Businesses, nonprofits and other organizations are invited to participate in the 23rd annual Tinley Park Irish Parade, which steps off at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 5 from Central Middle School and marches north down Oak Park Avenue. 

The cost is $20 for veterans, schools and nonprofit groups; $50 for Tinley Park businesses; $100 for non-Tinley Park businesses and political groups; and $200 for unions and large corporations.

Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, and no entries will be accepted after the maximum number of entries are met. Please complete the application and return it by Feb. 17.

The State of Illinois will receive more than $350 million to administer four programs as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which was reauthorized as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The programs offered through the SSBCI will help small businesses gain access to funding and capital to launch and grow their operations. Available programs will include:

• Advantage Illinois Loan Participation Program
• Advantage Illinois Loan Guarantee Program
• INVENT Venture Capital Program
• Climate Bank Finance Loan Participating Program

The programs will launch in the coming months. Read the full press release for more information or to sign up to receive updates when the programs become available.

The Village of Tinley Park has extended the grace period for business license applications through January 31.

The Village requires that most businesses in Tinley Park have a valid business license. Some business types are regulated by the State of Illinois and are not required to get a business license. If you are unsure if your business needs a business license or not, please call (708) 444-5004.

For more information on business licenses, including how to obtain a Change of Use/Owner permit, please visit the Village website.

Oak Park Food and Liquor recently held a ribbon cutting event at its location at 16658 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park. Congrats and welcome to Tinley Park!

Crumbl Tinley Park

15943 S. Harlem Avenue

Hearts 2 Heal Training Institute

18501 Maple Creek Drive

Jmeco Cleaning Company

7030 Centennial Drive, No. 137