Northeast Region Weekly Update-November 7, 2025

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is proud to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. This year’s celebration entails hosting an event uplifting Native American-owned businesses, amplifying Native American business leaders, organizations, and business enterprises throughout the state, and celebrating the Native American community here in Illinois.

K9 Resorts Secures Multi-Unit Agreement with Seasoned Chicagoland Entrepreneurial GroupFrom the Golden Arches to Luxury Dog Boarding, Multi-generation McDonald's Franchisees to Bring Eight K9 Resorts to Illinois

This fall’s veto session was one of the most productive in recent years. Working together, we advanced key measures that strengthen our state and support Illinois families. We passed long-awaited public transit reforms and investments that will modernize service and improve reliability across the region. We approved an energy bill that lowers utility costs for consumers while accelerating our transition to clean, renewable energy

The 2025-26 class of Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA) is underway, meeting monthly in a ten-month intensive leadership program that provides them insight into many aspects of the community. A program of the Elgin Area Chamber, Dan Fox, Ruth Munson, and Edgar Montes serve as the volunteer co-coordinators of the EALA Class. "When you bring this many people together--people who have consistently demonstrated enthusiasm and leadership in their careers--you experience great energy and see amazing examples of leadership,

ELGIN, IL – During the Illinois General Assembly’s Fall Veto session, the House and Senate passed legislation to extend the River Edge Redevelopment Zone historic tax credit for two years until Jan. 1, 2029. This extension will provide Elgin with continued opportunities to attract new development in the core of downtown, especially near the Fox River.

ELGIN, Ill. — The Aspen Institute has named Elgin Community College (ECC) as one of the top 200 community colleges in the nation eligible to compete for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million in shared Aspen Prize funds. The Aspen Prize is the nation’s signature recognition of achievement and performance among two-year institutions

Centro de Informacion offers workshops for businesses

Know what a business can do

Cherry Bekaert (the Firm) is pleased to announce its acquisition of the business of Herbein + Company, Inc. (Herbein), a CPA advisory firm providing tax, audit, advisory, HR consulting and risk management services. As a Top 100 firm on INSIDE Public Accounting’s (IPA) list, Herbein brings extensive experience in agribusiness, construction, financial institutions, manufacturing, higher education and government industries to Cherry Bekaert.

The new middle school being built on Rohrssen Road in Elgin will be named Legacy. District U-46 School Board members agreed to the name at their Monday night meeting, and will formally approve it Nov. 3.

Here is the weekly update on funding opportunities per the request of the Latinx Business Colectivo – Funding Opportunities working group.

The city of Elgin is exploring ways to reduce single-use items in the community. Elgin's Sustainability Commission has recommended that the city council consider adopting a Retail Single-Use Bag Ordinance that would ban the distribution of single-use plastic checkout bags and place a fee on paper bags.

Advocating for the Voice of Children in Foster Care

CASA Kane County is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to advocating for children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are subsequently placed in foster care. We recruit, train, and supervise volunteers who serve as the child’s voice and the judge’s eyes and ears throughout the duration of their case in juvenile court.

Dr. Brittany Barber, with over 14 years of experience in higher education, leadership development, student success, and community engagement, has dedicated her career to empowering individuals to embrace their brilliance and unlock their full potential.

Party at our place or yours. Food served hot and delicious.

Jen’s son, James, was diagnosed with T1D in September 2021. Since then, he has been hospitalized multiple times for T1D and other illnesses worsened by his weakened immune system.

The city of Elgin’s 2025 Strategic Plan is now live and available to the public in an interactive digital format on ClearGov. The plan can be accessed at elginil.gov/strategicplan.

Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World

It might sound obvious, but effective business communication is a deal-breaker. No one knows that better than Sally Susman, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Executive Vice President at Pfizer, the world's largest biopharmaceutical company. In Breaking Through, Susman leverages her experience at Pfizer, especially during the exceptionally difficult Covid-19 years, to help business leaders be more effective and persuasive communicators. This is no easy feat! Luckily, Susman is a master communicator and shows us how to

Honoring the President of Creative Personnel

This month, Creative Personnel proudly celebrates the 17-year anniversary of our founder and president, Cindy Cruz — a visionary leader who has dedicated nearly two decades to building opportunities, empowering individuals, and strengthening our communities through employment.

The Unsold Mindset: Redefining What it Means to Sell

Most of us dislike being sold to in a pushy, stereotypical way. I can see it coming from a mile away, and it irritates me to no end! Still, I realize persuasion is an important part of sales, and sometimes white lies, the hard sell, etc., will come into play. There’s no other way, right? With that in mind, I chose The Unsold Mindset as this month’s Business Book of the Month, and honestly, it changed the way I think about sales and salespeople.

June 16, 2025 – Braden Business Systems proudly announces that its proprietary IT operations platform, SmartOps, has been named a 2025 MSP Today Product of the Year Award winner by TMC. This prestigious award recognizes cutting-edge managed service solutions that empower organizations to enhance IT productivity, boost operational efficiency, and adapt to evolving technology demands.

Anna Holden, owner of Comfort Keepers Elgin, earned the Quest for Excellence Award for stellar in-home senior care. She helps loved ones thrive in their own homes.

Dream First, Details Later: How to Quit Overthinking and Make It Happen!

Dream First, Details Later is the first book by Ellen Marie Bennet, founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, a company that makes kitchen gear and aprons worn by some of the best chefs in the world.

Call or Text: 833-743-7676 support@unitysolargroup.com www.unitysolargroup.com

Elgin has been named one of the best places to live in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, ranking No. 5 among cities in Illinois and earning the No. 122 spot nationally on the publication’s 2025-2026 list of the “250 Best Places to Live in the U.S.”

Flender is expanding and has open positions available for immediate employment, This is an excellent opportunity for job seekers interested in the mechanical engineering and industrial sectors

Police Chief Ana Lalley has been honored with the prestigious Axon Visionary Leadership Award—a national recognition for law enforcement leaders who are driving innovation and community-first policing

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't

Leaders Eat Last is the second book by Simon Sinek, author, inspirational speaker, and business leadership expert. Following the success of his extremely popular TED Talk (“How Great Leaders Inspire Action”) and first book (Start with Why),

Five teachers, three administrators, and a coordinator for Elgin Area School District U-46’s homeless education program were recognized recently in the Illinois State Board of Education’s annual Those Who Excel program. In addition, a high school Career and Technical Education teacher was among the finalists for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

“Look at the world around you. It may seem like an immovable, implacable place. It is not. With the slightest push—in just the right place—it can be tipped.”

The Importance Of Children’s Dental Health

Price 4 Charter Buses & Limos 2024 Year-in-Review — 6,000 Groups Served, 3,600+ Five Star Reviews & 96% Customer Satisfaction!

Join them at The Hemmens Cultural Center for an incredible lineup featuring Gershwin, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Barber, Faure, and the legendary Beethoven’s 5th! And here’s the best part—subscribe now and get Beethoven’s 5th FREE!

Since 2011, Price 4 Limo has been a leading provider of ground transportation

Since 2011, Price 4 Limo has been a leading

Extension of the Elementary School Day For School District U-46

Scheduled to take effect for the 2025-26 school year. Starting on the first day of school, Aug. 11, 2025, all our elementary school days will be extended by a total of 20 minutes each day. This will result in the following shifts: Elementary schools that currently start at 8 a.m. and dismiss at 2 p.m. will instead start at 7:50 a.m. and dismiss at 2:10 p.m. Elementary schools that currently start at 8:30 a.m. and dismiss at 2:30 p.m. will instead start at 8:20 a.m. and dismiss at 2:40 p.m.

ComEd today announced that municipal and community organizations in northern Illinois can now apply for the 2025 Powering Communities Grant Program, which advances environmental initiatives; accelerates public safety and clean transportation projects; and increases access to arts programs in communities ComEd serves. Organizations are encouraged to apply for one of the three annual grant programs: Green Region, Powering Safe Communities, and Powering the Arts. Qualifying proposals are eligible for grants of up to $10,00

Price 4 Limo — America's Highest Rated Prom Limousine & Bus Provider — Gears Up For 2025 Prom Season.

Price 4 Limo is the 3rd most reviewed limo & motorcoach company in the United States out of over 200,000 total companies.

Price 4 Limo is very proud to have just served its 6,000th customer in 2024!

Peggy Heinrich, EdD, is appointed the ninth president of Elgin Community College

The Elgin Community College (ECC) Board of Trustees is proud to announce that it unanimously voted on December 19, 2024, to appoint Peggy Heinrich, EdD, as the ninth president of Elgin Community College.

December 11, 2024

In an exclusive event for the business community, Mayor David Kaptain celebrated Elgin's achievements while planting seeds for the future.

We mourn the loss of our Board member Dr. Rise' Jones who passed away unexpectedly this weekend. Rise' had been a dedicated Board member for three years, and we were thrilled that she had committed to another term starting January 1.