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Chamber reports strong turnout for Oak Park pilot internships and First Fridays; village must decide on FY26 funding
Summary
The Oak Park River Forest Chamber reviewed three FY25 pilot initiatives — Oak Park Next internships (12 businesses hosted, 76 student applicants), First Fridays street-festival series (four events, ~5,000 attendees, 72 vendor slots) and a paused BLEND/LEHI small-business cohort — while staff said FY26 funding was not yet budgeted and any continuation would require a budget amendment.
Chamber leaders presented outcomes from a pilot partnership with the village and recommended next steps should the board want to continue or expand the initiatives.
Interim Chamber Executive Director Yujin Hong said the pilot focused on two strategies: a paid internship program (Oak Park Next) to create a local workforce pipeline and district activation through First Friday street festivals. "The Oak Park Next internship program supported 12 businesses providing structured staffing support and including more than $20,000 in wage reimbursement for their businesses," Hong said. She reported four First Friday events across underserved commercial districts with an estimated 5,000 attendees and roughly 72 vendor slots filled across the series.
Melissa (director of programming and membership) described the internship recruitment and screening process: 76 student applications in 2025, blind review and randomized interviewer assignments to reduce bias, and virtual development sessions and check-ins for interns during placements. About 80% of participating businesses expressed interest in continuing the program.
Trustees praised the results and discussed strategies to increase placements for more applicants, target outreach to underrepresented students through school partnerships, and consider mentorship and alcohol‑free networking opportunities for interns. Manager Jackson and Economic Vitality staff said the chamber has submitted a proposal but the village did not budget FY26 funding for continuation; any reinvestment would require a budget amendment and staff recommended closer logistical coordination before returning with a refined proposal.
Trustees asked staff to provide operational cost actuals and to include staff-participant perspectives in future requests. Naomi Diaz, the village’s business services manager, and other staff supplied a brief accounting of municipal costs related to events (staffing, permits waived, police support), noting about $19,036 in additional village expenses and that unspent contract funds returned to the village fund balance.
