PARK IS HERE: COD FIELD STUDIES PROGRAM HITS ALL 63 NATIONAL PARKS With the completion of a class to the National Park of American Samoa, and more than five decades spiriting College of DuPage students across the country and abroad, the College’s Field Studies and Study Abroad program has finally visited all 63 U.S. national parks recognized by...
NAVIGATING THE NEW TAX LAW: WHAT SMALL BUSINESSES NEED TO KNOW The recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” introduces significant tax reforms designed to support small business growth. These changes are retroactive to January 20, 2025, allowing business owners to maximize savings immediately...
FISCH FINANCIAL WEEKLY UPDATE Stocks rebounded last week as investor optimism for a September rate adjustment and strong Q2 corporate results overcame the rollout of fresh tariffs. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained...
WEST CHICAGO FOOD FESTIVAL RETURNS ON AUGUST 23 WITH FLAVOR, FUN, & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Downtown West Chicago will once again come alive with the sights, sounds, and tastes of the annual West Chicago Food Festival on Saturday, August 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. The community event promises a flavorful evening featuring a wide variety of food vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities for all ages...
INTERNATIONAL POLICY UPDATES The Trump administration on August 7 imposed new “reciprocal” tariffs ranging from 15% to 41% on 65 countries around the globe (see the July 31 executive order). Analysts assess that the average U.S. tariff has now risen eight-fold from about...
TARIFFS DOG THIS SMALL BUSINESS As small businesses across America continue to grapple with tariff challenges, one that specializes in high-end dog crates has seen its tariff taxes skyrocket from $2,000 per shipment to about $25,000 for the same size...
FISH RETURN TO SALT CREEK AFTER GRAUE MILL DAM REMOVAL Recent fish sampling at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook has confirmed what conservationists hoped: Fish are once again swimming freely upstream in Salt Creek following the late 2023 removal of the...
WHITE HOUSE ACTION PLAN POSITIONS U.S. TO WIN AI RACE The Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan aims to solidify U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence by fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and enhancing global competitiveness. The plan reflects many principles outlined in the U.S. Chamber’s March submission, emphasizing the need for a unified regulatory...
WEST CHICAGO FOOD FESTIVAL TO SERVE UP AN EVENING OF ALL TASTES The West Chicago Food Festival returns to downtown West Chicago on Saturday, August 23, from 4 to 8 p.m., promising a diverse lineup of culinary delights and entertainment that caters to all tastes. The festivities commence at 4 p.m. in downtown West Chicago at the main stage along Galena Street with a performance by Soul Sacrifice...
WEST WASHINGTON SITE SOIL REMOVAL PROJECT UNDERWAY AS PART OF LONG-TERM REDEVELOPMENT PLAN The City of West Chicago is advancing its long-term redevelopment plans for the West Washington Site through a soil removal project now underway. This effort is part of the City’s voluntary participation in the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (IEPA) Site Remediation Program (SRP) with the goal of obtaining a....
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE CITY EVERYWHERE YOU GO! Pay your utility bill, request a building permit, report issues (tree down, streelight out, damaged mailbox), make a service request, and much more, with the City of Warrenville app...
SPONSOR A DUCK! SUPPORT NATURE! Duck purchases can be made online, and sales end Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. CST (or when all ducks have been claimed). Ducks will be raced on Aug. 9, 2025 at Salt Creek at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve. The duck race and prize-winning results will be posted to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Facebook...
BEHIND THE HEADLINES: STRONG MAJORITIES FAVOR PRO-GROWTH TAX PROVISIONS Recent public opinion data reports mixed results by way of voter sentiment toward the One Big Beautiful Bill. A closer look at recent public opinion polls shows that large percentages of Americans are unfamiliar with the details of the bill. A recent survey highlights widespread public...
FISCH FINANCIAL WEEKLY UPDATE Expectation-beating Q2 results from several companies, trade updates, and investor optimism for more trade agreements pushed market averages to solid gains. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 1.46 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added...
WEST CHICAGO BEGINS COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SEARCH FOR NEW CITY ADMINISTRATOR On July 7, the West Chicago City Council launched a strategic and community-driven leadership transition—one that reflects a growing consensus: it’s time for West Chicago to take bold steps forward. This is more than a routine shift in...
U.S. CHAMBER COMMENDS WHITE HOUSE AI ACTION PLAN U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley issued the following statement after the release of the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan to ensure U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence...
TARIFFS THREATEN SMALL COFFEE SHOPS Most U.S. coffee shops source their beans from countries that have the right conditions for growing coffee. Higher tariffs are making the challenge of running a small business harder. Why it matters: With tariff rates...
CANTERA POINT TOWNHOME HEARING CONTINUED TO AUGUST 21 The developer of the proposed Cantera Point townhome development on MaeCliff Drive has requested another continuation of the public hearing following the July 10 meeting. The Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals (PC/ZBA) will continue...
FOREIGN PRICE CONTROLS COULD STIFLE U.S. MEDICAL INNOVATION The U.S. is considering adopting foreign price controls for prescription drugs—a move that could backfire, U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President Neil Bradley writes in an op-ed for IPWatchdog....
WHAT SMALL BUSINESSES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TAXES AND TARIFFS American businesses and workers will benefit from pro-growth tax policy but face challenges from the changing trade environment, U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President Neil Bradley told an audience of more ...
AUG 9: STEP BACK IN TIME WITH BOY BAND REVIEW AT CANTIGNY REWIND Enjoy a night of ‘90s nostalgia featuring Boy Band Review, one of the best boy band tribute bands in the country at Cantigny! Relive your best years with this full band, complete with choreography and harmonies, performing nostalgic #boyband hits. Cantigny invites...
FISCH FINANCIAL WEEKLY UPDATE Trade developments and continued momentum pushed all three major averages to modest gains again for a shortened holiday trading week. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.72 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 1.62 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.30 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed
overseas stock markets, increase...
ANNUAL WATER SYSTEM LEAK SURVEY UNDERWAY THROUGH JULY Associated Technical Services (ATS), a specialized contractor retained by the City of West Chicago, began the City’s 2025 water system leak survey during the week of June 16. The team is expected to complete its work by the end of July...
CELEBRATING FULLERSBURG WOODS HISTORY AT "FULLERSBURG DAYS" AUG. 9 & 10 The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County invites the community to step back in time and enjoy the outdoors during “Fullersburg Days” on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9 and 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Graue Mill and Museum and the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in ...
SMALL BUSINESS READINESS FOR RESILIENCY 2024 IMPACT REPORT When Hurricane Helene struck Florida, Kenneth Kitchen, a small business owner in Tampa, was prepared—thanks to the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Small Business Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) program. “The R4R emergency checklist was instrumental,” he shared. "It helped avoid costly replacements of essential tools and ...
