“I don’t think you would find a Gen Z or millennial who has any cash on them, let alone coins," said Jen Howard, president of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry will host its 2026 Annual Awards Dinner & Celebration of 2025 Success on Feb. 24.

Robin Lif has lived in Lockport since 1994 and has been active in the Lockport Area Genealogical and Historical Society for the past 20 years.

The annual event in downtown Joliet featured New Orleans-style music, food and street entertainment.

Throughout 2025, the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry brought its mission to life through a robust lineup of events, programs, and initiatives.

Next summer, area residents and visitors will be able to gather for a new festival in Algonquin following the end of Founders Days.

Gewalt, 21, of McHenry, will be displaying her figuring skating skills at McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce’s first-ever Heart of the Fox event

Column: "You will find everything on anyone’s wish list with the unique stores Geneva has to offer," writes Elisa Reamer of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce.

The event takes place 4 p.m. Wednesday at 311 S. Reed St. in Joliet in honor of UCP-Center for Disability Services anniversary.

Candy canes, caroling and a Claus or two were just a few of the seasonal delights to be seen, heard and tasted at Geneva's Christmas Walk, which also featured the lighting of the Great Tree on at the Kane County courthouse lawn. The annual event was hosted by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce with support from the city.

The Lockport Chamber of Commerce honored the following members and first responders at its annual awards dinner.

Citing financial challenges, the Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, that it will be suspending operations effective Dec. 31, 2025.

In recognition of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce’s 110th anniversary, Gov. JB Pritzker has officially designated Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, as Lake County Chamber of Commerce Day.

Whether you are a parent or not, childcare needs in our community has to be on everyone’s radar because childcare is not just a parent issue – it is a workforce issue.

After 30 years in the retail industry and a few years with the McHenry chamber, Amy Humbracht is now president of the Woodstock chamber.

A ribboncutting ceremony was held Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, for Royal Arcade, a new arcade space inside local ice cream shop Roiel Scoop at 316 N. Sixth St.

The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Light Up Lincoln Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

The Merry & Bright Decorating Contest is once again being sponsored by the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce. The chamber encourages all residents and business owners to make the community festive this holiday season.

Molding the next generation of leaders in manufacturing was the goal of a recent effort that brought local high school students into local businesses.

A ribboncutting was held Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, for The Fit Hub’s new location at 126 state Route 38. The business serves health-centered drinks including coffee, shakes, tea and more.

Several businesses and organizations handed out treats to more than 600 children in the community.

Before a filled banquet room in Bradley, the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce honored members and reported strong growth trends within the organization.

The ribbon cutting took place from 4 to 4:30 p.m. at Trinity Christian School, 901 Shorewood Drive, where the Shorewood campus of The Village meets.

Martha Sanchez of State Street Jewelers was named the 2025 Geneva Chamber of Commerce Wood Award recipient Thursday night.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce bestowed its Wood Award, and several other honors at Riverside Receptions Nov. 6.

Designed as an annual program, “The Visionary Series” brings dynamic, high-profile speakers to the Joliet region in an elevated luncheon format, providing a platform for inspiration, knowledge sharing, and networking.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the grand opening of Prime Cut Restaurant and Wine Bar.

Dan Znaniecki of H&H Builders applied a fresh coat of paint on the exterior of the Mendota Chamber of Commerce building on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 downtown Mendota.

A grand opening and ribboncutting ceremony were held Oct. 22, 2025, for Davis Family Health and Trim IV Infusions at their new location at 450 Coronado Drive in Rochelle.

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 22 featured Oregon Chamber of Commerce Director Chance Munroe previewing upcoming events, including a downtown Oregon “Trick Or Treat” special Saturday, Oct. 25. and the 39th annual Christmas “Candlelight Walk” on Nov. 29.

The Joliet City Center Partnership will host its annual Halloween-themed “Spirits with the Spirits” in downtown Joliet on Friday.

The Great Teachers Award has recognized hundreds educators since its inception in 2008.

Rochelle small business retail incubator “The Spark Shop” officially reopened Oct. 18, 2025, in the city’s historic filling station at 500 Lincoln Ave.

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 6 featured Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Dixon Main Street Community Relations and Events Director Jennifer Lang, previewing the October calendar of events with the organization.

While some may be skeptical, numerous examples of progress within Kankakee County municipalities were shared Thursday at the county's first-ever State of Municipality luncheon.

Tickets are now available for the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s “The Visionary Series: Inspiring the Future of Business,” on Nov. 19 at Hollywood Casino – Joliet.

The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce presented its Lawn of the Week award for the week of Sept. 24, 2025, to Noah and Raegan Carmichael.

Prime IV Hydration and Wellness, which offers vitamin therapy, celebrated its grand opening in Geneva.

The 27th version of the Manteno Oktoberfest begins Thursday and runs through Sunday in the heart of the village's business district.

The Princeton Chamber of Commerce, Princeton Park District, friends and community members cut the ribbon on a new playground on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at Zearing Park in Princeton. The 7,000 square-foot playground features sensory panels, an in-ground merry-go-round with back support, slides, swings, health development and creative play. Half of the project was paid for by an OSLAD grant and the other half was purchased by the Princeton Park District. No tax dollars were used for the project.

Algonquin restaurant BrewHaus 31 received assistance from the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Chamber Foundation’s emergency grant to help recover from a water main break.

The Plano Area Chamber of Commerce canceled this year’s Hispanic Heritage Street Market & Taco Crawl that was supposed to be on Saturday.

Each year, the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry and its Council for Working Women “recognizes an outstanding person in the community through the international ATHENA Award Program,” according to the Joliet Chamber website.

The Annex Restaurant & Lounge in Lake in the Hills is the first recipient of the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber Foundation’s emergency assistance grant after a recent break-in.

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce has an exciting lineup of events this fall designed to connect, engage, and celebrate our vibrant community, writes the chamber's Shirley Mott.

Community gardeners are invited to donate any extra sweet or spicy peppers to be used in the third edition of the Fire on the Fox community hot sauce, beginning Sept. 9.

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s New Orleans North event was held at the Joliet Slammers stadium on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. The evening had the feel of Mardi Gras with food, music, local art and the atmosphere of “The Big Easy.”

The TALK-LINE interview for Aug. 14 featured Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sam Kersey reviewing previous chamber happenings, including the multi-chamber “Business After Hours” event at Sauk Valley Community College.

The Grundy County Chamber announced Wednesday that Gilted Edge Winery, 9396 Plattville Road in Newark, is joining the chamber.

A long-time south suburban pizza and Italian market favorite is now open for business in Lockport.