Member News
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Gear up for the “Roll to Ride” Dodge Charger Scat Pack Grand Prize Giveaway and Memorial Day Celebrations at American Place Casino
WAUKEGAN, Illinois - This May, the road to a brand-new ride starts at American Place Casino. AP Rewards Members will have the opportunity to transition from the gaming floor to the driver’s seat of a high performance 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack. The month-long event concludes on May 23, 2026 with five finalists competing in a live dice-roll finale for the vehicle prize. Entry earning is currently open to all AP Rewards Members and continues through the night of the drawing. Patrons can sign up for an AP
A Small Local Agency Hits It Big with Yelp
A Small Local Agency Hits It Big with Yelp FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JG Marketing Solutions — Lake Villa, IL When Yelp came knocking, Janet Galati answered. Janet Galati, founder of JG Marketing Solutions in Lake Villa, Illinois, has been approached directly by Yelp and officially designated as a Yelp Advertising Premier Partner — a distinction awarded to a select group of marketing agencies recognized for their expertise in helping local businesses build their presence and grow their reputation on one
B4 Summer Festival, aka ‘party for a purpose’ returns to Richardson Adventure Farm June 13th!
Contacts:Jim Wojdyla (Why-dilla)B4 Summer Festival chairmanjim@volofun.com; 847-254-1888 Therese MatthysExecutive DirectorChain O’ Lakes Area Chamber of Commercetherese@chainolakeschamber.com; 815-403-5155 B4 Summer Festival, aka ‘party for a purpose’returns to Richardson Adventure Farm June 13Live entertainment, kid-friendly activities, fireworks, more on tap SPRING GROVE — It’s almost time for the kickoff event to fest season, the B4 Summer Festival, which takes place Saturday, June 13, at the
Ways to save getting top billing at McHenry Outdoor this summer
Ways to save getting top billingat McHenry Outdoor this summerMemorial Day weekend ushers in food specials, midweek carload pricing optionsLAKEMOOR — The big screen will equate with big savings at the McHenry Outdoor Theater this summer.That’s the word from Joe Cicero, president of marketing and promotions at the Outdoor, located at 1510 N. Chapel Hill Road, east of McHenry.“We know that in the world we’re living in right now, everything is expensive,” Cicero said. “We’re trying to give families a chance to
Candlelight vigil, motorcycle parade set May 23-24 for POW/MIA awareness
Candlelight vigil, motorcycle parade setMay 23-24 for POW/MIA awareness Repatriation efforts, accountability at heart of Rolling Thunder ride NORTH CHICAGO — Illinois Rolling Thunder chapters will host a candlelight vigil at Fort Sheridan as well as the Rolling Thunder XXXVIII Demonstration Parade for POW/MIA accountability on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, respectively. Featuring a welcome benediction, area clergy as guest speakers, a Color Guard, Taps, local Boy Scout troops, Amazing Grace on
Ray Chevrolet named Dealer of the Year for sixth time
Ray Chevrolet scores sixth Dealer of the Year awardSales, service, community involvement all key to record achievement FOX LAKE — That Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake has scored its sixth Dealer of the Year award comes as no curiosity to longtime customers like Woody Powers. Since 1991, Powers, his business and his immediate family members have purchased more than 200 personal and commercial fleet vehicles from Ray, Powers said. “It’s not at all surprising,” Powers said after learning of the accolade. “I can’t
Body & Mind Retreat
A Day of Wellness, Connection & Natural Restoration You deserve a reset. Not a nap. A real reset. Join us on Sunday, June 28th, 2026 at the breathtaking Shores of Turtle Creek — a stunning 30-acre private estate nestled among towering trees — for a full day of healing, learning, and community. WHAT'S HAPPENING: Nutrition Presentation with Nic Geudtner - Living Roots Farm. Unlock the power of food. Learn how to navigate the food system and use nutrition as your greatest tool for vitality. Guided Yoga
AMERICAN PLACE CASINO EARNS USA TODAY TOP WORKPLACES AWARD FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS - American Place Casino (APC) has been named a USA TODAY Top Workplaces award winner for the second consecutive year. This recognition highlights organizations across the United States with 150+ team members that have built exceptional, people-first cultures. This year, more than 42,000 organizations were invited to participate, with winners selected based on direct team member feedback. The award is based entirely on confidential team member feedback collected by Energage, an
Free Motorcycle Show
Do you or someone you know have a Show Bike? We are looking for Show Bikes for our !!!FREE!!! Bike Show during the “Young Hustlers & Highway Heroes Fair with a Bike Show” on July 25th at the Valley Ridge Bar & Grill.Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd & Kids Choice!!!Scan the QR Code to get registered!!! https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ee7evGkgr/
The $250,000 Mistake: What Chain O'Lakes Employers Get Wrong About Letting Someone Go
Letting go of an employee is one of the most legally exposed decisions a business owner faces — and the cost of a misstep is real. Employment law attorney Mimi Moore of Bryan Cave LLP estimates that each wrongful termination claim can cost between $50,000 and $250,000 in legal fees and settlement payouts. Done well, a separation protects your business, treats the departing person with respect, and closes the chapter cleanly. Done carelessly, it becomes a claim.Knowing When It's Actually Time to Act Most
What Journalists Look for Before They Cover Your Business
A media kit — also called a press kit — is a curated collection of materials that makes it easy for journalists, investors, and potential partners to tell your story accurately. Studies show that most journalists use media kits when researching stories, which means the moment a reporter looks into your Chain O'Lakes area business, they're already hoping to find one. For shops along the waterway, seasonal services in Fox Lake and Spring Grove, and year-round businesses in Volo, a media kit is often the
How To Find And Fix Operational And Financial Weak Points In Your Business
Business owners and operators share a common challenge: identifying operational and financial weak points before they turn into expensive problems. Whether you run a small local shop or a growing online brand, hidden inefficiencies and cash flow blind spots can quietly erode profitability. The good news is that most weaknesses leave clues. You just need a structured way to spot and address them.Key Takeaways Operational weak points often show up as delays, repeated errors, or overworked teams. Financial
Bringing Order to Growth: How Local Businesses Can Scale with Clarity and Calm
Running a business on the rise can feel like juggling while balancing on a paddleboard — thrilling but unstable. As operations expand, what once worked intuitively starts to fray: projects pile up, communication slows, and decision fatigue sets in. Bringing order isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing smarter.TL;DR To scale sustainably, business owners should: Standardize and document key processes. Automate low-value tasks. Use connected tools to maintain transparency. Review systems
A Beginner’s Guide to Basic Business Terms: What Every Aspiring Entrepreneur Should Know
Starting a business means stepping into a world filled with contracts, costs, capital, and customers. But before you build your brand or pitch your first client, it's essential to speak the language of business. This guide simplifies key terms so you can focus on launching with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Key Terms Every New Business Owner Should Know Understanding these terms is crucial not just for your own planning but also for communicating with investors, partners, and service
Start Strong, Stay Seen: Branding Basics for Small Business Owners
Branding isn’t just about how things look — it’s about how they land. It shapes how people remember a name, trust a promise, and decide where to put their money. Every interaction becomes part of the memory. A phrase. A color. A moment that felt clear or confusing. What sticks isn’t always the most polished thing — it’s the most consistent, the most human, the most felt. For any small business stepping into a crowded market, brand identity becomes the signal in the noise — the reason someone pays
How SMBs Can Confidently Step into Global Markets
In a world where the click of a button can connect customers across oceans, expanding into international markets is less a luxury and more a viable growth path for small and mid-sized businesses. But breaking into unfamiliar territory isn’t as simple as translating a website or shipping products overseas. It demands foresight, agility, and cultural humility—qualities often overshadowed by the grandeur of large-scale expansion dreams. For many SMBs, the move can be transformative, but only if grounded in
FinCEN's BOI Filing Deadline: 01/01/2025 - Businesses Must File Now to Avoid Fines!
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires businesses to report Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) to FinCEN to enhance transparency and combat illicit financial activities. As of today, November 27, 2024, Racine, Wisconsin, business owners have 35 calendar days (or 25 business days) left to file their BOI report with FinCEN—act quickly to avoid $500 per day fines! What You Need to Do:1. Determine if Your Business Must File. Most LLCs, corporations, and small businesses qualify as "reporting
Turning Vision into Reality: How Young Entrepreneurs Can Build a Thriving Startup
In a world brimming with creativity, a single brilliant idea can be the spark that ignites a revolution. However, the journey from a lightbulb moment to a thriving startup is fraught with challenges and requires a strategic roadmap. If you’re ready to turn your visionary idea into reality, this article will guide you through the essential steps needed to build a successful startup, offering insights that can propel your concept from inception to market success.Building a Minimum Viable Product to Test the
