Monday, February 23, 2026

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

Community Choice Award Updates

We are just days away from this years Community Choice Awards and we are really looking forward to celebrating all of the businesses that make Albany Park, Irving Park, and North Park so great! The Community Choice Awards are truly powered by the community, and without all of the nominations and voting for the neighborhoods locally owned businesses, this ceremony just wouldn't be the same.

This collective effort celebrates the diversity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit that define Chicago’s northwest side.

We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to participate in the voting process and uplift the small businesses that keep our neighborhoods thriving.

Your voices help shape this celebration, making it a meaningful reflection of what our community values most.

Event Updates

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 Financial, Wintrust Mortgage, Perfect Brunch Bros, Arzan Cafe, The Scent Queens Candle Co & Apothecary Shoppe, and It’s Lit Studio Yoga + Fitness - 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 for their partnership and look forward to celebrating the community with them!

We also want to give a huge shout-out to The Jade Vine Flower Shop, Chim Thai, ABC Printing, and Katherine Anne Confections for contributing flowers, food, printing, sweet treats, and extra touches that add fun and creativity to this year’s celebration.

Thank you for helping make this event even more exciting!

NRC STAFF

North River Commission Staff

For more 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

• Elisha Jurewicz / Accounts Manager

• Farah El-Nahal / Economic Development Specialist/ SSA 60 Program Manager (أنا أتكلم العربية)

• Karen Milroy / Economic Development Specialist/ Albany Park Chamber Lead (mówię po polsku)

• Caelin Muniz / Economic Development Specialist / Housing & Communications Lead (hablo español)

• Sonya Koffman / Community Programs Coordinator / Parent Mentor Organizer (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

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Our mailing address is:

3403 W Lawrence Ave, Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60625

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