chamber connection
GREATER BELLEVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
JANUARY 2022
ADVANCING BUSINESS. ASRU T IP CL AR C LOE M M U ANRITTI C PEO R T I N GT IC YL. E NAME
OFFICE D E S C RCLOSED IPTION
NAME
ANNUAL MEETING DESCR IPTION
NAME
MOVIES WITH DESC R I P T ISANTA ON
SPECIAL PARTNERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Amy Richter, Chairperson & Treasurer Hospice of Southern Illinois
Platinum:
Memorial Hospital & Care Center
Gold:
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
Mary Lamie, Chairperson Elect Bi-State Development
Silver:
Illinois American Water Company
Bronze:
Ameren Illinois Belleville Boot Company Belleville News-Democrat Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.
Friends:
ALLSTAR Carpet & Upholstery Care Associated Bank AT&T Illinois Auffenberg Belleville Busey Bank Commerce Bank Eckert’s Inc. Essence Healthcare Gonzalez Companies, LLC Grey Eagle Distributors Scott Credit Union Southwestern Illinois College TerraSource Global
Alliance:
Abbott EMS Air One Chiropractic Allsup, Inc Bank of Belleville Belleville Area Special Services Cooperative Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine Bi-State Development BOS Metro East Banking Center Breakthru Beverage Group Cannon Utility Services, LLC. Chelar Tool and Die CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP Cooling Concepts Draft Kings at Casino Queen ELB Enterprises, Inc. Estel Foods Inc. / McDonalds Empire Comfort Systems FCB Bank First Bank FKG Oil Company Holland Construction Services Hoyleton Youth and Family Services Jack Schmitt AUto World Knipp Roofing & Exteriors, Inc. Knollwood Retirement Community Lochmueller Group Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd. McDonald’s - Burris Management, Inc. McKendree University National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Nothing Bundt Cakes Print Master Serra Honda O’Fallon SIHF Healthcare Southern Illinois Builders Association Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Willowcreek Rehab & Nursing Center
Ryan Boike, First Vice Chairperson Belleville Public School District #118 Brett Baltz, Second Vice Chairperson Egyptian Workspace Partners Kevin Vick, Immediate Past Chairperson Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.
Board of Directors
Lisa Adams, Adams Publications Jeff Bair, Grimm & Gorly Florist and POUR@322 Jeff Baker, Executive Freedom Partners Amy Gould, Illinois American Water Ericka Logan, Logan & Logan Mngt & Accounting Service Dan Lovekamp, Auffenberg Dealer Group of Illinois Brian Mentzer, Belleville Township High School Dist. #201 Paula Nixon, Ameren Illinois Jessica Orelt, Baldree-Orelt Insurance Agency Kirk Schilling, Invelope LLC Laura Schrick, Mathis, Marifian & Richter Stephen Sedlak, Schmale Insurance Ron Stephens, Bank of Belleville John Ziegler, Memorial Hospital
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Chairman Mark Kern, St. Clair County Mayor Patty Gregory, City of Belleville Christine Spargur, Scott Air Force Base Jo Ann May, IL Small Business Development Center
CHAMBER STAFF Wendy J. Pfeil, President/CEO wpfeil@bellevillechamber.org Peggy Schifferdecker, Membership/Event Manager pschifferdecker@bellevillechamber.org Diana Goebel, Marketing & Communications Manager marketing@bellevillechamber.org Alex Mathews, Main Street Manager bms@bellevillechamber.org Cathleen Lindauer, Director, Belleville Tourism clindauer@bellevillechamber.org
Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce 216 East A Street, Belleville,IL 62220 Phone: (618) 233-2015 Fax: (618) 233-2077 www.bellevillechamber.org
AMBASSADORS Rebecca Boyer, Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC Justin Chapman, Busey Bank Lynne Clapp, Vertical Performance Terri Dambacher, CompuType IT Solutions Julie Fetters, Associated Bank Cari Frick, Metro Lock and Security, Inc. Sharon Goff, Community Member Dean Hardt, City of Belleville Dennis F. Korte, Sr., Community Member Tracy McCollum, Standard Rule Promotions Dorothy Meyer, St. Clair County Al Orelt, Albert Orelt Allstate Agency Lisa Phillipson, Hospice of Southern Illinois Joy Prigge, Dieterich Bank Leslie Schmidt, Abbott EMS Brandy Steely, Community Member Anne Thomure, Memorial Regional Health Services Jack Weck, Community Member Sheri Welch, Community Member Susan Wobbe, Community Member John Wunderlich, Community Member Sharon Zika, Scott Credit Union
ADVERTISE IN THIS PUBLICATION 2022 Advertising Rates Business Card: (3.5 x 2.5in)
$25 per month
1/4 Page: (3.5 x 5in)
$50 per month
1/2 Page: (7 x 5in)
$100 per month
Full Page: (7 x 10in)
$200 per month
Ads must be received by the 15th of each month, electronically in JPEG or PDF form. Please call 618-233-2015 or email marketing@bellevillechamber.org to reserve your ad space.
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January 2016
COVER STORY Traditions continue with second movie nights with santa series In 2020, the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce created a new holiday tradition when others were being shut down due to the pandemic. Movie Nights with Santa was created and brought back by popular demand in 2021 for the second year in a row. The Chamber once again partnered with Skyview Drive-in in Belleville for the three Saturday movie series starting after Thanksgiving to offer a different family Christmas movie every week. Ticketed time-slots were offered for attendees to get photos with Santa before each movie. All attendees got to see the jolly man himself before the show began as he made his way through the aisles with helpers that passed out bags of candy to all of the children. Many requests have been made to continue the movies in the future with multiple families beginning to make it a part of their annual festivities. As 2021 comes to a close, the Chamber wants to thank all of our volunteers and the community for making Movie Nights with Santa a success and we hope to see you there in 2022!
The Chamber Connection
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CHAMBER NEWS annual meeting highlight On Tuesday, December 21, the Chamber met via Zoom to conduct its Annual Board Meeting. This meeting takes the place of the Chamber’s regular monthly Board of Directors meeting and is open for all Chamber members to attend. The Annual Meeting provided a forum for a wrap-up of the year by Kevin Vick, outgoing Board Chairman and Wendy Pfeil, Chamber President & CEO. Incoming Board Chairman Amy Richter was introduced. Attendees also got to hear from multiple leaders in the community for yearly highlights including Col. Rob Lowe of Scott Air Force Base, City of Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory, Executive Director of the St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants and Economic Development Dept. Rick Stubblefield, as well as State Representative Jay Hoffman. Highlights from the chamber were bright despite the ongoing pandemic. During a continuously changing time, the Greater Belleville Chamber was able to adapt and host many events in person this year including the Otto Golf Classic, Annual Dinner & Silent Auction, Chili Cook-off & Chili Chase 5K, Belle-Scott Enlisted Dinner, Movie Nights with Santa, as well as various Business After Hours and Coffee Cup Connections. The chamber’s Leadership Belleville program was also able to move forward with their 22nd year with a full class. The Greater Belleville Chamber knows our members value their time now more than ever and will begin a few changes in the new year including bi-monthly Business After Hours with a time change to 4:30-6 pm. Information for the first Business After Hours in 2022 will be announced in January. The chamber staff wants to thank outgoing Board Chairman, Kevin Vick of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., for all of his time, hard work, and leadership in 2021. We are excited to welcome our new Board Chairman, Amy Richter of Hospice of Southern Illinois. We also welcome Brett Baltz of Egyptian Workspace Partners as the newest member of the Chamber Executive Board.
announcement: business after hours in 2022 will be the first thursday of the month every even month from 4:30-6:00 pm. Our next one will be thursday, february 3. more information to come in january. Page 4
January 2016
CHAMBER NEWS
January 2022
Upcoming Chamber Events 1/13 1/17 1/19 1/27
Healthcare & CSA Committee Meeting Office Closed - MLK Day Leadership Belleville Committee Meeting Chiro-med Ribbon Cutting
RSVP for events online at www.BellevilleChamber.org! Just click on the event you wish to attend and log-in. Need help? Email your RSVP to marketing@bellevillechamber.org or call 618-233-2015.
greater belleville chamber closed january 17 for martin luther king day. the office will reopen on tues., january 18.
meet our new board chairman, amy richter Amy Richter is currently the President and CEO of Hospice of Southern Illinois, which is celebrating 40 years of serving hospice patients and families in 27 counties in Southern Illinois. Amy joined the organization in 2009 as their CFO and moved into the President and CEO role in 2017. Before joining Hospice of Southern Illinois, she served as the Corporate Director of Financial and Regulatory reporting for SSM Health. Amy has 36 years of experience in the finance and accounting field, 30 of those years in health care as a licensed CPA, with an MBA from Maryville University in St. Louis. She is a member of the American Institute of CPA’s and is a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. She has served as Past President and Board member of the Greater Heartland Chapter of HFMA. Amy also previously served as a member and Chair of the Belleville Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. She currently serves as a Healthcare Committee member and Treasurer on the Executive Committee for the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce. In addition to her responsibilities as President and CEO, Amy works as a volunteer for Hospice of Southern Illinois. Welcome, Amy, as our 2022 Board of Directors Chairman! The Chamber Connection
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MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
Welcome
to the following businesses and organizations who joined the Chamber in November.
StaffQuick 282 S Mill St., Suite 2, Nashville, IL www.staffquickjobs.com
Popcorn-N-Such 1920 Lebanon Ave., Belleville, IL www.orderpopcornnsuch.com
Essence Health Care 13900 Riverport Dr., Maryland Heights, MO www.essencehealthcare.com
My Ombuds 2753 Brookmeadow Dr., Belleville, IL www.myombuds.org
Thank you
to the following members for renewing their membership with the Chamber in November.
BarberMurphy Group, Inc. Barcom Security Beast Craft BBQ Belleville Christkindlmarkt Big Daddys 618 Blanquart Jewelers, Inc. BRiC Partnership Cambridge House of Swansea Campbells Automotive Inc. Catholic Diocese of Belleville Cemetery Challenge Unlimited, Inc. Commercial Door & Hardware Service Dieterich Bank
Division of Rehabilitation Services Hefner, Dahncke & Assoc Home Instead Senior Care Illinois Center for Autism JEMMS LLC Moonlight_Computing Serra Honda O’Fallon St. Clair County Economic Development St. Clair County Health Department T.R.’s Place Inc The Orchards Golf Course Volkert, Inc.
For a complete list of our members, visit www.BellevilleChamber.org. For Membership Information, contact Peggy at 618-233-2015 or PSchifferdecker@bellevillechamber.org Did you know the Chamber has a members-only event calendar? Submit your event online at www.BellevilleChamber.org and click “Calendar” to see the calendar and submit your event! All events will be featured in our Weekly Friday E-blast. Page 8
January 2016
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES Celebrating a new business opening, anniversary or remodel?
Celebrate with a Ribbon Cutting! Contact Peggy Schifferdecker, Membership/ Event Manager, for more info. Call the Chamber Office at (618) 233-2015.
Advertise your organization’s job opportunities for free! Log-in to your ChamberMaster account to post or e-mail your job descriptions to marketing@bellevillechamber.org.
BELLEVILLE HAS A NEW PODCAST! Listen or watch twice a month as we help highlight, promote, and enlighten people, businesses, and community events in the Greater Belleville area. Find out more at
www.bellevillechamber.org The Chamber Connection
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Edward S. Bott, Jr. Belleville, IL John H. Chassaing Belleville, IL Thomas F. Hennessy, III Swansea, IL Paul E. Petruska Belleville, IL Garrett C. Reuter, Jr. Belleville, IL William A. Schmitt Waterloo, IL Donald K. Schoemaker Shiloh, IL Kurt S. Schroeder Shiloh, IL Russell K. Scott Belleville, IL L. Kevin Vick Belleville, IL Donald E. Weihl Belleville, IL Andrew V. Wolkiewicz Waterloo, IL
Southern Illinois businesses… ... count on Greensfelder’s attorneys to protect their hard work and grow their businesses. We address the legal needs of business organizations in all sizes and industries and take the time to learn our clients’ needs and goals and help them stay on course.
David W. Ybarra O’Fallon, IL
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. • www.greensfelder.com 12 Wolf Creek Drive, Suite 100, Belleville, IL 62226 Offices in Southern Illinois • St. Louis, MO • Chicago, IL
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January 2016
MEMBER UPDATES HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’ for the Fall 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for fall 2021. This national distinction recognizes St. Elizabeth’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and error in the hospital. “We are extremely proud of receiving this ‘A’ safety score on behalf of our patients,” said Elizabeth’s Interim President and CEO Brandon Fish. “It is a demonstration of the commitment that our colleagues and medical staff have to putting our patients first and providing high quality, safe care to the region, even during very difficult and trying times through a global pandemic.” This makes the seventh reporting cohort in a row that St. Elizabeth’s received this top grade. The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, injuries, accidents and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. “Trust in the health care system is a high priority for patients to feel comfortable that they are receiving quality care when they seek medical attention. We also remind the community to never forgo or delay seeking medical care for any type of emergency or annual preventative screenings,” Fish added. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a tremendous achievement, of which this community should be extremely proud,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I thank the leadership and workforce of HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for its commitment to prioritizing patients and their safety, especially during these trying times.” To see St. Elizabeth’s full grade and those of other health care entities, or access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
U.S. News and World Report names Memorial Care Center As High Performing for Short-Term Rehabilitation U.S News and World Report announced Memorial Care Center (MCC) was again named as High Performing for Short-Term Rehabilitation. This is the 12th consecutive year that MCC has received a top ranking from U.S. News and World Report. MCC was ranked among more than 15,000 facilities in the country and only 21% of U.S. nursing homes earn recognition. The rankings are based on U.S. News’ in-depth analysis of publicly available data as well as information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that sets and enforces quality standards for all homes enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid. Memorial Care Center is licensed and certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health and is connected to Memorial Hospital. The facility offers high-quality nursing and rehabilitative services for post-operative or short-term rehabilitative care as well as wound care and intravenous therapy services. MCC recently announced it will partner with Bethesda Health Group to manage operations of the facility effective April 1, 2022. For more information about Memorial Care Center, call 257-5060.
The Chamber Connection
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MEMBER UPDATES Holland Construction Services Completes Renovations on Historic Lofts on the Square Holland Construction Services has completed the $14.6 million renovation of the former Meredith Home/Hotel Belleville, now known as Lofts on the Square, located prominently on the Public Square in Downtown Belleville. The highly anticipated senior living project, located at 16 S. Illinois Street in Belleville, includes 47 apartments, common areas, activity spaces, a library/computer lab, an exercise room and storage facilities. The six-story building also includes 3,000 square feet of leasable restaurant and retail space on the street-level first floor. Holland Construction Senior Project Manager, Tim Simon, said renovating the nearly 90-year-old building, which was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as part of the project, came with a unique set of challenges, that his team was able to address the issues and still deliver the project on time and within budget. “It’s been exciting to essentially bring this historic building back to life and make it shine again,” said Simon. “Our goal was to retrofit this building, which was built in 1931, with 21st century technology without losing any of its original character. We encountered some unexpected supply chain issues, such as the historic, custom-made doors taking three months longer than expected to get in, but we were able to work around those challenges and deliver a finished project we are all really proud of.” The Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA) and St. Louis-based Bywater Development Group purchased the long-vacant building from the City of Belleville and were the developers on the project. SWIDA executive director Mike Lundy said their goal was to retain the building’s original interior and exterior historic character-defining elements, while repurposing the building as residential apartments, bringing new vitality to Downtown Belleville. “This is a building that was once slated for demolition, and now, we feel confident it will become a focal point of our city,” said Lundy. “Holland went the extra mile on many occasions to find innovative ways to ensure this project stayed true to our original vision for it and communicated with us every step of the way. We are thrilled with the end result.” Lundy said the Lofts on the Square apartments are available to senior citizens, 55 and older, who meet income requirements and that, while apartments are renting quickly, spaces are currently available for lease. The senior apartments are on the second through sixth floors and the first floor features a restored lobby area and street-level commercial space. No tenants for the commercial space have been named yet. Those interested can call 618-345-3400 or email loftsonthesquare@sugarcreekcapital.com.
southwestern illinois college wins spirit of flight award Southwestern Illinois College recently won the 2020/2021 Spirit of Flight Award from the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame, the first two-year college to receive the award. Pictured from left, Dean of Technical Education and Workforce Development Bradley Sparks, Aviation Pilot Training Coordinator Keith Mueller and Aviation Maintenance Technology Coordinator Matthew Harter in the AVMT Hangar. The Spirit of Flight award annually goes to an organization that has made a substantial contribution to aviation in Illinois, with Illinois-based activities over a long period of time. The winning organization’s members must go above and beyond the call of duty and exhibit a high degree of excellence in their accomplishments. The award was presented at the annual Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame banquet in St. Charles, Illinois in October. SWIC offers associate in applied science degrees and certificates in Aviation Pilot Training and Aviation Maintenance Technology. The college’s Aviation programs were established more than 50 years ago. For more information about SWIC Aviation programs, visit swic.edu/aviation.
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January 2016
MEMBER UPDATES McKendree University Biology Professor Honored for Excellence in Teaching Dr. Michele “Mickey” Schutzenhofer ‘03 of McKendree University is among more than 80 St. Louis-area educators who have received the 2021 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award for their outstanding contribution to the teaching profession and to their students. She and other recipients, who were chosen by their institutions’ top administrators, will receive an engraved crystal apple, along with additional Emerson recognition. The award also includes an opportunity to apply for an Emerson grant to support supplemental classroom services or materials at an award recipient’s school. “Dr. Schutzenhofer’s teaching is characterized as interactive, hands-on, and enthusiastic. She provides individualized attention and truly wants each student to succeed,” said Dr. Tami Eggleston, provost. “She is extremely supportive, level-headed, compassionate, timely, inquisitive, self-driven, trustworthy, courteous, reliable and, most importantly, humble. In her upper-level courses, she recruits students to work on research projects with her, and they gleefully do so. While instructing them about the research process, she instills in them a sense of ownership and responsibility.” An alum of the University and native of Staunton, Ill., Dr. Schutzenhofer has been serving as a professor of biology at McKendree since 2007. She regularly teaches classes in ecology and environmental science, along with Biology for Life and Principles of Organismal and Population Biology. Appointed as Provost Fellow in January 2021, Dr. Schutzenhofer works on coordinating professional development activities for faculty, including the University’s Teaching for Excellence Workshop, the Make Your Mark Bootcamp and the Spring Book Study. She is also a former chairperson of the Division of Science and Mathematics from 2014 to 2020 and received the 2016 United Methodist Church Exemplary Teaching Award. Dr. Schutzenhofer is also very involved in her research, particularly in documenting bee communities on rare hilltop prairies along the bluff corridor in Illinois. As a published field ecologist, she has collaborated with colleagues at local institutions and worked closely with landowners and individuals at private and public organization. Her work has allowed her to provide authentic research experiences to more than 20 students, one of whom is now in a graduate program researching bees. “I am very honored to receive this award. McKendree has a lot of amazing faculty and teachers who care about their students and are passionate about what they teach, so it is significant to me that faculty I admire would nominate me for this award,” Dr. Schutzenhofer said. “When I was a student at McKendree, faculty here played significant roles in my future not only by securing important professional experiences for me, but also by demonstrating how exciting being in a classroom could be. I strive to give some of those same experiences back to the students at McKendree now that I serve as one of those faculty members.” Other McKendree graduates who received the 2021 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award include the following: • Jill Dalke, M.A.Ed. ’09, a teacher at Freeburg High School in Freeburg, Ill. • Amy F. Heath, M.A.Ed. ’10, a chemistry teacher at Granite City High School in Granite City, Ill. • Lana Kunz, M.A.Ed. ‘11 a kindergarten teacher at Belle Valley Elementary School in Belleville, Ill. • Monica (Weilbacher) Mize, M.A.Ed. ’14, a librarian at Eagleview Elementary School in Columbia, Ill. • John Parciak, M.A.Ed. ’14, a second grade teacher at Kreitner Elementary School in Collinsville, Ill. • Jessica Stein, M.A.Ed. ’10, an early childhood teacher at Grant Elementary School in Fairview Heights, Ill. • Kristen Stoltz, M.A.Ed. ’13, an eighth grade teacher at High Mount School in Swansea, Ill. • Kerri (Zeisset) Thaler, ’97, M.A. Ed. ’11, a special education teacher at Central School District in O’Fallon, Ill. • Jennifer (Krause) Wegener, M.A.Ed. ’11, a special education teacher at Millstadt Primary Center in Millstadt, Ill. • Megan (McQuiston) Zinck, ’11, a third grade teacher at Wingate Elementary School in Mascoutah, Ill.
The Chamber Connection
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MEMBER UPDATES Four Illinois American Water Supervisors Honored by Department of Defense for Support of Employee in National Guard Four Illinois American Water supervisors were honored last week by the U.S. Department of Defense Employee Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR) for their support of an employee and coworker who is deployed with the National Guard. Four Illinois American Water employees received the ESGR’s Patriot Award, which recognizes supervisors who are nominated by a Guardsman or Reservist employee for support provided directly to the nominator. The Illinois American Water supervisors were nominated by Jack (Jake) Sciuto, a production technician at Illinois American Water’s water treatment plant near East St. Louis, Ill. Sciuto is deployed in the National Guard and stationed in Texas. Receiving the ESGR’s Patriot Award were: • Fred Campbell, Senior Manager, Production • Mark Barton, Senior Superintendent, Production • Jeff Lampe, Senior Superintendent, Production • Ken Bast, Senior Supervisor, Production Campbell, Barton, Lampe and Bast received the awards from ESGR representatives at a brief ceremony on December 8 at the Illinois American Water treatment plant near East St. Louis where they work and serve as Sciuto’s supervisors. ESGR, a Department of Defense program, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. ESGR is supported by a network of more than 3,000 volunteers in 54 committees located across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Volunteers, hailing from small business and industry, government, education, and prior military service bring a vast wealth of experience to assist in serving employers, Service members, and their families. Together with Headquarters ESGR staff and a small cadre of support staff for each State Committee, volunteers work to promote and enhance employer support for military service in the Guard and Reserve. Illinois American Water President Justin Ladner said the company is proud to be a military-friendly company. “We thank Jake (Sciuto) for his service. We support his continued commitment and dedication to the National Guard. It is an honor for our employees, and company, to be recognized by the Department of Defense.” American Water earned the 2021 Military Friendly® Gold Employer, Spouse Employer and Supplier Diversity designations produced by VIQTORY. American Water provides reliable water and wastewater services to 15 million people across the US, including 17 military installations.
Contact us for more information on our full spectrum of comprehensive services including: Free Epilepsy Education, Case Management, Support Groups, Advocacy, Emergency Epilepsy Medication Funding and Summer Camp.
Website: www.efgreatersil.org, Phone: (618) 236-2181
Learning Center & Driving School Brad Garland, B.S. Ed. & Elissa Garland, M.S. Ed. 4212 North Belt West, Belleville, IL 62226 Phone: (618) 277-7323 | Fax: (618) 277-6786 Email: info@mytutorlearning.com
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January 2016
CALLED to
®
Yes, the pandemic came to our hospital. So we showed it who we are. We are Called to Care. Thank a health care worker at steliz.org/calledtocare. The Chamber Connection
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MEMBER UPDATES Considering Certification as a Diverse Supplier? Ask These 5 Questions
By Paula Finch and Dee Harleston Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.
You’ve heard of minority-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses, and you have a sense of what that means, but you aren’t sure whether you should “get certified.” How do you decide if certification is right for your business? Which certification do you pursue? How long does the certification process take? Here are five things to consider if you are thinking about pursuing a certification—whether an MBE, WBE, DBE, or other designation. Who Is Your Target Customer? This is the first question we ask those considering certification because your answer will dictate which agency you need to get certified with. Certifications come from many places. There are governmental certifications that are typically issued by states, cities, quasi-governmental agencies, and the federal government. There are also corporate certifications issued by organizations serving the supplier diversity industry. Knowing your target customer and their needs will help determine which agency to file your first certification application. Are You Targeting a Specific Opportunity or Is That Opportunity Targeting You? Many times, a business owner will inquire about certification because existing or potential customers are asking them to get certified. If that’s what’s driving your certification decision, understanding your customer’s needs is key to where and when to get certified. How Long Does It Take to Get Certified? Are you in a hurry to get certified? The application and review process takes anywhere from 45 to 90 days (now closer to 120 days on the high end because of the COVID-19 pandemic) from document collection to submission. The timeconsuming part is getting the documents ready for the application because most certification agencies want information about your company from the first day you opened its doors., It takes time to track those documents down, and even the most eager client still spends 30 to 45 days pulling those documents together. Be prepared to be diligent and patient. What’s My Budget for Certification? Some certifying agencies charge an application fee, while others don’t. Many clients find the certification process complicated and overwhelming and hire outside help to navigate it. Not understanding the application pitfalls can lead to increased costs and, in some cases, an application denial by the certifying agency. Knowing your budget and understanding the certification requirements will help save costs in your first application and any others you pursue later. How Much Compliance Work Do I Want? Once businesses get certified with one agency, they usually start looking at other certification options. This desire for additional certifications is often due to a growth in business that leads to a broader customer base and a slew of new opportunities. There’s no limit on how many certifications you can have, but with each one, there are compliance requirements. Understanding your appetite for compliance work is another pivotal factor to consider when deciding to get certified.
Community organizations from East St. Louis donate headwear and dollars in support of breast cancer patients to HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Foundation HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Cancer Care Center and Imaging Services thank Money and Resources United (MARU) () and Sewing to Sow group from North End Baptist Church for recent donations in support of breast cancer awareness and St. Elizabeth’s patients. Sewing to Sow made the head coverings and donated $100 while MARU donated over $500 to HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Foundation to be used toward breast cancer education, technology and more, with a focus on the importance of early detection and proper treatment. In addition, Tracy Estell of MARU donated two inspirational paintings she created which will be hung in St. Elizabeth’s facility. Pictured in first photo, from the left, are Christy Koenigstein, patient navigator and Jordyn Corthell, nurse navigator, from HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Cancer Care Center; Jacque Owens, director of imaging at St. Elizabeth’s; and Tracy Estell and Vonzetta Thomas from MARU. The additional photo shows Sewing to Sow members, Jacque Owens and HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Foundation Director David Garris (center). Page 16 January 2016
Belle Clair Rotary’s Dinner Raffle Win dinner to local restaurants and benefit local charities. One ticket purchased allows a chances to win every month!
1st Prize: $200 Restaurant Gift card
2nd Prize: $20 Gift Card to Farmer’s Market
rd
3 Prize: A Homemade Pie from Eckert’s Country Store Tickets can be purchase by scanning the QR code in this ad, or online at BelleClairRotary.com/raffle 1 for $25 3 for $50 7 for $100 Drawings will be held at the St. Clair County Historical Society at 1:30 PM on the 4th Wednesday of every month in 2022. Drawing are also streamed live on the Belle Clair Rotary Facebook page. Participating restaurants include Annie Gunn’s, Eckert’s Restaurant, Andria’s, Carmine’s, Fletchers, Tavern on Main, Bella Milano, Lombardo’s, Cured & Cultured, Cobblestone and more.
Fairview Heights 5915 N Illinois St Fairview Heights, IL 62208 (618) 416-8002
Mon-Fri: 9:30am - 6:30pm Sat: 10:00am - 6:00pm Sun: Closed
ORDER ONLINE! WE DELIVER! NothingBundtCakes.com
The Chamber Connection
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MEMBER UPDATES McKendree University’s Speech and Debate Team Finishes Fall Season with 23 Awards The McKendree University speech and debate team concluded its fall season with outstanding performances at three tournaments, receiving 23 awards in total. “This fall has been very difficult, but I’m very proud of how our students and coaches have persevered,” said Joe Blasdel, director of speech and debate. “Despite the circumstances, several of our students turned in the best performances of their careers.” McKendree participated in Bradley University’s L.E. Norton Invitational on November 6-7 – the most competitive regular season speech tournament of the year. Jayden Touchette finished as a semifinalist in programmed oral interpretation, while Rayn Nauert took second place in novice poetry. McKendree hosted the Bearcat Classic, a virtual debate tournament, on November 13-14. Jamari Jackson and Noah Marlar posted a perfect record of 5-0 and advanced to semi-finals, defeating Hillsdale College in the quarter-finals. Kyle Smith and Jayden Touchette went 4-1 and also finished as semifinalists. Jackson was recognized as the second place speaker at the tournament. On December 4-5, McKendree participated in the Study Break and Gateway Swing tournament, hosted by Webster University, which included a debate competition as well as two speech competitions. At the debate competition, Aaron Brown and Emma McIlhargie were recognized as the sixth place debate team and received the fifth and third place speaker awards, respectively. Nik Fischer also received a Top Critic Award. At the first speech competition, Jayden Touchette won first place in three events – extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking and programmed oral interpretation – while finishing second place in prose. Taylor Roth also advanced in extemporaneous speaking, taking third place. At the second speech competition, Touchette also won first place in three events – extemporaneous speaking, programmed oral interpretation and prose – while taking second place in impromptu speaking. Taylor Roth advanced in both of her events, receiving fourth place in both extemporaneous speaking and impromptu speaking. Finally, Madeline Trinity finished sixth place in prose. As a school, McKendree was recognized as the third place school on Sunday as well as the third place school over the weekend of competition. The McKendree University speech and debate team will kick off its spring competition by attending the Texas Two Step, hosted by the University of Texas at Tyler, on January 6-9. Founded in 1828, McKendree University’s historic Lebanon, Ill., campus is 25 miles from St. Louis, Mo. McKendree also offers degree programs online. It is one of U.S. News’ “Best Regional Universities,” “Best Value Schools” and “Best Colleges for Veterans” in the Midwest. www.mckendree.edu.
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January 2016
MEMBER UPDATES Expecting a bundle of joy in 2022? HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital announces Prenatal Education Class dates for new year Pregnant moms can get all their “what to expect” pregnancy questions answered by attending any or all of the Prenatal Education programs offered by HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in the coming year. St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infants Center offers a wide range of services for mothers and infants, and the class schedule for 2022 is now available. It includes Prepared Childbirth Classes, Breastfeeding Fundamentals; and other education about the amenities and quality care at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Classes are taught by a registered nurse from St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infant Center and are open to any mom-to-be and their support person. The recommended time to attend is after 28 weeks. “The overall goal for all of our prenatal education programs is to make sure moms and families maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout pregnancy and are as prepared as they can be for the delivery, as well as taking their baby home,” shared Julie Brooks RN, BSN, CLC, Childbirth Educator and Lactation Counselor at St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infants Center. “We invite all expectant mothers to attend our educational classes, even if you haven’t yet decided where to deliver.” Brooks also notes that all COVID-19 safety precautions are followed for the classes which are kept to limited numbers, socially distanced and masks are required. The Prepared Childbirth class is offered as two weekday evening sessions or an all-day Saturday class. Breastfeeding Fundamentals is a weekday evening class. The full calendar of dates at St. Elizabeth’s can be reviewed on the Classes & Events section of the hospital website, www.steliz.org. For more information or to register for classes, email childbirtheduc@hshs.org. According to the March of Dimes, prenatal education is an important component of supporting healthy pregnancies. Prenatal education promotes the maintenance of healthy lifestyles during pregnancy and helps expectant mothers manage stress, support a healthy diet, avoid harmful chemicals and situations, recognize warning signs and symptoms that mean something may be wrong with their pregnancy, as well as prepare for labor and delivery. St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infants Center is recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, created by Cribs for Kids, as a Bronze Safe Sleep Hospital. The Intermediate Care Nursery is also staffed with specially trained nurses to care for babies born with special health care needs.
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MEMBER UPDATES Nonprofit MindsEye Introduces Smartphone iOS App Belleville-based nonprofit MindsEye proudly announces the official release of its smartphone iOS app. The app will further increase the accessibility of MindsEye Radio, the nonprofit’s 24/7 broadcast which provides current print information to area citizens who are blind, have low vision, or are print-impaired. The service is free for qualified individuals and includes programming that promotes independence, including hyper-local news and grocery store ads. MindsEye Radio transmits via short-wave and has been available to listeners on a traditional SCA radio since its inception in 1973. In more recent years, access has been increased through streaming on the MindsEye website and an Amazon Alexa skill. The smartphone app further increases accessibility by providing programs on-demand, anytime, anywhere. Listeners can now hear the grocery store ads while standing in the aisle at Schnucks, or tune into the Wall Street journal while heading to work on public transport. The free app is fully accessible to screenreaders with robust voiceover capabilities. For users with low vision, it also features high contrast and dark mode options. Much like any podcast app, listeners can set up an account and “favorite” programs and create a playlist. No account is necessary to listen. The app can be downloaded by searching “MindsEye Radio” in the Apple store or visiting https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mindseye-radio/id1567627250. MindsEye Board Member and listener Chad Dillon describes the app as “game-changing.” According to Dillon, “in 2021 one of the greatest devices out there helping individuals who are blind and visually impaired is the smartphone. With the advent of the MindsEye app, I now have news, entertainment, and information I need to stay informed and go about my daily life right at my fingertips.” “There has been constant discussion of a MindsEye app for years,” says President and CEO Jason Frazier. “It’s incredible to see it evolve from a discussion to reality. We’re grateful to Tom Janoski, Sam Saxon, and the Washington University Developer Student Council for their hard work. MindsEye staff, Board, and listeners have also played vital roles in helping MindsEye be one of the first radio reading services with an app.” In addition to its Broadcast Information Program that produces MindsEye Radio, the nonprofit has been growing a strong Audio Description Program over the last 5 years. During the pandemic, description shifted to the virtual realm, including recorded descriptions of landmarks like the Soldiers’ Memorial Military Museum and the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Shrine Way of Lights in Belleville. Eventually, these and other descriptions of local sites will be available in the app, allowing St. Louisans with visual disabilities to experience them in real-time independently or alongside sighted friends and family. MindsEye welcomes additional support for this endeavor. Current sponsors include the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis, Ameren Illinois, and Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis. MindsEye is a proud United Way of Greater St. Louis Safety Net member agency. MindsEye strives to build a more inclusive community by translating vision into audio for individuals who are blind or visually impaired through four primary programs. The Broadcast Information Program provides listeners access to longform journalism and local news and materials like grocery store ads, which allow people to stay informed and maintain independence. The Audio Description Program enables every person who attends a theatre production or museum exhibit the chance to enjoy a rewarding experience. The Beepball Program raises awareness and support for athletes who are blind or visually impaired. The Arts and Culture Accessibility Cooperative provides a forum for local cultural institutions to learn about and discuss accessibility. For more information, visit MindsEyeRadio.org. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @mindseyeradio.
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January 2016
MEMBER UPDATES Holland Construction Services Completes Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center Holland Construction Services has completed work on the new Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, located at 331 Regency Park Drive in O’Fallon, Illinois. The 12,000-square-foot facility was designed by ACI Boland Architects and despite the pandemic-related supply and labor shortages, the medical facility was completed on schedule. The new building is one of several healthcare facilities, including the new hospital campuses for HSHS and BJC, which Holland has built in the Metro East over the last few years. “This project was certainly within our area of expertise from a construction standpoint,” said Holland Project Manager Eric Paulek. “We were also fortunate that we were able to order all of our materials early so we avoided many of the supply chain issues companies are currently dealing with. It’s exciting to see the footprint Holland has created in regards to healthcare facilities in this area. We know these are projects that will benefit the entire community and we’re proud to be a part of them.” Metro East Dermatology provides cutting-edge surgical treatment for skin cancer as well as specialized medical dermatology. Dr. Jamie McGinness, owner of Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, said the new facility has allowed their business to triple its size. Dr. McGinness specializes in Mohs surgery, a highly effective and precise treatment for most forms of skin cancer, with an unprecedented cure rate of up to 99%. As one of the only fellowshiptrained Mohs surgeons in the Metro East, he and his wife, Jackie McGinness, FNP, established their practice in Shiloh four years ago and decided it was time to build a new, permanent space as their business continues to grow. “We selected Holland because of their reputation of integrity and reliability, and because they have a tremendous amount of experience with similar medical facilities in this area,” said Dr. McGinness. “Their team did an excellent job of completing the project on time and keeping us informed every step of the way. We’re very excited to start seeing patients in our new facility.”
IMPACT Strategies Supports BSA Outfitters Metro East Scout Shop Relocation The BSA Outfitters Metro East Scout Shop’s new Fairview Heights, Illinois location opened this fall at 5205 N. Illinois Street (Route 159). Replacing its previous location in Belleville, the new shop is easily accessible from I-64 and is centrally located to serve the needs of all Metro East Boy Scouts. IMPACT Strategies provided general contracting services including electrical, carpentry, flooring, doors, wood blocking for new fixtures, and more. In addition to its new, convenient location, the relocated 2910 SF Scout Shop has increased retail space for more merchandise, and a fresh, modern look. The facility also includes a Council conference room for meetings. Mark Hinrichs, president of IMPACT Strategies, said, “We’re honored to continue our firm’s commitment to the Boy Scouts of America. The BSA’s important mission of preparing area youth to become responsible, participating citizens and leaders is one we are proud to support.” The Metro East Scout Shop is one of six Scout Shops operated by the Greater St. Louis Area Council, BSA. The Council serves 3,700 youth in 63 counties in the Greater St. Louis Area with a mission to provide character development, citizenship training, and physical, mental, and spiritual growth for young people in the community.
The Chamber Connection
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World-Class Expertise is Memorial Hospitals are proud to be part of BJC HealthCare, which connects us to the area’s top specialists from BJC Medical Group of Illinois, Siteman Cancer Center, and Washington University Physicians in Illinois, Inc. Memorial offers focused, coordinated care from our experts in breast health, orthopedic care, and heart care. When you need world-class expertise, it’s right here where you live.
memhosp.org
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January 2016
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The Chamber Connection
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