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August 30, 2023

Good news for business owners and their employees who commute! Thanks to a new law, the pre-tax Transit Benefit Fare Program will be expanded to more workplaces than ever before in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties. Starting next year, transit benefit programs offer both employers and employees savings and will help promote transit as a first choice for regional travel.

Under the program offered by the Regional Transportation Authority, full-time employees may elect to withhold up to $300 in pre-tax wages each month to purchase transit fare – broadening their commute horizons to bus, rail, vanpool, and more. Employers who enroll in the RTA Transit Benefit Fare Program can see their first month of fees waived by using promo code TRANSIT2024.

City administrative services will be unavailable on Monday, September 4, for the observance of Labor Day. For assistance, please contact the public safety non-emergency line. Refuse and recycling collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.

September 1 is the final deadline to nominate a business for the City's 2023 Business 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 are due by September 1 and may be submitted via this form on the City's website. For questions, please contact ashaffer@cityhpil.com.

(Pictured above is last year's winner, Hillco-owned businesses.)

Discover small business grants for every stage of your small business adventure. Grant opportunities are recommended based on your unique profile and delivered to your inbox weekly. The search for free money doesn't get any easier! In partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and with funding from Etsy and Progressive, Hello Alice is a free online platform that helps businesses launch and grow through every step of their entrepreneurial journey. The Small Business Growth Fund provides small business owners with knowledge, funding, networking opportunities, and peer-to-peer connections with more than one million small business owners. 

Learn about Hello Alice funding opportunities.

The City of Highland Park, in partnership with Bensidoun USA, presents a weekly Artisan Market featuring fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, pet treats, crafts, live music, and more. The Artisan Market runs every Sunday through Sept. 24, from 10 AM - 3 PM at The Lot.

If you are interested in participating in the Artisan Market as a vendor, Bensidoun USA’s application and vendor requirements can be found here.

Food Truck Thursdays continues, featuring Abigail’s and Ravinia Brewing Co., and over a dozen rotating food vendors and food trucks and live music. Food Truck Thursdays takes place in the Ravinia District weekly through September 28, 4:30 PM 'til dusk. This week we'll kick off with jazz folk from Gerry Field & Friends, followed by classic rock covers from Fur Mountain.

If you are interested in participating as a food vendor, please contact Leslie Cahill, General Manager of The French Market/Bensidoun at: lcahill90@gmail.com.

Shop a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and flowers at the Ravinia Farmers Market every Wednesday, 7 AM - 1 PM, through October 25, at Jens Jensen Park. Each week, enjoy music and pop-up vendors providing services such as knife and scissor sharpening.

Have you integrated solar technology and other green improvements into your business? Help inspire others to make the leap to solar and invest in green initiatives by participating in the Illinois Solar Tour! The Solar Tour consists of a series of Solar Open Houses. Homeowners, small businesses, and nonprofits open their doors to the public and tell the story of how and why they decided to go solar. The event will be held September 30, from 10 AM to 3 PM and will be available in an in-person and virtual hybrid format. To learn more about the Solar Tour or sign up to showcase your business, contact the City Manager's Office at 847.926.1000 or email cityhp@cityhpil.com. 

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.

SCORE recently added a new YouTube channel where all previously recorded webinars can be accessed.

To schedule an in-person or virtual session, visit score.org/northchicago 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.

The City encourages business owners and managers to share information regarding upcoming events, promotions or news for possible inclusion in the City's marketing modalities, including The Weekender, Enjoy Highland Park, and social media. Please send these items to the City via email to: businessdevelopment@cityhpil.com.

For general business inquiries and assistance, contact Business Development Manager Carolyn Hersch at chersch@cityhpil.com or 847.926.1027.

Questions regarding enjoyhighlandpark.com should be addressed to Amanda Bennett, Communications Manager, at abennett@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 businessdevelopment@cityhpil.com. The City reserves the right to edit and/or filter submissions.