Business Journal - January 2017

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2 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | January 2017

YOU R C A L E N DA R

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Tuesday, Jan. 3‌

Wednesday, Jan. 25‌

Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility, 3909 W. Main St. Lincolnland Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

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

Wednesday, Jan. 4‌

Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club. Scheduled speaker is Patrick Hoban, economic development officer for the city of Decatur.

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

Thursday, Jan. 5‌

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

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Metro Decatur Home Builders Association, 6:30 p.m., Beach House, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr.

Friday, Jan. 6‌

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

Saturday, Jan. 7‌

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

Monday, Jan. 9‌

Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant, 2959 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Altrusa International of Decatur, 6 p.m., location varies

Tuesday, Jan. 10‌

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

Decatur Camera Club, 7 p.m., Westminster Thursday, Jan. 19‌ Decatur Building Construction Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall, 3390 N. Presbyterian Church, 1360 W. Main.

Woodford St. Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill BanDecatur Area Society for Human Resource Friday, Jan. 13‌ quet Facility.

Management, 11 a.m., location varies.

Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Decatur Christian Women’s Connection, Decatur Chamber Toastmasters Club, Banquet Facility.

11:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

11:30 a.m., 101 S. Main St., basement meeting Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, room.

Saturday, Jan. 14‌ Decatur Club.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

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

Club.

Friday, Jan. 20‌ Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.

Wednesday, Jan. 11‌ Monday, Jan. 16‌ Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Scovill Banquet Facility.

Restaurant.

Saturday, Jan. 21‌ Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce LunDecatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Club. cheon, 11:30 a.m.

Decatur Real Estate Investors Association, Northside Baptist Church, 929 N. Lober St. 6:30 p.m., Perkins Family Restaurant, 2999 N. Monday, Jan. 23‌ Monroe St. Tuesday, Jan. 17‌ Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Sco- Restaurant.

Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Thursday, Jan. 12‌ vill Banquet Facility.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill BanNoon Sertoma, Decatur Club. quet Facility.

Tuesday, Jan. 24‌ Senior Resources Network, noon, Keystone Decatur Landlords Association, 6 p.m., Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., ScoMeadows, 1455 W. Mound Road.

Doherty’s Pub, 242 E. William St. vill Banquet Facility.

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Building Construction Trades Decatur Club.

Wednesday, Jan. 18‌ Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall.

Lincolnland Decatur AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Decatur Chamber Toastmasters Club, Independence Pointe Building, 2715 N. 27th St. Scovill Banquet Facility.

11:30 a.m., 101 S. Main St., basement meeting Decatur Area Women’s Network (DAWN), Decatur Shrine Club, 6 p.m., Pop’s Place, room.

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

5:30 p.m., Decatur Club.

4335 W. Main St. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Mount Zion Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., Four Star Family Restaurant, 1100 Illinois 121.

Thursday, Jan. 26‌

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

Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.

Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, 5:15 p.m., Decatur Conference Center & Hotel, 4191 W. U.S. 36. Featured speaker is Rich Miller, founder/CEO of Capitol Fax. Mount Zion Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., Four Star Family Restaurant.

Decatur Camera Club, 7 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Friday, Jan. 27‌

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

Saturday, Jan. 28‌

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

Monday, Jan. 30‌

Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant.

Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.

Tuesday, Jan. 31‌

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

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.

Wednesday, Feb. 1‌

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

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

Thursday, Feb. 2‌

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.

Friday, Feb. 3‌

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

Saturday, Feb. 4‌

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

Monday, Feb. 6‌

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. 7‌

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

Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club.

Noon Sertoma, 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 2017 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 3

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FROM THE EDITOR

‌I

’m no stranger to roller coasters. ‌I rode them as a kid and I’ve been my daughter’s roller coaster co-pilot for as long as she can remember.

So when I describe 2016 as being a wild roller coaster ride, I have a good frame of reference.

The year was full of amazing highs — many made possible by some unimaginable lows — and a few bone-rattling curves.

While I would have preferred the year to be a lot less extreme, I arrived at the end of the ride having learned a thing or two about myself, both personally and professionally.

I expanded my comfort zone.

I put myself into situations with no idea how they would turn out.

I tweeted.

In short, 2016 was a year of change. I suspect this year will be no different and I want it to carry over to the Business Journal.

While we’ve stirred the pot a bit, we haven’t made any major changes to the Business Journal in quite a while.

Regular readers will notice the departure of two of my monthly columnists –

Volume 22

601 E. William St. Decatur, IL 62523 217.421.7976 217.421.7965 (fax) Publisher: Julie Bechtel General Manager: Joel Fletcher Wendy Gauntt and Fred Spannaus. This creates an ideal opportunity to take a step back and figure out if there’s something new we want to try or something old we want to bring back.

I welcome your feedback.

Buckle up. Secure all loose items. This thrill ride is about to start.

Editor: Scott Perry Scott Perry, editor Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois

18 Stretch that paycheck

STANDING FEATURES 13

Free Time calendar

15

Health calendar

17

Julie Shields

13

Liz Reyer

19

Office Coach

19

Advertising: Andrea Gillmar Cover photo: Jim Bowling

January 2017 Contents Business Clips

Issue 1

Getting the most from the money you make.

ADVERTISING: The deadline for ad and ad copy for the February issue is Jan. 18. Call 217.421.6969 for rate information.

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.

‌Laying the groundwork 2016 saw a lot of stuff happening. Some of what happened in 2016 will set the stage for an even more amazing 2017, especially for the Decatur Park District and the Nelson Park area. This month’s issue includes information about those planned park improvements, a review of the past year’s top Time away from work is vital to your wellstories and highlights from area communities. being.

16 Take a break

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.

YOU R C OM M U N I T Y

4 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | January 2017

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Macon County communities mark year of progress ARGENTA‌ The first-ever Argenta Ice Fest in February is but one of the good things coming the village’s way as a result of a new development group called Argenta In Motion.

The group and its objectives grew out of a MAPPING the Future of Your Community process the community went through in 2016 with the help of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University.

Accomplishments thus far include showing movies in the park and downtown beautification, including curb improvements, plantings and demolition of a long-vacant building. “We’re going to make it a green space for now,” said Mayor Cindy Luedke.

Argenta’s third annual Autumn Art & Animal Celebration Sept. 10 was also bigger and better than ever, involving all three of the community’s churches and a new business expo besides.

Other goals of AIM include resurrecting Argenta’s fireworks display, organizing dances at Friends Creek Community Center, helping businesses get signs directing Interstate 72 traffic to them, starting a farmers market, and attracting warehouse/ storage businesses and light industry such as an equipment dealership or trucking firm along the Illinois 48 corridor sound of town.

The Ice Fest on the horizon will feature sculptures and live demonstrations by Olympic ice carver Aaric Kendall in Prairie Park and a craft/vendor fair in the community center, with shuttles and warming stations in-between.

AIM member Barb Wallick said the festival will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 11.

BLUE MOUND‌

JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL‌

From left, Wyatt Martin, Layla Lucas and Chloe Lowry play on the Pleasant View Township Community Center playground during an after-school program. The building was sold to the township by the Meridian School District after it was no longer needed as a school.

FORSYTH‌ Community togetherness is one of the highlights the village of Forsyth will treasure from 2016, and hopes to enhance still more in 2017.

Mayor Marilyn Johnson says the focus of community spirit has proved to be the Forsyth Village Park, where families naturally tend to gather with children to enjoy games, activities and picnics.

“And as a community we do a lot of things at the park, including our Family Fest in June, a thank you for residents, and now our community Christmas tree lighting, now in its second year,” she added.

Johnson was pleased to see use of the park ramp up in 2016 and anticipates seeing more events happening there in 2017. “More community gatherings, that’s what I’m looking forward to,” she added.

Park-based events live and die at the mercy of the elements, however, and the mayor says the village board will turn its attention in the new year to establishing a community space with a roof and walls. “We’ll be looking into the possibility of creating a community center,” Johnson said. “We don’t know the details yet, but we want to know what residents would like and so forth. I’m also looking forward to that.”

Blue Mound is planning to replace and repair sidewalks in 2017, and its library received a new mural in summer 2016 when two student artists painted murals on the building. Sisters Marley and Zoe Doering are students at Meridian High School.

When the Meridian School District downsized from four buildings to two in 2016, the building that used to house the Blue Mound Grade School was sold to Pleasant View Township. The building has become the township offices and a community center. Meridian Superintendent Dan Brue said township officials were allowed to keep as much of the furnishings and equipment, including the kitchen equipment, as they had use for, since the school district’s construction program had replaced it all in the new and renovated buildings. Other community groups are using the building as well: the Blue Mound Inter-Church Council Food Pantry, the Boy Scouts, an exercise class, local artists who display work there, the Blue Mound volunteer fire department, which has a fitness center there, an after-school proThe biggest highlight of 2016 in Harrisgram and the Blue Mound Park District holds town went off with a bang and also featured lots of bombs bursting in air. meetings there.

The village’s summer fireworks event, held

HARRISTOWN‌

JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL‌

From left, Emma Fawley, Sophia Syrigos, Cooper Broderick, Jan Syrigos, Collin Drain and Mason Hall mimic animal movements during the WildHeart presentation at the Forsyth Public Library. the weekend before July 4, drew big crowds to the grounds of the Harristown Grade School where there were vendors, food, games for children and a massive fireworks display finale.

Deputy Village Clerk Tammy Walker said 2016 marked the 19th year for the fireworks and she is already looking forward to the 2017 version. “It’s going to be the 20th anniversary and so we’re hoping it’s going to be even bigger and better,” she added.

Walker said Harristown Mayor Rose Ross has headed up the volunteer committee that

runs the event, which is funded by a contribution from the village and private donations. “It’s a chance for people to come out and meet their neighbors and get to know each other a little bit better,” Walker said.

“We all just kind of hang out and enjoy a good day together.”

One event looming at the start of 2017 will see villagers hanging together again, but this time the mood is going to be more serious. A public meeting has been called for Jan. 5 at Please see Communities, Page 5

January 2017 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 5

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Communities

“Next year we’ll begin talking about the need for repairs and improvements to our water distribution system,” Keathley said. “This will include discussion of replacing older water mains and improvements to our water tower.”

From 4

the grade school to discuss the village water supply: An aging treatment plant requires major repairs and the village board is looking at options for the future. Those include making the repairs or trying something new, like forming a water co-op with surrounding communities to secure water supplies.

Walker said grappling with the subject of resolving the village water supply isn’t something most families are looking forward to in 2017, but coming up with some answers is essential for everyone’s future.

WARRENSBURG‌

LONG CREEK‌ Two years after it opened, Corman Park has continued to make additions to improve its use for residents.

The newest addition is a restroom to replace the porta-potties that originally were used in the park, said Carla Zerfowski, the Long Creek village clerk and treasurer.

Since the restrooms were finished in early December, Zerfowski said they have not been able to introduce them to residents who have helped make Corman Park one of the most popular one for parents. It was recently voted the No. 1 park in the county on decaturilmoms.com, a site operated for mothers in the Decatur area.

“We have been trying very hard for a while to make that a recreational area, and this goes a long way toward achieving that,” Zerfowski said.

Aside from having heating and air-conditioning, the restroom will also have electronic locks that can automatically lock and unlock the door at certain times in the day.

In other news, the village completed some microsurfacing on several roads on top of some routine oil and chipping work. The hope, Zerfowski said, is to help the daily commute of the village’s residents.

JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL‌

Kids line up before the start of the Mount Zion neighborhood Fourth of July parade.

It was especially notable on the main stretch of Illinois 121 leading into the village, with the Ruff-Inn-It luxury pet boarding facility, Dr. Dennis Vaughn’s podiatrist office, Simply Sweet Cakery and The Hidden Lair game store all opening businesses this year along the stretch of road.

“I thought 2016 was just fantastic for the village,” Miller said, adding they have had discussions with other businesses about moving to the area this year.

Elsewhere, the village unveiled a new website, which includes a front-page community calendar to keep residents posted on events in the area. In addition, the new site also allows for various pages in the site where residents can pay their water bill, find a FAQ to learn the basic village functions and current statutes, as well as ways to contact officials in village departments.

As the calender turns, Miller said she is excited for the long-discussed water tower project to come to fruition. It is expected that the over $2 million project will begin The city of Macon has a website (www.ma- construction by early spring, with the milconcity.us) devoted to its water department, lion gallon water tower to be completed in where residents can find tips for conserving 2018. water, ask questions and pay their bills. The site also provides links to related sites, including an educational one for children.

Construction at the combined Meridian Oreana saw some playground upgrades in Middle School and High School in Macon 2016. was completed in summer 2016 and middle The most visible was the assembly of new school students moved into the building in equipment at Argenta-Oreana Elementary August. The middle school has its own wing School the weekend after school started Aug. and lunch area, and the high school students 19. Community volunteers were guided by came back in January to a new soundproof representatives of Team REIL of Union, Ill., in band and choir area, with a state-of-the-art putting together equipment made by Miracle auditorium ready for performances. Mid- Recreation of Monett, Mo. dle school students will also use the music Parents And Teachers Together contributed rooms. nearly $37,000 toward the cost, a project also supported by the Phyllis Madeleine Winings Trust, and raised another $21,595.94 with its elementary jog-a-thon and middle school It was a business-as-usual year for Mount color run in October.

Zion.

At least three generations of students had But with an increasing population and a enjoyed some of the old playground pieces that steady flow of residential and commercial were replaced, many of which dated back to developments, Village Administrator Julie when the school was built in 1957.

Miller said that’s fine with her.

The village board, meanwhile, refurbished

MACON‌

OREANA‌

MOUNT ZION‌

the playground at Village Park with a new coat of sealant for the wooden equipment, new pea gravel for the ground, new paint for the restrooms, and landscape improvements throughout the park.

Mayor Aaron Keathley said the board also approved in 2016 ordinances creating permits for golf carts on village streets and for residents who want to raise a small number of chickens for noncommercial use.

After years in the work, Warrensburg has finally put the finishing touches on its water treatment plant.

With the plant finished, village President Corey Maloney said residents will have access to higher quality tap water.

Work still needs to be done before the project is finished, including the replacement of some old piping and infrastructure.

The village also created tax increment financing, also known as TIF, districts to encourage business growth along Illinois 121 and elsewhere. Maloney said the village already has profited over $3,000 since it was implemented in the fall. Money from the districts will be used for beautification work, including sidewalk repairs and updates to lighting.

For the second straight year, the village held a toy drive, which collected over 100 boxes of new, unwrapped gifts for children up to 14 years old. The toys collected were donated to the Warrensburg Lions Club, who paired them with gift baskets that were given out by members of the Warrensburg Fire Department.

“We have a lot of great things going on in this village,” Maloney said.

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Stage set for a busy 2017 Construction to begin on aquatics center, amphitheater JUSTIN CONN Business Journal Writer‌

‌DECATUR — Six years ago, what’s about to happen on Decatur’s lakefront and in Nelson Park was a great plan, but seemed difficult to execute.

And it has been difficult.

Along the way, property values dropped, severely decreasing the amount the Decatur Park District brought in from taxes. And grants promised from the state were delayed because of the never-ending budget issues that continue to haunt Illinois’ General Assembly.

But in 2016, the plan finally fell into place.

Two state grants were released, giving the park district the chance to go ahead with several projects. A donation by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation made possible a lakefront amphitheater the park district considers the linchpin of the entire Lakeshore Landing lakefront project. And equalized assessed values (EAVs) finally leveled out, giving a park district that’s worked hard to remain fiscally responsible the break it needed to fund a new $9.2 million aquatics center.

The moves made in 2016 will lead to construction in 2017. By next summer, Nelson Park will have a new climbing apparatus, batting cages, playground, mountain bike trail, pavilion and fitness park to go along with Overlook Adventure Park Mini Golf Course, Cherry Berry, Ted’s Taters, a disc golf course, a walking trail and a dog park. By the end of 2018, the $3.9 million lakefront amphitheater will be ready for use, as will the new water park with a set of features unique to any aquatics center in the city’s history.

“We’ve had so many plans in the past that have gone on the shelf for a variety of different reasons,” Decatur Park District Executive Director Bill Clevenger said. “But this one has gotten off the ground, largely through a collective determination that we were going to make this work. We’ve worked with the city, the county, CONO (Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations) … there was a whole group of people who got together and worked together with a collective mindset that this is something that can help us create a niche for Decatur.”

The first stage of the lakefront development in the summer of 2011 didn’t go well.

Following the unpopular closing of Lake Shore Drive through Nelson Park, the necessary permits to renovate the lakefront area in front of the Beach House restaurant were delayed. But the new three-acre dog park, one-

PROVIDED BY THE DECATUR PARK DISTRICT‌

This rendering shows a preliminary design for the new amphitheater to be built in Nelson Park next year.

PROVIDED BY THE DECATUR PARK DISTRICT‌

This artist rendering shows what the new $9.2 million aquatics facility in Nelson Park could look like. mile-long walking trail and disc golf course were all in use by the end of 2011.

The significant drop in property values in 2012 that continued for the next three years threatened the future of the project, but in the summer of 2012 ground was broken on a new promenade, boardwalk and two docks in front of the Beach House – the $1.4 million was split by the city and park district.

In 2014, the zoo-themed Overlook Adventure Mini Golf Course opened in July after some delays – two 18-hole courses that cost more than $3 million. Later that summer, Cherry Berry and Ted’s Taters opened next door.

“The whole concept was to develop where there was heavy traffic and good visibility,” Clevenger said. “That was a good start. And the mini golf course has taken off and has been very successful. And now adding all the rest of the amenities to go along with it, people aren’t

just going to go for mini golf. They’ll be able to go to the playground, the climbing apparatus, the batting cages, then with the aquatic center to come … that whole area is going to come alive.”

Breathing life into the old Nelson Park golf course area and lakefront was the goal from the beginning. The same year the mini golf course opened, Gov. Pat Quinn promised the park district a $2 million construction grant, with Buffett to pay the remaining $1.5 million, giving the amphitheater project the green light.

But Quinn didn’t approve the money before he left office and new Gov. Bruce Rauner suspended all state grants for park district projects, which included funding for multiple other amenities in Nelson Park.

In 2016, though, that money was finally released. With the addition of Buffett’s donation, the park district suddenly had enough money to push the amphitheater project forward.

The facility will accommodate about 300 people in fixed seating and another 3,000 on the terraced lawn. It will be south of Pavilion No. 1, with Lake Decatur as a backdrop. Design of the amphitheater is being worked on now, with construction slated to begin in spring with an opening expected in Spring 2018.

“The gift from Howard Buffett was absolutely phenomenal,” Clevenger said. “There’s nothing like this amphitheater in Central Illinois. It’s on the lake. It’s something that Springfield, Champaign and Bloomington don’t have. It’s going to be a great environment for concerts.”

A water park had been mentioned from the time the lakefront development project began.

But it hadn’t found the funding until the park district began looking at the costs to renovate Fairview pool. When the consultant’s plan came back, the district found that long term it was most prudent financially to invest in the new water park now.

That might not have been possible had EAVs kept trending downward this year.

“Things are beginning to level off and we’re in a good place right now,” Clevenger said.

“We’ve been able to strategically figure out how to fund the aquatic center.

“This is a first for us. We’ve had a pool and a water slide, but what we have coming is going to have spray features, interactive features, a lap pool … it’s going to meet a multitude of community needs.”

On the other side of Lake Decatur at Scovill Zoo, a new sculpture park debuted this year and there will be more construction in 2017 – Buffett also donated $2 million to extend the zoo’s train to wrap around the neighboring Children’s Museum of Illinois.

“We’ve had the idea of that it’s going to be an interactive basin, and that takes off with everything that’s happening this year,” Clevenger said. “It creates an environment that’s a regional attraction that’s going to bring people to Decatur. The next year is going to have as much activity as we’ve seen at the district in the last several decades.”

January 2017 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 7

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Newsmakers 2016

A look at some of past year’s top stories

Officer-involved shooting‌

An officer-involved shooting in Decatur became one of the biggest local news stories of 2016.

During a street confrontation in the early hours of July 11, Decatur Police officer Andrew Wittmer fired one shot into the torso of Lonnie D. Mitchell, who was injured seriously. On Aug. 30, the results of a review of an intensive Illinois State Police investigation into the incident were announced by Macon County State’s Attorney Jay Scott: the shooting of Mitchell was justified.

Mitchell, who has since recovered, was seen in dramatic squad car video with a knife strapped to his arm and a BB gun that looked like a semiautomatic handgun tucked into the waistband of his pants. A shirtless Mitchell walks off camera but can be heard refusing to comply with Wittmer’s commands for him to stop moving and lay down in the street.

Wittmer and another officer present both say Mitchell was reaching toward the pistol when he was shot.

After more than 900 officer-involved shootings nationwide in 2016, many getting national attention amid street protests, Decatur Police Chief Jim Getz moved swiftly to calm the situation. He spoke to the public and media frequently, attended prayer vigils and worked with a team of community leaders called ALERT – Area Leaders, Educators Response Team.

ALERT members were kept briefed on developments by Getz and used that information to counter rumors and false stories.

“I think we did handle it well as a community,” Getz said. “The police department, the citizens, everybody in the city manager’s office.

And while you can always look for improvements, the key thing is to continue to develop strong relationships between the community and police. That is what we try to do on a daily basis.”

Limits on video gaming

The city of Decatur’s pocketbooks have continued to be big winners from the expansion of video gaming machines. However, the city council has taken steps to reduce the future number of so-called ‘video parlors.’

More than $2.5 million in tax revenues have been collected by the city of Decatur since video gaming machines came online. From January through November this year, the city has brought in $1,045,239.70 from the 392 gaming machines at 85 locations, according to the Illinois Gaming Board.

But the growing negative public perception of the machines, as Decatur has the thirdmost in any municipality in Illinois, had council members move ahead with regulations that should reduce the boom of machines.

Among those steps were to cap the number of licenses given to establishments whose primary purpose is to have machines at 30, which is the number of existing establishments and those with pending license applications Over time, the city will reduce the number of parlors to 20 through attrition; while new parlors must be located at least 1,500 feet from other parlors.

In November, the council approved a plan to raise the video gaming terminal fee from $20

JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL‌

A ceremony and plant tour were held to mark the grand re-opening of the Fuyao Glass Illinois plant following a $200 million remodeling project that included the reconstruction of the facility’s two production lines. per terminal to $250 per terminal. training center, which is being built on the Officials have said the plan is not to shut city’s south side near Rotary Park.

The facility, funded by a $15 million donadown existing businesses, but to acknowledge input from the public who were concerned by tion from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the growing number of establishments and how it reflects upon the local neighborhoods.

Please see Newsmakers, Page 8

Quigg passes the torch

Baby TALK’s 30th anniversary year saw founder Claudia Quigg “step back” as executive director after mentoring her replacement for three full months.

After spending three decades helping parents nurture their young children and seeing the agency’s model spread beyond Illinois, it’s only natural that Quigg, 63, would want to leave her “baby” in good hands.

Those hands belong to Shauna Ejeh, who returned to Baby TALK to take the top spot Sept. 7 after directing its Early Head Start program from 2010 to 2014.

The agency’s acronym stands for Teaching Activities for Learning and Knowledge.

Ejeh, 50, “steps in” as Baby TALK’s visibility has also grown locally with its recent addition to the list of agencies endorsed by the United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois.

That higher profile has attracted funding from some unexpected sources, such as Gather.Give.Share, a student initiative of the Community Foundation of Macon County, which presented the agency with $3,000 on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29.

“We have benefited from increased public awareness,” Ejeh said. “Our next step is to take our model to the ages 3 to 6 population on a larger scale.”

Baby TALK has been going to see the family of every baby born at Decatur Memorial Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital since 1986 and offers a variety of programs for parents of children ages birth to 3.

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Newsmakers

700 jobs, had created a fallout of fear for many families. “It’s been stressful due to all the uncertainty,” Lamar Brown, a security instructor at the plant who lives in Decatur, said on the day Rauner swept that uncertainty away.

Swept it away at least for now, anyway. The new law locks in the ratepayer subsidies for 10 years, but then all bets are off. Exelon prefers to focus on the positive, however, and it’s already announced the hiring of 400 workers split between Clinton and Quad Cities as it pushes ahead with formally stalled capital projects.

From 7

will draw recruits from throughout the state.

It is expected to replace the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois, which has been instructing police recruits since the 1950s.

It will be owned by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, the agency responsible for certifying the state’s law enforcement personnel.

Buffett, undersheriff and auxiliary deputy with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, said the center fits his foundation’s goals of creating jobs, supporting local businesses and enhancing the region’s public safety.

The academy will house 80 to 100 cadets year-round, who will attend 12-to-14 week sessions.

The two-story main building will contain classrooms, a mock courtroom, a mock jail booking area and scenario training rooms. A hospitality building will provide housing for up to 90 recruits, with additional rooms to house law enforcement officials for advanced training sessions. An indoor firearms range with 20 lanes is planned in a 9,000-squarefoot building.

The project is scheduled to be completed in the fall.

Fuyao Glass upgrade‌

ALLISON PETTY, BUSINESS JOURNAL‌

Tronnie Goss works on a mural featuring Bob Marley on the wall of G-B’s CDs DVDs Records at 702 E. Eldorado St. The community added several pieces of public art during 2016, with plans of adding more this year.

Clinton and DeWitt County from what many businesses and families feared would be an economic nuclear winter.

Exelon had warned it was ready to pull the plug on its Clinton nuclear power station, and another one in the Quad Cities, without pasClinton power plant saved With a flourish of his pen, Illinois Gov. sage of the Future Energy Jobs Act. The legisBruce Rauner signed the law Dec. 7 that saved lation, the hard-fought reward for a legislative

struggle that, off and on, dragged on for years, locks in up to $235 million in annual ratepayer subsidies Exelon said it needed to keep both stations cranking out clean, carbon-free electricity.

The threat of losing the Clinton station, which pumps $13 million in tax revenue into the local economy and directly accounts for some

Production is heating up again as Fuyao Glass Group has finished a $200 million remodeling of the former PPG Industries plant near Mount Zion.

The completion of the 18-month long project for the automotive glass maker at 2768 E. Elwin Road was celebrated in October as a major boost to the local economy.

Both glass production lines were remodeled during the project.

The future of the facility was uncertain until Fuyao announced plans in 2014 to purchase it from PPG. Fuyao Chairman Tak Wong Cho has high expectations for the plant with a goal to steadily boost production output.

The state of Illinois assisted in retraining 100 former PPG employees. About 300 employees work at the facility as Fuyao began production there again.

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Newsmakers

“This will help with citizens to not have to wait to file reports,” Getz said.

From 8

Superintendent controversy‌

Enough glass is expected to be produced at the facility for 4 million vehicles per year.

Glass from the Decatur facility is used to meet demand to supply a fabrication facility near Dayton, Ohio, with up to 60 trucks a day used to make the shipments.

Gas tax for road work

No longer able to ignore the deterioration of Decatur’s aging streets, the Decatur City Council took action this year to fix them with creation of a local motor fuel tax.

Budget challenges, including higher pension costs, led the city to cut its capital spending since the recession. State motor fuel tax proceeds were decreasing, while the cost of asphalt rose. Pavement conditions worsened, making repairs more expensive.

After more than a year of sporadic, uncomfortable discussion, the council voted in February to establish the tax of 5 cents per gallon on unleaded fuel and 1 cent per gallon for diesel.

The tax began April 1. To get a jump on the work, the council authorized City Manager Tim Gleason to seek a $7.5 million loan, to be repaid with the tax proceeds. For these projects, city officials specifically targeted less-traveled neighborhood streets.

In December, the city said it had wrapped up the 5.15 lane miles of work scheduled for 2016 and was in the preliminary design stage for construction in 2017.

City staff expect to spend $3.5 million in local motor fuel tax revenue in each of the next two years. Project updates are available at buildingdecatur.com.

National anthem public outcry‌

Millikin University solidified its leadership and direction in 2016 in the face of forces that impacted day-to-day operations.

One of those forces was the public outcry that occurred after some members of the football team took a knee during the national anthem Sept. 24 and the team decided to stay in the locker room in a show of solidarity Oct. 15, a decision the players reversed two weeks later.

The other was all the construction on campus, starting in the spring to transform Staley Library into a $27 million University Commons student center/library in time for the 2017-18 academic year and continuing in September with work beginning on a $2 million Workman Family Softball Field at the southwest corner of West Eldorado Street and North Oakland Avenue.

Brad Owens, the university’s capital program manager, said University Commons is almost 40 percent done and on track to be completed on time, and Michael Kuropas, the university’s director of facilities services, said something similar about the softball field. “It will be open by the first game at the end of March,” he said.

“It’s probably 75 percent complete.”

As for Millikin’s administration, the board of trustees this spring extended the contract of President Patrick White by four years, through June 30, 2020.

JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL‌

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz campaigned rally at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel on the eve of the Illinois primary election.

Goss painted a bright mural of Bob Marley on the side of G-B’s CDs DVDs Records, part of the Decatur Area Arts Council’s ongoing mural project.

The next month, the city of Decatur added blue flying herons and fish to the side of its water tank at the South Water Treatment Plant.

The design was created by a Millikin University student and added at the end of a city project to clean and repair the water tank, which is highly visible to those entering the city from the south on U.S. 51.

Later in the year, a Decatur 4-H club joined the effort with a mural on the front of the former Newsstand building, next to the Northeast Community Fund.

The city also commissioned several colorful pieces of sidewalk art in the Central Park area, with the possibility that the effort might expand to other parts of the city in the future.

Electrical boxes downtown, such as the one in front of the Brass Horn men’s clothing store, are another intended target for future decoration.

The arts council plans three new murals this year and is accepting design submissions until March 31. The new locations are: 100 block of South Oakland Street (Garcia’s Pizza building) 200 block of West Main Street (replace the current pot/bamboo mural) 730 East Cerro Gordo Street. (Ken’s Aquarium and Pet Supply)

New Richland president‌

For the first time in over a decade, Richland Community College saw a new person in charge at the start of the school year.

Cristobal “Cris” Valdez became the seventh president in the college’s history when began his tenure on Aug. 1. He replaced Gayle Saunders, who retired in February after 15 years in the position A four-year contract for Valdez, who previously served as president of Central Wyoming College, was approved by the college’s board of trustees last summer.

Officials cited Valdez’s background in fundDecatur mural project‌ raising as a key part of his hiring, as his work Public art blossomed across the city in 2016. with a foundation in Central Wyoming inIn August, local artists Shani and Tronnie creased its assets to historic high of $20 mil-

lion.

He comes to a university in process of a number of developments, from the Student Success Center to the Carroll Center for Business project.

In addition, the university is joining others across the state in managing finances despite the uncertainty at the state level. Due to a failure by the state to live up to its financial obligation, the college will enter the next budget year without any projected state funds.

But Valdez said he is excited by the challenge and that he wants to continue the college’s mission will continue to prepare students to meet the community’s workforce needs while also keeping it affordable for students.

Whirlwind year for Getz

It has been a year of twists and turns for Jim Getz.

He started the year as deputy Decatur police chief, was promoted to interim chief in the wake of the chief’s firing, weathered a police-involved shooting incident and was promoted to chief in August.

Looking back at the top accomplishments of his tenure, Getz includes the reorganization of a gang enforcement unit, which targets those who are “causing the majority of our problems,” including gun violence.

Working proactively to prevent violence occurred at the same time the department was building strong ties with community members, to prevent chaos and riots which occurred elsewhere. The efforts were fruitful in the wake of the police shooting in July of a man who wielded a look-alike BB gun.

“We built stronger relationships and built trust with the commnunity and that’s something we want to continue in 2017,” Getz said.

“We also want to continue our proactive efforts in decreasing all crime.”

The department has made advances using technology. In the past few months, digitally produced citations, warnings and notices to appear were handed out by officers, to improve legibility, eliminate some human error and better interface with the records department.

In 2017, the plan is to enable the public to file online reports of minor incidents.

Superintendents’ contracts are often extended, even long before the end date looms, but in February, Decatur school board President Sherri Perkins met with then-Superintendent Lisa Taylor for her annual evaluation and, Taylor said, informed her that her contract wouldn’t be extended.

When word got out, and it appeared that the board had made this decision in closed session, it ignited a firestorm of controversy in the community. Teachers and other employees began to wear yellow in support of Taylor, and a board work session meant to discuss budget issues had to be moved to MacArthur High School’s auditorium, where a long line of employees and community members spoke out in support of Taylor and against the four board members who were against renewal. A board meeting after that work session also included extensive attention to the contract issue. It turned out the board had not made a decision in closed session, but rather discussion made it clear which board members fell on which side of the issue.

Though Taylor’s contract originally ran until June 30, 2017, Taylor resigned in April and accepted a position in the Heyworth district.

The board appointed assistant superintendents Bobbi Williams and Michael Dugan to serve as co-interim superintendents during the search for a new superintendent, which is under way. Search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates held a public forum in December and meetings with groups such as union and parent representatives and expects to present candidates to the board for consideration in February. The board has said it plans to make a decision and announcement by the end of March. With four board member seats up for election in April, three of the people who were vocal in their support of Taylor filed to run for those seats.

Brad Sweeney fired

Former Decatur police Chief Brad Sweeney’s firing in February sparked a legal storm for the city of Decatur.

Sweeney filed a lawsuit alleging that his termination was wrongful. He accused City Manager Tim Gleason of retaliating against him for his objection to Gleason’s use of a police car and driver for a personal trip in May 2015; his refusal to publicly support a local motor fuel tax; and his opposition to the tax during a city staff meeting.

Gleason said he had other reasons for firing Sweeney, which he listed in court documents.

The city also argued that Sweeney participated in Gleason’s use of the car and thus could not claim protection under the Illinois Whistleblower Act. The case was dismissed before a jury could decide. Macon County Circuit Judge A.G. Webber IV dismissed the lawsuit in June, saying Sweeney didn’t have legal standing to pursue the case.

The Decatur police chief is an at-will employee who could be let go at any time for any reason, Webber ruled. He said Sweeney’s allegations were not enough to be covered under any exception to those rules.

Sweeney’s appeal is pending in the 4th District Appellate Court.

17 10 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | January 2017

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new Illinois laws for 2017

and prohibits employers from disciplining from interrogating children younger than 15 employees or declining to hire applicants for without an attorney present when investi‌SPRINGFIELD — Republican Gov. Bruce refusing to provide that information. gating homicides and certain sex crimes. The Rauner and the Democratic-controlled Genlaw previously applied to children younger eral Assembly may not have approved a full 5. Allowing emergency personnel than 13. The new law also simplifies the noyear’s budget in 2016, but they did manage to to inject epinephrine‌ tice of rights that officers must read to all minors and expands the requirement for agree on nearly 200 laws that went into effect when the new year began.

All trained emergency medical technicians videotaping interrogations of minors.

Here’s a look at 17 new Illinois laws for 2017: in Illinois will now be able to treat severe allergic reactions with epinephrine injected 9. Training cosmetologists 1. Battling opioid through a syringe rather than with costlier to spot abuse‌ auto injectors, better known as EpiPens. and heroin addiction‌ Sponsored by Sen. Chapin Rose, R-MaLicensed cosmetologists will now receive Following up on landmark legislation from homet, the law comes as the maker of the training to spot domestic and sexual abuse as 2015, lawmakers passed two measures aimed EpiPen is facing a public outcry and federal part of their continuing education requirements. Illinois is believed to be the first state addressing the state’s opioid and heroin ad- scrutiny over dramatic price increases. diction crisis. One allows drug court particto pass such a law. While cosmetologist won’t ipants to use medication-based addiction 6. Tracking down be required to report abuse, supporters say treatments. The other requires licensed sub- life insurance beneficiaries‌ they’re in a good position to identify it and stance abuse programs to provide educational offer help to victims. information on medication-based treatments Life insurances companies are now required to check Social Security records to 10. Repealing the tax on tampons‌ and the use of anti-overdose drugs. identify policyholders who’ve died but whose The so-called “tampon tax” is no more in 2. Declaring a state artifact‌ benefits have gone unclaimed by their sur- Illinois. A new law exempts tampons, menIllinois has a state animal (white-tailed vivors. The law, which Democratic Illinois strual pads and menstrual cups from the 6.25 deer), state bird (cardinal) and even a state Treasurer Mike Frerichs backed, was a re- percent statewide sales tax, which applies to pie (pumpkin), but it hasn’t had an official sponse to audits that identified more than nonessential items like soft drinks, candy and state artifact until now. Welcome the pi- $550 million in benefits that have gone un- grooming products. rogue, a type of wooden canoe made from a paid since 2011. hollowed-out tree.

11. Providing homes DAN PETRELLA Lee Springfield Bureau Chief‌

3. Prohibiting “bath salts” sales‌

It is now a Class 3 felony, punishable by a fine of up to $150,000, to sell or offer for sale synthetic stimulants commonly known as “bath salts,” among other nicknames. The state law, sponsored by Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Raymond, and Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, also lets local governments revoke the licenses of retailers who are convicted of violations.

7. Extending the statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits‌

Known collectively as “Molly’s Law,” a pair of measures extends to five years from two years the statute of limitations for bringing wrongful death lawsuits when someone is the victim of “violent intentional conduct” and strengthens penalties for public bodies that violate the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The law, sponsored by Rep. Terri Bryant, 4. Protecting workers’ R-Murphysboro, is named for Molly Young, a 21-year-old who was fatally shot in 2012 online privacy‌ in the apartment of her boyfriend, who was A 2013 law made Illinois the second state then a Carbondale police dispatcher. to prohibit employers or prospective employers from requiring employees or applicants 8. Requiring lawyers for minors to disclose usernames and passwords for so- in homicide investigations‌ cial media accounts. A new law broadens that protection to any “personal online account” Law enforcement officials are now barred

for retired police dogs‌

13. Creating flexibility for sick days‌ Illinois employers now will be required to let employees use up to half of their paid sick days to care for family members, including children, spouses, siblings, parents, parents-in-law, grandchildren, grandparents or stepparents.

14. Protecting against high lead levels In the wake of the crisis over lead-contaminated water in Flint, Mich., Illinois passed a law requiring property owners to address high lead levels before selling a building or renewing a lease. The law applies to residential buildings and child care facilities regulated by the state’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Act.

15. Requiring information on abortion‌ An update to the state’s Health Care Right of Conscience Act requires medical providers to give patients information on procedures such as abortion if patients request it, regardless of a provider’s religious objections.

However, the law is facing a First Amendment challenge from a group of northern Illinois clinics.

Police K-9 officers will have first crack at adopting their four-legged partners when 16. Relaxing regulation the dogs retire. If the officer doesn’t wish to for yoga schools‌ adopt a dog, another officer or employee can, or the dog can be offered to a nonprofit orgaA new law clarifies that schools or programs nization or no-kill animal shelter. that teach yoga or train yoga instructors aren’t required to obtain licenses from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The law was 12. Prohibiting low-wage passed in response to the board telling some noncompete agreements‌ yoga teacher training programs that they Passed in response to Jimmy John’s having needed to be licensed as vocational schools. restaurant employees sign agreements barring them from taking jobs at other sandwich 17. Targeting catfish‌ chains, the new law prohibits such agreeA measure sponsored by Rep. Charlie ments for workers who earn $13 an hour or Meier, R-Okawville, adds catfish to the list less. Jimmy John’s settled a lawsuit with the of fish that can be caught using pitchforks, Illinois attorney general’s office by agree- underwater spear guns, or bows and arrows. ing to stop using the agreements, which the That list already includes carp, buffalo, suckcompany says it didn’t enforce. ers, gar, bowfin, shad and drum.

January 2017 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 11

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Decatur co-working space being studied Millikin students laying groundwork for potential site CHRIS LUSVARDI Business Journal Writer‌

‌DECATUR — The work done this semester in Millikin University’s Innovation Lab could affect the community well beyond the conclusion of the class.

The class studied the possibility of creating a co-working space in Decatur, which would provide a common, flexible area for entrepreneurs and business owners to work together. One of the primary goals would be to help grow small businesses.

“This is definitely what Decatur needs,” said Whitley Baker, a senior education major from Decatur. “We need more businesses.”

The class worked with building owner Mike Ballinger to use areas on the first and fourth floors of the Barnes Citizen Building in downtown Decatur for a conceptual open house, seeking input from community members. The open house created an image of what the concept could look like if developed, allowing visitors to compare a large open space of what previously was a bank on the first floor with a more traditional office setting on the fourth floor with views overlooking Central Park.

“The first floor has an openness for customers coming in off the street,” said Aric Hopp, a senior entrepreneurship major from Lincoln. “The fourth floor has an amazing view looking out.”

The area on each floor could be part of the co-working space on its own or separately, Hopp said.

The space would ideally be located downtown, where those working and visiting could become part of an area that continues to be revitalized.

“Downtown has become awesome,” Baker said. “This could make it even better.”

Co-working spaces have been most successful in urban centers, surrounded by other stores, restaurants and offices, said Julie Shields, Millikin Center for Entrepreneurship director. She said the city’s planned development of its fiber network could benefit businesses interested in using a downtown co-working space.

The class has looked at how other areas have benefited from the addition of co-working spaces. It made a recent trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the Iowa Startup Accelerator started in 2014. That program provides mentors to help business owners develop their plans.

“These are popping up everywhere,” Hopp said. “A mix of companies work in the same space with access to each business.”

An accounting business and computer software company could be located next door to a graphic designer and others to share on each field of expertise, Hopp said.

PHOTOS BY JIM BOWLING, BUSINESS JOURNAL‌

Members of the community were invited to an open house to share ideas for what they would like to see in a co-working area. Millikin University students hosted the event as they work toward making the co-working space a reality. model to take it to launch.”

Several questions remain to be answered before a space could be developed, as a source of funding would be needed along with businesses interested in becoming members. The class has discussed the possibility of how a membership system would work.

“This is a great opportunity for the community as a whole,” Hopp said. “Benefits could come from memberships.”

Shared space allows smaller businesses in particular to buffer their risks and save on costs such as rent, Shields said.

Even with questions lingering, members of the class thought it was exciting to see how much of a possibility a co-working space could be.

“This puts what we’re doing in perspective,” Baker said. “We can make a difference in Decatur.”

Hopp said the class planned to compile the information it gathered for future use.

Jeff Baker provides feedback after walking through the open house.

Shields said they wanted data to better A retail partner could be included to add a that are alike,” Shields said. “It’s an ex- understand the market for businesses that coffee shop, sandwich shop or bar. pression within a community. We wanted would potentially be interested in using a “There are no two co-working spaces them to take a look at the feasibility of the space.

January 2017 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 13

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Focus, not magic, is the key to success JULIE SHIELDS For the Business Journal‌

are scars of failure.

Take Ken Myszka of Epiphany Farms Hosh, the new year. Full of reflection and promise, and that entrepreneurial anx- pitality Group in Bloomington. He’s an owner and Chefarmer of three restaurants and a iety. catering company – and two farms. He had ‌“Will I financially struggle through the a clear vision and focus on what he wanted year or blow past my projections?”

“Will I launch a new business or pivot and to accomplish with his farm-to-fork restaurants, even though he wasn’t entirely sure change direction?” how to get there.

I felt that pain in His focus was able to carry him through 2016. At the Center for Entrepreneurship numerous failures – like all the seedlings getI achieved my revenue ting eaten by the pigs.

Incidentally, if you would like more of his goals, enjoyed some story, he will be the speaker at the Millikin’s unanticipated successes, but struggled Institute for Science Entrepreneurship speaker series at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2, in Lower with internal and external communica- Richards Treat University Center on the Millikin Uinversity campus. It is open to the tion objectives.

I focused on having public. Come listen to his amazing story.

Another great example is Cordia Hara productive year — and had a productive rington, CEO and founder of The Bakery Companies. Cordia was the Center for year — but didn’t Entrepreneurship focus on talking about Entrepreneurship’s 2016 Excellence in Entrepreneurship award winner. As a budding it. entrepreneur, she was primarily focused on It was the proverwanting a better life for her children while bial, “If a tree falls in also spending more time with them. She the woods and there is no one there to hear it, then doesn’t it really just become firewood didn’t achieve that right away, and her first forays into ownership took time away from for the next person who happens through?” family. After a lot of hard, action-biased We felled a lot of metaphorical trees in endeavors and decision making, she found 2016, and there are people who see the better, smarter ways to do solve critical chalbreadth of what we do and wonder how we lenges so that she could have the quality of do it all. life she wanted for her and her family.

I wish there was a magic formula. But, I To accomplish anything, action is neceswill say that there is something that I’ve observed in successful people and organization: sary. Planning is good, and small action-biased experiments can form that plan. Failure an action-biased focus. and reflection builds confidence.

Successful entrepreneurs and innovators As the Center plans for 2017, we have lots have a confidence in themselves because of all the time they have spent acting on and ex- of experiments on the docket. Feel free to perimenting with ideas by making them a re- stop in and ask how they are going, and share ality. They know who they are, what they can the results of your experiments, too. do for certain, and they are confident they Julie Shields is the director of Millikin University’s can do it with some effort. It is an authentic confidence, one that only comes when there Center for Entrepreneurship.

‌A

Julie Shields

BIZ CLIPS New staff members‌

Benjamin Silver and Joe Smith have joined the Residence Inn Decatur Forsyth as general manager and director of sales, respectively.

Steve Bell has joined Flora Gems as a bench jeweler.

Julie Melton has joined Richland Community College as executive director of Godden Foundation and Development.

Promotions‌

Logan May has been promoted to revenue analyst for Tharaldson Hospitality Management.

Achievements‌

Brad Godden, of Glenda Williamson Realty, is the recipient of the Rising Star Award from RPAC, the industry’s political action committee.

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital has received a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for its Advanced Rehabilitation Center, its adult inpatient rehabilitation program.

BLDD Architects Inc. has been named among the nation’s largest architectural, engineering and construction firms in Building Design + Construction’s 2016 “Giants 300 Report.”

Amy Girard of Imboden Creek Gardens in Decatur, Jamie Patton Sears of Ar-

May

Bell

cola Health Care Center and Ashlie Schmitz of Moweaqua Rehabilitation & Smith Silver Health Care Center have been selected to participate in the Illinois Health Care Association’s annual leadership program.

Announcements‌

Dr. M. Stephen Huss has retired after 38 years of performing orthopedic surgery.

Business Clips are abbreviated versions of paid Business Achievements which appear on Mondays in the Herald & Review. For more information about Business Achievements, go to www.thebusiness-journal.com and click on the Submit a Business Achievement link.

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‌DECATUR — Herald & Review President and Publisher Julie Bechtel was named 2016 Publisher of the Year by Editor & Publisher, one of the leading news media publications in the country.

Bechtel, who has led the Herald & Review since July 2014, was cited by the magazine for her “passion, dedication and drive” and noted that those who work for her feel they are “individually noticed and appreciated.”

Bechtel, 54, a Marengo, Iowa, native who attended the University of Iowa, agreed she would not be as successful without the support of her team.

“I’ve been fortunate in every position I’ve had to have a great team working with me, including my current teams here in Bloomington, Decatur, Mattoon,” which comprise Lee Enterprises’ Central Illinois newspaper group, she said.

The same goes for her teams at other newspapers she oversees, including those in Carbondale, Bismarck, N.D., Orangeburg, S.C., and Maysville, Ky., she said.

Bechtel told E&P in a cover story that she motivates people through what is best described as “intense coaching.”

“I want a team that doesn’t accept defeat and is willing to fight until the very end to achieve their goals. My motto is ‘Whether you think you can or can’t, you are right,’ ” she said.

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YOUR FREE TIME CALENDAR

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. 8.

Call (217) 423-3189. www.decaturarts.org Gallery 510: Group Show. Opening reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6. Call (217) 4221509.

Decatur Airport: Works by Carol Kessler.

Decatur Public Library: Barn Colony Artists.

Perkinson Art Gallery in Kirkland Fine Arts Center: Peace, Love, Posters (Jan. 20 to Feb. 24).

Rock Springs Nature Center: Decatur Camera Club; Decatur Audubon Photographers (South Gallery).

Music‌

Christian Church; University Choir, 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, Central Christian Church; “Opera: Of Tricks & Trades: A Mozart Double Bill,” Feb. 8-12, Albert Taylor Theatre.

Central Illinois Jazz Festival, Feb 10-12, at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. For more information, go to www.juvaejazz.com.

Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra: “Masterworks III,” featuring percussion soloist Jeremy Brunk, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4; “Masterworks IV” featuring Millikin Young Artists Concerto/Aria competition winners, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 4. Get tickets at www.kirklandfinearts.com or by calling (217) 424-6318.

Lincoln Square Theatre: Maggie Rose and The Morrison Brothers Band, Saturday, Feb. 18; Delbert McClinton, 3 p.m. Saturday, March 11.

For tickets or more information, visit www.lincolnsquaretheatre.com or call (217) 972-8606.

Greater Decatur Chorale presents “A Little Dinner Music,” Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13 and On Stage‌ 14, at Scovill Banquet Facility. For tickets, call Kirkland Fine Arts Center: “What’s Going (217) 422-5911.

On: The Marvin Gaye Experience,” 7:30 p.m. SauMillikin University School of Music: Colle- turday, Feb. 11; Groove for Thought, 7:30 p.m. giate Chorale, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, Central Saturday, Feb. 18; Women of Ireland, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 11. For tickets, call (217) 4246318. www.kirklandfinearts.com.

Theatre 7 presents “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” Feb. 17-26, Decatur Civic Center Theater. For tickets, call (217) 422-3866. www.theatre7.net.

Charity events‌

UCP/Miller Lite Barstool Open, to benefit United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln, Saturday, Jan 14. 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.

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) 4227300.

Decatur Bridal Expo, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. Fashion show both days. Go to www.decaturbridalexpo. com or call (217) 428-3481.

The 31st annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon is set for noon Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. Syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. is the featured speaker. Tickets are $30. For information, call (217) 424-2805. The annual march is set for noon Monday, Jan. 16.

For the kids‌

Children’s Museum of Illinois hosts a variety of activities. For more information, go to www. cmofil.org or call (217) 423-5437.

Scovill Zoo: Zoo Buddies class featuring wolves, 10 a.m. Tueday, Jan. 10. www.scovillzoo. com Father/Daughter Dance, Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Hickory Point Banquet Facility. Dinner at 5 p.m., dancing begins at 6 p.m. Cost is $30. For reservations, call (217) 422-5911 by Jan. 25.

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YOU R H E A LT H

16 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | January 2017

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Unused vacation days? You’re not alone Workload, jobs security among reasons cited ALLY MAROTTI Tribune News Service Writer‌

‌If you left vacation days on the table last year, you’re not alone.

More than half of people who get paid vacation time didn’t use all their days off last year, and it’s often not just one or two wasted days. A report from New York-based Bankrate.com found the average amount of leftover days is 19, and the median is seven.

Millennials are the biggest hoarders. One in four workers in the 18 to 25 age group say when the calendar flipped to 2017, they will not have used a single day from 2016. That’s compared with fewer than one in 10 employees overall.

“Younger millennials in general feel that they’re laying the foundations of their career,” said Sarah Berger, personal finance expert at Bankrate.com. “They feel like they have something to prove and that’s really why they’re not taking as many days off.”

Banking the days to be used the following year is the most popular reason for not using vacation days, but other reasons reflect today’s worries in the workplace.

Twenty-three percent said they feared

the mountain of work that would await them upon their return from time off. Other reasons for eating the days included enjoying work, not being able to afford a trip and worries about their jobs being at risk if they spend too much time away.

So what’s the problem with staying in your cubicle, diligently working away? Vacation is good for you, and good for your employer.

It helps workers recharge, mentally and physically, and prevents burnout, said Lotte Bailyn, a retired professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management who has studied managerial practices and their effect on people’s lives for years.

“People need to replenish their energy, they need to do different kinds of things,” she said in an email. “Creativity comes more easily when people are not focused completely on what they’re doing, but have a chance to reflect.”

Besides benefiting from that creativity, employers benefit by saving on health care costs, she said.

Vacation days have become a casualty of a technology-driven work world, said Katie Denis, senior director and lead researcher of Project: Time Off, a campaign funded by the U.S. Travel Association to encourage people to take off the time due them.

“We’ve given people phones to use for work, we’ve given them the ability to work from home,” she said. “All of these things are great, but we don’t give them the ability to manage it.”

American workers left 658 million vacation days unused in 2015, according to Project: Time Off’s State of American Vacation 2016 report, released in June. About 222 million of those days were lost because they could not be rolled over or paid out.

That’s a lot of wasted benefits, Denis said.

“That’s saying, ‘I’m going to work for free,’ and that’s to the tune of $61 billion,” she said.

America trails much of the world when it comes to using vacation time, according to Expedia’s Vacation Deprivation report, released in November.

American workers were given an average of 15 paid vacation days this year and used only 12, the report found. In contrast, Finnish, French and Spanish workers were given 30 and used all 30. Italian and German workers were given 30 days and took 25 and 28 days off, respectively.

How can U.S. workers get back on track?

Plan better, Denis advised.

“You just need to make sure you’re blocking your calendar,” she said. “You’re not going to find time anymore, you have to make it.”

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Whether it involves walking along a beach in Maui, or sitting at home chilling in front of the television, researchers say taking time off from work is important.

January 2017 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 17

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Study: Most of us enjoy our work TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

‌ veryone wants to be happy at work, but E levels of happiness vary by an employee’s job and field, among other factors, according to a new study of more than 12,000 workers by the Robert Half staffing agency.

Among the key findings of the study, titled “It’s Time We All Work Happy: The Secrets of the Happiest Companies and Employees”: Most professional employees are generally happy. On a happiness scale of zero to 100, those surveyed scored a 71. Senior executives had the highest happiness levels, while people working in sales and customer service were on the lower end of the spectrum.

The power of pride. Having pride in one’s organization is the No. 1 driver of happiness overall. Those who feel proud of their organization are three times more likely to be happy than those who are not.

Respect and appreciation go a long way.

The second and third top factors driving happiness are feeling appreciated and being treated with fairness and respect.

People working in firms with 10 or fewer employees have the highest happiness levels.

Having pride in one’s organization is the No. 1 driver of happiness overall.

Those who feel proud of their organization are three times more likely to be happy than those who are not.

Organizations with 10,000 or more employees report the lowest. People working in the education and training sectors, as well as those in marketing and design, report the highest levels of on-the-job happiness and interest in their work. Finance professionals were among those reporting the lowest levels.

Legal professionals report the highest stress levels at work, while technology employees cite the lowest stress levels.

MOBILE VIDEO ADS = AWESOME Q

What is going to be the most popular digital marketing trend of 2017?

A

That’s easy. MOBILE VIDEO. It already started in the last quarter of 2016. Mobile Video campaigns are on the rise and are gaining momentum daily. If you were to ask me where you should invest 70% of your marketing budget and see the most ROI, I can confidently say Mobile Video, for the following four reasons: 1) SEO – Providing meaningful, relevant content via mobile video is the BEST way to boost your organic Search Ranking. You can try to be a wizard with keywords, phrases and meta-tags, but in the end, those with relevant video content will win because Google cares only about user experience and users have demonstrated that they want video.

2) SHARABILITY – I apologize to my television friends, but the fact is, you can’t share a TV commercial. Compound this with the decreasing number of viewers even catching your commercial due to DVR and declining cable/satellite subscriptions, and it makes it difficult to see value. An overwhelming 92% of mobile video consumers share videos with others.

And then they share it and so on. Those are viewings you aren’t even paying for!

3) ACTIVE AUDIENCE – Not only are there massive amounts of people in the U.S. viewing mobile videos, but they’re also engaging in the video. YouTube reports that mobile video consumption increases 100% yearly. Of those viewers, 92% said enjoyment of a video increased their purchase intent significantly. After watching a product video, 64% reported being more likely to purchase it online. Adding a video to an email increases click-thru by 200%. Where else can you run a video and get INSTANT interaction with the potential customer?

4) REPORTING – Every customer I meet with has one main concern…“Will I see a Return on Investment (ROI)?” With a mobile video campaign, you will tangibly see exactly how the campaign worked for you. You’ll see number of viewers, number of clicks, and number of engagements (conversions). You’ll see which creative worked best. The extensive (live) reporting will put your mind at ease about investing because it eliminates the unknown.

MOBILE VIDEO, set some budget aside and call me. I’ll help you develop a plan and get started tomorrow. If you build it (mobile video), they will come. And actually, we’ll even build it for you.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH CALENDAR

Support groups‌ Grief support group, 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Conference Room 561. Call (217) 464-1074.

Breastfeeding support group, 10:30 a.m.

Monday, Jan. 9 and 23, Baby TALK, 500 E. Lake Shore Dr. Call (217) 464-2334.

SHARE support group, 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 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.

Alzheimer’s support group, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, Imboden Creek Gardens, 185 W. Imboden Drive.

Epilepsy support group, 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. Call (217) 853-1655.

Facing Cancer Together, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735.

Pink Link breast cancer support group, 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12. Call (217) 876-4377.

Postpartum emotional support group, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Conference Room. Call (217) 464-2334.

Widowed support group, 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26. Monthly lunch gathering. For location or to register, call (217) 428-7733.

Brain tumor support group, 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register

online or call (217) 876-4735.

Renewal bereavement support group, 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4735.

Us TOO prostate cancer support group, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 8764735.

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We are Multi-Media Consultants.

Classes‌

Helping Hands Bereavement for Children, 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, Cancer Care Center of Decatur, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750.

Cardiopulmonary rehab nutrition, 11 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 12, Decatur Memorial Hospital Classroom B. Heart-healthy eating with an emphasis on reading labels. Call (217) 876-2496.

Infant CPR, 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, Decatur Memorial Hospital, OB Classrooms, third floor.

Register online or call (217) 876-3100.

Diabetes support group, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, DMH Diabetes Education Center. Call (217) 876-2699.

Cardiopulmonary risk factor education, 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, Decatur Memorial Hospital, Classroom B. Call (217) 876-2496.

Safe Sitter class, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, Decatur Memorial Hospital, OB Classroom, third floor. This program teaches 11-13 year olds how to handle emergencies and provide safe child care. Cost is $30. To register, call (217) 876-3100.

Online Contesting

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YouTube Advertising

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YOU R MON E Y

18 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | January 2017

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Make the most of every paycheck PAUL SISOLAK Tribune News Service‌

‌It’s impossible not to be excited once your payday arrives.

You put in long hours – perhaps you even earned some overtime – and you can’t wait to reward yourself. However, before spending your paycheck on anything, always ask yourself: Am I budgeting my paychecks wisely?

As tempting as it might be to blow your next paycheck at the mall or on a flashy purchase, like a new car or the latest designer bag, resist the urge. Pretend that your next paycheck might be your last.

In other words, make the most out of every paycheck.

Here are tips that can help you do just that.

Create a budget: If your paycheck is used to randomly pay for various expenses, bills and purchases – but you’re not keeping track of how much you’re spending on each expense – you definitely need to create a budget.

This first step can be as easy as writing down your monthly expenses in descending order of cost and determining how much of your net pay should go to each.

One way to start setting up your paycheck for better use: Pay yourself first. Prioritize your savings, then bills and discretionary expenses, in that order. The best thing about

making a budget is that it can be adjusted according to how your needs and income change over time.

Adjust withholding: A nice, big tax refund is always one of the financial highlights of the year. But, it would serve you better dispersed throughout the year as part of your paycheck.

A large tax return means too much of your income is being taken from your paycheck each pay period, hence why it’s given back after the tax-filing season. By increasing your withholding adjustment on your W-4, you’ll have less money taken out and more money available to allocate month to month toward saving, investing and other necessities.

Pay down debt: Paying off any existing debt you might have before allotting money to your savings is one of the best ways to use your paycheck. Are you making only minimum payments on your loans or credit cards?

Have you missed some payments here and there? Either way, the penalty interest can prevent your paycheck from going as far as you might like.

There are a few schools of thought on paying down debt. The debt snowball method, popularized by Dave Ramsey, recommends starting with the smallest balance and working your way up. Another perspective is to pay off the most expensive debt – the one

with the highest interest rate – first.

Ultimately, everyone’s financial situation is different, so you’ll have to determine which approach works best for you and what you can afford.

Direct deposit: If you’re prone to splurging and spending as soon as your paycheck is cashed, arrange with your employer to have part or all of your pay directly deposited into a savings account.

By direct depositing part of your paycheck, you automatically have savings set aside.

Plus, you’re less likely to blow your paycheck.

If you direct deposit all of your paycheck, be careful and deliberate about how much you transfer to your checking account to spend.

Emergency fund: Call it an emergency savings fund, a “rainy day” fund or a “worstcase scenario fund.” The bottom line is you need to set aside some money in case you get hit with an emergency.

An alarming number of people aren’t financially prepared for life’s surprises and don’t have enough in savings. In fact, a recent GOBankingRates.com survey found that 62 percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings. If these people find themselves hit with a medical emergency or even a costly car repair, they might be out of luck.

The size of your emergency fund doesn’t

have to be more than $1,000, but you might want to consider having at least that much set aside. Ideally, you should aim to have a financial safety net that will keep you afloat for at least several months — a year, if possible.

Save for retirement: Retiring without savings can leave you broke or struggling financially when you’re no longer in the workforce, so it’s important not to overlook a retirement fund. However, many people do.

Another GOBankingRates.com survey found that one in three Americans has nothing saved for retirement.

Treat yourself: All saving and no spending makes earning a paycheck very dull indeed. But once you’ve taken care of everything on this list, like paying off debt and saving where appropriate, it’s OK to use the remainder of your paycheck for some discretionary spending.

However, don’t go crazy with your credit card. Instead, consider using cash or a debit card instead of a credit card to prevent the risk of overspending, racking up interest and going into debt.

Don’t be afraid to reward yourself every once in a while for being responsible with your money. Treat your paycheck plan like a diet: Stick with it, stay disciplined, and you’ll see and feel the results.

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YOU R C A R E E R

January 2017 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | 19

Don’t put up with complainers ‌Q:

With one exception, everything about my job is terrific. I work for an upscale hotel, which is preparing me for a career in hospitality management.

My boss is a great mentor, and most of my colleagues are upbeat and enthusiastic. However, one of them is a real mood-killer.

“Anna” starts complaining as soon as she walks through the door.

Our manager is her primary target, but Anna makes disparaging comments about everyone, inOffice Coach cluding co-workers and customers. She also loves to gossip and enjoys telling malicious stories about certain staff members.

Anna doesn’t seem to care that hotel guests can often hear her negative remarks.

Although I would like to correct this unprofessional behavior, that might put me on Anna’s “enemies list.” If I mention this to my boss, I’m afraid I’ll sound like a tattletale. What should I do?

A: Since Anna’s compulsive griping is affecting both employees and guests, someone certainly needs to address it. If you prefer to keep this on a peer level, team up with some other cheerful colleagues and arrange to have a private conversation with Anna.

For example: “Anna, we wanted to talk with you because you are obviously not happy here. Although we’re sorry about

Marie McIntyre

that, listening to you complain has become rather depressing. We’re also concerned that customers who overhear your comments are getting a bad impression of the hotel. So from now on, we’re not going to participate in any more gripe sessions.”

But if that approach doesn’t seem feasible, the business implications provide a perfectly valid reason for involving your boss in this problem. Just be sure to focus on work issues, not Anna’s disagreeable personality. Explain that her public complaints may be giving guests the wrong impression, so you thought your manager should know.

And to stay off the enemy roster, request that your comments be kept confidential. *** Q: My manager often complains about the perfume I wear to work. I tried changing to another brand, but she still didn’t like it. She says perfume gives her a headache, so she’s moving me to a desk which is farther from her office. This seems unfair, but I’m not sure what to do about it. What’s your opinion?

A: You will probably be sorry you asked.

My firm belief is that no one should ever wear fragrances to work unless they sell perfume for a living. And I mean absolutely never. These scents serve no practical purpose and are extremely bothersome to many people, some of whom are allergic to the ingredients.

Because everyone’s sense of smell is different, a fragrance one person finds pleasing may be quite obnoxious to others. If this particular perfume gives your manager headaches, the odds are good that some co-workers find it irritating as well.

So for the sake of both common courtesy and office harmony, please save the per-

fume for social occasions. At work, people just need to smell clean. *** Q: Ever since my position was upgraded, one of my co-workers has become belligerent and rude. “Carrie” refuses to say good morning or goodbye and she no longer responds to my emails about client issues. When I transfer calls, she answers her phone with an irritated “Yeah?” Most of the time, she barely acknowledges my existence.

Because this office only has three employees, Carrie’s negativity makes the environment very unpleasant. Our boss is a nonconfrontational type, so talking to him hasn’t helped. However, he said he would get involved if her attitude begins to affect the business. Now I dread going to work every day. What should I do?

A: Let’s start by considering what your “nonconfrontational” boss should have done. Since managers are responsible for controlling disruptive employees, dismissing your complaint was a gutless move.

Instead, he should have called Carrie in for a serious chat and put an end to her sulky little tantrum.

Because Carrie’s conduct creates obvious business problems, you can legitimately request your manager’s intervention.

For example: “I’m afraid the problem with Carrie has only gotten worse. Since she won’t answer my emails, I am unable to resolve certain client issues. Her rude response to transferred calls makes a bad impression on customers. Carrie doesn’t have to like me, but we do have to work together.

Could you talk to her about this?”

Hopefully your boss will finally grow a spine. But in any event, you need to under-

WEEKLY TIPS Get weekly tips form Liz Reyer and the Office Coach at www.thebusiness-journal.com stand that Carrie’s only objective is to get a reaction from you. Because passive-aggressive people are afraid to express feelings directly, they convey their resentment through childish pouting. So if this appears to upset you, Carrie will be delighted.

To eliminate this reward, you must ignore Carrie’s juvenile antics and act completely normal. Smile, be pleasant and always say good morning. When you transfer a call, disregard her surly greeting and simply state, “I have Mr. Smith on the line for you.”

Should Carrie fail to answer important emails, send them again and copy your manager. If there is still no reply, ask your boss to get the information from her. He will eventually tire of this game and tell her to cut it out. *** Q: I am applying for a promotion that will be determined by an interview panel.

Even though this position reports to my supervisor, she has no say in the decision.

Unfortunately, she has already made it clear that she doesn’t think I’m a good fit for the job. Should I ask why she feels this way?

A: Regardless of whether you get promoted, requesting an honest assessment from your boss is an excellent idea. Schedule a time to discuss her view of your career potential and then develop a plan for addressing any concerns. She will undoubtedly appreciate your nondefensive approach. And if she makes some valid points, her feedback may actually help you be more successful.

Overcome urge to back away from challenges ‌Q:

I have received several challenging opportunities, both at work and in my personal life, and always find myself backing away at the last minute. I end up feeling frustrated with myself, as though I’m not stepping up to my potential. How can I break this pattern?

A: Channel the regret you feel for past opportunities to help move you forward.

This requires a lot of self-reflection, so give yourself some time and space to do this. After all, if there were an easy answer, you wouldn’t be in this

Liz Reyer

situation. At the same time, don’t try to figure it all out at once. For major life work like this, continued reflection is essential to establishing new behavior.

Treating this as a new project you’re launching, set up a “kickoff” meeting with yourself. Plan for at least an hour and select a location where you’ll be comfortable and able to focus. Then set an intention that this will be a challenging but enjoyable time.

Here’s your agenda — to establish your vision for the future, identify barriers to getting there, and plan your next steps.

Start with your vision. Let yourself slip into a daydream, taking some deep breaths and letting go of the present moment. Envision yourself as the person who rises to the challenges you’ve been offered. Hear the words you’d use and the actions you’d take, and then notice how you feel. It may be hard to do this. If selfdoubt creeps in, step back and try again. The

ability to envision success will serve you well (athletes know this), so it’s worth practicing.

Now on to barriers. What could keep you from living your vision? Underlying fears may be responsible; the key is knowing what you, personally, are afraid of. It may be fear of humiliation or failure; conversely, it could be fear of success and the responsibility that it entails.

At some level you may feel like you don’t deserve recognition or may simply lack the skills and not know how to get started.

You need to be clear about this; vague awareness of your personal risks to success will not help you move forward. It may be uncomfortable, as it may require some reflection on past decisions you’ve made. Plan to be kind to yourself, not considering the past to be “failures;” treat the opportunities that have gone by as learning opportunities to prep yourself.

Finally, your action steps. When your next

opportunity is at hand, how will you approach it? Use insights from your visioning work to plan conversations you’ll have and steps you’ll take.

Coming out of your kickoff meeting, schedule check-in meetings with yourself. Even if it’s for 15 minutes a week, notice how you’re doing, even with small challenges, and refresh your connection with your personal vision.

In practice, you may find that your past experience is pushing you backward. When you are offered new challenges, avoid snap decisions, which could hold you down. Instead, ask to “sleep on it,” and reflect on how stepping up could move you toward the self you envision.

Liz Reyer is a credentialed coach with more than 20 years of business experience. Submit questions or comments about this column at www.deliver-change.com/coachscorner.

20 | BUSINESS JOURNAL | January 2017

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