On the 'Live & Play' page on the chamber website, we will be featuring activities and food events that visitors to our area might be interested in.
We are also looking for images to put on this page to spotlight businesses. Be artsy and creative, but make sure the picture has your logo!
Also on this page, we will feature 'Daily Deal Discounts' sponsored by our chamber members. These discounts are available online or through direct mail.
To learn more about this program, please contact the chamber office at 618-438-2121.
Beatles Postcards
Now available at the chamber! George Harrison mural postcards!
$1.25 per card.
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.
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!
Guides to Our Area
The FREDCO Business Guide and Rend Lake Tourism Guide will be prepping their 2018 publications in the next couple months. Stay tuned for ad information!
Mural Touchup!
Last week the museum mural received a facelift! Thank you to the original artist for volunteering his time to refresh the mural and the Preservation Society for providing the materials. It looks amazing!
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.
We would like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting this year's Rend Lake Car Show. We are already working on improvements for next year's event, including a live broadcast and sound provided by WQRL 106.3!
Check out winner information, sponsors, and images from the 2017 event on the chamber website. We also have an attendee survey available for feedback.
Reality Day: Ranger Hunger Games
The Benton / West City Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with the Benton High School to bring a ‘Reality Day’ to our local students on October 16&17! This is the first year for this project, and we look forward to working with you to make it a huge success and a great engagement opportunity between our members/community partners and the residents/consumers of tomorrow!
What is a Reality Day?
It is a fun, interactive “financial literacy” simulation for all high school sophomores to learn the “realities” of life after high school or college.
To learn more about this event, volunteer, or represent your business/industry, please call the chamber office at 618-438-2121.
Shop Southern Illinois
Fifteen area Chambers of Commerce along with a Main Street program and several regional businesses have teamed up this holiday season in an effort to encourage Southern Illinoisans to do a majority of their holiday shopping in the region, rather than traveling out of the area or shopping online.
The effort, called “Shop Southern Illinois,” features a strong social media presence where residents can learn some of the reasons it is important for Southern Illinoisans to shop locally and where they may pledge to do most of their own holiday shopping in the region by using the hashtag #IBuySI. By making a post or tweet with the #IBuySI hashtag, participants are entered in weekly drawings to win prizes starting October 20. The Franklin County Chambers' prize will be awarded December 15.
Benton Fall Festival
The Benton Fall Festival will be on October 28 on the Benton Public Square. Trunk or treating, activities, costume contests, hayrides, food, and a haunted park will make a thrilling evening for the whole family.
To sponsor, get involved, or reserve a prime trunk or treating spot, check out the forms on the city's event website: Benton Fall Festival. Please register by October 18.
Halloween Fun Murder Mystery
10/14/2017
Extreme Exigency & Home of the Armed Barbers
9911 River Bend Road
Benton, IL 62812
Events in the Community
Check out other community activities and submit events here!
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.
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!
The Benton / West City Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with the Benton High School to bring a ‘Reality Day’ to our local students on October 16&17! This is the first year for this project, and we look forward to working with you to make it a huge success and a great engagement opportunity between our members/community partners and the residents/consumers of tomorrow!
Fifteen area Chambers of Commerce along with a Main Street program and several regional businesses have teamed up this holiday season in an effort to encourage Southern Illinoisans to do a majority of their holiday shopping in the region, rather than traveling out of the area or shopping online.
The Benton Fall Festival will be on October 28 on the Benton Public Square. Trunk or treating, activities, costume contests, hayrides, food, and a haunted park will make a thrilling evening for the whole family. 
Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast
Halloween Fun Murder Mystery
