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ILoveLocal Campaign

The Pulaski Elston Business Association (PEBA) is joining chambers and small businesses throughout Chicago and across the state of Illinois to launch the ‘IL’ove Local campaign to encourage people to support local businesses during the week of April 11 – 18, 2020. While the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE) is leading efforts to unite chambers across the state in the initiative, PEBA is taking a leadership role in Mayfair, West Walker and Old Irving Park.
“Chicago has always been the ‘city that works’ – and we want to ensure that our neighbors continue to work where possible and that our local businesses survive this pandemic,” explains Executive Director Amie Zander. “We are asking Chicagoans to support local businesses in Mayfair, Old Irving and West Walker so that they can survive this shut-down and be ready to fully reopen when it is safe to do so.”
The statistics are staggering for small businesses following natural disasters: according to FEMA, roughly 40-60% of small businesses that close after a disaster never re-open.
“While people across the state are staying home to save lives, we want to ensure that small businesses can save their livelihoods,” said Lisa Weitzel, President of Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. “We are asking neighbors to put their money where their heart is and support the ‘IL’ove Local initiative.”
Each dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 50 times more money to the local economy than shopping at a mega e-retailer. Across Illinois, small businesses provide communities with good jobs, quality service, and the character that makes cities, towns and neighborhoods feel like home.
From Chicago to Carbondale and the Mississippi to Lake Michigan, Illinois chambers are coming together sharing resources, building community, uniting to create the week-long initiative is designed to drive business to our small businesses. Collectively small, local businesses are the states’ largest employer. Small businesses employ more than half of working class in the United States.

WHAT SHOPPERS CAN DO • Follow social distancing guidelines and stay home as much as possible. • Buy Local. Find out if your favorite local store has an online shop or reach out to them to find out how you can purchase now for pick up later. • Buy gift cards to use later. • Take online virtual classes from your favorite local business. • Get takeout/delivery - Tip big! o Consider buying lunch/dinner for the first responders, you will help your local restaurants and the people who serve us all. o Buy gift cards from local businesses for your favorite waiter/waitress/bartender. • Like and share your favorite local businesses social media post. o Once you’ve purchased a gift card or meal, take a picture of it, share it on your social media and hashtag #IloveIllinois o OR use #shopsmall #shopillinois #Illinoisstrong #AllInIllinois • Maintain your memberships • Check out chamber links and directories for a one-stop shop in shopping small, of all the ways to support independent Illinois businesses in your backyard. (www.IllinoisLoveLocal.com)
This is a partnership led by the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, with participation from Chambers of Commerce across Illinois in support small business across the state.
More information on the ‘IL’ove Local campaign can be found at www.IllinoisLoveLocal.com and www.PEBAchamber.org
Hashtags: #ILoveLocal #AllInIllinois #ShopLocal
#ShopSmallBusinesses
#IlovelocalChicago #IlovelocalMayfair #IlovelocalOldIrving #IlovelocalWestWalker
#smallbusinesslove

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