Printable Membership Application

BUSINESS SERVICES

The Chamber provides a valuable link between the City and Businesses. The organization helps problem-solve local concerns and situations that have an impact with businesses. The Chamber sponsors events to improve the image of the district and to attract new patrons. These events make it possible for local business owners to share additional perks with their new patrons. The South Chicago Chamber of Commerce also provides technical services and assistance to local merchants located within our service area.

RESIDENTS

In order to keep in touch with the needs and desires of the community, the Chamber conducts annual surveys to solicit the residents' recommendations to better help improve the area. In addition, the Chamber conducts “Focus Meetings” every quarter with various interest groups in an attempt to open communications and seed ideas. The Chamber tries to give something back to the community by holding annual events such as our two Sidewalk Sales, Summer Fest, Back-to-School Fest, Annual Scholarship Awards, and other various promotions in our area, “ to strengthen our business district and our community!”

SOCIAL SERVICES & CHURCHES

The Chamber has successfully managed to blend the business and community with the social services and religious communities through some very creative and unique social services actives. The Chamber members have supported and operated the South Chicago Hot Meals Program for the past 7 years. This program provides free meals to local seniors and the needy; Tuesdays and Thursdays. Over 85 participate daily. The complete cost of this program is underwritten by contributions from local businesses as well as from local schools and church members. These groups also underwrite community dinners on Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners held at the South Chicago YMCA. The Chamber also sponsors Adopt-A-Family food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas, in conjunction with the local food pantries and social service agencies. More than 750 individuals and families are served by these efforts.

SCHOOLS

The Chamber has proven to be a huge and effective resource to the local schools in the area. The Chamber recognizes the accomplishments of both the students (through annual cash scholarships awards) and teachers (through educator of the year recognition awards). The group tries to match up interested business and members with local school efforts for purposes of funding, mentorship, career days and employment. The Chamber initiated a pilot project that has gone state wide in an effort to reduce truancy and absenteeism in local schools. The program has now been adopted in over 100 communities across Illinois that operates under the guidelines set by the local Chamber members.

GOVERNMENT

The Chamber works very closely with the City of Chicago and the State, accessing any available information that can help the community to problem solve local issues. The group is partially funded through a grant from the Department of Planning and Development to provide services and to promote the business district and community. The Chamber acts as a liaison between the business and government. Every month the Chamber provides a “hit list” of local problems within the services area. The list includes potholes, graffiti, abandoned and unsecured buildings and cars etc.

The list receives immediate replies from the city department heads. Usually within a month all items have been acted on. The Chamber works very closely with the Chicago Police Department to implement the CAPS program locally. The Chamber networks with the police and formed a “think tank” crime strategy initiative almost 7 years ago. The group tries to play a supportive role with the entities in the area dependent upon the government funds to advocate the continuation of the same. The organization has an excellent working relationship with all the elected officials serving the district.

Membership Benefits and Services

* Access to anti-graffiti program

* Business licensing

* Fund raising, special events and promotions

* Beautification and area clean up

* Main Street seminars and training workshops

* Summer Fest, Back to School Fest & Sidewalk Sales

* Resource directory

* Quarterly meetings

* Technical assistance & advertising ventures

* Quarterly Newsletters

* Seasonal Banner Promotions

* Community improvements through S.B.I.F. / T.I.F., and other programs.