February 20, 2024

Young Professionals rule.

You can tell because we've got a banner number of people attending tonight's Business After Hours, hosted by our Young Professionals Network and sponsored by Flint Rock, LLC. Hope you can stop by... registration requested but not required. We just want to make sure we have enough food from Gia Mia to accommodate the crowd. And you can be any age to attend our BAH.

This "Monday Matters" comes to you on a Tuesday. We hope you enjoyed a day off to honor President's Day--if you had to work, thanks for that. We follow the bank holidays as many businesses do. This is a great time to thank those who are healthcare workers and first responders. We appreciate everything you do when others get a leisurely day off!

With thanks for those who work holidays~

Wheaton Chamber Welcomes New Member

Please help us welcome PFLAG DuPage to the Wheaton Chamber. PFLAG DuPage is a local chapter of the national organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families. Bonnie Clemens, the chapter treasurer, is the PFLAG representative.

PFLAG works to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.  PFLAG was founded in 1973 and is the nation's largest organization of its kind. PFLAG DuPage hosts monthly meetings open to all. Please help us welcome Bonnie and everyone at PFLAG DuPage.

Young Professionals Network Hosts February Business After Hours Tonight

Please join us for the upcoming Business After Hours (BAH), hosted by our Young Professionals Network and sponsored by Flint Rock, LLC. Our February BAH will take place tonight from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Wheaton Chamber office, 301 W. Roosevelt Road. We encourage you to invite your colleagues and prospective Chamber members for an evening of networking and fun. There's plenty of parking on the west side of the building, and our building is accessible with a lift in the front entrance facing south on Roosevelt Road. Please register here so that we may have enough for everyone.

Please note that while this is hosted by the Young Professionals Network, all ages are welcome to attend.

Thank you to Flint Rock for sponsoring this Business After Hours.

Wheaton Chamber Opens New "Trades Connect Group"

All tradespeople are invited to join our newest group at the Wheaton Chamber, "Trades Connect Group" which aims to unite tradespeople from various sectors.

Donna Teagle of Floor Coverings International sparked this idea within our Chamber "I envision the' Trades Connect Group' being a fun, informal time where people in the trades can meet with other like-minded people every month and help each other improve our businesses through the sharing of resources and experience."

The first meeting will be on Tuesday, March 5, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Warren's Ale House. Please click here to register. If you're interested in sponsoring the Trades Connect Group, contact Vickie Austin.

"Strengthen Your Business Relationships" Topic of March Ignite University

Get ready for the next Ignite University when David Koch of UMortgage shares his secrets to building relationships in the business world. In his presentation “Relationships, Not Transactions: How People-Focused Professionals Achieve Success" will take place Wednesday, March 6, at 12:00 p.m. at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N Cross St, Wheaton. This is a lunch-and-learn, so feel free to bring your lunch. For more information and to register, please click here.

Ignite University is offered in partnership with the Wheaton Public Library.

Moyra Gorski Celebrates 24 Years With Shaklee

Moyra Gorski of Gorski Wellness marks her 24th year as an ambassador with Shaklee and she invites us all to help her celebrate with an anniversary party scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Wheaton Chamber office and will feature snacks, raffle prizes, and lots of networking. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Moyra. Learn more about Moyra's story here.

Covenant Living of Windsor Park Hosts Fine Art Fair

Covenant Living of Windsor Park in Carol Stream will host a fine art fair showcasing the talents of its residents, offering original paintings, drawings, prints, notecards, wood pieces, jewelry, photographs, and fiber art. The event, open to residents and visitors, takes place Saturday, March 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 124 Windsor Park Drive. For more information, please call Covenant Living of Windsor Park.

Alto Senior Living Hosts a Trivia Night

Alto Senior Living will host a Trivia Night on Thursday, Feb. 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Alto Senior Living Wheaton, 219 Parkway Drive. Bring your friends and create a team ready to win prizes. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Brenda Dubeck.

DuPage County Historical Museum to Host 2024 Casino Night at Arrowhead Golf Club

The DuPage County Historical Museum will host its 2024 Casino Night on Friday, March 8, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Arrowhead Golf Club. Join the folks from the museum and the Wheaton Park District for a night of casino games, entertainment, raffles, and auctions. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.

The McAninch Arts Center Presents ''International Guitar Night''

The McAninch Arts Center (the MAC) presents "International Guitar Night," bringing together some of the world's best guitar players for an evening of music. Featuring guitarists Luca Stricagnoli, Thu Le, Marco Pereira, and Minnie Marks, the event will take place on Sunday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Belushi Performance Hall at the MAC, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.

Learn Pain Relief with Lederman Chiropractic & Sports Medicine

Joshua Lederman, DC, of Lederman Chiropractic & Sports Medicine will present "ACES: Neck and Back Pain Relief" as a guest of the Wheaton Public Library on Tuesday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Learn effective strategies to treat pain and prevent future occurrences. For more information and to register, please click here.

DuPage Foundation's Bright & Early Initiative Celebrated with Illinois Governor

The DuPage Foundation's Bright & Early DuPage initiative has been leading communities in DuPage County for over a decade, ensuring young children and families have the necessary resources for success in kindergarten and beyond.

A collaboration celebration, attended by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, was held at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, underscoring the governor's commitment to early childhood programs and equitable access to services statewide. Other speakers included local leaders and representatives emphasizing the significance of inclusive early childhood programs and collaborative efforts.

Governor Pritzker commended the DuPage Foundation and its collaborators, vowing to continue prioritizing early childhood education to position Illinois as a national leader in the field. Through the initiative, eight collaboratives have been established across DuPage County, leveraging resources and expertise to effectively benefit children and families. Learn more about the Bright & Early DuPage initiative here.

FinCEN Accepts Beneficial Ownership Reports for U.S. Businesses

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is currently accepting beneficial ownership information reports. Enforced through the bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act of 2021, this mandates numerous companies operating in the United States to disclose details about their owners or controllers.

Filing these reports is simple, secure, and free. Reporting companies, whether existing or newly established, must adhere to specific deadlines:

• Existing companies: Reporting companies created or registered to do business in the United States before January 1, 2024, must file by January 1, 2025.
• Newly created or registered companies: Reporting companies created or registered to do business in the United States in 2024 have 90 calendar days to file after receiving actual or public notice that their company’s creation or registration is effective.

FinCEN offers a variety of resources, including a Small Entity Compliance Guide, to aid small businesses in meeting these requirements efficiently. For additional assistance and information on reporting procedures, please click here.

The Local Features Jimmy Walker of Midwest Strength Performance

Don't miss the latest episode of "The Local," a podcast hosted by Marc Horner of Fairhaven Wealth Management in partnership with the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce and featuring Chamber President Vickie Austin as Marc's co-host.

Hear the conversation as Marc and Vickie sit down with Jimmy Walker, co-owner of Midwest Strength Performance in Wheaton. Listen to an inspiring story of overcoming challenges on the road to success. Whether you love boxing or dream of starting your own business listen to the episode of The Local here.

Please Tell Us Your News

Our Wheaton Chamber members have a lot going on and you have a lot to say! Read press releases from our members, learn about job openings and see our Chamber members' "Hot Deals." Got a job posting or a special you'd like to share? Contact us.

2024 Good Citizens Awards Nominations Now Open

The Community Relations Commission is currently accepting nominations for the City of Wheaton’s 2024 Good Citizens Awards until Sunday, March 31. Nominees, who must be current Wheaton residents, should demonstrate exceptional dedication to the betterment of Wheaton and its citizens, without receiving payment for their services. Nominations can be submitted online here or via mail to Wheaton City Hall, Attn: Andrea Rosedale, 303 W. Wesley St., Wheaton, IL 60187.

Wheaton Public Library Calls for Local Authors

The Wheaton Public Library's Ignite Program is hosting Rick DeVries of Alpha as he presents "Bottoms Up: Navigating Change with Servant Leadership." Rick is director of strategic partnerships at Alpha which provides solutions for those in the restaurant industry to succeed. He's also a faculty member of Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. Join Rick on Monday, Feb. 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the Wheaton Public Library. For more information and to register, please click here.

Downtown Wheaton Association's Calendar Offers Up-to-Date Happenings

Stay informed about the latest sales, specials, and promotions by regularly checking the calendar provided by the Downtown Wheaton Association. With a diverse array of offerings, the association's calendar serves as a resource for residents and visitors seeking to explore the vibrant offerings of downtown Wheaton's businesses. Click here to view the calendar.

Check out the latest job postings from TrustBank and Gary United Methodist Church here.

If you have a job opening, please enter your information into your member profile under "Jobs." Your listing will be included on the Chamber website and featured in our Monday Matters newsletter. If you need help posting your job openings, please contact Maddie Crabtree.

This week:

• February Business After Hours will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 4:30 p.m. at the Wheaton Chamber office located at 301 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. Please invite your colleagues and prospective Chamber members. The Young Professionals Network will host and Flint Rock is a sponsor this month. Click here to register.
• Board of Directors Monthly Meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 8:30 a.m. at the Wheaton Chamber office. Mike Dyer of Edward Jones is chair.

Coming Up:

• Women in Business Committee meets on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 8:30 a.m. at the Wheaton Chamber office. Please note there's plenty of parking on the west side of the building. Giana Ferrari Ayers of Edward Jones and Tracy Bennett of Wheaton Living are co-chairs. Please click here to register.
• 24th Anniversary Celebration for Moyra Gorski will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 4:30 p.m. at the Wheaton Chamber office. Please invite your colleagues for an evening of networking and celebration. For more information and to RSVP please contact Moyra Gorski.
• Members Matter will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. This virtual orientation, now held twice a month, is an overview of member benefits and is ideal for new members, current members, and anyone thinking about joining the Chamber. Please register here.

February Luncheon

Thank you to all who attended our February Luncheon. Special thanks to Dr. Felix Davis of the College of DuPage for sharing his insights on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the business world.