It is my pleasure to serve the Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce as Board Member and President. I am grateful for the hardworking board members and committee volunteers, who ensure events are welcoming, fun and interconnected in Morton Grove.

Providing a connection in a business environment brings people and organizations together to support one another and advance our interests. Taking initiative and making things happen create a proactive and creative environment, of which we work to provide through informative and educational events. Stewardship plays a vital role in the quality of life and business community, keeping members abreast through our relations with the Morton Grove Members and the ever-developing business climate.

I encourage each chamber member to actively promote the Morton Grove business climate by being patrons of our local membership directory. The next time you need a business service, call or email a Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce representative, and you will be pleasantly surprised by our quality of service and interconnectivity we all share. Working together promotes a stronger voice with our elected officials and within the business community.

Connect with your peers today and become a proactive member of the Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce. We all look to improve our business environment here locally; it’s time to create a stronger community.

Sincerely,

Jim Broderick, President
Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce

Dear Neighbors,

Welcome to the Village of Morton Grove, one of best places to live, work and raise a family! As our tagline aptly describes us, Morton Grove is incredibly close and amazingly open!

We are minutes away from downtown Chicago and world-renown restaurants, shopping, entertainment and transportation options. Twenty percent of our village is open space, including forest preserves; bike, walking and horse riding paths; a public golf course; and great local parks. We are also open to new cultures, ideas and experiences. Our close-knit diverse community includes parents, seniors, business owners, volunteers and local leaders who work together and welcome everyone to Morton Grove.

The village works diligently with our local businesses to promote an environment of innovative ideas that maximize their growth potential.

As a result, our local businesses provide exciting and unique dining, shopping, and service choices, are essential to our local economy, and are important community partners in our ongoing efforts to move Morton Grove forward.

Please support our local businesses.

Sincerely,

Dan DiMaria
Mayor

Jim Broderick
President
Money Mailer of North Cook County

Jim Broderick is a marketing strategist who partners with business owners to grow their revenue and profit in local markets. After over 25 years of developing marketing and advertising campaigns, Jim has a good awareness of what works and helps the Chamber by sharing his expertise as the chair of its membership and marketing committee.

In the past, he has worked as a VP of marketing at Spiegel Inc., Bass Pro, United Retail, Collections Etc. and Personal Creations. He currently owns the Money Mailer Business in Cook County.

Julia Si
Vice President
China Chef Restaurant

Julia Si is a co-owner of China Chef, a well-known Chinese/Filipino restaurant that was established in 1977 and passed down from original owners and Godparents Arthur and Joyce Fong. China Chef has been helping the community by actively sponsoring local sports teams and fundraising for schools. China Chef has been a member of the Chamber for over 30 years and has been longtime sponsors for the Taste of Morton Grove.

Julia believes that China Chef is more than just a restaurant, but rather a business that brings the citizens of Morton Grove closer together. She says their main goal is introducing more diversity to Morton Grove and of course continuously providing excellent food and service.

Julia and her family have been residents of Morton Grove for over 20 years.

Nick Marino
Treasurer
Century 21 Marino

Nick Marino has served Morton Grove and adjacent communities with personal services and a tried-and-true handshake since 1972. Known for his exceptional knowledge of real estate; his reliability and trustworthiness is coupled with personal service, making him a leader in the community he serves.

Nick has served twice as the MGCCI’s President and as President of the Morton Grove Lions Club, Chicago North Side Real Estate Board and North Shore Association of Realtors. Nick has also been the Chair of the Morton Grove Foundation’s Taste of Morton Grove.

Deborah Manno
Secretary
Fifth Third Bank

Deborah Manno is the Vice President & Banking Center Manager of Fifth Third Bank located at 6201 Dempster. She specializes in retail and business development. At Fifth Third Bank, we pride ourselves on our community involvement. In 1948, we became the first finanacial institution in the United States to establish a charitable foundation. Today, we continue to invest the time, resources, and people to help improve lives in the communities we serve.

Deborah is a Morton Grove resident who has over 20 years of professional banking experience. She has served on the Chamber board for over 20 years and is also a Past President. She is also involved in various community organizations with having a passion for serving the residents of Morton Grove which has allowed her to stand out amongst her peers in the field.

Rich Block
Creative Promotional Products

Rich is an executive with Creative Promotional Products, located in Skokie, where he has worked for almost a decade. He formerly owned On Time Promotions in Morton Grove for 23 years. Rich has been a MGCCI member for over 22 years and has served as its president. He is one of the Chamber’s Farmers Market committee members who helps coordinate the operations of the market.

Rich is on the Village of Morton Grove’s Appearance Commission. He has been married for 45 years to Penny, living in Morton Grove for over 40 years. Rich and Penny have three married children and many grandchildren.

E-Blast Newsletter
Our twice weekly update is sent to all members on Tuesday afternoon and Friday morning (with occasional special notices) that provides information about networking and community events, educational programs, members’ special offers, videos and more about what’s happening in Morton Grove. Visit www.mgcci.org to sign up online or contact us to subscribe.

Facebook page
See the latest updates posted by the MGCCI and our members about upcoming events along with interesting information, photos and topics. Please be sure to like our page, then like and share the posts that you find interesting.
www.facebook.com/mortongrovechamber

YouTube channel
MGCCI posts videos about events, special stories and our “Selfie Shorts” featuring our members’ promotional messages and more.
www.youtube.com/channel/UCV9XonW7ep8i0RdU7Z455vA

Networking events
One of the best ways to share your businesses’ story and expertise with others. These events hosted by the MGCCI, our members and in conjunction with neighboring chambers provide important opportunities to meet and network with prospects and clients at events like these:

• Business After Hours
• Lunch & Learn Programs
• Networking Breakfasts
• Business Expos
• Multi-Chamber Events
• Annual Holiday Party
• Independence Day Parade
• Annual Cabaret Night Dinner
• Annual Golf Outing & Dinner

Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce Directory & Community Guide
A biennial printed publication that is also available online. This guide is a directory of all MGCCI members along with other vital information about Morton Grove. It is published in conjunction with Town Square Publications (a Daily Herald Media Group company) and distributed to residents and businesses in Morton Grove via U.S. Mail. The book also has fingertip facts about village services, schools, organizations, history and more.

Printed media
The MGCCI arranges a variety of options to promote the organization and its members, including ads in local media (The Bugle) and coupons in Money Mailer of North Cook County. The Chamber writes articles about events that appear in the local Chicago Tribune and Patch.com websites along with their calendar sections such as Metromix. The MGCCI is always seeking to new venues to share the story of the organization and its members.

More services to help your business grow & prosper
The MGCCI also offers a series of benefits to add value to membership in the Chamber that has been helping Morton Grove businesses to prosper since 1926 such as:

• Certificates of origin (verification of production required to ship products to another country)
• Membership information kiosk in the lobby of the village hall
• Public Hot Deals listings
• Member-to-Member special discounts
• Help wanted listings
• Other benefits (new offerings are always being evaluated to add  value to membership)

There are many advertising options available online, print and more that can be customized to help your business visibility grow. To learn about how the MGCCI can help your business, call (847) 965-0330 or email director@mgcci.org.

MGCCI

Mission Statement
The Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry is dedicated to promoting and advocating or the local business community to ensure the continued economic, cultural and civic well-being of Morton Grove. We are a vehicle for business to work collectively to build their business and enhance the economic make-up of the community. We inform businesses and advocate on their behalf about local, state and federal issues.

Reasons Why Businesses Join the Chamber

1. Networking — Networking events and business information exchange sessions create opportunities to make new business contacts to help you grow your business.
2. Credibility — Demonstrate to your prospects, customers, vendors, staff and the whole community that you are committed to the business vitality of Morton Grove.
3. Discounts — Save money and draw more customers with a regularly evolving chamber program to provide discounts and benefits.
4. Leadership development — The Morton Grove Chamber offers periodic learning and professional development opportunities to help you run a smarter, more profitable business.
5. Community visibility — Responding to outside requests for information about Morton Grove businesses, we look first at our members for a potential match when answering inquiries looking for goods and services.
6. Referrals — Listing on the chamber website, Facebook page, YouTube channel, twice weekly e-blasts, sponsorship of chamber events and more all provide heightened name recognition.
7. Advocacy — The Morton Grove Chamber is your representative on the local level. Your voice is heard on vital regulatory, legislative, community and educational issues.

Events and Festivals in Morton Grove

Annual Golf Outing
The Annual Golf Outing is a tradition going back four decades. Held in mid-June, the event brings together those who enjoy a day of golf followed by cocktails and dinner. Those who don’t golf come and enjoy the refreshments and dinner along with the awards and a prize raffle of cash and valuable gifts.

October Fest
The Chamber is always looking to try new events. After a few years of Cabaret Nights, the new fall event will be an October Fest Celebration in October. This fun and casual event will bring together people from all segments of the Morton Grove community for an evening of fun, recognition and raising money for local charities

MGCCI Annual Holiday Party
One of the best holiday parties around, this early December event is open to all for an evening of refreshments, food, live entertainment, wine raffle and more. A portion of the proceeds is donated annually to both the Niles and Maine Township Food Pantries.

Visit www.mgcci.og for more information on dates and times for these and other events during the year!

MORTON GROVE FARMERS’ MARKET
A Committee of the Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce
Established in 2010, the Morton Grove Farmers Market (a committee of the Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce) is a family-friendly farmers market that strives to be a local, producer market. All items are home-grown, handmade and/or vendor created from locally-owned operations. Fruits, vegetables and flowers must be grown within a close radius of Morton Grove to provide freshness.

In addition to a wide variety of wonderful vendors, the market also offers live entertainment, children’s activities and a forum for local community groups and businesses. The market is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., June through October, at 6140 Dempster St. (in front of the Morton Grove Civic Center) in Morton Grove. The market also hosts an outdoor spring market and two indoor winter markets.

The market is hosted by the Village of Morton Grove and the Morton Grove Park District. The farmers market steering committee publicizes the market; books local entertainers and community groups; vets vendors; recruits sponsors and volunteers; and runs a smooth, enjoyable marketplace. For more information, visit http://mgfarmersmarket.org, connect on Facebook at http://facebook.com/MGFarmersMarket, call (847) 750-MGFM (6436) or email info@mgfarmersmarket.org.

TASTE OF MORTON GROVE – Morton Grove Foundation
The Taste of Morton Grove is held annually in March by the Morton Grove Foundation. This premier event blends charitable support for local organizations along with a sampling of the best cuisine from area caterers and restaurants along with a silent auction, raffle and other fun events.

The Morton Grove Foundation provides direct grants to charities and organizations that make a positive impact on the community. The Taste of Morton Grove committee is composed of volunteers from all areas of Morton Grove from individuals and businesses to civic, education, government and charitable organizations. For more information, follow the foundation on Twitter at https://twitter.com/tasteofmortongr or visit its Facebook page, Taste of Morton Grove.

The foundation continues to raise money all year long with their “Queen of Hearts Raffle” drawn every Wednesday evening at Moretti’s on Dempster. For more information, visit the foundation website at https://mortongrovefoundation.org/queen-of-hearts-raffle.

MORTON GROVE DAYS
The very first Morton Grove Day was planned as a one-time event held in 1921 to raise funds for a monument to those from Morton Grove who fought in the First World War – the iconic “Doughboy” statue. In 1927, several civic and service organizations sponsored an annual village-wide carnival that began a longstanding tradition. The celebration later became known as Morton Grove Days and volunteers from the community who organize this event are part of the Morton Grove Days Commission.

This annual event features a carnival with rides and games, live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, a parade down Dempster Street and the best fireworks display in the area on July 4 when the President’s Cup trophy is awarded by the Chamber of Commerce for the best parade entry. For more information, visit www.mortongrovedays.org.

SPAGHETTI FEST
The Education Foundation – Supporting the Students of Niles Township
As a way to raise funds to support their mission to develop, acquire and distribute financial assistance and other resources to support students in need, the foundation launched a new event 2018 called Spaghetti Fest. The plan is to hold this event annually to attract new people to help support the students in need of Niles Township and have a fun night out with others in the community.

Through partnerships with alumni, friends, neighbors and the business community, the Education Foundation supplements public funds with private philanthropy. For more information about this and other events or to make donations, visit www.edufoundnt.org.

National Night Out
National Night Out is an annual community building campaign established to promote police and community partnerships along with neighborhood camaraderie. The Morton Grove Police Department hosts the event in August includes free food, entertainment, activities, and giveaways. It is a great opportunity for neighbors to meet and thank our local police officers.

The Village of Morton Grove has a population of 23,270 based on the 2010 Census. It is a near north suburb of Chicago located 13 miles north of the city’s Loop, eight miles northeast of busy O’Hare International Airport and six miles west of Lake Michigan’s shores.

Primarily residential, the village has significant commercial and industrial areas. About 20 percent of the land in the community is owned by the Cook County Forest Preserve District with parks, woods, prairies, bike trails and open land all set aside for recreation. The community is also home to award-winning parks and schools.

To learn about the services provided by the village and municipal regulations (lawn sprinkling, waste removal, vehicle stickers, senior services, permits, snow route regulations, pet licenses and more), visit www.mortongroveil.org.

Morton Grove Village Hall is located at 6101 Capulina Ave. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Phone: (847) 965-4100, fax: (847) 965-4162, email: vmg@mortongroveil.org. The 24-hour municipal hotline is (847) 663-6161. The village also has a Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The department maintains a full-time professional, sworn staff of 46 well-trained police officers, 11 full-time and 11 part-time civilian employees. The police department is committed to providing responsive and professional law enforcement services, preserving peace and order and maintaining the highest ethical standards possible.

In 2017, the department received Tier 2 accreditation from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police for demonstrated excellence. Community outreach programs include the Citizens Police Academy, Police Open House, National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop, Police Explorers, Officer Friendly and voluntary residential security surveys. Morton Grove residents and businesses are encouraged to use the Morton Grove Police Department as a partner and resource to answer questions, provide advice and maintain the security of the community.

The police department is located at 6101 Capulina. For emergency services, dial 911. For non-emergency inquiries, call (847) 470-5200.