Shop Southern Illinois is underway!

There is no cost for the program, and there will be no requirement that shoppers turn in receipts or punch-cards, etc. Individuals are limited to winning one weekly prize drawing, but there are no limits to the number of times participants can be entered into the drawing by using the #IBuySI hashtag.
 
Winners will have two weeks after the drawing to claim their prize or the prize will be returned to the Shop Southern Illinois program to draw another winner. Winners will be notified via the Shop Southern Illinois Facebook and Twitter pages.
 
The Shop Southern Illinois effort also features a special message from Southern Illinois University Men’s Basketball Coach Barry Hinson, who stresses the importance of shopping locally.
 
“Each Chamber and Main Street program has come to the table with amazing ideas and an open mind. We want to educate consumers to shop and buy locally, realizing that a small shift in shopping trends – say 2-3% - can result in millions of dollars in new revenue for area businesses,” said Dalus Ben Avi, Marion Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “To make this program a success, we need to do what Chambers and Main Street programs do best – support local businesses this holiday season and encourage others to do the same! Local business owners are our neighbors and friends, and they deserve our support and our business not only this holiday season, but all year-round. Local businesses hire locally, spend their money locally, contribute to their communities and regions and offer everything we need or want this holiday season and every day of the year.”
 
If you would like to donate a prize to the Shop Southern Illinois program, please contact the Marion Chamber of Commerce prior to November 24.
 
Shop Southern Illinois decals, provided by Wesley’s Custom Graphics and the Illinois Small Business Development Center, are available at participating Chambers of Commerce. Everyone is encouraged to contact their participating Chamber of Commerce/Main Street program to get a Shop Southern Illinois decal and proudly display it on their vehicle, at their business, or anywhere!
 
Southern Illinois Chambers/Main Street programs sponsoring the effort include:
    •  Benton/West City
    •  Carbondale
    •  Carterville
    •  Chester
    •  DuQuoin
    •  Hamilton County
    •  Herrin
    •  Marion     
    •  Metropolis
    •  Murphysboro
    •  Nashville
    •  Pinckneyville  
    •  Saline County
    •  Union County
    •  West Frankfort    
    •  and Main Street Golconda
 
For more information: please contact the Marion Chamber of Commerce at 618.997.6311.