June 2024 News

CHAMBER

Welcome to June!

Get ready to strike it rich with us! We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming Gold Rush at Golf Hills Golf Outing on June 28 This is an laid-back event where you can network, enjoy a round of golf, and immerse yourself in the spirit of adventure

Gather your team of prospectors and pan for victory! This event promises a day filled with adventure, camaraderie, and golden opportunities to win fantastic prizes Whether you're a seasoned miner of the greens or a novice, this outing is the perfect chance to showcase your golfing skills and stake your claim for glory!

Includes:

18 Holes of Golf: Enjoy a full round of golf at the beautiful Gold Hills Golf Course

Mulligans: Extra chances to improve your score

Buffet Breakfast: Start your day with a hearty buffet breakfast, sponsored by Sodexo

Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar: Refreshing drinks available before the outing, sponsored by West Side Lumber/Ace Hardware

Catered Lunch: Delicious lunch served after the game

Sponsored by MidAmerica National Bank

Premium Snacks: Snacks available at check-in throughout the event

Swag: Exclusive event merchandise and goodies

Games and Prizes: Fun games and exciting prizes!

Register by June 20 to avoid missing out on this golden opportunity!

See you at Gold Hills Golf Course!

If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me at any time.

Let’s Start your cart and get ready for an unforgettable Gold Rush experience!

Kind Regards

MEMBER RENEWALS

M A Y R E N E W A L S

Thank you to our members who have continued their annual investment with us.

We appreciate your support of the area business community.

150% CLUB

The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement that provides additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. Members who opt in will pay 150% of their membership dues and be recognized in our monthly newsletter and at our annual awards, plus additional digital recognition throughout the year. Members are not required to join the 150% Club. If you choose not to opt in, just pay the membership dues amount on your invoice. Either way, we thank you for choosing to be a Chamber member with us!

GENECURTIS

150% 150% 150% CLUB CLUB CLUB

150% CLUB

The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement that provides additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. Members who opt in will pay 150% of their membership dues and be recognized in our monthly newsletter and at our annual awards, plus additional digital recognition throughout the year. Members are not required to join the 150% Club. If you choose not to opt in, just pay the membership dues amount on your invoice. Either way, we thank you for choosing to be a Chamber member with us!

Financial Advisor: Seth Minter

KaliFoxall

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

KUNES AUTO GROUP - MAY 15

RIBBON CUTTINGS

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on May 3 to celebrate the grand opening of Escape MJ’s, the

ESCAPE MJ’s

Owners James and Anna Fowler turned their passion for escape rooms into a business after participating in the City of Macomb Small Business Competition in March of 2024, with the new business lovingly named after their son Jordan. The escape rooms feature multiple themes, transporting the players into a world filled with thrilling puzzles and challenges to test problem-solving skills and teamwork One-hour time sessions for groups of 2-8 people are available to be booked in advance online for $25 per person.

For information, call (309) 575-4590, visit www.escapemjs.com, or find them on Facebook.

VIP RIALTO CINEMAS

The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce joined in a celebration on May 3 with fellow business leaders as VIP Rialto Cinemas (1405 East Jackson St.) opened back up to the public after four months of necessary renovations to the theater. This is a great chance to use those Chamber Gift Certificates! For show times, visit vipcinemas.com

RIBBON CUTTINGS

PARK N’CRUISE

The Macomb Area Chamber held a ribbon cutting on May 3 as Downtown Macomb kicked off their 49th season of Park N' Cruise in Chandler Park. Featuring live music, classic cars, and food vendors; these monthly Summer events have become a favorite for car enthusiasts from all over the region. For more information, visit Downtown Macomb on Facebook

MACTOWN FITNESS

The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on May 8 for MacTown Fitness located at 212 South Collins Avenue. Owner, Korby Foxall set out to create an inclusive, locally-owned business with classes for all ages and abilities. MacTown prides itself on offering fun, interactive workouts, in a community setting, taught by licensed expert trainers. Mactown features a full range of fitness consultations, personal training, drop-in classes, and membership options.

For more information, please visit www.mactownfitness.com

RIBBON CUTTINGS

GLENWOOD POOL

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on May 24 to celebrate the season opening of Glenwood Pool (1400 N. Randolph St.). Glenwood pool, which is open to the public, is provided and operated by the City of Macomb, IL. Concessions, swim lessons, private rentals, and other aquatic activities are available. Daily admission is $2 per person. Season passes are no longer sold. Information: cityofmacomb.com or (309) 837-1183.

CHAMBER & COMMUNITY

MACOMB RAIL STATION RENAMED

The City of Macomb officially named the Macomb passenger rail station in honor of Thomas C. Carper on May 16. Carper, originally from Buda, Bureau County, Illinois was honored for his unwavering dedication to public service and commitment to the CityofMacomb theStateofIllinois andthe

Carper served in the United States Army, during the Vietnam War, from 1967 to 1970 at which time he came to Macomb and Western Illinois University. Carper was a local business owner and entrepreneur.

Carper and his wife Gayle both graduated from Western Illinois University. In 1991, Carper was elected to his first of three terms asMayorofMacomb,endingin2003

In 2008, Carper was appointed by President George Bush to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors, becoming the Chair in 2009 Carper was also honored by his Alma Mater withanAlumniAchievementAward.

Carper was subsequently appointed by Presidents Obama and Trump to become the longest serving Amtrak Board member in the Corporation’s history.

WORLD’S LARGEST MACOMBOPOLY GAME UNVEILED

Roll the dice and play on Macomb’s Historic Courthouse Square! Macombopoly is the world’s largest Monopoly-style game of its kind, paying homage to both the classic board game and its inspiration – The Landlord's Game, invented by Macomb resident Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie-Phillips. You can download the app at anytimetoplay.

This permanent attraction, available 24/7 365, features larger-than-life game pieces around the Courthouse lawn – including giant spinning dice and a recreation of Abraham Lincoln’s famous stovepipe hat – plus a lifesizesculptureofLizzieMagie-Phillips,allmasterfullysculptedbyGabeStevensofMasterPieceCustoms. play.

CHAMBER & COMMUNITY

Chamber Staff expands leadership knowledge

The Staff of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce attended the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE) Leadership Summit conference on May 7 in Peoria,Illinois.

The day-long event featured a roundtable discussion with a panel of Chamber professionals and industry leaders to focus on the future of Chambers, emerging business trends, and the best way to serve diverse communities in newandinnovativeways.

New Macomb Park to honor City’s first black police officer

A new public park will be added to the 1200 and 1300 blocks of East Pierce Street to honor the late Bill Thorpe. the first black police officer for the City of Macomb. The park willincludeastorywalksovisitorscanlearnaboutThorpe.Todonatetotheparkfund,visit www.cityofmacomb.com

McDonough District Hospital names President & CEO

The McDonough District Hospital (MDH) Board of Directors voted during a meeting on May 20 to remove the interim title and name Bill Murdock as President & Chief Executive Officer. The Board’s vote was unanimous and his appointment was effective immediately.

Murdock has been serving in an interim capacity since December 28, 2024 Murdock first joined MDH in April 2019 as the Vice President/Chief Financial Officer

Macomb Middle School gets a new principal

Kibbee Lewis has been hired as Macomb Middle School Principal.

Lewis comes to Macomb from Indian Prairie School District in Aurora, Illinois where she was an assistant principal at Granger Middle School. Prior to that, she was assistant principal at the Crone Middle School

Lewis replaces Brock Bainter, who left Macomb to become the Athletic Director at Rockridge High School.

How to keep it in your community. Easy and Affordable.

How can I help promote the Chamber Gift Certificate Program?

What are Chamber Gift Certificates?

The Chamber Gift Certificate Program has been in existence since the mid 1980's. We sell Gift Certificates and they can be redeemed at participating member businesses. We sell nearly $200,000 worth of certificates every year, meaning all of that money stays in our region!

Who accepts Chamber Gift Certificates?

Only Chamber members who opt in to the Chamber Gift Certificate Program can accept certificates. Any Chamber member can opt in at any time. To be added to the list of 140+ area locations, contact our office and we’ll get you on the list.

We love when our members and the community help keep it local by promoting the Chamber Gift Certificate Program:

Buy them for your employees, family, friends, teachers, etc.: Chamber Gift Certificates are a win-win since Chamber gift certificates never expire, can be purchased in any amount, and you are keeping that money right here in the Macomb area.

Tell people about them. Friends and family are always looking for gift suggestions, so why not chime in with the perfect idea?

COMMUNITY LEADERS

REAL ESTATE

MACOMB & MCDONOUGH COUNTY

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