Dear Jefferson Park Community:

Jefferson Park is one of the most well-known business districts in the city in part because of its convenient public transportation options, with a Metra station, el stop and bus terminal all located near Milwaukee and Higgins avenues. This transportation hub recently underwent a $4 million improvement, highlighted by the installation of a bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson, our community’s namesake, in front of the CTA terminal. The chamber proudly spearheaded the campaign to raise the donations needed for the statue’s purchase.
Redevelopment is prevalent in parts of the shopping district, most visible in the 4900 block of Milwaukee Avenue, where several buildings have undergone major rehabs and two new mixed-use structures have been built. The recent rehab of the former Woolworth’s store at Milwaukee and Ainslie also points to a bright future for our shopping district. Meanwhile, we are hopeful that the stalled redevelopment of Lawrence Avenue will soon move forward with a project that the community supports. The redevelopment of the empty lots on Lawrence, along with the planned streetscape for Milwaukee, will bring a much-needed increase in foot traffic to the district, to the benefit of all businesses and the community as a whole.
2007 will be an exciting year for the Jefferson Park of Commerce. A fireworks show is planned for JEFF FEST. The chamber will be sponsoring Easter and Christmas coloring contests for area children, and all residents can enter our turkey and ham give-a-way raffles for selected holidays. Three graduating eighth graders also will be awarded $1,000 scholarships for high school. The chamber also will be providing WELCOME PACKETS to new residents.
The chamber holds monthly meetings which are open to the public. While we recognize the fact that business owners are often too busy to attend our meetings, there are still countless ways that your business can benefit from joining the chamber without ever attending a meeting. Please call the chamber office at (773) 736-6697 or visit our Web site: www.jeffersonpark.net for more information. Whether your business is in a storefront or in your home, please consider joining our 100-member family.

Brian Nadig, President