Upcoming Events
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
Don't Miss the 2025 Illinois Main Street Conference!
November 12–14, 2025 • Dixon, Illinois
Where ideas meet implementation and collaboration sparks results. The 2025 Illinois Main Street Conference brings together community leaders, local champions, and statewide partners who are turning good ideas into tangible progress.
What’s in store
Three days of hands-on learning, practical tools, and inspired conversation built around this year’s theme: From Ideas to Action—Collaborating for Impact.
Expert sessions on real estate redevelopment, small business ecosystems, volunteer engagement, and organizational sustainability.
On-the-ground tours of downtown Dixon’s revitalization projects, historic architecture, and cultural anchors.
Meaningful networking at the Welcome Reception, Lt. Governor’s Excellence in Revitalization Awards Celebration, and roundtables that connect leaders across Illinois.
Interactive demonstrations showing how design, programming, and partnerships can transform underused spaces.
You’ll walk away with
Actionable insights, new statewide connections, and replicable models you can apply immediately in your own community.
Who should attend
Anyone involved in shaping or supporting downtowns—district management, staff and volunteers, municipal leaders, economic developers, planners, preservationists, place makers, and civic changemakers.
Pricing
🎟️ General Admission: $150 provides access to all events
✨ IMS Members: Complimentary registration + 50% off additional community tickets
Ready to move from ideas to action?
👉 Register now and explore the full agenda, speaker lineup, and tour experiences.
Brought to you by Illinois Main Street, in partnership with Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, the Driehaus Foundation, and the Dixon Chamber of Commerce & Main Street.
SPECIAL DISTRICT & DEVELOPMENT FINANCE WORKSHOP SERIES #1: Tax Increment Finance (TIF)
Special District & Development Finance Webinar Series
December 2, 9 & 16, 2025 @ 12:00 PM | Virtual
Understanding local finance tools is key to driving downtown reinvestment. This three-part virtual workshop series will explore how communities can leverage Tax Increment Financing (TIFs), Business Development Districts (BDs), Special Service Areas (SSAs), and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to fund redevelopment, infrastructure, and district management.
Each engaging session includes real-world examples, polling, and hands-on exercises to help participants apply these tools locally.
🗓️ December 2 – Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Learn the fundamentals of how TIFs work, what costs are eligible, and the steps to establish a district. Participants will explore how TIF revenues are generated, how to estimate increment for a sample project, and how TIFs can be combined with other local incentives. Zoom Link
Presented by SB Friedman Development Advisors
Experts from SB Friedman Development Advisors will lead all three sessions, sharing decades of experience in redevelopment finance, incentive structuring, and district implementation. Their team brings deep, practical knowledge of how these tools are used successfully in communities of all sizes.
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.
SPECIAL DISTRICT & DEVELOPMENT FINANCE WORKSHOP SERIES #2: Business Development Districts (BDs)
Special District & Development Finance Webinar Series
December 2, 9 & 16, 2025 @ 12:00 PM | Virtual
Understanding local finance tools is key to driving downtown reinvestment. This three-part virtual workshop series will explore how communities can leverage Tax Increment Financing (TIFs), Business Development Districts (BDs), Special Service Areas (SSAs), and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to fund redevelopment, infrastructure, and district management.
Each engaging session includes real-world examples, polling, and hands-on exercises to help participants apply these tools locally.
🗓️ December 9 – Business Districts (BDs)
Discover how BDs can support downtown investment through locally generated sales tax revenue. This session covers qualifying costs, timing, and the designation process, with interactive exercises to estimate potential revenue and evaluate when a BD makes sense for your community. Zoom Link
Presented by SB Friedman Development Advisors
Experts from SB Friedman Development Advisors will lead all three sessions, sharing decades of experience in redevelopment finance, incentive structuring, and district implementation. Their team brings deep, practical knowledge of how these tools are used successfully in communities of all sizes.
SPECIAL DISTRICT & DEVELOPMENT FINANCE WORKSHOP SERIES #3: Special Service Areas (SSAs) and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
Special District & Development Finance Webinar Series
December 2, 9 & 16, 2025 @ 12:00 PM | Virtual
Understanding local finance tools is key to driving downtown reinvestment. This three-part virtual workshop series will explore how communities can leverage Tax Increment Financing (TIFs), Business Development Districts (BDs), Special Service Areas (SSAs), and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to fund redevelopment, infrastructure, and district management.
Each engaging session includes real-world examples, polling, and hands-on exercises to help participants apply these tools locally.
🗓️ December 16 – Special Service Areas (SSAs) & Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
Explore how SSAs and BIDs fund management, maintenance, and marketing for downtown districts. Learn how these tools differ, how to establish a levy, and what services are commonly supported—from beautification to safety and events. Zoom Link
Presented by SB Friedman Development Advisors
Experts from SB Friedman Development Advisors will lead all three sessions, sharing decades of experience in redevelopment finance, incentive structuring, and district implementation. Their team brings deep, practical knowledge of how these tools are used successfully in communities of all sizes.
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. Price to attend: $75 Non-Members | $Free for Members Register for the workshop
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.
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.
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.
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: 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.
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.