Change is constant in business, and understanding the factors that drive our economy is essential. The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Economic Forecast event connects local businesses with national experts who can help make sense of the trends, risks, and opportunities shaping the year ahead.
This year, we’re inviting members to share even more local insight through the Naperville Area Business Outlook Survey. Your feedback will give our national panel of experts real data from right here in our community and help make the discussion on stage more relevant to the challenges and opportunities local businesses are facing.
Take two minutes to share your outlook and help us shape the conversation: Take the Survey: https://bit.ly/EconomicForecastSurvey25
Your input helps us understand the full picture and ensures Naperville’s business voice is part of the national conversation. I hope to see you at the Economic Forecast on November 12, 2025, and hear what you are anticipating for the year ahead.
Advocacy in Action: Washington, D.C.
Last month, Kris Hartner, Owner and Founder of Naperville Running Company, Neil Malone, NACC Director of Government Affairs, and I traveled to Washington, D.C. for meetings with Congressmen Bill Foster and Sean Casten and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood.
We spent more than an hour with our delegation discussing workforce challenges, small business tax issues, and the pressures employers are facing right now. Each conversation had one focus: making sure the voice of Naperville businesses is heard by the people who write policy. They know our Chamber, our members, and that when we speak up, we represent hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs.
One topic that came up both in D.C. and in follow-up conversations back home is immigration enforcement and what to do if immigration officials visit a business. Several members have reached out with questions, and the best step you can take is to know your rights and speak with an attorney who has experience in both immigration and employment law.
The three members of Congress we met with, Congressmen Bill Foster and Sean Casten and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, each shared resources on this topic. Illinois business owners have rights and responsibilities under both state and federal law.
If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents do not have a warrant signed by a judge, they cannot enter your home or the private areas of your business.
- You can review the resources and guidance from the three U.S. Representatives we met with here:
Congressman Sean Casten – Know Your Rights
These situations can be complex. The best next step is to know your rights and consult an attorney familiar with both immigration and employment law.
While in D.C., we also met with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They shared updates on their lawsuit challenging recent changes to the H-1B visa selection process, noting that the new rules could make it harder for employers to attract and retain needed talent. More here: https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/u-s-chamber-files-lawsuit-to-support-businesses-use-of-h-1b-visas
We support policies that strengthen the workforce pipeline. When employers cannot find workers, businesses cannot grow, and neither can communities.
From local data to national advocacy, the Chamber’s work is rooted in connection and impact. Thank you for continuing to engage, share your insight, and make sure the Naperville business community is part of every important conversation.