Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Records (LaSalle), 1946-1980 | Northern Illinois University

The Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce organized in 1912 as the LaSalle-Peru Chamber of Commerce.  After incorporating in 1924, the organization changed its name three times.  In l942 they became the Chamber of Commerce, LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby, in 1958 they became the Chamber of Commerce of LaSalle, Peru, Oglesby, Spring Valley, and in 1964 they took on their current name.  

The purpose of the organization, as stated in the by-laws, was to advance the civic, commercial, industrial, labor, agricultural, professional, and general interests of the area.  The members accomplished these tasks by urging industries to build in the area, funding special development projects, and sponsoring entertainment programs for local citizens.  Surveys and reports done by the Chamber on the retail market, the economy, health care, and employment educated the public on the area’s growth and development.  

Today, the Chamber continues to play an active role in community affairs.