News & Press
May 14: Conciergepreferred.com Recommends Must-Try Eateries in Albany Park:
http://www.conciergepreferred.com/chicago-restaurants/4697-5-must-try-eateries-in-albany-park.html
May 11, 2012: Chicago Tribune sends NATO Diplomats to Albany Park "Memo to NATO Diplomats: Don't Believe the Chicago Hype"
April 23, 2012 - Deadline extended for "Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses" program:
Goldman Sachs has created 10,000 Small Businesses, a program designed to give local small business owners the resources to grow. This program helps small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity by providing entrepreneurs with greater access to business education, financial capital and business support services. Participants in the program will gain practical business knowledge and skills that can be put to work immediately, such as contract negotiation, marketing, accounting and people management. Applications for upcoming programs are accepted on an ongoing basis. For more information or to apply please visit www.ccc.edu/10ksb.
February 24, 2012: Al Khaymeih Restaurant Re-opens! http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2012/02/24/resurrected-al-khaymeih
January 11, 2012: THE FISH GUY OPENS WELLFLEET FOR LUNCH! Seating from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday-Saturday starting Jan 16, 2012. Reservations available at www.Fishguy.com.
January 1, 2012: AWARDS FOR SMALL BUSINESS SOCIAL MEDIA & EMAIL. The City Treasurer's Office and Constant Contact want to recognize the best email and social media promotions from Chicagoland small businesses. The first prize winner for the email marketing category and social media media category receive $2,500 cash plus a Constant Contact account with online marketing and social media tools for one year. Any campaign ran between January 3rd, 2011 and February 29th, 2012 is eligible.
Click here for full details.
December 9, 2011: SHOVELING YOUR SIDEWALK: It's the Neighborly Thing To Do! (It's also the law). Chicago Municipal Code, sections 4-4-310 and 10-8-180, specifies that both homes and businesses must clear snow from sidewalks next to their property. Make Chicago safe for everyone this winter season by clearing ice and snow from the public sidewalks around your property. We are all pedestrians at some point during the day, whether walking to the bus, to a car, or to a neighborhood store. Without a wide, clear path, snow and ice on the sidewalk make it difficult for everyone -- especially people with disabilities, seniors and children -- to walk safely. Be a good neighbor! Offer to help those in your community who are physically unable to clear their own sidewalks. This reminder from the Chicago Dept. of Transportation & Albany Park Chamber of Commerce.
November 16, 2011:MAYOR EMANUEL EASES RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS FOR LOW-RISK FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS & IMPROVES INSPECTION EFFICIENCYMayor Rahm Emanuel has introduced an ordinance that will make doing business in Chicago easier for new and existing food businesses by initiating a self-certification pilot program for low-risk food inspections and improving the efficiency of City inspectors. If passed, this ordinance will give the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health the ability to create an alternative certification system for these low-risk food retailers so that they can self-certify, while saving taxpayer dollars and maintaining current health requirements to protect consumers. Chicago would be one of the first major cities to implement such a program. Click here for more information.
November 16, 2011: ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCES FOR BUSINESSES
Every business in the city of Chicago, regardless of number of employees, is subject to the City's two anti-discrimination ordinances. A Chicago business cannot discriminate against customers or employees - potential or actual - based on any of the 14 protected classes listed in the ordinances. Click here for more information from the Commission on Human Relations.
November 16, 2011: CROWD MANAGEMENT SAFETY GUIDELINE FOR RETAILERS
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging major retail employers to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during "Black Friday" and other major sales events during the holiday season. In 2008, a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of an after-Thanksgiving Day "Black Friday" sales event. The store was not using the kind of crowd management measures recommended in OSHA's fact sheet. Click here for more information on employer responsibilities providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.
October 13, 2011: MAYOR EMANUEL ANNOUNCES PLAN TO ELIMINATE THE HEAD TAX FOR CHICAGO BUSINESSES
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that the Administration is taking steps to eliminate the City's "Head Tax" - fulfilling a pledge he made during his campaign to phase out the tax which is a deterrent for businesses to start and grow in the City. Under the Mayor's plan the "Head Tax" will be reduced by 50 percent in 2012 with its complete elimination occurring in 2014. Click here for more information.
October 12, 2011: IRS ISSUES GUIDANCE ON TAX TREATMENT OF CELL PHONESThe Internal Revenue Service issued guidance designed to clarify the tax treatment of employer-provided cell phones. The guidance relates to a provision in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, enacted last fall, that removed cell phones from the definition of listed property, a category under tax law that normally requires additional recordkeeping by taxpayers. The notice issued provides guidance on the treatment of employer- provided cell phones as an excludible fringe benefit. Click here for more information.
September 29, 2011: CDOT to Issue Citations / $500 Fines for Sandwich Board Signs
Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin issuing citations for public way violations, specifically A-frame/sandwich board signs on the sidewalk and flag signs in the public way. THIS IS A $500 FINE. Signage should be taken down immediately. There is no permit for these signs as they are considered unsafe for pedestrians and present untenable liability for the City.
August, 2011: The City of Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED) is conducting a Chicago Business Survey to better understand business's perceptions, concerns, needs and plans for doing business in Chicago so that their efforts can more effectively support business stability and growth.
The survey usually takes under 15 minutes to complete and is located at www.research.net/s/cityofchicagocss.
August, 2011: 10th District Cook County Commissioner, Bridget Gainer is also conducting a small business survey.The survey is meant to get an idea of what businesses need to thrive in the community and to determine the effect of local taxes on the sales and profits of businesses. The following link will take you to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GB38RBP
August, 2011: The nomination period for the 2011 Chicago Innovation Awards is open. The Innovation Awards not only recognize nominees and winners, but also provide valuable connections through business networking and development opportunities, as well as teaching on best innovation practices through mentoring, scholarship, panel discussions, and education courses. See www.chicagoinnovationawards.com.
July 20, 2011: Marie's Pizza is the deal of the day on Living Social! Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Click here for the deal - $28 for two Marie's Specials and two pitchers beer or two flights wine. Good deal!
July 2011: Albany Park & Mayfair Ripe for Business Expansion
Continued from Home page:
MetroEdge's Helen Dunlap explained the community's buying power far exceeds local retail supply. Nearly half of households in the diverse and densely populated area are middle to upper class. "This is not an area where you're seeing major foreclosures or unemployment," she said. "This is a very powerful market."
MetroEdge advised LADCOR to expand their award-winning commercial corridor enhancements while remarketing the area to new and existing audiences. The Albany Park Chamber and LADCOR will continue to partner to spruce up the commerical district and its businesses, adding to the retail mix, working to develop the unused CTA land at the Lawrence & Kimball station, and producing brochures, tours, banners and events.
-Elizabeth Duffrin, LISC/Chicago
May 14: Conciergepreferred.com Recommends Must-Try Eateries in Albany Park:
http://www.conciergepreferred.com/chicago-restaurants/4697-5-must-try-eateries-in-albany-park.html
May 11, 2012: Chicago Tribune sends NATO Diplomats to Albany Park "Memo to NATO Diplomats: Don't Believe the Chicago Hype"
April 23, 2012 - Deadline extended for "Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses" program:
Goldman Sachs has created 10,000 Small Businesses, a program designed to give local small business owners the resources to grow. This program helps small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity by providing entrepreneurs with greater access to business education, financial capital and business support services. Participants in the program will gain practical business knowledge and skills that can be put to work immediately, such as contract negotiation, marketing, accounting and people management. Applications for upcoming programs are accepted on an ongoing basis. For more information or to apply please visit www.ccc.edu/10ksb.
February 24, 2012: Al Khaymeih Restaurant Re-opens! http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2012/02/24/resurrected-al-khaymeih
January 11, 2012: THE FISH GUY OPENS WELLFLEET FOR LUNCH! Seating from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday-Saturday starting Jan 16, 2012. Reservations available at www.Fishguy.com.
January 1, 2012: AWARDS FOR SMALL BUSINESS SOCIAL MEDIA & EMAIL. The City Treasurer's Office and Constant Contact want to recognize the best email and social media promotions from Chicagoland small businesses. The first prize winner for the email marketing category and social media media category receive $2,500 cash plus a Constant Contact account with online marketing and social media tools for one year. Any campaign ran between January 3rd, 2011 and February 29th, 2012 is eligible.
Click here for full details.
December 9, 2011: SHOVELING YOUR SIDEWALK: It's the Neighborly Thing To Do! (It's also the law). Chicago Municipal Code, sections 4-4-310 and 10-8-180, specifies that both homes and businesses must clear snow from sidewalks next to their property. Make Chicago safe for everyone this winter season by clearing ice and snow from the public sidewalks around your property. We are all pedestrians at some point during the day, whether walking to the bus, to a car, or to a neighborhood store. Without a wide, clear path, snow and ice on the sidewalk make it difficult for everyone -- especially people with disabilities, seniors and children -- to walk safely. Be a good neighbor! Offer to help those in your community who are physically unable to clear their own sidewalks. This reminder from the Chicago Dept. of Transportation & Albany Park Chamber of Commerce.
November 16, 2011:MAYOR EMANUEL EASES RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS FOR LOW-RISK FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS & IMPROVES INSPECTION EFFICIENCYMayor Rahm Emanuel has introduced an ordinance that will make doing business in Chicago easier for new and existing food businesses by initiating a self-certification pilot program for low-risk food inspections and improving the efficiency of City inspectors. If passed, this ordinance will give the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health the ability to create an alternative certification system for these low-risk food retailers so that they can self-certify, while saving taxpayer dollars and maintaining current health requirements to protect consumers. Chicago would be one of the first major cities to implement such a program. Click here for more information.
November 16, 2011: ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCES FOR BUSINESSES
Every business in the city of Chicago, regardless of number of employees, is subject to the City's two anti-discrimination ordinances. A Chicago business cannot discriminate against customers or employees - potential or actual - based on any of the 14 protected classes listed in the ordinances. Click here for more information from the Commission on Human Relations.
November 16, 2011: CROWD MANAGEMENT SAFETY GUIDELINE FOR RETAILERS
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging major retail employers to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during "Black Friday" and other major sales events during the holiday season. In 2008, a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of an after-Thanksgiving Day "Black Friday" sales event. The store was not using the kind of crowd management measures recommended in OSHA's fact sheet. Click here for more information on employer responsibilities providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.
October 13, 2011: MAYOR EMANUEL ANNOUNCES PLAN TO ELIMINATE THE HEAD TAX FOR CHICAGO BUSINESSES
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that the Administration is taking steps to eliminate the City's "Head Tax" - fulfilling a pledge he made during his campaign to phase out the tax which is a deterrent for businesses to start and grow in the City. Under the Mayor's plan the "Head Tax" will be reduced by 50 percent in 2012 with its complete elimination occurring in 2014. Click here for more information.
October 12, 2011: IRS ISSUES GUIDANCE ON TAX TREATMENT OF CELL PHONESThe Internal Revenue Service issued guidance designed to clarify the tax treatment of employer-provided cell phones. The guidance relates to a provision in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, enacted last fall, that removed cell phones from the definition of listed property, a category under tax law that normally requires additional recordkeeping by taxpayers. The notice issued provides guidance on the treatment of employer- provided cell phones as an excludible fringe benefit. Click here for more information.
September 29, 2011: CDOT to Issue Citations / $500 Fines for Sandwich Board Signs
Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin issuing citations for public way violations, specifically A-frame/sandwich board signs on the sidewalk and flag signs in the public way. THIS IS A $500 FINE. Signage should be taken down immediately. There is no permit for these signs as they are considered unsafe for pedestrians and present untenable liability for the City.
August, 2011: The City of Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED) is conducting a Chicago Business Survey to better understand business's perceptions, concerns, needs and plans for doing business in Chicago so that their efforts can more effectively support business stability and growth.
The survey usually takes under 15 minutes to complete and is located at www.research.net/s/cityofchicagocss.
August, 2011: 10th District Cook County Commissioner, Bridget Gainer is also conducting a small business survey.The survey is meant to get an idea of what businesses need to thrive in the community and to determine the effect of local taxes on the sales and profits of businesses. The following link will take you to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GB38RBP
August, 2011: The nomination period for the 2011 Chicago Innovation Awards is open. The Innovation Awards not only recognize nominees and winners, but also provide valuable connections through business networking and development opportunities, as well as teaching on best innovation practices through mentoring, scholarship, panel discussions, and education courses. See www.chicagoinnovationawards.com.
July 20, 2011: Marie's Pizza is the deal of the day on Living Social! Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Click here for the deal - $28 for two Marie's Specials and two pitchers beer or two flights wine. Good deal!
July 2011: Albany Park & Mayfair Ripe for Business Expansion
Continued from Home page:
MetroEdge's Helen Dunlap explained the community's buying power far exceeds local retail supply. Nearly half of households in the diverse and densely populated area are middle to upper class. "This is not an area where you're seeing major foreclosures or unemployment," she said. "This is a very powerful market."
MetroEdge advised LADCOR to expand their award-winning commercial corridor enhancements while remarketing the area to new and existing audiences. The Albany Park Chamber and LADCOR will continue to partner to spruce up the commerical district and its businesses, adding to the retail mix, working to develop the unused CTA land at the Lawrence & Kimball station, and producing brochures, tours, banners and events.
-Elizabeth Duffrin, LISC/Chicago
May 2011: FINCH'S BEER CO. FEATURED IN TIME OUT CHICAGO! - New chamber member, Finch's Beer Co., was featured in Time Out Chicago. Full of quotes from Owner Ben Finch, the article discusses Finch's passion for product and brand development and the continual growth of the craft brew portion of today's beer industry. Finch's Golden Wing blonde ale and their Cut Throat Pale ale will be in bars/restaurants as early as May 1st. Click HERE for the full story!
MAYORAL CANDIDATES DISCUSS ECONOMIC ISSUES AT CHAMBER'S CANDIDATE FORUM - Over 250 business and community leaders attended a Mayoral Candidate Forum and Luncheon where candidates for Mayor of Chicago including Carol Moseley Braun, Gery Chico, Miguel Del Valle, Patricia Van Pelt Watkins and William "Dock" Walls III answered questions from moderator Andy Shaw, President & CEO of the Better Government Association. The event was covered by ABC Channel 7, WBBM-TV, WGN-TV, The Sun Times, TheNadig Newspaper, Northwestern University's Medill News Service, and Korean news website FocusK.com. The Forum was held at Porretta's Elegant Banquets on Thursday, January 20, 2011. 18 Chambers of Commerce and non-profit business associations co-hosted the forum.
Click HERE for WGN Channel 9 coverage of the event.
MARIE'S PIZZA FEATURED ON WTTW'S CHECK PLEASE! Congratulations to Nadine Karavidas and her staff at Marie's Pizza & Liquors for being featured on Channel 11's Check Please! program. Check out the praise at www.wttw.com/checkplease. Visit Marie's at 4127 W. Lawrence Ave or any time online at www.mariespizzachicago.com.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE HIGHLIGHTS ALBANY PARK IN NEIGHBORHOODS SECTION The Chicago Tribune featured Albany Park and the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce in it's Neighborhood's Section on December 17, 2010. The Trib says "[Albany Park] attracts residents with affordable housing, easy transportation, ethnic diversity and business opportunities."
For the full article, click HERE.
FOOD NETWORK'S GUY FIERE VISITS TRE KRONOR SWEDISH RESTAURANT- Food Network chef and host of "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" Guy Fiere visited Albany Park to learn how to cook up some Swedish fare at local favorite Tre Kronor Swedish Restaurant, 3258 W. Foster Ave. Owners Larry and Patty Anderson demonstrated how to cook Swedish Lox and Swedish Meatballs. The episode called "Global Grub" aired August 2008.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES DISCUSS ECONOMIC ISSUES AT CHAMBER'S CANDIDATE FORUM - Over 250 business and community leaders attended a Mayoral Candidate Forum and Luncheon where candidates for Mayor of Chicago including Carol Moseley Braun, Gery Chico, Miguel Del Valle, Patricia Van Pelt Watkins and William "Dock" Walls III answered questions from moderator Andy Shaw, President & CEO of the Better Government Association. The event was covered by ABC Channel 7, WBBM-TV, WGN-TV, The Sun Times, TheNadig Newspaper, Northwestern University's Medill News Service, and Korean news website FocusK.com. The Forum was held at Porretta's Elegant Banquets on Thursday, January 20, 2011. 18 Chambers of Commerce and non-profit business associations co-hosted the forum.
Click HERE for WGN Channel 9 coverage of the event.
MARIE'S PIZZA FEATURED ON WTTW'S CHECK PLEASE! Congratulations to Nadine Karavidas and her staff at Marie's Pizza & Liquors for being featured on Channel 11's Check Please! program. Check out the praise at www.wttw.com/checkplease. Visit Marie's at 4127 W. Lawrence Ave or any time online at www.mariespizzachicago.com.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE HIGHLIGHTS ALBANY PARK IN NEIGHBORHOODS SECTION The Chicago Tribune featured Albany Park and the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce in it's Neighborhood's Section on December 17, 2010. The Trib says "[Albany Park] attracts residents with affordable housing, easy transportation, ethnic diversity and business opportunities."
For the full article, click HERE.
FOOD NETWORK'S GUY FIERE VISITS TRE KRONOR SWEDISH RESTAURANT- Food Network chef and host of "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" Guy Fiere visited Albany Park to learn how to cook up some Swedish fare at local favorite Tre Kronor Swedish Restaurant, 3258 W. Foster Ave. Owners Larry and Patty Anderson demonstrated how to cook Swedish Lox and Swedish Meatballs. The episode called "Global Grub" aired August 2008.
TIME OUT CHICAGO MAGAZINE FEATURES ALBANY PARK RESTAURANTS - Time Out Chicago magazine featured 13 Albany Park restaurants, bakeries and shops in an article that highlighted the area's diverse, delicous cuisine. Restaurants feature Chamber members Marie's Pizza & Liquor, Pollo Campero, Chiyo Japanese Restaurant, Chicago Kalbi, Semiramis Lebanese Restaurant, Salaam Restaurant, Nazareth Sweets, and many others. Click here to read the full article and map.
CHICAGO MAGAZINE NAMES ALBANY PARK IN 124 BEST DISHES OF CHICAGO - Chicago Magazine highlighted five Albany Park restaurants as serving some of Chicago's "124 Best Dishes of Chicago." Featured restaurants include Arun's Thai Restaurant, Chiyo Japanese Restaurant, Smoque BBQ, Semiramis Lebanese Restaurant and The Fish Guy Market. Chicago Magazine honored Arun's Thai Restaurant's "Thai-bite sized salad" as Chicago's "Best Appetizer". Click here to read the full article.
CHICAGO MAGAZINE NAMES ALBANY PARK IN 124 BEST DISHES OF CHICAGO - Chicago Magazine highlighted five Albany Park restaurants as serving some of Chicago's "124 Best Dishes of Chicago." Featured restaurants include Arun's Thai Restaurant, Chiyo Japanese Restaurant, Smoque BBQ, Semiramis Lebanese Restaurant and The Fish Guy Market. Chicago Magazine honored Arun's Thai Restaurant's "Thai-bite sized salad" as Chicago's "Best Appetizer". Click here to read the full article.
Check Please! Review of Tre Kronor Swedish Restaurant
Check Please! Review of Noon O Kabab Persian Restaurant
Check Please! Review of Ay Ay Picante! Peruvian Restaurant
Check Please! Review Arun's Thai Restaurant
Press about Albany Park Chamber of Commerce & North River Commission
| albany_park_ripe_for_new_business.pdf |
| metroedge_to_report_albany_park_findings.pdf |
Albany Park Chamber of Commerce Newsletters
| winter_and_spring_chamber_newsletter_2011.pdf |
| summer_chamber_newsletter_2009.pdf |
| winter_chamber_newsletter_2009.pdf |
| june_and_july_2008_chamber_newsletter.pdf |
