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January 19th, 2026

From Albany Park and our surrounding neighborhood communities, brought to you by North River Commission!

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite businesses in the 2026 Community Choice Awards! Final voting closes on January 29th.

Final voting is officially open for the 2026 Community Choice Awards! Now’s your chance to help us recognize and celebrate the outstanding small businesses that make Albany Park, Irving Park, and North Park thrive. Cast your vote and make your voice count!

How to Participate:

🗳️ Vote for your favorite local businesses using the link below.

📩 Share the voting link with your friends and family!

⏳ Don’t wait — final voting closes on January 29!

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¡La Votación Final para los Premios de la Comunidad 2026 Está Abierta — y Cierra el 29 de Enero!

¡La votación final para los Premios de la Comunidad 2026 ya está abierta! Esta es su oportunidad de reconocer y celebrar a los pequeños negocios que hacen prosperar Albany Park, Irving Park y North Park. ¡Vote hoy y haga escuchar su voz!

Cómo Participar:

🗳️ Vote por sus negocios locales favoritos usando el enlace a continuación

📩 ¡Comparte el enlace de votación con tus amigos y familia!
⏳ ¡No espere — la votación final cierra el miércoles 29 de enero!

Event Updates

Thank you to our sponsors!

The Community Choice Awards wouldn’t be possible without the amazing businesses that step up to support our neighborhood. A special thank you to our sponsors, Wintrust Mortgage and Arzan Cafe, whose generous support helps us shine a spotlight on the small businesses that make Albany Park, Irving Park, and North Park thrive. We’re so thankful to these businesses and look forward to celebrating the community with them!

We also want to give a huge shout-out to Katherine Anne Confections, ABC Printing, and The Jade Vine for contributing treats, printing, and extra touches that adds fun and creativity to this year’s celebration. Thank you for helping make this event even more exciting!

RSVP & Celebrate With Us!

Join us for the Community Choice Awards as we come together to celebrate the small businesses that make our community so special. RSVP to be part of the fun, cheer on your favorite businesses, and connect with neighbors and local leaders — we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

📅 Thursday, Feb. 26th, 2026

⏰ 6pm to 9pm

📍2951 W. Montrose Ave

Support the Community Choice Awards by being a sponsor!

Become a Community Choice Awards Sponsor!

Support local excellence and connect with the heart of our community by sponsoring the 2026 Community Choice Awards. As a sponsor, you’ll reach 6,000+ social followers, engage with local leaders, and uplift the small businesses that make our neighborhoods thrive.

We offer four levels of sponsorship, with benefits that include chamber membership, a speaking role, social media highlights, and inclusion in our event booklet.

Interested in bringing the Community Choice Awards to life?

Contact Farah El-Nahal at farah@northrivercommission.org to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. The deadline to join us as a sponsor is February 1st.

NRC STAFF

North River Commission Staff

For contact info, visit the North River Commission staff page:

• Kay Villamin / Executive Director (nagsasalita ako ng tagalog)

• Alexia Limas / Education Director (hablo español)

• Eve Miller / Director of Community Impact

• Farah El-Nahal / Economic Development Specialist (أنا أتكلم العربية)

• Karen Milroy / Economic Development Specialist (mówię po polsku)

• Caelin Muniz / Economic Development Specialist (hablo español)

• Elisha Jurewicz / Accounts Manager

• Sonya Koffman / Community Programs Coordinator (Я говорю по-русски)

FORGE School Site Coordinators

• Haugan Forge Coordinator / Samantha Uribe (hablo español)

• Henry Forge Coordinator / Priscilla Train (hablo español)

• Peterson Forge Coordinator / Emily Berman

• Roosevelt Forge Coordinator / Miranda Whitaker

  
  

Parent Mentor Program School Site Coordinators

• Haugan PMP Coordinator / Lucila Esquivel (hablo español)

• Hibbard PMP Coordinator / Fatima Suarez (hablo español)

• Palmer PMP Coordinator / Maria Martinez (hablo español)

• Cleveland PMP Coordinator / Adriana Cervera (hablo español)

North River Commission
The nonprofit community and economic development corporation for the Northwest Side of Chicago, from the Chicago River to Cicero and Addison to Devon, which unites 100s of civic associations, businesses, schools, institutions and places of worship to improve the quality of life for all constituents in our community by creating affordable housing, quality education, community safety and resilience, equitable access to health, arts & cultural endeavors, environmental responsibility, and thriving neighborhood businesses.

northrivercommission.org / facebook.com/northrivercommission / @northrivercommission