Dear Members:
While businesses can no longer pay wages that qualify for the Employee Retention Tax Credit, they still have until 2024 to review their payroll during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and retroactively claim the credit by filing an amended federal tax form.
The ERTC program provides a maximum credit of $5K per employee in 2020 and $21K per employee in 2021 against federal employment taxes on qualified taxes paid to employees, effective from March 13, 2020 through September 30, 2021.
A typical small business should qualify for up to $26K in ERTC monies, and our Chamber received more than $16,000 working through our payroll processing company (iSolved HCM).
ECCI Civic Hall of Fame
To cap off September’s Chamber of Commerce Month in Elmhurst, our Chamber is proud to publicize that the link for the first-ever website for the ECCI Centennial Celebration NFP’s Civic Hall of Fame public memorial is now live.
Also, ECCI is working in partnership with the Elmhurst Public Library on a December event to unveil the portable version of the Civic HOF’s 65-inch touchscreen TV.
While not yet fully populated, the Civic HOF information will cover biographies, photos and videos of the inductees searchable by a master list, last name and induction year.
Website sections also feature the history of ECCI and the Civic HOF, awards such as the A.J. “Toche” Terrones Business of the Year, Chairman’s Award and Ambassador of the Year, and links to our Chamber’s website and Elmhurst Community Directory.
Outdoor Dining Downtown
After two years of pandemic-initiated expanded outdoor dining in downtown Elmhurst, the Elmhurst City Council’s Development, Planning and Zoning (DP&Z) Committee at its September 26 meeting began review of sidewalk, curbside parking space and street closure options for City Centre restaurants and bars come 2023.
While street closings aren’t likely to be approved, City officials could allow outdoor dining in curbside spaces for another year provided applicants comply with to-be-adopted standards, which could require the purchase of parklets designed for food and beverage service.
Economic Development Projects
The City of Elmhurst’s Zoning and Planning (Z&P) Commission at its October 4 meeting will begin review of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) application for a developer to construct a 28-unit condominium at 196 to 202 North York Street.
The Commission also is expected to revisit a PUD application for a developed to build 30 townhomes along West Lake Street’s frontage road. The developer also is seeking nearly $1.7 million in Tax-Increment Financing (TIF-2) funding assistance.
74th Annual Golf Outing
Thanks to all the players, volunteers and sponsors who participated in “Networking on the 9s,” our Chamber’s 74th Annual Golf Outing, held at Sugar Creek Golf Course in Villa Park on September 23. Click HERE to view photo page from the event.
Also, congratulations to Cathy Bajkowski, Owner of long-time Beverage Co-Sponsor CB Health Insurance, who was honored as the first two-time recipient of the Good Works Award.
Multi-Chamber Luncheon and Expo
Jim Paglia, President and CEO of Dallas-based Brands That Stand, will deliver the Keynote Address on post-pandemic branding for small businesses during a Multi-Chamber Luncheon and Expo at Carlisle Banquets in Lombard on Wednesday, October 19. The Keynote Speaker is sponsored by Community Bank of Elmhurst. More to come.
New Members
Our Chamber welcomed two new members in September as follows: Beer on the Wall and Z&M Consultants.
Happy Anniversary
Two members are celebrating Chamber anniversaries in October as follows: 30 years—Elmhurst Model Railroad Club; and 5 years—GIA MIA Elmhurst.
Dropped Members
The Chamber said goodbye to the following five members in September: All Chicagoland Moving & Storage, Elmhurst Hall, Mind & Body EsSCENTials and Next Step Advocate.
End of An Era
Jack Island officially closed the doors of The Silverado Grill on September 30, but not before staging an End of An Era celebration in the Spring Road restaurant’s parking lot on September 24, with Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin proclaiming it as “Jack Island Day in Elmhurst.”
Island and Silverado have partnered with our Chamber since opening for business in 1986 in the staging events such as the award-winning Elmfest community summer festival, Pig Roast and Steak Fry—earning him induction into the ECCI Civic Hall of Fame in 2017.