neighborhood?
We're brand new to the West Loop as of January 2021
Why the West Loop?
The West Loop is an exciting mix of people, culture and business. The people living and working in the West Loop are just the kind of busy professionals that need and appreciate our unique brand of personalized service and Convenient, Customized and Creative workouts.
What are your top challenges in growing your business?
Like every other business, we're trying to grow revenue and manage costs. At the same time, we are all operating in this new world that has been brought to us via COVID-19.
Why did you join the West Central Association?
We're a relationship business. We want to be part of the communities that we serve.
|
|
Visit our Fanciful Fish in Greektown
Take a stroll down Halsted for this outdoor art exhibit.
Greektown Chicago’s Fanciful Fish sculpture exhibit is a great socially distanced outdoor activity to enjoy this winter! Created by a diverse group of Chicago artists, the 21 sculptures along Halsted Street from Monroe to Van Buren Streets celebrate Greek culture – from mythological gods and seaside vistas to the Greek language.
Treat yourself to a self-guided walking tour of these vibrant artworks, then stop at one of Greektown’s many restaurants and cafes for a carryout meal or warm beverage for the perfect afternoon outing.
An additional fish sculpture, titled Goldie Gives Gratitude, was moved this week from Halsted Street to nearby Rush University Medical Center to thank its healthcare heroes and staff for their tireless efforts during the pandemic. Goldie is showing our gratitude on the 4th floor of Rush’s Atrium building.
Learn more about each of the Fanciful Fish sculptures HERE and download a coloring sheet for children HERE.
Along with professional and emerging Chicago artists, the following Greek schools participated in the Fanciful Fish sculpture project: St. Demetrios SOLON Greek School of Chicago, Holy Wisdom Academy, Pythagoras Greek School of St. John the Baptist, Koraes Elementary School, Greek School Pythagoras of Elmhurst and St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago.
|
|
Chamber of Commerce representing businesses in the West Loop, Greektown, Madison Row, Randolph Street, Jackson Blvd., Fulton River District, Fulton Market, United Center Park, Little Italy, Tri-Taylor, University Village and Commons, UIC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
‌
‌
‌
‌
