Join Illinois Times in celebrating the best food and drinks in the area and drive local diners to your location!

Participating restaurants will provide:

  • Offer a specialty crafted, off-menu item for a reasonable price during serving hours.
  • Featured item does not have to include a side, but you may choose to offer one/some.
  • Promotion of 217 Food Week with provided materials in your restaurant and through your social media platforms. Use hashtag #217FoodWeek.
  • Give priority consideration to affiliated food and beverage vendors that partner for this event (beer, condiments, bakery, etc…).
  • Complete entry form and pay entire participation fee no later than 20 days prior to each Food Week.
  • Provide a detailed description of your creation (limit description to under 60 words), including a catchy name and a high-resolution photo for use in Food Week no later than 20 days prior to each Food Week. Illinois Times can assist with the photo with advance notice.
  • Social media info.
  • Location and hours.
  • Offer specialty drinks using sponsors brand if possible.

In addition to hungry customers Illinois Times will provide:

  • Full page ads the week before and during each Food Week.
  • Social media campaigns (Facebook, Instagram) prior to and every day of each Food Week.
  • Emails to our database of 30,000 local people prior to and during each Food Week.
  • $6000 worth of commercials on the Capitol Media Group stations and (Woodward Community Media) Neuhoff Media to promote each Food Week.
  • Dedicated website, 217foodweek.com, to include your logo, restaurant information, and photos of featured items.
  • Links to 217foodweek.com from the Illinois Times website and social media posts.
  • Table cards, posters, and flyers for participating restaurants.
  • Food Week promotional opportunities for participants.
  • Daily prizes on social media.

If you’re interested in becoming a 217FoodWeek venue, drop us a line at [email protected].