Upcoming Events
Main Street Mixer: Wheaton
Join us on Tuesday, June 17th for a fun day of networking in downtown Wheaton. We'll learn more about the Downtown Wheaton Association, take a tour of downtown, enjoy lunch, and connect with other IMS members from across the state. RSVP by emailing your list of attendees to Erik Reader at ereader@mainstreet.org.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
Main Street Mixer: Morgan Park Beverly Hills
Join us on Tuesday, July 15th for a fun day of networking along Western Avenue. We'll learn more about the Morgan Park Beverly Hills Business Association, take a tour of downtown, enjoy lunch, and connect with other IMS members from across the state. RSVP by emailing your list of attendees to Erik Reader at ereader@mainstreet.org.
Design Workshop
Lisa Thompson of Main Street America's Field Services team will share best practices of good downtown design, historic preservation, and how to activate your Design Committee. The session will include a tour and engaging conversation of how to build your own local team of revitalization specialists.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
Real Estate Redevelopment 101
Place + Main Advisors will conclude a 4-part virtual series of the intersection of economic development and tourism with this in-person workshop. Topics will cover Main Street's involvement in real estate redevelopment, understanding the process, evaluating potential sites, proformas, and incentives 101.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
2025 Illinois Main Street Statewide Conference
Powered by dedicated professionals, volunteers, and civic leaders, the conference aims to bring together leaders, advocates, and enthusiasts to learn from industry experts on how to grow and sustain downtown districts as hubs of economic and social opportunity.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
Economic Vitality Workshop
This interactive workshop in downtown Aledo will led by Hilary Greenberg, a national expert in commercial leasing. Review several essential tools that Main Street programs can use to accelerate the pace of reinvestment in their commercial district.
About this event
We welcome all Main Street staff, board members, and Economic Vitality Committee members are welcome to join us in downtown Aledo on May 14th for an exciting, interactive Economic Vitality workshop led by Hilary Greenberg, a nationally known consultant who has worked with hundreds of communities across the country in the area of commercial leasing and economic development.
During the workshop, Hilary will review several essential tools that Main Street programs can use to accelerate the pace of reinvestment in their commercial district.
Topics to be covered during the workshop include:
Tips for utilizing market data to identify emerging trends and strengthen business activity.
Steps to determine your readiness to recruit new businesses.
Financial and technical tools that can help to increase occupancy.
Solutions to common real estate problems that often derail even the strongest economic development program.
Workshop attendees will receive a copy of the presentation and customized handouts that can be used to train Economic Vitality Committee members.
Following the workshop, attendees are invited to tour downtown Aledo with Aledo Main Street's Executive Director Lindsey Dunn.
Agenda
10:00 AM - review the key elements needed to implement a successful economic development work plan including technical and financial tools that can be used to increase occupancy and strengthen business performance.
12:00 PM - Lunch Break (lunch provided)
1:00 PM – Workshop Part II, tips for identifying emerging market niche opportunities, supporting local businesses and building partnerships with property owners that can translate into higher occupancy, greater tenant selectivity and accelerate the pace of reinvestment.
2:00 PM - Tour of downtown Aledo
Trainer Bio
Hilary Greenberg is a principal of Greenberg Development Services (Charlotte, NC); a twenty-five-year planning firm that that provides economic development assistance to local governments and downtown organizations in the areas of business recruitment, retention and market analysis. In addition to providing technical assistance to communities across the country, Ms. Greenberg is the recent author of “A Main Street and Local Municipality’s Guide to Business Retention, Recruitment and Redevelopment” and was an instructor for Main Street America’s Institute for many years.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/economic-vitality-workshop-hosted-by-illinois-main-street-tickets-1313137703219
Price for members is free and non-members cost is $50 per individual.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
Main Street Now 2025
Join local leaders and experts in commercial district stewardship from across the country for three days of insightful education sessions, unique special events, immersive mobile workshops, and memorable experiences in Philadelphia.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
Preserving History, Closing Financial Gaps: A Historic Tax Credit Workshop
Attend this immersive workshop in downtown Quincy 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM to learn from the experts of Studio GWA and explore how historic tax credits work, overcoming building challenges, and how to leverage them for your next project.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.
Illinois Main Street Director’s Call
The first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Connect with other downtown leaders from across the state and get updated on the latest events and hear from speakers on relevant topics.