You're invited to attend a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Grand-Opening Celebration for Mi Placita Mexico Classico - located at 1726 East Riverside Boulevard in Loves Park - on Wednesday, October 5 at 10:00 AM.

Participants in the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony will include:

• Mi Placita Mexico Classico Owner Kevin Mata Rodriguez
• Mi Placita Mexico Classico Associates Eraclio Macias and Gabriel Delgado
• City of Loves Park Mayor Greg Jury
• Harlem Township Supervisor Gary Jury
• The Parks Chamber of Commerce Immediate Past Chairman of the Board Craig Carlson
• Young at Heart Queen and/or Princesses
• Aldermen, Trustees, and senior staff from the City of Loves Park and Village of Machesney Park
• Board Members from The Parks Chamber of Commerce 

Mi Placita Mexico Classico will be open for business immediately following the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, and the Grand Opening Celebration will feature BOGO half off drink specials.

"We have been looking for a location for some time but couldn't find one that worked for us until we found this location in Loves Park," said Mi Placita Mexico Classico Owner Kevin Mata Rodriguez. "We offer authentic Mexican cuisine and strive to provide the best customer service in town. The first thing we want people to see when they come in is a smile!" 

ABOUT MI PLACITA MEXICO CLASSICO

Mi Placita Mexico Classico serves fresh, traditional Mexican cuisine in a cozy atmosphere that feels like home. In addition to indoor dining and a small bar, delivery is available through Uber Eats and DoorDash. Visit us at 1726 East Riverside Boulevard in Loves Park, Illinois, or call us at 799.500.0435.

• Collins Aerospace – Eric Cunningham, MBA, Vice President, Electric Power Systems
• Rockford Park District – Matthew Worley, MS, Director: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau – John Groh, CDME, President/CEO
• Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity – Keri Asevedo, Executive Director

• 4:00 PM:  Networking Begins
• 4:30 PM:  Welcome & Featured Speakers
• 5:15 PM:  Networking Resumes

OCTOBER 19 FEATURED SPEAKERS:
“State of The Parks” by City of Loves Park Mayor Greg Jury & Village of Machesney Park Mayor Steve Johnson


Mayor Jury was sworn in on May 1, 2017 to become the 9^th Mayor of the City of Loves Park. He has served Loves Park since 1999 as Alderman for the 1^st Ward prior to being elected Mayor. Mayor Jury is a Harlem High School graduate, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree at Loras College, and he is a lifelong resident of Loves Park. His entry into public service as an Alderman was driven by both his desire to serve his community and his focus on ensuring that individuals in elected positions are advocating for the business community while also providing real, fiscal oversight for the citizens. Public safety for the residents and businesses of Loves Park is one of Mayor Jury’s top priorities. This has been demonstrated by his public support of the City’s Police and Fire Departments. Mayor Jury is also a strong taxpayer advocate, working to ensure that Loves Park never has a municipal property tax by continually creating opportunities for retail sale tax growth and striving to make the City of Loves Park a business friendly community.

Mayor Steve Johnson has served as an elected official in Machesney Park since 2005. He served ten years as Village Treasurer and two years as Village Trustee for District 2 before being elected Village President in April 2017. Mayor Johnson is happily married to his wife Diana, and he often travels to the southwest suburbs to visit his son’s family. Aside from public service, Mayor Johnson worked 44 years as a Pharmacist, 24 years of which were for CVS Pharmacy. Mayor Johnson is deeply devoted to Machesney Park, its schools, and service organizations, especially those serving veterans and retired folks.


The Parks Chamber Legislative Event Series will also feature display tables by federal, state, and local organizations that offer free and confidential services to the businesses and entrepreneurs to include:

• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity: DCEO provide targeted referrals and counseling for economic opportunities to businesses, including site selection; customized workforce training; regional and local collaboration; expedited permitting, licensing and other approvals; connection to key stakeholders and civic and business partners; and potential financial support to include small businesses recovery grants for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Illinois Small Business Development Center: The SBDC provides information, confidential business guidance, training, and other resources for start-ups and existing small businesses to include free and confidential business advising, a professional referral network, access to capital, technology development, assistance to minority business owners, and more.
• The Workforce Connection: TWC is the local workforce development board that provides a fully integrated and accessible workforce development system that balances the needs of individuals and businesses to ensure our region has a skilled workforce to effectively compete in the global economy. TWC provides regional employers in Boone, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties with business services that make organizations more competitive, improve productivity, create new revenue streams, and improve acquisition and retention of valued employees.
• U.S. Commercial Service: The U.S. Commercial Service recently hired a Director of International Trade, who provides free and confidential support to businesses in the Northwest Illinois territory by promoting trade, exports, and investment to help U.S. organizations compete at home and abroad.