Over its 110 years of existence, Lake County Chamber of Commerce members have seen the commercial environment of the area undergo massive changes.
From farmers bringing their crops to Waukegan’s harbor to ship them to market, to a lakefront heavy with manufacturing providing jobs and prosperity, to modern distribution centers opening, members of the chamber and its activities evolved with the times.
Throughout its history, Marvin Bembry, a longtime Board of Directors member and the chamber’s president from 2004 to 2007, said basic tools of leadership and collaboration enabled the chamber to evolve from the early 20th century into the first quarter of the 21st century.
“There was always a resilience and a vision of leadership,” said Bembry, an executive with Abbott Laboratories and then AbbVie when they became two separate companies. “We have ideas we share with each other.”
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce celebrated 110 years of helping to grow commerce in the county on Dec. 1 in Mundelein, as Gov. JB Pritzker issued a proclamation making it Lake County Chamber of Commerce Day in Illinois.
“It reinforces our commitment to continue seeking new and innovative ways to elevate and respond to the needs of our growing business community,” Chamber Executive Director Shaunese Teamer said of the proclamation.
Visiting at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce’s 110th Anniversary celebration are, from left, former Chair Marvin Bembry, Maria Lopez, former Chair Horacio Lopez and former Chair Tim Walsh on Dec. 1 in Mundelein. (Photo by DonBarge.com courtesy of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce)
Bembry, Tim Walsh, the president from 2007 to 2010, and Horacio Lopez, the president from 2010 to 2013, have more than 60 years of service to the chamber among them. They helped guide the organization through an economic downturn and a pandemic. Collaboration was a key.
What was established as the all-volunteer Waukegan Commercial Association in 1915 became the Waukegan Chamber of Commerce in 1917, and evolved several more times until it adopted its present name, according to the proclamation.
Taking its current name in the 1990s, Lopez said the chamber stems from the original Waukegan Chamber of Commerce, the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Lake County. It is the parent organization of the Hispanic Chamber.
A separate Waukegan Chamber of Commerce is active in that city today. It was started around 22 years ago by local merchants. Michael Reed, the Waukegan Chamber’s president, said it both collaborates with the Lake County Chamber and has its own activities.
Through its various programs, ranging from the annual economic forecast presented by an economist, often from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, to lunch-and-learn gatherings and breakfasts, Bembry said the education and personal contact take everyone a long way.
“They’re great for networking,” Bembry said. “The training and education lead to a higher level of thinking. Talking to each other helps us acquire a lot of benefits.”
Lopez, who operates a payroll processing business, said the programs offer some formal education, but when he talks to other members, he realizes they all experience similar challenges and can offer each other solutions.
From executives with large corporations to members who operate small businesses, Bembry said the annual economic forecast lunch gives everyone an idea of how economic events on a national or global scale impact people locally. There is also contact with public officials.
“It’s helpful to hear an expert’s view on the state of the economy,” he said. “Our legislative dinner gives us access to our legislators and what’s going on with the government.”
Walsh, a retired certified public accountant who is now a consultant, said different kinds of businesses have similar issues. The ability to talk to like-minded people from other industries can offer help for what he does.
Teamer said the organization is continually using technology changes to benefit its members. There are times meeting virtually in specialized groups is productive. It opens communication further.
“We have tapped into the internet across new communication and social media platforms offering webinars, Zoom meetings for in-office meeting convenience and considerate meeting times,” Treamer said.
Recently launching Podcase Lake County, Teamer said it has become both a communication and marketing tool. Interviews are conducted, enabling business owners and executives to talk about what they offer.
“It expands the opportunity for our business community to learn more about each other beyond the elevator pitch,” Teamer said. “Podcast interviews with businesses provide a more detailed snapshot of the business, their history, their mission and the products and services they provide.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/lake-county-chamber-of-commerce/
