February 2011
Chamber News A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER DECATUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
A letter from the chairman
the is embracing of Commerce r be am h C r atu e Greater Dec ar begins, th . it As a new ye ith We have have come w publication. is th r ght fo at changes that ted form ve better insi ly implemen mittees to gi m ew n co e r th ou y jo on ork you en pport local about their w First, I hope hamber to su bers to write C em e m th r at ou es allowed the scen r Chamber es on behind cond month of 2011, ou go ht of at h w to as e se bership in lig s we start th rve our mem se st be to businesses. A s focus on way continues to raints. st our new economic re pointment of ap e th ce n ou Feb. 14. to ann t on or before o will were pleased ar e st w , ill d w n o co h Se er wh ck, w irinda Rothro ecatur-area business lead ile being open president, M D e wh experienced way possibl e, Mirinda is an ber forward in the best ch committe ar es. Our se ham ic C rv r se ou d e ve ov m pro om eas about im nt resumes fr selected to member id y Earl, reviewed excelle and , ts is al n fi d an ed headed by R es, interview s. y 40 candidat ghts and idea approximatel call her with your thou ase rd’s Mirinda. Ple of our landlo tion. Because and found it ca lo ce fi of ew r space for ate site we have a n s us first floo for an altern ve gi ed It ok r. In addition, lo u e at w e so we can town Dec former spac and storage om 103 in down ro e it e need of our os Su , rp et u re ltip Water St ble, large mu at 100 South embers, a usa m r ou of . it ef on the ben age locati at our new r off site stor open house an d eliminate ou an a d in r Mir a reception fo e invited to ar u yo , ly al . Fin b. 23 April 6 5 to 7 p.m. Fe ill be held on w om at fr th on o ti xp ca E lo r business! usiness owcase you nual Small B sh an to e y th it r n fo tu p rt or oppor gearing u is a fantastic ck of this inse We are also Center. This nd on the ba ber.com. u ic fo iv C be r n u at ca am at the Dec and a form w.decaturch is now open eb site at ww W r be and Registration am h C al advocacy from the rvice, politic nesses se downloaded si e d bu vi ll ro A p s. ways to l busines ew ca n lo g d in an er d e, of si ber e are con unity imag Decatur Cham . As always, w gthen education, comm the Greater n in io n jo at re to rm st e fo to m in are welco for more leadership d 00 an 22 on 2ti 42 ta at invi aff have an open y time. Please call our st an at ce er m Com Yours truly, , chairman Keith Casteel
Pictured above, scenes from the 2010 Chamber Business Expo and the door leading into the new Chamber office inside the Millikin Court Building. In the letter, new Chamber President Mirinda Rothrock and board Chairman Keith Casteel.
February 2011
McCarter looks ahead to spring session The General Assembly is back at the Capitol for the 2011 spring legislation session and the “to do” list is quite full. *** The big news continues to be the massive income tax hike passed last month. I have serious concerns about how the increase will impact families and the ability to retain jobs in Illinois and attract new companies and investment. Families are asking, do we have a future in Illinois? Retirees wonder if they should stay in Illinois with the added burden of high property taxes and sales taxes. Businesses in my district will ask whether it makes sense to stay in Illinois and invest their money in a state that spends more than it takes in and then throws the burden back on its citizens. Coupled with the existing personal property replacement tax, Illinois now has the third highest combined business tax rate in the country. Add the high cost of workers’ compensation, property taxes and lawsuit abuse, and the business climate in Illinois is not improving. However, “Hope springs eternal” and despite the imposition of this tax increase, we must continue to fight for common sense government and for fiscal responsibility. Personally, I have offered two separate plans to make across-the-board reductions in government spending and while some call them unworkable, I say it makes more sense to cut our spending rather than hike taxes and
then spend more, which is what the recent tax plan does. My colleague, Sen. Matt Murphy, has filed legislation to repeal the tax (Senate Bill 78) and I will be supporting it. *** During the 1992 presidential race, the successful Clinton campaign was credited for coining the phrase, “It’s the economy stupid.” Well today, here in Illinois, I’d have to say, “It’s the spending stupid.” We need a comprehensive, four-year plan that keeps taxes low and lowers the cost of doing business so companies can succeed and grow. We need discipline in spending, taking the budget back to 2007 or 2008 levels and freezing it for four years. Meanwhile, our departments and agencies need to restore efficiencies and make reforms to prioritize their projects and eliminate waste and unnecessary spending. Families are cutting back, businesses are reducing costs, and our charities and schools have made cuts. The only entity not cutting back is state government. That’s inexcusable. I am pleased with the Medicaid reforms that we passed in early January. State government, really state taxpayers, should see a savings in the hundreds of millions of dollars over the next 5 years. The reforms did not contain everything we asked for but it was meaningful. I wanted to see the adoption of citizenship requirements but the best we could accomplish was requiring
Illinois residency. *** At the end of last year, preliminary work began on the workers’ compensation issue. I’m a member of a special Senate committee looking into this major cost issue for business. I look forward to passing real reform this session. We’ve received commitments from Senate President Cullerton and House Speaker Madigan that this issue would be addressed. We need to hold them accountable for meaningful and substantial reforms that lower rates so we can keep businesses in Illinois and encourage new investment. True reform requires everyone in the system to do their part, to work toward a common goal to preserve a viable but affordable system for those truly injured on the job. The biggest issue is “causation.” The primary cause of the accident must be the workplace. With out it, we can’t address the cost issue. For example, if you hurt your knee in a weekend softball game and on Monday fall and injure the knee again at work, your company shouldn’t be picking up the tab for the entire cost of the knee injury. Your job wasn’t the primary cause. The unfairness in the current system is costing employers millions of dollars that could have been used instead for pay raises or expansion plans rather than deciding to move jobs to Missouri or Indiana. In Illinois, the cost of the workers’ compensation system is rated at $1.82 for every $100 of employee salary paid out. In most
states, the costs range from 60 cents to $1.14 per $100 of payroll. Indiana is 67 cents and Missouri is $1. Illinois is competitively disadvantaged when vying for new business and job growth. *** We’ve heard a lot of talk about bipartisan cooperation. Medicaid reform and commitments for workers’ compensation reform are hopeful signs but bipartisanship should also extend to the budget table. Those who wrote, sponsored and voted for the income tax increase must be held accountable for the policies they claim will get Illinois back on solid financial footing. Public pension reform is another major issue this spring. Illinois now has the largest unfunded pension obligation of any of the states. Unless we get a handle on this quickly, we will destroy the financial future for generations to come. One alternative solution to begin addressing the problem would be to convert the current pension system to a 401k style retirement plan, like most of the private sector and the federal government has today. Good government requires a watchful eye. But opposition parties and the three separate but equal branches of government are not the only checks and balances it needs. It needs the watchful eyes of its citizens. Kyle McCarter represents the 51st District, which includes Macon County, in the Illinois Senate.
CHAMBER MISSION STATEMENT
HEREto
SERVE
The Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce is a pro-business network providing service, political advocacy, and leadership to strengthen education, community image, and local businesses.
MEET
Meeting the needs of Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce members is a team effort that includes cooperation between Chamber staffers and a group of tireless volunteers who are willing to share their time and talents. Committees are a vital part of the Chamber’s structure and they allow for members to match their interest in service with the greater Decatur community. Here is some information about four Chamber committees and the work they do to serve you.
AMBASSADORS You may have heard of us or even seen us. It seems there’s always one of us around at those social and civic events you attend around the community. But, like most, you were probably wondering, who are the Chamber Ambassadors? Well, to put it simply, the Ambassadors are the backbone of the Chamber’s member retention program. We’re the folks who are out in our community networking with new members, attending events and promoting the Chamber and Decatur to local businesses.
We’re enthusiastic, involved and motivated to help our community grow and prosper. Mostly, we’re making sure that new businesses feel connected to what’s happening in our community. The Ambassadors are about cultivating relationships. Bottom line – We’re the Welcoming Committee for Decatur’s Chamber, and we take our jobs very seriously. So, next time you see us at an event, say hello and know that we’re working hard to bring everyone together. To find out more about the Chamber Ambassadors or to apply, visit www.decaturchamber.com/ambassadors/. —Chris Phillips, chairman
the leaders and staff DIRECTORS Chairman ........................................Keith Casteel attorney, Samuels, Miller, Schroeder, Jackson & Sly Vice chairman ......................................Randy Earl vice president, Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Homes Second vice chairman ............................Kevin Kast chief executive officer, St. Mary’s Hospital Treasurer ........................................Erik Brechnitz senior vice president, Brechnitz Group of Raymond James & Associates Secretary ....................................Mirinda Rothrock manager of community engagement, Archer Daniels Midland Co. Assistant secretary/treasurer ............Gretchen Murphy senior vice president, Soy Capital Bank & Trust At-Large ......................................Darren Reynolds senior vice president and general manager, Consociate-Dansig
EVENTS One of the primary functions of the Chamber is to bring members together for some fun and networking. Whether it is the Chamber Expo, the monthly breakfast, after-hour events, the golf outing or the Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet, the Events Committee is working behind the scenes to make the activities
memorable and beneficial to Chamber members. We’re always on the lookout for volunteers to assist us with our tasks and businesses looking to expand their presence in the community through participation at and sponsorship of the various events. — Marie Klemm, chairwoman
SMALL BUSINESS The Small Business Executive Council is the Chamber’s voice for small business in Decatur and Macon County. The council focuses on issues relevant to sole proprietorships and small businesses. We recommend policy positions to the Chamber’s board of directors. The council is divided into three subcommittees including: * Advocacy and education, led by chairman Chris
CLUB 501 With a slight modification of its previous name, and a major modification to the way it stays connected with its membership, Club 501 is looking to better fulfill its mission of being the young professional’s link the Decatur community in 2011. Last year, Club 501 began communicating with its membership via a weekly Youtube video outlining what’s going on in Decatur for the upcoming week and pointing
Harrison, Town & Country Bank. * Downtown, led by chairwoman Teena ZindelMcWilliams, Richland Community College. * Events, led by chairwoman Marie Klemm, C&K Custom Signs Two of our primary functions are the Chamber’s monthly Business Breakfast (first Wednesday of the month), and the Business Expo (first Wednesday of April). —Mark Avery, chairman
viewers toward what’s hot in music, movies and the tech world. January marked the clubs first, quarterly “411 with 501” event at Robbie’s Grille. Still to come in 2011, a new Web site boasting legit member benefits and community resources and more big events like last year’s Uptown/Downtown Party. Look for Club 501 on Facebook until our Web site is launched. —Caleb Jump, chairman
Being a part of a committee is sure to add value to your Chamber membership. Committee positions are open to all Chamber members and their employees. If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact Shellie Klink, director of operations & HR at the Chamber by calling 422-2200.
NEW MEMBERS Consolidated Communications Gold Level Becky Courson 121 S. 17th St. Mattoon, IL 61938 Corona's Mexican Bar & Grill Silver Level Carlos Fernandez 2350 S. Mount Zion Road Decatur, IL 62521 864-2220
Todd Parker-Northwestern Mutual Financial Bronze Level Todd Parker 2849 S. Forest Lane Decatur, IL 62521 358-2957 Preston Insurance Company Bronze Level Bill Preston 3795 N. Woodford Decatur, IL 62526 876-8006
Rush Wireless Bronze Level Robert Rushton 1619 W. King Decatur, IL 62523 422-9988
Interim president..........................Christine Pinckard Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Honorary past chairwoman ....................Beth Stringer publisher, Decatur Magazine
BOARD Wole Adeoye, owner, Victory Pharmacy of Decatur, Inc. Mark Avery, publisher, Grain Journal Gary Birschbach, owner, Decatur Area McDonald’s Carla Brinkoetter, president, Brinkoetter & Associates Phil Cochran, principle/owner, Cochran Engineering Gloria Davis, superintendent, Decatur School District Cindy Deadrick, owner, Shop on Main Patrick Dienslake, market president-Greater Illinois, Regions Bank J. Richard L. Dunsworth, vice president for enrollment, Millikin University Phil Hazenfield, partner, Homer L. Chastain & Associates Steve Horve Sr., president, Horve Builders Walt Hupe, general manager, Caterpillar, Inc. George Justice, manager-Division III, Ameren Robin King, CEO, EPL Bio-Analytical Services Dave Moran, general manager, Refreshment Services Pepsi Todd Nelson, publisher, Herald & Review Chris Olsen, director of community and government relations, Tate & Lyle Tom Pistorius, president, Bendsen Signs and Graphics, Inc. Ron Pulera, vice president and general manager, WAND-TV Gayle Saunders, president, Richland Community College Dave Weber, president, Macon-Shelby market, Busey Bank Craig Coil, president, Economic Development Corporation for Decatur and Macon County (ex officio member)
STAFF Christine Pinckard, IOM, interim president / senior vice president David D. Fishel Jr., director of marketing and communications Shellie Klink, director of operations and human resources
Wildflour Artisan Bakery & Café Bronze Level Kelly Wingard 256 W. Main St. Decatur, IL 62522 422-3300
Jan Mohr, audit and finance manager Karalee Misner, public and government affairs manager Michael Ammons, information technology coordinator Jessica Martin, events and meetings manager