Community News
Updates, announcements, and insights from the Chamber and local business community.
COVID-19 Guidelines Updated for Restaurant, Bar Patrons
The Governmental Affairs Committee of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry is forwarding revised Restore Illinois Phase 4 guidelines for patrons at restaurants and bar establishments, as issued August 25 by the State of Illinois and effective today,
County Expands Reinvest DuPage COVID-19 Grant Program
The DuPage County Board of Commissioners at their August 11 meeting voted to more than double the initial funding and expand eligibility guidelines for Reinvest DuPage, a grant relief program administered in partnership with Choose DuPage for small businesses, not-for-profit organizations (NFPs) and independent contractors. The program provides grants to sustain some businesses impacted by COVID-19.
State Rep Hosts Multi-Chamber COVID-19 Zoom Webinar
The Govermental Affairs Committee of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is sharing information on a special 90-minute, multi-chamber Zoom video webinar, titled “COVID-19: The State’s Response to Business & Dealing with Liability,” featuring Illinois State Representative Deanne Mazzochi (R-47th District), on Tuesday, August 18, at 8 a.m.
President’s Message for August 2020
In compliance with the Phase 4: Revitalization guidelines within Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry in late July safely resumed monthly networking events—likely the first chamber in the state to do so.
U.S. Chamber Endorses Adoption of National Mask Standard
A broad consensus has emerged that wearing masks is effective in minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Yet, debate and politicization of mask-wearing continues to threaten the reopening of our economy.
DuPage Commits $1M to Promote Hospitality, Tourism
The DuPage County Board of Commissioners at its July 14 meeting voted in favor of a $1 million economic development initiative--the COVID-19 Tourism Promotion and Business Attraction Relief Fund--awarded to Choose DuPage who will administer the funds. The $1 million...
President’s Message for July 2020
Happy Fourth of July week to all!!! I will spend this holiday weekend as I have many previous years…playing on a ballfield. Here’s a piece of July 4-connected Elmhurst trivia for you: The last city-sponsored fireworks show took place in 1986 as part of Elmhurst’s Sesquicentennial Celebration (150 years), but that was not our community’s fireworks finale. Watch Elmhurst TV’s 2017 retrospective, “Elmfest Gone, But Not Forgotten,” if you don’t already know.
Small Business PPP Loan Application Deadline Today
Today is the last day that the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is accepting loan applications of up to $2 million for the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which has more than $100 billion in Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic relief funding still available.
Illinois Eligible for SBA Civic Unrest Disaster Loans
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker today (June 25) announced that the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved our state’s request for federal assistance to help businesses in the northern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will impacting by looting and other damages that took place in connection to civil unrest occurring May 26 through June 8, 2020.
U.S. Chamber Opposes New Restrictions on Immigration
The Governmental Affairs Committee of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is forwarding United States Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J. Donohue response in opposition to President Donald J. Trump’s June 22 immigration proclamation suspending entry of aliens “who present a risk to the U.S. labor market” following the Coronavirus outbreak.
SBA Simplifies PPP Loan Application and Forgiveness Forms
More than $100 billion in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funding through the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) remains available to eligible small businesses on applications submitted by the June 30 deadline.
IDCEO Sets Restore Illinois Phase 4 Guidelines
The Governmental Affairs Committee of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is forwarding information from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (IDCEO) on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic-related Restore Illinois Phase 4 guidlines expected to take effect on June 26, as follows: