👋 Good afternoon, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 54,727 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 Darren Bailey pledges free Illinois tollways

👀 Cook County homeowners’ taxes increase again

📈 Chicago organizations that need Systemwide Elevator Modernization Project, Systemwide Elevator Modernization Project, Auditing Services, Landscaping Services, and more

❤️ The Garage named best university incubator by Time magazine

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

🍇 GRAPEVINE

Chicago Business Buzz

A look inside the Chicago business community

• Cook County homeowners’ taxes increase again (Read)

• Darren Bailey pledges free Illinois tollways (Read)

• Illinois tops nation in debt ratio (Read)

• Cook County Forest Preserves To Remain Open During Teamsters Strike (Read)

• New rules could complicate Chicago condo sales (Read)

• Chicago Bears move forward with Indiana stadium plans (Read)

• Chicago’s new quantum computing development expected to have economic impact (Read)

• Illinois Tollway set to vote on what could be historic rate hike Wednesday (Read)

• Cook County property tax bills going out 2 late, will be due (Read)

• NASCAR Cup Series returning to Joliet, not Chicago, in 2027 (Read)

📈 PIPELINE

Sales & Marketing

Sales leads for Chicago professionals

• Construction Services for the Systemwide Elevator Modernization Project (Link)

• Chicago Transit Authority needs Facility c for Up to Thirty-Six Months with Two, One-Year Options (Link)

• External Auditing Services needed at Chicago Public Schools (Link)

• Target Market Comprehensive Landscaping Services needed at CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION (Link)

• Furnish Hot Mix Asphalt and Paving Services (Low Complexity) for up to 36 months with two one-year options. (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS

Resources & Support

Connect with tech, capital, and innovation in Chicago

• The Garage named best university incubator by Time magazine (More)

• YASSI opens technology innovation center in Chicago (More)

• Seven Emerging Illinois Developers Awarded Funding to Construct Affordable Housing (More)

• Diraq Opens First U.S. Quantum Laboratory in Chicago (More)

• The Venture Market Is Not Recovering. It Is Reorganizing. (More)

📅 EVENTS

Business & Networking

Where Chicago professionals go to learn, connect, and grow

🤝 8/24 Real Estate & Construction Industry Networking Event Chicago (Register)

🤝 8/24 Chicago Real Estate & Construction Pitch & Networking Event (Register)

🤝 8/25 Chicago Startups, Investors, Professionals: Pitch & Networking Event (Register)

🤝 8/31 MedTech, HealthTech Networking & Pitch Event Chicago (Register)

🤝 9/4 Chicago Entrepreneur Networking Event (Register)

🤝 9/8 Chicago AI & Tech Startups, Investors, Innovators Networking Mixer (Register)

🤝 9/11 Chicago Tech & Finance Networking Event (Register)

🤝 9/13 Party with a Purpose-Beauty & Barber Networking Event (Register)

🤝 9/16 Chicago Healthcare, Pharma & Business Networking Event (Register)

🤝 9/18 Chicago Engineering, Energy & Transportation Networking Event (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good morning, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 53,259 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 Chicago’s minimum wage will increase in July

👀 Chicago businesses ‘hurt’ and concerned over Bears plan …

📈 Chicago organizations that need Event Planning Services, General Contracting, Benefit Plan Administration, Market Planning, Professional Engineering Design Consulting Service, and more

❤️ ComEd to offer up to $500 for small businesses struggling to pay electric bills

💼 Discover top jobs and talent around Greater Chicago

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

🍇 GRAPEVINE

Chicago Business Buzz

A look inside the Chicago business community

• Chicago’s minimum wage will increase in July (Read)

• Chicago businesses ‘hurt’ and concerned over Bears plan to move ahead with Hammond stadium (Read)

• Chicago’s historic Jewelers Building gets $25M renovation, including rooftop bar (Read)

• Trammell Crow Breaks Ground on Plainfield Business Center Development (Read)

• SRS Acquires CORCO Commercial Roofing Division to Expand Chicago Presence (Read)

• Chicago Bears advance plan to leave Illinois for Indiana (Read)

• Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers (Read)

• Stony Island Ave shows the promise, possible perils of Obama Center’s impact (Read)

• Dozens to be laid off as Illinois auto parts manufacturing plant closes (Read)

• Alders argue over closing Chicago/Main TIF early (Read)

📈 PIPELINE

Sales & Marketing

Sales leads for Chicago professionals

• The Chicago Transit Authority needs Event Planning Services for a period of up to three years (Link)

• Chicago Public Schools are looking for organizations that wish to provide construction General Contracting services to CPS (Link)

• Project to evaluate CPS benefit plan administration performance and included the following components - A medical claim audit, An operations review, … (Link)

• Chicago Department of Planning needs a Target Market Planning Next Consulting Services Various Scope Categories (Link)

• CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION has a Job Order Contract for Flatwork (Rebid) (Link)

• Chicago Department of Water Management needs Professional Engineering Design Consulting Service (Link)

• Chicago Public Schools is seeking bids for 21 vacant lots and 8 vacant school sites that are for sale located in Chicago IL (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS

Resources & Support

Connect with tech, capital, and innovation in Chicago

• ComEd to offer up to $500 for small businesses struggling to pay electric bills (More)

• City launches grant program to help emerging theater companies (More)

• Chicago’s big Foundry Park project could receive more than $200 million in public funding (More)

• Kosmos Secures $5 Million In Seed Funding To Bring Operational Intelligence To Enterprise IT (More)

• Vinyl Equity Raises $20M in Series A Funding (More)

• Mixed Use Development Selected As Winner Of Auburn Gresham RFP (More)

💼 CAREERS

Hiring & Talent

Discover top jobs and talent around Greater Chicago

🔥 A Business Development Director in Healthcare BPS is needed in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $170K–$270K yr (Apply)

👀 Abrhame Eyobe, a Mechanical Engineer, is looking for new opportunities (Profile)

🔥 A Senior Territory Manager in Business Development is wanted in Chicago, IL. Pay is $144K–$255K yr (Apply)

👀 Keegan Houlihan, a Physics Technician, is looking for work (Profile)

🔥 A Business Development Manager of Commercial Insurance is sought in Chicago. Pay is $124K–$206K yr (Apply)

🔥 A Strategic Business Development Lead is sought in Chicago IL. Pay is $110K–$130K yr (Apply)

👀 Nathan Choi, a technical sourcer and recruit, is looking for new opportunities! (Profile)

🔥A Regional Sales Representative (Mid-West) Wastewater is wanted in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $100K–$150K yr (Apply)

👀 John G, a programmer, designer, artist, producer, & manager, is looking for work (Profile)

🔥 A Home Improvement Sales Representative is needed in Chicago, IL. Pay is $150K–$300K yr (Apply)

🔥 A VP of Enterprise Solutions is needed in Chicago. Pay is $120K–$140K yr (Apply)

📅 EVENTS

Business & Networking

Where Chicago professionals go to learn, connect, and grow

🤝 6/10 Chicago's Hottest Networking Event For Young Professionals (Register)

🤝 6/10 Chicago Small Business Expo 2026 (Register)

🤝 6/11 Level Up x Tony P's - Networking Event @ Millennium Hall! (Register)

🤝 6/11 Summer Soirée: All-White Rooftop Networking Experience (Register)

🤝 6/11 Where Tech Meets Everything: An Intentional Networking Experience (Register)

🤝 6/12 Chicago Law, Real Estate & Construction Networking Event (Register)

🤝 6/12 Level Up Social Club - Professional Networking Event @ Millennium Hall (Register)

🤝 6/12 Business Power Lunch Presented by Speakers Bureau | Effective Decision Making (Register)

🤝 6/15 Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soriee (Register)

🤝 6/16 Real Estate Professionals & Industry Experts Networking in Chicago (Register)

🤝 6/16 Chicago Real Estate & Construction Networking & Pitch Event (Register)

🤝 6/17 Advertisers Happy Hour Networking with Midwest Coast Brewery (Register)

🤝 6/18 Chicago Business Networking Event @ The Gwen Rooftop (Register)

🤝 6/22 Tech Connect: Startups, Investors, Professionals Networking Event Chicago (Register)

🤝 6/25 Direct To Success: The Business Growth Event in Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 6/30 AI & Machine Learning Start-Ups, Professionals Investors Networking Chicago (Register)

🤝 7/6 CHICAGO AI BUSINESS SUMMIT (Register)

🤝 7/8 Chicago Healthcare, Pharma & Business Networking Event (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good afternoon, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 51,785 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide

😮 Chicago businesses closing in 2026

👀 Chicago business activity returns to contraction

📈 Chicago organizations that need desktop/laptop computing hardware, tablets, instructional technology, leadership development, event rentals, and more

❤️ Chicago exploring ways to use AI in road operations in effort to improve safety

💼 Discover top jobs and talent around Greater Chicago

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

🍇 GRAPEVINE

Chicago Business Buzz

A look inside the Chicago business community

• 2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide (Read)

• Chicago business activity returns to contraction (Read)

• Jim’s Original, Rivers and more: Chicago businesses closing in 2026 (Read)

• Insurance Scare That Impacted 8 Chicagoland Hospitals Resolved (Read)

• City Council committee could delay tipped minimum wage increase with new ordinance (Read)

• Chicago-area burglars target gaming machines in businesses (Read)

• Illinois bill targets how car insurance rates are set (Read)

• Chicagoans flock to Indiana for cheaper gas prices (Read)

• Majority of Chicago artists earn under $40K, report finds (Read)

• Fox Paying $50K To Watch Soccer As USMNT Comes To Chicago (Read)

📈 PIPELINE

Sales & Marketing

Sales leads for Chicago professionals

• The Department of Information & Technology Services (ITS) needs field support services and support the Board’s standard approved computing infrastructure environment that includes desktop/laptop computing hardware, tablets, instructional technology such as interactive whiteboards, audio/visual equipment, associated system software, business productivity software and the Board’s applications that are part of the Board’s standard approved computing device images, mobile computing devices and associated system software (Link)

• Chicago Public Schools is seeking bids for 21 vacant lots and 8 vacant school sites that are for sale located in Chicago IL (Link)

• CPS needs Data Center Colocation Services (Link)

• Chicago Public Schools is looking for leadership development, specifically, partnerships with external organizations that offer structured, cohort‑based experiences designed to strengthen leadership competencies aligned to K–12 district needs (Link)

• Professional Consulting Services to Monitor Drug and Alcohol Policy and Testing Compliance for a period of up to 3 years with two one-year options (Link)

• Inflatable & Event Rentals needed - Vendors needed to supply inflatables and other items (dj’s treats, tables/chairs, face painting, etc.) for school events (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS

Resources & Support

Connect with tech, capital, and innovation in Chicago

• Chicago exploring ways to use AI in road operations in effort to improve safety (More)

• AI assistance emerges as a remedy for Chicago’s doctor shortage (More)

• Now we know what Uber paid to buy Chicago’s SpotHero...$600M (More)

• Elevated Chicago Expands “Elevating Culture Near Transit” Initiative with Three New Grants and Historic Partnership with CTA (More)

• A $10 million investment to reduce chronic absenteeism in schools (More)

• Illinois’ economic boom comes from securing $2.5B in investments, leading to 4,000 new jobs (More)

💼 CAREERS

Hiring & Talent

Discover top jobs and talent around Greater Chicago

👀 Farah J, an Installation Engineer, is looking for work! (Profile)

🔥 A VP of Business Development is needed in Chicago. Pay is $240K–$360K yr (Apply)

🔥 A Head of Business Development in M&A is sought in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $140K–$170K yr (Apply)

👀 Nathan Choi of Access One is looking for new opportunities! (Profile)

👀 Abhiram Sama, a Software Engineer, is looking for full-time (Profile)

🔥 A Director of Partnerships & Business Development is wanted in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $150K–$225K yr (Apply)

📅 EVENTS

Business & Networking

Where Chicago professionals go to learn, connect, and grow

🤝 5/13 Windy City Business Network: Happy Hour @ Midwest Coast Rooftop (Register)
🤝 5/21 OutPro LGBTQ+ Networking Annual Lake Cruise - Chicago (Register)

🤝 6/4 Chicago Small Business Expo 2025 (Register)

🤝 6/5 Business Before Hours (Register)

🤝 6/5 CSO African American Network: AAN Meets Randall Goosby (Register)

🤝 6/5 Tony P’s June Networking Event @ Clark Street Ale House’s Patio: (Register)

🤝 6/10 Rotary Means Business - Fox Valley Networking Group (Register)

🤝 6/10 Chicago Small Business Expo 2026 (Register)

💻 6/12 WEBINAR: Constructing Architectural Networks, Ukraine (Register)

🤝 6/12 Level Up Social Club - Professional Networking Event @ Millennium Hall (Register)

🤝 6/12 Business Power Lunch Presented by Speakers Bureau | Effective Decision Making (Register)

🤝 6/12 Constructing Architectural Networks: Ukraine (Register)

🤝 6/15 Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soriee (Register)

🤝 6/17 Advertisers Happy Hour Networking with Midwest Coast Brewery (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good morning, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 51,387 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍‘Chicago Is Open for Business’

👀 Chicago radio ratings - who has the top spot?

😮 Chicago Heights Pharma Glass Plant Shutters, 172 Jobs Axed As Work Heads Oversea

📈 Chicago organizations looking for Data Center Colocation Services, leadership development, standardize property signage, Inflatable & Event Rentals, and more

❤️ GrantsChicago underserved community health, well-being, education and economic empowerment grants

💼 Discover top jobs and talent around Greater Chicago

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

🤩 SPOTLIGHT

Company to Watch in Chicago

Featured company driving growth and innovation

Mode Mobile - We unify high-engagement consumer apps under EarnOS, our proprietary rewards and monetization engine, with a mission to make screen time a source of income for everyday people.

Learn More

🍇 GRAPEVINE

Chicago Business Buzz

A look inside the Chicago business community

• Chicago’s New Zoning Chair on Top Priorities, Megaprojects: ‘Chicago Is Open for Business’ (Read)

• Chicago radio ratings: WXRT takes the top spot in March (Read)

• Chicago Heights Pharma Glass Plant Shutters, 172 Jobs Axed As Work Heads Overseas (Read)

• Doctor caught up in Loretto Hospital embezzlement scandal returns to Chicago from Dubai to face charges (Read)

• What Chicago riders can expect from driverless Waymos (Read)

• Morningstar may move into Chicago’s Thompson Center after Google renovations (Read)

• CTA Kicks Off Construction on Long-Awaited $5.7B Red Line Extension on Far South Side (Read)

• Lincolnwood Town Center mall in Chicago’s north suburbs to be torn down beginning in May (Read)

• Native American-owned and operated businesses in Chicago (Read)

• What marijuana reclassification means for Illinois (Read)

📈 PIPELINE

Sales & Marketing

Sales leads for Chicago professionals

• CPS needs Data Center Colocation Services (Link)

• Chicago Public Schools is looking for leadership development, specifically, partnerships with external organizations that offer structured, cohort‑based experiences designed to strengthen leadership competencies aligned to K–12 district needs (Link)

• Professional Consulting Services to Monitor Drug and Alcohol Policy and Testing Compliance for a period of up to 3 years with two one-year options (Link)

• Inflatable & Event Rentals needed - Vendors needed to supply inflatables and other items (dj’s treats, tables/chairs, face painting, etc.) for school events (Link)

• The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) seeks to standardize property signage across five (5) properties within its dwelling portfolio. This initiative aims to enhance the visual identity, consistency, and functionality of CHA property signage (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS

Resources & Support

Connect with tech, capital, and innovation in Chicago

• GrantsChicago underserved community health, well-being, education and economic empowerment grants (More)

• Thirteen Chicago-area nonprofits get a lifeline thanks to $312,500 in mental health grants from Megan Butz Legacy of Hope (More)

• IUOE Local 150 Raises Over OVER $60,000 for Special Children’s Charities (More)

• Legacy Foundation announced an exciting new grant program at IBEW 697 to help transform the Region and prepare it for the future. The Love Where You Live grant will provide $5 million to local community projects to strengthen Lake County’s identity and community spaces. (More)

• Tech Trends: Trading old technology for new gear (More)

• CDO Magazine Chicago Roundtable Exchange: AI Hype vs. What Works (More)

• Are We Facing an AI Nightmare? (More)

• Illinois’ economic boom comes from securing $2.5B in investments, leading to 4,000 new jobs (More)

💼 CAREERS

Hiring & Talent

Discover top jobs and talent around Greater Chicago

🔥A SBA Business Development Officer is needed in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $100K–$120K yr. (Apply)

👀Akhil R, a Software Engineer, is looking for a job (Profile)

🔥A Business Development Executive (BDE) of Healthcare Technology, is needed in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $225K–$250K yr. (Apply)

👀 Kara Johnson, a Director of International Admission, is seeking a new opportunity (Profile)

🔥A new Director of Partnerships is sought in Chicago, IL. $130K–$160K yr. (Apply)

📅 EVENTS

Business & Networking

Where Chicago professionals go to learn, connect, and grow

🤝 5/9 Chicago Business with God (Register)

🤝 5/13 Windy City Business Network: Happy Hour @ Midwest Coast Rooftop (May 13) (Register)

🤝 6/4 Chicago Small Business Expo 2025 (Register)

🤝 6/5 Business Before Hours (Register)

🤝 6/5 CSO African American Network: AAN Meets Randall Goosby (Register)

🤝 6/5 Tony P’s June Networking Event @ Clark Street Ale House’s Patio: June 5th (Register)

🤝 6/10 Rotary Means Business - Fox Valley Networking Group (Register)

🤝 6/10 Chicago Small Business Expo 2026 (Register)

🤝 6/12 WEBINAR: Constructing Architectural Networks, Ukraine (Register)

🤝 6/12 Level Up Social Club - Professional Networking Event @ Millennium Hall! (Register)

🤝 6/12 Business Power Lunch Presented by Speakers Bureau | Effective Decision Making (Register)

🤝 6/12 Constructing Architectural Networks: Ukraine (Register)

🤝 6/15 Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soriee (Register)

🤝 6/17 Advertisers Happy Hour Networking with Midwest Coast Brewery (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

📱 TECH

In Partnership With Mode Mobile

Apple’s Starlink Update Sparks Huge Earning Opportunity

Apple just secretly added Starlink satellite support to iPhones through iOS 18.3.

One of the biggest potential winners? Mode Mobile.

Mode’s EarnPhone already reaches 490M+ users that have earned over $1B, and that’s before global satellite coverage. With SpaceX eliminating “dead zones,” Mode’s earning technology can now reach billions more in unbanked and rural populations worldwide.

Their global expansion is perfectly timed, and investors like you still have a chance to invest in their pre-IPO offering at $0.50/share.

With their recent 32,481% revenue growth and newly reserved Nasdaq ticker, Mode is one step closer to a potential IPO.

Tap into a $1T opportunity — invest now at just $0.50/share and get up to 20% bonus.

Learn More

Disclaimer

Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.modemobile.com. This is a paid advertisement for Mode Mobile’s Regulation A+ Offering.

Mode Mobile recently received their ticker reservation with Nasdaq ($MODE), indicating an intent to IPO in the next 24 months. An intent to IPO is no guarantee that an actual IPO will occur.

The Deloitte rankings are based on submitted applications and public company database research, with winners selected based on their fiscal-year revenue growth percentage over a three-year period.

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good morning, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 50,765 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍Waymo Begins Testing in Chicago as Bill Seeks to Legalize Autonomous Vehicles in Illinois

👀 Illinois data center boom tied to rising utility bills, experts say

📈 Chicago organizations that are seeking Inflatable & Event Rentals, Case Management Software, School Products and Services, and more

❤️ Illinois’ economic boom comes from securing $2.5B in investments, leading to 4,000 new jobs

💼 Discover top jobs and talent around Greater Chicago

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

🍇 GRAPEVINE

Business Buzz

A look inside the Chicago business community

• Waymo Begins Testing in Chicago as Bill Seeks to Legalize Autonomous Vehicles in Illinois (Read)

• Illinois data center boom tied to rising utility bills, experts say (Read)

• Illinois jobless rates up from a year ago (Read)

• Illinois millionaire tax could help curb property taxes, boost education funding, study says (Read)

• United Center’s 1901 Project tax break stalls at Chicago City Council. $55M incentive delay exposes political friction, as $7B development nears takeoff (Read)

• World Business Chicago collects submissions for bold plans for city’s future (Read)

• Southwest To Lay Off 107 As O’Hare Service Ends (Read)

• First look at Chicago’s new Leica store (Read)

• Illinois bill pushes data center accountability (Read)

• Illinois-Based Deere & Co Agrees to Pay $99 Million to Settle ‘Right to Repair’ Lawsuit (Read)

📈 PIPELINE

Sales & Marketing

Sales leads for Chicago professionals

• Out of School Time Products and Services for the Chicago Public Schools (Link)

• Provide labor, materials, tools and equipment to refurbish various switch machines for a period of 36 months to the Chicago Transit Authority (Link)

• Professional Consulting Services to Monitor Drug and Alcohol Policy and Testing Compliance for a period of up to 3 years with two one-year options (Link)

• A Chicago organization needs Case Management Software for the Office of Student Protections (Link)

• Inflatable & Event Rentals needed - Vendors needed to supply inflatables and other items (dj’s treats, tables/chairs, face painting, etc.) for school events (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS

Resources & Support

Connect with tech, capital, and innovation in Chicago

• Illinois’ economic boom comes from securing $2.5B in investments, leading to 4,000 new jobs (More)

• Nearly 70 Chicago groups receive micro-grants after SNAP cuts, deportation campaign (More)

• Joyce Foundation Offering More Funding For Great Lakes Artists. The Chicago-based Joyce Foundation is expanding its arts award program with $100,000 unrestricted awards and $40,000 grants in 2026 and 2027. (More)

• Mansueto Power Play: $50 Million Fuels UChicago AI Faculty Land Grab (More)

• Innovation takes center stage at Future Festival Chicago 2026 (More)

💼 CAREERS

Hiring & Talent

Discover top jobs and talent around Greater Chicago

🔥A new Head of Business Development is needed in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $100K–$150K yr. (Apply)

👀Akhil R, a Software Engineer, is looking for a job (Profile)

🔥A Business Development Executive (BDE) of Healthcare Technology, is needed in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $225K–$250K yr. (Apply)

👀Farah J, an Installation Engineer, is looking for work (Profile)

🔥A SBA Business Development Officer is needed in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $100K–$120K yr. (Apply)

👀 Kara Johnson, a Director of International Admission, is seeking a new opportunity (Profile)

🔥A new Director of Partnerships is sought in Chicago, IL. $130K–$160K yr. (Apply)

👀 Mazen Rezk, a manager, is looking for a new opportunity (Profile)

🔥M&A Business Development Lead - Hybrid is needed in Chicago, IL. Pay is $129K–$174K yr. (Apply)

👀 Michelle Giorgi, an Accounts Payable Specialist, is seeking new opportunities (Profile)

🔥Network Development Manager needed in Oak Brook, IL. Pay is $100K–$140K yr. (Apply)

👀 Suresh Tadikamalla, a Supply Chain Analyst, is actively looking for a Supply Chain Analyst role (Profile)

🔥Area Business Development Leader of Security Solutions needed in Warrenville, IL. Compensation is $250K–$500K yr. (Apply)

📅 EVENTS

Business & Networking

Where Chicago professionals go to learn, connect, and grow

🤝 4/19 Chicago Speed Networking | NetworkNite | Business Professionals Event (Register)

🤝 5/9 Chicago Business with God (Register)

🤝 5/13 Windy City Business Network: Happy Hour @ Midwest Coast Rooftop (May 13) (Register)

🤝 6/4 Chicago Small Business Expo 2025 (Register)

🤝 6/5 Business Before Hours (Register)

🤝 6/5 CSO African American Network: AAN Meets Randall Goosby (Register)

🤝 6/5 Tony P’s June Networking Event @ Clark Street Ale House’s Patio: June 5th (Register)

🤝 6/10 Rotary Means Business - Fox Valley Networking Group (Register)

🤝 6/10 Chicago Small Business Expo 2026 (Register)

🤝 6/12 WEBINAR: Constructing Architectural Networks, Ukraine (Register)

🤝 6/12 Level Up Social Club - Professional Networking Event @ Millennium Hall! (Register)

🤝 6/12 Business Power Lunch Presented by Speakers Bureau | Effective Decision Making (Register)

🤝 6/12 Constructing Architectural Networks: Ukraine (Register)

🤝 6/15 Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soriee (Register)

🤝 6/17 Advertisers Happy Hour Networking with Midwest Coast Brewery (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good afternoon, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 50,038 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 Chicago business activity up for second straight month

💡 What’s the big idea? If you’ve got it, World Business Chicago wants to know

👀 Why Illinois utility bills may be too high

📈 Chicago organizations that are seeking Printing of Various Informational Signage, Maps, Banners, and Decals, Data Center Colocation Services, Consulting Services, Investment Advisory Services, and more

❤️ Pritzker announces $1.5 billion investment by CSL for Illinois plasma therapy manufacturing plant

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

🍇 GRAPEVINE

Chicago Business Buzz

A look inside the Chicago business community.

• Chicago business activity up for second straight month (Read)

• What’s the big idea? If you’ve got it, World Business Chicago wants to know (Read)

• Chicago company offers model as Illinois phases out subminimum wages (Read)

• Why Illinois utility bills may be too high (Read)

• Chicago wealth summit costs taxpayers more than $220K, records show (Read)

• Chicago Fire Break Ground on New $750M Stadium Site Amid Gentrification Concerns (Read)

• Chicago business, labor leaders look ahead to hosting another DNC in 2028 (Read)

• South Chicago Divided Over Quantum Park Development (Read)

• SVN Chicago Commercial brokers $3.7 million sale of 7.24-acre development site in Hoffman Estates (Read)

• Chicago Park District develops $630 million renovation plan for Soldier Field after Bears leave (Read)

📈 PIPELINE

Sales & Marketing

Sales leads for Chicago businesses.

• Small Business Opportunity for Printing of Various Informational Signage, Maps, Banners, and Decals for a Period of up to 36 months for the Chicago Transit Authority (Link)

• Data Center Colocation Services needed at the Chicago Public Schools (Link)

• Consulting Services for Chicago Public Library (CPL) Equity Assessment and Community Engagement (Link)

• Investment Advisory Services for CTA Retirement Plans for Three Years with Two One-Year Options (Link)

• Chicago Transit Authority needs Leasing, Maintenance and Repair of High-Performance Digital Copiers for a period of up to 3 years with a one-year option (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS

Resources & Support

Connect with tech, capital, and innovation in Chicago.

• Pritzker announces $1.5 billion investment by CSL for Illinois plasma therapy manufacturing plant (More)

• Neighbors split over $9B Quantum Shore project (More)

• The Loop expects a revamp as funding is granted for the neighborhood’s development (More)

• $44.1 million in construction financing secured for 310 W. Huron (More)

• Governor Pritzker Awards $2.4 Million to 34 Companies Through Innovation Voucher Program, Announces Round III (More)

• Illinois offers $50M in grants to expand community health centers (More)

• Several central Illinois small businesses awarded through research grant program (More)

📅 EVENTS

Business & Networking

Where Chicago professionals go to learn, connect, and grow.

🤝 3/10 StartUps, Entrepreneurs, Investors Networking & Elevator Pitch Chicago (Register)

🤝 3/11 Women in Business & Their Pups (Register)

🤝 3/11 Morning Advertiser Networking at Ray’s Bucktown Bed and Breakfast (Register)

🤝 3/12 Level Up Social Club - Professional Networking Event @ J. Parker Rooftop! (Register)

🤝 3/19 March Madness Real Estate Networking Event @ Grapes & Grains: March 19th (Register)

🤝 3/19 Windy City Business Network: Happy Hour @ Midwest Coast Rooftop (March 19) (Register)

🤝 3/26 Chicago Entrepreneurs Networking Event @ Fairmont Chicago |Millennium Park (Register)

🤝 3/27 The Hidden Threats: How To Protect Your Business Webinar (Register)

🤝 3/29 CLVR LABs™ Presents: A Creative Networking Pop-Up (Register)

🤝 5/9 Chicago Business with God (Register)

🤝 6/5 Business Before Hours (Register)

🤝 6/5 CSO African American Network: AAN Meets Randall Goosby (Register)

🤝 6/10 Rotary Means Business - Fox Valley Networking Group (Register)

🤝 6/10 Chicago Small Business Expo 2026 (Register)

🤝 6/12 Business Power Lunch Presented by Speakers Bureau | Effective Decision Making (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

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Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good afternoon, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 42,502 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 Chicago business activity growing for first time since November 2023

👀 What is Chicago 2050? The long-term plan for economic growth explained

📈 Chicago organizations looking for Consulting Services, Systemwide Lighting Repairs, Investment Advisory Services, Architecture and Engineering Services, Leasing, Maintenance and Repair of High-Performance Digital Copiers, Forecasting, Alerts and Data Services, and more

❤️ Awards of $2.4 Million to 34 Companies Through Innovation Voucher Program

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

🍇 GRAPEVINE

Chicago Business Buzz

A look inside the Chicago business community.

• Here are the best 25 companies in Illinois, according to Forbes (Read)

• Chicago business activity growing for first time since November 2023 (Read)

• What is Chicago 2050? The long-term plan for economic growth explained (Read)

• Amazon rethinks brick-and-mortar retail in Illinois (Read)

• How much public and private money is powering Chicago’s quantum push? (Read)

• Dutch Bros Coffee may soon be coming to Chicago suburb (Read)

• The Rundown: The employers whose workers still need SNAP (Read)

• Bears, Illinois lawmakers closer on stadium deal: sources (Read)

• Choose Chicago hosts annual meeting on 2026 tourism strategy (Read)

• What it costs to read Chicago news in 2026 (Read)

📈 PIPELINE

Sales & Marketing

Sales leads and exclusive offers for Chicago businesses.

• Consulting Services for Chicago Public Library (CPL) Equity Assessment and Community Engagement (Link)

• Systemwide Lighting Repairs at Illinois Tollway (Link)

• RFQ FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR CHICAGO CITY-WIDE CDOT STR (Link)

• Investment Advisory Services for CTA Retirement Plans for Three Years with Two One-Year Options (Link)

• On Call Architecture and Engineering Services for the Residential Sound Program needed at the Chicago Department (Link)

• Chicago Transit Authority needs Leasing, Maintenance and Repair of High-Performance Digital Copiers for a period of up to 3 years with a one-year option (Link)

• Weather Forecasting, Alerts and Data Services for Chicago Department of Aviation and Office of Emergency Management and Communications (Link)

• Request for Proposal for Insurance Brokerage Services for a period of up to five years at Chicago Transit Authority (Link)

• RFP Actuarial Valuation Services for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Injuries and Damages Reserve Liability (Link)

• Department of Corrections of Illinois needs Records Management Services, Including Document Management Services and Technology Integration (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS

Resources & Support

Technology, funding, and connections that power growth in Chicago.

• Governor Pritzker Awards $2.4 Million to 34 Companies Through Innovation Voucher Program, Announces Round III (More)

• WGN Family Charities gives $81,000 in grants to local charities (More)

• Illinois offers $50M in grants to expand community health centers (More)

• Several central Illinois small businesses awarded through research grant program (More)

• $20 million gift launches lab at Harris School to advance field of algorithmic public policy (More)

• Illinois Looks to Expand Manufacturing Training at Community Colleges (More)

📅 EVENTS

Business & Networking

Where Chicago professionals go to learn, connect, and grow.

🤝 02/10 Women in Business, Startups, Professionals Social Networking Event Chicago | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/12 Chicago Entrepreneurs Networking Event @ Fairmont Chicago |Millennium Park (Register)

🤝 02/12 Christian Business Owners of Chicago Unite (Register)

🤝 02/14 The Chicago Run Networking Event | Entrepreneurship • Day Trading • Travel (Register)

🤝 02/14 Primewise Founders Club VC Connect and Networking Event Chicago (Register)

🤝 02/17 BioTech and Pharma Startups, Investors & Professionals Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/19 Founder Institute Midwest Graduate Showcase & Networking Event (Register)

🤝 05/9 Chicago Business with God (Register)

🤝 6/5 Business Before Hours (Register)

🤝 6/5 CSO African American Network: AAN Meets Randall Goosby (Register)

🤝 6/10 Rotary Means Business - Fox Valley Networking Group (Register)

🤝 6/12 Business Power Lunch Presented by Speakers Bureau | Effective Decision Making (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

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Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good afternoon, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 42,436 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 Chicago metro area is 4th-hottest tech hub

👀 Tax season surprise: Illinois families could be owed thousands in refunds

📈 Chicago organizations looking for PROFESSIONAL DESIGN ENGINEERING SERVICES, Investment Advisory Services, Architecture and Engineering Services, Leasing, Maintenance and Repair of High-Performance Digital Copiers, Forecasting, Alerts and Data Services, Consulting Services, and more

❤️ Chicago area community organizations receive grants to improve healthy food access

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

🍇 GRAPEVINE

Chicago Business Buzz

A look inside the Chicago business community.

• Chicago metro area is 4th-hottest tech hub (Read)

• Tax season surprise: Illinois families could be owed thousands in refunds (Read)

• City of Chicago accepting applications for 2026 farmers’ markets (Read)

• Chicago-area warehouse vacancy ended 2025 near historic low (Read)

• Chicago’s Teatro ZinZanni to close after seven years (Read)

• ComEd Files $15.3 Billion Grid Plan Proposal to Address Rising Energy Demand (Read)

• Major Chain Sold For $620M Despite Recent Closures: See Remaining IL Restaurants (Read)

• 2026 layoffs: List of companies cutting jobs this year (Read)

• O’Hare’s flight boom puts pressure on expansion plans (Read)

• As Chicago Ethics Board Surpasses 6 Months Without a Leader, Enforcement Actions Stall (Read)

📈 PIPELINE

Sales & Marketing

Sales leads and exclusive offers for Chicago businesses.

• RFQ FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR CHICAGO CITY-WIDE CDOT STR (Link)

• Investment Advisory Services for CTA Retirement Plans for Three Years with Two One-Year Options (Link)

• On Call Architecture and Engineering Services for the Residential Sound Program needed at the Chicago Department (Link)

• Chicago Transit Authority needs Leasing, Maintenance and Repair of High-Performance Digital Copiers for a period of up to 3 years with a one-year option (Link)

• Weather Forecasting, Alerts and Data Services for Chicago Department of Aviation and Office of Emergency Management and Communications (Link)

• Consulting Services needed for the Chicago Public Library (Link)

• Request for Proposal for Insurance Brokerage Services for a period of up to five years at Chicago Transit Authority (Link)

• The Chicago Housing Authority is soliciting quotes from qualified and experienced providers of Mailing Equipment (Link)

• RFP Actuarial Valuation Services for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Injuries and Damages Reserve Liability (Link)

• Department of Corrections of Illinois needs Records Management Services, Including Document Management Services and Technology Integration (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS

Resources & Support

Tools, funding, and support that power growth around Chicago.

• Chicago area community organizations receive grants to improve healthy food access (More)

• Illinois spends $700K on decolonization activism (More)

• City awards $33 million to dozens of businesses and organizations (More)

• Illinois offers $24M in grants for manufacturing training programs (More)

• City grants for Joliet restaurant group poised to top $230,000 - Program helps downtown businesses (More)

• Jackson Awards $730,000 in Grants to Nonprofits Across Lansing, Nashville and Chicago (More)

• Chicago Group Raises $300K for Struggling Street Vendors Amid Fears of Immigration Raids (More)

• Chicago Awards $33M in Grants for 58 Commercial Projects (More)

📅 EVENTS

Business & Networking

Where you go to learn, connect, and grow with Chicago professionals.

🤝 01/29 Chicago Hottest Entrepreneurs Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 01/29 Network After Work Chicago: Owners, Founders & Entrepreneurs Dinner | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/02 Startups, Investors and Professionals Pitch and Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/03 Real Estate & Construction Networking Event with Elevator Pitch | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/04 Great Lakes Business Network Networking Night at Bungalow by Middle Brow | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/10 Women in Business, Startups, Professionals Social Networking Event Chicago | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/11 Music and Business Networking | Elevating Your Potential - Chicago Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/12 Chicago Business Networking Event @ Fairmont Chicago | Millennium Park | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/17 BioTech and Pharma Startups, Investors & Professionals Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 03/16 Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soriee | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good afternoon, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 41,388 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 The future of Chicago media: What to expect in 2026

👀 Chicago business closures are already piling up in 2026

📈 Chicago organizations looking for Consulting Services, Insurance Brokerage Services, Mailing Equipment, Actuarial Valuation Services, HVAC company, and more

❤️ City awards $33 million to dozens of businesses and organizations, Illinois offers $24M in grants for manufacturing training programs, and more

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

🍇 GRAPEVINE

Chicago Business Buzz

A snapshot of what’s happening in Chicago’s business community.

• Chicago business closures are already piling up in 2026 (Read)

• Excitement for Bears’ playoff run could shift political landscape of push for new stadium (Read)

• The future of Chicago media: What to expect in 2026 (Read)

• Barnes & Noble to open largest Chicago store, after other ‘successful’ openings (Read)

• Hundreds of workers in Chicago, suburbs to be laid off as 2026 begins, WARN Act shows (Read)

• New Uber fees and other Chicago hikes in 2026 (Read)

• Peoples Gas Files $202M Rate Increase Request for Chicago With Regulatory Body (Read)

• Lincolnwood Town Center mall in Chicago’s suburbs is sold to developer (Read)

• Chicago Stars FC files application to play future seasons at Ryan Field (Read)

• Chicago gets lowest employment score since 2009 (Read)

📈 PIPELINE

Sales & Marketing

Your source for sales leads, discounts, and promotions in Greater Chicago.

• Consulting Services needed for the Chicago Public Library (Link)

• Request for Proposal for Insurance Brokerage Services for a period of up to five years at Chicago Transit Authority (Link)

• The Chicago Housing Authority is soliciting quotes from qualified and experienced providers of Mailing Equipment (Link)

• RFP Actuarial Valuation Services for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Injuries and Damages Reserve Liability (Link)

• CHA is seeking a qualified HVAC company to provide preventative maintenance and repairs to our existing commercial equipment at our non-residential locations (Link)

• The Village of Northbrook is requesting proposals for professional design engineering consultant services for a stormwater and roadway improvement project (Link)

• Department of Corrections of Illinois needs Records Management Services, Including Document Management Services and Technology Integration (Link)

• Interior Improvements needed at Altgeld Hall University of Illinois (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS

Resources & Support

Find the tools, websites, and grants that power your growth in Chicago.

• City awards $33 million to dozens of businesses and organizations (More)

• Illinois offers $24M in grants for manufacturing training programs (More)

• City grants for Joliet restaurant group poised to top $230,000 - Program helps downtown businesses (More)

• Jackson Awards $730,000 in Grants to Nonprofits Across Lansing, Nashville and Chicago (More)

• Chicago Group Raises $300K for Struggling Street Vendors Amid Fears of Immigration Raids (More)

• Chicago Awards $33M in Grants for 58 Commercial Projects (More)

• Allstate Main Street Grants Program (More)

• Cook County Catalyst Grant (More)

📅 EVENTS

Business & Networking

Where you go to learn, connect, and grow with Chicago professionals.

🤝 1/22 Connection Catalyst XVII: Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 1/22 Windy City Business Network: Happy Hour @ Midwest Coast Rooftop (Register)

🤝 1/22 Chicago Speed Networking | NetworkNite (Register)

🤝 02/11 Music and Business Networking | Elevating Your Potential - Chicago Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 03/16 Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soriee | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good afternoon, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 44,536 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 ComEd Launches New Discount Program for Low-Income Customers.

👀 Chicago business activity skid hits two years

📈 Chicago organizations looking for professional design engineering consultant services, entry screening equipment, records management services, background check services and storage platform, interior improvements, and more

❤️ City grants for Joliet restaurant group poised to top $230,000 - Program helps downtown businesses

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

🍇 GRAPEVINE

Chicago Business Buzz

A snapshot of what’s happening in Chicago’s business community.

• ComEd Launches New Discount Program for Low-Income Customers. Here’s How to Sign Up (Read)

• Chicago business activity skid hits two years (Read)

• Waymo’s future in Chicago unclear while it rolls out to more cities (Read)

• Chicago Small Business Owners Oppose Ban on Intoxicating Hemp, But Support Regulation (Read)

• Gov. Pritzker Signs Medical Aid In Dying Bill Into Law, IL Is First Midwest State To Authorize It (Read)

• Some Chicago residents want to pause delivery robots (Read)

• More traffic at O’Hare has City of Chicago calling for changes to construction plans (Read)

• Little Village businesses see slow recovery after ICE leaves Chicago (Read)

• CTA Board OKs $1.75M Settlement, Pushes Back on Federal Claims of Lax Transit Safety (Read)

• Johnson Warns Chicago is Headed for Shutdown Amid Budget Deadlock (Read)

📈 PIPELINE

Sales & Marketing

Sales leads, discounts, and promotions you need to grow in Chicago.

• The Village of Northbrook is requesting proposals for professional design engineering consultant services for a stormwater and roadway improvement project (Link)

• Cook County needs Entry Screening Equipment (Link)

• Department of Corrections of Illinois needs Records Management Services, Including Document Management Services and Technology Integration (Link)

• Background Check Services and Storage Platform needed at City Colleges of Chicago (Link)

• Interior Improvements needed at Altgeld Hall University of Illinois (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS

Resources & Support

Programs, tools, & grants to help you thrive in Chicago.

• City grants for Joliet restaurant group poised to top $230,000 - Program helps downtown businesses (More)

• Jackson Awards $730,000 in Grants to Nonprofits Across Lansing, Nashville and Chicago (More)

• Chicago Group Raises $300K for Struggling Street Vendors Amid Fears of Immigration Raids (More)

• Allstate Main Street Grants Program (More)

• Cook County Catalyst Grant (More)

📅 EVENTS

Business & Networking

Where you go to learn, connect, and grow with Chicago professionals.

🤝 12/12 Chicago Business Networking Event @ The Gwen Rooftop Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 12/17 Napkin Networking: Chicago Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 12/19 Chicago’s Hottest Networking Event For Young Professionals Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/11 Music and Business Networking | Elevating Your Potential - Chicago Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 03/16 Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soriee | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great weekend!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good morning, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 43,856 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 Supporting Small Businesses, Chicago Loves Local Campaign

⭐ Why AI Could Outperform You at Networking

💼 Top Job Listings and Top Job Seekers in Greater Chicago

📈 Chicago organizations looking for Medical Waste (RMW) and Sharps Collection and Disposal Services, Construction Management, Repair and Maintain Rapid Transit Cars, and more

✅ Shared-Ownership Business Projects Get $2 Million In ‘Wealth Our Way’ Grants

🔎 What are the most effective ways to uncover high-quality business leads in Chicago?

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

COMMUNITY

🍇 The Chicago Grapevine

The Business Buzz around Greater Chicago, IL

• Supporting Small Businesses, Chicago Loves Local Campaign (Read)

• How a $3.75M state subsidy aims to keep daily flights from Springfield to Chicago (Read)

• Small businesses still reeling from Chicago-area immigration blitz: ‘It almost destroyed us’ (Read)

• DoorDash to pay $18M to settle Chicago lawsuit over alleged deceptive pandemic business practices (Read)

• World Business Chicago Has A $1.4T Growth Plan For 2034. Here’s What It Means For CRE (Read)

• Quill to Support Small Business in a Meaningful Way This Black Friday and Cyber Week (Read)

• Monroe Capital Closes $730.7 Million Private Credit Collateralized Loan Obligation (Read)

• Collins Family Movers Rolls Out Comprehensive Moving Services for Chicago Homes and Businesses (Read)

• Inaugural ‘Wealth Our Way’ Grants Provide More Than $2 Million for Shared-Ownership Businesses (Read)

• Chicago community leader makes plea for billionaires’ return to the Windy City (Read)

STRATEGY

⭐ Deep Dive

Why AI Could Outperform You at Networking

Will AI replace professional networkers? The answer may surprise you.

During a recent virtual networking session on Zoom, three unexpected “attendees” appeared in my waiting room:

• Otter Notetaker

• Bob’s Notetaking Service

• AI Meeting Assistant

Yes… at a networking event!

Nice to meet you, Otter, Bob, and AI Meeting Assistant.

How can I help you today?

I guess networking isn’t just for humans anymore …

Read the Full Story >>

CAREERS

💼 Chicago at Work

Workplace Highlights in Greater Chicago

Chicago’s job market shows mixed signals: the Chicago Fed’s new “real-time” labor indicators estimate the unemployment rate at about 4.3%, suggesting hiring remains weak and layoffs are ticking up.

🔥 TOP JOB POSTINGS

• Sr. Business Development Lead, Amazon Shipping at Amazon.com Services LLC💵 $133K/yr - $220K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Sr. Business Development Manager with Public sector exp at DTI (Diversified Technology Inc.)

  💵 $120K - $130K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Senior VP, Business Development & Strategic Partnerships at Supernova Technology
  💵 $130K - $150K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

👀 TOP JOB SEEKERS

• Peter Wintersteen, Preconstruction Manager, Sr. Project Manager Industrial

  👉 Looking for Work opportunities |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Eric Justice, Financial Services Representative, Client Service Associate

  👉 Seeking full time employment |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Nathan Choi, Team Lead Client Care, Client Care Representative

  👉 Looking for new opportunities! |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

SALES

📈 Chicago Leads

Who's Buying in Chicago Right Now?

• Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) and Sharps Collection and Disposal Services for the Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital (Hines, IL) and its affiliated CBOCs. (Link)

• Letters of Interest and Qualifications for Construction Management/ Owner’s Representative Services at CTA (Link)

• Chicago Transit Authority needs Calibration Services on Tools and Instruments Used to Repair and Maintain Rapid Transit Cars as Required for a Period of Up to 36 Months (Link)

• Enterprise Logistics Information Technology (ELITE) Support Services (Link)

• City of Chicago needs to purchase Of Water Pipes, Brass & Copper Replacement and Repair Parts (Link)

• Chicago Transit Authority needs to procure Google Maps Application Programming Interface Multi-Year License Subscription for a period of 36 months with two. (Link)

SUPPORT

✅ Chicago Resources

Helpful Tools & Positive Developments in Greater Chicago, IL

• Shared-Ownership Business Projects Get $2 Million In ‘Wealth Our Way’ Grants (More)

• McDonald’s Chicago Community Impact Grants $4M Cycle Launched (More)

• NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants $227K to Chicago Nonprofits (More)

• Conagra Brands Foundation Nourish Our Community Grants (More)

• Allstate Main Street Grants Program (More)

• Cook County Catalyst Grant (More)

KNOWLEDGE

🔎 Chicago Insights

AI-Powered Business Tips & Trends for Chicago Professionals

What are the most effective ways to uncover high-quality business leads in Chicago?

1. Optimize for Local Visibility - Make sure your Google Business Profile (GBP) is fully optimized: accurate address, business hours, high-quality photos, and customer reviews.

2. Paid and Targeted Advertising – Run Google Ads targeted to Chicago zip codes, neighborhoods, or “radius” around your business.

3. Offline and Community-Based Strategies – Attend (or host) workshops, roundtables, or seminars in Chicago. These can be in coworking spaces, business incubators, or local chambers of commerce.

4. Outbound Prospecting – Highly Targeted - Use data tools (or AI-powered databases) to build a list of Chicago-based businesses that match your ideal customer profile (ICP).

5. Content Marketing & Lead Magnets - Publish blog posts, case studies, or guides that speak to Chicago-specific challenges or trends (e.g., “Trends in Chicago small business lending,” or “Growing your Chicago-based SaaS in the Midwest market”)

More>>

NETWORKING

📅 Chicago Events

Top Networking Events in Greater Chicago

🤝 11/30 CLVR Labs™ Presents: Chicago Artist Showcase + Vendor Networking Pop-Up Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 12/02 West Suburban Networking Event @ The Drake Oak Brook - Tuesday December 2nd Event | Oak Brook, IL (Register)

🤝 12/03 Level Up Social Club - Professional Networking Event @ Paradise Park! Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 12/04 Tony P’s Networking Social at Electric Hotel - Thursday, December 4th Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 12/08 2025 Chicagoland Small Business Outlook Survey Release & Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 12/12 Chicago Business Networking Event @ The Gwen Rooftop Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 12/17 Napkin Networking: Chicago Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 12/19 Chicago’s Hottest Networking Event For Young Professionals Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 02/11 Music and Business Networking | Elevating Your Potential - Chicago Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 03/16 Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soriee | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good morning, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 42,674 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 Chicago leaders pitch new approach to stadium district planning amid ongoing negotiations

⭐ How a 60-Minute Netwinar Sparked 523 Referrals That Changed Lives

💼 Top Job Listings and Top Job Seekers in Greater Chicago

📈 Chicago organizations looking for Competitive Lease Proposals, Property Management Services, Construction Management, Real Estate Property Management Services, and more

✅ FHLBank Chicago Awards $52 Million in Affordable Housing Grants

🔎 What are the top challenges of doing business in Chicago?

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

First time reading? Sign up here

COMMUNITY

🍇 The Chicago Grapevine

The Business Buzz around Greater Chicago, IL

• Chicago leaders pitch new approach to stadium district planning amid ongoing negotiations (Read)

• Two months into Operation Midway Blitz, some Chicago area businesses struggling to stay afloat (Read)

• AGI Launches New FX4 Conveyors: Built to Move Grain Efficiently and Affordably (Read)

• In Chicago, Some Businesses Report Pandemic-Era Drop in Sales Amid Immigration Raids (Read)

• Business and civic leaders say ICE actions harming Chicago’s economy (Read)

• Bar ‘Ruins’ Thanksgiving Dinner | IL College Closes | Major Chain Nixes Exact Change: IL Business News (Read)

• NIQ to Present at 2025 J.P. Morgan Ultimate Services Investor Conference (Read)

• FHLBank Chicago Awards $52 Million in Affordable Housing Grants to Strengthen Communities throughout Illinois and Wisconsin (Read)

• Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights S&P 500 (Read)

• Fulton Market developments struggle with financing (Read)

STRATEGY

⭐ Deep Dive

How a 60-Minute Netwinar Sparked 523 Referrals That Changed Lives

It might not end up in the Guinness Book of Records (then again, who knows?), but I was thrilled to lead an event that delivered results unlike anything I’d ever seen before.

As the number of participants poured into my Netwinar on Zoom, I became increasingly nervous.

The Zoom waiting room kept ticking up… 37, 45, 56. My excitement suddenly turned to panic. Soon, sixty people were ready to log into my netwinar, and I knew Zoom only allowed 50 Advanced Polls.

This wasn’t your typical Zoom webinar with hundreds of attendees. This was a netwinar (“net winner” = part webinar + part networking) where every participant needed time to speak, connect, and complete their polls for each other.

Needless to say, I was in trouble …

Read the Full Story >>

CAREERS

💼 Chicago at Work

Workplace Highlights in Greater Chicago

Business sentiment is showing sharp weakness: the Chicago Fed’s 7th District hiring expectations index dropped to 40 in October 2025, the lowest since 2020, and a major warning sign for the region’s labor market.

🔥 TOP JOB POSTINGS

• Marketing Business Development Manager at Esquire Recruiting, LLC
  💵 $140K/yr - $170K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Regional Engineering Business Development Manager at ABM

  💵 $130K - $150K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Dir, business development at Compass Group
  💵 $115K - $135K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

👀 TOP JOB SEEKERS

• Chirag Garg, Business Operations Analyst, Business Analyst

  👉 Looking for job opportunities |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Kassim Jaffer, Advance Associate, Field Organizer

  👉 Looking for Opportunities in Policy/Government |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Xingyue Zhang, Marketing Analyst Intern, Data Analyst Intern

  👉 Actively Seeking Marketing Analyst |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

SALES

📈 Chicago Leads

Who's Buying in Chicago Right Now?

• Seeking Competitive Lease Proposals for Administrative Office Space in support of Law Enforcement Operations of Chicago, IL (Link)

• Property Management Services for Terminal 5 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (Link)

• Construction Management/ Owner’s Representative Services needed at Chicago Transit Authority (Link)

• Real Estate Property Management Services for the George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building (Link)

• Miter Gate Rubber Seals for Lockport, Brandon Road, Dresden and Marseilles Locks (Link)

• City of Chicago needs to purchase Of Water Pipes, Brass & Copper Replacement and Repair Parts (Link)

• Chicago Transit Authority Request for Proposals (RFP) - Overhaul of up to Five Hundred (500) 1000‑Series New Flyer 40‑Foot Diesel Buses (Link)

SUPPORT

✅ Chicago Resources

Helpful Tools & Positive Developments in Greater Chicago, IL

• FHLBank Chicago Awards $52 Million in Affordable Housing Grants (More)

• Iris Finance Raises $6.2 Million Seed Round (More)

• Major Corporate Moves by Chicago Companies (More)

• New Mediterranean Restaurant Investment Downtown (More)

• Launch of the Catalyst Grant by Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (More)

• W.O.W. Capital Grant Program Opens Participant Notification Early September (More)

KNOWLEDGE

🔎 Chicago Insights

AI-Powered Business Tips & Trends for Chicago Professionals

What are the top challenges of doing business in Chicago?

1. High and rising operating costs, taxes & regulatory burden - Businesses cite high costs for labor (wages, benefits), real estate (especially retail/prime space), insurance, and utilities as a major pressure.

2. Talent & Workforce Challenges – Recruiting, retaining, and engaging skilled employees is difficult amid labor shortages, competitive pay demands, and hybrid/remote work trends.

3. Real Estate & Downtown Demand Pressures – High office vacancy, costly prime retail space, and declining downtown foot traffic create challenges for location-dependent businesses.

More >>

NETWORKING

📅 Chicago Events

Top Networking Events in Greater Chicago

🤝 11/12 Northwest Business Network: Happy Hour @ CoCo & Blu Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/13 Level Up Social Club - Professional Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/19 Chicago Healthcare, Pharma & Business Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/19 Women’s Entrepreneurship Day: Fireside Chat, Workshop & Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/20 Chicago Business Networking Event @ Sofitel Luxury Hotel | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/20 OutPro LGBTQ+ Networking at The Metropolitan Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/21 Chicago’s Hottest Networking Event For Young Professionals Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/26 Tech Networking Event by Startup Valley in Chicago Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/26 Investor Connect: Pitch & Network Night Chicago Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 12/10 Block Club Advertisers Holiday Networking Night Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good morning, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, a local newsletter serving 41,832 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 The Chicago Region Needs to Get Better at Recycling

⭐ 3 Bold Predictions Shaping the Future of Networking

💼 Top Job Listings and Top Job Seekers in Greater Chicago

📈 Chicago organizations looking for Renovate for Business Growth & Innovation Center, Design and Construction, Tree Trimming, Replace Flooring, and more

✅ Catalyst Grant via Cook County Bureau of Economic Development

🔎 Top tips for doing business in Greater Chicago

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more

First time reading? Sign up here

COMMUNITY

🍇 The Chicago Grapevine

The Business Buzz around Greater Chicago, IL

• The Chicago Region Needs to Get Better at Recycling (Read)

• IL SNAP Benefits Won’t Go Out In November, Officials Confirm (Read)

• Heartland Bank expands in Illinois, Missouri with $170 million CNB buy (Read)

• Google power deal could clear way for $1 billion carbon capture plant in Illinois (Read)

• Chicago Business Districts on High Alert After Series of Daylight Robberies (Read)

• Rivian agrees to pay $250 million to settle IPO fraud lawsuit (Read)

• ASCM Launches Reimagined Awards of Excellence to Spotlight SCOR in Action (Read)

• GATX Corporation's Investment volume was $361.7 million (Read)

• Shore Capital Partners Closes $850 Million Across Two New Funds, Bringing Assets Under Management to Over $14 Billion (Read)

• Chicago mayor proposes reviving tax that has businesses sounding the alarm (Read)

STRATEGY

⭐ Deep Dive

3 Bold Predictions Shaping the Future of Networking

What will be the next big shift in how we connect? Three experts share their perspectives on why professional networking won’t look the same in the years ahead.

Predicting how networking will evolve isn’t easy, but the past gives us clues for those who pay attention.

Today, we’ll explore some expert predictions on the evolution of professional networking. What’s clear is that emerging networking trends will balance tech innovation with personal connection.

The question is … how exactly will that play out?

Three experts share their predictions ...

Read the Full Story >>

CAREERS

💼 Chicago at Work

Workplace Highlights in Greater Chicago

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago estimates that the unemployment rate was around 4.35% in October 2025, essentially unchanged from the August official figure of 4.3%. Meanwhile, the state of Illinois reported the job-openings rate at 4.6 % in May, with about 1.1 unemployed persons per job opening, indicating the hiring market is loosening relative to earlier in the year.

🔥 TOP JOB POSTINGS

• Business Development Advisor – New Business at Latham & Watkins
  💵 $130K/yr - $150K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Director, Business Development, Advertiser (Travel) at The Trade Desk
  💵 $146K - $268K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Senior Business Development Director, Americas at Circle
  💵 $230K - $285K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

👀 TOP JOB SEEKERS

• Goutam Kumar, Data & Customer Insights Analyst, Graduate Student Assistant

  👉 Business Analyst seeking new opportunities |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Citlalli Hernandez, Registered Behavioral Health Technician

  👉 Seeking for mental health/behavioral job positions |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Nallely Hernandez, SOAR Team Leader, Marketing & Business Development

  👉 Seeking Marketing Roles |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

SALES

📈 Chicago Leads

Who's Buying in Chicago Right Now?

• The Village of Northbrook needs tree trimming of all genus and species of parkway and other public trees owned by the Village (Link)

• Renovate for Business Growth & Innovation Center at Northeastern Illinois University (Link)

• Piano Tuning and Maintenance needed at the Chicago Public library (Link)

• Glycol Line Repair and Refill - Scott AFB, IL (Link)

• Non-Revenue Fleet Vehicles for a Period of 72 Months (Link)

• Joliet VFD Replacement (Link)

• Chicago Recovery Program Green Alleys Design and Construction (Link)

• Forest Park Track Design - IMD to I-290 Bridge (Link)

• Replace Flooring in Chicago, Cook County (Link)

SUPPORT

✅ Chicago Resources

Helpful Tools & Positive Developments in Greater Chicago, IL

• Catalyst Grant via Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (More)

• Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (deadline date: November 14, 2025) (More)

• Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) (More)

• South Lawndale Small Business Storefront Activation Program (More)

• Press Forward Chicago Local Media Grants (More)

KNOWLEDGE

🔎 Chicago Insights

AI-Powered Business Tips & Trends for Chicago Professionals

Top tips for doing business in Greater Chicago

1. Leverage Chicago’s Diverse Economy

2. Understand Local Regulations and Incentives

3. Prioritize Location and Transportation

4. Build Relationships Through Local Chambers and Networks

5. Embrace Chicago’s Workforce and Culture

More >>

NETWORKING

📅 Chicago Events

Top Networking Events in Greater Chicago

🤝 10/29 Chicago River VIP Networking Cruise - Chicago Propeller Club | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 10/29 Chicago AI, Tech & Finance Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

💻 11/06 Chicago Automated Networking Event | Zoom (Register)

🤝 11/07 Chicago Entrepreneur Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/13 Real Estate Industry Networking Event @ FAME | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/14 Chicago Tech & Finance Networking Event Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/19 Chicago Healthcare, Pharma & Business Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

💻 11/20 Empowered Coach Referral Network- Virtual Networking Event | Zoom (Register)
🤝 11/21 Love XCT Intentional Dating Launch & Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)
🤝 11/26 AI & Tech Networking Chicago Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

👋 Good morning, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, a local newsletter for 40,973 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 New plan envisions next 20 years of development in downtown Chicago

⭐ Why Netwinars Beat Webinars Every Time

💼 Top Job Listings and Top Job Seekers in Greater Chicago

📈 Chicago organizations looking for Installation of fiberglass doors in Northbrook, Renovate for Business Growth & Innovation Center at Northeastern Illinois University, Loan Servicing /Trust Accounting needed at Illinois Finance Authority, and more

✅ Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Grants, Cook County “Catalyst Grant” for Scaling Businesses …

🔎 Who are the top networkers in Greater Chicago?

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And more

First time reading? Sign up here

COMMUNITY

🍇 The Chicago Grapevine

The Business Buzz around Greater Chicago, IL

• New plan envisions next 20 years of development in downtown Chicago (Read)

• Chicago Marathon looks to defy Trump’s “hellhole” narrative (Read)

• Chicago Business News Today: Foreign Investment Surges 200% as City Becomes Economic Hub (Read)

• Chicago city leaders hand out ‘ICE-free zone’ signs to local businesses, residents (Read)

• Federal halt of $2.1B in Chicago infrastructure funding (Read)

• PsiQuantum breaks ground on Chicago quantum site $1 Billion Funding (Read)

• Edgewater apartments with ferry terminal secure $225M construction loan (Read)

• Indie music venues in Illinois contributed $2.3 billion to the state’s GDP (Read)

• Nicor’s $314M rate hike ask should be cut by a third, state regulatory staffers say (Read)

• 2025 Chicago Festival Guide (Read)

STRATEGY

⭐ Deep Dive

Why Netwinars Beat Webinars Every Time

Professionals are ditching standard Zoom calls and virtual networking events for netwinars that spark collective learning, deeper engagement, and meaningful relationships.

Forget webinars, netwinars are the new virtual networking powerhouse.

Just think about it …

How many times have you attended a webinar that turned into one long sales pitch?

Or finished a session without connecting with a single person?

While no one can predict the future of networking, one thing is certain …

It won’t look anything like it does today…

Read the Full Story >>

CAREERS

💼 Chicago at Work

Workplace Highlights in Greater Chicago

Chicago’s job market is showing mixed signals: in September 2025, the newly released Chicago Fed real-time estimate pegged unemployment at about 4.3 percent, with a slight uptick in hiring but also rising separations. Over the year ending July 2025, the Chicago metro added roughly 26,300 nonfarm jobs (a 0.7 percent gain), extending a streak of job growth for more than a year. Meanwhile, in the broader Illinois labor market, openings rose to 296,000 in May with a job-openings rate of 4.6 percent — reflecting continued demand despite sluggish statewide growth.

🔥 TOP JOB POSTINGS

• Business Development Consultant, Enterprise Data/AI Services
  💵 $120K/yr - $160K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Manager, Business Development - Sustainability at Barry Callebaut
  💵 $110K - 125K/yr | 📍 North Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Senior Business Development - Treasury and Retirement Systems at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  💵 $133K - $220K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

👀 TOP JOB SEEKERS

• Marcus Yarbrough, Corporate Recruiter, Sr. Recruiter

  👉 Looking For The Next Challenge |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Deep Singh, IT Security, Support

  👉 Seeking New Opportunities |📍 Palatine, IL (Profile)

• Jessica Harp, Loan Officer Assistant

  👉 Seeking New Opportunities |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

SALES

📈 Chicago Leads

Who's Buying in Chicago Right Now?

• Installation of fiberglass doors in Northbrook (Link)

• Renovate for Business Growth & Innovation Center at Northeastern Illinois University (Link)

• Loan Servicing /Trust Accounting needed at Illinois Finance Authority (Link)

• Replace FPC Food Service Coolers and Freezers (Link)

• Provide New and Rebuilt Hydraulic Cylinders used in CTA’s Non-Revenue Equipment (Link)

• Cisco Switches For The Rail Network (Link)

• Water Pipes, Brass & Copper Replacement and Repair Parts (Link)

• Snow Plowing and De-Icing Services (Link)

SUPPORT

✅ Chicago Resources

Helpful Tools & Positive Developments in Greater Chicago, IL

• Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Grants (More)

• Cook County “Catalyst Grant” for Scaling Businesses (More)

• Federal Funding Freeze / Infrastructure Delays (More)

• Grant Withholding over Policy Disputes (More)

• MWRD Small Business Summit Creates New Business (More)

KNOWLEDGE

🔎 Chicago Insights

AI-Powered Business Tips & Trends for Chicago Professionals

Who are the top networkers in Greater Chicago?

1. Penny Pritzker - Founder & Chair, PSP Partners

2. Mellody Hobson - Co-CEO & President, Ariel Investments

3. Julie Morita - President & CEO, The Joyce Foundation

4. Tom Gimbel - Founder & CEO, LaSalle Network

5. Fred Eychaner - Founder & Chairman, Newsweb Corporation

More >>

NETWORKING

📅 Chicago Events

Top Networking Events in Greater Chicago

🤝 10/15 Chicago Healthcare, Pharma & Business Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

💻 10/16 Empowered Coach Referral Network- Virtual Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 10/16 Chicago Speed Networking | NetworkNite | Business Professionals Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 10/17 Chicago’s Hottest Networking Event For Young Professionals | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 10/24 Chicago Law, Real Estate & Construction Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 10/24 Chicago Real Estate, Interior Designer, Construction & Finance Networking | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 10/27 Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soriee | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/07 Chicago Entrepreneur Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/26 AI & Tech Networking Chicago Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 11/26 Tech Networking Event by Startup Valley in Chicago Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

• X: https://twitter.com/TipclubInc

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tipclub

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipclub.inc/

👋 Good morning, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, a local newsletter for 40,000 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.

In today’s issue:

💵 16 Illinois Billionaires Among America's Richest People: See New List

⭐ The Cost of Undervaluing A Community

💼 Top Job Listings and Top Job Seekers in Greater Chicago

📈 Chicago organizations looking for lease of high speed digital copiers/printers, Health and Wellness Products and Services, Signs & Banner Printing, promotional products, and more

✅ Will County Launches Revitalization Grant for Small Businesses and Non-Profits

📅 Register for Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And much more!

First time reading? Sign up here

COMMUNITY

🍇 The Chicago Grapevine

The Business Buzz around Greater Chicago, IL

• 16 Illinois Billionaires Among America's Richest People: See New List (Read)

• Trump threats rattle Chicago restaurants and events (Read)

• Chicago fall housing market: Why this season could be the best time to buy or sell (Read)

• llinois’ Tourism Push Includes Millions for NASCAR Events (Read)

• RaceTrac acquires Chicago-born Potbelly for $566M (Read)

STRATEGY

⭐ Deep Dive

The Cost of Undervaluing A Community

To attract new members, I made a pricing mistake that nearly killed the community I worked so hard to build. I undervalued my community and paid the price.

Before the pandemic, I created a space where people could truly connect.

I built a community that united people and fostered meaningful connections.

The community sparked thousands of sales leads, genuine connections, and personal referrals.

It thrived because members didn’t just participate and connect; they valued it deeply and poured their knowledge and energy back into it…

Read the Full Story >>

CAREERS

💼 Chicago at Work

Workplace Highlights in Greater Chicago

Unemployment in the Chicago‐Naperville‐Elgin metro area has declined year-over-year with July 2025’s rate is about 5.1%, down from 6.0% in July 2024. Job growth has also proceeded moderately: nonfarm employment in the Chicago metro increased by about 26,300 jobs over the past year. However, wage growth and hiring remain relatively slow in the region as Chicago ranks near the bottom among large U.S. metro areas for both median pay increases (~4.4%) for retained workers and the annual hire rate (~3.8%).

🔥 TOP JOB POSTINGS

• Business Development Manager, Google Cloud Marketplace at Google
  💵 $168K/yr - $249K/yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Sales Professional at Trust Payment Services
  💵 $150K–200K/yr | 📍 North Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Business Development and Marketing Specialist at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates
  💵 $105k - $115k /yr | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

👀 TOP JOB SEEKERS

• Peter Lindstrom, Director, Product Marketing, Sales, and Service, Americas

  👉 Looking For The Next Challenge |📍 Skokie, IL (Profile)

• Kevin Cullather, MPA, Home Renovation Specialist, Election Communications

  👉 Seeking opportunities |📍 Highland Park, IL (Profile)

• Jake Fernandez, Logistics Coordinator, Customer Service Representative

  👉 Seeking New Opportunities |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

SALES

📈 Chicago Leads

Who's Buying in Chicago Right Now?

• Chicago Public Schools needs Out of School Time and Student Health and Wellness Products and Services (Link)

• Cook County seeks lease of high speed digital copiers/printers (Link)

• Tree Planting & Maintenance Services (Link)

• Custom Signs & Banner Printing, Installation and Repair needed at DEPT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS in Chicago (Link)

• City of Chicago seeks promotional products (Link)

SUPPORT

✅ Chicago Resources

Helpful Tools & Positive Developments in Greater Chicago, IL

• Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces Request for Proposal for South Lawndale Small Business Storefront Activation Program (More)

• Will County Launches Revitalization Grant for Small Businesses and Non-Profits (More)

• Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) (More)

KNOWLEDGE

🔎 Chicago Insights

AI-Powered Business Tips & Trends for Chicago Professionals

What are examples of successful niche businesses in Greater Chicago?

1. Rheaply

2. Pipeworks Brewing

3. Platt Cases

4. Supermercado Granados

5. Push Indoor Cycling

More >>

NETWORKING

📅 Chicago Events

Top Networking Events in Greater Chicago

🤝 9/18 Chicago Speed Networking | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 9/18 Chicago Entrepreneurs Networking Event @ Americano / Lincoln Park | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 9/18 Network After Work Chicago Young Professionals | Chicago, IL (Register)

💻 9/25 Chicago Networking Event | Zoom (Register)

🤝 10/17 Chicago's Hottest Networking Event For Young Professionals | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

• X: https://twitter.com/TipclubInc

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tipclub

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipclub.inc/

👋 Good morning, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, a local newsletter focused on what matters most to professionals in the Windy City’s business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 Chicago Program Put 30,000 Young People to Work This Summer

❓ Wait... What Do You Do Again?

💼 Top Job Listings and Top Job Seekers in Greater Chicago

✅ Chicago organizations looking for Insurance Brokerage & Consulting Services, Signs & Banner Printing, Neighborhood Capital Improvements, promotional products, and more

📌 Register for upcoming Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And much more!

First time reading? Sign up here

COMMUNITY

🍇 The Chicago Grapevine

The Business Buzz around Greater Chicago, IL

• Chicago Program Put 30,000 Young People to Work This Summer (Read)

• Chicago businesses fall to 10-year low, Mag Mile down by half (Read)

• Trump deportations could hurt Illinois businesses, raise prices (Read)

• Why the Bears' dream stadium may be doomed without a tax break (Read)

• Reminder that you should be pissed about ComEd rates skyrocketing (Read)

STRATEGY

⭐ Deep Dive

Wait... What Do You Do Again?

Few aspiring professionals or fledgling entrepreneurs can clearly define what they do and how they are different in one sentence. Here’s how to master it and why it matters.

There I was, at a business event in Rochester, NY, seated right next to billionaire Tom Golisano, the founder of Paychex and one of the world’s most successful business leaders.

A man who had invested millions into local startups and small businesses.

Since we were both from Rochester, I expected an instant connection.

But it never came.

I froze. I didn’t say a word…

Read the Full Story >>

CAREERS

💼 Chicago at Work

Workplace Highlights in Greater Chicago

Chicago’s unemployment rate in July 2025 dropped to approximately 5.1 percent—nearly a full percentage point lower than a year earlier—thanks to notable job gains in government, education-health services, leisure-hospitality, construction, and transportation-warehousing. Meanwhile, the return to office movement remains slow as only about 34.5 percent of workers are back in Chicago offices, well below the national average, even as companies invest in modernizing workplaces with hybrid models and amenities to attract employees.

🔥 TOP JOB POSTINGS

• Director of Business Development & Strategy at Trident Experiential
  💵 $110K–150K/yr. | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Sales Manager at Volkswagen of Downtown Chicago at Murgado Automotive
  💵 $150K–200K/yr. | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Business Development Director (Hybrid) at American Medical Association
  💵 $126K–170K/yr. | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

👀 TOP JOB SEEKERS

• Robert Wilson, Recruitment Ambassador

  👉 Open and Looking for Work|📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Rachana Jillella, Clinical Data Manager

  👉 Looking for jobs in CDM |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Timothy Sweany, General Manager

  👉 Currently seeking the next opportunity |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

SALES

📈 Chicago Leads

Who's Buying in Chicago Right Now?

• Insurance Brokerage & Consulting Services needed at CHA (Link)

• Custom Signs & Banner Printing, Installation and Repair needed at DEPT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS in Chicago (Link)

• Neighborhood Capital Improvement Contract Central Area of Chicago, IL (Link)

• City of Chicago seeks promotional products (Link

• Door Replacement needed in Batavia, IL (Link)

SUPPORT

✅ Chicago Resources

Helpful Tools & Positive Developments in Greater Chicago, IL

• Business investments in Illinois expected to create 19,000 jobs, report says (More)

• Last Chicago Small Biz Expo of 2025 to Provide Essential Resources to Chicagos Small Business Community (More)

• Pullman Community Sees $1.5B Economic Boost From Decade of Investment (More)

• CARSTAR Chicago Business Group Golf Outing Raises $24,000 for Cystic Fibrosis (More)

KNOWLEDGE

👀 Chicago Insights

AI-Powered Business Tips & Trends for Chicago Professionals

“What are five quirky business ideas that could work in Greater Chicago?”

1. Deep-Dish Pizza Vending Machines

2. Architecture Boat Tour… on Land

3. Cubs vs. Sox Experience Café

4. Indoor Urban Mini-Farms for Rent

5. Lake Michigan Sauna Pods

More Details >>

NETWORKING

🤝 Chicago Events

Top Business & Networking Events in Greater Chicago

🤝 8/27 Multi-Vertical Business Networking | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 8/27 Generation Work Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 8/29 Windy City Business Network: Happy Hour @ Midwest Coast Rooftop | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 8/29 Chicago Tech Mixer and Social (Tech / AI / Data) ✨ Chicago Connect | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 9/5 Speed Networking in Chicago | NetworkNite | Chicago, IL (Register)

💻 9/25 Chicago Networking Event | Zoom (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

• X: https://twitter.com/TipclubInc

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tipclub

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipclub.inc/

👋 Good afternoon, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter that connects professionals to what matters most in the Windy City business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 Supplier.io Earns Spot on 2025 Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies

🛒 A savvy shopper's guide to Chicago thrift and vintage stores

💪 The secret to real networking? Be kind. Be human.

💼 Top Job Listings and Top Job Seekers in Greater Chicago

✅ Chicago organizations that are looking for software & enhancements, promotional products, payment card processing, scanning systems, and more

📌 Register for the upcoming Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And much more!

First time reading? Sign up here

COMMUNITY

🍇 The Chicago Grapevine

Business Buzz in Greater Chicago, IL

• Supplier.io Earns Spot on 2025 Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies (Read)

• Why the Bears' dream stadium may be doomed without a tax break (Read)

• Northwestern, UChicago named in lawsuit claiming university early decision agreements are anticompetitve (Read)

• Abrupt Closure of Illinois-Based Newspaper Chain Leaves Dozens of Communities Without a News Source (Read)

• A savvy shopper's guide to Chicago thrift and vintage stores (Read)

STRATEGY

⭐ Deep Dive

Human Kind. Be Both.

The secret to real networking? Be kind. Be human. Kindness sparks connection. Humanity builds relationships.

After two decades of helping people connect and build relationships, I’ve discovered that one word captures the true heart of networking and human connection.

Humankind.

One word. Two meanings. Both matter.

In the traditional sense, humankind encompasses every person across time and place, bound together by the common threads of experience, emotion, and the human spirit.

It is the story of all people—past, present, and future—woven together by the shared experience of being human.

But it also reflects a way for people to be “human” and “kind” to others, which are two qualities at the heart of genuine networking and real connections.

In networking, “humankind” becomes a powerful catalyst for opportunity, growth, and lasting success.

Let’s take a closer look …

Read the Full Story >>

CAREERS

💼 Chicago at Work

Top Workplace Highlights in Greater Chicago

Downtown Chicago, particularly the Loop and River North, is experiencing surging office vacancy rates. Prominent tenants, including the federal government and tech incubator 1871, are relocating or selling space, straining the commercial real estate market.

The Chicago tech job market is flourishing in 2025, with over 7,200 new roles in AI, cybersecurity, and data science. Overall growth in Greater Chicago continues but remains uneven. Health, education, leisure, and hospitality are resilient, while professional services and manufacturing struggle.

🔥 TOP JOB POSTINGS

• Client Services Manager - Business Development at EFI Global
  💵 $120K–150K/yr. | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Sr. Sales Manager, Large Customer, Marketing Solutions at LinkedIn
  💵 $293K–447K/yr. | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

• Business Development Leader - Digital Health Vertical at Cooley
  💵 $165K–235K/yr. | 📍 Chicago, IL (Apply)

👀 TOP JOB SEEKERS

• Zax (Elliott) P., Senior Business Developer at GameStrix

  👉 Always seeking new opportunities! |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Dana Silver, Project Manager/Office Administrator

  👉 Seeking Opportunities in the Chicago Area |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

• Yesha Vasani, Business Analyst

  👉 Actively looking for Business Analyst position |📍 Chicago, IL (Profile)

SALES

📈 Chicago Leads

Who's Buying in Chicago Right Now?

• USACE needs AGX Dynamics Software & Enhancements in Champaign, IL (Link)

• City of Chicago seeks promotional products (Link)

• Payment Card Processing for the City of Chicago as Merchant (Link)

• Scanning System sought in Rock Island, IL (Link)

• Door Replacement needed in Batavia, IL (Link)

SUPPORT

✅ Chicago Resources

Helpful Tools & Positive Developments in Greater Chicago, IL

• Illinois Newsrooms Receive $4M From State Through Tax Credits (More)

• The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for grants for August 2025 (More)

• One Summer Chicago A ‘Huge Help’ For Local Businesses — And The Young People They Employ (More)

KNOWLEDGE

👀 Chicago Insights

AI-Powered Business Tips & Trends for Chicago professionals

“What are the top 5 organizations to use when raising venture capital in Greater Chicago, IL?”

1. Arch Venture Partners

2. Lightbank

3. Hyde Park Venture Partners

4. Jump Capital

5. Moderne Ventures

More Details >>

NETWORKING

🤝 Chicago Events

Top Business Events in Greater Chicago, IL

🤝 8/12 Entrepreneur Networking Event | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 8/14 Chicago Networking Event @ Sofitel Luxury Hotel | Chicago, IL (Register)

🤝 8/15 Chicago Tech Mixer and Social | Chicago, IL (Register)

💻 9/25 Chicago Networking Event | Zoom (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

• X: https://twitter.com/TipclubInc

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tipclub

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipclub.inc/

👋 Good afternoon, Chicago! Mike, here.

Welcome, you’re part of 4,000+ local networkers looking to connect in Greater Chicago!

In today’s issue:

🤼‍♂️ Tip tax fight renews wage debate in Chicago

💪 How 223 Referrals Were Generated in One Hour

💼 Top Jobs and Top Job Seekers in Chicago

✅ Chicago organizations are looking for leases of high speed digital copiers/printers, Energy Consultant, AI Software, Catering Services, Architectural and Engineering Services, and more

📌 Register for the upcoming Chicago networking events

👨‍💻 And much more!

First time reading? Sign up here

COMMUNITY

🍇 The Chicago Grapevine

• Tip tax fight renews wage debate in Chicago (Read)

• Chicago Business Barometer Unexpectedly Edges Slightly Lower In June (Read)

• Nearly 2 Million People Expected To Pass Through Chicago Airports For July 4th Travel (Read)

• 5 disability-owned businesses in Chicago to check out during Disability Pride Month (Read)

• Thousands of Illinois residents to receive surprise checks this summer (Read)

Submit a Tip

INSIGHTS

⭐ Deep Dive

223 Referrals in One Hour. Here’s How.

Discover the secret format for generating over 200 referrals for 28 strangers in just 60 minutes during a virtual networking event.

Last week, I was facilitating a virtual networking event that I wasn’t quite sure how to navigate.

I found myself running a Zoom meeting with nearly thirty total strangers.

Should I spend time highlighting the benefits of strategic networking?

Or let everyone dive right into their sales pitches?

Perhaps the simplest approach is to send them into breakout rooms and let the conversations flow naturally.

I had sixty minutes to deliver meaningful insights, spark networking among participants, and somehow tie it all together to kickstart real relationship-building.

Fortunately, I was well-prepared for the event…

Read More

CAREERS

💼 Chicago @ Work

Getting a Job in Tech in Chicago in 2025: The Complete Guide

Chicago's tech job market in 2025 is booming, with over 7,200 new roles in AI, cybersecurity, and data science. The city offers 17% higher tech salaries than the national average and a 30% lower cost of living than San Francisco, making it an affordable, growing hub for diverse tech careers. (More)

TOP JOBS

• Business Development & Marketing Specialist at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates in Chicago, IL. $105K–115K/yr. (More)

• Commercial Business Development -Specifications Manager at All Surfaces Inc. in Chicago, IL. $100,000 to $125,000/yr.. (More)

• Salesforce Sales Executive- Financial Services at Slalom in Chicago, IL. $104K/yr - $215K/yr. (More)

Submit a Job

TOP JOB SEEKERS

• Miria Roundtree, Chicago, Illinois

  Project manager and former contract manager seeking new opportunities (More)

• Yesha Vasani, Chicago, Illinois

  Business Analyst with over 4 years of experience driving project outcomes, proficient in gathering requirements, and facilitating agile project management to Bridge the gap between stakeholders and technical teams, ensuring clear communication and project alignment. Actively looking for a Business Analyst position. (More)

• Yashwanth R., Chicago, Illinois

  Experienced Full Stack Java Developer with over 11 years of expertise in designing, developing, and testing scalable, high-performance applications across multiple industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology. Skilled in Java, J2EE, Spring Boot, Microservices, and cloud-based solutions (AWS, Kubernetes). (More)

Submit a Job Seeker

SALES

📈 Chicago Leads

• Lease of high speed digital copiers/printers needed in Cook County (Link)

• Energy Consultant Services for Natural Gas and Electricity for County-Owned and Leased Facilities (Link)

• REPAIR, Base Roofing needed at Scott Air Force Base , IL (Link)

• City of Chicago needs Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Disciplines (Link)

• The Chicago Housing Authority is seeking Janitorial Services (Link)

Submit a Lead

SUPPORT

✅ Chicago Resources

• How growth-minded leaders in Chicago are approaching business in 2025 (More)

• New $4 Million City-Funded Grant Program Looks To Spur South, West Side Redevelopment (More)

• Mayor Touts Growth Of Summer Jobs Program As Violence Remains A Concern For City’s Young People (More)

• 17 small business grants and resources for veterans (More)

Submit a Resource

MARKETING

📑 Chicago Business List

WEEKLY SPECIAL: An exclusive Chicago Business List of hard-to-find decision makers in Greater Chicago that approve projects & seek new sources of business. For a limited time, take $200 off (a 40% discount) with coupon LISTS-JULY-2025

Learn More

Interested in a custom list? Just let us know your specifications (Contact)

NETWORKING

🤝 Chicago Events

Business Professionals Networking | Chicago | Speed Networking. Friday, July 11 · 7:30 - 9:30pm CDT. Recess, 838 W Kinzie St Chicago, IL 60642. Speed Networking works a lot like 'Speed Dating' without the 'Dating'. A structured opportunity to meet accomplished professionals just like yourself, face to face, one business professional at time. (Register)

General Business Networking | Elevating Your Potential - Chicago. Wednesday, July 16 · 6 - 8pm CDT. Barstool River North, 14 West Hubbard Street Chicago, IL 60654. Strive welcomes you to 'General Business Networking', Chicago's hottest networking event! We are set in the perfect central location for all to join. Are you interested in business? Want to elevate your career? Meet Consultants, Analysts of all types, Bankers, Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and more who are active in the space or are eager to get started. (Register)

Heard of any local networking events coming up? We'd love to hear about them!

Submit an Event

Thank you for being part of our Boston business community!

POLL

Have a great rest of the week!

- Mike

👀 WHERE TO FIND ME

• Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-marcellus/

• X: https://twitter.com/TipclubInc

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tipclub

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipclub.inc/

👋 Good afternoon, Chicago! Mike, here.

Welcome, you’re part of 4,000+ local networkers looking to connect in Greater Chicago!

In today’s issue:

👍Chicago Bears open applications for 2025 Small Business All-Pros

💪 The Power of Networking with Everyone, Everywhere, All at Once

💼 Top Jobs and Top Job Seekers in Chicago

✅ Local organizations in Chicago are looking for AI Software, Catering Services, Architectural and Engineering Services, and more

📌 Register for the upcoming Chicago networking events!

👨‍💻 And much more!

First time reading? Sign up here

COMMUNITY

🍇 The Chicago Grapevine

• Chicago Bears open applications for 2025 Small Business All-Pros presented by PNC (Read)

• Tipped Minimum Wage Set To Go Up In Chicago July 1, And Some Restaurateurs Aren't Pleased (Read)

• Chicago's Pride Parade bucks trend as corporate sponsors retreat nationwide (Read)

• Suburban Chicago small business owner takes on Google over ad practices (Read)

• Mariano's closing 3 suburban Chicago stores (Read)

• Chicago is tied for highest year-over-year rent growth in the nation at +5.9% [Zillow Economic Research] (Read)

• Chicago based CareerBuilder files for bankruptcy (Read)

• Local TV News - which network is your go-to, and why? (Read)

• City Council Newsletter (Read)

• What is the most absurd business in Chicago? (Read)

Submit a Tip

INSIGHTS

⭐ Deep Dive

The Power of Networking with Everyone, Everywhere, All at Once

Modern networking removes boundaries so you can connect with the top business leaders anytime, anywhere. Just always remember to never look down on anyone unless you're helping them up.

A few months back, I caught up with a colleague who I knew was hiring a senior director. I was surprised when he told me he had chosen someone other than the top candidate I expected.

I later learned that the leading candidate spoke to the receptionist in a dismissive manner and came across as somewhat disrespectful.

“He was the most qualified,” my friend said, grimacing. “But after the way he talked to Nancy? No chance in hell he was getting the job.”

Curious, I asked, “Who got the job?”

Read More

CAREERS

💼 Chicago @ Work

TOP JOBS

• Marketing & Business Development Director at Wisnik Career Enterprises in Chicago, IL. $230,000/yr. (More)

• Therapeutic Sales Specialist at LEO Pharma in Chicago, IL. $110K/yr - $152.5K/yr. (More)

• Sr Business Development Manager at Premier Systems in Chicago, IL. $130,000 - $140,000/yr. (More)

Submit a Job

TOP JOB SEEKERS

• Yesha Vasani, Chicago, Illinois

  Business Analyst with over 4 years of experience driving project outcomes, proficient in gathering requirements, and facilitating agile project management to Bridge the gap between stakeholders and technical teams, ensuring clear communication and project alignment. Actively looking for a Business Analyst position. (More)

• Yashwanth R., Chicago, Illinois

  Experienced Full Stack Java Developer with over 11 years of expertise in designing, developing, and testing scalable, high-performance applications across multiple industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology. Skilled in Java, J2EE, Spring Boot, Microservices, and cloud-based solutions (AWS, Kubernetes). (More)

• Emily Balch, Chicago, Illinois

  Former Large Enterprise Account Executive looking for a new opportunity (More)

Submit a Job Seeker

WEEKLY POLL

Submit a response to see the poll results

SALES

📈 Chicago Leads

• Sources Sought AI Software for Architectural Design and Management for a new opportunity in Chicago, IL (Link)

• Chicago organizations seeking Catering Services (Link)

• Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia , IL needs Professional Building Architectural and Engineering Services (Link)

• Any recommendations for a concrete floor finish near western burbs? (Link)

• Looking for a family lawyer that can help me (Link)

• Auto shops that specialize in AC recharging (Link)

• Landscape designers in Western burbs (Link)

• Greystone restoration (Link)

• Chicago organization needs funding for expansion in Wheaton (🔒).

• Business consultant needed for project in Naperville (🔒).

Submit a Lead

MARKETING

📑 Chicago Business List

WEEKLY SPECIAL: An exclusive Chicago Business List of hard-to-find decision makers in Greater Chicago that approve projects & seek new sources of business. For a limited time, take $200 off (a 40% discount) this week with coupon LIST-JUNE-2025 (Expires 6/30/2025)

Learn More

Interested in a more custom list? Just let us know your specifications (Contact)

NETWORKING

🤝 Chicago Events

Business Professionals Networking | Chicago | Speed Networking. Friday, July 11 · 7:30 - 9:30pm CDT. Recess, 838 W Kinzie St Chicago, IL 60642. Speed Networking works a lot like 'Speed Dating' without the 'Dating'. A structured opportunity to meet accomplished professionals just like yourself, face to face, one business professional at time. (Register)

General Business Networking | Elevating Your Potential - Chicago. Wednesday, July 16 · 6 - 8pm CDT. Barstool River North, 14 West Hubbard Street Chicago, IL 60654. Strive welcomes you to 'General Business Networking', Chicago's hottest networking event! We are set in the perfect central location for all to join. Are you interested in business? Want to elevate your career? Meet Consultants, Analysts of all types, Bankers, Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and more who are active in the space or are eager to get started. (Register)

Heard of any local networking events coming up? We'd love to hear about them!

Submit an Event