There may be snow on the ground, but the Chamber is thinking about summer — especially the return of our Annual Golf Outing! Now’s the time to reserve your spot as a sponsor for this popular fundraising event, scheduled for June 11 at the Glenview Park Golf Club.
Northbrook voters have a number of choices to make in this spring’s local elections, including contests for Village President and three Trustee seats. To help its members understand the differences between the candidates’ positions, the Chamber invited each individual to respond to questions of interest to the community.
After weeks of strict COVID mitigation measures, local businesses received very welcome news in February. Improvements in suburban health metrics allowed businesses to move back to Phase 4 standards; as of February 16, restaurants were allowed to host indoor dining for up to 50 guests or 40 percent of room capacity, whichever is less.
Thanks to improving COVID-19 metrics, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced on February 2 that Region 10 (suburban Cook County) has advanced from Tier 1 COVID-19 resurgence mitigations to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. Lifting the Tier 1 mitigations restores the level of business operations that were in place prior to November 2020, including the following:
Local businesses and residents received encouraging news on two fronts in the past week. First, as of last Saturday, suburban Cook County qualified for relaxed “Tier 1” mitigation rules, allowing limited indoor restaurant dining, small group gatherings, and indoor fitness classes among other things. Then, on Monday the state progressed to Phase 1b of its vaccine distribution plan, making essential workers as well as individuals over age 65 eligible to receive COVID vaccines once doses become available.
NorthShore Glenbrook Hospital — Corporate Citizen of the Year
For almost 45 years, Glenbrook Hospital has been the community’s comprehensive medical center — highly respected, and perhaps taken somewhat for granted. In 2020, however, this venerable institution mobilized to face the onslaught of COVID-19, taking on the role of primary COVID treatment site for the multi-campus NorthShore University HealthSystem. The Chamber’s Corporate Citizen Award honors the herculean efforts of Glenbrook’s medical professionals, administrators, and other staff on behalf of patients and the general community.
FGK Services, Inc. – Northbrook Business of the Year
Frank Karkazis, owner of FGK Services Inc., built his business by focusing on essential cleaning and maintenance services for his commercial clients. “I felt that I will always be in business if I provide services that people need, instead of want,” he notes. In 2020, he took that philosophy to the next level by introducing comprehensive COVID disinfection services. The resulting dramatic growth of his company, along with enthusiastic endorsements from a variety of clients, led to FGK’s recognition as Northbrook Chamber Business of the Year.
PJ Weiland – Chamber Volunteer of the Year
PJ Weiland is an ActionCOACH, part of a global franchise network of entrepreneurial coaches. That business name is especially appropriate for Weiland because she is an individual who transforms ideas into action on a daily basis. During the pandemic, the Chamber and its members have benefited from Weiland’s tireless energy as she shared her technical expertise, marketing creativity, and spirit of mentorship. In appreciation for all her countless hours of service, the Chamber is happy to honor her as its Volunteer of the Year.
The Village of Northbrook has begun to undergo a series of leadership transitions brought on by a number of senior staff retirements. Residents and business owners will find some of those positions filled by familiar faces. Case in point: Michaela Kohlstedt, Deputy Director of Development & Planning Services, officially takes over as Director of that department on February 1 following the retirement of longtime Director Tom Poupard.
Preparations are now underway for the 2021 edition of the Northbrook Community Resource Guides, one of the best local marketing benefits of Chamber membership!
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