January 2016 Business Journal

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O F

M I D C E N T R A L

J an u ar y 2 0 1 6

I L L I N O I S

L‌ et’s get this new year started

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January 2016

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YOUR

CALENDAR Friday, Jan. 15‌

Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Thursday, Jan. 28‌

Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., DecaMount Zion Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., Lions tur Club.

Club Community Center.

Decatur Camera Club, 7 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1360 W. Main St. Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant.

Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., ScoGreater Northside Baptist Church. vill Banquet Facility.

Saturday, Jan. 16‌ Monday, Jan. 18‌

Friday, Jan. 29‌

Tuesday, Jan. 19‌

Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., DecaDecatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds FamNoon Sertoma, Decatur Club. tur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave. ily Restaurant.

Decatur Landlords Association, 6 p.m., Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club. Doherty’s Pub, 242 E. William St. Altrusa International of Decatur, 6 p.m., location varies Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant, 2959 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill BanScovill Banquet Facility. quet Facility.

Decatur Building Construction Trades CounKiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., cil, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall, 3390 N. Scovill Banquet Facility, 3909 W. Woodford St. Main St. Decatur Area Society for Human Resource Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club.

Management, 11 a.m., locaion varies.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club.

Decatur Christian Women’s Connection, 11:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Saturday, Jan. 2‌

Monday, Jan. 11‌

Monday, Jan. 4‌

Wednesday, Jan. 20‌

Tuesday, Jan. 12‌

Tuesday, Jan. 5‌

Thursday, Jan. 21

Wednesday, Jan. 6‌

Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club. Scheduled speaker is Paula Heinkel of Ameren Illinois.

Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.

Thursday, Jan. 7‌

Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Metro Decatur Home Builders Association, 6 p.m., Beach House, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr. Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Independence Pointe Building, 2715 N. 27th St.

Wednesday, Jan. 13‌

Saturday, Jan. 23 Monday, Jan. 25

Thursday, Jan. 14‌

Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Senior Resources Network, noon, Keystone Meadows, 1455 W. Mound Road.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Decatur Area Women’s Network (DAWN), 5:30 p.m., Decatur Club.

Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., ScoLincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Indevill Banquet Facility. pendence Pointe Building.

Mount Zion Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., Lions Club Community Center.

Decatur Camera Club, 7 p.m., WestDecatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Deca- minster Presbyterian Church, 1360 W. Main St. tur Club.

Friday, Jan. 8‌

Saturday, Jan. 9‌

Friday, Jan. 22

Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, 11:15 a.m., The Gin Mill, 124 E. Prairie Ave. The scheduled speaker is Tony Caccomo of National Foodworks Services.

Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club.

Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Real Estate Investors Association, 6:30 p.m., Perkins Family Restaurant, 2999 N. Monroe St. Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant.

Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Tuesday, Jan. 26

Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Building Construction Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Wednesday, Jan. 27‌

Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.

Saturday, Jan. 30‌

Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club.

Monday, Feb. 1‌

Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant.

Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church.

Tuesday, Feb. 2‌

Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Wednesday, Feb. 3‌

Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club.

Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.

Thursday, Feb. 4‌

Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Human Service Agency Consortium, noon, Central Christian Church, 650 W. William St. Metro Decatur Home Builders Association, 6 p.m., Beach House.

Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Independence Pointe Building.

Friday, Feb. 5‌

Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Saturday, Feb. 6‌

Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club.

To submit items for Your Calendar, contact Scott Perry at (217) 421-7976, at sperry@herald-review. com, or click the “Submit an Event” link at www. thebusiness-journal.com

January 2016

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FROM THE EDITOR ‌ Paging Mr. Power. Mr. Will Power.

Your services are desperately needed.

As I write this month’s column, I’m still feeling the effects of having eaten way too much of this year’s office Christmas lunch.

It was good. Real good. So much so that I couldn’t help but grab a second (maybe it was a third) helping of ham, turkey, stuffing, potatoes and vegetables. To be fair, I offset some of this badness with some salad.

I did all of this knowing it would make for a long, uncomfortable afternoon.

Sitting here, right now, I know something has to change. And like I have many times before, I have resolved to change my habits – tomorrow. As you’ve probably guessed, it doesn’t take much for the healthy train to get derailed.

BUSINESS JOURNAL 3

BUSINESS JOURNAL OF MIDCENTRAL ILLINOIS

Volume 22

Issue 1

601 E. William St. Decatur, IL 62523 217.421.7976 217.421.7965 (fax)

Did I mention lunch included some really yummy cookies?

Will. Where are you?

PUBLISHER: Julie Bechtel GENERAL MANAGER: Gary Sawyer

Scott Perry, editor Business Journal of Midcentral Illinois

January2016Contents Standing FEATURES Biz Bites

6

Biz Clips

15

Fred Spannaus

15

Free Time calendar

16

Health calendar

22

Julie Shields

14

Liz Reyer

18

Office Coach

18

EDITOR: Scott Perry ADVERTISING: AnnaMarie Hanes COVER PHOTO: Jim Bowling

14 New venture

ADVERTISING: The deadline for ad copy for the February issue is Jan. 20. Call 217.421.7953 for rate information.

Julie Shields joins our monthly lineup

STORY IDEAS: Email sperry@herald-review.com or call 217.421.7976 SUBSCRIPTIONS: To order additional copies, call 217.421.7931

The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois is printed monthly and is a publication of Lee Enterprises, Inc.

Professional Profile 19 Wendy Gauntt

11

Celebrating 2015 The members of Kool and the Gang, the headliner of last year’s Decatur Celebration, weren’t the only one celebrating a good time in 2015. This month’s issue includes a review of the past year’s top stories, highlights from area communities and tips for getting 2016 off to a great start.

19 Evolving mission Meet Tanya Andricks of Crossing Healthcare

Information published is the responsibility of the author and does not reflect the opinions of The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois. To submit articles, mail typewritten and 500 words or less to: The Business Journal, 601 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62523. Articles will not be returned. Any editorial content or advertising published is the property of Lee Enterprises, Inc., DBA The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois.

Herald & Review All rights reserved for entire content.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

January 2016

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YOUR

COMMUNITY

Business Journal, Lisa Morrison‌

Decatur pride was on full display for all to see during the Kraft Hockeyville USA contest. Overwhelming support propelled the city to a second-place finish in the national contest.

Community pride shines in national spotlight Residents go to great lengths to support a variety of causes CHRIS LUSVARDI

Business Journal Writer‌

‌A letter expressing one woman’s pride in her community turned into something that propelled Decatur into the national spotlight.

Kristi Niles’ nominating letter explaining why Decatur should be in the top 10 of the Kraft Hockeyville USA contest came just as a push was developing to highlight all the good things happening in Decatur, said Nicole

Bateman, community marketing manager.

The support the community showed for its youth hockey program ended up being more than Decatur Youth Hockey Association President Jason Habrock envisioned going into the competition. Decatur advanced this spring through early rounds of voting into the finals of the Hockeyville competition.

A community gathering at the Children’s Museum of Illinois was featured on a live NBC broadcast when the final results of the contest were announced.

“Looking back, it was amazing,” Habrock said. “We have national recognition. We can be so proud of what we accomplished.

None of it would have happened without the

community support.”

Decatur placed second in the contest to Johnstown, Pa., but Habrock said nobody involved in the effort felt a sense of losing.

Decatur received $75,000 in prize money from the contest, which Habrock said is being used to complete long-sought after projects at the Decatur Civic Center. He said the installation of a new sound system in the arena is complete, a new trophy case is installed and renovations in the hallways and locker rooms will soon be getting started.

“The wheels are really turning now,” Habrock said. “I still get a chill every time I go to the rink. It’s a level of pride.”

Following the contest, community

members raised the same amount to match what the program would have received had it won the Hockeyville contest. Habrock said the decision on what to do with that money will likely be made after the season.

“We’ve kicked around ideas for a big project,” Habrock said. “We’re going to accomplish a lot.”

For now, Habrock said teams are enjoying success on the ice as the season is under way and continues through early March.

The youth hockey program experienced a 45 percent increase in registration this season following the contest, Habrock said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

January 2016

www.thebusiness-journal.com Continued from page 4 A girls program was added for the first time, he said.

For her part, Niles couldn’t believe what happened after writing the letter.

“All I did when I wrote the letter is speak from my heart,” Niles said. “It was kind of a shot in the dark that it would go anywhere, but it felt good to put it out there. For it to get to this point, it’s just so cool to see what this community can do when it comes together. It’s mindblowing.”

The success of the contest has extended well beyond the ice rink, Bateman said.

“Hockeyville gave the entire community something to push for,” Bateman said. “You cannot put a price on that.”

The voting was happening just as the Decatur Macon County City Limitless community marketing and branding campaign was being launched. Youth hockey is just one of the many positive attributes about the community that can be highlighted, Bateman said.

“It’s been great for many years, but a lot of people didn’t know about it,” Bateman said. “With Hockeyville, it seemed like every person knew about it. We want every person to know about what we have here.”

The goal for City Limitless is to keep the level of excitement in the city going in the year ahead and beyond, Bateman said. She said the campaign has generated 520 ambassadors who participate in its organized efforts to spread the message about what is happening in Decatur.

Bateman said speaking positively about the community is up to everyone.

“If we want more things, more retail, more people, every single person has to speak positively about the community,” Bateman said. “Everybody has that ability. Take pride in where you live.”

Like with Hockeyville, much of City Limitless’ message has been spread on social media. Positive messages on social media can help change the perception that residents in Decatur and surrounding areas have about the community, she said.

“The campaign will not be successful without people in the community talking positively,” Bateman said.

Philanthropy is a top strength of Decatur as is highlighted at various times of year like through the WSOY Community Food Drive, Bateman said. A record 1.3 million pounds of food was collected this year for the food drive, which was in its 14th year.

“We are a hugely giving community,” Bateman said. “We take care of our own.

It’s not just giving money. When people here see a need, the community does not turn its head the other way.”

Bateman said the work that the United Way of Decatur and Mid Illinois and other agencies do to support social services is another example of the community’s caring spirit.

BUSINESS JOURNAL 5

Grow Decatur identifies latest priorities CHRIS LUSVARDI

Work continues on three more imperatives including housing, growing the middle and lakefront development, Alten‌DECATUR — The Grow Decatur initiabaumer said. tive has reassessed its focus in hopes of The group isn’t focusing as much of helping to put the city in a position to its attention on those areas as it will become more robust going forward.

Members of the group identified educa- with what it considers its top priorities, he said. tion, prosper and succeed, and workforce Altenbaumer said Grow Decatur considdevelopment as its top priorities during ers the Midwest Inland Port, water supply community update meetings last month.

The group held meetings earlier the year to and community marketing and branding as launched and headed in a desirable direcdiscuss what it should focus on and then met with stakeholders to narrow its list of tion with sufficient resources allotted to make a difference. He said those had been priorities.

It became clear a significant segment of among its top priorities since the initiative the community was not reaching the level was started.

The first discussions about creating of prosperity and success that they want Grow Decatur were in 2010 with it introto achieve, said Larry Altenbaumer, a coduced to the community in February 2012, founder of Grow Decatur. said Ashley Grayned, one of the group’s “If we can pull our resources together, leaders. Its first critical imperatives were we can further differentiate our commuidentified in 2013 and have been going nity in a positive way,” Altenbaumer said.

“There are elements there to put together a through the process of being reassessed comprehensive plan and see success in this this year, she said.

Two potential imperatives, relationships area over the next several months.”

Education is an area identified through discussions with stakeholders, community constituents and participants in the Decatur Leadership Institute as a top priority, Altenbaumer said.

Workforce development is something Grow Decatur has focused on without as much success in the past few years as they would like, Altenbaumer said. He said the group will continue to encourage finding the best opportunities for education and support of workers as possible.

A second tier of imperatives Altenbaumer said includes economic development, vibrant and attractive, and the 20 to 40 age demographic. Improving success in those areas can help the community achieve its goals, he said.

Decatur has a lot to offer in terms of things to do, said Ellen Hearn, one of Grow Decatur’s leaders.

“It is difficult for me to find time to do everything,” Hearn said. “We want more here.”

The Decatur Macon County City Limitless community marketing and branding effort is looking for more ambassadors to spread the message of what Decatur has to offer, said Nicole Bateman, community marketing manager. She said help is needed in that process.

Hearn said the more who understand the message, the better off the community will be in the future.

“Everyone who can talk positively to a stranger needs to understand they could be talking with someone considering an investment in the community,” Hearn said.

“It can benefit us in the long run.”

Business Journal Writer‌

and recruiting that were discussed during the meetings this summer, have been put on hold, said Bruce Nims, a Grow Decatur co-founder.

Nims said the priority ratings were not high for those imperatives but they can still be important for the community. Others can continue to work on those efforts, he said.

“We’re not saying don’t work on it,” Nims said. “For Grow Decatur, it isn’t a particularly high priority. We can only juggle so many balls at the same time.”

Nims said Grow Decatur plans to focus internally on improving engagement and communication efforts along with identifying sources of funding for projects. The goal is for the community as a whole to be involved in the process, he said.

“We said Grow Decatur would only work if everybody is a part of it,” Nims said.

“That’s how we’ve got a shot at making significant changes.”

Nims said they want to sustain a high level of engagement.

Main Place ProPerties

Welcomes

Kings Liquor: noW open!

1495 W. King St. Decatur IL Next to Wing Stop in Fairview Plaza Sunday-Thursday 10 am-12 am Friday and Saturday 10 am-1 am

217-362-2870

Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year.

(217) 422-3330

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January 2016

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BIZ Now open‌

Amanda and Jason Bodine decided last summer to take their newly-developed interest in baking to the next level.

By the end of September, they had constructed and opened a licensed and health department inspected commercial kitchen in their Decatur home.

“It happened very quickly,” Amanda Bodine said. “We wanted to do our business right from the start.”

Bodine’s Baking Company offers a variety of made-from-scratch treats, including cookies, cakes, pies and fudge, Amanda Bodine said.

Jason Bodine does most of the decorating, as his wife credited his “amazing” artistic ability.

Having the kitchen at their house allows Amanda Bodine to homeschool their children and keep costs low while starting the business.

It is a delivery-based business serving Decatur and surrounding communities, she said. Eventually they hope to expand to a storefront.

Bodine’s Baking Company can be found on Facebook. Call (217) 853-7707. nnn Moweaqua lost a bowling alley and gained a bowling alley, bar and restaurant all at the same time.

The old bowling alley at 200 S. Main St. is now Crawford’s Pizza, Pub & Pins and is owned by married couple business partners Hilary and Matthew Crawford. They also own Crawford’s Pizza & Pub restaurants in Mount Zion and Maroa, where they live.

But this is their first location with a bowling alley, hence the Pins part of the new title. The place is familiar territory for Hilary Crawford.

“I went to high school in Moweaqua,” she said. “It’s kind of like coming home.”

When they found out the owners of the bowling alley wanted to sell, the Crawfords heard opportunity knocking. They said they had checked out Moweaqua for locations previously but none was suitable. The old bowling alley, with an attached restaurant, gave them the room they needed to remodel everything except the bowling lanes.

The new restaurant, which has created more than 25 jobs, serves pizza, breadsticks, calzones, burgers, wings, sandwiches and salads and offers a full bar. And, once some mechanical issues are out of the way, it will also serve ice cream and milkshakes. It opens at 10:30 a.m seven days a week and closes at 10:30 p.m except for Friday and Saturday, when it stays open until 1 a.m. Call (217) 768-3255.

Making changes‌

Identical twins Christine Cramblett and Cathleen Barringer reinvented their Dalton City business and have changed the name to Twincredibles’ Sweets Shoppe.

The name change reflects the addition of homemade chocolates and jams to a line of baked goods straight out of their grandmother’s cookbook, such as rum cake, cowboy cookie bars and banana bread.

“We decided to do some things that are

BITES

not so perishable and that we know a little bit better,” Cramblett said.

Black raspberry and strawberry cheesecake truffles, along with caramel pecan turtles, are among the candy choices, while the jam flavors include Strawberries and Champagne and Blue Sapphire Margarita.

Twincredibles continues to be a onestop shop at 125 E. Main St. that includes a mini-mart.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more, call (217) 874-2374.

Expanding‌

First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc., the parent company of First Mid Insurance Group, has completed the purchase of substantially all the assets of Illiana Insurance Agency, LTD. Illiana, based in Philo, is a senior care insurance provider specializing in Medicare supplements, long-term care insurance, annuities and ancillary products.

“We are excited about this acquisition, which is mutually beneficial for customers through expanded services and expertise,” said Clay Dean, CEO, First Mid Insurance Group. “Illiana customers will have access to additional financial services that First Mid offers and our thousands of Medicareeligible customers will benefit from Illiana’s expertise, education and products.”

Illiana founder Tom Schuett, co-owner Jim Schuett and Illiana’s staff of 10 full-time agents and administrative staff, will continue to serve their customers throughout Illinois and Indiana.

On the move‌

Embroidered Expressions has moved to 159 W. Main St. Owner Kimberly Entler said the October move has gone well, with her regular customers having no trouble making the transition from 135 E. Prairie Ave. She said there were a few Christmas season regulars caught by suprise when they made the annual trek downtown. As the name implies, the custom embroidery business specializes in personalizing all sorts of items. But the store is full of already-made items, including spirit wear for local schools and more. Call (217) 791-6426.

New owner‌

Concerned that a local hangout for those who like to play advanced pool games like snooker and carom was about to close, Terry Propst decided to take control of the table.

“I decided to give (business ownership) a try,” said Propst, who purchased the former Rack Billiards in the Woodmound Plaza on Decatur’s north side. The address is 3777 N. Woodford St. Now operating as Terry’s Place, the business is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Propst took over in August and quickly went to work refurbinshing the place and its three tables.

“I enjoy playing very much and giving lessons,” Propst said. He added the advanced games involve more understanding of playing

the angles, which could be beneficial to those who play and compete in the traditional game of pool.

The cost to play is $5 per person per hour.

For more information, call (217) 791-7306. nnn Shear Learning Academy of Cosmetology at 241 N. Main St. is under new ownership.

Rebecca “Riki” Wright, who also owns Positive Reflections Salon in Decatur, bought the business from Leah Stukins and started classes Oct. 13, with the next nineweek session beginning Jan. 5.

A student salon will also open at that time.

Wright’s staff includes Kristy Sams, the school’s administrator, and instructors Shannon Johnson and Ashley Blue.

For more, visit www.shearlearning.com or call (217) 425-9117.

Closed‌

A continuing drop in sales has led to the closing of the Golf USA store in Forsyth.

The business at 133 Barnett Ave., No. 7 had been open since 2009, but owner Rich Nottelmann said the better years were early on.

A combination of the downturn in the economy and decrease of golfing in general has contributed to the decline.

“Some can survive, some can’t,” Nottelmann said. “I’ll move on to something else.”

Nottelmann is a PGA Pro who previously had worked for the Decatur Park District. He said competition from the Internet was hard for the business to overcome.

“A true golfer is still going to support a small business,” Nottelmann said. “They want to get their hands on what they’re buying. There just aren’t enough of those.”

A going out of business sale has started for whatever’s left in the store, Nottelmann said. He said all sales will be final and gift certificates need to be used by the end of the year.

Biz Bite Bits‌

If you’ve traveled along Pershing Road recently, you have seen the dirt being moved across from Taco Bell. That site will eventually be home to a Dollar General. … We’ve also been told the building taking shape next to Krekel’s in Mount Zion will be a bakery. … Two downtown Decatur restaurants, Pastabilities Italian Grille and St. Nicholas Grille, have closed in recent months. Renovation is under way on a replacement for St. Nicholas in One Main Place.

Biz Bites highlight businesses that are opening, closing, expanding … you get the picture. If you have information for our Biz Bites column, contact Tony Reid at treid@ herald-review.com, Chris Lusvardi at clusvardi@ herald-review.com, Theresa Churchill at tchurchill@ herald-review.com or call them at (217) 421-6979.

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January 2016

BUSINESS JOURNAL 7

Macon County communities mark a year of progress ARGENTA‌

Following its first town meeting in August, Argenta’s Long-Range Planning/Economic Development Committee is moving forward with a downtown beautification project with a grant from the Phyllis Madeleine Winings Trust.

The project includes plantings and curbing along Elm Street just east of North Street and creation of a green space where a downtown building is to be demolished.

During 2015, the village rebuilt part of North Main Street and also redid the intersection of North and Elm streets in conjunction with the Macon County Highway Department.

A Right Tree, Right Place program with Ameren also is allowing residents to remove trees that encroach on power lines and plant new trees elsewhere at no cost.

To further its mission of developing a long-range plan, the committee has decided to proceed with help from Western Illinois University’s Institute for Rural Affairs, which will help organize focus groups in the spring to begin determining the community’s priorities.

“We want to have growth while keeping our small-town identity,” Mayor Cindy Luedke said.

A Friends of Argenta community booster group continues to sponsor a safety day in August, a Veteran’s Day parade in November and a toy giveaway for needy children in December. Its Friends Closet changed its regular hours at the old grade school to 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays.

Affecting residents in Oreana as well as Argenta, Mount Pulaski native Donna Schaal became director of the local library district nearly one year ago.

Julie Camfield, president of Parents and Teachers Together, said a Color Run fundraiser at Argenta-Oreana Middle School this fall raised more than $8,000. “Recently, we purchased Chromebooks and two new carts for the school,” Camfield said.

BLUE MOUND/MACON‌

A new school is open in Blue Mound, which residents think is a pretty big deal.

Meridian Elementary School opened on Sept. 8, serving preschool through fifth grade students in 48,000 square feet, with wireless technology throughout the building.

“We have a pre-K playground area devoted to the pre-K students, fenced in and all the safety cushioning playground material,” said Superintendent Dan Brue. “It’s not totally complete. The next stage is getting the parking under control, tearing down the old middle school building and putting in a parking lot. That probably won’t be done until June.”

Over the Christmas break, the Meridian Middle School was moved to Macon, where its new building adjoins the high school, which is almost complete and is already occupied. The two schools will share the library, chorus, art and band rooms.

Business Journal photos, Jim Bowling‌

From left, students Morgan Shaw, Makayla Sims and Erin Fasick clean and decorate a new art classroom that they recently started using after a newly completed construction phase at Meridian High School and Middle School.

first time.

The American Softball Association recognized Forsyth with an award of excellence in November for conducting a highly-rated tournament.

The disc golf course opened this fall and will have a full year of play ahead. The course was designed with the ability to host tournaments in mind, trustee Bob Gruenewald said.

The Decatur-Forsyth Classic women’s golf tournament will be in its 31st year but, for the first time next year, it will not be played in June. The tournament will move to Aug. 8-14 due to the growth of the LPGA Symetra Tour and scheduling conflicts, event director Cindy Deadrick Wolfer said.

The tournament has been played for 30 years at Hickory Point Golf Course.

During the past year, new businesses including the Residence Inn by Marriott and Hobby Lobby at Hickory Point Mall Arhant Thakur, 3, of Forsyth selects a book in the children’s section next to a new winhave opened. dow during the grand reopening of the Forsyth Public Library.

In addition, renovations to the library building were completed this spring with new carpet and fresh paint among the updates. Library Director Rachel Miller The cafeteria area will serve both the FORSYTH‌ is hoping the changes will provide for an middle and high schools, but with separate Economic development and attracting attractive gathering place for the commuareas for each. visitors will remain the focus for the village nity well into the future.

The new middle/high school is state-ofof Forsyth during the new year.

Discussions about the village’s strategic the-art, with flexible classroom furniture The past year brought no shortage of new plan have focused on economic developon wheels to allow teachers and students to activities for residents and visitors, with ment, particularly developing the Prairie easily rearrange for any configuration. The the addition of hosting two men’s fastpitch building offers wireless technology and high softball tournaments and creating a new disc Winds area and adding more affordable housing for families. school students are all issued laptop devices, golf course in Forsyth Park. Officials were with plans to expand that to the middle school pleased with the ability to host the softball students in the new year. The Meridian district tournaments and hope to bring more back in includes Blue Mound, Boody, Macon, Elwin the future. One of the events was a national and parts of Decatur’s south side. tournament, which Forsyth hosted for the CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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Continued from page 7

OREANA‌

HARRISTOWN‌

Village leaders in Harristown have spent the last year treading a fine path between encouraging development but still hanging on to a sense of small-town living that appeals to families.

Overall, Mayor Rose Marie Ross said things have worked out well.

On the development front, she was particularly pleased with the decision in April to create a tax increment financing district and the annexation of a 23-acre chunk of land on which George A. Mueller Beer Co. has built a new warehouse.

At first, the village board had questions and concerns and turned the TIF district down. But that decision was reversed after the developers attended a second meeting to explain the project more thoroughly. And with the beer business only taking up five of the 23 acres, that leaves plenty of room for other companies to move in.

Ross said she gets frequent requests for information from prospective businesses and said there is a surprising amount of interest from firms wanting to invest in Harristown.

The trick, she says, is to encourage enough suitable development to keep the village moving forward without destroying the character of the place she was born and raised in 69 years ago.

“We don’t want to be big like Forsyth,” she explained. “But we also don’t want to stay too small and get swallowed up by a big town.”

Business Journal, Jim Bowling‌

Peyton Fredrick,4, takes a rest in a tunnel while playing at Pritchett Park in Niantic.

MOUNT ZION‌

It was a business as usual type year for Mount Zion.

But with an increasing population and a steady flow of residental and commercial developments, Village Administrator Julie Miller said she will take that.

The village issued 16 building permits in 2015, the same number as they did the preMAROA‌ vious year. One difference though was the Residents continue to shape the kind of place Maroa continues to be to live and visit. number of projects that will not be completed until this year, including a bakery and Hidden Groups like the Maroa-Forsyth High Lair gaming store moving into a larger space School FFA chapter have looked for comonto North Illinois 121. munity improvement projects, such as “We had a lot of construction this year replacing welcome signs to town. that we’re excited to see it pay off soon,” The group worked to replace a sign by Miller said. the high school that been aging and outOne project that was completed this year dated. Some of the organizations that were that has already begun to spark excitement listed on the sign no longer exist. among the community was the completion The new sign can be seen right behind of the Mount Zion School District’s 90,000the school’s electronic message board. square-foot field house and 1,500 seat theThe group is considering what else it can ater. The facility, which had an open house in do, including replacing the welcome sign December, will also be open to residents of along Wood Street. the community on select days.

That project could begin in the spring.

“We think that will be a great asset not The Maroa Public Library was full of only to bring families and student into our activity, particularly throughout the community, but also be a great thing to bring summer. It had 120 adults and children in events to the area,” Miller said. participate in its summer reading proAnd though it is not technically located gram, which concluded with a celebration in the village, Miller said officials were also in July. keeping an eye on the new Fuyao Glass facilChildren led fundraising efforts with ity, just west of Mount Zion. $1,186.23 to be donated to charities. The “It’s not in our tax base, but we feel it money was divided among the Maroa will have a major impact on our village,” Community Pantry, Court Appointed Miller said.

Special Advocates, Maroa-Forsyth As village officials express how much they schools band program, St. Jude Children’s enjoyed the year, they see potential big things Research Hospital and Homeward Bound coming next year.

Pet Shelter.

“There’s lot of exciting things coming, but The community’s genorsity was apparI think next year will be even better.” ent at other times of year, including with its schools’ efforts to benefit the Christmas Project, which was started more than NIANTIC‌ 25 years ago to provide a happier ChristFamilies in Niantic spent 2015 pulling mas to families in the school district that together to help their community, from funare in need. draising to buy new playground equipment to

replacing a memorial that was vandalized.

The damaged memorial was a cross erected in memory of the late Herschel Pritchett, who left land for a park when he died in 2011. After the cross was damaged, a new granite memorial statue topped by an eagle was dedicated with much ceremony in May. The bill topped out at nearly $4,000, and the bulk of it was met through a series of fundraisers widely supported by Niantic’s 770-strong population.

Now there is a big push on to come up with some $45,000 needed to buy new park play equipment to enhance and replace existing facilities that have seen better days. Sandy Hiser, president of the Niantic Park Board, said they’re closing in on the halfway mark to that total after a series of fundraisers, and a big effort is planned for 2016.

She says quality-of-life improvements help keep Niantic, and any town, alive. “If you want your community to grow and bring in younger families, you are going to have to have something that will attract them,” Hiser added.

Hiser says a sense of moving forward helps other good things to happen, and she was pleased to note 2015 saw the return of a village grocery store, after an absence of several years, with the creation of Niantic Market. It also serves as a small diner and, previously, finding the nearest grocery store had meant a trip to Illiopolis.

“It’s a major plus having this business here now,” she said.

Hiser was being interviewed at the Niantic Fire Protection District’s headquarters, where her son, Randy, is the fire chief. She was just saying 2015 had seen a strong showing of community pride when two girls, aged about 8, knocked on the firehouse door and handed over a handmade Christmas card and a tin of popcorn for the firefighters.

“They just wanted to thank us for all we do and let us know they pray for us,” said Randy Hiser. His mother smiled and nodded.

“Small-town life in a nutshell,” she said.

Switching back to community policing is giving the village of Oreana better coverage.

So says Mayor Aaron Keathley, who reports that hiring two retired officers who live in the area, former sheriff’s deputy Mark Rade and former Decatur patrol officer Keith Mullins, on a part-time basis this summer has created a greater law enforcement presence than Oreana had relying on off-duty sheriff’s deputies.

The village has also launched a new website, at www.oreanail.com, to offer more information to residents, and sometime in 2016 the ability to pay water/sewer bills online. Keathley said minor improvements to Oreana Village Park are also on the agenda for next year.

“We’re trying to improve communications with residents and prepare for growth,” the mayor said.

Elsewhere in Oreana, Parents and Teachers Together raised about $23,000, much of which will go toward the $75,000 to $100,000 needed to replace aging playground equipment at Argenta-Oreana Elementary School, during the school’s annual Jog-a-Thon and fall festival.

“We’re off to a really good start,” said Julie Camfield, the association’s president. “We’re hoping to get the first new piece installed next summer.”

Elementary students also raised $19,500 for the American Heart Association with its annual Jump Rope for Heart.

WARRENSBURG‌

Corey Maloney sees a bit of a renaissance going on in Warrensburg.

The mayor looks to communities like Forsyth and Mount Zion for what the village can grow to become in the near future, with higher aspirations that Warrensburg can someday become its own notable Central Illinois city.

“Warrensburg has been around there for many, many years,” he said. “It’s about trying to get out of the mindset of a bedroom community.”

With Warrensburg-Latham School District already noted for its embrace of technology, the village will soon follow as one of the major programs that started in December is replacing all residents’ water meters with newly compatible WiFi meters. The meters will allow village workers to check meters from their vehicles, with accurate readings being sent from the meters to staff computers.

Aside from the technology standpoint, the village has also put more of an embrace on community events like the third annual Fun Summer Fling, which brought hundreds downtown for a weekend this summer for local eats, classic cars and community bonding.

The village also started its first-ever toy drive, which collected multiple boxes of new, unwrapped toys for children up to 14 years old.

The toys collected were donated to the Warrensburg Lions Club to assist with the Brotherhood Tree Project.

It’s events like these that Maloney hopes build a stronger sense of community and makes the village even more appealing to potential residents.

“We’re trying more to get Warrensburg on the map and let people know what we have here,” he said.

January 2016

www.thebusiness-journal.com

NEWSMAKERS

2015

Rocky year for Caterpillar‌

Queen Elizabeth, after riding out a tough 12 months in 1992 during which one of her castles almost burned down, described it as an “annus horribilis,” which is Latin for a year of disaster or misfortune.

Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc., once the uncrowned king of selling giant Decaturbuilt dump trucks and other equipment to miners, can look back on its own annus horribilis in 2015. The preceding two years were pretty horribilis, too, and the firm is now predicting that 2016 will mark the fourth straight year of declining sales, a grim new record in its 90-year history.

Caterpillar’s coping mechanism has been, and continues to be, sweeping waves of job cuts. Its Decatur plant was caught up in a round of 5,000 salaried staff cuts, finishing up in 2015. And Caterpillar has warned as many as 10,000 jobs could be history by 2018.

What’s gone wrong? Almost everything in the crucial commodities market for mined raw materials ranging from copper to the Canadian bitumen sands cooked to extract oil. Oversupply and plunging demand have proved a double whammy that has hammered world prices and put miners out of business. Unfavorable currency exchange rates with a strong dollar have also burned Caterpillar, which makes most of its money abroad.

To give an idea where production levels are at, Caterpillar executives informed industry analysts in December that large mining truck production hit a level of about 200 units in 2015. That compares with more than 1,500 big trucks delivered in the last boom year of 2012.

Rich Moore, Caterpillar’s director of investor relations, told the Credit Suisse Third Annual Industrials Conference the company had “taken a lot of costs out of Decatur,” but the trick now is not to cut back production capacity too far before a recovery does show up.

“We have to do this smartly ...” explained Moore. “And so that’s really the balance with doing this type of restructuring ... making sure we don’t hinder our ability to ramp up when business does improve.”

But there were no signs of that improvement as 2015 faded to black.

Changing faces at city hall‌

Several new people joined the Decatur City Council last year.

Three council spots were up during the April election, with two incumbents, Larry Foster and Pat Laegeler, declining to run again.

Incumbent Dana Ray kept her seat and was joined by attorney Bill Faber and Lisa Gregory, chief of staff at Richland Community College. Those three bested fellow candidates David Horn, Robert Lewis and Derrick Thaxton.

In the mayoral election, incumbent Mike McElroy won 47 percent of the vote, defeating challengers Dustin Chapman,

BUSINESS JOURNAL 9

landscaping and parking configurations, along with a much-needed repaving and restriping that concluded in the fall.

Business owners generally praised the transformation of the area, with several businesses moving downtown or expanding since the project began in 2011. Former Mayor Paul Osborne, whose Decatur Tribune weekly newspaper has offices downtown, called the area “the heart of the city.”

“When your heart is in good condition, that causes a lot of other things to pump through your system, and I really believe that about downtown Decatur,” he said in October.

The downtown area also gained two new murals in 2015: One featuring former Mayor Mike McElroy, who died in July, and another depicting the connection between the Decatur Staleys football team and the Chicago Bears.

City officials were disappointed, however, that the area covered by the Olde Towne tax increment financing district did not see an increase in equalized assessed valuation.

Because the property value did not increase as expected, the Decatur City Council raised property taxes in part to pay for debt associated with downtown improvements.

Changing face of Millikin‌

Fueled by a Transform MU capital campaign that surpassed its $85 million goal last year, construction at Millikin University began in the summer, continued in the fall and will ramp up next year as work starts on a $27 million University Commons at Staley Library.

Library functions are relocating over the holiday break to New Hall 3, where they will Business Journal, Lisa Morrison‌ be available by the time second semester A downturn in the mining industry brought layoffs at the Decatur Caterpillar Inc. plant. starts Jan. 19. Then the parking lot in front of Staley Library will close around late February G.E. Livingston and city Councilman Pat Workforce Investment Solutions, Richland as construction to transform the 40-year-old McDaniel. After McElroy died in July from Community College and Economic Develop- building into a state-of-the-art student cenan apparent heart attack, supporters of sec- ment Corporation of Decatur and Macon ter/library begins.

University Commons is set to open for the ond-place finisher Livingston called for the County in an effort to hire workers from 2017-18 academic year. council to appoint him. Instead, the council the area.

“We are very grateful to our donors and unanimously appointed Julie Moore Wolfe, The company selected the Decatur site excited about creating more spaces that will whom McElroy had chosen as his mayor at 1505 W. King St. in August. The office is enhance performance learning,” said Ruby pro tempore. located in Fairview Park Plaza at a spot that James, vice president of finance and busiAfter a closed-door application and was previously a call center for StarTek. interview process, the council appointed With much of the equipment and furniture ness affairs.

She added that residence hall changes, Chris Funk, senior vice president and chief in place, the transition required minimal which encompassed the construction projcredit officer for Hickory Point Bank and capital investment. Employees at the call Trust, to take Moore Wolfe’s council spot center are providing information and support ects on campus in 2015, have helped free up parking spaces near Griswold Center for basin September. for many of the country’s most well-known ketball fans, even as they eliminated others. health insurance providers with customer Demolition of the former Mills dormitory service for Medicare, Medicaid and commerthis fall, for example, tore up the adjacent cial sponsors. parking lot, which cannot be redone until A new call center that opened in Decatur The office is Convey’s only location in the spring. Hessler also came down Dec. 3 in October is providing a needed boost to the Central time zone and 10th site overall. The after Aston, Blackburn, Dolson and Weck area’s employment levels. company is based in Florida. residence halls were upgraded this summer.

Convey Health Solutions hired approxiAston returned to service as a dormitory for mately 300 employees for its Decatur office the first time since 2008. Arrival Court in with plans to approach its full capacity of 500 workers in the next year. In establishing its After millions of dollars and five construc- front of Richards Treat University Center also received a $150,000 update this summer. office, the company received a wide range of tion seasons, 2015 saw the conclusion of the support from the community. downtown streetscape enhancement project.

Several job fairs, including a two-day event The Franklin Street corridor was the last in August, were held with the support of piece of the project to receive new sidewalks, CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Convey boosts job market‌

Downtown Decatur shines‌

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January 2016

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Continued from page 9

close on the horizon.

The library ended the year in the same position, but with a different government buyer in line and significant capital needs The first year of Bruce Rauner’s guberworsened by months of delay. natorial term has delivered the “shakeup” Library officials announced in Novemhe promised on the campaign trail, though maybe not for the reasons he was hopber 2014 a plan to sell the facility at 130 ing for.

N. Franklin St. to the Decatur Public Coming to Springfield as the first Repub- Building Commission. lican to hold the governor’s seat since 2003, The library would lease its space from the Winnetka businessman had made a the commission at a flat rent of $615,000 promise to “shake up Springfield” and the for 20 years.

Democratic-controlled General Assembly.

Macon County offices would have Rauner wasted little time reaching moved into unused space on the library’s for that goal, unveiling his “Turnaround second floor and in its annex, clearing the Agenda” early in the spring. The agenda way for residential development in the proved controversial among Democrats as county office building at 141 S. Main St. it pushed for a variety of conservative poliFormer City Manager Ryan McCrady cies such as a property tax freeze, workers’ was supportive, and it was unclear compensation reform and allowing local whether the Decatur City Council would municipalities to become so-called righthave to approve the deal. to-work zones where workers would not be But when new City Manager Tim required to pay union dues.

Gleason assumed his position in March, Absent the passage of these measures, he told the council members that they Rauner has not been able to find middle needed to vote on the matter and said ground with Democrats, led by House he wanted to make sure they were aware Speaker Michael Madigan, who seek addi- of several factors. Notably, the city still tional tax increases along with budget cuts. owed about $750,000 in debt related to That disagreement has led to a budget library renovations in 1998. impasse that has taken up nearly half of Council members subsequently authothe fiscal year, which began July 1. The rized Gleason to pursue purchasing the courts have ruled essential spending, such building for $10. City officials have said as schools, must be funded, though many the city will pursue a tenant for the programs such as social services have been unused space. forced to cut spending and staff.

Negotiations continue between the Leaders from both parties continue to library and city, with library board memhold private and public budget meetings, bers having voted for a draft proposal to but no end is expected until spring, just in the city Dec. 17. time for when Rauner is expected to outline the budget for the coming fiscal year.

Not the expected ‘shakeup’‌

Lake Decatur getting deeper‌

The first full year of Lake Decatur’s $91 million dredge effort saw the removal of more than 2.4 million cubic yards of sediment.

With one cubic yard equal to about 200 gallons of material, that means the lake’s capacity has already expanded quite a bit thanks to the efforts of contractor Great Lakes Dredge & Dock. The total project, expected to end in 2019, is expected to increase the lake’s capacity by 30 percent.

Rainy weather early in the year created hurdles for the land-based portion of the dredging work, an effort to make sure the Oakley sediment basin can hold all the material being removed from the lake.

The project requires raising barriers, or berms, around the site by 10 feet. Despite early delays, Terra Contracting Services crews were almost done with that portion of the work by the end of the year, with only about 15 percent left to go in the spring.

Long-awaited work to replace the deck and renovate the Beach House exterior finally began in 2015. An official ribboncutting on the project is expected in the spring.

Library turmoil continues‌

At the start of 2015, the sale of the Decatur Public Library building appeared

Wind farms on the horizon‌

After years of discussion and planning, it seems as though wind turbines will soon become a reality in Macon County.

That is, unless the courts step in and shut the plan down.

The Macon County Board approved a plan in September that would allow the construction of 139 wind turbines across 24,000 acres near Maroa and Warrensburg.

Officials for E.On, the American unit of Germany’s largest utility company, and its subsidiary companies Twin Forks Wind Farm and EC&R O&M, said they hoped to begin the construction of the wind farm sometime in 2016.

Under the special-use permit approved by the county, Twin Forks Wind Farm would operate the wind farm in Macon County for 30 years, with the company telling officials it expected to bring in an estimated $46 million in new tax revenue over the project’s lifespan.

The makings of what Tony Caccomo However, a lawsuit filed by 36 plaintiffs who sees as a massive transformation in locally-based food production and distri- own or reside in the footprint of the proposed turbines in Macon County Circuit Court in bution are starting to be put in place. early December seeks to put a stop to any furCaccomo and a group of business ther work on the project. partners are in the middle of creating Among the issues cited in the more-thanNational Foodworks Services in the former Brush College School at 575 N. Brush 100-page filing includes how the county notified residents of public hearings on the matter College Road in Decatur. They see the as well as the potential loss of property value business succeeding partially because of and quality of life if the turbines are built. its location surrounded by major manufacturers and rich farmland.

“We’re at the heart of food innovation in the entire country,” Caccomo said.

“We have an opportunity right here. It’s The Clinton Power Station left 2015 radiatsmacking us in the face.” ing a deep sense of uncertainty.

Construction is about halfway comIts owners, Exelon Corp., say the nuclear pleted, said Jim Milano, one of the partplant faces the threat of closure if there isn’t ners in the business venture. a legislative deal in Springfield that locks in Milano said various types of food will power rates at set levels. Exelon says it must be produced at the facility with opporhave that to be able to compete with other tunities for co-packaging of products, power sources, such as wind energy, which private labeling and providing assisreceive substantial tax breaks. tance for other businesses creating their Exelon announced in October it was putting own products. off its decision on the plant’s fate for a year in By late this year, Caccomo said the the wake of talk of reforms in the wholesale business will likely have created at least power market. Exelon says those reforms are 50 jobs with senior staff, production and necessary to create a fair and competitive marsales positions in addition to other indiketplace for electricity. rect jobs.

But it’s also still banking on that proposed Archer Daniels Midland Co. President legislation in Springfield, called the Low and CEO Juan Luciano committed $2 mil- Carbon Portfolio Standard. The legislation lion in September to support the project. got through the Senate Energy Committee but Caccomo said that investment is helping stalled in the House Energy Committee. Brett to propel the business forward.

Nauman, a spokesman for the Clinton station,

Cooking up progress‌

Hazy future for power plant‌

said the understanding now is that nothing will happen until legislators deal with their No. 1 crisis: coming up with a state budget.

Critics, meanwhile, have charged Exelon with scaremongering and say any company that has earned revenues of $236,000 an hour doesn’t need the state’s help.

Exelon says every power plant it owns has to be profitable to be viable, and claims Clinton has burned through losses of $350 million in the last six years. It says it’s not bluffing about the threat of closure: “We have to be to see long-term profitability,” Nauman said.

“Or the company is going to have to consider all options to potentially get out from under these losses.”

Some 600 jobs are tied to the Clinton plant and it pumps $13 million into local taxing districts.

New laws protect aquifer‌

Efforts to protect the Mahomet Aquifer as a primary water source for a large portion of Central Illinois proved in the past year to be successful.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a measure into law in August to ban the dumping of manufactured gas plant wastes at municipal landfills. The measure was designed to provide a layer of protection for the Mahomet Aquifer, an underground source of drinking water for 800,000 residents from the Indiana border to Peoria. The law went into effect Jan. 1.

Concerns had been raised that toxic chemicals could be found at Clinton Landfill, owned

by Peoria Disposal. Opponents to the landfill’s plans to bury toxic waste were concerned that it could eventually leach into the drinking water supply. The legislation is seen as just one step toward ensuring the long-term safety of the Mahomet Aquifer, which was designated in March as a sole-source aquifer, providing it with federal protection.

A lawsuit was settled in November prohibiting the landfill from accepting certain kinds of chemical wastes without first obtaining approval from local governments. The landfill will be prevented from accepting wastes such as PCBs, which are found in old electric devices, plastics, some paints and insulation materials. The owners of the landfill had, since 2007, been seeking a permit to store PCB industrial waste at the site. Its request was met with strong opposition from nearby counties and cities.

January 2016

www.thebusiness-journal.com

TECH

BUSINESS JOURNAL 11

TALK

Resolve to be more productive with better technology Limit it, or turn it off completely. training, 20 minutes of Google research, or want to refer back to, etc. Centralizing all 10 minutes teaching yourself a new feature your notes in one spot saves you a tremenusing the “help” section of one of your dous amount of time because you can find Never forget a password favorite applications. Whatever works and information fast.

Security is critical, and it’s impossible to fits your schedule. It adds up, too. If you remember all your passwords unless you save yourself a mere 10 minutes a day by write them down or keep using the same Save files in the cloud learning something new, you gain a full 40 To-dos and notes aren’t the only things few over and over. Everyone knows that’s hours of extra time over the course of a year. a risky practice, but not everyone knows you need at your fingertips. Keep all your files easily accessible with cloud file stor- there is a solution. Password managers to age. Box.com and Dropbox continue to be the rescue. Tools like LastPass, Dashlane Use “do not disturb” and 1Password will keep track of all your the leaders for intuitive online document All this technology is amazing, but the accounts and passwords for you. You’ll have constant distraction of alerts and notificamanagement. No matter where you are, you can get to important files. You can also to remember the master password to these tions can completely ruin any productivity tools, but they take care of the rest. They’ll easily share them with others. Another gains. When you need to focus, use airplane automatically capture passwords saved to lesser-known, but extremely powerful or “do not disturb” settings to turn off the your browser, so setup is surprisingly easy. feature: version control. These tools save interruptions. You can also turn off notificaSince they are cloud-based, you can quickly tions for specific apps. old versions of your files. If you’ve ever Track your access accounts on other devices just by accidentally deleted or lost changes to an “to-dos” logging back into the password manager. No And more… important document that you had to recTechnology reate from scratch, you know what a huge retyping required. The convenience alone To be highly There are many more ways technology makes these tools worthwhile, but the real benefit this is. productive, you can make your life easier. Check out wearvalue is that you can start using complex, must keep tight able tech, like FitBit and the iWatch. Browse hard-to-crack passwords that are different focus on your priorities and daily tasks. the app store and find apps built for nearly Use your camera more for each site. Your personal data has never Dozens of popular apps are available to track any purpose you can imagine. Visit the local Sure, you’ve got loads of pictures of everything on your to-do list. The challenge your kids and pets, and maybe you have an been more secure. electronics store and walk the aisles to see is that everyone’s style is a little different, the latest gadgets. One final caution. Don’t Instagram account where you share your so there’s no one right answer. Check out do it all at once. Pick one new idea at a time, favorite moments. Have you ever thought Read the (virtual) manual favorites like Wunderlist, Todoist, Omniand completely master it. Then you’ll have of your camera as a time-saver? Take A simple, but highly effective, resolution focus, and Remember the Milk. If those even more time and energy to embrace the snapshots of receipts, and save them to is to invest in yourself with training. Every don’t suit you, spend a little time on Google your expense report or financial records. next change, and these resolutions will be day, or every week, resolve to learn someand you’ll find plenty more options. Still ones you actually keep.

After a meeting, take a picture of your thing new. This could be an hour of online not sure? Pick one and get started. None handwritten notes – or the whiteboard of these apps are expensive, so if you don’t itself – and save it to your virtual notelike the first one, you can easily try somebook. Snap pictures of business cards and thing else. automatically save them to your contacts with an app like CardMunch or Evernote.

In fact, take pictures of any scraps of Remember everything paper you might lose, from coat check A great addition to task management tickets to dry cleaning receipts. is a virtual notebook, where you can keep If you try this tip, there are two things to notes organized. Evernote is one of the keep in mind. First, make sure your photos most popular apps in this space. OneNote are backed up. iCloud for iPhone or Google from Microsoft is a similar tool. Evernote is cloud-based, so all your information syncs for Android will handle this seamlessly.

Experience St. Teresa High School across all devices. OneNote will do this as Second, check your photoshare settings.

It’s fun to share photos with friends and well if you set it up as part of Office365. family, but you don’t necessarily want to These tools allow you to keep more inshare all of them. That applies not just to depth information than a task manager. > Continually high ACT scores Think: meeting notes, strategic plans, ran- iCloud or Google. Many apps, including dom thoughts, links to online research you Facebook, allow automatic photo syncing.

It’s that time of year. Time for New Year’s resolutions.

We all know that few people keep their resolutions, because change isn’t easy.

That’s true with technology, too.

Anytime you start using new tools, it takes some adjustment to get used to them. However, a small investment of time on any of these tips will reap huge rewards in the coming year.

Wendy Gauntt

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JUST LISTED! 110 Wildwood Dr. Multi-Tenant building. 95% full. New metal roof & new parking lot soon 1.74 acres & high visibility

South Shores Retail Space

225 S. Main - Downtown Office Building

End cap available Call for details

For Lease. Convenient location west of Court House. Call for more info.

500 square foot Office

2728 N. Main

4000 Sq. Ft. Space For Lease “Only $1600 mth” Shop & Retail or Office Great visibility- high traffic counts

225 S. Main St. - Suite 200• Decatur, iL 62523

2003 N 22nd St

Steel Building with 22’ clear span.

(Approx 19,000 Sq Ft.) For Lease or Purchase.

217-450-8500

January 2016

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BUSINESS JOURNAL 13

VIEWEGREALESTATE.COM

“For all your real estate needs” “Vieweg now Lists & Sells Homes!

Call for a FREE Consultation”

1335 N 21st St.

140 S Water St

5,000 SF Warehouse w/ Office Space. 2-12x14 O.H. Doors.

Asphalt parking for 8

Park 101 Industrial Park

Quiet back Office Space for Lease.

Up to 5,000 Sq Ft Available

Bldg #8 - 3,600 SF of Office available now!

Bldg #3 - office/warehouse space available 2,700 SF-office & shop with dock 3,600 SF-all office

200 Lewis Park Dr, Mt. Zion

Former Ace Hardware Building

Office, Showroom & Warehouse 25,605 SF on. 3.71 acre site.

200 Spitler Park Plaza Dr, Mt Zion For Lease or Sale 12,900 square feet on 3.99 acres

1070 W Southside Dr.

Professional Building with One Unit Available.

1050 sq ft. Available

Former Jewelry Store in Moweaqua Unique Modified "A" Frame with large apartment up and retail on main floor. +2 car detached garage.

“Vieweg Real Estate would like to welcome Bev Whipple to their team of Professionals” 849 S Rt 51, Forsyth (Former Eyemart) 1500-3000 sq ft for LEASE.

2350 Mt. Zion Rd

Bldg for Sale// NOT Business Great Visibility Good Traffic Counts Call for more info!

Former Hostess Bakery FOR SALE OR LEASE 40,000+ S.F. 9 dock door & trailer parking

3180 N. Woodford Ave. Suites for Lease 500-1,200 Square Feet Just Listed!

1520-1530 McBride Ave For Lease Secure Warehouse Space Fenced 1500 & 3000 S.F. Available

University Plaza

2 Units Available for Lease Close to Milikin University CALL for DETAILS

FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS!

Bev Whipple 454-6613

Duplex Warehouse

1122 N 21st & 1125 N 22nd 6,400 SF total w Drive-in Doors

14

BUSINESS JOURNAL

January 2016

www.thebusiness-journal.com

YOUR

BUSINESS

Local resources abound for budding entrepreneurs ‌The question we answer the most at the Center for Entrepreneurship is, “So, what all do you guys do over there?”

Besides survive primarily on coffee and adrenaline (and the occasional pizza), we focus on three broad endeavors: innovative teaching of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial mindset development for youth, and support for community entreEntrepreneurship preneurship from startups to midlevel businesses.

Those are three very different endeavors.

In this month’s column, I will focus on what we do to support community entrepreneurs.

Simply starting a business can be relatively easy. Successfully growing and sustaining a business, that is the big challenge.

It is not like putting together a puzzle that has one correct solution. Rather, it is like making a quilt. You pick the size, fabric, thread, yarn, batting and any embellishments. You pick the design, change your mind about the design, and then, if you are like me, you would say, “Huh, maybe I should learn how to sew.” Maybe you lose some squares or come across some new fabric half way through and need to improvise. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Just as there is not one right way to make a quilt, and there is not one right way to build a business. Decisions at every level cause stress, and it is helpful for many to have a network of people to call for support and advice.

The Center for Entrepreneurship supports three organizations that, continuing the quilting metaphor, contribute to the entrepreneurial fabric of our community: SCORE, the Micro Business Network, and the Millikin-Decatur Executive Association.

SCORE Chapter 296 has been serving the community of small businesses in Decatur and Macon County for over 40 years. It offers free, confidential counseling and group classes that have minimal fees to cover costs of materials and food. The next class is a 10-week class called How to Start a Business, which begins Feb. 10. It meets once a week on Wednesdays in the

Julie Shields

‌M O R E I N FO Interested in learning more about any of these organizations? Send your inquiry to e-center@millikin.edu.

evening and dinner is provided. For more information about the class, call the Center at (217) 424-6296.

If attending a group class is not your thing, you can request an individual mentor/counselor by going to www.decaturscore.org and completing the online form (or call the Center if you need any assistance).

The best way to think of SCORE counseling is that it is not a one-time meeting that answers all of your questions. In fact, you will likely have more questions than answers after your first meeting, and it may take some time to develop a trusting relationship with your SCORE counselor.

That is just fine, and it is, in fact, what they expect.

Another organization available to local entrepreneurs is the Micro Business Network (MBN). It is affiliated with SCORE, but is operated independently by a board of business owners and entrepreneuriallyminded non-profits, or social impact ventures as we like to call them.

MBN is a membership-based organization with a very reasonable membership fee ($100 per year), and it organizes a workshop each month around topics relevant to new businesses.

Last year it had sessions on how to price your service-based business, how to make smart tax decision to avoid problems with cash flow, how to use Facebook and Google effectively to market your business, and many others. I learned things at the workshops that I incorporated into my classes at Millikin. Worth the membership fee, in my opinion.

During the first quarter of the new year, MBN is slated to cover HR topics: how to hire (or fire) your first employee (Jan. 13), and how to improve efficiency with simple workplace policies (February). Additionally, MBN plans on holding workshops open to entrepreneurially-curious community members throughout 2016. We will keep you posted.

Finally, the Millikin-Decatur Executive Association (MDEA) is a group of entrepreneurs of businesses that typically have roughly $5 million in annual revenues who come together to discuss the specific needs

BUSINESS JOURNAL Reader Profile: n 72% read The Business Journal monthly. n 17% are 34 and under.

of owners and leaders of established businesses.

Running a business can be a very lonely experience. Making decisions that impact employee’s and customer’s lives is the kind of thing that can figuratively split a personality: calm on the outside, sleepless nights and cold-sweats on the inside.

MDEA brings speakers who have strategic or inspirational messages three or four times per year. Often they are authors or change agents within an industry. Last year, MDEA brought Donovan Campbell, a former Marine and author, to speak about leadership lessons from the front line, and Eric Engelmann, the director of the Iowa Startup Accelerator in Cedar Rapids, to share how his town, much like Decatur, is actively changing their entrepreneurial ecosystem.

While the speaker is here, the Center for Entrepreneurship helps connect them with student groups and other entrepreneurially-minded organizations that might benefit from the speaker’s topic.

MDEA is also branching out based on feedback from members to hold lunchand-learn sessions to learn about tools and issues that are important for leadership development within the MDEA

Entrepreneurs Among Us

Julie Stalets, along with her husband Trevor, is the owner of the Coffee Connection. Julie is on the executive board of Micro Business Network.

Coffee Connection recently announced it will be taking over the coffee shop in Decatur Memorial Hospital.

member companies.

While the Center supports these groups, the ideas, work and heavy lifting is done by the entrepreneurs and volunteers who so generously give of their time to consult, mentor, serve on boards, attend meetings, provide guidance, dream, encourage and create the entrepreneurial fabric in Decatur and Macon County.

It is our honor in the Center to support them.

Julie Shields is director of Millikin University’s Center for Entrepreneurship.

We value team.

One banking expert can steer you in the right direction.

A whole team of us will get you to your destination.

MEMBER FDIC

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CHAMPAIGN DECATUR PEORIA

SPRINGFIELD

January 2016

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Gaining a better understanding of workplace laws ‌ et me start by pointing out this is a L true story.

No doubt about it, losing her job was tough. Sure, it was a downsizing, and scores of others were laid off in the same RIF, but it still stung.

No matter if it’s not your fault, losing a job is very hard on the psyche, not to mention the household budget.

Human Resources So she spent long months applying for work, any job that seemed like it might match her qualifications and experience.

Most of the applications floated off somewhere in cyberspace, with nary a response other than an occasional email: “Thank you for your interest in working with the Acme Company. We will be in touch.” Liars.

So it was a hopeful sign when an employer contacted her to set up a telephone pre-screen, the step before the real face-to-face interview. The day arrived, and she waited anxiously for the call, phone never out of sight.

The phone rang, and she answered a few perfunctory questions from the HR rep like verifying prior jobs, references and saying yes, of course, that she was still interested. Nothing earthshattering.

But then the very odd question: “So, if we were to offer you a position, would you be wanting insurance for yourself only, or would you take dependent coverage as well?” She hesitated.

“Oh, please don’t misunderstand,” assured the HR rep. “This has to do only with the size of the total compensation package, certainly not with whether you’re married or have children.”

She thought about her husband, who had been laid off at the same time. She considered how badly she needed the job.

She said she didn’t know.

She didn’t get the interview.

But she did email me to ask if I thought the question was improper. And here’s where I come into the story.

Since May of last year, I have been serving the Decatur Human Relations Commission

Fred Spannaus

as the city’s contractual human rights investigator. When the talented Mark Barthelemy retired in 2014 as the full-time human rights officer, the city elected to contract the duties with an outside consultant. I sent in a proposal and was selected.

As a former police chief, Barthelemy knows how to conduct investigations. His advice, and his very complete files, have been invaluable to me.

When my unemployed friend contacted me, I said the question she was asked was unusual, at best, and possibly unlawful. It was worth checking into. It could be that the company uses the question to screen out persons based on familial status.

I asked where the job was located. Turns out it was in a nearby city where the company is headquartered. The Human Relations Commission is limited to the city of Decatur, so I recommended she contact the enforcement agency in the other city.

“Still hoping to get the job,” she emailed back. Although she doubted the legality of the insurance question, she was afraid that starting a discrimination case would kill any chance she might have of working for that company. So she let it go.

That was her decision, and I’m not about to question her good judgment.

But her emails prompted me to write a series of columns about anti-discrimination codes. This is the first one.

In future columns we’ll explore the nature of discrimination and what’s covered in Decatur’s local ordinance. We’ll follow a case as it goes through the process from start to finish.

Whether you’re an employee or an employer, this series will inform you as to what happens in an investigation, and what’s expected of you at every step. We’ll look at how employers can protect themselves from financial liability and damaged reputations.

But first of all, if you feel you’ve been discriminated against, know that the Human Relations Commission is there to help you. Please call (217) 424-2805 or come to the city of Decatur’s Human Resources office on the second floor of the Decatur Civic Center. The staff will assist you in starting your case.

Fred W. Spannaus, principal of Spannaus Consulting, is a senior professional in human resources. He loves feedback to his columns. Fred can be contacted by e-mail at spannaus@ameritech.net or by phone at (217) 425-2635.

BIZ

BUSINESS JOURNAL 15

CLIPS

New staff members‌

John Fischer has joined Featherstun, Gaumer, Postlewait, Stocks, Flynn & Hubbard as an associate attorney.

Bill Schlinkert has joined First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust as senior vice president, lead trust executive.

Jordan T. Klein has joined Erickson, Davis, Murphy, Johnson & Walsh, Ltd. as an associate attorney.

Optometrist David Miller has joined Gailey Eye Clinic.

Arganbright

Fischer

Klein

Leman

Lohr

Luciano

Moma

Schlinkert

Wike

Achievements‌

Dr. Richard Lohr of Disc Centers of America has been appointed to the International Medical Advisory Board on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital’s Advanced Rehabilitation Center program, an inpatient rehabilitation center, has been accredited by CARF International.

Karylle Wike of Town & Country Banc Mortgage Services was recognized by the Illinois Housing Development Authority for being the second largest loan producer in Central Illinois.

Kids N Fitness North has earned a Silver Circle of quality in the ExceleRate Illinois program.

FirsTech, Inc. has successfully completed the Type 2 examination under Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 16.

Macon County 4-H Youth Development Metro Educator Amy Leman was recognized for distinguished service and outstanding programming at the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Annual Conference.

The Decatur Public Schools Foundation recognized MacArthur alums Richard Maxwell, Cindy Deadrick Wolfer and Lt. Loren Douglas Hagen, who died in Vietnam and was a recipient of the Medal of Honor, with Legacy of Learning honors.

The following individuals are the latest graduates of the Decatur Leadership Institute: Jessamyn Amezquita, United Way of Decatur & Macon County; Jared Broderick, Archer Daniels Midland Co; Tim Burch, Chastain & Associates LLC; Rachel Dasenbrock, Heart Technologies; Jason Doyle, Tate & Lyle North America; Renee Emrick, Investment Planners Inc; Paula Heinkel, Ameren Illinois; Wes Hillen, Foster Financial Services; Jacob Horve, Horve Hospitality Management; Cami Kern, Homewood Suites

by Hilton; Shataea Moore, Caterpillar Inc; Lindsay Nolan, Millikin University; Zane Peterson, Brinkoetter & Associates; Prescott Paulin, 300 Below Inc; Shawn Perkins, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce; Jayson Reising, Decatur Memorial Hospital; Susan Sams, Energy Assistance Foundation; Michael Spaulding, Neuhoff Media Decatur; and Blake Wallace, Staley Credit Union.

Announcements‌

Dr. Richard Lohr, Shelley Moma and Amanda Arganbright of Disc Centers of America took part in a national spinal decompression certification program at Parker University in Dallas, Texas.

Juan Luciano, president and CEO of Archer Daniels Midland Co., has been named chairman of the its board of directors, succeeding Patricia Woertz.

Business Clips are abbreviated versions of paid Business Achievements which appear on Mondays in the Herald & Review. For more information about Business

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16

BUSINESS JOURNAL

January 2016

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YOUR The Arts‌

Anne Lloyd Gallery: Young Artist Showcase, exemplary juried art in varied media by area students in grades 5-8, presented by Gallery 510 Artists Guild. Reception set for Sunday, Jan. 10. Call (217) 423-3189. www. decaturarts.org Gallery 510: Pencil artist Jim Clark. Meet the artist reception, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8. Call (217) 422-1509.

Perkinson Art Gallery, Kirkland Fine Arts Center: Ceramic sculptures by Megan Wolfe, Jan. 25-Feb. 25.

Decatur Public Library: Oil pastels by Carol Kessler.

Decatur Airport: Oil paintings, portraits and landscapes by Barbara Dove.

Music‌

Greater Decatur Chorale winter concert, “A Little Dinner Music: Best of Broadway,” 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and 9 and 12:30 p.m. Jan. 10, at Scovill Banquet Facility. Dinner reservations by Jan. 6. Call (217) 422-5911.

Millikin University School of Music: Collegiate Chorale, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, Central Christian Church; University Choir, 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, St. Patrick’s Church.

Central Illinois Jazz Festival, Feb 5-7, at the

Decatur Conference Center and Hotel, For more information, go to www.juvaejazz. com Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra: Two candidates in the running to be the next conductor of the MDSO will put their skills to the test as guest conductors of their own show on Saturday, Feb. 6 and March 5, at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Get tickets for the 7:30 p.m. shows at www.kirklandfinearts.com or by calling (217) 424-6318.

On Stage‌

Kirkland Fine Arts Center: Step Afrika!, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30; Celtic NightsSpirit of Freedom, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19; Cinderella-the Ballet, 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 12. For tickets, call (217) 424-6318. www.kirklandfinearts.com Theatre 7 presents “unnecessary farce,” Jan. 15-17 and Jan. 22-24, Schilling Auditorium at Richland Community College. For tickets, call (217) 422-3866. www.theatre7. net.

Millikin Unversity Department of Theatre and Dance: “The Magic Pinafore,” Feb. 18-21, Albert Taylor Theatre. For tickets, call (217) 424-6318.

Earl David Reed’s The Secret to My Unsuccess Tour, with The Redneck Magician, 8 p.m.

GUIDE

BANQUET

FREE

TIME

Friday, Jan. 22, Decatur Civic Center. For tickets, go to www.decaturcicivcenter.org.

Charity events‌

UCP/Miller Lite Barstool Open, to benefit United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln, Saturday, Jan 16. This annual event features games of miniature golf with holes located in bars and restaurants throughout Macon County. For more information, call (217) 428-5033.

Dueling Pianos Dinner/Dance, to benefit Mount Zion’s Fletcher Park splash pad project, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Mount Zion Convention Center. Cost is $40 per person or $75 per couple. For tickets, call Judy at (217) 864-5424.

For the kids‌

Children’s Museum of Illinois: Family Friday, 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8 and Feb. 5; Make Shop half day workshops, 12:30 to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 13 and 27; www. cmofil.org. Call (217) 423-5437.

Scovill Zoo: Zoo Buddies classes featuring hedgehogs, 10-11 a.m. Tueday, Jan. 12. www.scovillzoo.com Father/Daughter Dance, Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Hickory Point Banquet Facility.

Featured Business:

Dinner at 5 p.m., dancing begins at 6 p.m.

Cost is $25. For reservations, call (217) 4225911 by Jan. 27.

Misc.‌

The Rock Springs Nature Center hosts a long list of mini camps, family adventures and classes. So many, in fact, that there are too many to list. Go to www.maconcountyconservation.org and click on the Programs and Activities tab for a complete listing.

Ice Skating at the Decatur Civic Center.

Go to www.decaturciviccenter.org or call (217) 422-7300.

Decatur Bridal Expo, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel.

Fashion show both days. Go to www.decaturbridalexpo.com or call (217) 428-3481.

The 30th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon is set for noon Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Decatur Club. Fourth District Appellate Court Judge Lisa Holder White is the featured speaker. Tickets are $30.

For information, call (217) 424-2805. The annual march is set for Monday, Jan. 18.

Got an item you’d like listed in the Your Free Time calendar? Send the information to Scott Perry at sperry@ herald-review.com or 601 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62523.

deCatur CiviC Center

#1 Gary K Anderson Plaza, Decatur

Accommodates: 2 to 3,000 People Assistance with catering, cash bar, & Dj Service available

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sCOvILL BANQUET FACILITY Accommodates: up to 225 people Award-winning cuisine

Contact: Shelly Gregg 422-7300 158 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur Contact: Jeff Ingle 429-4200 727 Weaver Rd., Decatur Contact: Tina McCarnen 421-6657

1410 Mt. Zion Pkwy, Mt. Zion Contact: 864-5424 1595 W. Main St., Mt. Zion Contact: Sharon Spinner 864-3100 mtzionlionsclub.com 3909 W. Main St., Decatur Contact: Kevin Brewer 421-7470

January 2016

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YOUR

BUSINESS JOURNAL 17

CAREER

Business Journal, Jim Bowling‌

From left, instructor John Smith and students Cody Redman, Toby Pleasant and Phillip Having discuss pre-trip inspections next to a tractor trailer during a Class A CDL course at Richland Community College.

Local opportunities abound in trucking industry CHRIS LUSVARDI

Business Journal Writer‌

‌After being laid off from his job in March, Christopher Pettyjohn of Macon was determined to quickly find another opportunity.

However, he became frustrated after several interviews for jobs didn’t pan out.

Pettyjohn began looking into truck driving after noticing a lot of job openings and was impressed by what he found. He now is able to choose between various job opportunities.

“It’s wide open,” said Pettyjohn, 43. “It’s a career. There’s always going to be something there.”

Before he could get behind the wheel of a truck, Pettyjohn needed training and to begin the process of obtaining a commercial driver’s license, or CDL. He went to Richland Community College in Decatur, having never been there before and came away grateful for the instruction he received while completing the school’s CDL training program. Pettyjohn obtained a Class A CDL with tanker endorsement.

Richland prepares its students to get a commercial learning permit, or CPL, said

John Smith, the college’s truck driving training program coordinator. To start, Smith said students can expect five days in the classroom going through the CDL book, safety compliance and learning about maintaining logs.

They must pass a Department of Transportation certified physical and drug screening before receiving a CPL, he said.

Once they’ve obtained a CPL, the students begin pre-trip inspections and driving instruction with an emphasis on safety, Smith said.

“We’re talking a huge responsibility,” Smith said. “They have to make decisions every minute.”

Richland offers an 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday-Friday class that includes three weeks of on-the-road training, Smith said.

Full-time classes are offered every month. In addition, a 5 to 9 p.m. option is available lasting about eight weeks, he said.

Students end up being in demand from businesses interested in hiring them, Smith said. Recruiters from various companies make presentations to the students

participating in the program, Smith said.

In many cases, students can expect at least one letter of acceptance before they graduate as companies pre-hire future drivers, Smith said. Having more letters, Richland instructor Al Carnahan said, allows them more option when choosing the best fit for them.

“You want to make sure to know the carrier you’re going to work with,” Carnahan said.

He recommends finding out how companies operate to know going into a job things like how long drivers will be required to be away from home.

Archer Daniels Midland Co. is looking for its job candidates to have a clean driving record and be at least 21 years of age, said Debbie Sarko, hiring manager for ADM’s Decatur trucking terminal.

In an effort to meet the demand for drivers, Sarko said the company changed its policy to hire drivers straight out of school rather than require a year or two of experience. That doesn’t mean they’ve become a truck driver just yet, as ADM requires another nine week training program, she said.

Sarko said experience sometimes means

bad habits that are hard to eliminate.

“We can bring them up the ADM way,” Sarko said. “They don’t know any different.”

Sarko expects the driver shortage to continue, as is projected throughout the industry.

She hopes ADM can be an attractive place to look for employment.

“We make it a career, not just a job,” Sarko said. “They walk in with their uniform on and they’re proud to work for us.”

Its drivers can be home every night, Sarko said. Plus, she said drivers are offered insurance and a good paycheck.

Pettyjohn realizes he found a fulfilling a career choice, one that will continue to serve the needs of businesses across the country.

“If it weren’t for trucks, a lot wouldn’t be here,” Pettyjohn said.

Smith said opportunities are available not just for driving tractor trailers but for those who obtain different classifications such as Class B commercial driver training. Drivers with a Class B certification can operate commercial motor vehicles such as garbage trucks and delivery vehicles for companies such as UPS and FedEx.

18

BUSINESS JOURNAL

January 2016

www.thebusiness-journal.com

Avoid extremes, seek common ground with bosses Q: In the family business where I work, the owner and his son have very different perspectives. The owner is always looking for growth opportunities, while “Stan” tends to focus on maintaining the status quo. Although I have good relationships with both of them, the owner and I tend to think more alike.

Whenever I propose changes that could help the business, Stan always finds a reason to object. During these conversations, I am torn Office Coach between giving in and pleasing Stan or moving forward and making progress. I know that his dad will support my ideas, but I don’t want to alienate Stan by going over his head.

I love my job and hope to stay with this company for a long time, so I need some advice on managing this situation. What would you suggest?

A: By defining your options as “giving in” versus “moving forward,” I believe you are creating a false choice. Focusing only on these two extremes will inevitably create frustration, resentment and unproductive arguments. Instead, you should consider finding a middle path that involves having collaborative discussions with Stan.

Because you and Stan seem to have complementary thinking styles, considering both perspectives will actually produce better results. Your focus on the future will contribute to long-term success, while

Marie McIntyre

WEEKLY TIPS

Get weekly career tips from Liz Reyer and the Office Coach at www.thebusinessjournal.com.

Stan’s concern for immediate needs will help to keep operations running smoothly.

If the two of you can stop viewing this difference as a conflict and start seeing it as two halves of a whole, the business will benefit greatly.

From a career perspective, you should also remember that Stan will probably replace his dad at some future date.

Although you may be colleagues now, eventually he’ll be the boss. An adversarial relationship could bring your career to a sudden end, so learning to collaborate would definitely be in your self-interest. nnn Q: One of my coworkers frequently emails me to share her observations about my emotional state. For example, she might say, “You’re very quiet today.

Are you alright?” or, “You seem agitated.

If you need to vent, I’m here.” This has been going on for almost five years.

I always respond that I’m fine and have no problems, so you would think she might quit bugging me. But no, she keeps right on sending these irritating messages. How can I put an end to this?

A: Even though your response to these unwanted queries has been minimal, it’s apparently sufficient to reinforce the behavior. So if you want this annoyingly compassionate colleague to quit cataloguing your emotions, you must stop replying to her messages. If you consistently ignore them, eventually they will cease.

The other alternative, of course, is to directly tell her that you dislike receiving repeated inquiries about your well-being.

But since she is obviously a sensitive soul, that would only hurt her feelings and create workplace discord. If she intends these messages to be friendly and caring, learning that they seem nosy and intrusive could come as quite a shock. nnn Q: I am trying to decide whether I should feel offended by my last job interview. The format was a panel discussion with three interviewers, including two young men in their 20s and a woman in her 60s. The woman was friendly, attentive and interested in my answers. The guys brought laptops and typed continuously for the entire hour, occasionally looking up to interject a question.

Although the conversation was relaxed and friendly, I couldn’t help feeling that the laptops were a nuisance. It was like having dinner with someone who constantly keeps checking their cell phone.

On the other hand, this is my first interview in eight years, so perhaps I’m behind the times. Has this become accepted interviewing behavior?

A: At best, these preoccupied gentlemen may have been diligently transcribing every syllable of your answers. At worst, they were responding to emails or working on other projects. But either way, their absorption with electronic devices was counterproductive. Not only did they appear rude and disrespectful, but they also missed a lot of information.

Important interviews are conducted face-to-face for a reason. When you are in someone’s presence, or even viewing them onscreen, you can learn a great deal from

their body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal behaviors. So even if these laptop jockeys were accurately capturing the content of your comments, they certainly weren’t getting to know you.

When screening job candidates, interviewers sometimes forget that they are not the only ones making a decision. The applicants are choosing an employer, and boorish behavior can easily drive them away. Therefore, smart managers use technology where it will improve the hiring process, but also recognize when it becomes an impediment. nnn Q: One of my direct reports is a very negative person who refuses to accept responsibility for her frequent mistakes.

If I am talking about her with my other direct reports, would this be considered gossip?

A: That depends upon the purpose of the conversation. If your other staff members are describing how these errors have affected their work, with the goal of clarifying and correcting the problem, that would be an appropriate business topic.

But if you are simply venting about your own frustrations, then you are completely out of line.

Any discussion of this employee’s shortcomings should be conducted directly with her. If additional consultation is required, talk with your boss or human resources manager. Only a very immature supervisor would make a habit of complaining to one employee about another.

Marie G. McIntyre is a workplace coach and author.

Send in questions and get free coaching tips at www. yourofficecoach.com, or follow her on Twitter @ officecoach.

Realize a manager can’t please everybody ‌Q: As a manager, I struggle with managing the pressures of my boss’ expectations while trying to meet my team’s needs. How do I best set priorities to keep everyone happy?

A: Rethink your goal. You’ll never be able to make everyone around you happy, so focus on a vision of leadership success that is grounded in personal authenticity and integrity.

About your vision. Setting aside your current day-to-day, what does it mean to be a good manager? What does a good manager do or say? Is that the same

Liz Reyer

or different as a good leader? Take time to understand your aspirations. If you’re not sure, consider examples from your past, including bosses you’ve admired and those you’d never want to be like.

Now think about what other people want from you. It may feel like they want you to do certain things. In fact, your boss probably cares less about what you do than the outcome you achieve. Likewise, your team is likely less invested in your activities than in how well you meet their needs. So, in considering what they want, take a step back to understand the contributions you make to them when you’re operating at your best.

For example, your boss is accountable to her boss. What pressures can you take off her? How can you make her life easier and equip her to be successful? It’s essential that you understand her needs in order to meet her expectations. Note: Often when I hear this type of challenge with a boss,

it comes down to having an insufficiently strategic approach to meeting the boss’ expectations.

At the same time, you need to be clear about the tools you bring to bear. That goes back to authenticity. If your boss is putting pressure on you to be someone you don’t want to be, you’re setting yourself up for failure if you don’t assert yourself.

Similarly, take a big-picture view of your team’s needs. It’s easy to get bogged down in being the problem solver, but that will drain you dry and not help them develop, and also create bottlenecks that reduce productivity. If that’s happened, it’s time for a new era. Set an expectation that people will bring ideas for solutions when they have a problem, and encourage creative alternatives that get the work done. Not only will you have better outcomes, you’ll free up time to be the strategic partner your boss needs.

Creating this alignment may not be easy. Determine any gaps in your skills that need to be addressed to be successful. These are likely to be in the “soft skills” area of communication, negotiation and conflict management. If you’ve had a hard time setting limits (either with bosses or staff), some work on assertiveness may be needed.

And remember that you can’t be all things to all people. However, you can be your best self, advocating for ways you can be most valuable in your role and sculpting the role to best fit your gifts.

Once you clarify this vision of your role, it’ll just be a matter of selling it through demonstration of the benefits to boss, team, and company alike.

Liz Reyer is a credentialed coach with more than 20 years of business experience. Submit questions or comments about this column at www.deliverchange.com/ coachscorner or email her at liz@deliverchange.com.

January 2016

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YOUR

BUSINESS JOURNAL 19

H E A LT H

Meet Tanya Andricks, Chief executive officer of Crossing Healthcare

‌ ometown: Mount Zion H Family: Husband, Timothy, and children, Ryan, 19; Katie, 17; Zachary, 8; and Abby, 6.

Education: Bachelors degree in nursing, Millikin University. Masters degree in healthcare administration, Ohio University.

My “I’d rather be …” bumper sticker would read: “I’d rather be at the beach or Busch Stadium.” The beach is such a tranquil and relaxing place. I have so many happy family vacation memories at the beach. Busch stadium is such a fun atmosphere. I love Cardinals baseball!

Hobbies/interests: I like to read in the winter. In the warmer months, I love to be outside. I like to plant flowers, play with the kids in the backyard and go for walks.

My first job: I worked in the Zoopermarket and conducted the ZO&O Express at Scovill Zoo in Decatur. The zoo is one of my favorite places in Decatur.

Why I do what I do: I knew I wanted to be a nurse from a very young age. Like many who choose the profession, I had a desire to help others. Once I graduated from Millikin and began practicing nursing, I quickly realized that I wanted to lead others. I learned that if I could make processes better and improve the way nurses and other health care professionals did their work, I could have a greater impact.

Personal approaches to challenges: When I am faced with a challenge at work, I often start with doing my research and seeing how others have approached similar circumstances. I like to solve problems with my team. I have found that collectively we can develop better solutions than I can without their input.

Community involvement: I teach the kindergarten Sunday school class at my church, Decatur First Church of the Nazarene. I am on the Decatur Memorial Hospital Foundation board.

Tell us a little about Crossing Healthcare.

Crossing Healthcare is a federally-designated health center, grant funded for the purpose of providing comprehensive primary health care to under-served members of our community.

How did Crossing Healthcare get its start?

Crossing Healthcare, formerly known as the Community Health Improvement Center (CHIC), was started in the 1970s by community members and volunteer doctors who were trying to increase access to health care for low-income members of our community, specifically in the Torrence Park neighborhood. The health center struggled to remain open until the early 1980s, when it received federal

grant funding for the work being done in the community.

What services do you provide? We provide medical care for all ages, as well as prenatal care. We have behavioral health and psychiatric services, dietary and nutrition services, as well as social workers to meet the needs of our patients.

Why are organizations like Crossing Healthcare important? When you evaluate the total number of doctors per person in our community, the ratio is high, meaning there are not enough doctors to meet the needs of the total population. In communities with this issue, the federal government provides grants to health centers like ours to provide care to those least likely to obtain health care. The law of supply and demand tells us that if there isn’t enough of something, in this case doctors, those who can’t afford to

health care. In order to meet this need, our governing board realized our previous location was too small and we wouldn’t be able to add enough doctors to our staff to accommodate this number. The new location is sizeable and gives us the space we need to hire new doctors and other health care providers to serve our target population. If we are able to provide comprehensive health care to our entire target population we are hopeful that overall health outcomes in our community will begin to improve over time.

Part of your success comes from your collaboration with other organizations in the community. Tell us about some of those connections. The best part about our community is the level of collaboration that exists. We are partners with Heritage Behavioral Health Center and provide primary health care inside its facility to the severely mentally ill in order to assure these folks have health care needs addressed. In return, we are able to refer patients we identify as needing care to them. We work closely with the Macon County Health Department and send providers to staff the sexually transmitted illness clinic at its facility and they send case managers from the WIC program to our facility to work with the prenatal care clinic. We also partner with Baby TALK for our social services liaison in the pediatrics department, bringing the services of Baby TALK to our patient population.

We have placed a site at DMH, adjacent to the emergency department, allowing us to be very accessible to patients who may be used to going to the ER for nonurgent concerns. Last month, DMH began providing outpatient X-ray services at Business Journal, Jim Bowling‌ our new location, which has been very exciting for our doctors and patients. pay for the service likely won’t be able to Dale’s Southlake Pharmacy has been our obtain care. The result is an entire group pharmacy partner for over 10 years. Soon of people in the community is left to seek Dale’s will have a location open inside our facility and we are looking forward health care in emergency departments. to that.

Since emergency departments aren’t Your organization is constantly changdesigned to handle chronic illness and conditions, these people often have con- ing. What does the future hold? Our job ditions that go undiagnosed or untreated. at Crossing Healthcare is to constantly evaluate the health of our community This brings the overall health and welland determine gaps in services for lowbeing of the community down. income patients. We are excited to be You recently moved into a new facility. offering Comprehensive ADA accredited Why was it needed? What are its benefits? diabetes education for our patients and This facility was much needed in Macon plan to develop programming for patients County to address the health care needs of the population. We know that in Macon with pre-diabetes. We are looking at ways County there are more than 30,000 people we can partner with Good Samaritan Inn/ Decatur Is Growing Gardeners to place who are at or below 200 percent of the gardens near our facility. We think that federal poverty limit. This is the cutoff access to healthy food choices and the that defines a population that may not knowledge of how to grow these can be be able to afford health care or would life changing for those with diabetes. have to forego other necessities to afford

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

January 2016

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Setting goals best way to make resolutions stick JUSTIN CONN

Business Journal Writer‌

‌Some form of New Year’s resolutions have been around since Babylonian times, and about 45 percent of Americans make them annually.

The No. 1 resolution among Americans every year, according to University of Scranton psychology professor John Norcross’ study, is losing weight.

But by the end of January, a third of people making resolutions will have failed. By July, that number will be 60 percent.

Dietitians agree that the main culprits for the high failure rate are unrealistic, non-specific goals.

“Resolutions are a great motivator and the first of the year is a nice starting point, but it’s incredibly helpful to make goals,” said Caitlyn Huth, a dietitian for the University of Illinois Macon County Extension Office. “Saying, ‘I’m going to lose weight,’ is a great starting point, but it’s not specific enough. I’d counter with, ‘How are you going to lose weight?’”

Crossing Healthcare dietitian Allison Raiha said a resolution to lose weight takes action. The weight isn’t going to come off by itself.

“Some people might wish they could play piano. Well, you have to take lessons.

Just wishing isn’t enough,” Raiha said. “It’s like building a house. You wouldn’t just build a house on a whim. You have to have a blueprint. You have to design it.”

But even people who make specific plans often take on too much. HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital dietitian Angela Feriozzi said setting realistic goals is important.

“People jump in with both feet and get in over their heads,” Feriozzi said. “They’ll make these drastic changes to their diets and make plans to work out seven days a week, which for most people is never going to happen.

“Making simple, realistic goals, is better. First, incorporate exercise three days a week and limit sugary beverages to four days a week. Then slowly taper down from there. After a month, go down to three sugary drinks a week.”

Old habits, though, are easy to fall into.

Having a reminder is a good idea, according to Raiha.

“It’s easy to make a plan, then file it in the back of your head somewhere,” Raiha said. “Write down the plan and have it somewhere you can revisit it often.”

HSHS St. Mary’s dietitian Sallie Fischer

fall, it’s never too late to get back up.

“Just because you get out of good habits for a week doesn’t mean you can’t start For more help with losing weight, go them back up again,” Feriozzi said. “As to choosemyplate.gov, which has several long as you stick to the mentality that resources, including recipes. you’re going to make changes, the results Also, there are several smart phone will come.” apps on which dieters can log food intake.

The ultimate goal of a weight loss resoU of I Macon County Extension dietitian Caitlyn Huth said there’s evidence that lution is to lose the extra pounds and keep people who keep food logs are better at them off. losing weight and maintaining it.

“If you get into the routine of good habits, it gets to the point where weight loss isn’t the goal anymore, it’s fitness,” said having a carrot on a stick can help Huth said. “The real goal is to combine as well. good diet and exercise and have it become “It’s good to think of an accomplisha lifestyle.” ment you can achieve if you stick with it,” Feriozzi said that lifestyle can best be Fischer said. “It can be an article of cloth- maintained by practicing moderation. ing that’s too tight. Hang it in your closet “Everyone wants a cookie every once so you can see it and make the goal to fit in awhile,” Feriozzi said. “But instead of into that comfortably.” eating a cookie every day, eat one once Slips are inevitable. At some point, a month. whether it’s the first day, week or month, a “And with portion size, sometimes at dieter is going to fall off their routine. restaurants you’ll get twice the amount of “Life is going to happen,” Fischer said. food you need on your plate. That’s some“It’s a slip. Everyone slips. The best thing thing to be aware of. you can do is recognize it and recover as “In the end, there’s no gimmick of quick soon as possible. If you blow it at lunch, fix to losing weight. It’s about looking at get back to it at supper.” your lifestyle and making the changes that Feriozzi said even if the slip turns into a need to be made.” ‌O N T H E W E B

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January 2016

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BUSINESS JOURNAL 21

War against blindness goes mobile JUSTIN CONN

‌R I S K FAC T O R S

Business Journal Writer‌

‌Decatur ophthalmologist Dr. John C. Lee has put his fight against glaucoma on wheels.

Two years ago, Lee built a portable eye pressure testing apparatus he began taking to service club meetings, banks, churches, family reunions or any type of gathering, where he gave the test to adults free of charge. By May of 2014, he had established the Midwest Sight Foundation and launched the Blindness Prevention Program.

Now the test is even more portable, it’s in a van, the Midwest Sight Foundation Mobile Screening Unit. In the last month, he’s already made several local appearances and is available for future events by calling his office at (217) 423-9000.

“We want to reach out to people in the community,” Lee said. “Glaucoma is the silent thief of vision. Over 10, 20 years, people with the disease gradually lose sight, it comes so slow they don’t even realize it.

And you see people with glaucoma, they adapt and they function. They walk around moving their head around, checking everything like an FBI agent.

“If nothing is done, eventually they’ll go blind. But if you get tested early enough, it can be prevented.”

Older than 50, with risk increasing with age Related to someone with glaucoma Of African descent Very nearsighted or very farsighted Have diabetes Have high blood pressure Have had an eye injury or eye surgery

“After he came in, I found myself thinking about him and his family more and more, and wishing I had done more.”

Fifty years ago, Lee could never have imagined he would someday feel so passionately about glaucoma prevention. He was born and raised in Korea, then moved to the U.S. and earned a mechanical engineering degree from Kansas State.

Business Journal, Jim Bowling‌ Within two years, Lee was working as Midwest Sight Foundation founder Dr. John C. Lee is pictured inside a mobile screening a mechanical engineer but also going to unit that he uses to decrease preventable blindness in the area. medical school at the University of Iowa.

The Mobile Screening Unit is the latest “Here’s a guy in his 40s losing his job and He had originally planned on going into strike in a war Lee has been fighting against taking away 25 years of work time,” Lee said. orthopedics, but preferred the instructors in glaucoma since diagnosing a truck driver “That’s well over a million dollars. And he ophthalmology. and father of five with the eye disease in has a wife and kids who have to be taken During his residency at Iowa, he treated 2013. The man had failed his commercial care of. It takes a taxpaying citizen and turns several patients from Central Illinois and driver’s license test and thought glasses them into a burden on the system. identified a need for ophthalmologists in the would correct his vision. But he had “And that’s not even mentioning the Decatur area. glaucoma, ending his professional drivquality of life. Blind people aren’t happy ing career. people. There’s a lot of depression.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

January 2016

Community health calendar Support groups‌

TOPS Club IL 49 Decatur, 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Main Street Church of God, 2000 N. Main St. (enter from Garfield Street). Go to www.topsclub.org or call Chris Granda at (217) 521-2420.

Helping Hands Bereavement for Children, 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, 210 W. McKinley, Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735.

Breastfeeding support group, 10:30 a.m.

Monday, Jan. 11 and 25, Baby TALK, 500 E. Lake Shore Dr. To register, call (217) 464-2334.

SHARE support group, 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Room G18. Support group for those who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or early infancy. Call (217) 464-2045.

Epilepsy support group, 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. Call (217) 853-1655.

Facing Cancer Together, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. For cancer patients and their families.

Register online or call (217) 876-4735.

Pink Link breast cancer support group, 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan 14. Call (217) 876-4377.

Brain tumor support group, 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Call (217) 876-4735.

Postpartum emotional support group, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room.

Call (217) 464-2334.

Diabetes support group, 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, DMH Specific Performance Enhancement Center, 2122 N, 27th St. Call (217) 876-4249.

Parkinson’s disease support group, 1 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 21, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1360 W. Main St. Call John Kileen at (217) 620-8702.

Lyme-MTHFR support study group, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 21, Mari-Mann Herb Co., 1405 Mari Mann Lane. Call (217) 429-1555.

Renewal bereavement support group, 6 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 25, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735.

Us TOO prostate cancer support group, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735.

Widowed support group, 11:30 a.m.. Thursday, Jan. 28. Monthly lunch gathering. For location or to register, call (217) 428-7733.

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TARGETED DIGITAL ADVERTISING Q

What is the best form of advertising to use to target a specific audience?

A

First, you have to determine just who your customer is exactly. Your customer demographic may change depending on the product/service you are promoting, the time of the year or even the message you are using. For example, for a bar & grill who wants to promote live music, you likely want to reach 18-49 year-olds. But if your message is about daily lunch specials, the audience broadens. So, once you’ve determined the demographic you’re after, the type of media to use becomes clearer.

However, another important element is determining your goal. If your objective is to gain website traffic, then a very broad Run of Network targeting campaign is perfect. But if your goal is conversions (people taking action once on your website, such as signing up for an e-newsletter or making a purchase) then I would suggest site retargeting where you serve ads to people who’ve visited your site and gone away.

If you’re in a highly competitive industry, such as Assisted Living Facilities, where internet users research online, you’ll want to compete for better results on Search Engines. This includes “Search Engine Marketing”, where you pay-per-click to ensure a position of 1-3 on the first page of results.

If you’re looking for 18-49 year olds, Social Media Marketing is very effective. This goes beyond making sure you have a Facebook page and fans.

This type of marketing includes being seen on the most used social sites in an effective way.

If you need help determining who your audience is and how best to reach them…I’m just a phone call away. Let me help.

Cayla Hittmeier Digital Specialist Herald & Review

Classes‌

Sibling class, 5:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. Children 3-12 learn about being a big brother or sister. To register, call (217) 464-2334.

Infant CPR class, 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, Decatur Memorial Hospital, third floor OB Classrooms. Register online or call (217) 876-3100.

Newborn Care and Breastfeeding Basics, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, Decatur Memorial Hospital, OB Classroom. Cost is $30. Registration required by calling (217) 876-3100.

Safe Sitter class, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, Decatur Memorial Hospital, OB Classroom. This program teaches 11-13 year olds how to handle emergencies and provide safe child care. Cost is $30. Registration required by calling (217) 876-3100.

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Continued from page 21

are available immediately. If the pressure in a patient’s eye exceeds 18 on the test, Lee He began working as an ophthalmologist will recommend they seek treatment. in Decatur in 1979.

“Above 18, if they don’t have it, they’re Now 77, Lee still runs a full-time pracheaded toward it,” said registered nurse tice. With help from his family he began and ophthalmic medical technologist the Midwest Sight Foundation a year and a Lorrie Durbin, who has worked with Lee half ago. for 35 years.

“I just want to educate people and get If caught early, treatment, usually eye them tested,” Lee said. “At my age, I’m not drops, can prevent progression of the interested in a bigger practice. I just want disease. But the longer it goes undiagto make them aware. I felt like that if I nosed, the more irreversible damage it could keep one person from going blind, it can do. would be a success.”

What frustrates Lee is that only half of So far, in the year and a half since startthe 2.3 million Americans with glaucoma ing the Blindness Prevention Program, Lee are aware they have it because they’re has alerted five people that they have glau- not tested. coma, and 50 that they’re at high risk.

“Half the population never has an eye “That’s huge,” Lee said. “If it’s caught exam,” Lee said. “The more people we early and the patient gets treatment, they can get the word out to and test, the more don’t go blind. Even if they just have a few blindness we can prevent. We hope the threads left, they can keep the vision they van helps. People will see it at the stop still have.” light, and we have the risk factors on the The test takes about a minute and results back for people to see.”

Online Contesting

Social Media

Targeted Email

National Website

Website Design

YouTube Advertising

Search Engine

Pinterest

Pandora Marketing

January 2016

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YOUR

BUSINESS JOURNAL 23

MONEY

Take control of your finances in the new year JEFF ROSE

also able to enjoy your expenditures more when you eliminate the stress of constant overspending.” ‌Everybody wants a solid financial plan, yet more than 40 percent of Americans Cut expenses. With a budget in place, you don’t have one. Unless you develop a forcan prioritize outlays and redirect the flow mal strategy, such as a written plan, you of your money. might well find any financial goal elusive.

Identify necessary expenses that you So, here are some tips for planning: must pay: mortgage, debt balances, insurDefine your goals. Decide exactly what you ance premiums and taxes, to name a need your finances to do and the strategies few. The next category can be important expenses that you can control to an extent, you need to make your money work best. such as groceries, utilities and outlays For example, do you have children who will attend college one day? You must save related to work or school. You can almost always cut these to some degree. the money to make that happen. At what The third category: purely discretionary age do you hope to retire? This answer spending, such as entertainment, vacations helps you decide how much time you have left to save and then to establish how much and recreational shopping. Desirable but not necessary, this spending can be elimiyou must save to meet this goal. nated without threatening your survival.

Set up a budget. Any type of financial Once you put your expenses in the planning requires creating surplus money proper categories, you can make reductions in your finances. This is why a budget is or cuts clearly to free your cash for savings so important. It enables you to see exactly or to debt payoff. how much money you spend each month compared with what you earn.

Create an emergency fund. This could be You might at first think that a budget a bank savings or brokerage money market adds stress, but over the long run it does account holding your liquid cash. Such a the opposite. Adam Broughton of Planfund exists for an unexpected expense or ningBetterLives.com remarks: income disruption. You not only weather a “Being in control of your spending gives brief storm but can also potentially avoid you the ability to say ‘yes’ to the things borrowing. Generally, your emergency fund that really make life meaningful. You are needs to contain enough cash to cover three Tribune News Service Writer‌

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to six months’ living expenses.

Get out of debt. The cash flow you create in your budget after cutting expenses you can now funnel into paying off debt.

You can use different methods to accomplish this, including Dave Ramsey’s debt snowball: You target your smallest debt first, paying it off before moving on to your next-smallest debt and so on. Among the several advantages: Each balance paid off, regardless of how small, represents visible progress and a moral victory.

Each balance you whittle down completely eliminates a monthly payment, increasing your cash flow to take on the next obligation.

By the time you get to your largest amount owed, you enjoy a greater ability to pay it off because all your other debts are gone.

Save for retirement. Hopefully you already put away something for your golden years, even just a little bit each month. As you get out of debt, your cash stockpile increases, ultimately meaning you can save a lot more for retirement.

As with every other financial goal, the most important step in saving for retirement is getting started. Begin with contributions in amounts that don’t significantly

hurt your overall finances. Then increase your contribution each year.

Save for other goals. A host of reasons exist to save money other than emergency or retirement funds, such as saving for children’s college education, buying a new car (so you can buy one without going into debt) or for major home repairs. Working hard to get out of debt does you little good if you only plunge back in when faced with a major expense — the merry-go-round many people get stuck on. Prevention through saving is your best strategy.

Carry adequate insurance. Many contingencies you can’t possibly save enough for, and that’s the whole purpose of insurance.

Coverage comes in various types, including life, health, auto and homeowners’ insurance, in addition to business insurance if you are self-employed.

And often overlooked benefit of insurance: protection of your assets. For example, homeowners’ insurance enables you to repair your residence after damage from certain catastrophes without having to drain other financial resources.

Auto insurance likewise pays claims you otherwise must cover out of pocket. Typically you can use life insurance is typically used to replace the lost wages of a deceased wage earner.

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January 2016

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