Southwest Chamber Advances Governance, Planning at Members Meeting

The Southwest Chamber of Commerce, a 501(c)(6) business association serving the Southwest Side of Chicago, held its third event on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as a business breakfast at Chile Toreado in Chicago’s McKinley Park neighborhood.

Attendees included leadership and members of the chamber, plus guests and prospective members. Jaime Sotelo, owner and chef at Chile Toreado, put out an expansive Mexican breakfast feast sponsored by chamber member Stellar Performance and its owner, Cesar (“Auggie”) Pedroza.

At the meeting, members finalized their first official business and governance, including voting unanimously to adopt members resolutions for pro tem board members and “Program Partners.”

Program Partners 

“Our Program Partners initiative defines scope and involvement of non-business third parties with the Southwest Chamber of Commerce,” said Justin Kerr, vice president pro tem.

Chile Toreado owner Jaime Sotelo, left, gets ready for the chamber meeting with Cesar ("Auggie") Pedroza, owner of chamber member Stellar Performance, which built the restaurant's new canopy and facade.“This opens the door for engagement with community groups, municipal bureaus, elected officials, non-government organizations and others who support local businesses,” Kerr said.

Members Resolution 

The approved members resolution for pro tem board members defines the requirements and expectations for representatives of chamber members to serve temporarily on the board: until officers and board elections in December 2026.

Chamber leadership and members continue to collaborate on creating the group’s governance, policies and operations, with focus now turning to the group’s bylaws, Kerr said.

Locally Unique 

“We’re locally unique as a non-profit in that we have formal membership that collaborates and votes on how we run our organization and choose our leadership,” he said.

At the meeting, Kerr spoke to the chamber’s independence as one of its most important features, such as allowing full consideration of business issues without outside pressure or obligation.

Open Discussion 

The Wall Street Journal article “Chicago’s New Bike Lanes Spark a Rebellion from Businesses” published on July 21, 2026, featured the new chamber’s second-ever event, as well as quotes from chamber President pro tem Carlos Chavarria and attendee and bike advocate Andrew Mack.

The Southwest Chamber of Commerce is the only local organization to have openly considered and discussed this business issue.

September Mixer 

The chamber plans additional members meetings through the fall and is looking toward a business networking event in September.

“We welcome all interested businesses to join us as we develop our organization and support for our enterprises on Chicago’s Southwest Side,” Kerr said.

Businesses can apply on the Join page of the Southwest Chamber of Commerce website at SouthWestChamber.biz and find more information on the group’s mission, vision and upcoming events.

The McKinley Park News is a founding member of the Southwest Chamber of Commerce