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August 10, 2022

Congratulations to the following Highland Park businesses!

Better Best of 2022:

• Downtown Highland Park - Best Shopping District
• Ravinia Brewing Company - Best Beer Garden 
• Guys & Co. - Best Men's Clothing
• Ravinia Festival - Best Live Music Venue, Best Music Festival
• BloOuts Blow Dry Bar - Best Blow Dry Bar
• Gearhead Outfitters (formerly Known as Uncle Dan's) - Best Equipment/Athletic-Wear Store
• Studio Spin - Best Fitness Classes, Best Spin Studio

Yelp Top 25 Places to Drink in the Chicago North Shore

• Love That Spice
• Ravinia Brewing Company

On Wednesday, August 10, City officials and representatives from Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., a consulting firm retained by the City, held a public meeting to present preliminary plans for improvements to the Briergate Business District. The presentation can be viewed HERE. A final design is expected to be completed by the end of the year with construction beginning in 2023. 

Businesses that were required to close within the July 4 investigation area were invited to a meeting to discuss how the tragedy has impacted their team and business, and to learn about opportunities for financial support through the City's grant program, low-interest U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and the Business Recovery Fund (an effort spearheaded by leaders from Highland Park Bank & Trust, First Bank of Highland Park, Highland Park Illinois Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood.

The City has established a new grant program to assist eligible businesses in recovering costs related to the impact of the Fourth of July Parade shooting and subsequent investigation. To allow the City and law enforcement agencies to complete the field investigation and site repair, businesses located within a designated perimeter were required to close for owner, employee, and customer access from July 4 – July 10, 2022. Businesses that were unable to operate during this time may be eligible to apply for a grant to help offset revenue losses during the closure. The submission deadline for the City’s grant is August 19, 2022. Learn more and download the application at cityhpil.com/businessrecoverygrants. 

As part of City-wide recovery and resilience efforts, a Business Recovery Fund has been established with First Bank of Highland Park, Highland Park Bank & Trust, the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood taking the lead in fundraising and disbursing monetary assistance to aid businesses and employees in recovery from losses sustained. The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce is gathering information in order to assess the extent of the financial need, and accepting applications for financial assistance. 

If you are a business owner or employee that has suffered financial loss because of being closed, physical damage, loss of wages, loss of inventory, etc., please click the link below to fill out the application. Your input is essential. All information will be kept confidential and used solely to identify need.

Please be aware that this is separate from the City's program but can work in conjunction with it. Recovery Funds will be used for supplemental grants to the businesses affected and any residual funds will be used for the betterment of our HP business community.  

Governor JB Pritzker announced that the State’s request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration was granted for several counties in Northeast Illinois that were affected by the shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. The declaration will make low-interest working capital loans from the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) program available to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations whose ordinary and necessary financial obligations cannot be met as a direct result of the incident. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period for those in Lake County (Illinois), Cook County (Illinois), McHenry County (Illinois), and the contiguous Kenosha County (Wisconsin).

The SBA Business Recovery Center (BRC) will be located at First Bank of Highland Park,1835 First Street in Highland Park. Customer service representatives will be available at the BRC to answer questions about the disaster loan program and to help business owners complete their applications. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA has established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public. All visitors to the BRC are encouraged to wear a face mask. 

BRC hours of operation:

Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

The site will close permanently on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 4:00 p.m.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s and should apply under SBA declaration #17536, not for the COVID-19 incident. 

Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications may be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster.

Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. 

The filing deadline to return EIDL applications is April 25, 2023.

Additional information about the state’s recovery efforts are available at https://www2.illinois.gov/ready/Pages/default.aspx.

The state sales tax holiday is a ten-day period during which consumers can purchase certain clothing and school-related items and pay sales tax at a reduced rate. The state’s portion of sales tax due throughout the holiday is reduced by 5 percent (5.00%) from 6.25 percent (6.25%) to 1.25 percent (1.25%). Items include qualifying clothing and footwear with a retail selling price of less than $125 per item and certain school supplies used by students in the course of study. School supplies are not subject to the $125 threshold.

More information for retailers is available at illinois.gov/rev

Food Truck Thursdays have been extended through September 22, 4:30 PM - dusk in Jens Jensen Park. Check out the weekly lineup of food trucks. Be sure to visit tents from Abigail's American Bistro, Ravinia Brewing Company, and Sally's Nuts, and stop by Astra Coffee Roasters before heading home.

Jens Jensen Park is located between Dean, Roger Williams, and St. Johns Avenues, across from the Ravinia Metra Station.

Visit enjoyhighlandpark.com for updates and event information.

Take Out Tuesdays

continues weekly through September 13, from 5-8 PM

Starting August 16

Take Out Tuesdays Happy Hour!

5-6 PM Drink Specials!

The Lot is located north of Central Ave. on St Johns Ave. 

View the Complete Schedule

Vegetarian Fest - August 20

11 AM - 7 PM 

Explore veg options from restaurants throughout the Chicago area along with music, meditation/yoga sessions, and cooking demos.

For a complete listing of events at The Lot visit enjoyhighlandpark.com.

The Ravinia Farmers Market continues Wednesdays through October 26, from 7 AM to 1 PM along Dean Avenue and in Jens Jensen Park. Plan your weekly menu shopping around all that’s in season this week. You'll also find fresh greens, meats, cheeses, flowers, and more. For a list of 2022 vendors and live musical performers presented by the Highland Park Community Foundation, visit www.raviniafarmersmarket.com.

Support Local businesses at the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce's annual Sidewalk Sale. August 12 & 13 from 9 AM to 5 PM. 

The City is currently seeking nominations for The Mayor’s Beautification Awards. The Award recognizes businesses that have enhanced their storefronts and created a welcoming atmosphere that invites and attracts prospective customers with pleasing aesthetics. Award recipients go above and beyond to improve the visual appeal of their property and serve as an example to all businesses and property owners within Highland Park to remain committed to beautifying our community.

Award recipients will be granted a Mayoral certificate and a digital badge for use on the business website and Facebook. In addition, recipients will receive public recognition at a City Council Meeting, on the Central Avenue digital kiosks, in The Highlander, City e-News, and on the City’s website and social media platforms.         

Nominations may be submitted on the City’s website or with this form.

Contact Melissa Rosen with questions 847.926.1046, mrosen@cityhpil.com

The City has received a number of inquiries from business owners looking for assistance in finding employees. We have put together the list below as a resource.

Government Agencies

• Get Hired Illinois

https://www2.illinois.gov/GetHired

Helping connect job seekers with employers as well as employers who are looking to fill open positions with available workers.

• Lake County Job Center

https://www.lakecountyil.gov/4621/Hire-Lake-County

Staffing Agencies & Websites

• https://www.talroo.com/

On-demand staffing platform for restaurant/hospitality. Vendors need to make an account to see pricing. There are three levels of pricing, one starting with 40 hires a year. This platform can help the restaurants with additional staffing during events as well as regular shifts.

•  https://www.instawork.com

Businesses can register on the site themselves and make an account.

• https://adia.works

On-demand staffing platform.

Not for Profit

• Goodwill Talent Bridge – Chicago

Julie Johnson - Branch Manager Talent Bridge 224.257. 8075, 224. 257.8080

www.goodwilltalentbridge.com, Julie.Johnson@goodwillsew.com

The Talent Bridge is a traditional staffing firm that is connected with Goodwill. Vendors are welcome to contact them directly for their pricing and available staff. Part of the proceeds goes back to the Goodwill Mission.

• The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce

https://business.chamberhp.com/jobs

Colleges

• Harper College

Hire a Hawk – Free Job Postings – jprc@harpercollege.edu

Job Placement Center 847.925.6400

• Oakton College – 847-635-1735 www.oakton.edu/careers

Sent out every Thursday, The Weekender is all about things to do, places to shop, restaurants to visit, and more in Highland Park. Email specials and promotions to Amanda Civitello so that we can help get the word out!

*Please send pictures along with detailed information about your events and promotions. We are unable to use flyers or pictures that contain text.*

Each week a new business is chosen and promoted on Enjoy Highland Park and on the Enjoy Highland Park Facebook Page, as well as in the Weekender eNews, and on the Central Avenue Digital Kiosks, regardless of the business location.

Click HERE to fill out a brief questionnaire to have your business featured as Business of the Week.

*Don’t forget to upload 1-3 high-resolution photos.

Update Your Business Plan to Grow Your Business!

Meet With A Small Business Advisor Through SBDC Illinois

Illinois Small Business Development & International Trade Center offers confidential, no-cost, one-on-one virtual advising sessions.

To schedule a meeting click HERE

SCORE offers in-person or virtual sessions using phone, email, or video

All sessions are free and confidential. SCORE mentors are successful business professionals, some retired, some working, from all industries and experiences.

Visit northchicago.score.org and register to “Find a

Mentor”. You will be asked to provide the nature of your business interest.

Please include whether you prefer in-person or virtual mentoring (phone,

email, video) and note, the Highland Park Public Library even

if you prefer a virtual session

For general business inquiries, contact the City's Business Development Manager Carolyn Hersch at chersch@cityhpil.com.

For more information on the City's response to COVID-19, contact the City's Communications Manager Amanda Civitello at acivitello@cityhpil.com.

This newsletter is produced by the City of Highland Park's Office of Business Development. If you have information you would like to include in this weekly mailing, please submit information, photos, and news to Melissa Rosen at mrosen@cityhpil.com. The City reserves the right to edit and/or filter submissions. No pricing information will be published.