Chatham Business Association Spring Mix N Mingle

This was my first time attending a Mix N Mingle networking event hosted by the Chatham Business Association (CBA) on Thursday, March 28, 2019, and it was an enjoyable and purposeful affair. I had a great time speaking to, laughing with, and learning from both long-time members and supporters of CBA while being entertained by guitarist/vocalist Mike Ross and satisfying our appetites with a delicious variety of food and desserts from Chatham businesses including Brown Sugar Bakery.

The Chatham business community is thriving and continues to expand, but it can be further strengthened by ensuring that the Chatham neighborhood receives its fair share of the billions of dollars that the city of Chicago expects to generate for the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, which has been designated to support economic development in specific communities. “Know your power”! exclaimed 17th Ward Alderman David Moore. We can do so much more collectively, so we must be intentional about working together and uplifting one another.

It was brought to the attention of the public officials who were present that small businesses are facing new challenges with the increase in minimum wage. They are being forced to cut staff which, in turn, has had an adverse effect on customer service. A plea was made to increase available resources in order to offer additional training to better prepare employees to handle the increased demand that has been placed on them.

The expungement process is another issue that was addressed. The problem is that most individuals who are eligible for expungement are unable to file a petition due to fee requirements. There is a push for the Illinois legislature to pass Bill HB2500, which will make the expungement process more fair to those who were formerly incarcerated by reducing the time allowed to challenge a petition and decreasing the required fees.

Like any other neighborhood, Chatham can only survive and prosper if its residents are given fair and equitable opportunities to contribute to its success.