ComEd Offers $500 Grants to Small-Medium Businesses

Through their $2.5 Million Customer Relief Fund

ComEd has launched a Small–Medium Business Customer Relief Fund to help eligible businesses reduce past-due electric account balances. Applications open June 15.

 Program Highlights:

• Eligible businesses may receive a matching credit of up to $500 applied directly to their ComEd account. 
• Customers must first make a payment toward their past-due balance; ComEd will then match the approved amount. 
• Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• Additional consideration will be given to businesses located in Equity Investment Eligible Communities (EIEC) 

Eligibility Requirements:

For more information and to apply, visit ComEd's Small–Medium Business Customer Relief Fund Program  HERE.

_______________________________________________________________________

NITA Occupation & Use Tax Rate Change

Effective August 1, 2026

Effective August 1, 2026, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Occupation and Use Tax Rate will increase by 0.25% in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.

This new tax applies to:

• General merchandise (1.25% in Cook, 1.00% in DuPage)
• Qualifying groceries (1.50% in Cook, 1.00% in DuPage
• Qualifying drugs and medical appliances (1.50% in Cook, 1.00% in DuPage)
• Items that must be titled or registered in Illinois
• Medical and adult use cannabis
• Aviation fuel

The NITA Occupation & Use Tax applies to all retailers and servicepersons making sales in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will counties and who file Form ST-1, ST-556, Form RUT-25, Form CD-1, or Form ST-70.

NITA rates are added to the statewide rate (6.25% or 10.0%) plus any local taxes collected by IDOR.

To find your updated rate, use the MyTax Illinois Tax Rate Finder at mytax.illinois.gov and select rates for August 2026. Official details and reporting guidelines are available in the Illinois Department of Revenue Informational Bulletin.

Be sure to update your cash register or software system so you are collecting the CORRECT rate starting August 1, 2026. If you use software to prepare your forms, check with your vendor for  updates. 

_______________________________________________________________________

Hot Weather Needs Cool Treats!

Treat Yourself and Your Family Today!

Warm weather is here, and Hanover Park is full of cool treats to enjoy this summer! From ice cream and milkshakes to smoothies, boba tea, frozen refreshers, aguas frescas, and other sweet treats, there’s something for everyone at our local businesses.

Whether you’re cooling off after an outdoor activity, treating the family, or looking for a fun after-dinner stop, be sure to check out these great Hanover Park spots and support our local businesses this summer!

• Chicago Pros Restaurant – 7310 Barrington
• Country Style Donuts – 1519 Irving Park
• Crave Café – 1053 Lake
• Dunkin – 7448 Barrington
• La Michoacana Premium – 1300 Irving Park
• La Michoacana Azteca – 2380 Walnut
• La Colmena Cafe – 1645 Irving Park
• Real La Michoacana – 2101 Irving Park
• Smoothie King – 7460 Barrington
• Starbucks – 1057 Lake & 1788 Lake
• Tiger Chicken & Boba – 7452 Barrington

For a full list of Hanover Park businesses, go to our business directory at https://www.hpil.org/BusinessDirectoryii.aspx and choose a category to search.

______________________________________________________________________

Upcoming FREE Webinars to Help Your Business

Webinars and seminars can be very helpful to continually improve your business and make it more successful. The Village has a Webinars & Seminars page on its website that is updated regularly with helpful topics that you may find useful for your business. You can find it here https://www.hpil.org/848/Business-Seminars-Webinars 

Sessions are hosted by various organizations including the SBA, SBDC, WBDC, Connect DuPage, Cook County, IL DCEO, the Illinois Restaurant Association, and more. The vast majority of webinars are FREE! Here are  just a few upcoming webinars:  

• July 21 @ 11:30am-12:30pm - Income Assets, & Cash Flow
• July 21 @ 1-2pm - Small Business Marketing 101
• July 22 @ 11am-12:30pm - How to Read & Use Your Financial Statements
• July 22 @ 11am-12pm - Artificial Intelligence (How it Can Benefit Your Business)
• July 23 @ 3-5pm - Cybersecurity Awareness - Safeguard Your Business
• July 27@ 5-6:30 - Cyber Security Lesson from the Criminal Underground
• July 28 @ 11am-12pm - Build a Business Plan That Works!
• July 29 Small Business Strategic Marketing
• July 29 @ 2-3pm - Ai for Small Businesses
• July 30 @ 5-6pm - Build & Improve Your Social Media Presence

For details on any seminar or to register, go to https://www.hpil.org/848/Business-Seminars-Webinars 

______________________________________________________________________