Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Thank you for your service!



"I am proud to affiliate with Homes For Heroes as my way of giving back to those who bravely & selflessly serve our community and country. As a hero, whether you are buying or selling a home, you will qualify for a refund check based on the total amount of your transaction. I donate 25% of my commission on each sale to make this possible and to show my appreciation for your bravery & sacrifice. It’s a small thing I can do for those that put their lives on the line every day.

I have many Heroes in my life. My daughter and cousin are teachers, my mother and my sister are nurses, my nephew is a paramedic, my best friend was married to a firefighter, and I have a niece who is in law enforcement and other friends who are ex-military. I am so grateful to these people and am delighted to provide an opportunity to give back through this circle of giving.

I am truly inspired by those accomplishments made possible by the heroes that serve on the front lines on a daily basis:

• Military (Active, Reserves and Veterans)
• Law Enforcement (Officers, Desk Sergeants, Tac Officers, support)
• Fire Fighters (All Firefighters, and all of their support)
• Medical Professionals (doctors, nurses, aids, paramedics, EMTs, support staff)
• Teachers (Elementary, Secondary, Pre-school, Professors, and support staff)
• All Essential Employees working during the current COVID-19 crisis

Not sure if you're a hero? Contact me Today!"

Connie Abels Broker, GRI, ABR
RE/MAX Premier - NorthCoast Group
Mobile: 773-442-2357 (Text or Call)

French Classes at Jacques International Language Academy



Language Classes Deal at www.jila-chicago.us for Summer Registration Sales. Text to (312) 871-1994.

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Gov. Pritzker Announces Modified Stay at Home Order Will Be Extended Through May to Continue Progress







Releases Illinois Modeling Showing Significant Second Wave If Stay at Home Order Were Lifted; Modified Order Includes Increased Flexibility for Residents and Non-Essential Businesses, Requires Face Coverings in Public



Chicago — Based on data from scientists and health experts and after consulting with stakeholders across the state, Governor JB Pritzker announced that he will sign a modified version of the state's stay at home order that will go into effect on May 1 to continue the life-saving progress made over the last month while also allowing residents additional in the safest way possible.

In conjunction with today's announcement, the Governor released modeling today put together by top academic institutions and researchers in Illinois that predicts the course of coronavirus in the state over the coming months. On our current trajectory, the state is projected to see a peak or plateau of deaths per day between late April and early May, but if the stay at home order were lifted this week, the model anticipates a second wave of the outbreak in Illinois starting in May, which would claim tens of thousands of lives and greatly exceed the state's hospital capacity.

"Make no mistake, Illinois has saved lives. By staying home and social distancing, we have kept our infection and death rates for the months of March and April thousands below the rates projected had we not implemented these mitigation strategies," said Governor JB Pritzker. "I know how badly we all want our normal lives back. But this is the part where we have to dig in and understand that the sacrifices we've made as a state to avoid a worst-case scenario are working — and we need to keep going a little while longer to finish the job."



MODIFIED STAY AT HOME ORDER
Lifting mitigation measures is only possible with widespread availability and access to COVID-19 testing, tracing and treatment. The data show that if the state were to lift mitigations abruptly this week, this would result in a second wave of infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

After consulting with doctors, scientists and experts in Illinois and across the world, the Governor has announced he will sign a modified version of the state's stay at home order that will go into effect on May 1 and extend  through the end of the month. The modified order will strengthen the state's social distancing requirements while allowing residents additional flexibility and provide measured relief to non-essential businesses in the safest way possible.


The new executive order will include the following modifications effective May 1:
• OUTDOOR RECREATION: State parks will begin a phased re-opening under guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. Fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people will be permitted. A list of parks that will be open on May 1 and additional guidelines can be found on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website HERE . Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and when ensuring that social distancing is followed.

• NEW ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES: Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may re-open as essential businesses. These stores must follow social distancing requirements and must require that employees and customers wear a face covering. Animal grooming services may also re-open.

• NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL: Retail stores not designated as non-essential businesses and operations may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up outside the store and delivery.

• FACE COVERINGS: Beginning on May 1, individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can't maintain a six-foot social distance. Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores. This new requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask.

• ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURING: Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing, as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers. This will include occupancy limits for essential businesses and precautions such as staggering shifts and operating only essential lines for manufacturers.

• SCHOOLS:  Educational institutions may allow and establish procedures for pick-up of necessary supplies or student belongings. Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.

The Illinois Department of Public Health will also be issuing guidance to surgi-centers and hospitals to allow for certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions, starting on May 1. Facilities will need to meet specific criteria, including proper PPE, ensuring enough overall space for COVID-19 patients remains available, and testing of elective surgery patients to ensure COVID-19 negative status.



MODELING COVID-19 IN ILLINOIS





While earlier projections relied on data from other countries applied to the United States, the modeling released today analyzes two months' worth of daily data on COVID-19 deaths and ICU usage here in Illinois.

Top researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Northwestern School of Medicine, the University of Chicago, the Chicago and Illinois Departments of Public Health, along with McKinsey and Mier Consulting Group working on behalf of the City of Chicago and Cook County, worked on these projections as a cohort under Civis Analytics, a data analytics firm with experience spanning the public and private sectors.

According to the state model, the stay at home order is having its intended effect of flattening the curve in Illinois.

Without the stay at home order, the model estimates there would have been 10 to 20 times as many deaths to date and that the peak death rate and peak resource usage would have been 20 to 30 times what we will see with mitigation. Moreover, these counts do not account for deaths due to lack of access to health resources, so the actual number would likely have been even higher.

If the stay at home order were lifted this week, death rates and hospitalizations would start rising sharply by the middle of May. It's projected that the peak death rate and peak resource needs would be almost as high as if there were never any mitigation measures put in place. Over the course of the current outbreak, the model estimates there would be 5 to 10 times more deaths than we would see if we continued mitigation.





In either of the above scenarios, as much as half of the state's population could be infected with COVID-19 at once, which would overwhelm the health care system and result in more deaths.

As a further caution against relaxing mitigations without carefully considering the consequences, the model estimates that the number of infectious people is likely similar in size to when the order began. Even as hospitalizations and deaths are starting to decrease, there are still enough active cases to lead to a second wave. Fortunately, the stay at home order has prevented most of the population from becoming sick, but that also means that most of the population remains vulnerable to the virus.

Maintaining our current vigilance to controlling this outbreak is crucial. Models contributed by UIUC and UChicago project a peak or plateau of daily fatalities between late April and early May. The median and range of daily deaths, within a 95% confidence interval, are illustrated below.

Both of these projections indicate that after the peak, we should expect it will take longer for deaths to decline to pre-epidemic levels than it took for them to rise, underscoring the importance of staying the course over the coming weeks and months.

Rogers Park mixed-media artist Cody Tumblin makes Breakout Artists 2020



https://www.facebook.com/groups/RogersParkNeighborhoodNews/permalink/2898026463606727/

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Alderman Andre Vasquez to introduce legislation calling for the City Council to meet twice a month



"Tomorrow, I will be introducing legislation calling for the City Council to meet twice a month, as is currently written in the Municipal Code.

I think that the people of our city need answers and can’t wait a month. What do YOU think? Please share widely!"

40th Ward Alderman, Andre Vasquez





#ThePeoplesWork                  #AskYourAlder

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

83 Careers within 15 Miles of Chicago




https://www.idealist.org/en/jobs?q=&radius=24000&searchMode=true

Careers and employment opportunities for Rogers Park residents


The City of Chicago is committed to assisting residents in their pursuit of finding a job.

The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce is sharing to our Rogers Park residents, this city resource of job opportunities in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.


Job Boards; websites for current listings of job openings

Public Sector Jobs

Nonprofit Sector Jobs


Private Sector Jobs
Through the City’s partnership with the Chicago Workforce Investment Council, residents can access current job postings at some of the city’s largest private sector employers.

Associated Bank is hiring in Chicago


We've always been committed to supporting our communities, even during times of uncertainties. Join our team! 
- Associated Bank



Monday, April 13, 2020

Chambers of Commerce, and Rogers Park Business Alliance, Partner for ILove Local Initiative



All across Illinois, small businesses provide our communities with good jobs, quality customer service, and the character that makes our cities, towns and neighborhoods feel like home. According to the SBA, small businesses make up an astonishing 99.6 of all businesses in Illinois.

From Chicago to Carbondale, from Abingdon to Zion, Illinois chambers of commerce and small businesses are coming together in this time of unprecedented challenge to share resources, build community and unite to champion small businesses across the state.














Sunday, April 12, 2020

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Pub 626 delivers 30 Easter Dinners to Weiss Memorial Hospital



Pub 626 Restaurant had the pleasure of dropping off 30 Easter dinners to doctors and nurses at Weiss Hospital. These are a few of the notes that Patrick O’Neill, and Carlos wrote on their meal boxes. God bless them all ❤️😊Chicago strong.

Salerno's on Tap Dining Room Closed Due to Pandemic



"Salerno's On Tap is complying with Governor Pritzker's emergency shelter-in-place order through April 31 - or the duration of any extended order. We encourage all to observe the precautions suggested in this order; please isolate as much as possible and observe social distancing guidelines.

We are open from 3:30 PM to 11:30 PM for pick-up and delivery. Please phone us at (312) 766-4234 or order online HERE.

We look forward to the time when we can resume some sense of normalcy in our lives; in the meantime, please be careful and stay safe."

Friday, April 10, 2020

Rogers Park directory of small businesses open during COVID-19


Senior shopping hours at Devon Market


Devon Market would like to wish all of our customers a healthful and Happy Easter weekend! We have regular store hours on Easter Sunday 7 am - 10 pm for all your holiday shopping needs.

We have senior shopping hours 7 am - 9 am daily for seniors 60+ and offer a 10% senior discount every day of the week.


Thursday, April 9, 2020

Northside & Evanston Foodie Bingo by Tedi Smola Real Estate




Craving a date night worthy meal? Please join me in supporting these amazing restaurants!

It’s time for the community to give back to these awesome #Chicago & #Evanston businesses.

Show your support, share your bingos and you will be entered to win
a $100 gift card to one of these restaurants.

Don’t forget to tag #chicagobingo and #evanstonbingo in your public posts.

That house on Lunt Avenue


BACP Webinar-One Page Business Plan on 4/10/2020


BACP Webinar-One Page Business Plan
YWCA Chicago will provide the basics behind cultivating and creating a working business plan
that can be applied to all of your business ideas. 



Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Illinois 9th Congressional District Resources

Rogers Park Chamber President Bill Morton with
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Illinois 9th Congressional District
"I want to be sure you have the best available information to protect and care for yourself and your loved ones as we learn more about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers the coronavirus to be a serious public health threat. It is important that you are aware of the disease and the efforts necessary to prevent its spread."- Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Illinois 9th Congressional District


OTHER IMPORTANT UPDATES

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Safe way to order food - Los Portales Mexican Restaurant




#stayhomesave Delivery to your Door.

Devon Market COVID-19 Update


Devon Market is taking extended measures to ensure the safety and wellness of our community. The Devon Market team believes our role in serving customers during this time is a critical one. Our store hours remain the same to serve your shopping needs we are open everyday of the week 8am-10pm.

We have increased our already robust cleaning procedures for your health and safety and our team has been instructed to stay home if they are not feeling well. We are following CDC guidelines for cleaning procedures, personal protective equipment and social distancing and we encourage you to do the same for your health and wellness.

We care about our team members, customers and products and will continue to offer the best prices available that we receive from our vendors to share the savings with customers on products and produce throughout our market.

For future updates on how we're addressing the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19)situation please subscribe to our email list using the link below. You will also enjoy weekly exclusive customer savings when you subscribe to our Devon Market email list!


Public Health Order 2020-05 - Liquor Sales Prohibited after 9pm



You can download the posting here.



Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Chicago Firefighter Mario E. Araujo




The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce extends its deepest condolences to the family of 18-year Chicago Fire Department veteran Mario E. Araujo, who served us in Rogers Park, and who just passed away from COVID-19.

The tendrils of this pandemic can reach the strongest and best of us. Here are some resources for a safer community for us all during the COVID-19 crisis.


The News articles and a few words from our neighbors 



Coronavirus (COVID-19)


Watch for symptoms

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).


  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath



When to Seek Medical Attention

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:


  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.



How to Protect Yourself & Others


Know How it Spreads

  • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
  • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
  • Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.



Everyone Should Clean your hands often

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.



Avoid close contact

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Stay home as much as possible.
  • Put distance between yourself and other people.
  • Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
  • Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.



Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

  • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
  • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
  • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
  • Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
  • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.



Cover coughs and sneezes

  • If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.



Clean and disinfect

  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.



More information is located at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

Restaurants refusing to use Grubhub for deliveries?





Monday, April 6, 2020

COVID-19 Guidance for Grocery Shopping


Shopping & Dining during COVID-19


Devon Avenue Businesses Provide Meals For First Responders


"The plan is to provide meals to area police officers and firefighters as well as worker at St. Francis Hospital and Swedish Hospital at least once a week. Last week, Villa Palermo served 125 meals to Rogers Park (24th) District police officers and firefighters at the station at 6239 N. California Ave. Greater Chicago Food and Beverage served 50 meals to Swedish Hospital’s intensive care unit, Tyler said."

Discussion and link to article HERE



Illinois Restaurant Association Webinar on Completing PPP Applications and Troubleshooting


The Illinois Restaurant Association will be hosting our next webinar for restaurant operators on completing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications and troubleshooting tomorrow - Tuesday, April 7 at 12:00 p.m. (Central).

We are again hosting the program along with the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), National Restaurant Association, and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.

This is the second webinar in our Paycheck Protection Webinar Series, which will share updates on the federal loan program; detailed information & troubleshooting on the application process; and best practices from small businesses and lenders themselves.
Topics to be covered include:

Application Process
Addressing FAQ from the last webinar
Guidance on Addressing Lack of Access and Denials
Insider Scoop from Lenders & the Small Business Administration


National Restaurant Association - Restaurant Employee Relief Fund



The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (“Fund”) was created to help restaurant industry employees experiencing extraordinary hardship in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Through this Fund, grants will be made to restaurant industry employees who have been impacted by COVID-19, including a decrease in wages or loss of employment. Grants will be awarded as soon as possible to those individuals who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria, as reviewed and verified by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). This Fund is operated by the NRAEF, whose mission is to attract, empower and advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workers.


New Applications: We expect to reopen to new applicants no later than Friday, April 10th, once we have allowed time for individuals with applications in process. We encourage all new applicants to carefully read our updated FAQ section on this site so that you are prepared for the application process.

Please check back with us at 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, April 8th for an update on the new application process.

Steve Dolinsky Easter meal to-go for pickup feature





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