Chamber630 Digital Publication

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Chamber Welcome

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Dear Members, residents and visitors,

As you flip through the pages of the Chamber630 2019-2020 Resource Guide & Business Directory, I hope you consider the companies listed here as the very best to call when you are in need of connecting to a business. These are the businesses that are truly dedicated to your community.

2019 is a year of several local celebrations and you will notice this theme throughout this publication. There are many organizations to salute for a variety of anniversaries; you’ll find them mentioned throughout these pages. One celebration, special to the business community is that of Chamber630.

Five years ago, two great chambers of commerce merged together to become Chamber630. While only five years old, Chamber630 holds over 100 years of organizational knowledge, 100 years of driving for success with a passion for Member value, 100 years of ambition to always be a better Chamber and 100 years of historical greatness.

This year, we gave birth to the 630 Workforce Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 that will provide programs to the workforce and future workforce for the benefit of all stakeholders. Those we serve will be equipped with comprehensive information, resources and skills to address the changing demands and challenges of the workforce.

Please enjoy the many celebrations and visit Chamber630.com for more information.

Sincerely,

Laura Crawford
President & CEO, Chamber630

Woodridge Mayor’s Welcome

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A warm Woodridge welcome to you! This informative publication provides useful contact information, community highlights, and an event calendar, along with a helpful business directory. I encourage you to spend some time reading through it to learn more about Chamber630 and our community’s history, amenities, and overall quality of life.    

Woodridge is ideally located within the DuPage County region, with convenient access to shopping, professional services, and a multitude of dining options. Woodridge offers a vibrant mix of recreational and entertainment attractions that appeal to residents and visitors alike.  Known for our business-friendly environment, Woodridge works diligently to attract new businesses and to provide on-going support to existing businesses. Chamber630’s engaging approach to represent its membership continues to reinforce our mutually beneficial partnership.

2019 is an exciting year in Woodridge as we celebrate our 60th anniversary! Come celebrate with us on our special anniversary weekend featuring an Oktoberfest on the grounds of Cypress Cove Aquatic Park on Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday, Sept. 28, and at our Anniversary Parade at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.

We welcome you and hope you enjoy visiting us and learning more about Woodridge, and all of the wonderful opportunities we have to offer.

Warmest regards,

Gina Cunningham
Woodridge Mayor

Downers Grove Mayor’s Welcome

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t’s been several months since I was sworn in as Mayor and I’d like to once again thank everyone who participated as informed and engaged voters. Congratulations to Commissioners Nicole Walus, Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt, and Rich Kulovany for choosing to serve and being elected with votes of confidence by our Community and to our colleagues Greg Hose and Marge Earl who remain committed to service and to our newest Council member, Cavanaugh Gray who was unanimously appointed by the Council to fill the seat I vacated. I’m looking forward to building and strengthening relationships that will help us serve Downers Grove together and will help Downers Grove be a productive contributor to our local business environment.

Downers Grove is part of a broad diverse business community that consists of technology, manufacturing, retail, warehousing, logistics, education and health care – industries that strengthen and enrich our community. And the Chamber630 community has a wealth of assets including a highly skilled work force, two national laboratories and excellent access to all modes of transportation. We are indeed fortunate, and opportunities abound!

It’s my goal to ensure our local government is practical, real and accessible for all and that we provide quality services at a value that reflects the standards and priorities of our residents and business community alike.

Together we can address challenges with honest assessments and focus on what matters most: the people of our community. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve Downers Grove. I am thankful for the work of Chamber630 ensuring local government has the necessary perspective balance, and I look forward to the next four years.
Best regards,

Robert Barnett
Village of Downers Grove Mayor

Board of Directors

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Directors

Tom Bennington
Lawrence, Kamin, Saunders & Uhlenhop, LLC

Ryan Bird
Byline Bank – Naperville

Jason Booher
Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center

Ron Castrogiovanni
Prudential – Ron Castrogiovanni, CFP

Ami Chambers
College of DuPage

Karyn Charvat
PowerForward DuPage

Tim Cody
Merrill Lynch

Beckie Hayes
Merchab Consulting Group, Inc.

Paul Kludac
Detail Kings

Reese Krajniak
Legal-Ease Law Clinic

Wallace Long
Continuing Education Productions, Inc.

Dean Malone
Chairman Midwestern University

Mike Nulicek
Edward Jones

Sandra Price
Employee Solutions Group

Lori Ritzert
Community Bank of Downers Grove

Jonathan Twitty
State Farm Insurance

Tom Wilhelm
Allegra Marketing Print & Mail

Ex-Officio Members

Mike Adams
Woodridge Park District

Patrick Broncato
Woodridge School District 68

Michael Cassa
Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation

Pam Dube
Woodridge Public Library

Dave Fieldman
Village of Downers Grove

Bill McAdam
Downers Grove Park District

Julie Milavec
Downers Grove Public Library

Kevin Russell
Downers Grove Grade School District 58

Al Stonitsch
Village of Woodridge

Henry Thiele
Community High School District 99

Erin Venezia
Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation

EMERITUS

Gregory B. Beggs
Marc Hausmann
Jan Kopis
James Russ, Sr.

Woodridge trustees

Mayor
Gina Cunningham Picek

Trustees
Greg Abbott
Mary Anne Blair
Cameron Hendricks
Mike Krucek
Magin “Mike” Martinez
Kaleshia “Kay” Page

Village Clerk
Joseph Kagann

Downers Grove COUNCIL

Mayor
Bob Barnett

Commissioners
Marge Earl
Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt
Cavanaugh Gray
Greg Hose
Jeffrey Jacobsen
Nicole Walus

Community Events

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Annual Events in Downers Grove IL
September
OCTOBER
November
December
  • Chamber630 – Holiday Party
    December 5, 2019
    Chamber630.com
  • Chamber630 – Monthly Luncheon
    COD Presidents Luncheon
    December 11, 2019
  • Spirito! Singers – Winter Concert
    December 7 & 8, 2019
    www.spiritosingers.org
2020 Annual Events in Downers Grove IL
January
february
March
April
may

Chamber630 – First Swing! Golf Outing
Chamber630.com

Downers Grove Historical Society – Annual Founders Day Celebration
May 2, 2020
www.downsgrovehistory.org

Spirito! Singers – Spring Concert
May 15 & 16, 2020
www.spiritosingers.org

Downtown Downers Grove – Market
Saturdays – May through October

Downtown Downers Grove – Summer Nights Classic Car Show
Fridays – May through August

Chamber630 – Business Off the Clock
Chamber630.com

june
july
August
  • Chamber630 – The Best of 630 Cocktail
    Hour & Awards Show
    Chamber630.com

Important Phone Numbers

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DOWNERS GROVE

Emergencies  911

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
(630) 275-5900

Chamber630
(630) 968-4050

Community High School District 99
(630) 795-7100

Community Response Center
(630) 434-5500

Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation
(630) 725-0991

Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation
(630) 729-0380

Downers Grove Grade School District 58
(630) 719-5800

Downers Grove Park District
(630) 963-1300

Downers Grove Public Library
(630) 960-1200

Downers Grove Village Clerk
(630) 434-5535

Village of Downers Grove
(630) 434-5500

Village Events
(630) 434-5555

Services

Downers Grove Police Department
(630) 434-5600
(Non-emergency)

Downers Grove Fire Department
(630) 434-5980
(Non-emergency)

Downers Grove Public Works
(630) 434-5460

Downers Grove Sanitary District
(630) 969-0664

Downers Grove Post Office
(630) 969-2001

Utilities

AT&T
(800) 288-2020

Comcast
(800) 266-2278

ComEd
(800) 334-7661

Nicor
(888) 642-6748

Republic Services
(630) 964-3232

Other

DuPage County
(630) 407-6500

Downers Grove Township
(630) 719-6600

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
(630) 241-6800

I-PASS
(800) 824-7277

IRS
(800) 829-1040

J.U.L.I.E. (utility digging)
(800) 892-0123

RTA Travel Information (Metra & PACE)
(630) 836-7000

Social Security Administration
(800) 772-1213

Vehicle License Plates
(800) 252-8980

WOODRIDGE

VILLAGE GOVERNMENT
Village Hall  (630) 852-7000 / TTY (630) 719-2497
5 Plaza Dr.  •  Woodridge, IL 60517  •  www.vil.woodridge.il.us
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Chamber630
(630) 968-4050

Village Administrator
Al Stonitsch (630) 719-4705

Assistant Village Administrator
Peggy Halik  (630) 719-4705
Administration  (630) 719-4709
Community Development  (630) 719-4750
Finance  (630) 719-4717
Village Clerk  (630) 719-4712
Water Billing Inquiries  (630) 852-7000

Village Departments at One Plaza Drive
Engineering  (630) 719-4753
Police  (630) 719-4748
Public Works  (630) 719-4753 / TTY (630) 719-2498
Sewer and Maintenance  (630) 719-4753
Street Maintenance/Repairs  (630) 719-4753

Other Government Units & Organizations
Darien – Woodridge Fire Protection District  (630) 910-2200
Lemont Fire Protection District  (630) 257-2376
Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District  (630) 964-2233
Park District  (630) 353-3300
Post Office  (630) 515-9070
Public Library  (630) 964-7899

Celebrate Community

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Woodridge

This year the Village of Woodridge is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its Aug. 24, 1959, founding. Woodridge derives its name from the heavy stand of timber which overlooks the East Branch of the DuPage River. Al Kaufman developed the first homes south of 75th Street and the village grew as annexations in 1963 and 1970 drew the Winston Muss Corporation to develop four Winston Hills Units.

Anniversary celebration banners already adorn village light posts; clubs and organizations are planning special anniversary tributes; and the 33,321-resident village plans to hold a three-day anniversary celebration in late September.

To celebrate this exciting milestone year, Woodridge is planning a fun-filled celebration weekend, partnering with the Woodridge Park District as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. An Oktoberfest celebration will be held on Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28 in the Cypress Cove parking lot, 8301 S. Janes Ave. Saturday will also feature the Woodridge Anniversary Parade, starting at 9 a.m. Sunday will feature the Woodridge Park District’s annual Indian Summer Fest with food, games, rides and scarecrow-making from noon to 5 p.m., according to Trevor Bosack, Assistant to the Woodridge Village Administrator.

Community organizations have also been helping to celebrate this milestone by adding an anniversary component to an existing event or initiative. For example, the Woodridge Lions Club held an Easter Egg Hunt, a school parent-teacher organization developed a commemorative anniversary water bottle for its students and the Special Events Committee held their 50th Annual Fourth of July picnic at Castaldo Park. Food was available at “rolled back” prices in honor of the anniversary and a fireworks extravaganza was held that evening. In addition, the Janes Avenue Neighborhood Outreach will sell lemonade along the parade route in September.

Chamber 630 and Seven Bridges initiated a Woodridge Restaurant Week during August. The kick-off event on Aug. 8, called Sample Seven Bridges, was a great success. Restaurant Week encouraged foodies to try the great cuisine of places they have never before visited.

Downers Grove

In early May, Downers Grove formally re-dedicated its downtown square, formerly known as the Main Street Plaza, in honor of Linda Kunze, executive director of the Downtown Management Corporation since its founding approximately 20 years ago. She passed away suddenly last September, robbing Downers Grove of one of its most ardent supporters.

The area near the train station will now be known as Linda Kunze Plaza, said Mike Baker, deputy village manager.

“We felt that this was a good spot to remember Linda’s impact on the downtown,” he said. “It is a true central gathering space where the holiday tree lighting takes place and the Downtown Market is held.”

Approximately 150 residents gathered in May for the formal naming ceremony, led by Mayor Bob Barnett. Six people who were familiar with her many good works then made brief comments.

“The way that Linda interacted with people had so much warmth and compassion,” Baker said. “And she was so committed to the downtown, planning events and working to attract new businesses. The things she did and the way in which she did them has left a lasting legacy for Linda Kunze in Downers Grove.

“We were all so honored by the way in which the village recognized Linda’s hard work and dedication to the town,” said Mike Kunze, her husband. “This plaza will allow her name to be associated forever with Downers Grove.”

“The area they chose is a happy place where people often gather, so it seems like the perfect place for my mom to be remembered. We are so proud and really appreciate the way people are recognizing her achievements,” added Jennifer Schwendener, her daughter.

“Linda had a vision for what she would like to see in Downers Grove. She even regularly visited other towns to see what they were doing and incorporate their good ideas into her vision for Downers Grove,” Baker noted. “But she was very humble. Many of the things she did, we didn’t hear about until they were mentioned after her death.”

“She played a major role in making Downers Grove the wonderful place that it is,” Schwendener added. “I have many childhood friends who lived elsewhere for many years, but have moved back because they wanted to live here again.

“My mother went above and beyond to help everyone.”

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