March Voice 2016

CHAMBER WELCOMES FMA AS SPONSOR OF MFG NEWS PAGE 7

100 YEARS OF CHANGING LIVES PAGE 17 The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

March 2016 | Volume 29 | No. 3

ROCKFORD CHAMBER’S

Leadership Luncheon Procrastination a hot topic at We all procrastinate.

But we don’t have to.

That was the message delivered by keynote speaker James Clear at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Business Luncheon Series, Feb. 25, at Giovanni’s.

Clear writes about behavioral psychology and how to build habits that stick. His website, JamesClear.com, is read by more than 500,000 people each month and more than 225,000 people subscribe to his weekly email newsletter.

His writing has been featured in many publications, including Time, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Business Insider.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

business luncheon series

(Above) Attendees of the Rockford Chamber’s monthly Business Luncheon Series, Feb. 25, at Giovanni’s learn daily habits to significantly increase their productivity.

(Left) James Clear presents his keynote about procrastination.

“Most of the problems we face are behavioral,” he said. “We live in a time when we have more resources and access to information than ever before. But people are looking for ways to act more consistently and follow through. We have the ability to get the job done, but we just aren’t executing.

“Procrastination is a huge problem,” he added. “Everyone procrastinates in some form. It’s a given that it’s happening frequently. The question is why? There are a lot of stimuli in our lives that we don’t realize are dictating our behavior.

Take emails, for example. Most people realize that when you answer an email you can’t be doing something else, but we don’t always realize it delays your ability to get back into the next task.”

Einar Forsman can relate. “There are days I’m totally driven by email,” said the president and CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. “There are things I know are a priority, but I’m working on 4 or 5 things at one time. I say I’m busy and swamped, but there’s probably a better way of doing it. James Continued on page 11

UNDERSTANDING THE SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH CARE TAX CREDIT The Affordable Care Act includes the small business health care tax credit, which can benefit small employers who provide health coverage for their employees. It benefits employers who: ■ have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees.

■ pay an average wage of less than $51,600 a year.

■ pay at least half of employee health insurance premiums.

The credit percentage is 50 percent of employer-paid premiums.

For tax-exempt employers, the percentage is 35 percent. Small employers may claim the credit for only two consecutive taxable years, beginning in tax year 2014.

For 2015, the credit is phased out, beginning when average wages equal $25,800 and is fully phased out when average wages exceed $51,600. The average wage phase out is adjusted annually for inflation.

Generally, employers are required to purchase a Qualified Health Plan from a Small Business Health Options Program Marketplace.

Visit IRS.gov/aca.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

PREVENTING CYBER FRAUD

March 24 • Radisson Hotel & Conference Center For more info, see page 31 SPONSORED BY

TRUE COST OF SMOKING

What’s new in health care?

Area milestones, technologies, expansions

Visit us online at: rockfordchamber.com ■ online registration ■ keynote speaker video clips ■ event photos ■ list of Chamber events Questions? 815-987-8100

Join the Chamber’s LinkedIn Group

By Barbara Connors

Rockford is the regional center for health care for a wide area, and its providers offer services to residents in multiple counties. These services are evolving and expanding rapidly with building expansions, new facilities, new programs, new technologies and new milestones.

Just recently, area practitioners are offering outpatient knee replacements.

Research is underway for the use of

biomaterials, rather than metal, for joint replacements, and a new technique being researched to diagnose dementia at earlier stages.

New approaches are being used for treating chronic pain, and a career path being forged for Native American practitioners.

Here are some of the most recent achievements in the area.

Continued on page 12

Smoking can ruin not only your health, but burn a nasty hole through your wallet, according to wallethub.com. Tobacco use accounts for nearly half a million premature deaths in the United States each year, according to the American Lung Association. Since 1964, smoking-related illnesses have claimed 20 million lives in the United States; 2.5 million of which belonged to nonsmokers who developed diseases from secondhand-smoke exposure.

The economic and societal costs of smoking-related issues are just as staggering. Every year, Americans collectively spend a total of $326 billion, including nearly $170 billion in direct health-care costs and more than $156 billion in lost productivity, due to premature death and exposure to secondhand smoke.

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President’s Message VIEWPOINT

Civic Federation Proposes Comprehensive Plan to Stabilize Illinois Finances by End of FY2019 The Civic Federation’s Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability proposes a comprehensive three-year plan that addresses Illinois’ ongoing financial crisis with painful but necessary spending limits and revenue enhancements.

More than seven months into the current fiscal year, the State of Illinois continues to operate without a budget.

However, virtually all of the State’s projected FY2016 revenues will be spent through statutory requirements, consent decrees, court orders and appropriated funds for elementary and secondary education. If current revenue and expenditure policies continue, the State’s backlog of bills could grow to $25.9 billion by the end of FY2019.

Despite the dire situation, the Federation’s roadmap shows that with dedicated action and shared sacrifice, it is possible to enact a comprehensive plan that will get Illinois back on sound financial footing by FY2019.

The Federation proposes the following recommendations as part of a comprehensive three-year plan: Limit Spending and Pay Down Bills: The State should control spending

to generate budget surpluses that would allow it to pay down the backlog of unpaid bills by the end of FY2019.

Revenue Cliff: The State should retroactively increase the income tax rate to 5.0% for individuals and 7.0% for corporations as of January 1, 2016, up from 3.75% and 5.25%, respectively, in order to address the fall in revenues resulting from the income tax rate rollback on January 1, 2015.

Broaden the Income Tax Base to Include Some Retirement Income: Out of the 41 states that impose an income tax, Illinois is one of only three that exempt all pension income. The State can no longer afford to provide this generous benefit and should eliminate the income tax exemption for nonSocial Security retirement income from individuals with a taxable income of more than $50,000.

Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to Provide Assistance to Low Income Residents: To help soften the impact of the State’s fiscal crisis on low income residents, the Civic Federation proposes an increase in the State’s Earned Income Tax Credit from 10% of

the federal credit to 15% of the federal amount.

Expand the Sales Tax Base and Reduce the Retailer’s Discount: The Civic Federation recommends that Illinois temporarily suspend its sales tax exemption for food and nonprescription drugs, enact a new general consumer services tax and cap reimbursement to retailers for collecting sales tax revenues.

Establish Comprehensive Teachers’ Pension Funding Reform: There is no good public policy reason for Illinois to maintain two separate funds for public school teachers’ pensions. The Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund and Teachers’ Retirement System should consolidate, providing more equitable pension funding for all teachers and helping to stabilize Chicago Public Schools’ finances.

Approve Constitutional Amendment Limiting Pension Protection Clause: The General Assembly needs to draft and approve a proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution for the November 2016 statewide ballot specifying that the clause in the Illinois Constitution protecting

public pension Einar K. Forsman Rockford Chamber benefits applies of Commerce only to accrued benefits.

Make Supplemental Pension Payments: In order to mitigate the impact of the State’s inadequate statutory pension funding plan, the State should make supplemental payments corresponding to the reduced debt service obligations associated with retiring Pension Obligation bonds beginning in FY2019 until all five State retirement systems are 100% funded.

There are no practical measures that would completely balance the FY2016 budget and prevent an increase in the backlog of unpaid bills by the end of FY2016. Unlike FY2015, there are no easy stop-gap fixes such as inter-fund borrowing or fund sweeps that are available or adequate to close such a large operating shortfall.

Savings from pension reforms are no longer possible due to the Illinois State Supreme Court’s ruling that the changes were unconstitutional. Only difficult choices remain for the State.

To see the full report go to www.civicfed.org

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March 2016

ATHENAPowerLink® guides the growth of one area design center

By Barbara Connors Denise Phillips, Midwest Stone Source + Design Studio, says she and co-owner Jodi’s favorite part of being the 2015-16 participant in the ATHENAPowerLink® program has been in learning that most of the things that they thought were unique to their small business, really weren’t. “It helped give us confidence that we are doing a lot of things correctly,” Denise said. “The committee has encouraged us to keep pushing forward and doing the things we are doing, and to add a few more.”

Midwest Stone Source is the seventh women-owned business in the Rockford area to participate in the ATHENAPowerLink® program, a partnership between ATHENA International, and co-hosts PNC and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Annually, the woman-owned business selected to participate is assigned to a panel of professionals from various areas of expertise that work to accomplish business goals at no charge for an entire year.

The Phillips received the news last year that they were chosen at the Rockford Commerce’s annual Women in

Business Expo and Luncheon on June 25 at Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort. Denise said their concerns were in human resources, legal contracts, learning and understanding Quick Books better, and “working on the exit strategy that every business needs to deal with at some time.”

Twelve years ago, Midwest Stone Source installed granite tops, but the business has grown to a full-service design center specializing in the installation of cabinets, flooring and counter tops in granite and quartz. The business located at 915 23rd St., Rockford, has grown to 18 employees, including three other certified designers. “I think we fill the void of great customer service; something that seems to have been lost in our world. If you start with one designer on a project, that designer stays with you until the project is complete.”

“The committee has been extremely helpful in most of the areas that we wanted to grow,” Denise said. “We have had an extremely good experience with each person that has helped us, and we have been given services, such as financial with Northwest Bank, that we didn’t even know we needed.”

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Eric Fulcomer, Ph.D., appointed 18th president of Rockford University After considering more than 80 candidates nationwide, Rockford University Board of Trustees announced on Feb. 24 that Eric Fulcomer, Ph.D., has been appointed as the 18th president of Rockford University; succeeding Robert L. Head, Ph.D., who is retiring on June 30.

Dr. Fulcomer will take office on July 1.

“Dr. Fulcomer understands our strengths and challenges; his insight and proven leadership will be extremely beneficial for our university,” said Thomas A. Muldowney, board of trustees chairman at ‌Rockford University and class of 1974.

“Under his leadership, enrollment has steadily improved, with a record student enrollment this year,” said James W. Keeling, board of trustees vice chair and the Presidential Search Committee chair.

“Eric also has the unique experience of having served as an elected official for 11 years in his former community; as

alderman, council president and mayor.”

Dr. Fulcomer, the university’s current vice president for enrollment management, has more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education. “Since joining the institution three years ago, I have been so impressed by our highly distinguished faculty who excel in their fields and who prepare our students well for graduate school, vocation and active participation in a global society.”

Dr. Fulcomer received his doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Toledo; his master’s degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University, and his bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Eastern Michigan University. He and his wife Andrea, a physician assistant, live in Rockford and are proud parents of two teenage children, Noah and Anna.

RVC President Mike Mastroianni announces his retirement date Rock Valley College President Mike Mastroianni has advised the Board of Trustees of his plan to retire, effective Jan. 20, 2017.

Mastroianni began working at the college in 1998 and has held a variety of positions, including the past three years as president.

“I’m very proud of my tenure at RVC, and certainly some of the great achievements we have made in the past few years,” Mastroianni said. “Our Aviation Maintenance Technology program is very successful, our Rock Valley College downtown location will open soon, the engineering partnership with NIU will begin to welcome students this fall, and the Health Sciences Center will begin offering classes in fall 2017.”

An alumnus of Rock Valley College, Mastroianni said that the timing is best for his family and for him. It also allows time to complete projects, position the college for its next leader, and assist the board in its search for the next president.

“I cannot imagine what Rock Valley College would be like if Mike Mastroianni had not been with us for 18 years and served as our president,” said RVC Board Chair Kathy Kelley.

Trustee Michael P. Dunn, Jr., remarked, “The Board of Trustees and the community we represent are tremendously proud of

what President Mastroianni has accomplished in his term.

At the outset of his presidency he promised us three years of service towards implementing the college’s growth agenda.

We think he accomplished six years of work in three. When his term ends next year, he will have honored his commitment to our college, and we are very grateful for his service.”

Some of Mastroianni’s contributions at Rock Valley College include: ■■ Right Skills Now designation for manufacturing programs ■■ Aviation Maintenance Technology facility and program expansion ■■ GED initiative for the Rock River Region ■■ Health Sciences Center and partnership with OSF ■■ NIU-RVC Engineering partnership ■■ Rock Valley College Downtown ■■ TechWorks initiative at RVC ■■ CNC summer program for high school graduates with employment opportunities ■■ Community board leadership (Rockford Area Ventures, FMA, Goodwill, RAEDC, Chamber of Commerce, Family Counseling Services, Rockford Health Council, Rockford Arts Council, Rockford Entrepreneurship Center Board, Alignment Rockford)

Let your Voice be heard The Rockford Chamber of Commerce ­ elcomes and encourages submissions for The w VOICE of the Rockford Business Community.

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. 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.

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March 2016

Engineering Our Future fundraising campaign announced for NIU-RVC Engineering Program Northern Illinois University, Rock Valley College and industry leaders announced on Feb. 23 the launch of the Engineering Our Future campaign, which will raise $6 million to support the community-based, industry-integrated NIU-RVC Engineering Program.

NIU engineering and engineering technology classes will begin this fall on the RVC campus. Area students with associate’s degrees in engineering science will be able to pursue bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and applied manufacturing technology. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in engineering can earn a master’s degree.

Bradley Robison will graduate with his AES degree from RVC in May and is looking forward to entering the NIU bachelor’s program in mechanical engineering this fall. He currently works as an intern at Woodward, and said he’s excited about pursuing his goal of becoming an engineer while staying close to his family.

“This program will advance my goals more than I ever could have hoped for,” Robison said. “Without NIU Engineering at RVC, I would have had to leave Rockford to attend school, and I definitely would have racked up significant college loan debts.”

Woodward Pledges $2 Million The Woodward Charitable Trust pledged $2 million to the campaign.

NIU-RVC Engineering laboratories and classrooms will be located in RVC’s Woodward Technology Center, so named for a previous gift by Woodward to the college.

“An engineering program, right here in

Rockford, enables creation of world-class products and advanced manufacturing,” said Sagar Patel, president of Aircraft Turbine Systems, Woodward. Patel is chairman of the Engineering Our Future campaign.

“From their earliest days in school, we want young people in our community to know that there is a clear path for them to achieve a successful career right here in the community,” said Mike Mastroianni, president, RVC. “The NIU-RVC Engineering program allows students of all ages to make a seamless transition between high school, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, internship and employment. Not only are we helping to address the workforce challenges of local companies, we are providing new opportunities for students and families.”

Robert Stenstrom, chairman and CEO, Stenstrom Companies, and president, Rock Valley College Foundation Board, announced the $6 million campaign goal. Stenstrom Foundation has made a significant leadership contribution to the Engineering our Future campaign.

The Engineering our Future campaign seeks funding for capital renovations to the Woodward Technology Center, instructional support for NIU professors, and scholarship support for students. Contact Susan Glenn, RVC Foundation, at s.glenn@rockvalleycollege.edu or 815-921-4500.

RVC and NIU will host a series of events where students can learn more about the program. The next event is March 23, 6 to 8 p.m., at RVC. Call Lauren Lundberg, 815753-8760, or David Schneider, 815921-4278, or visit www.niu.edu/ceet/ NIUatRVC/index.shtml.

Field Fastener named one of best workplaces in manufacturing in 2016 Field Fastener, based in Machesney Park, was named for the second year in a row as one of the Best Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production, according to the global research and consulting firm Great Place to Work® and Fortune magazine.

Field, the global provider of inventory management and complete supply chain solutions for fasteners and other Class “C” items, ranked No. 5 on the 2016 list, based on employees’ assessments of trust they feel toward their leaders, pride they take in their jobs, and camaraderie they experience with coworkers. The Best Workplaces as a group stood out for fair profit sharing, job security and low turnover, with a turnover average of 7.2 percent; about half the national industry average of 13 percent.

“The best workplaces in the industry know they can’t just churn out their products with warm bodies,” said Michael Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work®. “They need to focus on attracting and retaining top talent by putting people first, in a high-trust

culture. That’s how they are winning in the market.”

Employees Offer Valuable Insights Field was selected based on evaluations by more than 34,900 randomly selected employees from companies in the manufacturing and production sector.

Employees anonymously answered 58 questions about how frequently they experience the behaviors that create a great workplace. Companies achieving the highest overall results in their size categories were ranked.

“This award provides additional validation that our team has created a culture that is unique, enjoyable and effective,” said Jim Derry, president of Field. “Participating in the GPTW process has provided valuable feedback and insights that have helped our company improve.”

Field also ranked No. 8 in the United States on Great Place to Work’s 2015 Best Small & Medium Workplaces, published

by Fortune magazine. That was the first time it appeared on that list.

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Getting ready for Hannover Messe

By Dennis McCarthy, RAEDC The RAEDC’s business attraction team is getting ready for Hannover Messe, the world’s largest manufacturing and industrial fair, in April, in partnership with the state of Illinois. The opportunities for networking will be spectacular, with exhibitors from 48 countries coming to Hannover, Germany and an estimated 250,000 visitors touring the five-day fair.

The United States is a partner country for the first time, and is bringing a delegation of 211 businesses and organizations to the event, covering areas such as digital, industrial automation, industrial supply, investment and research & technology.

The RAEDC’s goal is to promote the Rockford Region’s industry clusters, particularly advanced manufacturing and aerospace; bringing an opportunity to attract new investment to the region and resulting in a more complete vertical

supply chain. Dennis McCarthy, director of national business development for RAEDC, has set the target of 12 oneon-one meetings during the fair. He will strategically target businesses that align with the Rockford Region’s industry clusters for these one-on-one meetings; increasing the opportunities for foreign direct investment that are generated from this event.

President Barak Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will open Hannover Messe 2016 on Sunday, April 24. This clearly demonstrates the United States’ importance to Germany as a business partner for advanced manufacturing.

For Hannover Messe sponsorship opportunities, contact Dennis McCarthy at 815-969-4254 or dmccarthy@rockfordil.com.

Dennis McCarthy is director of national business development at the RAEDC.

Shown are 2014 Voice of the Customer Survey locations and company sizes.

Voice of the Customer provides more than just numbers

By Karl Franzen, RAEDC Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) and its partners value feedback from their stakeholders to achieve the mission to cultivate opportunities for primary job growth.

RAEDC’s business retention and expansion team coordinates a formal outreach program, Voice of the Customer (VOC), which uses the perspectives of Winnebago County companies on the regional business climate to identify opportunities and barriers to growth. These businesses are “customers” to economic development partners. They use public services and infrastructure. They borrow capital from financial institutions. They hire graduates from educational institutions.

They may use the Foreign Trade Zone or other economic program.

A Mechanism for Business Growth VOCs are a data-driven and researchproven technique that supports retention and expansion growth.

RAEDC reaches out to prime sectors/clusters in Winnebago County and invites their participation in the VOC program, which consists of a onehour visit to the company. RAEDC maintains confidentiality and does not release information about individual companies. Information is analyzed

by Synchronist System, a software program sponsored by Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), which aggregates the data and displays trends and identifies opportunities to prioritize economic development efforts. RAEDC uses the

information to collaborate with partners to proactively strengthen growing businesses and support struggling businesses; capitalizing on expansion opportunities within the region and preventing business closures.

VOCs are more than surveys to collect data. They also are a mechanism to produce economic results. RAEDC learns about each business and build relationships. It connects companies to community resources to solve issues currently impacting the company, for example workforce or infrastructure needs. It uses the information to identify potential local suppliers or customers.

It learns about expansion plans and coordinates with the company and economic development partners to provide information, mitigate potential barriers, and eventually, realize these investments in the local economy.

Economic development is dynamic.

Companies continually face new challenges and find new opportunities internally and within their industry and the region. It is the job of economic development professionals to maximize these growth opportunities. Pro-active retention and expansion outreach, such as VOCs, are essential tools for RAEDC and its partners in their efforts to facilitate business growth and have resulted in more than $303 million in investment over the last three years.

For more information about the VOC program, contact Karl Franzen at kfranzen@rockfordil. com or 815-969-4258.

Karl Franzen is business development specialist at the RAEDC.

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March 2016

Manufacturing Day activities deliver real results for the industry Measureable changes in perception mean tide is turning in building an employee pipeline for the future

By Patricia Lee, FMA Manufacturing DaySM will celebrate its fifth anniversary in October, 2016.

My, how time has flown! Last year this North American program reached 2,600 events held across every state, and into Canada. The most important thing about reaching this number of events was the fact that more than 400,000 visitors participated. That provided a critical mass of participants that allowed the national co-producers -- which consist of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Manufacturing Institute (MI) and the NIST-MEP program of the Department of Commerce -- to collaborate with Deloitte to create a survey tool that could be used at every event to measure how public perception changed as a result of that event experience.

This survey will now be conducted every year, hopefully at every event.

And if the results of the first survey are any indication, it is clear that the time and effort that each participating manufacturer puts into producing an event is time well spent.

A Problem of Perception It’s no surprise to anyone in manufacturing that the industry has a public perception problem. Folks who have little or no contact with the industry believe a whole host of myths they’ve gotten from the media or from outdated resources. Over the past decade, the Manufacturing Institute has conducted biennial studies of the general public, which indicate that while 90 percent of the population believes manufacturing is very important to economic prosperity, standard of living and national security, only half that number believe jobs in the

industry are interesting and rewarding.

No wonder the survey shows that only 1-in-3 parents would recommend that their children pursue a manufacturing career. Most are afraid that the jobs are fleeting — likely to be transferred elsewhere — and they are also aware that most schools do nothing to inform students about manufacturing job opportunities or what it takes to attain such jobs.

As a result, it makes perfect sense that the manufacturing industry has faced a skilled labor shortage for some time — even through the recession — and that shortage is predicted to get worse as the Baby Boomers retire from the workforce.

Changing Attitudes The Manufacturing Day survey process shows that when people who don’t know much about manufacturing have a chance to get “up close and personal” with it – even for just a short time – they do change their minds. For example: ■■ 90% of participants felt the tours and activities they participated in were interesting and engaging.

■■ 81% were convinced that manufacturing provides careers that are both interesting and financially rewarding.

With more than 65% of all participants being students (ages 13 to 21), it is heartening to learn that: ■■ 62% were more motivated to investigate pursuing a career in manufacturing.

■■ 71% were more likely to tell friends and family about manufacturing after attending an event.

Of the educators who participated with their students: ■■ 88% said they were now more aware

Superior Joining Technologies provided tours for students from Guilford and Harlem High Schools. Photo credit: Brad Henry of the manufacturing careers available in their community.

■■ 91% found the tours and activities interesting and engaging.

■■ 93% were convinced that manufacturing provides rewarding and interesting careers.

It’s Worth the Efforts!

Manufacturing Day takes time and effort for every company that participates. Sometimes production has to be shut down for a few hours, and work goes into preparing presentations and selecting and coaching employees on their roles during the event, as well as special facility preparation needed to accommodate guests. The payback for these efforts doesn’t come overnight.

But ultimately, this is one of the most effective ways for a company to become known and to establish a positive image in its community, which means that more people will want to work there and will understand what it takes to do so successfully.

Results are reported from across the country. People who got their first taste of manufacturing on MFG DAY are now enrolled in industrial training programs, and companies are hiring people they first met as students on an MFG DAY tour. Last year, in a few places the people who served as MFG DAY tour guides had been introduced to the industry as students during the first MFG DAY event!

Discovery Center Museum’s “Build It, Make It” event provided hands-on activities for children.

Rockford East High students toured JL Clark.

The Rockford manufacturing community has worked collaboratively with the local school systems and Rock Valley College to put together meaningful events every year for Manufacturing Day, during the first week in October.

Here’s hoping Rockford’s 2016 activities will be bigger than ever!

Patricia Lee is project manager, MFG DAY, Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA).

Manufacturing News is sponsored by FMA

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Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Panels in March explore forces affecting Rockford’s economy Midway Village Museum is expanding its adult programming to include forums where contemporary issues can be explored in light of Rockford’s history; where individuals intimately involved in the forum’s subject can give their perspective on the past or how we are involved in the subject today.

Last year, the museum’s civic forum looked at the growth and development of Rockford’s east side. Sunil Puri, Karl Jacobs, John McNamara and Wayne Dust freely shared with the audience their perspectives on how Rockford’s east side developed and its impact on the community.

This year, a two-part forum on Rockford’s economy is being organized for March.

The first forum will feature a panel of individuals who experienced Rockford’s economy first hand in the 1970s and 1980s.

The panel includes Richard Leighton, former CFO of Barber Colman Company; David Rydell, current chairman of Bergstrom Inc.; Glen Turpoff, former executive director of the Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association, and Prof. Robert Evans, Rockford University.

They will discuss the tremendous forces and changes that have impacted the Rockford economy, separating the changes wrought by a global economy and those that were internal.

The second forum will feature a panel of individuals who are influencing the development of Rockford’s economy today. This panel includes Sagar Patel, president of Aircraft Turbine Systems at Woodward; Sue Schrieber, vice president of planning & development at MercyRockford Health System; Jerry Busse, CEO of Rockford Toolcraft, Inc., and Dr. John Lewis, president of J. Lewis & Associates and former economics professor at Northern Illinois University.

They will look to the future and explore what challenges the Rockford economy faces and what opportunities exist for the future.

Both forums will be moderated by Chuck Sweeny, senior editor for the Rockford Register Star. Reprising his mediation role from last year, Sweeny will be sure to keep the dialog moving and interesting.

The museum’s goal is twofold: to bring to a wide audience topics regularly discussed within the business community; and to ensure that an historical perspective is included in the discussion.

Perspective by Dr. John Lewis Below is a brief excerpt from one of the forum’s panelists, Dr. John Lewis.

The outlook for a region typically is based on a number of economic and social

David Byrnes Midway Village Museum

characteristics.

While the history of the region is important, it is never too late to begin the assent to a better place to live with increased opportunities. Foremost among the economic variables is the business conditions, location and quality of the workforce. Prominent on the social indicator side of the equation is social infrastructure, crime and access to and quality of education.

The Rockford region is strategically located for a number of businesses, especially any business that is dependent on surface transportation for delivery of inputs or finished goods. The region includes easy access to good north-south and east-west interstate highways and eastwest rail systems. In addition, the airport infrastructure is sufficient to serve any type of aircraft. While the region scores well on location, there are opportunities to improve in the area of business conditions and quality of labor force. Flexibility in changing business conditions is limited, as many of these are determined by state laws, rules and regulation.

Much has been said about the region’s crime rate and quality of education.

However, recent efforts by the K-12 education system and Rock Valley College indicate there is an effort to take full advantage of opportunities to improve access to and quality of education in the region, which should lead to an improvement in the quality of the labor force. Efforts also are being made to improve the quality of the social infrastructure.

I would add one additional factor: attitude. While economic and social metrics are important, the attitude of the people and elected officials can be the factor that really makes the difference. If residents and elected officials are ready to embrace change, anything can happen.

David Byrnes is president of Midway Village Museum.

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

COMMUNITY FORUMS

Part I - How Did Rockford’s Economy Today Come To Be? Sunday, March 13, 2 p.m.

Part II - Where Is Rockford’s Economy Headed?

Wednesday, March 23, 6:30 p.m.

Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford For online tickets and details, www.midwayvillage.com or 815-397-9112

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March 2016

Implementing the Facilities Master Plan New school construction to begin As early as next fall, work will begin on two new elementary schools in the Rockford Public Schools. The schools will be ready for students at the start of the 2018-19 school year.

I’m excited about these schools, and not just because I believe every child deserves a world-class education and a facility to match. We have shown that, as we raise expectations for students, we can demand – and deliver – a more efficient operation for taxpayers.

These two new schools are part of a plan that reduces our footprint and closes eight elementary schools over the next three years: Walker, King, Kishwaukee, Nelson, Dennis, Thompson, Cherry Valley and White Swan. We found that these facilities – with an average age of 75 years – could not support adequate teaching and learning.

The construction of new schools is the final step in our $250 million Facilities Master Plan. Before the last shovel is turned, we will have touched every school in the district. Additions and renovations are going on now at West View, Welsh, Marsh, Swan Hillman and Whitehead elementary schools.

Additions have been completed at Auburn, East, Guilford and Jefferson high schools; Johnson, Conklin, Lathrop, Spring Creek, Froberg and McIntosh elementary schools.

Aside from replacing or renovating schools, we have made other vast improvements in our facilities. They include new energy-efficient windows and new mechanical and electrical systems. We will have more airconditioned spaces, too.

When our work under the Facilities Master Plan is completed, nearly 42 percent of the space in our facilities will be air-conditioned. That’s more than 1.7 million of about 4.1 million square feet.

New and improved facilities are not the be-all, end-all, of course. We have implemented many other strategies to raise achievement and support students. We have seen increases in the attendance rate, graduation rate, average ACT score and college enrollment. We still are not where we need to be.

We believe, though, that structuring our facilities for optimal learning is one big piece of the puzzle. In our two new elementary schools, for example, an 84,000-square-foot design will allow us to have four strands at each grade level. That means we will have

four

first-grade

classrooms,

four

second-grade classrooms, and so on.

Bigger can indeed be better in education and here’s why: In a small school of 200 to 300 students, specialized staff such as teachers, nurses and social workers have to be shared with other schools. These professionals spend time traveling from school to school when they could be helping students.

Our new schools will have more staff and will be able to spend grant money and other public resources more wisely.

We are in the process of locating sites for these schools, but one will be in the northeast and one will be near downtown.

Advice from the Community We reached this point only after a tremendous amount of community input. We held more than 40 community meetings and considered more than 500 online and written feedback forms.

This open process will continue as we close schools and decide the fate of these properties.

A subcommittee of the Facilities Plan

Oversight

Committee

will

facilitate a community meeting at each closing school to collect input from parents, neighbors and the community at large. No building will be left vacant.

We will work with community partners for acceptable uses. However, we have put a priority on creating green space where possible.

We

are

committed

to

being

responsible stewards and improving neighborhoods, not creating blight.

And we are not leaving it to chance — the RPS 205 budget includes $4 million for building disposition.

As the district takes these last steps in our rebuilding plan, I am excited.

I am honored to be in a community with this much confidence in the future. As we continue to improve our facilities, I am confident we will see similar improvements in our academic programming. We remain focused on our vision of making RPS 205 “the first choice for families.”

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.

10

March 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Lifecycle of a business sale transaction Steps to take in an ownership transfer Over the past several months there have been several very good articles published in The Voice on the topic of business succession planning and ownership exit plans. In reading them, a very basic, yet common question I receive from clients on the topic of selling a business came to mind, namely: “What happens next?” or “What’s the process I can expect?”

Below, I outline the basic stages of a business sale. While no transaction is the same, which is one of this reasons I enjoy this line of work, to some degree nearly every deal will involve each of the below steps, with one exception noted below.

Pre-Deal Analysis. The sale of a house serves as a very good analogy for the sale of business. When selling a home, most owners will look around at their well lived-in home, frequently with the aid of a broker, and identify various measures they can take to make their home more appealing to a prospective buyer. The same is true in the sale of a business. Just like a home for sale, a business under consideration for sale will be more appealing to prospective buyers if it is “cleaned up” and well organized. When selling a home, the

process is referred to as “home staging.”

In the context of a business sale, this process can be referred to a “proactive due diligence,” and while it is frequently overlooked, it is well worth the effort. With the aid of an experienced professional, the business is scoured for issues that might later derail a deal if not addressed.

Financials are analyzed and, if necessary, recast to adjust for items that may not apply to a third-party buyer; key contracts and financing arrangements are reviewed to identify any potential assignment concerns, and physical facilities are literally cleaned up. This can be a time consuming undertaking, but one worth taking.

Offer/LOI. We jump ahead now to the point where an interested buyer (or buyers) are on the scene. After some preliminary conversations, most acquisitions are led off with an interested prospective buyer providing a Letter of Intent (or “LOI”), sometimes referred to as a nonbinding Term Sheet or Memorandum of Understanding (or “MOU”). An LOI will address the most significant details of a proposed deal, and, if well crafted, will cover issues such as:

■■ purchase price, ■■ payment terms (for example, 100 percent cash or stock at closing or paid over a period of time), ■■ structure of deal (asset sale or stock sale), ■■ due diligence timing and grounds for terminating the deal, and terms relating to post-closing (such as employment agreements, non-competes).

A huge benefit of having a thorough LOI is early agreement on major deal points, before spending the time and expense of working through a purchase agreement, which is routinely 20-plus pages long. Even with a well-drafted LOI, invariably additional points of contention will still arise when negotiating the precise language of the purchase agreement, but hopefully they are relegated to less critical points of the deal itself.

Purchase Agreement. Once an LOI is in place, the parties begin negotiating the Purchase Agreement. It is customary that the buyer’s counsel will prepare the initial draft within a relatively short period after the LOI is signed. Depending on the complexity of the deal and the urgency of the transaction, this can take anywhere from a week to several months to negotiate and finalize.

Due Diligence. “Due diligence” is the term used to refer to the parties’ respective investigations of each other, with the emphasis being the buyer’s investigation of the seller’s business. Typically the bulk of due diligence does not occur until after a purchase agreement is signed. Depending on the nature of the business and a buyer’s preexisting familiarity with the seller’s business, this can be as simple as the seller providing some recent financials, to an extensive review of documents, financials, facilities and equipment that could take several months. During the due diligence period, it’s not unusual for the parties to try to keep the deal as confidential as possible so as to avoid employees and other potentially impacted parties from getting anxious about a potential change of ownership.

Buyer Financing. Some deals are contingent upon the buyer securing third-

party financing, typically a bank C. Ander Smith loan, which the Attorney at Law, PC buyer will work on finalizing during the due diligence period. The bank or other source of funding will insist on reviewing a seller’s financials to underwrite the loan request; a seller having its financial and other key records well organized in advance (as discussed in #1 above) can be beneficial for the buyer’s efforts of securing financing necessary to close the deal.

Ancillary Agreements. In addition to the purchase agreement, nearly every acquisition will also involve ancillary agreements, which will be signed at the deal closing. Typical ancillary agreements include Employment Agreement(s), a Bill of Sale, Assignment of Accounts and/or Intellectual Property, and the list goes on. In a perfect world, these documents are all completed in conjunction with the purchase agreement and are attached as exhibits, but the vast majority of the time, they are simply referenced in the purchase agreement and need to be finalized during the due diligence period.

Closing. Once the buyer has completed its due diligence and is satisfied with its investigation, financing is in place, and all the ancillary agreements are completed, the parties will close on the deal and the actual change of ownership will take place. Ordinarily this will take place at the office of one the attorneys or maybe the financing bank’s offices unless real estate is being sold as part of the transaction, in which case it’s not uncommon to take place at a title company.

Again, every deal is different, but hopefully the above summary will provide some background to help understand very basics of a lifecycle of a business sale transaction.

Ander Smith is an experienced business attorney who advises clients on corporate and commercial real estate transactions. Contact Ander at Ander@AnderSmithLaw.com.

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

NEW LEGISLATION WOULD BAN DRONES OVER PRISONS New Illinois legislation aims to help prevent drugs and cell phones from being smuggled into state prisons by prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, “drones,” over prisons. The legislation was introduced in response to several incidents across the country where drones have been used to drop drugs, cell phones, pornography and even escape tools into prison yards.

Sponsored by several Senate Republican lawmakers, Senate Bill 2344 adds one year to the sentence of a person convicted of bringing contraband into a prison by drone, in addition to any other penalty handed down by law.

Proponents of the law noted there are inmates willing to go to great lengths to smuggle drugs, cell phones or other banned items into Illinois’ correctional facilities. The legislation is a proactive measure intended to send a strong message that those who use these tools to send contraband into state prisons will face serious consequences. —Senator Syverson’s Week in Review: Feb. 22 to 26

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

11

March 2016

Beginning, Middle and End

Leader Luncheon (continued from front page)

presented good lessons that we can all learn from and improve our productivity.”

In addition to the luncheon, Clear presented two half-day workshops, as part of the Rockford Leadership Alliance, a yearlong program developed from the chamber’s Center for Leadership Development. Lori Berkes-Nelson, director of the Rockford Park District Foundation, attended the morning session.

“James was an excellent communicator,” she said. “He offered some basic lessons that can really make a difference. He talked about the surprising power of small habits – how improving your daily habits will increase your productivity to almost 40 percent in a year.

We’re very focused on goals, but what we should be focused on is the process to meet those goals. Everyone at my table during the morning session walked away with something inspirational. My favorite was, ‘If you commit to nothing, you will be distracted by everything.’ To me, that statement summarized everything I learned during the session. I start my day with a list of things to do. But when other things pop up and I get distracted, then I’ve committed to nothing.”

Future speakers in the RLA series include Michele Gravelle (April 28), Steve Johnson (June 9), Julia Kirby (Sept. 29), Leslie Pogue (Oct. 20) and Bill Strickland (Nov. 10).

‘I’m impressed with the series,” said Berkes-Nelson. “What I like is the fact that the sessions are building off of one another. James Clear’s message utilized what we learned from Stephen M.R.

By Caitlin Ludwig, Rockford Chamber

Covey’s “The Speed of Trust” session. The whole issue of trust in leadership is valid.

I like the direction the series is headed.

For me to read through my binder and notes afterwards speaks volumes. I can’t wait to integrate what I’ve learned into my daily professional life.”

The luncheon was sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, Humana and SwedishAmerican-A Division of UW Health. theVoice

I have a confession: I’m the type of the person that reads the ends of books first.

I’ve never been the type to enjoy the journey and not the destination. I’m not the type that takes a Sunday drive to just see the sights. I don’t enjoy the suspense of waiting to see what will happen in life.

Patience is a virtue that’s constantly in the shop for me.

I’ve always enjoyed the beginning of things. I enjoy the endless possibilities of a new start; the fresh feeling of the unwritten page brimming with opportunity. I find beauty in the end of things as well. The hard work completed, the ability to close the loop or wrap up a project and reflect on all that I’ve learned or accomplished. But then, there’s the middle. Oh… the middle.

There’s mess in the middle. The middle is where pencils lose erasers. The middle is where nights get long and the days can be tired. The possibilities look more like difficult problems rather than potential solutions. But what I have to constantly remind myself is the middle is where the real beauty lies. The beauty is in the mess and the hard work – that’s what makes each beginning and end so great. If it wasn’t for the middle, very few stories would be worth reading or projects worth doing. It’s the middle that’s really the servant leader quietly pushing ahead to make the beginning and the end shine.

Participants in the Rockford Leadership Alliance program are beginning to enter that middle. During our February session, participants were asked to dig in to a deeper understanding of their relationship with trust and in turn, leadership. They are now starting the journey known as the middle — and it’s going to get messy.

Participants were broken into small

groups of 10 professionals who face similar opportunities and challenges within their Caitlin Ludwig role at their RLA respective organization.

It’s within these groups that participants will really do the heavy lifting. They are being asked to wade in the mess and really get dirty while in turn, helping others wade through, too. It’s this middle stage that really sets the Rockford Leadership Alliance apart from other leadership development opportunities.

The opportunity to explore the middle in a safe and engaging space is a gift each participant is able to slowly unwrap throughout the next year.

For leaders, I would argue that this middle space is perhaps the most important for true leadership development. The beginning and end stages in all areas of life seem to be the fastest and often most celebrated. It’s in the middle that we trudge through not always realizing that this is where we will spend the most of our time and energy. Perhaps the greatest leaders among us honor that middle space with mindfulness, intention and a deeper understanding of the importance of this stage. After all, it’s in these middle moments that we’re incrementally improving and growing, not in the beginning or the end.

As we continue building our trust skills through the Rockford Leadership Alliance, I look forward to the middle moments — the moments where growth occurs and we incrementally move forward. The beginning was great and the end will certainly be fun, but the middle? The middle may be the most exciting yet.

LEAD 360 LAUNCHES MENTORING PROGRAM

Participants in the afternoon RLA session focus on delivering results with James Clear and facilitation by The Anser Group.

Dedicated to furthering the success of women in our community, the LEAD 360 Mentoring Team recently launched a mentoring program that pairs young professional women with executive level women to build a mentoring relationship during 2016. The program launched with 22 matches involving 44 women in total. Women are diverse in multiple facets including profession and industry as well as ethnicity and age but all look forward to the opportunity to learn from one another throughout the year. Mentors and mentees will meet monthly to discuss various topics including professional development, work/ life balance, the advancement of women in the workplace, and additional issues important to the continual development of women leaders. The Mentoring Committee is chaired by Stacy Bernardi, Rockford Area Economic Development Council.

Lead 360 members include top executive-level Chamber members: C-Suite, Presidents, Vice Presidents or top Decision Maker of an organization.

It is an individual membership representing a Chamber member company or organization. The mission of Lead 360 is to expand the impact and influence of woman business leaders in our region.

12

Medical Advancements: Expansions / Treatments

March 2016

Healthcare News

QualityPath® Recommends Doctors Based on Performance

(continued from front page)

Outpatient Knee and Hip Replacements Thanks to the on-going training of its subspecialized surgeons, OrthoIllinois has advanced its pre-operative and operative protocols for physical therapy and pain management for patients undergoing total joint replacements of the hip or knee. Patients are walking within hours of surgery, with shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times. Get-a-new-kneeand-go home-the-same-day now is available as a primary total knee replacement outpatient surgery center procedure for qualified candidates, allowing for recovery at home, for significant cost savings. A new bio-inductive implant as a graft over the injured tendon is allowing patients with rotator cuff injuries to experience less pain and quicker recovery after surgery than traditional methods. Visit www. orthoillinois.com.

Research on Cures for Disabilities University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford celebrated with an open house on Feb. 22 its new Regenerative Medicine and Disability Research Laboratory. Its two new researchers are Dr. Matthew Matthew, a mechanical bioengineer, who will work to develop biomaterials for replacing hip and temporomandibular joints, and Dr. XueJun Pi, a regenerative medicine scientist, who will work to find a cure for neuro degenerative diseases.

In 2013, the Blazer Foundation of Rockford committed a $3 million gift to the college of medicine in support of the Cell Regeneration Research Project in the department of biomedical sciences and the two endowed professorships.

Early Diagnosis of Dementia Forest City Diagnostic Imaging is a participating PET facility for the IDEAS (Imaging Dementia Evidence Amyloid Scanning) study launched on Feb. 8.

Developed in collaboration with Medicare and the Alzheimer’s Association, the study will gather data from more than 18,000 patients on whether or not, in diagnostically uncertain cases, amyloid PET can help clinicians diagnose the cause of cognitive impairment. The positron emission tomography will use small amounts of radioactive materials, a special camera and a computer to evaluate functions in the brain at the cellular level.

The hope is for an early and accurate diagnosis to provide the most appropriate treatments, improve health outcomes, and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Proving this could lead to its reimbursement by Medicare and other third-party payers. Visit www. ideas-study.org.

New Support Group for SpanishSpeaking Residents SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center has established the area’s first Latino Cancer Support Group, thanks to

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Dr. James MacNeal, medical director, accepts an award on behalf of MercyRockford Health System’s MD-1 Physician Response Program, where board-certified emergency medicine physicians provide EMS providers with on-the-scene medical assistance 24/7. a local cancer patient who was interested in forming a group for Spanish-speaking patients. Its first meeting in November drew 10 participants and two caretakers. It meets at 1 p.m., every other Wednesday.

Call 779-696-9400.

Career Path for Native American Health Professionals University of Illinois College of Medicine hired Jenna Vater, a Native American health educator, to implement the Native American Pathway Program to identify, recruit, enroll, graduate and retain Native American students interested in pursuing a career in primary care medicine and returning to their communities to practice.

Camp for Students Interested in Health Professions The National Center for Rural Health Professions at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford will offer its 11th annual Rural Health Careers Camp, June 27 to 30, on the Rockford University campus. High school students in rural areas with an interest in the health professions will get hands-on learning experience. Current rural high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors may

apply by May 1 at www.ncrhp.uic.edu.

Priority will be given to freshmen and sophomores. Contact Vicki at vweide1@ uic.edu or 815 395-5854 for questions.

Spinal Manipulation for Symptom Relief Clinic director Dr. Philip Schalow, Upper Cervical Care Center – Rockford, a division of 1st Step Chiropractic, S.C., was one of five National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association practitioners in the country to earn a diplomate in craniocervical junction procedures. He is using his knowledge to treat concussions, high blood pressure, migraines and other types of chronic pain and illnesses. This natural approach to healing makes conditions favorable for the body to heal itself.

A study was published in BioMed Research

International

showing

a

significant decrease in the headache symptoms Specialized

of

migraine

MRI

testing

sufferers. revealed

important changes in blood flow and cerebrospinal

fluid

flow

following

upper cervical treatment. Visit www. myrockfordchiropractor.com or call 815398-4500.

New, Expanded Health Facilities SwedishAmerican, a Division of UW Health, marked the grand opening of its expanded, 10,000-sq.-ft. Byron clinic with a public celebration on Jan. 23 at 230 W. Blackhawk Dr.; the same location of its former clinic. “We’ve had a presence in Byron for more than 20 years,” said Medical Group President Dr. Thomas Schiller.

MercyRockford Health System broke ground on Feb. 12 on the construction of its Rockford Health Physicians Cherry Valley clinic at 1475 S. Perryville Road. The $3.5 million, 8,000-sq.-ft. facility will offer family medicine, convenient care, sports medicine, podiatry and lab and imaging x-ray services. Brian Michalsen, D.O., board certified family and sports medicine physician, will move his practice there. Construction is slated for completion by fall 2016.

Plans by OSF HealthCare to establish a freestanding emergency center at the OSF Center for Health - Streator received unanimous approval from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. Staff already is receiving patients, including by ambulance. It offers laboratory, diagnostic imaging, outpatient procedures, rehabilitation services, physician clinics, family and internal medicine providers and a cardiologist. The facility will transition from an urgent care facility to a freestanding emergency center following licensure by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“Next will be the site selection and construction of a state-of-the-art outpatient medical facility for Streator,” said David Gorenz, M.D., regional CEO of OSF Healthcare System. Plans for the proposed site are to be announced soon.

The Alliance, a regional health care purchasing cooperative of 240 selffunded and fully insured employers in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, introduced QualityPath in 2015. A goal is to offer a bundled price and 90day warranty against complications for specific procedures; saving employers and employees money. The Alliance annually designates QualityPath hospitals and doctors based on their ability to meet national quality measures, adopt processes that improve care, and agree to a lower, bundled price. At this time, Rockford Memorial Hospital is the only Illinois hospital to achieve QualityPath designation for knee and total hip replacements, performed by Dr. Mark Barba, and knee replacements performed

by Dr. Michael Chmell. Visit www.thealliance.org/about-qualitypath/ for more participating doctors.

Get Home Tested for Radon Did you know that Winnebago County is considered “at risk” for high levels of radon gas due to its geology? Winnebago County Health Department and the U.S. Environmental Health Protection Agency encourage residents to test their homes for radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking, and the first leading cause for non-smokers. The naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas is the radioactive decay from Uranium deposits in rock, soil and water and is dispersed in outdoor air. It can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings and is present at elevated levels in about 40 percent of homes in Winnebago County.

The WCHD’s Environmental Health Improvement Center has a radon gas monitor for homeowners to check out for two to seven days. A $25 deposit is required and given back when the screening device is returned. Call Sheila Jascemskas at 815720-4125 or visit www.wchd.org.

Report on Area’s Behavioral Health Services More than 2,000 providers, referral sources and community members responded to Winnebago County Mental Health Advisory Committee surveys and stated their belief that there’s a significant stigma associated with mental illness, substance abuse and developmental disabilities, but that behavioral health treatments work. The committee is looking for service gaps in behavioral health services, such as how easy or difficult it is to access care, and how prevalent behavioral health issues are within the community. Winnebago County is the only urban area in Illinois with no broad-based local funding support for behavioral health services.

Survey results will be validated and a final report prepared. Visit facebook. com, Winnebago County Mental Health Advisory Committee, and twitter.com/ WinnCo_MHAC. Continued on page 16

14

Medical Advancements: Expansions / Treatments

March 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Marijuana as medication Incorporating into treatment plan For years “John” has suffered from epileptic seizures. Now, after using medical marijuana for the last two months, he is seeing dramatic reduction in seizure activity.

“Susan” is experiencing relief from symptoms associated with arthritis.

Medical marijuana has eased her pain significantly and has helped her sleep through the night.

As the owner of Mapleglen Care Center, a medical marijuana dispensary in Rockford, I talk to patients every day and hear their stories about how medicinal marijuana is helping them live a better quality of life. They are able to eat better, sleep well and their seizures and pain have been significantly reduced. It is extremely gratifying to see first-hand how medical marijuana is providing hope to those who have been suffering for so long.

Cannabis has long been known as an illicit, addictive, gateway drug. However, substantial research exists regarding marijuana and addiction. While the scientific community has yet to achieve full consensus, the majority of epidemiological and animal data demonstrate that the reinforcing properties of marijuana in humans is low in comparison to other drugs of abuse, including alcohol and nicotine. According to the U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM),

fewer than one in 10 marijuana smokers become regular users of the drug, and most cease their use after 34 years of age.

By comparison, 15 percent of alcohol consumers and 32 percent of tobacco smokers exhibit symptoms of drug dependence.

Critics of the use of marijuana for medical reasons may think that traditional medications are the best way to help patients, and permitting the medical use of marijuana sends the wrong message to kids. For many patients, traditional therapies do work, but for those patients who need help that traditional medications cannot give, medical marijuana can provide significant relief.

Expanding the Approved List While it is good that Illinois has launched the pilot program and legalized medical marijuana for 39 qualifying conditions, we are hopeful more conditions, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), will soon be approved. People suffering from PTSD, typically veterans, experience panic attacks, nightmares, night terrors, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Medicinal marijuana has been proven to alleviate these symptoms and provide relief to patients suffering with them.

Patients with conditions in the

approved list are finding help and relief where traditional therapies have failed, and the program should be open to more patients who could benefit from medicinal marijuana. It should be comforting to know that because Illinois’ medical cannabis program is the strictest in the nation, patients here are able to buy the best quality medical marijuana, grown in extremely well regulated conditions.

Here is a brief look at some of the current approved conditions in the medical marijuana program, and the potential relief medical marijuana provides to patients who use the drug: Multiple sclerosis Using marijuana or some of the chemicals in the plant may help prevent muscle spasms, pain, tremors and stiffness.

Crohn’s disease Studies have found inhaled cannabis helps ease people’s pain, limits the frequency of diarrhea and helps with weight gain.

Epilepsy Studies are showing significant reduction in the frequency of certain seizures in children and adults.

Cancer Marijuana can prevent the nausea that often accompanies chemotherapy treatment used to treat cancer. In addition, THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, may improve the impact of radia-

tion on cancer cells.

Alzheimer’s Amy Manganelli Medical Mapleglen Care Center marijuana and some of the plant’s chemicals have been used to help Alzheimer’s patients gain weight, and research found that it lessens some of the agitated behavior that patients can exhibit.

Arthritis A study of 58 patients using the derivatives of marijuana found they had less arthritis pain and slept better.

Another review of studies concluded marijuana may help fight pain-causing inflammation.

As Illinois continues its medical marijuana pilot program, it is our hope that more patients like “John” and “Susan” will have access to medical marijuana, and after having a frank discussion with their physicians, are able to decide for themselves if medical marijuana should be part of their treatment plan.

Amy Manganelli is chief operating officer for Mapleglen Care Center.

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

16

Medical Advancements: Expansions / Treatments

Healthcare News (continued from page 12)

March 2016

Award for Quality Work Standards Rockford Memorial Hospital was recognized by the American Association

Midwest Heart Specialists Accredited for Echocardiography Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, with one American on average dying every 39 seconds. Early detection is critical, and possible through the use of echocardiography procedures.

SwedishAmerican’s Midwest Heart Specialists received a three-year term of accreditation in echocardiography (adult transthoracic) by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission after its operational and technical components underwent a thorough review by a panel of experts.

Recognition for Rural Emergency Response MercyRockford Health System received an award at the Amboy Fire Protection District’s appreciation awards celebration for its Casualty Care in the Classroom initiative in Winnebago County and its MD-1 Physician Response Program. MD-1 is staffed 24/7 by board-certified emergency medicine physicians, who provide EMS providers with on-thescene medical assistance and additional medications and resources. The program serves Winnebago and Rock and portions of Walworth counties.

of Critical-Care Nurses with a silverlevel Beacon Award for Excellence. The award recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with a gold, silver or bronze designation meet national criteria consistent with Magnet

Recognition,

the

Malcolm

Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

UIC College of Pharmacy to Host Summer Pharmacy Institute The University of Illinois Chicago College of Pharmacy at Rockford will host a Summer Pharmacy Institute, June 6 to 10, at 1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, for current undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy. Each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., participants will take part in workshops on current trends and research, and activities in hospital, ambulatory care, industry/ research and development, community and professionalism in the field. It is recommended that students have taken undergraduate coursework in biology, chemistry and/or anatomy and physiology.

Apply by March 25 at 815-395-5627, OSARockford@uic.edu or go.uic.edu/spi.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Startups: Apply for Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs by March 12 Contest a chance to win up to $30,000 Comcast Business invites, for the third consecutive year, the nation’s most innovative startup companies and entrepreneurs to participate in its Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs competition for a chance to win up to $30,000 and participate in a day of mentoring with teams of business experts.

Applicants should submit their application by March 12, which includes a 250-word essay answering the question: “How could your business use technology to help enhance your business?” Regional winners will be announced April 25.

Voting from among the regional winners will take place from April 26 to May 13. The six grand prize winners will be announced June 6, with the grand prize event planned for August, 2016.

Northbrook, Ill.-based Noggin Builders was the national winner of the contest in 2015. The company provides children, 2 to 12, with fun, hands-on activities to build critical thinking and problem solving skills “We’ve been able to purchase and incorporate innovative new technologies that our children actually use in class, including robots they can build and program,” said Amy Torf, the company’s owner and founder. Since winning the competition, Noggin Builders has

made plans to change location, double its classroom space and create a place making space for area children and adults.

Torf says the technology and advice she received from Comcast is helping to fuel Noggin Builders’ expansion.

Contest Details Entries will be judged and two winners selected in each of the 15 Comcast business regions: one winner for startup companies (in business two years or less) and one winner for entrepreneurs (in business for more than two years).

The 30 regional winners each will earn $10,000 in cash.

From the regional winners, six grand prize winners will be selected – three startups and three entrepreneurs – who will earn an additional $20,000 in cash and a trip to Philadelphia to spend a day attending group sessions with industry experts.

“We have seen amazing ideas and examples of innovation from past i4E winners and participants, and we look forward to bringing opportunity to more innovative startups and entrepreneurs this year,” said Denice Hasty, senior vice president of product management and marketing at Comcast Business.

Visit business.comcast.com/i4e for full details and more information.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Medical Advancements: Expansions / Treatments

March 2016

17

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Rosecrance celebrates ‘100 Years of Changing Lives’

Reading the January issue of “The Voice,” I was struck by a column Sue Grans wrote on behalf of the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Grans is a retired businesswoman who has served honorably on many nonprofit boards in our community and is now a member of NICNE’s Advisory Committee.

Her column is a primer for how organizations such as Rosecrance might go about selecting suitable board members, and it serves as a how-to guide for current and prospective board members who want to serve well.

“Today’s boards require engagement,” she wrote. “Agencies need and deserve active board members.”

I could not agree more. As Rosecrance celebrates 100 years of service to this region, I can say with confidence that the engaged and visionary board members who stepped up to serve in 1916 and those who succeeded them are the reason Rosecrance is alive and healthy today.

Over the course of 10 decades, these

visionary board members responded to the changing needs of society with programs and services that offered help, hope and now, lasting recovery.

The Rosecrance story goes back more than 100 years to the little town of New Milford, just south of Rockford, and to Dr. James and Fanny Rosecrance. They had no children, but they took in orphaned or neglected boys who needed temporary shelter and guidance. According to their wishes, their estate was used to establish the Rosecrance Memorial Home for Children in 1916.

From an orphanage, Rosecrance transformed itself into an agency that served troubled youth. From there, we led the way for the state in serving teens with substance use disorders. Having acquired that expertise, we logically expanded treatment services to help adults recover from addiction. Adding community mental health services to the mix in 2011 made Rosecrance one of the largest and most comprehensive behavioral health organizations in the Midwest.

It didn’t just happen. Having witnessed almost half of Rosecrance’s history, I know that for a fact. Fresh out of college in 1971, I signed on as a social

worker at Rosecrance, joining a staff of about a dozen serving fewer than 50 kids. Today, our staff is pushing the 800 mark, and we served more than 22,000 people last year.

Through the years, I’ve been privileged to know many of the visionaries whose fingerprints are on the Rosecrance story.

They recognized that quality behavioral healthcare is part of the infrastructure of a healthy community, just as good roads, streets, schools, parks and primary healthcare help to define a great city.

Rosecrance board members honored our obligation to be a quality service provider, as well as a quality employer and a responsible member of the business community. Despite economic upticks and downturns through the decades, we have maintained a commitment to serve the underserved, while diversifying our revenue stream with insured and private pay clients so that we can end each year’s ledger with black ink instead of red.

I have to be honest and say that Illinois’ disastrous financial situation does not make that easy. Our current board members have made hard decisions to end certain services because of lack of funding or to continue them with cash

reserves. The difficult choices Philip W. Eaton are not finished.

Rosecrance They care deeply about the people we serve and the people we employ, and we are all committed to the future. Rosecrance will survive to serve children and families in this region, just as we have persevered through the last century.

I hope you will join our staff, our friends in the community and our board members in celebrating our anniversary at several major events this year, all of which will have an anniversary spin. The annual Rosecrance Foundation Benefit at Giovanni’s is set for April 25, Flower Day at Gensler Gardens is May 5, and we’ve created a special Run for Recovery 5K on Aug. 7. Watch for details.

The most important aspect of each event during this milestone year is captured in our anniversary theme: 100 Years of Changing Lives. That’s our business. Then and now.

Philip W. Eaton joined Rosecrance as a social worker in 1971, and he has been president/CEO since 1982.

18

Medical Advancements: Expansions / Treatments

March 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Issues to Watch LEGISLATIVE New Illinois Laws for 2016 Here are some laws related to health and human services that have taken affect this year. For specific language of the laws, visit www.ilga.gov.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Cytomegalovirus Public Education Program HB 184/PA 99-0424 Creates the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) public education program.

The Department of Public Health will develop and publish informational materials regarding CMV for pregnant women or women who may become pregnant.

Dental Emergency Responder SB 748/PA 99-0025 Clarifies the certification of dentists that are qualified to respond to emergency situations. Changes name from “dental emergency responder” to “dental responder” in order to cover a dentist or dental hygienist who is appropriately certified in disaster preparedness, immunizations and dental humanitarian medical response.

Down Syndrome Information and Awareness Act HB 3158/PA 99-0142 Creates the Down Syndrome Information and Awareness Act,

which requires the Department of Public Health to make available up-to-date, evidence-based written information about Down syndrome.

The department must make this information available to persons who render prenatal care, postnatal care or genetic counseling to parents who receive a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

Good Samaritan Dentists SB 751/PA 99-0092 Gives Good Samaritan immunity from civil liability to dentists who provide flu vaccinations at public health clinics without charge or fee.

Good Samaritan Medical Clinic SB 1498/PA 99-0042 Establishes that Good Samaritan immunity includes a program organized by a certified local health department utilizing health professional members of the Volunteer Medical Reserve Corp in the definition of free medical clinic.

Healthcare Account Program SB 1383/PA 99-0145 Creates the “Achieving a Better Life Experience” (ABLE) account

program that is to be administered by the State Treasurer. This program would allow people with disabilities to establish accounts within the Treasurer’s Office to help with any future healthcare costs.

Healthcare Licensure Revocation HB 1359/PA 99-0211 Provides guidelines for license revocation for healthcare workers who are found guilty of a healthcarerelated crime including Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

Hepatitis C Task Force HB 1660/PA 99-0429 Extends the repeal date of the Hepatitis C Task Force from Jan. 1, 2016, to Jan. 1, 2017.

Hospice Medicine Transportation SB 689/PA 99-0163 Clarifies that an advanced practice nurse, practical nurse, or registered nurse who provides hospice or home health services person may lawfully possess controlled substances prescribed for the patient when acting as an agent for the patient.

Human Body and Organ Transfers HB 4120/PA 99-0262 Authorizes the transport of a human dead body out of the state at the direction of a federally designated organ procurement organization

for the purpose of organ or tissue donation without a permit for transportation signed by the local registrar.

Life Saving Measures SB 1466/PA 99-0319 Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Nursing Home Care Act, the IDD/DD Community Care Act, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, the Hospital Licensing Act, and the Health Care Surrogate Act. Deletes “DNR” from the title of the “DNR/POLST” form that outlines advance directives and life-sustaining care measures for a patient.

Long-Term Care Facility Monitoring HB 2462/PA 99-0430 Allows for residents of long-term care facilities to use an audio or video surveillance system in his or her room at the resident’s expense. Residents are required to provide written consent for these monitors.

Managed Care Act HB 2788/PA 99-0111 Adds the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Healthcare to the list of approved accreditation authorities under the Managed Care and Patients’ Rights Acts. (continued on page 19)

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

March 2016

Medical Advancements: Expansions / Treatments

19

Issues to Watch LEGISLATIVE Continued from page 18 Managed Care Translation/ Interpretation Services SB 1253/PA 99-0106 Requires managed care entities to develop a written language access policy to ensure language-appropriate services for populations with limited English proficiency.

Mental Health Grants HB 3753/PA 99-0184 Authorizes Department on Aging to provide grants to public and private nonprofit entities for projects that demonstrate ways to integrate mental health services for older adults into primary healthcare settings.

MH/DD Record Disclosure SB 818/PA 99-0028 Requires records and communications made or created in the course of providing mental health or developmental disabilities services be protected from disclosure regardless of whether the records and communications are made or created in the course of a therapeutic relationship unless expressly provided for in statute.

Minority Businesses SB 691/PA 99-0315 Requires health care facilities to develop a policy to encourage the

participation of minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises in capital projects undertaken by the facility.

Policies must be required six months after the effective date.

Music Therapy Practice Act SB 1595/PA 99-0397 Creates the Music Therapy Licensing and Practice Act. Provides for licensure of music therapists by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and establishes the powers and duties of the department, including rule making authority on the curriculum for music therapy, reviewing the qualifications of applicants for licenses, investigating alleged violations of the act, conducting hearings on disciplinary and other matters, and establishing a schedule of fees for the administration and enforcement of the act.

Pharmacists Alternative Pharmaceuticals SB 455/PA 99-0200 Allows pharmacists to provide alternative or bio-similar pharmaceuticals to patients.

Podiatry License HB 2925/PA 99-0225 Provides for a three-year temporary license for podiatrists engaged in postgraduate training and education.

Program Expansion SB 1847/PA 99-0170 Increases income eligibility standards, primarily working families, for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It does this by increasing the gross income limit for households that do not include an elderly, blind or disabled member from 130 percent to 165 percent of the federal poverty level. Subject to federal approval.

to record a Plan of Care for any child who plans to leave the facility for more than 24 hours, which contains specific information regarding the child’s planned location and return. Requires the residential facility operator to inform law enforcement the child is a ward of the Department of Children and Family Services, and direct law enforcement to convey that information to the LEADS “Miscellaneous” system within the missing persons report.

Retired Physician Information SB 1205/PA 99-0330 Provides for a retired physician to maintain his title as “Retired Physician” without having to provide detailed information an active physician must.

Sexual Assault Medical Billing HB 3848/PA 99-0454 Prohibits a hospital, health care professional, ambulance provider, laboratory, or pharmacy furnishing hospital emergency services, forensic services, transportation, or medication to a sexual assault survivor from directly billing the survivor. Requires hospitals to provide written notice about billing procedures to sexual assault survivors that are being treated in their facility.

Right to Try Act HB 1335/PA 99-0270 Allows terminally ill patients to gain access to medical treatments that have not yet been approved for use by the general public.

Safeguarding Children SB 1775/PA 99-0351 Requires a child under the care of the Department of Children and Family Services residing in a residential facility to be reported as missing when there is no contact between the child and facility employee within 12 hours and when the child is absent without prior approval. Requires the facility

Silver Search Task Force SB 1846/PA 99-0322 Creates the Silver Search Task Force which, in conjunction with the Department of State Police shall develop a program and methodology for locating missing persons older than age 21 who are believed to have Alzheimer’s or related dementia.

20

March 2016

Members Caught on Digital ON DIGITAL

SwedishAmerican, a Division of UW Health, marked the grand opening of its new Byron clinic with a public celebration on Jan. 23 at 230 West Blackhawk Dr.

President Barack Obama addresses the Illinois General Assembly in early February and shakes hands with Ill. Sen. Dave Syverson and Ill. Rep. Brian Stewart.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

RAVE Transforming our area venues One of the best decisions ever made for Rockford’s downtown was the creation of RAVE nearly six years ago.

RAVE – which stands for Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority -- manages the BMO Harris Bank Center, Coronado Performing Arts Center, Davis Park and related downtown events.

Since Rave took a professional and coordinated approach to downtown entertainment, taxpayer subsidies have gone down and events have flourished, even as the venues have been upgraded and made more attractive for visitors.

In any given month, you can expect to see a huge variety of programming at our facilities including country artists such as Lee Brice, Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town; or rock bands such as Breaking Benjamins, In This Moment and Pretty Reckless or classic rock favorite John Mellencamp. We also continue to welcome such family shows as Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, Harlem Globetrotters and Disney On Ice while comedians including Jim Gaffigan and Jerry Seinfeld pack the house.

Our Broadway series performances include such iconic favorites as Beauty and the Beast, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and performance such as the Blue Man group. And the Christian rock and gospel shows continue to bring in favorable attendance as well.

And, our facilities also have been host to a speaking engagement for General Colon Powell as well as a 1,500- seat, three-course plated dinner celebration for local business leader Bergstrom.And let’s not forget the Rockford Icehogs and the potential playoff berth for the 2015-16 Calder Cup Championships.

In January, RAVE music, sports, film and other events brought 11,000 more patrons downtown than the year before.

Now that’s momentum! The money they spent went to various sources: the city, vendors the city buys from, private businesses and, often, non-profit organizations which sponsor or take part in downtown events. The impact is huge and reaches out to all parts of the community.

Private enterprise has welcomed Troy Flynn RAVE’S work RAVE and joined in with shops, bars, restaurants and housing units filling what were once empty storefronts and entire buildings. These are local businesses which are enjoying the profits and success brought on by this informal public-private alliance toward a common goal – revitalizing the city’s downtown. If you haven’t tried out some of the unique eateries established in the central State Street area, you are missing out on some of the best food in northern Illinois.

While providing far more entertainment opportunities for us local folk, RAVE’s upgraded programming is also an economic engine. A full 25 percent of downtown patrons of major arts, music and sports events are from the western Chicago suburbs, so we’re pocketing out-of-town money with each performance. It’s way past time we started getting some Chicago dollars back.

The future is bright. The $24 million indoor “sportscore” – officially named the UW Health Sports Factory – is about to open on South Water Street. Planning continues for at least one downtown hotel, and related projects are in the works, among them a housing complex in the old Rockford Trust Building and an indoor market to complement the wildly successful Friday summer affair.

With the positive relationships with agents and Rockford further gaining ground as an entertainment district, we have the opportunity to bring in additional shows, performers and acts that will have you proud to call the Rockford region home.

Don’t tell me you envisioned this five years ago. None of us did. But just think of what we might be boasting about five years from now.

Troy Flynn, executive director of RAVE. The views expressed are those of Flynn’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

21

March 2016

Communicating effectively is critical Importance of careful corporate messaging

By Lori Glawe, Rockford University Written communication. Sometimes it’s effective, and other times it leads to misunderstanding.

When we communicate a message, we must anticipate audiences’ questions, recognize missing details and ensure key information is provided up front. In some cases, all the information may not be known at the time of the communication, but the communication can still be effective if gaps are identified and the audience knows how and when more information will be provided.

Consider the following example related to annual healthcare changes: We know people want to hear about basic coverage and how much coverage will cost. They want to know if there are restrictions on what providers and services are covered.

The broker has advised that some network information hasn’t yet been finalized, so we don’t know which hospital is in our plan.

We expect to have this information by the end of next week. Our communication might look something like this: “We are in the last stages of finalizing our available 2016 healthcare plan. The deductible will remain at $500/person, and the employee portion of the premium is the same as 2015. The cost schedule for the various coverage levels and summary of benefits/coverage (SBC) are attached.

The doctor network will remain the same.

You can access plan information at www.

XXX.com. The in-network hospitals are not finalized yet, however, once finalized, we will post information on the company bulletin board before our open enrollment meetings on Friday, December 4th.”

In this brief communication, costs, coverage details and doctor networks were covered. The audience also knows the in-network hospital isn’t determined yet and how and when this information will be provided.

Consider Hidden Audiences Anticipating questions and information for the employees alone doesn’t cover the whole message. There are hidden audiences that may have questions.

For example, many employees share information with eligible dependents.

“Children” under 26 are eligible for coverage under the Affordable Care Act. These may be adults living in a different city who have questions about what networks and services are available to them. Is it reasonable to believe we can answer all questions in one communication? Not always. But we can provide details on how to access information. Perhaps a statement can be added that states: “Networks are also available for outside the area. For additional information on networks and other questions, please contact Human Resources at 555.555.5555.”

Crafting Negative Messages Our healthcare message was pretty positive (no increase in costs and no doctor changes required), but oftentimes messages are negative. Perhaps we are experiencing a short-term cash flow issue caused by slow payment of a large order, and we want to ask associates to be extra diligent in controlling or deferring costs for a short period. The communication below has a lot of gaps: “Please defer all major purchases until further notice.”

This message is vague, and the gaps in information leaves associates wondering what they aren’t being told. For many, especially those with experiences with lay-offs and plant closings, this is the first sign of future company doom. If we don’t provide enough information, this minor blip on the radar may appear to be an enemy battle cruiser headed for us with intent to destroy! If enough information isn’t provided, the audience will fill in the blanks based on personal experiences.

Below is an alternative message that fills in the gaps: “Our business continues to grow, and we have been fortunate to win a sizeable order! We are pleased to announce the order has shipped. Building this equipment has tapped our reserves some and, while we have a sufficient line

of credit to bridge us until the invoice is paid, we prefer to avoid incurring interest on borrowed funds. Therefore, we ask that we all look for ways to cut costs and defer major purchases where the delay won’t affect our quality or production.

We will post an announcement when the payment is received.”

We have now explained the belt tightening. It’s not because of lack of business. Actually, success strained our coffers. Please take note of the last line as well. We need to be sure we follow through. This is imperative to developing and maintaining associate trust. Also remember, notices and emails are often leaked outside the company, and we want to control messages that might make it into competitors’ hands.

We all know effective communication is important. Taking extra time to consider the potential information gaps, secondary and hidden audiences as well as follow-through will help ensure each message fulfills the intended objective.

Lori Glawe has business experience in organizational development, operations and human resource management and as an adjunct professor at Rockford University.

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

22

March 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

The economic value of competitive cooperation

Teamwork creates vibrant tourism industry Dedication and perseverance through teamwork are the hallmarks of Tough Mudder events. Those same traits are present in our regional sites and attractions and are vital to success in the tourism marketplace.

At a recent Sites & Attractions meeting hosted by the RACVB each month for our partners in the tourism industry, Discovery Center Museum, Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford Art Museum and Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens announced their plans to create a Museums for Moms joint event for Mother’s Day on May 8.

Wondering how Museums for Moms works? Here’s the scoop: “Celebrate Mother’s Day with free admission for all mothers and grandmothers at five area museums! Pick up a passport at one museum, then visit three more museums and be entered in a drawing to win free memberships to all five museums!”

This fantastic idea shows how attractions can work together to promote the region as a whole, which in turn benefits each attraction individually.

And even better, this provides a fantastic experience for visitors and residents on a special occasion.

Another great joint effort was executed

by Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, Erlander Home Museum and the Ethnic Heritage Museum last November when they worked together to create and promote the Holiday Happenings event, which was a successful way to highlight these southwest Rockford attractions during the holidays.

Teamwork is Essential to ROI Just as we are seeing cooperation competition among our sites and attractions to create a vibrant tourism industry that draws visitors to their facilities, Tough Mudder is built on the idea of cooperative competition, where participants help each other throughout a 10- to 12-mile obstacle course that values teamwork over finisher rankings.

And the effort to bring TM to the region was a cooperative effort, as well. A lot of things have to go right, and a lot of work goes into securing an event of this magnitude.

The process began several years ago when RACVB Director of Sales Lindsay Arellano made a connection with TM representatives at a sports industry trade show in 2012. RACVB staff attends many trade shows throughout the year to meet potential event directors face to face, which helps bring familiarity and trust to those looking to bring their events to the region.

John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

After the initial meeting with TM, RACVB kept in contact with representatives the last few years to let them know we were still interested in hosting their event. Finally, after years of pursuit, the opportunity came up in 2015 to bid on bringing the event to the region.

Our team quickly went to work putting together tours of regional sites that could be a fit. The search was narrowed to three options that TM staff thought might work, and RACVB set up tours of those facilities: Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Williams Tree Farm and the Chicago Rockford International Airport.

RACVB received great support from all three locations as our staff gave tours of the facilities, as well as attractions throughout the area, to the TM representatives. Eventually, the airport was chosen by TM and since then, the airport, along with city and county, administration and police and fire departments have been helping to plan and execute this great event for the region.

The timing of TM proved to be even more valuable when the ChicagoRockford International Airport recently announced the cancellation of the 2016 Airfest because of routing issues with the main aircraft that would headline the show.

The airport was given an alternative date that would have put Airfest on the same weekend as the 45th Annual Young at Heart Festival in Loves Park. Rather than competing with this community tradition, the airport recognized the impact it would have had on that event and opted to cancel the Airfest for this year. That was likely a very tough call by the airport, but a very respectful and teamwork-focused decision that was best for the community as a whole.

The Final Challenge!

So, with Tough Mudder still about two months away on May 21 to 22, I challenge you to get a team together and to take part in this fun-filled event. As someone who has braved a TM course in the past, I can definitely say it is a great time. Find out more about TM at www. gorockford.com/toughmudder.

As we continue through the year, consider how your organization can find value in competitive cooperation to enhance your ROI. John Groh is president & CEO of the 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.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

23

March 2016

Taking the temperature of the Rockford economy Housing price gains continued through 2015 The median sale prices of homes in Winnebago County was higher yearover-year every single quarter of 2015, according to statistics from the Illinois Association of Realtors.

In the final three months of 2015, 936 homes sold for a median price of $85,500. That was 3.7 percent higher than the median price of $82,000 in the final three months of 2014.

In fact, median home prices have increased year-over-over for six straight quarters, indicating the real estate rebound seen in so many other states

and areas has finally taken hold in Winnebago County.

Although the trends are positive, the housing market has a long way to go. The median sales price peaked in Winnebago County in the fourth quarter of 2006 when it reached $129,700.

And the local housing market still isn’t bouncing back at the same rate as Illinois as a whole. Overall median home prices in Illinois have increased year-over-over 14 of the past 15 quarters and were up 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter.

Jobs market still tight for some

Rebounding real estate

Median home sale prices – percent change year-over-year Quarter

Illinois

Boone

Ogle

Winnebago

1Q 2012

-4.0%

-26.7%

10.0%

-17.1%

2Q 2012

2.1%

2.1%

7.4%

0.4%

3Q 2012

0.0%

7.0%

-14.9%

1.6%

4Q 2012

4.7%

21.2%

0.0%

-0.8%

1Q 2013

2.4%

3.2%

-6.6%

6.7%

2Q 2013

9.0%

2.5%

-18.1%

1.1%

3Q 2013

13.8%

0.0%

2.1%

-11.1%

4Q 2013

10.4%

5.4%

-16.1%

-1.2%

1Q 2014

8.7%

-6.3%

3.1%

-14.5%

2Q 2014

6.3%

18.9%

25.8%

-11.4%

3Q 2014

-1.2%

8.4%

30.9%

12.8%

4Q 2014

4.7%

8.9%

13.8%

6.5%

1Q 2015

11.4%

25.3%

-9.7%

13.8%

2Q 2015

8.9%

8.4%

-4.2%

16.7%

3Q 2015

11.0%

7.8%

-3.4%

5.3%

4Q 2015

6.8%

-4.0%

11.4%

3.7%

Source: Illinois Association of Realtors

It’s been a full six years since the jobs market bottomed out in Winnebago County, and even though there’s been a steady recovery, some sectors remain years away from having the same number of workers pre-Great Recession.

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, employment in Boone and Winnebago counties peaked in June, 2007, when there were 164,500 people working in non-farm jobs in the Rockford area. By January, 2010, that had plummeted to 139,100, a 15.4 percent decline in 25 months.

Construction lost more than 50 percent of its local jobs. Manufacturing was down 27.8 percent. Business service providers had shed 27 percent of its local workers and information technology professionals lost 25 percent of their jobs.

At the end of December, the state

estimated we had 152,000 people working in non-farm jobs. That means we’d regained 9.3 percent of the jobs we lost, but the area remains 7.6 percent below its peak.

Manufacturing

employment

has

jumped 28.4 percent since January, 2010, but remains 2,500 jobs below where it was in 2007. In fact, all of our major industries remain below 2007 levels except for educational and health services and health care and social assistance. In 2007, those industries employed 41,700. At the end of 2015, they employed 46,000. The graying of America is the highlight of the local job market.

By Alex Gary, president of Alex Gary Communications

Transform Rockford seeks enlightened ideas

Transform Rockford is turning to the city’s faith leaders for ideas in how to make Rockford one of the top 25 places to live by 2025.

Faith leaders are having seven visioning sessions during the first half of 2016. In March, clergy are holding three of the sessions at Second First, 318 N. Church St. The first is on economy and jobs on March 2. The next is on education on March 9. The final one will discuss neighborhoods on March 16. All three sessions take place from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

24

March 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

IGNITE

Young Professionals

True life: I don’t know where I fit in Let’s just think about this for a minute: You’re a young professional (21 to 40 years old) who was born between 1976 and 1995. Being the “oldest” young professional, you could have birthed the “youngest” young professional. And being the youngest, well, you see where I’m going with that.

And here I sit, smack in the middle of you two thinking, “where do I fit in?”

As the kids these days say, the struggle is real, my friends.

I grew up in a time where technology wasn’t readily available. In order to see my friends, I had to run around the neighborhood, knocking on their doors, to see if they wanted to play.

That’s play: outside, with sticks and our imagination. And if I was lucky, I could give them a call and someone would answer their house phone.

When I was around 14 to 15, I was lucky enough to get a hand-medown computer from my dad, which made communications with everyone a little more readily available, but it also contained me to my room and communicating less with people IRL (in real life).

So for those of you keeping track, my life consisted of experiences from both ends of the YP age group. You see now why I don’t know where I fit in?

I’ve tried my best to steer clear of becoming a mindless robot, slave to the interwebs, but I definitely see the value in how powerful this tool can be for communication, connecting and growing your career. I mean, let’s be honest, we all feel a deeper connection to our devices, whether we want to or not. So where is the line drawn?

Right there, I guess. I just drew it. But what does it mean? Well, for me it means a few things: Be present, stay focused, make positive choices and keep your mind clear of garbage.

Easy, right? No. Not a chance. (This is where you realize that technology plays a huge role in your life, even if it’s subliminally.) Let’s talk about these a little more in depth in regards to the age range of our lovely YP generation, and also how I keep my mind moving, even if I’m not sure where I belong.

Words to Live By Be present. I mean, obviously.

Being a YP is all about being present,

Britney Lindgren

networking, IGNITE Rockford making friends and advancing in life. Put the phones down, learn a little about the world and expand your mind horizons (Yes, that’s a real thing, and it’s beautiful).

Stay focused. Hard, right? So many things happening at one time, we’ve been trained to move on after just a few seconds. How can we keep up with new connections, friendships and even business opportunities? Keep a mindful eye on what’s most important. Write it down, map it out, heck, even friend request them and make a point to stay in touch. But remember, only if it fills your life with positivity.

That leads me to: Make positive choices. Pretty self explanatory. Every day I make a point to fill my head with positive thoughts.

This helps with a few things (stress levels, daily life, overall appearance towards others). With positive choices also comes fun. You obviously need fun. (I’m not a monster telling you not to have fun, come on guys.) Find things that make you happy; surround yourself with them. Your life will thank you.

Last but not least: Please stop filling your mind with garbage. This can come in many different forms: People who don’t have your best interests, hateful people or behavior, energy suckers (You know them when you meet them.), and anything else you may see on the internet that just doesn’t advance your life.

So here you may find yourself thinking, “Britney, this doesn’t help me understand where to fit in; it only helps me figure out who I am.” To that I say, exactly. Work on yourself, be original and kind. This will help you find your “spot” in life. In the end, age doesn’t matter. Not. One. Bit. But only if you’re present and respectful.

Britney Lindgren is marketing director of IGNITE Rockford and co-owner of Rockford Art Deli. Photo credit: Mindy Joy Photography. Visit www.igniterockford.com.

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

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with IGNITE on March 15 at Hope & Anchor hosted by First Northern Credit Union! Complimentary

appetizers and a limited host bar. Register today for this free event at

www.rockfordchamber.com. We’ll see you there – don’t forget your green!

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

25

March 2016

Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

Rocktown Adventures exhibited at the Chicagoland Fishing, Travel and Outdoor Expo at the Schaumburg Convention Center in January and the 45th annual Rockford Boat, Vacation and Fishing Show at the Sportscore Two Indoor Sports Center in February.

Chartwell Agency was hired by Harlem School District to develop a visioning and input process for a long-range plan. It created planning activities, trained facilitators and assisted in analyzing, categorizing, presenting and sharing data. Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois hired Chartwell to create a comprehensive strategy for a multi-segmented brand and implementable tactics for internal and external communications within a 16-county region.

Eleven credit unions of the Rockford Area Chapter (RACCU) held an event, raising $8,209 for Stateline Youth for Christ: First Community, First Northern, Generations, Heritage, Illinois State, MembersAlliance, Rock Valley, Rockford Bell, Rockford Municipal, Rockford Postal and SwedishAmerican. In fourth quarter, 2015, the RACCU sold $2,550 in 2016 Fireman Calendars for Pink Heals Winnebago County.

Discovery Center Museum opened its traveling exhibition, “Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog,” through May 15 with immersive “paws-on” adventures that reinforce “Clifford’s Big Ideas;” 10 simple tangible life lessons.

Comfort Keepers of Northwest Illinois received all three awards from Home Care Pulse, a third-party quality management organization for home care: 2016 Leader in Excellence, 2016 Best of Home Care Provider of Choice and the 2016 Best of Home Care Employer of Choice.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced upcoming bowling “big win” tournaments for 2016 and 2017: 2016 IHSA Girls State Bowling Finals, 2016 USBC Illinois Youth State Tournament, 2017 Illinois USBC BA Men’s State Tournament and 2017 Illinois USBC Youth PEPSI State Finals.

KMK Media Group launched a website for Rockford Linear Actuation, www.rockfordlinear.com, with responsive design, product catalog and rotating images of products on its home page.

Trinity Day Care, Inc., received a $6,061 grant by the Community Grants Program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois for its program, “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent.”

University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford will offer the SMaRT program- STEM Research Science Camp, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Research Science Camp, June 20 to 24. Visit rockford.medicine.uic.edu.

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center will present a free concert at noon on the last Friday of every month in Mendelssohn Hall, featuring its grand Möller pipe organ.

Visit www.mendelssohnpac.org.

Rockford Park District received the Government Finance Officers Association’s award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting and a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

First National Bank and Trust Company named a South Beloit High School class as the first-round local winner in the “Lights, Camera, Save!” national video contest presented by the American Banking Association.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will schedule appointments for eligible residents in Winnebago and Boone counties who need assistance with their energy bills through May 31, or until funds are exhausted. Appointments by phone only. Visit www.rockfordil.gov.

YWCA Northwestern Illinois Child Care Solutions will hold walk-in hours at the new United Way Strong Neighborhoods House, 908 Eighth Ave., in Rockford’s Midtown neighborhood. Childcare assistance program hours will be held on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, in addition to Monday through Friday hours at the YWCA’s State Street headquarters.

Center 1 Bancorp, Inc., the holding company of First National Bank and Trust Company, acquired Walworth State Bank. It will operate

under the First National Bank and Trust brand and add locations in Delavan, Elkhorn, Walworth and Williams Bay (Wis.).

Savant Capital Management was one of the first organizations in the nation to achieve the Service Provider Certification for adhering to the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence standard of excellence for Employee Retirement Income Security Act 3(16) Plan Administrators.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that Tough Mudder will bring the new five-plus mile Tough Mudder Half obstacle courses for the first time to the Chicago Rockford International Airport on May 21 to 22. The Tough Mudder Half includes at least a dozen signature Tough Mudder obstacles. It typically draws up to 10,000 participants and 4,000 spectators, and generates more than $3 million in economic impact.

Thayer Lighting Inc. recently completed parking lot lighting retrofits for Valli Produce’s Rockford and Loves Park locations to provide the client with an estimated 80% energy savings.

For the seventh year in a row, Pearson hired KMK Media Group as its advertising agency of record.

Rockford IceHogs and the BMO Harris Bank Center adopted new security measures and will prohibit: oversized bags, backpacks, duffel bags, coolers, laser pens or laser products, sealed and/or wrapped packages, balloons, fireworks, “selfie sticks” or other telescopic devices and drones or other model aircraft. Small, collapsible umbrellas that can fit into a purse or handbag are allowed; golf-style umbrellas or umbrellas with a metal tip are prohibited. Fans may bring in bags no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches.

Get to Know Your Ambassadors Name: Robbin Snodgrass

Company: Rock Valley College and Village of Machesney Park

Position: Special Event Coordinator and Trustee How long have you been an Ambassador?

Five years

What do you like most about being an Ambassador? The Ambassadors are a group of men and women who truly want to see the community flourish. They give time and support to welcome new businesses, celebrate grand openings and re-grand openings and promote the use of local community partners. I love the amazing people who are attending the monthly meetings, promoting the community and supporting all the chamber is doing in the community. I have learned so much about the companies in the community and what they do, not only for business but as hard-working volunteers giving of themselves. I am truly honored to be a Rockford Chamber Ambassador and look forward to many more years of serving with this group of people.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, an affiliate of First Midwest Group, received the Radisson’s President Award for 2015 from the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group for outstanding customer service and product improvement in the past year.

Transform Rockford hosted a contingent of more than 40 community leaders from Racine, Wis., “Visioning a Greater Racine,” in February to learn more about how the Transform Rockford model could be applied.

Rockford Public Library’s Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens opened its annual orchids exhibit through March 6 with hundreds of tropical orchids and orchid vendors and workshops.

Visit www.nicholasconservatory.com or 815-987-8858.

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens will display its first exhibit for 2016, “Tinker’s Cabinet of Curiosities,” through June 30 in the Red Room. Tour times are Tuesdays through Sundays, 1 and 3 p.m.

Fehr Graham received two, 2016 ACEC-Illinois Engineering Excellence Merit Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois for the Ingersoll – Former Machine Factory Revitalized environmental project in Rockford and the Roundabout-Pearl City Road and Kiwanis Drive/Forest Road transportation project in Freeport.

Rockford Park District offers indoor golf at MercyRockford Indoor Sports Center (ISC), Mondays through Fridays, through March 31, noon to 3 p.m., excluding holidays and special events. Visit www. rockfordparkdistrict.org or call 815-987-8890.

Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc., achieved record earnings in 2015 with net income of $3,919,000 and fully diluted earnings per share of $1.73, exceeding the previous high watermarks of $3,915,000 and $1.47, respectively, which were attained in 2013.

Arc Design Resources, Inc., celebrated 23 years in business with a client open house on Feb. 24.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban and Development awarded Rockford Housing Authority with $3 million for capital improvements to its properties, such as replacing roofs, energy-efficient upgrades to old plumbing and electrical systems, and renovating or modernizing public housing. Overall, more than $113 million was allocated to public housing authorities in Illinois.

Rock River Valley Food Pantry received a $10,000 check raised by the 2015 CROP Hunger Walk.

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March 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

1. Delbert W. Bunker, III

2. Jeffery J. Makeever

3. Dr. Gary P. Fernando

4. Dr. Christopher M. Whelan

5. Rebecca Epperson

6. Nancee Long

7. Dr. Srinivas Kolla

8. Jared Fewell

9. Heather Vincent

10. Jeff Hultman

11. Scott Willis

12. Dr. Igal Breitman

13. Dr. Tracy Brito

14. Brian Ciasnocha

15. Jess Boettner

16. Steve Clark

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

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Delbert W. Bunker III (1) joined the UNION Savings BANK board of directors.

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

(Reinhart) shareholder Jeffery J. Makeever (2) was inducted into the National Conference of Bar Presidents as an individual fellow.

The following were elected officers of the Winnebago County Medical Society in January: Gary P. Fernando, M.D. (3), Crusader Community Health; Christopher M. Whelan, M.D. (4), Rockford Urological Associates; Tiffanie S. Ferry, M.D., SwedishAmerican a division of UW Health, and Richard E. Field, M.D. The following were elected to the board: Christopher M. Gibbs, M.D.; John P. Holden, M.D., and Jon B. Whitehurst, M.D. Rebecca Epperson (5), president, Chartwell Agency, joined the Wesley Willows board of trustees.

Nancee Long (6), account executive, joined the Golden Apple Foundation board of directors.

Kerry Schaible, CLU®, RICP®, CLTC®, financial advisor, Northwestern Mutual, was voted to the Epilepsy Foundation North/ Central Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska board.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS

Cardiothoracic surgeon, Srinivas Kolla, M.D. (7), joined SwedishAmerican’s Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinic.

Alpine Bank promoted Heather Nondorf to vice president & director of internal audit, Susan Long to senior audit officer, Michele Griepentrog, Michele Lind and Nicole Fasano to vice president, senior wealth advisor & investment officer, Robin Chambers to wealth advisor & trust officer, and Jonathan Mays to retirement plan services officer.

Jeremy Doetch joined as vice president, ag & commercial services in the business services division.

Illinois Bank & Trust hired Jared Fewell (8) as mortgage sales manager. It promoted Heather Vincent (9), Gear Street branch in Galena, to assistant vice president and Jeff Hultman (10) to president and CEO. He succeeds Steven E. Ward, who will relocate as president of Centennial Bank and Trust in Denver, Colo.

First National Bank and Trust Company promoted Sara Burns to vice president, retail market manager in Rock County, Wis. Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. (A Metawater Company) promoted

Scott Willis (11) to vice president and chief financial officer. He also was elected to serve on the company’s board of directors.

Igal Breitman, M.D. (12), joined Rockford Health System as medical director of the new Bariatric Surgery Program. Tracy Brito, M.D. (13), will bring the InnovaMed Vein Clinic to the Vascular Center, with procedures done at the Perryville Clinic.

Per Mar Security Services promoted Brian Ciasnocha (14) to director of sales for the electronic security division.

Rockford Housing Authority hired Amanda Hamaker as chief operating officer.

Mayor Larry Morrissey announced Matthew Vitner as the City of Rockford’s interim director of public works; replacing Tim Hanson whose last day was Jan. 29.

Rock Valley College presented Christopher “Chris” Black as its recommendation as the college’s next vice president of administrative services and chief financial officer.

Jess Boettner (15) joined Upper Iowa University as the new academic advisor.

Rockford Police Department swore in Bradley Lauer as a patrol officer. Lauer returns to the Rockford police after taking a position as a sergeant in the Lake Delton Police Department in Wisconsin in 2013.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS

Rockford Mutual Insurance Dickerson & Nieman agents Steve Clark (16) and Debbie DeMars (17) were recognized at the annual Business Luncheon of the Rockford Area Realtors in January as Realtor Emeritus.

Rockford Park District named Sue Cichock (18), human resources generalist, its 2015 Employee of the Year. Two groups won 2015 Team of the Year: Denise Delanty (19) and Nicole Engelbart (20), marketing and sponsorship; and Carol Alexander, Sandra Rivera-Beck, Martesha Brown, Kaela Churchill, Cindy Diaz, Dominique Fisher, Emily Johnson, Roberta Kohlhagen, Erynn Lambert, Kim Lawson, Joe Reina and Anja Weber, customer service.

Doug Brooks (21) received the Commissioner of the Year Award, one of the highest honors given by the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

Rockford native John Evans was named the new executive director of Rockford Reachout Jail Ministry.

Golden Apple Foundation and First Midwest Group named Renee Schott, Jefferson High School, as (continued on page 27)

17. Debbie DeMars

18. Sue Cichock

19. Denise Delanty

20. Nicole Engelbart

21. Doug Brooks

22. David Gomel

23. Mike Milles

24. Ijeoma Agu

25. Sarah Bunch

26. Kurt Thomas

27. Tom Finley

28. Andrew Hess

29. Lauren Downing

30. Chris Soutar

31. Nancy Salsbury

32. Aimee Bermen

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March 2016

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

33. Gavin Doyle

34. Diane Gockel

Continued from page 26 the 2016 Assistant Principal selected to participate in the foundation’s new Investing in Excellence: Assistant Principal Development Program.

Amanda McFarland, nursing student and Family Self-Sufficiency program participant, received the Northern Illinois Council of Housing Authorities $2,000 scholarship award in January at the Rockford Housing Authority Board of Trustee’s meeting.

David Gomel (22), sr. vice president and chief operating officer, Rosecrance, was awarded a Ph.D., in public policy and administration from Walden University of Minneapolis.

Diane Koenig, professor of mathematics, Rock Valley College, received a Teaching Excellence Award at the 41st annual American Mathematical Association of TwoYear Colleges Conference.

Mike Milles (23), 8th grade, Spectrum Progressive School, won for the second consecutive year the first round in the school competition for the 28th annual National Geographic Bee on Jan. 27 and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship.

Ijeoma Agu (24) and Sarah Bunch (25), students at the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Urban Health Program (COM-UHP), were recognized as scholarship recipients at the annual UIC Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholarship Awards Luncheon in Chicago.

Per Mar Security Services announced Greg Roberts, Mark Williams and Bob Haedt as Grand Champions for outstanding sales performance in 2015 at its annual kick off meeting.

Lisa Zeimetz, vice president and compliance officer, First National Bank and Trust Company, completed the Wisconsin Banker’s Association’s Deposit Compliance School.

Kurt Thomas (26), construction manager, and Tom Finley (27), assistance construction manager, Arc Design Resources, Inc., passed the exam for the three-day IDOT class on documentation of contract quantities. Andrew Hess (28) and Lauren Downing (29) passed the State of Illinois professional engineering exam.

The “Quatsch-Men” team of Jack Gerard (captain), Peter Hermann

35. Michele Berning

36. Shaun Bonner

and Fran Volz won the Rockford Park District’s 30th annual Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition with the sculpture, “Oh My PumpyUmpy-Umkin. They advanced to the 2017 U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting Competition in Lake Geneva, Wis. Eleven state teams, 15 high school teams and one exhibition team (the winner of last year’s competition) participated in January.

Kerry Schaible, financial advisor, Northwestern Mutual, received continuing education credits for attending the American College Knowledge Summit Conference and Commencement in Honolulu; completing Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU©) and Retirement Income Certified Professional designations (RICP©).

Michelle Bowman, Edward Jones, completed a course on Long Term Care Training as part of her continuing education for 2016.

Doctors Edison Lim and Jocelyn Go-Lim, OSF Medical Group – Cherry Valley, received the St. Michael Defender of Life award at the Holy Family parish pro-life banquet in January for incorporating the use of natural family planning and NaPro Technology in their practice.

Chris Soutar (30), Entré Computer Solutions, now is a certified LogicNow remote management technician.

Nancy Salsbury (31), Spectrum Insurance Agency completed the certified insurance counselors agency management, and Aimee Bermen (32) attended How to Evaluate Health Networks, Industry Update on Self Funding, Pharmacy Trends for 2016 and ethics class.

OF GENERAL INTEREST

Illinois Bank & Trust employees Gavin Doyle (33), Diane Gockel (34) and Michele Berning (35) joined the Galena Rotary Club.

Doyle recently enrolled in the Jo Daviess County Leadership Forum.

Shaun Bonner (36), store director, and Brittany Lake, retail administrative assistant, Meijer, were guest speakers at Bridgeway’s Job Club on Feb. 9 in Loves Park.

Bridgeway Inc., hosts the monthly club to provide job readiness skills and training to adults with disabilities through its community employment services program.

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

Tuesday, March 1 Dr. Greg Nelligan presents a free Community Seminar on Diabetes, 5:30 p.m., in A254 at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, 1601 Parkview Ave. RSVP to jahutch3@uic.edu or 815-395-5649.

Wednesday, March 2 Rockford Public Library hosts Search the Foundation Directory Online for Nonprofit Grants, 2 to 3:30 p.m., main library, second floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. Must be proficient using the Internet.

Spaces are limited. Registration required at 815-965-7606.

Thursday, March 3

University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford presents a free community seminar, Did I Cause My Diabetes, 5:30 p.m., at 1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, featuring Dr. Greg Nelligan, clinical assistant professor, department of medicine and medical specialties. Register at 815-395-5649 or jahutch3@uic.edu.

Friday, March 4

Lucette Salon & Spa, 508 E. State St., Rockford, hosts a Two-Year Anniversary Party with giveaways, shopping bonuses and complimentary moments of wellness.

Visit www.lucettesalon.com.

March 2016

Community Events COMMUNITY

Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., hosts Ag All Around Us, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet local farmers, create the cutest crafts, snuggle up with a baby barnyard animal and explore plants and soil. Call 815-9636769 or www.discovery centermuseum.org.

Spring Symposium - Gardening for Food & Fun 2016, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford.

William Sullivan, head of the department of landscape architecture, University of Illinois, will present, A Dose of Nature. Register at http:// web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw/ or call 815-986-4357.

Rickey Smiley and an all-star cast of comedians, including Lil Duval, Special K, Marcus Combs and D Rock, present their Laugh-A-Thon, 10 a.m., Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. For tickets visit the BMO Harris Bank Center box office, Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

Natural Land Institute hosts Winter Tree & Shrub Identification Workshop, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; led

by Zach Grycan, director of stewardship. The morning session takes place at the Talcott Free Library, 101 E. Main St., Rockton. The afternoon session includes a walk at Burr Oak Valley Preserve, Roscoe.

Register at 815-964-6666 or info@ naturalland.org.

Saturday, March 5

Sunday, March 6

Global Spiritual Organization Inc. (Nanaksar Sikh Temple Rockford), hosts a Fundraising Program, 7 to 9 p.m., at India House Restaurant, 6430 E. Riverside Blvd. Register at 815308-3313, 847-907-1006 or gso1gso@gmail.com.

Granite City Food & Brewery, 7140 Harrison Ave., Rockford, hosts Tapping Celebration! 4 to 6 p.m., to celebrate its newest seasonal brew, Burning Barn Irish Red. Includes free samples, brewery tours, pairings, games and giveaways.

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County presents the Calling Frog Survey, a free educational workshop with Lalainya Goldsberry, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 9 a.m. to noon at 5500 Northrock Dr., Rockford.

Registration required for instructional materials. Walk-ins welcome, though space is limited. Call 815-877-6100 or e-mail komalley@winnebagoforest.org.

Midway Village Museum presents its annual Sock Monkey Madness Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; March 5 and 6, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford. Includes Rockford Dance Company performing the Dance of the Sock Monkeys and the popular Make A Monkey workshop. Call 815-3979112 for questions.

SwedishAmerican Foundation presents its 22nd annual Fundraising Gala at Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Attractions, entertainment and sampling foods from various “ports-of-call,” including Italy, Greece and Spain; a 50/50 raffle, and music by Sound Productions (DJ).

Proceeds benefit holistic health services.

RSVP by Feb. 26 at 779-696-2496.

The Rockford Coronado Concert Association presents Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra, 3 p.m., Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St. Visit www.rccaconcerts.org for list of concerts. Tickets at www. coronadopac.org or 815-968-0595.

Monday, March 7 YWCA Northwestern Illinois presents its Leader Luncheon XXXVI: Women of Achievement, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Giovanni’s.

Keynote speaker is Lilly Ledbetter.

Visit ywca.org/rockford/ leaderluncheon.

Tuesday, March 8

Lucette Salon & Spa, 508 E. State St., Rockford, presents a Viewing Party for the new Makers documentary, “Once and For All,” an inspirational film memorializes the unprecedented United Nations event for women’s rights in Beijing, China in 1995. Visit www.lucettesalon.com.

NIU EIGERlab hosts its Innovation Tuesday Meetup, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at NIU-Rockford, 8500 E. State St. The topic, Circuit Building 101: Intro to

Electronics, will explore the fundamentals of a PCB including; composition, terminology, methods of assembly and the design process.

Register at Meetup.com. For questions contact 815-753-2192 or spritz@eigerlab.org.

Wednesday, March 9 Spectrum Progressive School hosts an Open House, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., March 9 and 10, at 2909 N. Main St., Rockford. Visit www.spectrumschool. org/open-house or call 815-877-1600.

Call or email Stephanie at s.koclanis@ spectrumschool.org for questions or a tour.

The Women’s Art Board of Rockford Art Museum hosts Arttalks 2016 with Betsy Youngquist, noon, at 711 N. Main St., Rockford. Call 815-9682787 or rockfordartmuseum.org.

Friday, March 11 Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, presents the 18th annual Paleofest 2016, featuring women in paleontology, March 11 to 13. Visit www.burpee.org/ home for speakers and times.

Saturday, March 12 Forest Preserves of Winnebago County presents Bumble Bees and Other Native Pollinators with Barbara Williams, 9 a.m. to noon at 5500 Northrock Dr., Rockford. Registration required for instructional materials.

Walk-ins welcome, though space is limited. Call 815-877-6100 or e-mail komalley@winnebagoforest.org.

Sunday, March 13 Celtic Woman with its newest album DESTINY will perform at 3 p.m., at Coronado Performing Arts Center, Rockford. Tickets are available at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office, Ticketmaster.com or call 815-9685222.

Tuesday, March 15 Rockford University presents the Charity Detox Luncheon with keynote Robert Lupton, author of Toxic Charity - How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Radisson Hotel & Convention Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Register at www. charitydetox.eventbrite.com by March 8. For more information, contact jsmith@rockford.edu or 815-394-4384.

Friday, March 18 The TruTV Impractical Jokers “Where’s Larry?” starring the Tenderloins, 7 p.m., Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. For tickets visit the BMO Harris Bank Center box office, Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

Saturday, March 19 Rockford Public Library presents “A Little More Les”: WGN Radio legends on their Les Paul Book, 4 to 7 p.m., Nordlof Center, J.R. Sullivan Theater, 118 N. Main St. Steve King

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

and Johnnie Putman, WGN radio, will talk about the famed inventor who grew up in Waukesha, Wis., and revolutionized the recording industry.

Local guitarists, including Leanne Leonard (from the band Minimal) and Paul Bronson, will play on their Les Paul guitars. Registration not required. Call 815-965-7606.

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County presents Dragonfly & Damselfly Monitoring with Marla Garrison, McHenry County College.

Beginner session, 9 a.m.; intermediate session, 10 a.m., at 5500 Northrock Dr., Rockford.

Registration required for instructional materials. Walk-ins welcome, though space is limited. Call 815-877-6100 or e-mail komalley@ winnebagoforest.org.

Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., hosts Bubble Festival.

Advanced tickets available for bubble-celebrity Geoffrey Akins’ live performances and sudsy science fun. Call 815-963-6769 or www. discoverycentermuseum.org.

Tuesday, March 22 Rockford Public Library hosts a 4th Tuesday Book Discussion: The Fifth Gospel: a novel, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., main library, Classroom C, 215 N. Wyman St. Registration not required. Call 815-965-7606.

First National Bank and Trust hosts a free First-Time Homebuyer Event, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at 345 East Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. RSVP at www.bankatfirstnational.com/RSVP or call 800-667-4401.

Friday, March 25 Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., hosts Spring into Science, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., March 25 to April 1. Celebrate STEM as we play with numbers, explore translucent colors, dabble in reflection, and use refraction to make a rainbow viewer.

Art activities and live science demonstrations. Call 815-963-6769 or www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

Saturday, March 26 Rock Valley College presents an Hour of Code event with Professor Chuck Konkol, 9 to 10 a.m., at WTC 152, main campus. Includes code tutorial (unplugged or online) and raffle drawing for door prizes.

Free; open to the public. Register at hourofcodeworkshops.eventbrite. com.

Wednesday, March 30 First Northern Credit Union hosts a free financial education seminar, Take the Wheel: Car Buying and You, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at 104 N. Show Place Dr., Rockford. Visit www.fncu. org/seminars. Register at 815-3152118 or dtognarelli@fncu.org.

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March 2016

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Membership: 101 101 MEMBERSHIP

Why join your

Businesses victimized by cyber crime The loss may be yours

For business accounts, the account holder has 24 hours to report the suspicious transaction – after that, the business is accountable for losses due to fraud.

A small business executive had a very unexpected and unpleasant surprise upon reviewing the firm’s recent financial transactions. Three days before, $360,000 was wired out of the business account and sent to Moldova. She immediately suspected that the transfer was the result of fraud, but as such, she assumed the bank would make her business whole by refunding any incurred losses.

Unfortunately for her and her company, that assumption was incorrect and ultimately, the business absorbed the loss.

An internal investigation revealed that an administrator in the business had unintentionally installed malware on the firm’s computer network when he clicked on a link in an email that appeared to have come from an overnight shipping company. This action initiated the download of a program that surreptitiously recorded the keystrokes on his computer, ultimately capturing the company’s user name and password for one of its bank accounts.

The fraudsters, who specialize in malware delivery, passed along the bank login credentials to another group in what is called a “cyber-criminal organizational enterprise.” That group specializes in extracting money from victim bank accounts in the form of electronic transfers. In this case, the transfer from the company’s account was completed, settled through the financial network and picked up by the crooks in Moldova.

Flabbergasted would be one way to describe the collective reaction at the business when told by the bank, which with they had a 15-year relationship, that the company was responsible for the entire loss. Most people assume that banks refund money lost as the result of fraudulent bank transactions.

That is true in the cases where personal accounts have been breached – if the fraud is reported within 60 days. For business accounts, the account holder has 24 hours to report the suspicious transaction – after that, the business is accountable for losses due to fraud.

Account Takeovers The crime described here is anything but unique. In fact, the FBI describes “account takeovers” as a growing crime,

Jeff Lanza Retired FBI

with active investigations involving hundreds of separate victim companies and hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. Very little of this money will ever be recovered.

Prevention against the threat of account takeovers falls into two general categories: technology and behavior. Most banks have online technological tools that create “layers” of security to prevent large sums of money being fraudulently transferred out of bank accounts. Businesses should have ongoing discussions with their bankers about employing specific ways to mitigate the threat, such as “positive pay,” which is a payment management system designed to prevent fraud or “out-ofband authentication.” This adds a layer of security to prevent compromising the bank login process.

The best fraud prevention technology, however, can be rendered useless by the actions of uneducated users. Employees should be made aware of the latest email phishing threats and taught never to click on links or attachments from unknown senders. In a larger sense, on-going security training should be standard protocol for all business entities to prevent these account takeovers and many other types of fraud. After all, no one likes unexpected and unpleasant surprises when they look at their bank transactions.

This example is based on a true story.

Jeff Lanza is a retired FBI agent. Visit www. thelanzagroup.com.

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

Learn More About Protecting Your Business Jeff Lanza presents: Growing the Business Bottom Line: Preventing Cyber Fraud Lanza will base his presentation on real life FBI cases.

Thursday, March 24 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford Sponsored by BMO Harris Bank Visit www.rockfordchamber.com (click Events)

Chamber of Commerce?

It’s a matter of

trust

With everyone’s hectic schedules, why is joining and actively participating in a local chamber of commerce a good investment?

■ It keeps business owners and organizational leaders on top of important, ever-changing issues and trends in the community and local marketplace.

■ Consumers say they are more likely to do business with an organization that’s a chamber of commerce member; believing it communicates that it uses good business practices, is trustworthy and an industry leader.

Results of a research study by The Shapiro Group, Inc., and Market Street indicate that the impact of local chamber membership on small businesses is very powerful. If a consumer knows a small business is a member of its local chamber, the business enjoys a: ■ 44 percent increase in its consumer favorability rating ■ 51 percent increase in consumer awareness ■ 57 percent increase in local reputation ■ 63 percent increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future “The more a firm is networked with its community, the quicker and easier it is to establish a trust bond with customers.” —Dr. Craig Shoemaker, marketing professor and chair of the marketing department, St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.

It takes time for a business to establish an image and reputation in the community, and people like doing business with companies they like and trust, but that trust must be earned.

Being a member of the chamber and paying your annual dues is good, but to reap the full benefits of membership takes an investment of time and effort. Visit www.rockfordchamber. com, Events/Programs, for an overview of the ways you can get involved or call 815-987-8100.

www.rockfordchamber.com

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March 2016

Rand joins the Rockford Chamber

Membership Renewals

By Barbara Connors The Rockford Chamber welcomed new employee, Doug Rand, who will head up the financial functions of the chamber as accounting manager/ controller.

“I’m very excited to join such a valued and established organization as the chamber and look forward to assisting it in its efforts to support the Rockford business community in every possible way,” Rand said.

He prides himself in analyzing an organization’s performance and targeting areas for improvement.

Rand comes to the chamber after working as controller/human resources coordinator for Rockford Career College, where he supervised the accounting and student services departments and the college’s human resources functions.

He has more than 25 years of financial executive experience in Rockford at CIMCO Resources Inc.,

Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in January, 2016.

Watt Publishing Company, TCF Savings Bank, FSB, and First Federal Savings & Loan. His community outreach includes serving as a board member for the United Way of Rock River Valley, campaign coordinator for the March of Dimes and a volunteer with the American Red Cross. He earned his MBA in finance from Eastern Illinois University.

New Chamber Members MEMBERS ALLSTATE

OC CREATIVE INC.

Allstate Corp is the largest held personal lines and casualty insurer in America, serving more than 16 million households 6602 N. 2nd St. Loves Park, IL 61111 Milos Komazec 815-516-5565 www.allstate.com

Influencing your audience through creative video and design 1600 E Lincoln Hwy DeKalb IL 60115 Brian Oster - (815) 756-8000 www.ocimageworks.com

JIM ORLANDO PHOTOGRAPHY Professional photography corporate, industrial, commercial, events and portraits 724 Paris Ave., 61107 Jim Orlando 815-397-8464 www.jimorlandophotography.com

ROCK RIVER PEST CONTROL Family-owned and -operated pest management company that provides fast, effective pest control solutions for both commercial and residential clients 215 N. 4th St., Ste. A, 61107 Stacy Wallace 815-708-0999 www.rockriverpestcontrol.com

LEE & ASSOCIATES OF ILLINOIS Commerical real estate 9450 W. Bryn Mawr.

Rosemont, IL 60018 Mike Woldman 815-877-5544 www.lee-associates.com

Let your Voice be heard

Do you have news to share?

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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 P ­ UBLICATION

1st Family Home Healthcare, Inc. A-1 Lapping & Machine Co. Inc. AAA Rockford Accu-Cut Inc. Advanced Disposal Solid Waste Services Advantage Funeral Home & Cremation Services at Willwood Burial Park Allen Heating & Cooling Inc. American Precision Supply, Inc. Ameriprise Financial Anderson Dodge Anderson Nissan Anderson Toyota/Lexus of Rockford APEXteriors, Inc. A-Sign Designs Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Best Events Hospitality Group Boy Scouts/Blackhawk Area Council Butitta Brothers Automotive Catholic Diocese of Rockford Christofferson Moving & Storage City Fire Fighters Union IAFF Local 413 Classic Limousine of Rockford, Inc. Comcast Business Custom Concrete Ltd. DeSoto House Hotel Envoy Mortgage EverSmart Insurance Agency First Benefits Group Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Ltd. - Mulford Road Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Ltd. - Rockton Avenue Forest Hills Country Club Freeway Rockford, Inc., Subsidiary of Freeway Corporation Frink’s Sewer & Drain Inc. Gemini Computer Systems, Inc. gift it! Rockford Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois GrahamSpencer Brand + Content Solutions Grandview Condominium Association Granite City Food & Brewery Hanson Professional Services Inc. Healthcare Plus Holmertz-Parsons, CPA’s Hyundai on Perryville I. Spinello Locksmiths, Division of Nate, Inc. J & M Plating, Inc. Kilbuck Creek Kitchens by Diane Knopp Construction Inc. LOESCHER & Associates, Ltd. Maciano’s Pizza - Columbia Parkway

Metropolitan Title Agency Midland General Contractors, Inc. Midwest Stitch Miller Eye Center Natural Choice Corporation New York Life - Chad DeMarre Nicholson Hardware Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance Northwest Quarterly Magazine Orput Companies Inc. Pelion Actuarial Services Pizza Hut - Machesney Park (Rockford Pizza Inc.) Pizza Hut - 11th Street Pizza Hut - North Main Pizza Hut - South Alpine Pizza Hut (Rockford Pizza Inc.) Progressive Steel Treating R.R. Floody Company, Inc. RAC Adjustment Company Rally Appraisal, LLC Ray King REALTOR Richard L. Johnson Associates, Inc. Rock River Ford, Kia, Mitsubishi Rock Town Consulting Rock Valley Credit Union Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity Inc. Rockford Broach, Inc. Rockford Christian Schools Rockford Manufacturing Group Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning (RMAP) Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects Skyward Promotions now powered

by American Solutions for Business Sodexo Stateline World Trade Association, Ltd. Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center SVL Productions The Carriage Homes of Park Hills VI The Observer The Olympic Tavern TLC Construction TLC...the Learning Center, Inc. Union Fence Company University of Illinois Extension Winnebago County V2 Marketing Communications Victory Golf Range Wood CPA’s Ltd YMCA of Rock River Valley YMCA - Camp Winnebago YMCA YMCA - Community Outreach YMCA YMCA - ID Pennock Family YMCA YMCA - Northeast Family YMCA YMCA - Youth Achievement YMCA

March 2016 Member Anniversaries Thank you to the members celebrating their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

40-YEAR MEMBER

10-YEAR MEMBER

25-YEAR MEMBER

5-YEAR MEMBERS

MegaFab

Sikich LLP

20-YEAR MEMBER

Modernspace Studio/TechlineRockford

15-YEAR MEMBERS

ABC Supply Co., Inc. - Rockford ABC Supply Co., Inc. - Roscoe Hooters of Rockford Pumilia Family Dental Group

Phantom Regiment

Ameriprise Financial Blount International (Parent Company of Woods Equipment) Copperstone Inn, Orchard Ridge Farms

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events MARCH, 2016 Tuesday, March 1

Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St. Keri Benhoff, president, FurstSearch and Kim Blascoe, partner, Wipfli, share their stories in Curvy Road To Success.

Sponsored by MembersAlliance Credit Union.

Wednesday, March 2 PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford.

Speaker is Dr. Juliette Kalweit, M.D., medical director, SwedishAmerican, a division of UW Health, and will speak on palliative care.

Wednesday, March 9 7:30 - 9:00 am Rock Valley College, Woodward Technology Center 3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford

Breakfast Buzz Shelley Wagner, wellness coordinator, and Michael Parson, large group director, Williams-Manny Insurance Group, present Wellness in the Workplace.

Sponsored by RSM US LLP.

Wednesday, March 10

Ambassador March Meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rockford Register Star, 99 E. State St., Rockford. Bea Ricotta will speak and give a tour of the newspaper, if time allows.

Friday, March 11

Government Affairs Council, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Sponsored by AT&T.

Tuesday, March 15

IGNITE St. Patrick’s Day Party with First Northern Credit Union, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Hope & Anchor, 5040 N. 2nd St., Loves Park. Complimentary appetizers and two drink tickets per person. Don’t forget to wear your green! Sponsored by First Northern Credit Union.

Ribbon Cutting and Open House, 3 to 7 p.m., at Edward Jones, 4949 Harrison Ave., Ste. #128. Ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 16 PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Speaker is Cathy McDermott, administrator, Rock River Development Partnership.

Thursday, March 24 11:30 am - 1:15 pm Radisson Conference Center 200 S. Bell School Rd., Rockford

Business

LUNCHEON SERIES Jeff Lanza presents “Growing the Business Bottom Line: Preventing Cyber Fraud.” As an FBI Special Agent who learned the tricks of the criminal mind, Jeff uses real-life FBI cases to inform and keep people safe in a world of new threats.

Sponsored by BMO Harris Bank (presenting).

APRIL, 2016

Thursday, April 7

Ribbon Cutting at Remedies Renewing Lives, 4 to 5 p.m., 220 Easton Pkwy., Rockford.

Advertisers Index ADVERTISERS

The Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Northern Public Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Alpine Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Oak Street Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ATHENA PowerLink®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center . . . . . . . . . 16 Blackhawk Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 OrthoIllinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 BMO Harris Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Rockford Chamber of Brian Thomas Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 24, 27, 32 Broadmoor Agency, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Rockford University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, RSM US LLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 First National Bank and Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health . . 19 First Step Chiropractic, S.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Thayer Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Honquest Family Funeral Homes and Crematory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Transformations Plastic Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Illinois Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 University of Illinois College of Medicine Klaas Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 at Rockford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 MercyRockford Health System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Van Galder Bus Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Friday, April 8

Government Affairs Council, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Sponsored by AT&T. Wednesday, April 13 7:30 - 9:00 am Rock Valley College, Woodward Technology Center 3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford

Breakfast Buzz Michael Cyrs, Savant Capital Management; Tom Budd, Rockford Bank & Trust, and T.J. Leake, Hinshaw & Culbertson, present Succession Planning for Your Business.

Sponsored by RSM US LLP.

Thursday, April 14 4 - 8 pm Cliffbreakers Riverside Hotel & Conference Center 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford

Celebration of Manufacturing EXPO & DINNER

Eileen McDargh keynotes on the theme: The Manufacturing Advantage: Achieving Resiliency. Announcement of the Individual Business Catalyst of the Year and the Manufacturer of the Year.

Sponsored by QPS Employment Group (presenting), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Int’l., Rockford Bank & Trust Co. and Wipfli LLP (gold), and Thayer Lighting, Inc. (Silver).

Wednesday, April 20

Good Morning Rockford! 7:30 to 9 a.m., Oak Street Health, 301 E. State St., Rockford.

APRIL VOICE SPECIAL SECTION:

Money Smarts For information on advertising, call 815

31

March 2016

987-8100

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100 ............................................. Direct Line

Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO ......................................... 815-316-4304 Heidi M. Garner, Chief Operating Officer ................................... 815-316-4312 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology .................. 815-316-4338 Lynette Jacques, Vice President, Member Investment ................... 815-316-4317 Caitlin Ludwig, Vice President, Leadership Development ................... 815-316-4337 Stacy Mullins, Director of Events ............................................. 815-316-4302 Doug Rand, Accounting Manager/Controller .............................. 815-316-4316 Sue Boyer, Member Relations ................................................ 815-316-4315 Mary Ann Suprenant, Membership Development Manager ............. 815-316-4336 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator ........................ 815-316-4320

Chamber Board of Directors & Officers EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman of the Board Patti Thayer Thayer Lighting, Inc. Chair Elect Richard Zumwalt OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Vice Chair Michele Petrie BMO Harris Bank Treasurer Amy Ott Boylan Catholic High School Immediate Past Chair Richard Walsh Zimmerman & Walsh, LLP

DIRECTORS

Andrew Benson Benson Stone Company, Inc. Jan Bowman TLC Construction Joe Castrogiovanni Giovanni’s, Inc. Dr. Carmen Coballes-Vega Rock Valley College Dr. Rena Cotsones Northern Illinois University Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Don Daniels SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health Rebecca Epperson Chartwell Agency Darlene Furst FurstStaffing

Ira Grimmett UTC Aerospace Systems

Dan Ross Williams-Manny Insurance Group

Dr. Robert Head Rockford University

Henry Seybold MercyRockford Health System

Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home Jeff Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Kris Kieper YWCA Northwestern Illinois Paul McCann Stanley Steemer of Rockford Patrick Morrow Alpine Bank Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting Mark Peterson CBL Associates CherryVale

Patrick Shaw RSM US LLP Laura Williamson Rockford Park District

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS Einar K. Forsman President & CEO, Rockford Chamber of Commerce John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Michael Nicholas Rockford Area Economic Development