The Highland Park Chamber will provide clear, vetted, and timely information to be the trusted resource for our businesses and community. Please watch this page, your emails, and the page set up by the City of Highland Park for all information.
Many people have suggested ideas to be supportive and would like to give back to the community in their own ways, if you have any thoughts regarding how you would like to help support our community please share them in an email to HPCares@cityhpil.com.
-Ginny A. Glasner, President
Updated 12:00pm, September 6, 2022
Since the tragic events of July 4th, our Highland Park businesses have suffered true financial losses which strike at the vibrancy of our community. Many were either forced to shut down for more than a week during the ongoing investigation or were impacted by the shutdown.
The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce has partnered with First Bank of Highland Park, Highland Park Bank & Trust, and The Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood to create a Business & Employee Recovery Fund to assist our businesses.
Please find all pertinent info regarding the Fund below.
For Businesses Seeking Assistance:
Applications
We are no longer accepting applications. As previously mentioned, we are working with the City of Highland Park. Due to the overlap of many applications, we believe it is best to have the city complete its grants process before we begin ours. We will then begin to analyze the applications we have received to understand the residual need. We will likely require additional information from applicants.
Grant Process
Our plan is to recruit impartial volunteers to create a neutral formula to be used to evaluate each grant, with monetary awards being made on this basis only. We are at the beginning stages of this process.
For Anyone Looking to Help:
Donations Needed
We know there is a great need. We have received five-figure donations from a couple of local businesses, donations from a number of residents, plus the promise of additional funds from events including the Bitter Jester Music Festival on September 4th. However, we are still far from the resources we need to help all the businesses that have suffered losses. As such, we are requesting assistance in raising additional funds to help our businesses.
Donations may also be made at:
- https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LAH7W6S3AEKCQ
- Highland Park Bank and Trust
- First Bank of Highland Park
- Mailing a check to:
- Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood, PO Box 42, Highland Park, IL 60035
If you represent a business seeking recovery funds or are looking to help those impacted, we humbly request that you ask for donations from (a sample letter you can use is attached):
- Customers
- Suppliers
- Business Associates who want to know what they can do to help
Your customers, suppliers, and business associates know and support you. They have a vested interest in your continued success but may not be aware of the need or how they can help. Your direct solicitation will likely yield results.
Ginny A. Glasner
President & CEO, Highland Park Chamber of Commerce
Past-Chair, Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Leadership Team Hometown Chambers Council, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Ex-officio, Business & Economic Development Advisory Group of City of Highland Park
Member, First Bank of Highland Park Community Advisory Committee
A 31-year resident of Highland Park
Jon A. Levey
President, Highland Park Bank & Trust
Board member, Chair of Investment Committee, and co-Chair of 30th anniversary Gather for Good event, Highland Park Community Foundation
Member, Rotary Club of Highland Park and Highwood
Member, HP Chamber, Downtown Alliance, and Downtown Property Owners Association
20+ year resident of Highland Park
Eric Ephraim
Chief Executive Officer & President, First Bank of Highland Park/First Bank Chicago
President, Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood
Board Member & Secretary, Highland Park Community Foundation
Highland Park resident for nearly all years since 1969, HPHS ‘87
Other Business Recovery Options
- City of Highland Park's Business Recovery Grant Program
- Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans
____________________________________________
Signs for your business
Below are images for use in any business that is currently closed due to recent events. Feel free to use them on all of your social media accounts and web pages.
We also want to encourage you to make updates to all of your social pages, yelp, and especially your "Google My Business" listing. Often customers will quickly google a business before actually going to their specific web page.
If you need assistance updating photos or information on your google listing you can learn more here. If you need assistance even creating a google listing, do not worry. This step-by-step document will walk you through it. If you need further assistance feel free to contact the Chamber at any time.
Other Fundraising Opportunities
Highland Park Community Foundation:
The Highland Park Chamber is proud work in partnership with the Highland Park Community Foundation, and we can assure you with 100% certainty that this fund will be used and distributed appropriately.
Highland Park Community Foundation has formed a July 4th Shooting Response Fund. All donations will go directly to victims, survivors and local organizations that support them. All information can be found on their website. Make all donations HERE.
“Highland Park Strong” T-Shirt Fundraiser 2 (endorsed by SaLT; all donations will go directly to the Highland Park Community Foundation July 4th Shooting Response Fund.)