West Cook Business Alliance

04/30/2026

Thank you everyone for attending the West Cook Business Alliance (WCBA) 1st networking event celebrating Community Banking and Financial Literacy Month!

JOIN TODAY bit.ly/westcookba

Mayor Nathaniel George Booker (Maywood , IL) noted, “We are not only acknowledging the strength of our entrepreneurs, but we are also building the infrastructure to support all businesses long-term.”

For regional leaders, the WCBA formalizes what has long been understood: thriving businesses depend on coordinated systems, not isolated programs. “For too long, our communities have competed for opportunity when we should have been coordinating for prosperity,” said Mayor Katrina Thompson (Broadview , IL). “The West Cook Business Alliance reflects a new posture, one rooted in partnership, stewardship, and regional coordination. We are building a structure that ensures businesses of every size have a seat at the table and a pathway to succeed.”

The WCBA has been intentionally structured as a professional, membership-driven association serving municipalities and businesses throughout West Cook County. Its goal is clear: to retain existing businesses, attract new investment, and create a regional ecosystem that supports enterprises at every stage of growth. Unlike siloed economic efforts, the WCBA is designed as a unified platform to reduce intermunicipal competition and foster coordinated economic strategy.

The organization is increasing cross-sector partnerships among municipalities, anchor institutions, and private industry. WCBA provides direct support to businesses advocating placemaking strategies that strengthen commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods along with backing effective pro-business policies across local, county, state, and federal government. “Regional collaboration is not optional in today’s economy,” Bellwood Mayor Andre Harvey stated. “It is essential. The WCBA positions our communities to move in the same direction with clarity and purpose. Membership is open to businesses of all sizes, nonprofit organizations, institutions, and strategic partners committed to strengthening the West Cook economy.

Thank you Liberty Bank Forest Park, Fifth Third Bank, BMO U.S., Republic Bank of Chicago, Proviso Community Bank, Chase for being great community partners and supporting.

JOIN TODAY bit.ly/westcookba
LEARN MORE www.westcookba.org

04/30/2026

WEST COOK BUSINESS ALLIANCE LAUNCHES AS A REGIONAL INITIAITVE TO STRENGTHEN, COORDINATE, AND ADVANCE WEST SUBURBAN ECONOMY

JOIN TODAY bit.ly/westcookba

Maywood, Il - The official announcement of the West Cook Business Alliance (WCBA) in partnership with the Villages Maywood, Broadview, and Bellwood was made on Friday, February 20, during the Annual Black Business Expo held in Maywood. The Expo served as a powerful backdrop for the regional unveiling. The event brought together entrepreneurs, corporate partners, financial institutions, community leaders, and residents in a shared celebration of Black enterprise, innovation, and economic empowerment. Mayor Nathaniel George Booker (Maywood, IL) noted that the setting was both intentional and symbolic. “Launching the West Cook Business Alliance during the Black Business Expo reflects our commitment to inclusive economic growth,” Booker said. “We are not only acknowledging the strength of our entrepreneurs, but we are also building the infrastructure to support all businesses long-term.”

Born out of the continued evolution and relevance of the Healthy Maywood West Cook Foundation, the West Cook Business Alliance represents a strategic expansion of the region’s commitment to long-term vitality. The Alliance builds upon the 12 Elements of Healthy Communities as identified by the US Department of Health & Human Services, recognizing that economic health is inseparable from workforce stability, public safety, neighborhood vibrancy, and access to opportunity. For regional leaders, this initiative formalizes what has long been understood: thriving businesses depend on coordinated systems, not isolated programs. “For too long, our communities have competed for opportunity when we should have been coordinating for prosperity,” said Mayor Katrina Thompson (Broadview, IL). “The West Cook Business Alliance reflects a new posture, one rooted in partnership, stewardship, and regional coordination. We are building a structure that ensures businesses of every size have a seat at the table and a pathway to succeed.”
The WCBA has been intentionally structured as a professional, membership-driven association serving municipalities and businesses throughout West Cook County. Its goal is clear: to retain existing businesses, attract new investment, and create a regional ecosystem that supports enterprises at every stage of growth. Unlike siloed economic efforts, the WCBA is designed as a unified platform to reduce intermunicipal competition and foster coordinated economic strategy. The organization will increase cross-sector partnerships among municipalities, anchor institutions, and private industry. WCBA will provide direct support to businesses advocating placemaking strategies that strengthen commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods along with backing effective pro-business policies across local, county, state, and federal government. “Regional collaboration is not optional in today’s economy,” Mayor Andre Harvey (Bellwood, IL) stated. “It is essential. The West Cook Business Alliance positions our communities to move in the same direction with clarity and purpose. Membership will be open to businesses of all sizes, nonprofit organizations, institutions, and strategic partners committed to strengthening the West Cook economy. Founding member recruitment and regional roundtables will commence immediately.

The West Cook Business Alliance (WCBA) is a regional business member association dedicated to retaining, attracting, and investing in businesses across West Cook County. Grounded in the 12 Elements of a Healthy Communities framework and emerging from the Healthy Maywood West Cook initiative, WCBA provides technical assistance, advocacy, network development, and coordinated economic strategy to strengthen the region’s long-term competitiveness and shared prosperity.

JOIN TODAY bit.ly/westcookba
LEARN MORE www.westcookba.org

05/31/2021

DREAMLAND: The Burning of Black Wall Street, executive produced by LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, and Philip Byron for The SpringHill Compan...

05/30/2021

https://cbsloc.al/3fTCPoa

The CEO and Founder of Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce continues to bring education, awareness, and advocacy as we focus on the Rebirth of Black Wall Street.

Siri Hibbler: “One year later, it’s still, you know, dirty. It’s still nothing being built on it. It’s exactly back the same that it was, minus the businesses that we lost.”

Those were local businesses that hired local people.

“Folks were talking about, ‘Well, the insurance will cover, insurance will cover,’” Hibbler said. “Some businesses did not have insurance, so they were not able to sustain themselves.”

The scars of the trauma run deep.

“To say the best way to handle the anger was to riot and loot the stores – I can’t say that,” Hibbler said. “But I can say that I understand the pain. I understand the frustration.”

Over several days beginning one year ago Saturday, Chicago saw unrest unlike anything we had seen in decades.

05/25/2021

Register Today www.ilbcoc-wscc610.eventbrite.com
Thursday, June 10th at 1pm join us at the Lightford Recreation Center in the Village of Maywood.

Take your business to the next level by becoming a certified Minority Business Enterprise, Women Business Enterprise, Veteran Business Enterprise, a Disadvantage Business Enterprise and more. Learn more at www.ilbcoc-wscc.org. Hosted by Mayor Nathaniel George Booker and Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce with CEO Siri Hibbler.

05/06/2021

The Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce in concert with the Small Business Administration will host a free training to assist business owners on navigation the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Application. May 6, 2021 at 4:00pm CST

Topic: Restaurant Revitalization Fund Application Training
Time: May 6, 2021 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Virtual Meeting Link is below or simply scan the QR code on the flyer.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86502357703?pwd=YVQva055WjhJNEU3TnZORnBlOUthUT09

04/13/2021

Part VI "State of Black Illinois Virtual Summit" By popular demand...

Join us for this informative, engaging and powerful discussion around change in the African American community! This month's focus is Arts & Entertainment. We have a dynamic panel and we want to see you on-line!! Hurry over to www.ilbcoc.org to register as space is limited.

03/31/2021

The Maywood Park District and Cook County Department of Public Health are providing VACCINATIONS this SATURDAY, APRIL 3RD (9am - 2pm) Call 708.344.4740 to schedule your appointment today!

THOSE WHO CURRENTLY QUALIFY FOR VACCINATION (1A, 1B, 1B+)
Seniors Ages 65+
Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Facility Residents and Staff
First Responders
K-12 Education Workers
Food and Agriculture
Manufacturing
Corrections Workers
USPS Workers
Public Transit Workers
Grocery Store Workers
Staff at Shelters and Day Cares.
Healthcare Workforce

The expanded list of eligible conditions include
Cancer
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Diabetes
Heart Conditions
Immunosuppressed states from a solid organ transplant
Smoking
Obesity
Pregnancy
Pulmonary Disease
Sickle Cell Disease

03/30/2021

Thank you Model Esteem for hosting Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce - West Suburban Cook County monthly Business Owners Mixer (every 4th Thursday)!

It's always great to network and learn about the great businesses in our area. Look out for our monthly Business Series Workshops launching next month.

FOR LIMITED TIME businesses with less than 15 employees will receive their first year of membership to Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce - West Suburban Cook County COMPLIMENARTY. Join Today at bit.ly/ilbcoc-wscc-membership

Learn more by visiting www.ILBCOC-WSCC.org

03/17/2021

JOIN US IN FOREST PARK on Thursday, March 25th!
COMPLIMENTARY REGISTRATION REQUIRED bit.ly/ilbcoc-wscc0325

The Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce - West Suburban Cook County invites you to our March 2021 Business Owners Networking Event. Come exchange best practices that lead to Economic Access, Equity. and Opportunity.

We support and promote a community environment where commerce can prosper throughout the 6 townships touching 27 communities in West Suburban Cook County.

Learn More at WWW.ILBCOC-WSCC.ORG