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Join Jessica Lotz and Jonathan Simmons Friday mornings for a snapshot of what’s happening in the O’Fallon and Shiloh (Illinois) area right now. We’ll give highlights of new developments and projects, details of upcoming events and report on good news happening in our community! Listen to The 618 Now to be in-the-know. This podcast is a production of the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce.
Episodes

Thursday Feb 09, 2023
Celebrating our 100th episode!
Thursday Feb 09, 2023
Thursday Feb 09, 2023
- our 100th episode!!
- energy rates in O'Fallon and Shiloh
- Super Bowl fun facts!
- Wed, Feb 15th @ 5:30pm is the Chamber's Book Club hosted by Matt Smallheer.

Thursday Feb 02, 2023
Artificial intelligence: business friend or foe?
Thursday Feb 02, 2023
Thursday Feb 02, 2023
- artificial intelligence and how businesses are using it
- tax season is underway and the AARP offers free tax preparation services through the O'Fallon Public Library. You do not have to be a senior citizen or a card holder of the library to use this service!
- Friday & Sat Feb 3 and 4th: Bank of O'Fallon Shootout at OTHS. We covered it and all of the excitement of this year's talent in last week's episode.
- Fri, Feb 10th is the Sweetheart's Dance (formerly the Father/Daughter dance) at the Regency Conf center. Ticket price includes dinner, flowers, dancing and a professional photo.
- Sat, Feb 11th at noon is a corn hole tournament at the VFW sponsored by the Friends of Scott SCCS Rotary Club.
- Wed, Feb 22nd 11am-2pm is the Empty Bowl Lunch hosted by the O'Fallon Woman's Club in support of the O'Fallon Food Pantry.

Thursday Jan 26, 2023
Top talent coming to OFallon
Thursday Jan 26, 2023
Thursday Jan 26, 2023
- Two of the top nationally ranked high school basketball players are coming to Bank of O'Fallon's Shootout Feb 3 and 4th. It's a huge community event! Tickets will sell out!
- #1 IL team will attempt to secure bragging rights against the #1 MO team too!
- OTHS now offers free 24/7 tutoring for students
- Sat, Jan 28th is Brian Keller Day in the Downtown District- enjoy a downtown trivia walk and art/photograph expo beginning at 1pm
- Tues, Jan 31st is the Band Boosters Skating fundraiser at SkateCity from 6-8pm, $7 admission and $4 rentals
- Thurs, Feb 2nd is a job fair with O'Fallon Parks and Rec
- Vine Street Market at OFallon Station is now accepting vendor applications for the upcoming market season!
- Summer camps for Parks and Recreation are filling up quickly- consider signing up the kids now before spots sell out.

Thursday Jan 19, 2023
Who spent $1M in just 2 weekends?
Thursday Jan 19, 2023
Thursday Jan 19, 2023
- visitors to the Family Sports Park had an estimated $1M of economic impact over 2 weekends this past fall and over $2.6M in the last 4 months- money that goes into our local economy to support businesses
- a few good deeds that helped out elementary students recently
- Sat, Jan 28th is Brian Keller Day in the Downtown District
- Friday and Sat, Feb 3 and 4th is the Bank of O'Fallon Shootout at OTHS- a great community event that draws top basketball talent throughout the state.
- Wed, Feb 15 @ 5:30pm is the Chamber Book club hosted by Matt Smallheer at The Tye-Dyed Iguana. We're reading The Pumpkin Plan!

Thursday Jan 12, 2023
We are leaving meetings behind in 2022!
Thursday Jan 12, 2023
Thursday Jan 12, 2023
- the myth of Blue Monday
- what we're leaving in 2022 and what we're bringing into 2023!
- research that shows "brain writing" is more effective than brainstorming
- sneak peek into some economic impact data we'll cover in next week's episode
- Sat, Jan 28 is Brian Keller day in downtown OFallon!

Thursday Jan 05, 2023
Roadmap for 2023
Thursday Jan 05, 2023
Thursday Jan 05, 2023
- the City of O'Fallon's recent Citizens' Survey and how that can help decision making for 2023
- The Girl Scouts of Southern IL is looking for businesses and pop up places where the troops can set up in late January and into February to sell their Girl Scout cookies. Please reach out to Kara Wolf Berg, Community Engagement Manager, if you are able to help them out! 800-345-6858 | kwolf-berg@gsofsi.org
- Congrats to the newly selected Lead In Class of 2023!
- On the calendar:
- Jan 9th is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day- thank you to all who protect and serve!
- Jan 12 @ 6pm is Pub Table Historian at Gears inside The Bike Surgeon

Thursday Dec 29, 2022
That’s a wrap on 2022!
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
We're taking off this week, but we hope everyone has a safe and happy new years!
We're back next week with a full episode about how others are planning for 2023.
See you then!

Thursday Dec 22, 2022
Christmas with Nick and Jess
Thursday Dec 22, 2022
Thursday Dec 22, 2022
Happy Holidays! We're taking the week off, but are wishing everyone the best holiday available to you!

Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Unique honors within our community...
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
- Who's playing for one of the world's most prestigious music, band and orchestra clinics via special invitation
- Local celebrity and 911 telecommunicator awarded a trip to Washington DC!
- Wreaths Across America the local efforts to honor community Veterans
- On the calendar:
- 12/16 @ 7pm OTHS Red Carpet Preview Concert @ Milburn campus

Thursday Dec 08, 2022
Housing price or Nicks Christmas gift...
Thursday Dec 08, 2022
Thursday Dec 08, 2022
- Avg housing prices
- Chamber by the numbers
- Shoutout to listener Janelle!
- Sat, Dec 10th 8am-11am is O'Fallon Police Department's Breakfast with Santa
- Sat, Dec 10th 11am-3pm Tinsel Around Town and free gift wrapping at The Medicine Shoppe inside the Schwarz Center in the Downtown District
- Sat, Dec 10th, 3:30pm-7:30pm Winter Market at O'Fallon Station