Cook County Minimum Wage Increase

Effective July 1, 2026

Effective July 1, 2026, the Cook County Minimum Wage for non-tipped workers will increase to $15.40 and the minimum wage for tipped workers will increase to $9.25.  

The updated "Notice to Employees" and "Frequently Asked Questions" documents are available here. 

Employees who believe their employer is not paying the required minimum wage should first check to ensure the municipality where they work does not have a different minimum wage. If the municipality has not opted out, employees can file a complaint with the Cook County Commission on Human Rights.  

Translated complaint forms and additional information can be found online. 

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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:
To qualify for this grant assistance, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

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

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Landscape Inspections Have Begun!

For ALL commercial properties 

Do you own your building?  Are you responsible for landscape maintenance? Landscaping inspections for all commercial properties have begun for 2026.  Attractive landscaping helps businesses and maintains Hanover Park’s image.  

All commercial properties are required to have a landscaping plan on file with the Village, although some older buildings may be “grandfathered” under the requirements from when the building was built.  If you are a tenant, encourage your landlord to make landscape improvements - great curb appeal always benefits your business and also make a huge visual impact on the community!

If you have any questions about your building's landscape requirements, please call Community Development at 630-823-5780

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New Restaurants Now Open in Hanover Park

Welcome our newest restaurants!

Take a night off from cooking and try one of our newest restaurants or cafes, and places to get cool treats! 

Crave Café – 1053 Lake Street (630-306-1421)  enjoy burgers, beef sandwiches, chicken, hot dogs, wings, boba teas, smoothies, milkshakes and many other favorites

Dulce Botana - 2003 Irving Park (630-855-4257) ice cream and frozen treats plus arcade game machines

Fogòn Mestizo - 7219 Orchard Lane (847-893-6114)  the chef from Orale has started a new chapter with authentic Mexican cuisine and a full bar!

Hangry Food Now – 1222 Lake Street (630-674-7551) offering carryout fast food items using food apps such as DoorDash and UberEats

La Colmena Cafe – 1645 Irving Park (224-281-3656) coffee shop with bakery items, protein shakes, coffee, waffles, popcorn, and snacks)

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.

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Outdoor Dining Season is Finally Here!

Temporary Outdoor Dining is Permitted May 1st - October 31st

The warm weather is finally here! If your restaurant does not already have a designated outdoor seating area, you can offer outdoor dining either in the parking lot or on the sidewalk in in front of your restaurant from May 1st thru October 31st by applying for a Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit.

Offering outdoor seating during warm weather months can be a valuable move. Here are some benefits of offering outdoor dining:

• More seating for customers which can create more revenue
• Customers enjoying the weather are more likely to stay for a longer period
• Provides a relaxed atmosphere and allows guests to enjoy the outdoors
• Improves visibility and curb appeal helping your business to stand out

If your restaurant would like to expand its food service to the outdoors during May 1 thru October 31, a permit is required. The Village's Outdoor Dining Policy can be found here.

General information on outdoor dining, temporary tents, and resources for restaurants can be found on the Village's website here.

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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:  

• June 15 @ 6-8pm - Small Business Success: Mastering the Essentials
• June 16 @ 12-1pm - Small Business Content Marketing
• June 16 @ 1-2pm - Financial Basics for Small Business
• June 17 @ 9-10:15am - Basic Elements of a Business Plan
• June 17 @ 9:30-1am - Grants & Loans: Funding Your Business
• June 18 @ 2-3pm - Creating a Powerful Online Identity on LinkedIn
• June 23 @ 10-11:3-am - Marketing That Works for Small Business Budgets
• June 24 @ 10-11am - Digital Marketing 101: Boost Your Business Visibility on a Budget

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

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