January Voice 2021 by Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce

the

EBISS GETS CREATIVE

NEW YEAR FOR NEW MARKETING

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January 2021 | Volume 34 | No. 1

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of the rockford business community

Regional business organizations form partnership Combining resources and fast-track goals

THE GREATER ROCKFORD GROWTH PARTNERSHIP — that’s the name of a new organization that has long-term implications for the future success of our region. For two years, members of the boards of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce (Rockford Chamber) have worked to unify their organizations under the same roof with a common voice for business in the region. Board members of both organizations joined forces to develop values and goals for the new “umbrella” partnership under which the RAEDC and Chamber will retain their individual organizational status. The Greater Rockford Growth Partnership will align the organizations toward the goal of making the Rockford region the number one mid-sized market in the nation for a strong workforce, innovative companies, business startups and leadership development. “Our consultant, Ernst & Young, tells us what we began doing two years ago has quickly become national best practice, and we are on the leading edge of that,” said Committee Co-Chair, Jeff Hultman. “Our research and evaluation

looked at ten models for unification of Chambers and Economic Development organizations nationwide. In studying those, the state of the Rockford region, and where we want to go as a community moving forward, we know now is the time to unify to ensure our community’s success.” Nearby cities are following the trend. St. Louis just announced the unification of five community groups, and the Quad Cities recently moved its economic development council together with its chamber. In working together under one partnership organization, the RAEDC and Rockford Chamber will retain their separate boards and individual focus. Continued on page 6

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES

Manufacturing award winners Photo features large 3D printer built for a customer.

UPDATED ROAD CONDITIONS DURING SNOW-AND-ICE SEASON The Illinois Department of Transportation has available GettingAroundIllinois.com for continually updated information on road conditions for use on computers and optimized for smartphones. The site includes the ability to identify and zoom in to a location, travel route or destination on a state map. Road conditions are recorded by plow drivers out in the ﬁeld and relayed to GettingAroundIllinois.com through a cloud-based system to provide a general overview on IDOT-maintained highways.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

BREAKFAST BUZZ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 8-10 AM VIRTUAL PLATFORM For more information, see page 8 SPONSORED BY

$300 CASH DEDUCTION FOR 2020 TAXES The Internal Revenue Service issued a notice to remind taxpayers to deduct cash donations when they ﬁle their taxes in 2021 of up to $300 they made before Dec. 31, 2020 to qualifying organizations. The CARES Act in 2020 included several temporary tax changes to help charities, including the special $300 deduction for those who take the standard deduction. Nearly nine in 10 taxpayers now take the standard deduction. Individual taxpayers claim an “above-the-line” deduction, which lowers both adjusted gross income and taxable income.

NEW MINIMUM WAGE RATES NEW YEAR’S DAY

THE VOICE IS PUBLISHED BY

The Rockford Chamber is happy to congratulate the 2020 Manufacturer of the Year & Individual Business Catalyst of the Year honorees. This year’s honorees were announced at our 2020 Virtual Celebration of Manufacturing, presented by Illinois Bank & Trust. Join the Chamber on Social Media

Manufacturer of the Year: Ingersoll Machine Tools

The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce Manufacturer of the Year Award is presented

Chip Storie, CEO of Ingersoll Machine Tools receives the Manufacturer of the Year Award from Chamber CEO Einar Forsman. annually to recognize an outstanding manufacturing company that has used technology to remain competitive and grow. Ingersoll Machine Tools has been a Rockford mainstay for more than 125 years. After reorganizing in 2003, the company developed a mission to be a Continued on page 4

Illinoisans ring in the New Year with a minimum wage of $11 an hour. It will continue to increase $1 an hour each Jan. 1 until it reaches $15 an hour in 2025. The new law maintains provisions for employers to count gratuities to offset wages for workers who regularly earn tips. Tipped employees may be paid 60 percent of the hourly minimum wage. These workers must still earn the minimum wage after receiving tips or the employer must make up the difference. Workers under 18 years old and working fewer than 650 hours a year will earn a minimum wage of $8.50 per hour beginning Jan. 1. The youth minimum wage rate will gradually rise to $13 an hour by 2025.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

8 expert predictions EINAR FORSMAN Rockford Chamber President

on how and when business will return to normal in 2021

By Sean Ludwig, Contributor For many business owners, 2020 presented unprecedented challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic forced companies to adapt to a “new normal.” As business begins to look toward 2021, some wonder if the new year will bring back “business as usual” or if we will move in a new direction. Here are eight predictions from business experts on what could come to pass in 2021. 1. Remote work will persist through 2021 and beyond. One of the most significant shifts for many workers in 2020 was the swift adoption of remote work. While some companies expected newly remote workers to return to the office, this is no longer a reality. Many businesses will not expect workers to come to the office five days a week, if at all, and companies will shrink or reconfigure office spaces accordingly. “The reality is, employees will not be returning to the same office they left behind,” a 2020 remote-work study by PwC indicates. “There will be fewer people, restricted collaboration spaces and

rotating shifts — all of which will require teams to find new ways to connect and collaborate. More than anything else, this need for connections is likely to shape what the office is going to represent.” 2. Salaries could be adjusted for remote workers. Along with the adoption of remote work during the pandemic, many employees took this opportunity to relocate. Some companies have already indicated that they will likely cut salaries to match cost-of-living expenses, which could be a significant corporate initiative in 2021. “We predict a tidal wave of comp adjustments in 2021 as many tech and professional services workers go remote and move away from company HQs,” Glassdoor Chief Economist Andrew Chamberlain notes in the Glassdoor Workplace Trends 2021 report. “Once the dust settles on millions of relocations, we expect a wave of pay adjustments in 2021 for fully remote workers, whether or not they move to new cities. Once local labor markets have adjusted, the equilibrium pay for workers who’ve left expensive,

congested metros like San Francisco and New York for smaller cities will almost certainly adjust downward.” 3. Some employers might require vaccination to come back in person. As the pandemic continues, some hope is on the horizon with promising vaccines from Pfizer and other companies. These vaccines could help employees safely come back to work in-person, and some companies are considering making the vaccine mandatory. “A couple of my corporate clients are leaning toward making the COVID vaccine mandatory,” Rogge Dunn, a Dallas labor and employment attorney, told CNBC. “Under the law, an employer can force an employee to get vaccinated, and if they don’t take it, fire them. 4. Companies will reduce virtual activities and meetings. While businesses adopted virtual meetings fervently in 2020 as a way to help keep teams connected, they may not be so tied to them in 2021. As remote work becomes more of a norm, business owners could reduce these instances in order to give employees more time back to work. “The Zoom happy hour has hit its expiration date, [with] too many long days of virtual meetings for months,” Nani Vishwanath, people team manager at Limeade, told TechRepublic. “[Employers will] gift employees with time back in 2021, such as canceling recurring meetings or blocking a day for ‘no meetings’ and encouraging your team to recharge.” 5. Employees expect more diversity

and company culture. Following major social and racial justice movements in 2020, companies should expect more scrutiny from employees and partners when it comes to diversity. For example, large asset manager BlackRock said it intends to push companies it has invested in for greater ethnic and gender diversity. This scrutiny will happen at the employee level as well. “[Companies are] looking at what their policies say about company culture, what they’re willing to tolerate, what that does to employee morale, attrition and retention of employees, their reputation and ability to attract new talent and also their public perception,” Jennifer Schelfer, partner at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, told the Atlanta Business Chronicle. “Employees Continued on page 6

Let your Voice be heard The Rockford Chamber of Commerce welcomes and encourages member submissions for The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication date. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190 Rockford, IL 61101 For information about advertising contact Customer Service at 815-987-8100. The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community (USPS 784-120). ISSN number 1086-0630, is published monthly by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, Illinois 61101. Periodicals postage paid at Rockford, Ill. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

proﬁle

MEMBER PROFILE

EBISS gets creative during pandemic By Paul Anthony Arco The past year has been difficult for many businesses. That includes companies that work within the tradeshow industry, such as EBISS, a full-service, global event logistics provider that works with clients from all over the world, moving their trade show and event assets to destinations throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada and Mexico. “We provide pick up service, customs paperwork and clearance, short- and long-term international warehousing and delivery to the event,” said Derek Huffer, director of international sales & marketing. “In addition, we design and manufacture custom and portable displays, graphic production, install and dismantle services and AV/furniture rental for events anywhere in the world. If it involves a trade show, we can do it.” In 2014, EBISS UK LTD was founded in the United Kingdom, just south of London where the headquarters are currently located. Three years ago, EBISS opened a U.S. office in Rockford, when Huffer joined the company. As business began to grow, the company moved into its current Loves Park location in May, 2018.

“I had a background in tradeshows, and EBISS was looking to open a base here in the U.S,” said Huffer, whose wife, Katie, also works for the company. “Many of our European clients needed support here in the U.S. It just made sense.” EBISS had grand plans to expand its business and add to its staff when COVID-19 hit earlier this year. Prior to the pandemic, EBISS had 25 full-time employees and six part-time/contract employees on both sides of the pond. But when live events went dark, the company was forced to furlough most of its staff, with only seven employees still working, including two in Rockford. “During this difficult time, we’ve made several pivots both here and in our corporate office in order to make things work,” said Huffer.

Creative New Revenue Streams They started by distributing hand sanitizer stands and solution to restaurant groups including Beefaroo. When that market became saturated, EBISS moved into retrofitting tradeshow booths with social distancing stickers and Plexiglas in order to make live events safe. EBISS then started picking up and packing and shipping works of art across

the globe for private buyers, galleries and virtual auctions and art shows. This summer, EBISS packed and shipped a 1930s Picasso painting for a client. While that service didn’t pan out locally, it has taken off in the U.K. “Sure we were concerned,” Huffer said. “As a company you’re looking at survivability. What’s your breakeven point? I didn’t think it would shut us down forever, but I did think it might mothball our business for a period of time. Fortunately, we’ve been able to sustain ourselves and come up with creative ways to generate revenue. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.” EBISS has turned its local warehouse space into a production studio where they rent space to other videographers. EBISS and Luxe Productions, another Loves Parkbased event management company, have teamed up to produce virtual meetings, product launches and community events such as the Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce, Parks Chamber and Golden Apple fundraiser. EBISS has recently launched virtual visits with Santa live from the “North Pole” and partnered with Stroll on State and GiGi’s Playhouse to offer similar holiday activities. Huffer anticipates more hybrid events

Recently, EBISS has turned its local warehouse space into a production studio where they rent space to other videographers. in 2021. “There will be a virtual element to the events we work,” he said. “You won’t see as many people attending shows in person. While half the people will be in attendance, the other half will be watching demos from their office or home. “For years, we done the same shows, promoting the same products, while moving the same assets back and forth,” Huffer added. “We love that work but this adds a new level of excitement. We look forward to working with new people in ways we’ve never done before.”

EBISS, INC. Derek Huﬀer Director of international sales & marketing 7918 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park 815-733-1090 www.ebiss-usa.com

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

MFG AWARDS Continued from front page

technology leader serving the aerospace and defense industries. Fast forward to today, and that mission still remains intact, although they have expanded to serve multiple industries, beyond aerospace and defense. Today, their market focus also includes space, astronomy, energy, general metal working and primary metals. Their products tend to be large and robust, and deploy the highest levels of engineering and technology. Ingersoll built and delivered the World’s Largest 3D Printer, The MasterPrint, to the University of Maine. MasterPrint, was designed to be able to print large structures from carbon fiber plastic. This machine is capable of both printing, and machining, parts that are extremely large. The machine is capable of printing objects 100' long, 22' wide and 10' tall. MasterPrint was unveiled in October of 2019 and in turn netted three Guinness Book of World Records. The world records were for the world’s largest 3D Printer, for the world’s largest 3D printed part, and for the world’s largest 3D printed boat. Every sale of this new product will be incremental growth for Ingersoll Machine Tools and provide countless hours of work for employees in engineering, assembly and service departments. However, the truly transformative growth is within the overall manufacturing environment of their customers. With the massive productivity leaps that the MasterPrint will allow them to make, their customers will be in a position to grow their businesses rapidly.

Bethany Mead, community outreach coordinator for CEANCI, wins the Rockford Chamber’s Individual Business Catalyst award.

Reaching for the Stars As if MasterPrint weren’t enough, the team at Ingersoll Machine Tools has also had their eyes on the sky. Ingersoll Machine Tools, along with its partner MT Mechatronics, was recently awarded the contract to build the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) structure. The GMT is a 80 ft. diameter next generation giant opticalinfared observatory that will explore the frontiers of astronomy, including seeking to answer one of humanity’s most pressing questions: “are we alone?” The GMT will study the atmospheres of planets orbiting stars far from our solar system to search for signs of biochemistry. The duration of the project will be approximately nine years from start to the completion of the installation on a mountaintop in Chile. For Ingersoll Machine Tools, the growth will come in many forms. They will expand their workforce and facility to build this massive telescope. This project has allowed them to actively and aggressively reach back to the academic institutions right here in our own back yard, seeking the next generation of leaders and team members.

The GMT will help answer some of humanity’s most pressing questions - How did the first galaxies form? What are dark matter and dark energy that comprise most of our universe? How did stellar matter from the Big Bang congeal into what we see today? What is the fate of the universe? All of this work will be taking place at Ingersoll Machine Tools in Rockford, IL. Ingersoll Machine Tools was chosen to lead this monumental effort because of their proven track record of designing and building large precision structures. Congratulations, Ingersoll Machine Tools!

Individual Business Catalyst of the Year: Bethany Mead, CEANCI The Individual Business Catalyst Award is presented annually to recognize an outstanding professional who is a community and business leader. This person has made signiﬁcant direct and positive contributions to the manufacturing community. Bethany Mead is a success-driven individual who utilizes her people skills to engage students in work-based learning opportunities that connect them with

regional businesses. As the community outreach coordinator for CEANCI, she allows students to explore career paths and gain internships – specifically in the field of manufacturing – creating a strong workforce for area businesses. Currently, Beth is involved with the Hononegah High School Education and Manufacturing Council, Workforce Connection’s Pathways to Careers Committee, the Rock Valley College Highway Constructions Careers Trades Program, The Winnebago Boone County Farm Bureau Ag Advisory committee, Rockford Network of Professional Women, and serves as vice president of Women of Today’s Manufacturing. For the past five years, Beth has served as co-chair of the National Manufacturing Day committee. She dedicates her time forming long-lasting relationships between local businesses and middle and high school students from nine school districts in Winnebago, Boone and Ogle counties. Outside of her career, Beth hosts four roundtables a year – one of which is the Technology & Engineering Education, also known as T&EE, Roundtable. She also works with businesses and colleges arranging student competitions, including a T&EE event that involves competitions in construction, engineering, small engines and welding. Building a talent pipeline is essential as we move forward as a region. Developing home-grown talent that can put their talents to good work in our local manufacturers is essential to not only our community, but the success of our businesses. Beth’s work will make a lasting impact on our region. Congratulations, Beth! v

$15 million towards new manufacturing training academies The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will fund $15 million in capital grants towards the construction of two Manufacturing Trainings Academies to address a shortage of skilled workers in downstate Illinois. The Notice of Funding Opportunity calls for proposals through Jan. 31 from community colleges for cutting-edge training programs for high-demand manufacturing jobs that require specialized training, such as machinery mechanics and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine operators

and programmers. Eligible applicants include community college districts or coalitions of community college districts outside of Cook and the collar counties, in areas facing diﬃculty recruiting for manufacturing jobs due to a shortage in training resources. “Technologies like collaborative robots and artiﬁcial intelligence are reshaping the skill needs in manufacturing,” said David Boulay, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC). The academies also will develop

extensive partnerships for curricular support, operational funding, recruitment and job placement, including with private-sector employers, K-12 schools and Illinois’ Local Workforce Innovation Boards. More information can be obtained by emailing Tammy Harter, CEO. MFGacademies@illinois.gov.

Illinois Manu-facts

More than 18,000 Illinois manufacturing companies employ more than 550,000 residents. Account for nearly $60 billion in

exports every year – making Illinois the fourth largest state in the U.S. for international exports. By 2028, an estimated 4.6 million new manufacturing jobs will need to be ﬁlled nationwide. Nearly one-fourth of the manufacturing workforce is age 55 or older, which signals a labor shortage for the nation’s ﬁfth-largest employer, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Retaining and attracting quality workers is one of the top challenges facing the manufacturing industry.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

Soccer play at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two. The location features 26 outdoor soccer ﬁelds among other amenities. ©Rockford Park District Photo by Jesse Fox In December, the Rockford Park District board approved the updated 2020 Action Plan with items to be implemented in the next five years and addressing park usage and youth crime trends. “What our citizens told us in 2018 is even more relevant today as a result of COVID-19,” said Scott Olson, president of the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners. “During this year, people ﬂooded neighborhood parks, paths and trails. Youth crime went up 100 percent in our community because we couldn’t provide programs to youth and teens due to restrictions. “If we aren’t strong in our neighborhoods, and if we aren’t investing in our youth through quality park and recreational programs and employment, we will never be able to achieve our goals as a collective community.”

2020 Action Plan Update ■ Refurbish playgrounds and shelters in neighborhood parks.

■ Expand youth programming, leadership development and employment opportunities. ■ Maintain and add new trails and paths. ■ Add soccer and softball fields, sports park amenities and quality of current playing fields at Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park.

At play in Harmon Park at 1924 East Gate Parkway in Rockford. ©Rockford Park District – Photo by Madeline Appino

to operate seasonal swimming pools. Instead, the district would partner with other agencies with year-round swimming pools, and explore more splash pad/aquatic playground locations throughout the community. ■ Reopen Snow Park at Alpine Hills Adventure Park.

■ Construct an indoor riding arena for 12 months of non-weather-dependent programming at Lockwood Park.

■ Eliminate overnight programming at Atwood Center to focus on expanding daytime environmental education learning and tours.

■ Expand fishing opportunities, improve water quality at Levings Lake and build a permanent amphitheater at Levings Park, with funding provided by Hard Rock Casino Rockford.

■ Introduce recreational opportunities, such as fishing and conservation clubs, at Mercyhealth Sportscore One and continue improving fields at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two.

■ Expand Washington Park Community Center.

■ Increase investment in Sinnissippi, Ingersoll, Sandy Hollow and Aldeen golf courses. Close Elliot Golf Course.

■ Offset operational costs of swimming pools. In the best-case scenario, Alpine Pool, Harkins Aquatic Center and Sand Park Pool will open. In the worstcase, the district will no longer be able

■ Sale of one acre of land on the north portion of Beyer Park to the International Women’s Baseball Center for the construction of a museum and

Rockford Park District approves 2020 Action Plan Update educational center. Invest proceeds from the sale in the Rockford Peaches Stadium, in collaboration with the Friends of Beyer. ■ Reduce tax support for Reclaiming First facilities: Mercyhealth Sportscore Two and UW Health Sports Factory.

Ice House to remain open thanks to outside support On Dec. 21, the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners approved keeping the Riverview Ice House open, thanks to outside funding secured for operational and capital expenses. Illinois Senator Steve Stadelman secured a $2.5 million Illinois Capital Grant to cover almost half of renovation costs. Heather and Peter Provenzano pledged $1 million ($100,000 per year over 10 years) to help offset the tax subsidy to run the ice house. The Koch family pledged $200,000 ($20,000 per year over 10 years) towards operations.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

R O C K F O R D

CENTER FOR

C H A M B E R

A new focus for a brand new year

My favorite part of Christmas wasn’t the presents. Or the cookies. Or even the lights – though, those were pretty darn close to the top of the list. My favorite part of Christmas is the cards I receive from family and friends. I anxiously await the envelopes that fill my mailbox from Thanksgiving through December – each a treasure trove of love, connection and warmth. Some are photos, some are hand written cards, some contain letters updating me on all the happenings of the year. Regardless of what’s inside the envelope, I cherish it. I hang it up with joy in my heart on a closet door that I see quite often in my home. I love looking at it and being reminded of all the amazing

C O M M E R C E

Leadership Development

My motto for 2021: It’s the little things CAITLIN PUSATERI Rockford Chamber

O F

people in my life. It’s such a small thing – but I love it so, so much.

Small, Precious Moments In thinking about the year ahead, I’m trying to take some of what I learned from 2020 and apply it in a new way to 2021. I’m exhausted (we all are) – mentally, physically, emotionally. I’m a working full-time mom of a toddler who also is expecting her next child at the end of May. I would be tired without a pandemic. But throw in the constant heavy-decision making, the fear of making the wrong choice and harming someone else, and just the sadness at everything that’s happening in the world, and it’s practically impossible not to yawn.

But when I look back at 2020, I see a lot of really great things. I recently ﬂipped through my camera roll and saw hundreds (okay, maybe thousands) of pictures of my toddler doing hilarious things. Things that, pre-pandemic, I wouldn’t have been lucky enough to experience with her as often as I did. I see mornings spent on the swing in the tree in our back yard. I see bike rides to the park and smiles as we go down the slide. I see more nature and less indoor space. I see a lot of happy squeezed into a tired year and when I stop to examine what really made a difference in my life in 2020, it’s all the little things.

What’s Worth Keeping Things in 2021 are going to continue to be exhausting. While there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s a long way to the other side. And once we get there, we will then have to wrestle with the new-found love of a slower lifestyle, juggle what to “bring back” and what to discard, and try to best figure out how to pick up the pieces in a fair and equitable way that makes people and businesses whole (as whole as they can be) once more.

PARTNERSHIP

Continued from page 2

everything is in place and operational for 2022. “The time is now. The pandemic accelerated the unification process in communities across the country, putting those who had already done it at a distinct advantage,” said Co-Chair Terry Voskuil. “Indianapolis, for example, was able to cross-train its partnership organization’s staff to provide support for small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. The Greater Topeka Partnership set up a small business emergency resource fund and secured more than $1 million in relief funding from private sector leaders that was distributed to 285 small businesses to keep them going. This is the kind of action possible when organizations are aligned.” “The structure will be set up to encourage and accommodate other organizations to join the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership, working together to grow our region,” Hultman said. v

GREATER ROCKFORD GROWTH PARTNERSHIP oversees and aligns the goals of its member organizations in taking bold action to create the most vibrant, innovative, thriving economy of any mid-sized region in the nation. Rockford Area Economic Development Council markets the region to attract new capital investment, while assisting existing business with resources for sustainable growth. It works with partners to improve the competitiveness of the region in the daily work of economic development and serves as the area’s data collection agency on capital investment, new and retained jobs, and new or renovated space. Rockfordil.com

Caitlin Pusateri is vice president, leadership development at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

8 PREDICTIONS

Continued from front page

The Chamber will support existing businesses through leadership, education, networking, advocacy and community pride, while the RAEDC will focus on growing businesses in the region through attraction, retention, expansion, innovation and promotion to external markets. As a new organization, The Greater Rockford Growth Partnership will work with the RAEDC and Rockford Chamber to ensure strategies, goals and decisions work best for both organizations and for the region as a whole. The organization will make sure both large and small businesses benefit and will actively coordinate with other regional groups and the public sector to support and grow businesses in Northern Illinois. Under the plan, the Rockford Chamber and RAEDC will formally establish the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership as a 501c6 non-profit and begin the initial implementation steps in the first quarter of 2021, progressing throughout the year so that

Going back to the “way things were” isn’t an option – it never is after a traumatic experience. We learn, we grow, we change. That stretch will feel great in our muscles and bones. But, it will also make us sore in the morning and our lungs will hurt as we gasp for air – unfamiliar with the feelings of running at the speed of light again. So, it’s the little things I’m focusing on for 2021. Small goals, small steps, small moments. I look forward to a hot cup of coffee with friends in the park or perhaps even indoors at a restaurant. I am excited to stop referring to every day as unprecedented times. I look forward to hugging my mom without fear of deadly repercussions. Focusing on the little things will get me through 2021. And what’s the old saying? In the end, you look back and realize the little things were the biggest things of all. Or something like that. Cheers to 2021. May it be filled with hundreds and thousands of little, beautiful moments in our lives, our businesses and our community.

Rockford Chamber of Commerce delivers beneﬁt to the community by leading in the promotion of economic growth, advocating for the interests of business and providing service and educational opportunities that help its members grow. Rockfordchamber.com

are really expecting to see these initiatives in place and to see genuine support, especially from the upper-level management.” 6. Business travel will be signiﬁcantly reduced. As the pandemic continues into 2021, don’t expect travel for U.S. businesses to make a massive comeback in 2021. At the recent New York Times’ Dealbook conference, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates predicted a significant drop in business travel, and for there to be a “very high threshold” for companies that can conduct meetings from home. “My prediction would be that over 50% of business travel and over 30% of days in the office will go away,” Gates said at Dealbook conference. “Some companies will be extreme on one end or the other. … We will go to the office somewhat [and] we’ll do some business travel, but dramatically less.” 7. Economic growth could return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2021. For businesses that have made it through 2020, many are wondering if the economy will come back in the next year. A December 2020 survey of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) suggests the economy very well could roar back in the second half of 2021. “The 73% is a dramatic improvement from the October survey in which 38% of panelists believed that a full recovery would occur before 2022.” 8. Retraining and reskilling workers will be a 2021 priority. As the pandemic has put pressure on companies to lay off lower-skilled workers that can be replaced by automation or technology, some companies will also work to retrain and reskill employees. “Cost-effective options, such as retraining, reskilling and redeployment, will continue to grow in popularity next year,” Michelle Anthony, chief revenue officer at LHH, told BenefitsPro. “Employers will be more committed to building a workforce of the future by helping employees acquire new skills so the companies can absorb downturns and market shifts without having to resort to the costly fire-and-hire cycle.” Source: US Chamber of Commerce

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

IGNITE: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Rockford Chamber welcomes two new board members Lesly Couper, Chief Operating Oﬃcer, workplace Joel A. Prah, MBA, Vice President of Supply Chain, Mercyhealth Corporation

CARMEN BRENZ Rockford Chamber

Resolutions for 2021: Keep it simple

It is that time of year again! Cue the “New Year, New Me” posts on social media and the long lists of New Year’s Resolutions. Growing up, my New Year’s Resolutions were either super extravagant (I think one year, I had a goal of working on my cupcake business with my cousin and sister … I was about 12) or they were the same thing as the year before (eat healthy, exercise more). I have made it my own personal goal to not repeat the same resolutions that I have had since 2012. If you are in the same boat that I am, then you are in luck! I did some looking into some resolutions and found a list of simple resolutions and shared some below.

What Should My New Year’s Resolution be for 2021? Trying to improve your work life? Try the following: ■ Be more punctual - try to be early to every meeting you attend. ■ Talk to more strangers. Network more at events. ■ Make more eye contact during conversations. ■ Bring more to the table- speak up more at meetings Still want to achieve the “eat healthy/ exercise more” goal? Check out the ideas below: ■ Take the stairs instead of elevators or escalators. ■ Walk or ride your bike when you caninstead of driving. ■ Cook at home more. ■ No more late night snacks! Want a new hobby? Make it a resolution: ■ Grow a simple garden. Start with herbs. ■ Read a chapter a day in a new book or read for five minutes each day if you are super busy! ■ Volunteer more. Check out IGNITE’s

website for a list of volunteer opportunities. ■ Start journaling. Looking to meet new people in 2021 or to work on the relationships you already have established? Check out these tips: ■ Attend local events - virtual or in person (whenever that can happen again). IGNITE has virtual After 5’s and many other events that you can find on their website. ■ Give someone a compliment once a day — yes you can tell that stranger that you like his or her shirt! It may just make their day! ■ Make sure you have updated addresses and phone numbers of your friends and family! You will be shocked how many people move, and you did not know! ■ Start the tradition of having a family dinner — you define what family means to you! Now all of the ideas above seem like a lot to sort through. Keep in mind - these are just ideas, and you do not have to have a long list of resolutions. It is okay to just have one resolution, as this allows you to be able to concentrate solely on that resolution and actually achieve it. Too many resolutions could lead to too many incomplete resolutions. Another tip: You do not have to stick to the same resolution. Did you decide you wanted to take a daily walk, and your schedule just does not allow for it? That is okay! Find a new resolution that does work with your schedule! New Year’s resolutions have become so complicated and sometimes they add extra stress to your life. The point of resolutions is to improve something in your life. Keep it simple, and you may just find yourself actually achieving your resolution(s)! Happy New Year from IGNITE! For the full list of resolutions, please visit https:// www.kroger.com/health/wellness-your-way/ wellness-tips/101-simple-new-years-resolutions Carmen Brenz is event & program coordinator at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

DR. EHREN JARRETT Superintendent RPS 205

January 2021

Investment in schools yielding positive results Survey shows staﬀ willing to recommend their schools to a friend

The vision of the Rockford Public Schools is to be the first choice for all families. In order to be a first-choice district, people have to feel comfortable recommending the school they work in. Along those lines, our district received encouraging news recently. The district held its Employee Engagement Survey this fall for all RPS 205 employees. This was the fourth year the survey was administered. About 67 percent of our employees responded, an all-time high. As in previous years, we partnered with K12 Insight, a communications and research firm that handles the collection, management and reporting of the data. During the next few months, my Cabinet and I will analyze the data and look for ways to improve, based on survey feedback. The same work will be done in school buildings and district departments. We don’t just put this data on a shelf. We use it to drive continuous improvement, one of RPS 205’s core values. While the survey analysis is ongoing, several things stood out.

More RPS 205 staff members said in the survey they would recommend their school to a friend or colleague. The level of confidence is based on something called the school net promoter score. Participants are asked on a scale of 0 to 10 how likely they are to recommend their school to a friend or colleague, with zero being not at all likely and 10 being extremely likely. Someone who enters a 9 or 10 is considered a promoter; someone who enters a 0 to 6 is a detractor. The net promoter score is calculated by subtracting the detractors from the promoters. This year, the average net promoter score for our schools was 30, nearly twice the score of 14 for the previous year and significantly above the score of 8 for the 2018 survey. This year’s score is also above districts of similar size and demographics.

Keeping High Quality Employees Our schools and their leaders deserve the lion’s share of credit for these results. But I also believe the district’s facilities improvements in the last 10 years played

a part. With taxpayers’ generous help, we touched every one of our school buildings. We built new schools and did major renovations in others. It’s easier to recommend the place you work when your surroundings are more modern and more amenable to modern learning. In addition to investing in facilities, we have also invested in school budgets. We have given our school leaders both more latitude and more funds to address the unique needs of their students and raise student achievement. That latitude might contribute to a better work environment. More than 8 of 10 respondents believe their principal or supervisor promotes a positive work culture, can be trusted to support them in addressing problems, and can be trusted to make good decisions. Those results are encouraging as we strive to attract and keep high quality employees. They are especially encouraging in the time of COVID, when our staff and students are experiencing such extraordinary stress.

For certain, we continue to see challenges, as shown in the survey. We continue to see a disconnect about whether district leaders understand employees’ professional needs, whether they clearly explain the reasons behind decisions on key issues and whether leaders’ actions are consistent with their words. We will keep working on these issues. Yet, I remain proud of the progress we have made. I am proud so many of our employees find the Rockford Public Schools to be a place of growth and opportunity. That’s not just good for our staff, of course. It’s good for our students. With the support of engaged employees, we will continue our journey toward being a firstchoice district. Dr. Ehren Jarrett is superintendent of Rockford Public Schools. The views expressed are those of Dr. Jarrett’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

 Destination

ILLINOIS, USA

ADDING WEALTH TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY BY GROWING TOURISM

JOHN GROH Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Project Comeback for our region

The numbers say it all, and the data for 2020 is not positive. Revenue that supports hospitality and tourism business, facilities and organizations was dire last year. And, will take a while to recover. Frightful, but a real awakening on just how essential tourism is to our community, our local businesses and partners. And RACVB is determined to bring it back through a regional approach to marketing, positioning, support of our partners, and destination-defining product development. A team of elected and civic leaders meet quarterly to discuss best approaches to Retain. Regain. & Grow Tourism. This group is known as the Winnebago County Regional Tourism Facility Board. Designated representatives on this board demonstrate the importance of a regional approach to tourism. They are vital decision makers on the potential future economic impact sports tourism will have on our community from visitor-generated revenue. Designated representatives on the board include staff

and board members from the RACVB and Rockford Park District, our County Board Chairman and mayors from most cities and villages within Winnebago County including the cities of Rockford, Loves Park and South Beloit. During its recent December meeting, data on tourism revenue lost over the past year, due to the pandemic, was shared with the group. It has been projected there has been a loss of more than 91,000 visitors, which has resulted in approximately $18.1 million in loss to our local economy from some of our key sports facilities. This is the revenue much needed by our hotels, restaurants, local businesses, museums and other partners to survive. Rest assured, the team at the RACVB is working diligently through relationships with tournament directors and with the team of the Rockford Park District to rebook sports-related, overnight-stayfocused events that lead to the greatest ROI from a tourism perspective. Through these efforts we are optimistic about the ability to bring these tournaments back, but it will

take a deliberate regional approach that includes maintaining relationships, event servicing, financial support for bidding on events, and strategic marketing to give us the competitive edge to help this business return. To make Winnebago County competitive, here are a few key regional strategies: Building Connections & Maintaining Relationships: Team members at the RACVB attend national events to help in the recruitment of major “overnight” focused tournaments. This takes relationship building, sales pitches and continuous communication to recruit these perspective events. At one tradeshow event alone there could be 40 to 50 formal sales pitch meetings held over several days. Bids & Incentives: In order to secure tournaments, it takes a formal bid application process that includes financial incentives for the tournaments to select our region. These incentives are often times monetary incentives or can be discounts associated with hard costs. These fees are paid for by the RACVB. Event Servicing: Several touch points with every client and personalization are required to encourage repeat visitation. The team at the RACVB, alongside partners work to ensure their experience on-site is memorable. From greeting upon arrival, kick-off event planning and whatever it takes, our team is ready to make a lasting memory and positive experience. Regional Marketing: Last and definitely not least is marketing. Not only

marketing to promote event- and facilityrelated amenities, but regional marketing to ensure those “searching” the Rockford area will see the many great aspects of our community, aspects we take pride in. From arts and culture, restaurants, to our transformative movement as a community. We must ensure we are in a position to showcase why our region is the best. Pre-COVID, the strategies above, as led by the RACVB and in partnership with many organizations, cities and villages within the county have proven to be successful. It is with this shared approach and focused efforts that we have been able to experience 10 years of consecutive growth in visitation and local tax receipts that benefit Winnebago County residents. Without a regional approach, efforts will become fragmented and can deter the greater impact and return of tourism, support of our small businesses and hospitality-related jobs. The phrase “we are stronger together than apart” holds true more now than ever, and we look forward to continuing to fulfill our role as the destination management organization (DMO) for our region as we embark on tourism’s return, as a cohesive region. John Groh is president/CEO of Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The views expressed are those of Groh’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Two Rockford craft businesses named to Illinois Made list By Barbara Connors Barnstormer Distillery and Fire Department Coffee, were named to the Illinois Office of Tourism’s Illinois Made list of 31 small business makers, creators and artisans. To qualify, honorees make their crafts, products and wares in Illinois, offer one-of-akind visitor experiences and have a compelling story to tell.

Fire Department Coﬀee Inspired by the vital role that coffee plays in helping firefighters stay alert and energized through long shifts, Fire Department Coffee is freshly roasted in Rockford by a team of firefighters, first responders and veterans. Through its Fire Dept. Coffee Foundation, 10 percent of the net proceeds fund essential resources and assistance for first responders injured on the job, mentally or physically, or with other serious health challenges. Launched in 2016, Illinois Made features more than 175 makers. Other Rockford businesses who’ve earned the designation are Rockford Art Deli, MainFraiM and Rockford Roasting Company.

Barnstormer Distillery Barnstormer Distillery produces craft whiskey, vodka and rum distributed to retailers, restaurants and bars. Named after the post WWI pilots (Barnstormers) who brought aviation, and often Prohibition-era alcohol, to the general public, the distillery’s crafters are guided not by fancy instruments, but by sight, smell and touch. Barnstormer Distillery adjusted its production of drinkable spirits to hand sanitizer at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak and donated more than 800 gallons to Winnebago, Stevenson and Ogle County first responders. Normal operations resumed in July. The ingredients to produce the spirits are locally sourced when possible, and some ﬂavoring for the spirits and cocktails are grown on the business’ 22acre Grant View Heights property. Both the 40 Winks Whiskey, Barrel Strength and the 40 Winks Whiskey, 90 Proof, won gold medals in their categories in the Whiskey and Barrel Consumer Choice Awards in Chicago last October. Visit EnjoyIllinois.com/IllinoisMade.

SPECIAL SECTION Marketing & Communication Trends

January 2021

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

GUEST COLUMNIST

2021: Pivoting for success! STACY WALLACE V2 Marketing Communications

Tips for making your virtual event memorable

A year ago, you were probably opening a new 2020 planner, sharpening your pencil and starting to work on your marketing and events plan for the upcoming year. Strategic meetings, annual conferences, team outings and client lunches. Then March roared in and all your plans came to a screeching halt. If you had told me that by January 2021 we would still be working remotely, wearing masks daily and donning our winter coats to dine out – I wouldn’t have believed you. But 2020 has been the year where all traditional activities and plans have gone out the window. Many organizations have been dabbling in digital for years, but 2020 was the year everyone learned how to Zoom, Hangout and Hopin. People had to figure out how to turn their inperson events into digital events without missing a beat. After helping several organizations pivot for success, here are some tips on creating a successful virtual event.

Respect Attendee Time Time Zones Matter. Make sure that you communicate clearly when your event will take place. The beauty of hosting virtual events is inviting attendees that may be brand new to your organization from outside your region. Follow a Strict Run of Show to keep things on time. Having a detailed outline of who is responsible for doing what, and when, keeps things running smoothly and keeps attendees engaged. Publish the Complete Itinerary in Advance. Send any handouts and schedule information in advance of your event so attendees can prepare questions, comments and feedback ahead of time. Insert Plenty of Breaks. Zoom fatigue anyone? Everyone appreciates a

coffee break, whether it is during an inperson conference or online.

Take Advantage of Technology Webinar vs. Meeting. Based on your goals for the event, select the format that will best serve your needs. Use Polls/Q&A. Keep your attendees engaged by using interactive elements sprinkled throughout your presentation. Virtual Backgrounds and/or Filters. Something as easy as consistently branded backgrounds for all of your event speakers can elevate the professional appearance of your event. Breakout Rooms. Separate your breakout sessions from your keynote just as you would during an in-person conference. This allows attendees to customize the event and participate in sessions they find valuable. Share a Presentation or Video. Engage your participants by giving them visual elements to your presentation, not just your face on the screen. Make your presentation come alive by inserting yourself INTO your slide deck.

2020 was the year everyone learned how to Zoom, Hangout and Hopin. People had to figure out how to turn their inperson events into digital events without missing a beat. Swag. Don’t forget the attendee or speaker gift boxes! Sending physical or digital gifts ahead of time brings a memorable touch to your event.

Make the Content Work for You You’ve worked hard putting content together for your virtual event – NOW, use that content post-event in a variety of ways: ■■ Soundbites and social media images

Interactive Options

■■ Podcast audio

Include Typical Conference Activities. Incorporate games, trivia and even a Happy Hour into your event. Just because your event is digital doesn’t mean it can’t be FUN! Meals. Save the standard chicken dish for next year – by using Door Dash, Grub Hub or other meal delivery services, you can make sure attendees all get something delicious for lunch or dinner. Award Presentations. Roll out the virtual red carpet and present your awards in style. Present your plaques, certificates or trophies on screen and have the physical awards delivered ahead of time.

■■ Recordings on YouTube Just because 2020 changed the way things are done, doesn’t mean you can’t put on a killer virtual event. Not only can

creativity, planning and execution turn your virtual event into a success, but it can continue to keep clients, customers, members and employees engaged in your business or organization in the year ahead. If the thought of planning this yourself makes your palms sweat, rest assured, there are experts available to jump in and help! Here’s to 2021! Stacy Wallace is agency director at V2 Marketing Communications. The views expressed are those of Wallace’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Fast growth of retail e-commerce sales

A well-documented change in the retail sector in the past 20 years is the evolution from mostly brick-and-mortar stores to e-commerce sales, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted basis, e-commerce as a percent of total retail sales grew from: 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 1999 to 16.1% in the second quarter of 2020.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

SPECIAL SECTION Marketing & Communication Trends

GUEST COLUMNIST

PAM MAHER KMK Media Group, Inc.

Hindsight 2020: The year of crisis communications Seven Top Tips for Eﬀective Communication Through 2021

Reinforce your team’s and clients’ value to the organization. As we begin 2021, I believe the “Year of

Crisis

Communications”

could,

unfortunately, return for a sequel. I reﬂected with a little hindsight 2020 on the work our firm did in a once-ina-generation year that was unlike any other. Sure, we created our fair share of digital, design and web projects, but the outlier was clear. Never before have we been asked to assist with so many crisis and reactive communications needs. Often, it was the kind of messaging that kept our clients (and sometimes us) up at night, writing and rewriting the message to fit the rapidly changing environment. It was the kind of messaging that overloads your mind trying to figure out the phrasing that most clearly and calmly communicates first-ever workplace happenings: office COVID cases … employee layoffs … temporary and permanent closings … and so many other pandemic-related issues. In all of these cases, there was one constant we stressed with clients. Make sure the right audience knows the correct message when they need to know it, and control the message before it controls you. Getting ahead of the message helps you stay proactive rather than reactive. So how do you best communicate the financial, operational and employee changes in what’s sure to be another rollercoaster year? Here’s seven tips to get you started on the right communication track.

1. Maintain a calm, steady exterior. Leaders who remain calm and patient during a crisis help keep their internal staff and external audiences at ease, boosting confidence in a positive outcome. 2. Craft your message—then recraft it. You may feel pressure (or real need) to communicate quickly. Don’t. There is always time to review your message before delivering it. If possible, get at least one trusted confidante to review it with you. 3. Communicate what you need to at this point in time. No more, no less. Keep the message to the point and focus on the current situation. In keeping the message succinct and current, you focus on the immediate communication need and can modify future messaging, as needed, based on changing conditions. 4. Reinforce the positive. Reinforce your team’s and clients’ value to the organization, the temporary nature, if accurate, of the current situation and the next steps the company is taking to move forward. Make sure anyone responsible for delivering the message or answering questions is on the same page and has the correct information to do so. 5. If the public needs to be notiﬁed, make sure your internal audiences receive the message ﬁrst— always. It’s unacceptable for employees to find out on the nightly news that their company is closing. 6. Overcommunicate. Tell them—then tell them again. Tell them a third time just to be sure they got it all. If the announcement you’re delivering is unexpected, your audience may not

fully hear it the first (or second) time it’s communicated. If you deliver it verbally, follow up with a written message and vice versa. You cannot overcommunicate. 7. Communicate often. If the situation is changing rapidly, multiple daily updates may be needed. If you don’t have time to deal with it, appoint someone you trust. Review the messages before they’re released. It is that important. Controlling the message controls your company’s future.

Your company is your baby. It (plus every employee and client) needs a gentle, steady voice, patience, perseverance and dedication now more than ever. Pam Maher is CEO of KMK Media Group, Inc. Visit Kmkmedia.com. The views expressed are those of Maher’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

SPECIAL SECTION Marketing & Communication Trends

January 2021

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

GUEST COLUMNIST

Put video into focus for the New Year MELISSA WESTPHAL Chartwell Agency

An eﬀective way to instruct, share your message

Think back to the last video you watched online. Was it a Facebook video shared by a friend? A celebrity’s Instagram story? Were you practicing a TikTok dance or watching a vlog from a favorite YouTuber? It shouldn’t be surprising that video consumption has soared because we rely more on mobile devices and computers every day. Pre-pandemic, Forbes (citing data from App Annie) noted that we spend about 3.7 hours on our mobile devices, and much of that time involves video. Hubspot reports that millennial and Gen Z consumers prefer online videos for learning new things and entertainment. And video consumption soared in 2020 while most of us were socially distanced at home with nowhere to go. I may not have baked sourdough bread, but I definitely searched videos for other recipes and some housecleaning hacks (anyone else notice how much easier it is to ignore clutter when you’re not around it 24/7?). Using video is another way to tell your story – to inform your audience about your products and services, promote yourself as an expert in your field, and connect with people.

Sometimes, we see videos, whether we want to or not, because they often automatically play in our social media feeds. And I’ve been guilty of pushing that “play” button for a quick distraction from a more pressing task. When it comes to getting started with video, I’m going to borrow a tagline from a very popular sports brand: Just do it.

Messaging Through Video Given what we know about the digital landscape and popularity of video, that’s exactly what we’re doing at Chartwell Agency. Expect to see our faces more as we work internally at producing more videos about what we do as a team and the great work we do for our clients (check out our most recent vlog on this very topic at chartwell-agency.com/blog). We’ll be sharing more video work from our clients, too. Content and telling stories are central to what we do, and those stories take many paths – blogs, social media posts, ads, media articles and marketing collateral. Video is another way to capture and bring those messages into focus for your audience. Here are some of the pre-production

considerations for our team videos and that you can apply to your video content strategy. Who’s your audience? What’s your goal? Where will this video be used? It’s OK to have more than one answer to these questions. Maybe you house your video content on YouTube and repurpose the links on your website and social media channels. Your videos can be geared toward fans or loyal customers, as well as for potential new customers who might be unfamiliar with your brand. In fact, we all need content for digital platforms, so breaking videos up into shorter chunks gives you more content and gives people more than one opportunity to see your brand as they’re scrolling through phones.

Again, this is something we’re doing for our Chartwell team in 2021. Our written blogs often stress the importance of content calendars that are mapped out for a year, or at least half a year or a quarter. Doing the same for video content will keep your platforms watered and help you build skills and build confidence with the technology. And in a year like 2020, we can all use the mantra, “progress not perfection.” Any content plan/schedule (written or visual) should be reasonable based on your time, manpower and priorities. It can be paused to reevaluate or pivot (which many of us did during the COVID-19 pandemic), but it should never be shelved. Not only should you just do it – you can do it.

Plan it Out

Melissa Westphal is a communications strategist at Chartwell Agency.

Speaking of a content schedule, if you’re going to dive in to doing vlogs or some fun social media videos, commit to a schedule and hold yourself accountable.

The views expressed are those of Westphal’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Cyber-secure shopping practices Shopping virtually has become more than just a convenience. It’s allowed us to limit our exposure to COVID-19 for one. From the convenience of household and grocery purchases to the near-immediate gratiﬁcation of two-day deliveries for anything under the sun, online shopping has grown in popularity at exponential rates during 2020. This also makes it more lucrative for cyber thieves to trick buyers into scams and steal personal information for ﬁnancial gain.

The National Cyber Security Alliance recommends: Think before you click. Beware of ads encouraging users to click on links, account warnings and shipping notiﬁcations. If you receive a notice or an enticing offer, do not click on the link. Instead, go directly to the company’s website to verify the offer is legitimate. Do your homework. Cyber thieves are fond of setting up fake e-commerce sites. Prior to making a purchase, read reviews to hear

what others say about the merchant. Look for a physical location and any customer service information. It’s also a good idea to call the merchant to conﬁrm that they are legitimate. Consider your payment options. Using a credit card is often recommended over a debit card, as there are more consumer protections for credit cards if something goes awry. Watch what you give away. Be alert to the kinds of information being collected to complete your

transaction. If the merchant is requesting more data than you feel comfortable sharing, cancel the transaction. You only need to fill out required fields at checkout and should never save your payment information in your profile. Keep tabs on your bank and credit card statements. Be sure to continuously check your accounts for any unauthorized activity. Connect with care. Make sure your home wireless network is password protected.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

SPECIAL SECTION Cybersecurity

The IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned to prevent someone else from filing a tax return with their Social Security number.

Taxpayers now can apply for an IP PIN for secure filing The Internal Revenue Service starting January will expand the Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program to all taxpayers who can properly verify their identities. The IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned to prevent someone else from filing a tax return with their Social Security number. It helps the IRS verify a taxpayer’s identity and accept their electronic or paper tax return. For those who cannot pass Secure Access authentication, there are alternatives. Taxpayers with incomes of $72,000 or less and with access to a telephone should complete Form 15227 and mail or fax it to the IRS. An IRS assistor will call the taxpayer to verify their identity with a series of questions. For additional security reasons, taxpayers who pass authentication will receive an IP PIN the following tax year. Taxpayers who cannot verify their identities remotely or who are

ineligible to file a Form 15227 may make an appointment, visit a Taxpayer Assistance Center and bring two forms of picture identification. Because this is an in-person identity verification, an IP PIN will be mailed to the taxpayer within three weeks. Taxpayers who obtain an IP PIN should never share their code with anyone but their trusted tax provider. The IRS will never call to request the taxpayer’s IP PIN, and taxpayers must be alert to potential IP PIN scams.

More Details ■■ The Get an IP PIN tool will be available in mid-January. This is the preferred method of obtaining an IP PIN, and the only one that immediately reveals the PIN to the taxpayer. ■■ Taxpayers who want to voluntarily opt into the IP PIN program do not need to file a Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.

■■ The IP PIN is valid for one year. Each January, the taxpayer must obtain a newly generated IP PIN. ■■ The IP PIN must be properly entered on electronic and paper tax returns to avoid rejections and delays. ■■ Any primary taxpayer (listed first on the return), secondary taxpayer (listed second on the return) or dependent may obtain an IP PIN if they can pass the identity proofing requirements. ■■ The IRS plans to offer an opt out feature to the IP PIN program in 2022 if taxpayers find it is not right for them. ■■ Confirmed victims of tax-related identity theft should still file a Form 14039 if their e-filed tax return rejects because of a duplicate SSN filing. The IRS will investigate their case and once the fraudulent tax return is removed from their account, confirmed victims automatically will receive an IP PIN

via postal mail at the start of the next calendar year. ■■ IP PINs will be mailed annually to confirmed victims only. Because of security risks, confirmed identity theft victims cannot opt out of the IP PIN program. Confirmed victims also can use the Get an IP PIN tool to retrieve lost IP PINs assigned to them.

The Get An IP PIN tool is available at IRS.gov/ippin and immediately displays the taxpayer’s IP PIN. Before using it, review the requirements at IRS.gov/ secureaccess on the several ways the tool verifies a person’s identity.

SPECIAL SECTION Cybersecurity

January 2021

Commonsense steps for identity theft protection WalletHub.com released its report on the States Most Vulnerable to Identity Theft & Fraud in 2020, based on criteria from identity-theft complaints per capita to the average amount lost due to fraud. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans experience some form of identity theft each year. While this leads to billions of dollars in losses each year, consumers aren’t necessarily on the hook for the full tab. In fact, financial institutions assume most of the liability for spending-related fraud. Illinois’ Vulnerability to Identity Theft & Fraud 13th

Identity-Theft Complaints per Capita

23rd

Avg. Loss Amount Due to Online Identity Theft

25th

Fraud & Other Complaints per Capita

42nd

Median Loss Amount Due to Fraud

18th

State Security-Freeze Laws for Minors’ Credit Reports

1st

Identity-Theft Passport Program

37th

Persons Arrested for Fraud per Capita

(1=Most Vulnerable; 25=Avg.)

Quick Tips Email Security. Your primary email address will likely serve as your username and means of resetting your password on other websites. Make it secure and establish two-step verification. Account Alerts & Update Contact Info. Establish alerts for changes to your contact information and other suspicious account activity as a safeguard.

Use Common Sense Online. Don’t enter financial or personal information into websites that lack the “https” prefix in their URLs. Shred Documents. Put a Lock on Your Mailbox. Forty percent of identity thieves glean personal information from people’s mail, according to Good Housekeeping magazine. Limit Prescreened Offers in Mail. Call 1-888-567-8688. Protect your Social Security Number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Ask the DMV to use a different number for your driver’s license. Be aware that your SSN may be listed on your insurance card or alternative forms of identification. While organizations are gradually phasing out this practice, be proactive. Switch your cards now. Never Respond to Unsolicited Requests for Information. Order a Free Credit Report Every Four Months. All consumers are entitled to a free copy of their Experian, Equifax and TransUnion credit reports once every 12 months. Rotate orders for each one. Lock Your Credit Reports. Certain states enable consumers to “lock” or “freeze” their credit reports to prevent anyone you do not have an existing relationship with – even financial institutions – from accessing your credit report without your express permission. Sign Up for Credit Monitoring. Services alert you within 24 hours of any change to your credit report. Make a Credit Card Your Primary Spending Vehicle. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express all offer blanket $0 liability guarantees for

unauthorized credit card purchases. Sign for Debit Card Purchases. The four major card networks also provide liability protections to debit card users as well. However, you’re only guaranteed to be covered if a signature is used for “verification.” Review Your Accounts on a Regular Basis. “The single best practice consumers can adopt to prevent financial fraud is to balance their accounts every month,” says Jill Vihtelic, professor of business at St. Mary’s College. Leave No Room For Doubt. Never leave the final amount of a transaction open for interpretation. For example, always fill in the “Tip” field on a bill, even if you’re only going to write “$0.00.” Know Your Wallet. Make a photocopy of every relevant item in your wallet: credit cards, driver’s license, insurance card, etc.

What To Do If Your Identity Is Stolen FTC. Submit your identity theft complaint to FTC online, 1-877-ID THEFT or Consumer Response Center, FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. USPS Inspection Service. Online form. IRS. If your Tax Identification Number has been compromised, submit the Internal Revenue Service’s Identity Theft Affidavit. Social Security Administration. 800269-0271. Your Bank(s). Financial institutions that issued your credit cards, debit cards and bank accounts can apply added safeguards and examine accounts for signs of impropriety.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

Protecting computers from cyber takeovers The IRS and Security Summit partners have created the Taxes-SecurityTogether checklist. These measures are even more critical for securing tax data, as more tax preparers are working from home or remote locations due to COVID-19.

The “Security Six”

1. Use anti-virus software and set it for automatic updates to keep your systems secure. This includes all digital products, computers and mobile phones. 2. Use firewalls to help shield computers from outside attacks. They cannot protect systems in cases where users accidentally download malware, for example, from phishing email scams. 3. Use multi-factor authentication to protect all online accounts, especially tax products, cloud software providers, email providers and social media. In 2021, all online tax preparation products for tax professionals will include an option for multi-factor authentication. It may not be available on all over the counter, hard-disk products. Practitioners can download to their mobile phones readily available authentication apps offered through Google Play or the Apple Store. 4. Back up sensitive files, especially client data, to secure external sources, such as external hard drive or cloud storage. 5. Encrypt data. Tax professionals should consider drive encryption products for full-drive encryption. 6. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) product to protect remote sites. A VPN provides a secure, encrypted tunnel to transmit data between a remote user via the Internet and the company network. Remember, never click on a “pop-up” ad that’s marketing a security product. Those generally are scams. For more tips on preventing identity theft, visit IRS.gov/securitysummit.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

R O C K F O R D

C H A M B E R

O F

C O M M E R C E

economic development The daily work of economic development The work of economic development hasn’t stopped. Our region has seen companies like UPS, Amazon/Prime and Senator International expand their logistics operations and investment at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. We have had several wins from our local companies that included expansions such as Projects Screwdriver, England and Draulic. As you can see, we use project names or code names to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the companies we work with. 2021 looks promising as well, with a pipeline filled with 35 attractions, 16 expansions, and two retentions projects. Our organization is continuing to respond to requests for information (RFI), work with brokers and real estate professionals to find solutions for companies considering our region

Rockforward20/20 Progress Report

for relocation, and helping businesses expand or remain in our region. Some of that work includes: ■ Working Housing

with

the

Authority

Winnebago draft

redevelopment plan for the Fairgrounds redevelopment project. ■ Planning a cybersecurity webinar series to prepare area manufacturers for future industry compliance. ■ Releasing the 2020 Quick Reference Figure 1

Guide. ■ Expand our social network strategy to include Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and now Instagram. ■ Continue selectors,

connect

brokers

and

with real

site estate

professionals through EDGE Forward and Growth & Attraction newsletters.

Welcoming Hennig, Inc.’s GenSet Expansion in Machesney Park Hennig, Inc., debuted its new building in Machesney Park, which accommodates manufacturing, assembly and testing for its stand-by generator packaging product division. The expansion provides opportunities for increased sales that could not have taken place with limited space and resources, especially in the hyper-scale data center market; heavily dominated by the biggest high tech companies in the world. Faster turnaround times are required to meet

the extreme needs of the market. The company hopes to create numerous job opportunities for the Machesney Park and Rockford areas; targeting at least 40 new employees in the near future. Along with the generator enclosure packages, Hennig manufactures a range of UL 142 and UL 2085 fuel tanks, day tanks, switchgear enclosures and pump enclosures.

A Season of Gratitude & Looking Ahead 2020 didn’t go as planned, so we adjusted the plan. That is what the Rockford Area Economic Development Council does. We adjust. Now that 2021 has started, we are continuing to evaluate and adjust, just like many of you. As an organization we will continue to conduct the daily work of economic development by helping businesses ﬁnd solutions to problems that allow them to continue being successful and expand while remaining in our region. We are also working with brokers, site selectors and real estate professionals to attract companies into our region. Striving to make our community better is ongoing and can only be achieved through collaboration. Last year the Rockford Area Economic Development Council started ED Talks, webinars focused

on leadership and business development each month. We also created Your EDC; Moving Our Region Forward; it explains what the RAEDC does and how it affects the community’s quality of life, businesses and the people in our community. These will continue in 2021 as another resource for our region. We are looking forward to MAC2021, the signature aerospace conference of the Midwest, and other events. The accomplishments made during this year are made possible through the continued support of our investors, stakeholders and the community. Thank you for your time, talent, investment and commitment to make our community Top 25 and ensure the economic well-being of our region. We are grateful for your support.

The RAEDC remains committed to continuous improvement, always evaluating our priorities to ensure we’re asking the right questions and pushing for the right solutions. We are proactive in cultivating opportunities that increase the economic wellbeing of our region. Our region’s success is ours to inﬂuence. We embrace a bold vision for our community, to stake our claim on the national stage, to be a Top 25 community because we want the region to be competitive with the best in the U.S. – a shining example to others. The momentum continues as leaders commit themselves to the future, with the courage to ﬁnd the

right path – the one that positively affects our community. Our work is conducted with a passion for excellence that is uniﬁed in our commitment to one another and to sustainability. The work of economic development critical to attracting and retaining jobs and ensuring our community remains a place people want to live and conduct business. From Jan. 1, 2016 to Dec. 31, 2020, the region has reported the above (Figure 1) towards the Rockforward20/20 progress towards obtaining our goals. The current Rockforward20/20 strategy began Jan. 1, 2016 and will now continue through Dec. 31, 2021.

Connect With Us

We love sharing your good news and celebrating the successes of your organization. Connect with us on our social networks and help us spread the word about your good news, upcoming events and employees.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

business

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital– Riverside in Rockford earned redesignation as a Level III Perinatal Facility for maternal and fetal care during routine and high-risk pregnancies from the Illinois Regionalized Perinatal Health Program of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Rock House Kids received $5,000 from The Guy Reno Family Foundation for evening programming, hot meals, take-home food bags and daily/ seasonal essentials for more than 250 inner-city kids of Rockford. It received a $1,500 grant from Try-Beta Foundation for hand sanitizing stations and $20,000 from an anonymous donor to purchase a third,15-passenger van to transport kids to programming. It received a $5,000 grant from the J.L. Clark Legacy Foundation to purchase and install a new ﬁre safety door. KMK Media Group updated the Mrs. Fisher’s Potato Chips website at mrsﬁsherschips.com. It was hired by Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock for social media marketing strategy. Miller Eye Center now offers its advanced-technology cataract treatment in Rochelle in partnership with Rochelle Community Hospital. Its other locations are in Rockford and at KSB Hospital in Dixon. Rockford Rescue Mission provided 500 turkey dinners with the trimmings at its annual Thanksgiving Meal. Visitors received to go meals and the mission’s Crisis guests and residents of its long-term Life Recovery Program ate inside. Rockford Park District’s 133,000-sq.ft. Indoor Sports Center was renamed Dimke Field; recognizing former Executive Director Tim Dimke, who retired in 2017. The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers of the American College of Surgeons granted three-year accreditation to SwedishAmerican Breast Center in Rockford. YWCA Northwestern Illinois received a Healing Illinois grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust. It will use the money to expand implicit bias and cultural competency training for law enforcement in Boone and Winnebago counties. Alignment Rockford was awarded $500,000 over the next three years from the Illinois Action for Children’s Community Parenting Saturation project to prepare young children for kindergarten and improve outcomes for students, families, neighborhoods and the Rockford region. The Rockford Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Rockford Art Deli, awarded Our Journey Action Grants to Artists’ Ensemble for its Our Mysterious

Shown is garden volunteer Ellie Chidley. University of Illinois Extension and community partners grew more than 800 pounds of vegetables for neighbors, thanks to a Growing Together Illinois grant by the Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education. Journey podcast series, Rockford Regional Percussion for a recital on social media, the Boys & Girls Club for an inspiring art space in the Girls Room, and the Festival of Frights, a drive-thru family-friendly Halloween at Sinnissippi. Per Mar Security Services acquired Monument Electronics, Merrillville, Ind., and Floyd Total Security, Twin Cities, Minn. A five-member team (police, sheriff and fire) completed a weeklong training session provided by Rosecrance Health Network. The team is ready to respond to calls for persons experiencing a behavioral health crisis as part of the Co-Responder Pilot Program for Rockford and Winnebago counties. Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois and SupplyCore will host Over the Edge 4 Girl Scouts on June 5, 2021. Participants will rappel down the eight-story SupplyCore building in downtown Rockford. It’s limited to the first 92 participants, ages 11 and older. Participants must raise $1,000 through peer-to-peer and DIY fundraising, or employees can join together to raise $1,000 to send someone over the edge with “Toss the Boss.” Digital Hive Mind was hired by Taiho Pharmaceutical’s Oncology Division for product photography for marketing Inqovi, a new oral chemotherapy alternative for treating certain blood cancers. First National Bank and Trust donated nearly $70,000 in 2020 to initiatives such as the United Way COVID-19 Action Fund. It partnered with Federal Home Loan Bank in COVID-19 relief grants to neighborhood small businesses and nonprofits, ACTS Housing, Habitat for Humanity of Green County, NeighborWorks Blackhawk Region and YWCA Rock County. Employees chose 50 area non-profit agencies to support as part of the bank’s employee-directed donation campaign. GinestraWatson Co., announced that Motivate Therapy launched a newly enhanced website at www.

Shown is Kylie and Tim Precht with son, Ryan, 2, a former neonatal intensive care unit patient. Mercyhealth Development Foundation raised more than $25,000 and collected more than 100 gift cards for NICU families at its Holiday Give a Gift Drive on Dec. 11. motivatetherapy.com featuring the pelvic health clinic’s occupational and physical therapists using a counterbalanced approach to outpatient rehabilitation. Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital– Riverside in Rockford and AECOM was recognized with a 2020 Healthcare Environment Award in acute care by Healthcare Design magazine and The Center of Health Design. In an effort to prevent COVID-19 hospital admissions, OSF HealthCare is offering monoclonal immunotherapy infusion, Bamlanivimab, or BAM, for high risk adult and pediatric COVID-19 positive patients with mild to moderate symptoms. The laboratory-made antibody produced by Eli Lilly mimics a naturally occurring one and received emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration. SwedishAmerican, a division of UW Health, awarded the prestigious Commitment to Caring community service award to Miss Carly’s. Rosecrance received a $850,000 grant by the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation over four years to expand behavioral health resources in Winnebago and Boone counties. Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital– Riverside received a Multisensory Bubble Rover made by Southpaw for pediatric patients with funds raised from the Mercyhealth Development Foundation’s Holiday Toy Drive last year. The money from the 2020 Holiday Give a Gift Drive will fund SNOO Smart Sleepers for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit suffering from withdrawal symptoms due to Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Mayor Steve Johnson and the Village of Machesney Park board presented the Helping Hands Pantry with a $1,500 check towards its annual toy drive in December. Rosecrance Health Network entered an agreement to acquire Connections Counseling, an agency in Madison, Wis. OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center employees and the OSF HealthCare Foundation supplied 324 area children with $25 gift cards

through the Adopt An Angel program. The foundation wrote a grant for $3,325 to purchase 133 additional gift cards. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos acknowledged Kelce & Company on reaching 40 years in business, stating “clean spaces to live and work have never been more important.” City First Church hosted its 11th food distribution on Dec. 15; feeding nearly 1,700 households. The event included a free Christmas light show. More than 1.2 million pounds of food have been given away since April. Studio GWA opened a second location in Monroe, Wis., next to the city’s downtown historic courthouse square. The building also is occupied by Fehr-Graham. Rockford Systems, LLC., launched www.germblockshields.com; educating organizations of the value of sneeze shields in limiting the airborne droplets that carry the coronavirus. BauerFinancial, Inc., announced that First National Bank and Trust was awarded its highest (5-Star) rating for financial strength and stability. The bank has earned and maintained Bauer’s recommendation (5-Stars or 4-Stars) for 76 consecutive quarters. Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott awarded the YWCA Northwestern Illinois with $1 million in unrestricted funding. She named 384 organizations to receive more than $4 billion. Planning is underway to determine the most appropriate way to use the funds. RAMP received a $25,000 grant from Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation towards employment services to individuals with disabilities with an emphasis on individuals with paralysis. It also received a $14,400 grant from Woodward Charitable Trust to support RAMP’s 2020 Capital Campaign, Vision 2020. It will provide new computers to staff. OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center was re-certified as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. OSF Medical Group – Rock Cut Primary Care also was re-certified.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

business

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois received a $5 million gift from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. A total of 47 of the 384 gifts awarded went to Goodwills across the country.

speciﬁcally aims to serve West Middle School students. The girl scouts of Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois have opened online sales for the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program. Digital Cookie 7.0 allows girls to take electronic orders for cookies. Customers pay online and have cookies shipped directly to them.

Rock River Development Partnership received a matching donation of $15,000 from anonymous donors to help with the shortfall from the 2020 season of Rockford City Market. RAMP received $880 from the DeKalb County Community Foundation Promise Grant for its T’NT Program in DeKalb County. It received $10,000 from the William Miller Trust for its capital campaign and $8,000 for Project SEARCH. University of Illinois Extension and 4-H are selling educational kits with guide, yeast bread recipes, sensory evaluation, bag of ﬂour and yeast to bake yeast bread. Cost is $5. Register at go.illinois.edu/jswIMadeThat. Kits are available for pick-up the third week in January at extension oﬃces in Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago.

Boylan Catholic High School students and faculty deliver Christmas baskets to 41 families at St. Elizabeth Center. Valued at more than $10,000, the baskets contained food, holiday treats and cards for groceries and gifts. The project was led by Boylan Student Council. KMK Media Group launched a new website for the 17th Judicial Circuit Court covering Winnebago and Boone counties at www.illinois17th.com. Barbara Olson Center of Hope received a grant from Woodward Charitable Trust towards an interactive display system to help participants living with autism and related disabilities

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in November 2020 Advanced Chimney Systems Inc. Alpine Kiwanis Club Amberwood Care Centre Anderson Japanese Gardens Arachnid 360, LLC Artale Wine Co. Atlas Components Baker Tilly US, LLP Ballard Properties Barnstormer Distillery (formerly GrantView Distillery) Benning Group LLC Boone-Winnebago Regional Oﬃce of Education Boylan Catholic High School Chick-ﬁl-A Rockford Children’s Home & Aid Christenson Funeral Home & Cremation City of Loves Park ColorLab Cosmetics, Inc. Come Together Rockford CYRS Wealth Advisors LLC Discount Med Direct Family Counseling Services of Northern Illinois Gordon Flesch Company, Inc. Heritage Credit Union (Perryville) Heritage Credit Union (State Street) Hicksgas Belvidere Holiday Inn Express - Rochelle Illinois Department of Employment Security In Home Medical Group LLC Inveniam Automation J. Carlson Growers, Inc. Lincoln Rent-All & Sales, Inc. Lindstrom, Sorenson & Associates, LLP MembersAlliance Credit Union

Merrill Lynch Michalsen Office Furniture Inc. Modernspace Studio/ Techline-Rockford Mrs. Fisher’s, Inc. New Zion Missionary Baptist Church Northern Illinois Vein Clinic Nova Painting & Decorating Parkside Warehouse, Inc. Powertrain Rockford, Inc. Professional Graphics Inc. Ringland-Johnson, Inc. Rock River Environmental Services (Waste Connections) Rockford Ball Screw Rockford Bell Credit Union Rockford Molded Products Rockford Roasting Company Rockford Rotary Club SecondFirst Church Secure Staffing Servpro of Rockford Special Power, Inc. State Farm - Danna Krischke Summit Radiology SuperSuds Car Care Center Swedish Historical Society theFranaGroup Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, LLC Trinity Day Care Unity Hospice VetsRoll.org Windmill Hill LC Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office Winnebago County-River Bluff Nursing Home Woodman’s Food Market, Inc. #30

in learning information, expressing themselves and demonstrating understanding. OrthoIllinois raised $51,335 in 2020 for the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s child nutrition programs; shattering its previous records and bringing its 17-year total contribution to $521,217. Rockford Public Library donated repurposed shelving and books from the Rock River branch to the YMCA of Rock River Valley’s Middle School Achievers program at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepard in Rockford. All middle school students are welcome, but the program

WATT Global Media released the 2020 edition of the WATT Executive Guide to World Poultry Trends with data and analysis on production, consumption and trade for the global poultry meat and egg markets. Rockford Systems LLC, dba Rockford Combustion Solutions, added StacyStar Consulting, LLC, an experienced sales agency in Iowa, the Quad Cities of Illinois and parts of western Wisconsin and eastern Nebraska. RBG Janitorial earned the Extra Mile Award from the Illinois Department of Human Services for employers who make extraordinary efforts to hire people with disabilities and provide them with opportunities to succeed. Rockford Christian Schools received a grant from the Kelley Williamson Company supporting educational programs that focus on math and science from pre-school to higher education.

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS BELOIT SNAPPERS

Professional sports organization 2301 Skyline Dr. Beloit, WI 53511 Riley Gostisha 608-362-2272 www.snappersbaseball.com

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOP

Truck stop and convenience store – Opened in December 2020 4628 S. Main St., 61102 Tom Wallace 779-238-5956 www.loves.com

EDWARD JONES JOAN VAN ALLEN, FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Retirement planning 5919 Forest Hills Road, 61114 Joan Van Allen 815-227-4301 www.edwardjones.com/joanvanallen

JANUARY MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Thank you to our members celebrating their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce

20-YEAR MEMBERS

10-YEAR MEMBERS

A-1 Lapping & Machine Co., Inc. Forest Hills Country Club Rockford Broach, Inc. Rockford Regional Health Council

Galapagos Rockford Charter School TLC Construction

15-YEAR MEMBERS G&O Landscaping Inc. Rally Appraisal, LLC The Workforce Connection

5-YEAR MEMBERS AAA Rockford Chick-ﬁl-A Rockford LaQuinta Inn & Suites Rockford Rocktown Adventures

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

City to implement five-year capital improvements plan Includes improvements to walking, biking paths Rockford City Council passed in November its 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program, an investment of $129 million from 1% Sales Tax Funds and other funding sources towards significant investments in the city’s infrastructure over the next five years. Other funding sources: Motor Fuel Tax, MFT Rebuild IL, state funds, federal funds, CIP general funds, Water Replacement and Improvement Account funds and IEPA funds.

Highlights: Neighborhood Program. Resurfacing neighborhood streets and alleys with priority to streets with greatest need. Sidewalk and Active Transportation Program. Improve safety and mobility for pedestrians, repair or replace damaged and deteriorated sidewalks, install new intersection curb ramps at pedestrian crossings in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, build new sidewalks in areas where gaps exist, and improve the city’s multi-use path and trail system. Whitman Street Reconstruction (west of Rock River). Reconstruction of the street, repairs to the sidewalk and realignment of the road. Include a multi-use (bicycle/pedestrian) path connecting the Mel B. Anderson Path to the Rock River Recreational Path. 11th Street Corridor Improvements. Includes roadway, pedestrian and bicycle improvements based on a current study being done. Charles Street Reconstruction. Complete reconstruction of the roadway with concrete pavement. The pavement section will be narrowed to an offstreet multi-use path along the south side of the roadway for pedestrians and cyclists from East High School to neighborhoods and developments along Alpine Road. Seminary Street over Keith Creek and 8th Avenue over Keith Creek Bridge Replacements. Design and construct of replacements, thanks to funding assistance through the state’s Surface Transportation Program-

The 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program is an investment of $129 million from 1% Sales Tax Funds and other funding sources towards significant investments in the city’s infrastructure. Bridges. For Seminary Street, the city will apply the second-largest DCEO Opportunity Zone Grant to replace the water main, resurface the road and allow for the bridge to be replaced. The 8th Avenue Bridge will mark the final load posted bridge below legal limit that the city promised to address by 2022. West State Street Reconstruction (Phase 2). Complete reconstruction of the corridor to modern standards, including new concrete pavement, intersection improvements, drainage improvements, new water main, decorative street lighting and traffic signals, pedestrian accommodations, landscaping components and relocation of overhead utilities. Parkview Sidewalk. Extend the sidewalk along the east side of Parkview Avenue to connect the University of Illinois - School of Medicine to Anderson Gardens, thanks to federal Transportation Alternative Program funds. Activate Church and Main. Conversion of both Church Street and North Main Street to two-way traffic from Cedar Street to John Street to make downtown more accessible, walkable and rideable. Well 39 Treatment Addition. Demolition of the existing building, pump and well improvements, and construction of a new treatment plant with filtration to remove radium and iron. West Jefferson Street Water Main Improvements. Replace approximately 3,500 lineal feet of nearly 100-year-old high-risk water main critical to the water supply in downtown Rockford.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

in the news MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

1. Tamara Butler

2. Nancy Chamberlain

3. Chief Dan O’Shea

4. Amber Sanders

5. Todd Hughes

6. Dr. Aashish Taneja

7. Gary Payne

8. Andrea Cutts

9. Benjamin Oliver

10. Kim VanBuskirk

11. Patrick Brewer

12. Dr. Lawrence Prabhakar

13. Patrick O’Keefe

14. Stacy Wallace

15. Michele StClair

16. Xyacery Bryant

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Comprehensive Community Solutions named Brianna RoblesAvila as Trainee of the Month for December.

Todd Buehl, chief ﬁnancial oﬃcer, ABC Supply Co., Inc., was appointed to the Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc., board, and its subsidiary, Blackhawk Bank. United Way of Rock River Valley welcomed new board members: Tamara Butler (1), Lincoln Middle School; Nancy Chamberlain (2), Rosecrance; Chief Daniel O’Shea (3), Rockford Police Department, and Amber Sanders (4), Blackhawk Bank. Barbara Olson Center of Hope welcomed board members Dan Rezin, retired, and Cole Winsett, Amazon. com, Inc. Rockford Christian Schools named its board: Linden Griesbach, chair; Dr. John Johanson, past chair; Gary Love, treasurer; Chris Reese, secretary; Dr. Tim Durkee; Phil Harris; Shurice Hunter; Mark Kneller; Dr. Doug Loughead; Angleique Malone; Dr. Beth Schleicher; Maribeth Speckman and Dr. Sarah Whelan.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS Rachel Oracki joined Blackhawk Bank as a mortgage planner in Rockford and Ogle County. Mayor Tom McNamara appointed Todd Hughes (5) as director of information technology; replacing Glenn Trommels, who will retire after 18 years in January.

17. Michelle Regan

18. Ashley Osterberg

Mercyhealth welcomed Aashish Taneja (6), M.D., FAAD, to Mercyhealth Galleria Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. KMK Media Group hired Gary Payne (7) as a graphic designer. Amela Ahmetovic joined Weichert, Realtors® - Tovar Properties at its Loves Park oﬃce. Spectrum Insurance Agency, Inc., hired Andrea Cutts (8) for the employee beneﬁts department and Benjamin Oliver (9) and Kim VanBuskirk (10) for the commercial lines department. Entre’ Computer Solutions hired Patrick Brewer (11) as an Avaya Solution Specialist. Dr. Lawrence Prabhakar (12) was named regional director specialty services for OSF HealthCare Medical Group, Rockford market. Midway Village Museum named Patrick O’Keefe (13) as executive director.

19. Brad Stewart

20. Chris Soutar

Stacy Wallace (14) and Michele St. Clair (15) assumed ownership of V2 Marketing Communications. Kathy Velasco was founder and president for nearly 25 years. It is renamed V2 Marketing & Management to reﬂect the growth of its management division.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Xyacery Bryant (16), carpet technician, Kelce & Company, received a Certiﬁcate of Attendance and Completion from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration. Michelle Regan (17), MSN, RN, CMSRN, RN-BC, clinical educator, Mercyhealth, was nominated for the 2020 American Society for Pain Management Nursing Rising Star award and was selected recipient of the local NIPRN Rising Star Award. Ashley Osterberg (18), R.N., OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center, received the Rockford Chamber’s Community Hero Award.

Brad Stewart (19), ﬁnancial advisor, Savant Wealth Management, was named the 2020 Rising Star by the Greater Freeport Partnership. Chris Soutar (20), Entre’ Computer Solutions, received the SolarWinds Best Technical Expert for 2020 in North A≠merica award. Judson University’s Board of Trustees awarded an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters to Dennis Johnson at its commencement ceremony on Dec. 12.

OF GENERAL INTEREST

Andrew F. Vincent, Ph.D., systems engineer, Forest City Gear, authored the white paper, “A Note on the Design of the Gap Between Helices on a Double-helical Gear.” In a December episode of The Unlock Your Potential Podcast with Kimberly Buchanan, Buchanan and her attorney John Lanpher, Guyer and Enichen, discussed the steps necessary to set up your small business or side hustle the right way, whether an LLC, corporation, etc., to protect your personal assets and your business.Visit kimberly buchanan.com/podcast-2/

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

January 2021

R O C K F O R D

C H A M B E R

O F

C O M M E R C E

Small Business Enterprise

on digital

MEMBER PICS

Cybersecurity and digital marketing HEATHER KELLEY SBDC

Protecting, minimizing risk to your business

All small businesses will likely have to contend with a security breach at some time. We have likely known someone who had a Facebook or Twitter account hacked. In order to see success in digital marketing, your business needs to manage digital security as well. Cybersecurity refers to the process of protecting computers, servers, networks and data from cyber-attacks. Sometimes the result of a cybercrime can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Digital marketing is the use of the Internet to reach your customers via search platforms, social media, email and content marketing. There are many ways you can protect yourself and your business on various platforms. If you are using WordPress, a common blogging platform, security experts recommend regularly updating outdated plug-ins, use strong passwords, and make sure the default URL/wp-admin is changed. And never use Wi-Fi networks that aren’t secure. Installing an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol on your website keeps hackers from receiving encrypted information through your website. With email marketing, it is important to use system instructions to generate

a password or very strong passwords to prevent hackers from logging into your accounts. Regarding social media marketing, it is better to establish a pre-determined security policy for your social media activity, like using strong passwords, preventing spams, blocking phishing scams and avoiding suspicious add-ons or apps that may distribute malware. Those working with online transactions should have proper anti-malware measures that include the addition of a layer of encryption for files that contain transaction data to render data that may be hacked as less useful to the hacker. Finally, being acquainted with online security through talking with the right people from the industry will give savvy marketers an edge over their competitors by providing better information on potential risks of a given marketing strategy. Cybercrimes are not going away, but by taking care, using the advice of experts and protecting your information, you can minimize the risk to you and your business. Heather Kelley is a part-time consultant on digital marketing, social media and website development for the SBDC.

Forest Plaza holds a ribbon cutting for a new skating rink, curling rink and seating, a gift to Rockford this Christmas season and all winter-long.

Edgebrook holds a ribbon cutting for Cider ‘n’ Cinnamon Inside on Nov. 28 -- Small Business Saturday. The event ran four consecutive Saturdays with vendors in various storefronts throughout the outdoor mall.

Are you a Member with News to Share? Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE, Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

community

ADVERTISERS INDEX

COMMUNITY EVENTS & WEBINARS Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

JANUARY 2021 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6 Midway Village Museum presents Sock Monkey History, noon, with presenter Caitlin Treece. Register at tinyurl.com/zoomlunchlecture. Call 815-397-9112.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 University of Illinois – Extension Winnebago County hosts Home Energy Checkup with a northern Illinois perspective, featuring educator Jay Solomon, 6 p.m., on Zoom. Registration required at extension.illinois.edu/jsw.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 Deadline is today to apply for YWCA Northwestern Illinois’ 2021 YWCA Women of Achievement Awards recognizing individuals whose work aligns with the YWCA mission: eliminating racism and empowering women. Visit www.ywcanwil.org.

MONDAY, JANUARY 18 Upper Iowa University-Rockford Center starts spring classes towards associate’s and bachelor’s degrees -- face to face or online. Master’s degrees online only. Sessions are eight weeks long. Students can take one or two at a time. Visit www.uiu.edu or email timmonsp12@uiu.edu.

January 2021

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 University of Illinois Extension presents Intro to Fruit Tree Pruning on Zoom, Jan. 20, noon to 1:30 p.m., and Jan. 26, 6 to 7:30 p.m. The pruning period of mid-December to March 1 is crucial for great fruit next summer. Register at go.illinois.edu/ IntroFruitTreePruning or 815-235-4125.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21

Blackhawk Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Morgan Stanley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Brian Thomas Photography. . . . . . . .20

Northern Public Radio . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Chartwell Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

OSF HealthCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Comcast Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Rockford Chamber of Commerce

Entré Computer Solutions . . . . . . . . .15

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4, 8, 13, 23

Illinois Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Rock Valley College . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) . . . . . .22

Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Leading Lawyers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Thayer Lighting, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Mercyhealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

V2 Marketing Communications . . . . .14

Meridian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

VOICE

The Internal Revenue Service presents a webinar, Retirement Plans for Small Employers and Self-Employed, 1 to 1:30 p.m. Submit your questions to TEGE. Outreach@IRS.gov with “Retirement Plan Webinar” in the subject line. Register at www.webcaster4.com/ Webcast/Page/925/38866.

Midway Village Museum presents The Pledge of Allegiance, noon, with presenter Sue Saunders. Register at tinyurl.com/zoomlunchlecture. Call 815-397-9112.

FEBRUARY 2021 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Deadline is today for students in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties to complete one application to be matched with 90+ scholarships for which they are eligible. Community Foundation of Northern Illinois will award more than $300,000 this year alone. Visit cfnil.org/scholarships.

Schmeling Construction Co. . . . . . . . .8

the

Chamber Staﬀ / Call 815-987-8100 ..........................................Direct Line Jeff Bailey, Membership Development Executive ..................................815-316-4336 Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO .......................................... 815-987-8100 Heidi M. Garner, Chief Operating Oﬃcer .................................... 815-316-4312 Olivia Guzman, Administrative Assistant/Customer Service Rep..........815-987-8100 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology ................... 815-316-4338 Lynette Jacques, Vice President, Member Investment .................... 815-316-4317 Carmen Kellerman, Program & Event Coordinator .............................815-316-4302 Kristin Muehlfelder, Member Relations...................................................815-316-4315 Caitlin Pusateri, Vice President, Leadership Development ....................815-316-4337 Doug Rand, Accounting Manager/Controller ............................... 815-316-4316 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator ......................... 815-316-4320 Edward Caceres, Executive Director, Small Business Development Center ...................................................815-987-8100

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

DIRECTORS Brent Bernardi Alpha Controls & Services LLC

Chair of the Board Dan Ross Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

Kimberly Blascoe Wipﬂi LLP

Vice Chair Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate

LaVonne Brown Savant Wealth Management Paula Carynski OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center

Vice Chair Don Daniels Samuel J. Castree SwedishAmerican, A Staff Management, Division of UW Health Inc. Treasurer Lesly Couper Amy Ott workplace Boylan Catholic Doug Curry High School Stenstrom Immediate Past Chair Companies Michele Petrie Wintrust Commercial Rebecca Epperson Banking & Mortgage Chartwell Agency Eric Fulcomer, Ph.D. Rockford University Ira Grimmett Collins Aerospace

Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

Alex Stagnaro-Green, MD, MHPE, MHA Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford

Jeff Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust

Terry Voskuil Woodward

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Robert Young Midwest Packaging and Container

Carly LaMonica LaMonica Beverages, Inc.

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS

Kris L. Kieper Machajewski YWCA Northwestern Illinois Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting Joel A. Prah Mercyhealth

Einar K. Forsman President & CEO, Rockford Chamber of Commerce John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Denise Sasse RSM US LLP John Schuster Rosecrance Health Network Teresa Sharp American Precision Supply, Inc.

FEBRUARY VOICE SPECIAL SECTIONS Health & Wellness

(Critical Solutions for Healthcare & Care Giving)

Financial Services & Investment

(A Bird’s-Eye View of Retirement, Trust & Financial Planning)

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January Voice 2021

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