Edit: This SpiceCorps has been started up! Thanks everyone for your support - go join if you are interested: https://community.spiceworks.com/spicecorps/western-chicagoland-suburbs

Please shoot me a PM if you would be interested in sponsoring a meeting, presenting at one, have a company you’d like to see sponsor, or have any topics/questions you’d like discussed during the Q&A time.

A huge thanks to Steve as well for his help in getting the word out about the new SpiceCorps!


I’m looking to start up a SpiceCorps for the more western Chicagoland suburbs, since after I moved late last year I live/work 42 miles or more away from all 3 existing northern IL SpiceCorps.

I’m looking to base it in the Aurora/Geneva/Batavia area. The tentative plan is to host at the school my co-leader works at (Aurora), pending his boss’s approval. Should that fall through, I’ll be looking at public libraries and other meeting spaces in the general area. Aurora’s still a bit of a drive for me! But I picked it because it seemed to be a good central hub for a lot of towns that are far from the existing meetups like DeKalb, Naperville, Downers Grove, Orland Park Joliet, Wheaton, etc.

Right now I’m just gathering interest, as I need about a dozen people in order to even apply to start up a SpiceCorps. If you’re interested, please post below and I’ll let ya know when things get moving. If you work in the area and could offer a meeting space, or have a suggestion for a good meeting space, please also feel free to mention it!

13 Spice ups

I’m so in!

2 Spice ups

North Aurora public library is a place to check on too. It’s in between Aurora, Batavia and Geneva.

2 Spice ups

Unfortunately I’m firmly entrenched in the downtown group. It’s the most convenient for me since it’s just a walk away from the office. Even with it being convenient I still have had things come up preventing me from attending. For me to attend this one I’d have to take the train home as usual and then drive from the Elgin metra station to Aurora and probably be there around 7:30 :frowning:

1 Spice up

I’d be in. I work in Woodridge and live in Bolingbrook, so Aurora or anywhere close to there would be ideal for me. Willing to help with anything I can, so let me know!

P.S., there’s always The Foundry for a meetup spot

3 Spice ups

Neat thanks guys! 2 more people and I have my 10 minimum to apply to start it all up. I have a sponsor lined up for the first meetup too - a vendor I loved working with at my past job

2 Spice ups

I don’t know if The Foundry has a private room…it can get pretty loud in there…but it’s a great idea.

1 Spice up

Or Two Brothers Round House in Aurora, right next to the train and 2 minutes from the Casino! :wink:

2 Spice ups

Can ya tell I’m excited about the location being close enough to where I can make them?!?! :wink:

2 Spice ups

I’m SO in.

While we do have offices downtown, which makes it easier to attend the downtown group meetings, I try not to go downtown unless I have to.

I’m in West Chicago, so Aurora/Geneva/Batavia/Elgin/Naperville/etc. all sound fine to me.

3 Spice ups

That’s been one of my issues haha. At my last job there was like 3 hours between getting out of work and the Chicagoland meetup (and it wasn’t worth it to go home just to drive right back the same route), and the downtown Chicago one was almost 2 hrs away in traffic…now both are 43 miles away from me haha. Aurora is still a bit of a drive (1/2 hr, 45 mins in traffic) but seems to be a nice hub that’s pretty far from the other established SpiceCorps.

2 Spice ups

My co-leader just recruited his boss and confirmed we can use his work (a school) for the meetup. So that makes the minimum 10 people!

Anyone else interested, please still post and I’ll let you all know when things get rolling!

Is there a day of the week everyone prefers? I’m thinking maybe Fridays - a fun event to end the week?

3 Spice ups

I vote aurora/Naperville/plainfield area please. thanks!

4 Spice ups

I am interested also.

3 Spice ups

Fridays would be out for me. :frowning: All of my Fridays are booked for what seems to be the until the end of the year. Uuuggghhhh!

1 Spice up

Naperville Public library is also a good spot; I’m in

3 Spice ups

Too far for me. I live in Worth and work in Des Plaines and Friday’s are not good for me. If you get one started on the Southwest side let me know!

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I’m voting Wednesdays :slight_smile:

3 Spice ups

Wednesdays would be doable too I think

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This wouldn’t save me any time. it only takes me an Hour to get back home from the City, Where I am looking at 1:40 from Aurora. Somewhere like Orland Park would work the best for me.

1 Spice up