September 7, 2017

Member Spotlight


Congratulations to Kimmel Chaplain Pharmacy on their new sign!

Do you know of a fellow member who is doing something amazing or making our community better?  Share it with us!  info@BentonWestCityChamber.com

Free Shred Day - September 9

September 9 from 9am - 11am
Free Shred Day at First Financial Bank

American Flag Etiquette - VFW

Unemployment Insurance Update


Effective September 11, 2017, employers can use the MyTax Illinois website to complete all their unemployment insurance wage reports and tax deposits.  IDOR and IDES are working together to improve the tax experience for all Illinois employers.  Please visit the IDES Employer Update website www.ides.illinois.gov/MyTaxUI for the latest transition information.

If you have any questions please call the IDES Employer Hotline at (800) 247-4984.

Chamber Regional Luncheon

Join other chamber members in our region for the 2017 Regional Chamber Luncheon.  RSVP by September 15 to your chamber office by calling 618-438-2121 or online.

New Opportunities!

Are you looking for new employment or volunteer opportunities?  Check out the Chamber Opportunity Board!  Start a new chapter in your community!

Promote Your Business!


The Chamber will be doing more promotional tables at our events and 'Welcome to our Area Packets'.  Please drop off information about your business that we can use!

Rend Lake Adventure Newsletter


We are happy to work with FreeStyleGraphics in Sesser on their 'Rend Lake Adventures Newsletter'.  This is distributed by the Army Corps of Engineers to Rend Lake Visitors.  The chamber's ad in the newsletter spotlights upcoming chamber events and our website for visitors to use as a guide to our communnity.

Your Guides to Our Area


The FREDCO Business Guide and Rend Lake Tourism Guide are here!  Pick up yours today and check out the Chamber page profiling our major events and our new website!

Generation Books


Generations of Memories Books are available for purchase at the Chamber Office, Flowers by Dave, Heartland Office Supply, and the Buzz.
Pick up yours today!

Share The E-News

Would you like members of your staff to receive the Chamber E-News?   Follow this link, fill in your information, and list your contact list in the comments section.  

Thank you!

Contact Us!

Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce
211 N. Main St. Benton, IL 62812
P.O. Box 574 Benton, IL 62812
618-438-2121     info@bentonwestcitychamber.com
www.BentonWestCityChamber.com

Rend Lake Car Show

Join us for the 27th Rend Lake Car Show on September 9, 2017. Over 200 vintage and classic vehicles will be on hand for visitors to enjoy. Meet their owners, learn some tricks, and catch the car bug for yourself! This event is fun for all ages with shops to browse and delicious restaurants featuring local favorites!
Registration Available Online till Sept 8.


We are looking for volunteers!  If you are interested in taking part in this year's event, please let us know. Facebook Event Page

Head Shot Event

Are you planning to update your marketing materials or social media profile with a new picture?  We are partnering with Simpson Photography to give you a chance to quickly and professionally update your look.  Morning and evening times are available on September 11th & 12th at 15 min sessions.  You can arrive the day of, but why miss out?  Reserve your time slot today!  

If you are interested in doing a session at your place of business, contact Valerie Simpson directly at 618-694-0841 or vsimpson1066@gmail.com to schedule a time. 

Benton Fall Festival

In an effort to bring together as much of the community as possible, we would like to extend to you an invitation to the Benton Fall Festival. We’re asking that, as a group, you be involved with a booth or conduct a fundraiser of your own, whether it be for a trip, new uniforms, books, whatever you please, but the idea is to get your organization involved in a City event. Benton Fall Festival: October 28

Member Events

K&K Celebration Sales Event
08/31/2017- 09/04/2017

1st Friday Music at Pheasant Hollow Winery
09/01/2017

Extreme Exigency Shooting Park Open House
09/02/2017
Extreme Exigency Shooting Park
9911 River Bend Road
Benton, IL 62812

West City Annual Festival
09/02/2017
West City Community Building
201 S. Browning Street
West City, IL 62812

Live Music: Bill Harper at Jack Russell
09/02/2017
Jack Russell Fish Company
106 East Main St.
Benton, IL 62812

Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast
09/06/2017
Helia Healthcare of Benton
1310 Mark Franklin Dr.
Benton, IL 62812

Open House & Ribbon Cutting: Legence Bank
09/06/2017
Legence Bank
605 West Main St.
Benton, IL 62812

Hitting the Green for CASA - Golf Scramble
09/08/2017
Benton Country Club
14783 IL-14
Benton, IL 62812

Free Diabetic Screening Day
09/08/2017
Franklin Hospital - Conference Room
201 Bailey Lane
Benton, IL 62812

Free Shred Day: First Financial Bank
09/09/2017
First Financial Bank
400 Public Square
Benton, IL 62812

Live Music 'The Morels'
09/09/2017
Jack Russell Fish Company
106 East Main St.
Benton, IL 62812

Chamber Board of Directors Meeting
09/14/2017
Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce
211 North Main
Benton, IL 62812

3rd Friday Music at Pheasant Hollow Winery
09/15/2017

Murder Mystery at the Benton ELKS
09/16/2017
Benton ELKS Lodge #1234
167 Industrial Park Rd
Benton, IL 62812

Events in the Community

Check out other community activities and submit events here!

Recycling Eclipse Glasses

We would like to thank all the members that engaged in the eclipse experience on August 21st.  Providing glasses, visitor hospitality, and helping with the influx of visitors made this event one to remember!  Congrats to Heartland Office Supply for their efforts on accepting food and cash donations for the Food Pantry in exchange for glasses!

Now that the event is over, don't waste. Donate! Give your eclipse glasses a second chance! Drop off your Eclipse Glasses at the chamber office to be donated to Astonomers Without Borders.

Your gently used glasses will be sent to schools in South America and Asia when a total solar eclipse crosses those continents in 2019. Help spread STEM resources around the world.

SIU-C Community Listener's Program

If you’ve ever wanted to enhance your education by taking part in a college class without earning college course credits or grades, you’ll want to take advantage of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Community Listener’s Program.

read more...

Live2Lead: Southern Illinois


Live2Lead
 will be presented in Southern Illinois on October 6, 2017 at John A. Logan College in the theater. The worldwide leadership simulcast event will be hosted by Marion Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by Heartland Regional Medical Center. Doors open at 7 am for registration. Live2Lead begins at 8 am and concludes at 2:30 pm.

The Marion Chamber has extended their discounted member rate to our members.  
Learn more and register!
Chamber E-Newsletter - September 7, 2017