Illinois Main Street

Summer is in full swing across Illinois Main Street communities. ☀️

From farmers markets and outdoor dining to concerts, storefront activity, and downtown events, our historic downtowns and neighborhood districts are creating places where people want to gather, shop, visit, and make memories.

This month’s Illinois Main Street Monthly includes:
✨ 2026 Illinois Main Street Conference details
✨ Main Street America award + training opportunities
✨ Elgin’s national Main Street spotlight
✨ Illinois downtown news
✨ Ideas on why Main Street is central to community vitality and economic prosperity

Read the June Illinois Main Street Monthly and stay connected with what’s happening across the network!

Read Full Newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/savingplaces/illinois-main-street-memo-6427464

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Downtown Springfield, Inc. Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton Main Street America Enjoy Illinois Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin IL Aledo Main Street Alton Main Street Batavia MainStreet Downtown Crystal Lake / Main Street MainStreet Libertyville Downtown Pontiac, IL

We get it.. Zoning may not be the most exciting topic, but it has a tremendous impact on the future of our downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

The rules we create today influence where housing can be built, how businesses grow, whether historic buildings can be reused, and how communities evolve over time. For Main Street communities, understanding zoning is essential to supporting small businesses, encouraging investment, increasing housing options, and creating walkable, vibrant places.

We’re sharing this thoughtful piece from the Incremental Development Alliance on why zoning matters and how it can either support or hinder community growth.

Take a few minutes to give it a read and consider: Does your community’s zoning help make the kind of place you want to become possible?

What is Zoning?

Zoning is one of the most powerful tools local governments use to shape housing, transportation, public finance, neighborhood life, and local economic opportunity. At its best, zoning provides a clear and predictable framework for good development. It helps neighbors, builders, city staff, and public officials understand what can be built, where it can be built, and what standards apply. At its worst, zoning becomes a system for freezing communities in place, separating compatible uses, mandating expensive development patterns, and making normal neighborhood evolution illegal.

Link to full story in comment. ⬇️

Arts and culture have always been a big part of not only bringing people together, but also economic vitality to communities. ♥️🎉

We are looking for vendors for Chalk Howard Street Festival!

Join us for the only 3D Chalk Art Festival

Deadline to apply to be a vendor is, Friday, July 17th.

Chalk Howard Street is looking for artists & makers, food vendors, small businesses and community organizations.

Chalk Howard Street takes place Sat, Aug 22 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Howard Street between Paulina & Ashland in Rogers Park. It features internationally renowned 3D street artists , local chalk artists & emerging creatives, music and entertainment. PLUS food, drinks and global cuisine.

Apply at, tinyurl.com/chalkvendor26.

It’s what we love to see. 🥰

From truck to brick and mortar! We love to hear these stories and see these investments in our amazing network. Congrats to Jewel the Ice Cream Truck and Wood River Business Alliance!

So Jewel did a thing today. We bought a building in Wood River. Ice Cream Shop coming soon‼️🍦

Placed-based economic development is our jam. Main Streets encourage and develop third spaces that not only bring vitality to a community, but can also help reduce the loneliness epidemic by bringing people together.

What are your favorite third spaces in your community? ♥️

Exciting news in The Village of Matteson!

🎉Congratulations to Matteson’s Own, Priscilla Cordero! 🎉

The Village of Matteson is proud to celebrate Priscilla Cordero, our Economic Development Director, on winning the Achieve Summit Award for Economic Development Excellence!

Priscilla’s leadership, dedication, and commitment to community growth continue to move Matteson forward. Her work strengthens our local economy, supports businesses, and enhances the quality of life for our residents.

We are thrilled to see her outstanding contributions recognized with this prestigious award. This achievement is truly well‑deserved! 💼🌟

Join us in congratulating Priscilla on this incredible honor!

Cheers to Morgan Park Beverly Hills Business Association on a successful event!