April Voice 2022 by Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce

the

MAKING CONNECTIONS

HOW TO FIND THE GOOD ONES

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of the rockford business community

April 2022 | Volume 35 | No. 4

BECOME PART OF THE SUCCESS OF THE ROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Setting the education standards of our community Coming in 2023 is an election that is very important to the success of our region. All of the seats for Rockford Public Schools District 205 are up for voter consideration.

This is a result of required redistricting as part of adapting to population trends from the 2020 census. While many of our local governmental entities play an important role in our region, our local schools districts are incredibly important to our businesses, employers, families, and the economy. Top quality sducational attainment, character development, and workforce skills are some of the priorities that the broader community looks for from its school district.

This does not happen without community leadership and an engaged community. It is imperative that a school board is made up of good leaders who can work together on what’s important from a community agenda standpoint to develop our youth, and future leaders to enhance our overall community. The Rockford Chamber is urging people from the business community to consider running for these positions; whether it is you, someone you know in your organization, or someone out in the community that you think is a good leader. Seriously, think about running for a district seat. This is not to say we don’t have good, qualified people on the school board currently, but with the potential for a full changeover of a school board in a single election, it is critical that we have a plethora of people seeking to lead.

About RPS 205 Rockford Public Schools is one of

the largest school districts in Illinois, educating approximately 28,000 students through early childhood and preschool programs all the way through high school and adult education programs. There are 41 schools in the district. Those who live in or are planning to move to the Rockford area can use our school zone locator to determine the assigned school zone. With approximately 4,075 employees, the school district is also the second-largest employer in the region.

What do school boards do? Beyond the practical tasks, effective school boards set a vision for the community’s young people, helping them achieve a world-class education that prepares them for life beyond high school. Broader tasks include setting high academic standards, supporting teachers and staff, ensuring transparency and accountability, creating a safe and positive school culture, and advancing policies that allow every student to thrive. As controversies arise, school boards pursue consensus, reconcile differences, reach a (continued on page 11)

THE MOST INTERESTING THING MADE IN ILLINOIS The Illinois Manufacturing Association, in partnership with Comcast Business, launched the third-annual “Makers Madness” contest to determine the most interesting item created in Illinois. Previous contest winners include the 797F Mining Truck manufactured by Caterpillar, Inc., Decatur (pictured above); the world’s largest mechanical truck, and the Self-Regulating Traffic Signal Heater by Termico Technologies, Elk Grove Village, which uses conductive particles to heat traffic signals so they remain free of ice and snow. Rounds of voting will take place each week for the top 16 products; culminating with an awards ceremony on April 27 when The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois will be named. Visit makersmadnessil.com.

EXTENSION OF DMV SERVICES Illinois drivers who need to renew driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits will now have four extra months with the announcement by Secretary of State Jesse White extending the March 31 deadline. Expired driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits now will remain valid until July 31, 2022. The decision was made due to backlogs from COVID-19 and inclement weather.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! ROCKFORD CHAMBER

GOLF CLASSIC

MONDAY, MAY 23, 11 AM FOREST HILLS COUNTRY CLUB For more information, see page 23 PRESENTING SPONSOR

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The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

Data provided by Rockford Public Schools, State of Illinois.

The Board of Education Member Subdistricts were approved March 8, 2022 by the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education.

Winnebago County volunteers are assisting 4-H youth on April 2 with planting a grouping, called a savannah, of 25 oak trees, at Rock Valley College. The initiative is a part of the 2020-2030 Illinois Forest Action Plan, Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Illinois once held 14 million acres of trees, according to Curt Sinclair, natural resources and shooting sports specialist at University of Illinois Extension 4-H. That number dropped to 3 million acres, before intentional efforts 50 years ago began to reverse the decline. Today, Illinois has 5 million acres of trees.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

CHAIRMAN’S PERSPECTIVE

DAN ROSS Rockford Chamber Board Chairman

Our people’s propensity for doing good

Help for our city sister in Ukraine — Brovary, outside Kyiv

I have never started a speech, written an article or any other form of communication, for that matter, with the sometimes-overdone dictionary definition of a word, but it really is necessary here. So here goes … Webster defines propensity as “an often INTENSE NATURAL INCLINATION or preference.” Using that definition for propensity, it is my belief that the people who call this area home have a propensity for doing good. I hope this is stating the obvious to each of you, but after what I have witnessed over the past few weeks, I cannot help but say it out loud. I, like many of you, have been horrified by what I have been witnessing on the news and social media regarding the tragedy that is unfolding in the Ukraine. I also, like many, have felt the strong desire to do something to help out, but I didn’t know where to begin. Thankfully, there are people in our great community that were already well on their way to figuring that out.

I received a request on March 3 from the City of Rockford and the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau asking if the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois would be willing to participate in a funding campaign, along with Kids Around the World, to provide much-needed supplies to our sister city in Brovary, Ukraine. The mayor of Brovary had made a personal plea to our city to help them out, and their needs were both urgent and critical. (psst. … Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know we had a sister city in Brovary or that Brovary was a suburb of Kyiv where the fighting has been non-stop. I didn’t either, but I have learned a lot in a few weeks.)

An Outpouring of Support So this is where the definition of propensity comes in to play. … It would have been very easy for all parties involved to simply say we don’t have the time,

the knowledge, the funds or any other number of legitimate reasons, to get involved. But I truly believe the people of our community have an INTENSE NATURAL INCLINATION to do good. So in a matter of two days, the campaign was publicly kicked off. I was not prepared for what I have witnessed since our March 5 news conference. Just at the Community Foundation, we collected more than $20,000 in the first few days, and that number has risen to more than $50,000 in just a couple of weeks. Kids Around the World has seen similar levels of giving. With these dollars collected, critical supplies have already reached the hands of those most in need in Brovary, including generators, medical supplies, cots and many other items. Pallets of food and vital medicines are in route as I write this, with more to come. In a time of uncertainty and economic hardship for many in the Stateline, it has been truly amazing to see the outpouring of support. We have received gifts from $10 to $5,000, all of which are equally meaningful. There have been two local artists that created and sold art to support the people of Brovary, and we have received offers of donated goods and even an offer to host refugees. We have had gifts come in from all across the country as local people spread the word, and I actually received an email

from a student in Brovary offering to assist if we needed any help with logistics. In addition, the well wishes and personal stories that have accompanied many of the gifts has been truly touching. I have the good fortune to witness the propensity of the citizens of this area to do good on a regular basis through my job, but I felt compelled to share this one powerful example with you. I, for one, am very proud to be a part of this giving community. Dan Ross is chair of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and president of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.

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

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

Ways you can spot a fake mobile app:

Mobile payment app scams on the rise

Tips from ComEd, Better Business Bureau for utility customers The popularity of mobile payment apps like Cash App and Venmo is giving rise to incidents of scammers using these digital networks to bilk ComEd customers out of their money. In January 2022, ComEd received more than 240 reports of scams from customers, a more than 150 percent increase from January 2021. The amount of money reported lost rose to more than $27,000 in January 2022; 20 times more than January 2021. Scammers are contacting ComEd customers by phone, although some contacts can be made by text or email, demanding payment to a particular account under the threat of immediate service disconnection. The imposter instructs the customer to use a mobile payment app, which often has higher transaction limits than pre-paid cash cards. “Scammers keep adding new tools like payment apps to take advantage of unsuspecting victims,” said Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau. “Along with impersonating utility representatives, there are fake calls and emails from the IRS, Social Security

and other government officials demanding immediate payments. A lot of scams the BBB sees are based on unconventional payment methods. His tip: “Never give out personal information or send money until you have contacted the company directly to check your account status.”

More Tips ComEd will never call or come to a customer’s home or business to ask for direct payment with a prepaid cash card, cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or thirdparty payment app like Cash App, QuickPay, Venmo or Zelle. It will never demand immediate payment or ask for a ComEd account number or other personal information, such as a Social Security number, driver’s license number or bank information. All ComEd field employees wear a uniform with the ComEd logo. They visibly display a company ID badge with the logo and employee’s name. ComEd recently changed its logo, but the former logo might be seen on uniforms, badges and vehicles until it is phased out.

Customers should make a call to verify that a suspected email or website is from a trusted source. Also, use a phone number from personal business records or the company’s official website; not the number provided in the email. ComEd urges anyone who believes they have been a target or victim of a scam to call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661) or visit ComEd.com/ ScamAlert. ComEd offers a number of paymentassistance options, including flexible payment options, financial assistance and usage alerts for current bills. Any customer experiencing a hardship or difficulty with their electric bill should call ComEd at 1-800-334-7661 (1-800-EDISON-1), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., to determine which programs may be available to help with past-due balances. Also visit ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance.

Do some research. Even if the developer seems to have few reviews or very little downloads, they could just be starting out. Perform an Internet search on the app and the developer. Most legitimate developers will have a website that showcases the app and any additional apps that company has made. Read what reviews of the app that are available. If they seem short and nondescript, chances are, it is a scam. Additionally, there could also be reviews from users that were previously duped by that app. Notice the details. Are the images of the app professional? Good design indicates a good app. Scammers are often in a rush and simply throw images together. Look for mismatched fonts, misspellings and non-symmetrical placement of logos and images. Are there thorough explanations and details of what the app does? Legitimate app developers will usually write out a good explanation of instructions and features of the app. Many fake apps are clones of popular, established apps. Examine the name of the developer to see if it matches up with the app. Note the amount of reviews- hugely popular apps will have hundreds, if not thousands of user reviews.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

Nation’s Black-owned businesses increased, 2017 to 2019 The number of U.S. Black-owned businesses grew from 2017 to 2019 in all sectors of the U.S. economy, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey (ABS).

Initiative, which recognizes the impact

■ In 2019, there were 134,567 Blackowned employer businesses (businesses with more than one employee) in all sectors of the U.S. economy, an eight percent hike from the 124,551 Blackowned employer businesses in 2018, according to the ABS.

centers throughout the country to help

■ In 2018, there were about 3,115,000 nonemployer businesses with Black owners, up 5.6 percent from 2,951,000 in 2017, according to the Census Bureau’s 2018 Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics (NES-D).

liseth@strategicexceptions.com or 630-

Black History Month

To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week (then called “Negro History Week”) nearly a century ago. The event was first celebrated during the second week of February 1926, selected because it coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14). The week would continue to be set aside for the event until 1976 when, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, it was expanded to a month. Since then, U.S. presidents have proclaimed February as National Black History Month.

Resources for MinorityOwned Businesses Minority women are the fastest growing population of entrepreneurs, according to the Minority Business Development Agency. The MBDA was created by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Minority Business Enterprise on March 5, 1969 with a goal to promote and support minorityowned businesses. Among its initiatives is the Enterprising Women of Color

of minority women-owned businesses in communities. Visit www.mbda.gov/ enterprising-women-of-color. The MBDA also has set up business minority

populations

expand

their

businesses and/or markets, such as helping them identify strategic partners or become export-ready. For the MBDA center in Illinois, visit 31 S. Grove Ave., Elgin, or contact 526-1063.

Northern Illinois: ‘the Promised Land’ The Association for the Study African

American

Life

and

History released “Black Migrations;” information on the movement of people of African descent to new destinations, and new social realities. One of the most prominent examples of

Black movement is the Great

Migration that occurred between 1916 and 1970, in which 6 million AfricanAmericans in the United States moved out of the rural South to the urban Northeast, Midwest and West. In the Northeast, Harlem drew nearly 175,000 African Americans, making it the largest concentration of Black people in the world during the Great Migration. Chicago and northern Illinois were known as the “Promised Land;” a prime destination for Blacks living below the Mason Dixon line. It is reported almost 500,000 moved to the city in the first wave of migration between 1915 and 1940 -- the greatest migration in U.S. history. And when millions of African Americans fled the South in search of a better life, they remade the nation in ways that are still being felt today. More on the Great Migration can be found in “The Road to Freedom” by Isabel Wilkerson, published as a special issue of Smithsonian magazine.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

proﬁle

MEMBER PROFILE

MORE THAN JUST A GOOD CUP OF JOE:

Wired Café By Paul Anthony Arco

The past two years have been hard on many small business owners, and that’s certainly been the case for Crystal Douglas, owner of Wired Cafe in downtown Rockford. Despite the many challenges running a business, Douglas knows her customers need her now more than ever. Recently, Douglas came across her business plan that she wrote 12 years ago. “I wanted to create a place where people could form relationships over a cup of coffee,” she said. “I wanted to build a Cheers-type of place where people could come together, get away from their problems and feel safe.” In 2010, Douglas and her two daughters, Shanna Hill and Maggie Douglas, opened Wired Cafe, named because of its connection to coffee as well as the Internet. Shanna and Maggie both had previous experience working in coffee shops, and all three women shared a love for a good cup of brew. “Any time we went out some place we ended up in a coffee shop,” says Douglas. “And when I went to visit them at work I always said, ‘This looks like fun. I can do this.’” After looking at different locations,

Douglas chose downtown Rockford to call home. “We like the vibes of a downtown, whether it’s a small town or mid-size city like Rockford,” she said. “Downtown has so much life and a family feeling thanks to the neighboring businesses.”

Local Favorites Wired is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Breakfast is served all day and includes popular items such as a burrito bowl and avocado toast. For lunch, there’s salads, soups, wraps and sandwiches, including the popular Don’t Tell Hammy – a ham, Swiss served on a sweet brioche bread, and The Kevin Haas, named after a local reporter, and includes beef, barbecue, bacon, jalapeno, and gouda cheese. The kids’ menu offers peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese and a Bitty Buster Bub, a smaller version of the Buster Bub (toasted English muffin, diced apples, peanut butter, and honey). There are plenty of baked goods – the Wired Cafe muffin, Crack bars (oatmeal, chocolate and caramel), banana bread and seasonal items such as pumpkin and lemon bars. The drink menu features house coffee, flavored lattes, cappuccino, hot teas and fruit smoothies. The coffee is purchased from roasters in Michigan, the espresso

(l to r) Shanna, Maggie and Crystal serve up smiles along with coﬀee and food. CATALYST DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY

from the state of Washington, and on Fridays, Wired offers an original roast produced by Fireman Dept. Coffee, a Rockford-based business operated by active and retired Rockford firefighters. Customers pop in from nearby businesses, and as far as Belvidere, Winnebago and Roscoe. Tim Hanson has been a regular visitor for years. “I love going into Wired every morning,” he says. “After I leave there, I know I’m going to have a great day. There is no better place in town for a morning pick-me-up.” But foot traffic has changed in the past two years due to COVID. The main reasons – more people working from home and Zoom meetings replacing in-person gatherings. “On the positive side, we are seeing more people meeting here for firsttime dates, and more people are stopping in after shopping downtown,” she said. “And

we’re doing more box lunch business, so that helps.” Despite uncertain times, it’s the customers that keep Douglas going – like the retired group of guys who arrive every morning when the doors open, the ladies who show up twice a week after yoga or the group of strangers who met at Wired and later formed a book club. “When I get in the dumps, I focus on the relationships,” Douglas said. “I can’t imagine getting through the past couple of years without our loyal customers. We were all there for each other, and that’s pretty cool.”

WIRED CAFE Owner: Crystal Douglas 414 E. State St. 815-316-2524

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

R O C K F O R D

C H A M B E R

O F

C O M M E R C E

Small Business DEVELOPMENT CENTER Time to spring clean your business financials VINCE CHIARELLI SBDC

Steps you can take to organize and grow your business

As you enter the spring season, and start doing your spring cleaning for your home, there’s no better time to also do some spring cleaning for your business finances. Thankfully, getting your finances organized and tidy doesn’t take a complete overhaul. Dedicating a few hours to tidying up and making some calculated decisions is all you need to achieve this goal. Below are some easy tips on how to get your business finances in order.

Clean Up Your Books With all your day-to-day business tasks as a small business owner, it’s easy to fall behind on your financial organization. To start your spring cleaning, you should gather your receipts, bills, invoices and bank statements. Then double-check all

your transactions to make sure they’re categorized appropriately between income and expenses. This will help you with your tax deductions and business planning later in the year. Once your transactions are categorized, create your financial statements: balance sheet, cash flow statement and profit and loss statement. With these you can discover any trends, opportunities and risks. Having financial accounting software will make the above suggestions a lot easier. Bookkeeping software can help organize invoices, send payment reminders, generate financial statements and even categorize your expenses.

Track Your Cash Flow When analyzing your financial reports, see where your money is going. Do you

have too much inventory on hand? Should you hire seasonal employees instead of more full-time employees? Can you refinance your debt? Should you buy that new equipment or lease it? Answering questions like these can help not only save you money, but help you plan for your business future and next steps. Possibly look at building up your cash reserve. Start by consistently saving small amounts. Maybe deduct a portion of every sale to start building your cash reserve, or maybe commit to a fixed amount each month. Building a cash reserve, “rainy-day fund,” may come in handy during a time when you really need it. Also, don’t wait until your business is drowning to look for financing. Start doing your research now and securing the funding you need. Small business loans or a business line of credit can give your business access to cash that you can use to cover your business expenses or capital purchases.

Update Your Business Plan This might be a great time to take a

breath and look at your business plan. Where is the business currently headed? Is this where you want it to go? What steps do you need to take to get there? Your business plan should be updated to help keep you on track with your goals, update these goals and plan the steps for achieving them.

Professional Services If your business is growing, you may need to hire some help. If you feel overwhelmed, you don’t have to do it all alone. You can outsource an accountant to help clean up your books and keep your finances organized. They can analyze your financial statements and help you find any potential red flags, and also consult in building your business strategy. Maybe you’ve grown, but want to grow even more. Hiring a marketing professional can help you scale your business and reach new and wider customer bases. Vince Chiarelli is a consultant with the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

IGNITE: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

BRIANNA CROSSER IGNITE

Warm weather is coming and … IGNITE Cup is back!

Spring has just begun, and we are all anxious to get outside, get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine! While we are still trying to navigate this new normal, we are happy to tell you that we are planning a lot of fun events this year, including *drumroll please* … IGNITE Cup 2022! We know there were SO many of you who have been begging us to bring IGNITE Cup back, so we did! We can’t thank you enough for being so patient while we move forward. We can’t wait to see everyone and see what team names you come up with this year. For those of you who don’t know what IGNITE Cup is, let me share with you all the fun details! IGNITE Cup is a summer-long event series designed to connect and engage young professionals in the Rockford region. Teams of 10 (comprised of co-workers, friends or friends-to-be (i.e., strangers) compete in a variety of games to earn points. The team at the end of the summer who

earns the most points wins the coveted IGNITE CUP! IGNITE Cup is a fun way for young professionals in our community to come together, socialize and engage in some friendly competition! There will be a lot of other cool surprises this year, so make sure you register and save your spot and start thinking of who you want on your team! As we finalize the details for IGNITE Cup, make sure to check out other IGNITE events, especially our IGNITE’s Night Out with the Icehogs happening Saturday, April 9. Visit

www.rockfordchamber.com/

ignite — about.html to sign up for IGNITE events today! For questions on upcoming events, please email info@ igniterockford.com. Brianna Crosser is with Weddings by Danica.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Lynette Jacques at ljacques@rockfordchamber.com.

SPECIAL SECTION Sourcing / Retaining Top Talent

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

GUEST COLUMNIST

HOW WORK HAS CHANGED: LESLY COUPER workplace

Patti Thayer and Caitlin Pusateri discuss the importance of intentionality in creating a workplace culture and utilizing your culture as a business retention tool.

Have some time during your lunch hour? Expand your knowledge with the Community Priority Series By Barbara Connors Have an hour during your busy workday? Join the Rockford Chamber in a comfortable, live-streamed “fireside chat” with community leaders. The Community Priority Series, which launched in March, incorporates questions Chamber members have on topics — from schools to workforce, healthcare to parks. The chats last roughly 40 minutes and fit comfortably within a lunch hour — with ample time to heat up your lunch and grab something to drink! The first chat in March focused on the very timely topic of workforce and talent. The featured guest was Lesly Couper, COO at workplace, who spoke with Caitlin Pusateri, executive vice president of the Rockford Chamber, on a question many chamber members have expressed in a COVID-19-era. “What do we do as an organization with talent so hard to come by?” Couper said the challenges in finding talent predated 2020. The workforce already was experiencing skills gaps, with Baby boomers retiring and younger generations not fully trained in the skills required. This was exacerbated by COVID-19. Baby Boomers started retiring faster, possibly due to safety issues or changes to their work environments. Working parents were having difficulty with reentry into the workforce, after having a taste of work/life balance and challenges finding affordable daycare. Some simply decided their jobs weren’t for them. “All of this is creating a lasting impact that we’ll see for years to come,” Couper said. Right now, the power is with the employees. It’s a paradigm shift “we all need to become comfortable with.” Companies have had to make changes and be nimble. Couper and Pusateri discussed how to address those skills gaps, what unique approaches companies were taking to attract and retain great employees and

the unique advantages Rockford and small businesses had in the jobs market. “We’re in a talent war,” Lesly Couper, and many companies are thinking about who they want to join their organizations and seeking them out. But the future is hopeful. “Organizations have had to be a bit more human. I think that’s a good thing,” Pusateri said.

Still a Few Minutes Left in Your Lunch Hour? Couper suggested three things employers could do immediately to impact their workforce. Well, two immediate things, and one long-term thing. Go check on your employees. Ask: “How are you doing?” Ask employees what they think about the workplace culture; what they think you need to do. Add “human capital” to your strategic plan — if it’s not already there.

Sponsorships Are Available Patti Thayer, owner of Thayer Energy Solutions, sponsored the first Community Priority Series chat, and introduced Couper as the speaker. “My belief has always been, it’s so important to give back and be involved in the community. The Chamber gives that opportunity for businesses, by having the venues to make the connections you need to make.” Thayer’s advice for other small businesses in creating an intentional environment for employees to thrive: “I believe no company is successful on its own merits. It takes a team. Find individuals who feel that same excitement you do.” Miss the first Community Priority Series chat? Not a problem. Love the one you saw? Easily share it with someone else! Find the chat now at www.rockfordchamber.com. (Click the “Resources” button, then “Community Priority Series.”) Barbara Connors is editor of The VOICE.

The new reality

Although we may be nearing the end of COVID protocols and restrictions, the impact of the pandemic on our workforce will be long lasting. To move forward we must first acknowledge that we have witnessed an unprecedented shift in power. Employees now hold the power and employers must adjust to this new paradigm. During the pandemic, many people became introspective. They realigned personal priorities and decided that it is more important to work to live the life they want, rather than live to work. Family time, balance and fulfillment are now at the top of employees’ “must have” lists.

How We Arrived Here Prior to the pandemic, we started to experience the impact of a skilled worker shortage as a nation. By 2020, talent shortages had tripled in the 10 years prior due to the rate at which Baby Boomers were retiring and the younger generations not having the talent and skills to fill the open positions.

Nearly 40 million workers have left the workforce since last spring, creating what is now called the Great Resignation. The trajectory of the talent gap and worker shortage changed greatly with the onset of the pandemic. Nearly 40 million workers have left the workforce since last spring, creating what is now called the Great Resignation. Baby Boomers are retiring faster than anticipated. Between burnout and concerns over health and safety, many saw it as a good time to exit the workforce. In addition, working parents have struggled to find available, affordable and safe childcare. Add to that a renewed perspective of work in which they are looking for fulfillment and more flexibility. With the most job vacancies we have seen in at least two decades, more employees are confident to walk out from jobs they find unfulfilling or simply not for them, signifying the current rise in worker bargaining power.

Lessening the Gap Closing the skills gap will take time, determination and collaboration, but there are a few tactics organizations can implement today to help fill their current openings:

■ Create and expand upskilling and training initiatives for current employees. ■ Work with our educational institutions to strengthen talent pipelines and improve alignment between programs and the skills needed in our local workforce. ■ Adjust your hiring mindset to focus on knowledge, skills and abilities, to build a workforce based in capabilities, not experience. Hire and train those who show capacity to learn your operation. ■ Make equity and inclusion your friend so that you broaden the potential candidate pool.

Retention is Key Not only do we have skills gaps, but we are in the midst of a talent war. It is more important than ever to keep the employees that you have. It will come down to willingness to adjust your mindset and acknowledge that employees’ expectations have shifted. As employers, we must place a great value on human capital and focus on employee engagement and satisfaction. Some items to consider include: ■ Create professional development and career advancement opportunities at all levels of your organization. ■ A strong culture and sense of belonging should start at the top. Make sure your managers understand your culture and are not compelling great employees to leave. ■ Improve your onboarding process so that employees feel welcomed and engaged from day one. ■ Ensure that your employees are appreciated and recognized and don’t feel overworked and overwhelmed. ■ Be open to create flexible working arrangements and individualized solutions for your employees.

Moving Forward The motivation to work is changing, and we need to be willing to change our mindset and make adjustments. Culture and reputation are key now and in the future. It is important to establish clarity about the culture of your organization and create an environment of belonging where employees are engaged and fulfilled. If human capital is not foremost in your strategic objectives, revisit your plan soon. Lesly Couper is chief operating officer at workplace. The views expressed are those of Couper’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

SPECIAL SECTION Sourcing / Retaining Top Talent

GUEST COLUMNIST

AMANDA FROMMER Woodward, Inc.

How do we find great talent in today’s world?

Never have the words “talent acquisition” driven such a force of change as it does today in the United States. In today’s world, considered by many as the era of the Great Resignation, companies are finding themselves getting more and more creative to gain the talent they require to meet the demand of the business need. Based on my many conversations with candidates, exit interviews and stay interviews, I believe that the world we have lived in for the past two years has shifted the mindset of many people. As important as money is, what seems to really be driving this change is the opportunity for true work-life balance. Of course, work-life balance was a hot topic prior to COVID, but it is now driving employee behaviors more than it ever has before. Two long years of experiencing blurred lines of work

Are your beneﬁts keeping up with the market data? versus personal time has created a burnout factor that nobody could have anticipated. Employers are now being encouraged to step outside of what was deemed a normal and competitive benefits package to attract top talent. In true social media fashion, LinkedIn has joined the crusade by promoting a “Show us your leave policy,” which has been trending with some of the biggest employers in the United States. These types of trends will help to drive change as the war on talent is very real. Many U.S. companies are looking at sabbaticals as a method to attract talent. This is something that is very common

in Europe, but typically has not been a practice in the United States. This allows their employees to not only decompress by taking a break, but it is thought to improve overall employee productivity and create more loyalty for the company. Benefits, when done right, can provide so much more value to the business. With all this said, we as a business continue to evaluate our benefits and do so with market data. What are our employees finding value in? What makes us competitive in the employee marketplace? What drives attrition? One main driver is the Woodward culture. Though things have changed over the years, Woodward has continued finding ways to honor its heritage and keep our members at the front and center of our business. For example, Woodward has partnered with SwedishAmerican to offer

medical services solely to its members. This includes a family doctor, a wellness coach, zero co-pays and much more. They are also looking to expand their focus with a mental health professional. This not only eases the financial burden of high medical costs for our members, but hopefully gives them peace of mind that we are doing all we can to ensure they are taken care of mentally and physically. With our humble roots that began in Rockford, we will continue to evolve our journey in attracting top talent, by remembering our history and continuing to evolve with the times.

meetings, so your employees can learn from each others’ best successes. 2. Be Consistent and Dependable in Your Leadership

3. Be Open and Engaged with Team Members

■ Follow-through on commitments

■ Be receptive when they come to you with an issue

Amanda Frommer is VP of human resources, Aircraft Turbine Systems, Woodward, Inc. The views expressed are those of Frommer’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

One in four workers may leave their job in 2022

Data conﬁrms that most people quit their bosses The Great Resignation isn’t going anywhere, according to a survey by Ecsell Institute of hundreds of employees working for companies throughout the United States. The organization measures the impact coaching effectiveness has on team and individual performance. The survey found that 25 percent of employees carry a moderate to high risk of leaving their jobs within the next year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people who quit their jobs in November of last year reached a new high of 4.5 million. The survey also found that managers have a great deal of ability to retain their teams. Only 15 percent of those who report to a high-performing manager are at risk of leaving, versus 66 percent of those who report to a low-performing manager. Managers of respondents who were at a low risk of quitting shared similar characteristics. “If our data is any indication, the saying ‘people don’t quit their jobs, they quit their bosses’ is entirely true,” said Bill Eckstrom, CEO, Ecsell Institute. “On an individual level, managers have the power to end the Great Resignation for their companies and make 2022 their year of Great Retention.”

Actions of TopPerforming Managers What the top-performing managers did well to lower the turnover risk of its team. 1. Provide Opportunities for Growth and Development ■ Facilitate and celebrate goal setting ■ Give feedback to improve skills ■ Incorporate learning into team meetings Managers should identify specific, meaningful ways for each person to grow and develop in order to better address the individual reasons each team member decides to stay with the organization. Team members are looking for ways to improve and grow, so when they feel stagnant in their role, growth opportunities outside of their current organization become even more enticing. Create growth opportunities within your own team such as having your team members set goals that encourage them to grow both in and outside their job role. Provide clear and direct feedback on how well they are achieving these goals, so they know which skills they need to build. Look for ways to share best practices in team

■ Meet deadlines ■ Give clear expectations A global pandemic has created change and uncertainty, so employees are looking for stability and consistency in their job roles and in their interactions with their managers. When communication feels lacking or pathways to success feel unclear, team members may look to other employment opportunities. Managers should sharpen their skills of consistency and dependability with their teams to give a sense of security and dependability. Be selective about the standards to which you commit, because each time you cancel a meeting, respond too late to a request or are inconsistent in saying what you expect, you lessen the trust and stability you are trying to create on your team.

■ Tell team members how they impact the team

■ Share as much information as possible When a manager is open and communicates effectively with their employees, they decrease the turnover risk on their team. During challenging times, employees want to know that their manager values them. Demonstrate it with open communication. Be explicit with your employees about how they impact your team’s success so they feel their importance. Be willing to listen and help when they come to you with difficult problems. Be transparent about organizational information, including vision and strategy for the future, so they know they are working in a stable environment. With these actions, you indicate how much you value them and their needs.

SPECIAL SECTION Sourcing / Retaining Top Talent

VOLUNTEERING AS A BENEFIT:

How to attract and retain top talent The Role of Human mission-driven organizations, we learned Resources in Employee a lot about work culture and what it takes Volunteering Throughout our experience serving

to keep team members aligned. More importantly, how to reduce attrition by surrounding teams around a common purpose. Did you know that “volunteering as a benefit” can help attract and retain top talent? According to Deloitte, 61 percent of Millennials said a volunteer program would be a factor “when choosing between two potential jobs with the same location,

When it comes to employee volunteering, the HR department plays a vital role in ensuring that the program is successful. HR can help by creating volunteer policies, promoting employee involvement and tracking data. By developing a policy for paid time off for employee volunteering, the human resource department can show its dedication to corporate social responsibility and positively impact the local community. There are many benefits of offering paid time off for employee volunteering.

responsibilities, pay and benefits.”

■ It shows that the company cares about Below are our top reasons why its employees’ personal and professional progressive organizations, both large development. and small, should strongly consider how ■ It helps build team morale and unity, as implementing a volunteer benefits program employees can work together for a common can assist them in retaining and attracting cause. top-tier employees into their organization.

Volunteering Helps Reduce Employee Turnover When your employees feel like they

■ It can improve the company’s reputation in the community. ■ And finally, it can provide tax benefits for the company.

How To Take Action & Leverage Volunteer improve retention rates because volunteer Opportunities are impacting their community, it will programs

provide

opportunities

for

building skills and networking. It also gives them a greater sense of fulfillment in life, which can help companies keep highquality workers motivated to stay with the organization long term.

How Volunteering Can Benefit Businesses Volunteering is an excellent way for businesses to show their values and make an impression on employees. When companies have strong work cultures, it’s easier than ever to attract top talent because they are able to represent what makes them unique in front of other potential candidates.

You can get started by becoming a volunteer, donor and board member. The best way (and most fun) is to attend nonprofit events. Winnebago County CASA will host its second-annual Volunteer Fair on April 1. More than 18 nonprofit organizations will represent their missions and goals at the Rockford City Market from 5 to 8 p.m. We encourage you to attend and invite others to discover the various opportunities that create an impact in our communities. With a high employee turnover rate, make it your priority to keep top talent and give back to our communities. Learn more about the volunteer fair at bit.ly/RockfordVolunteerFair

Additionally, the business’ brand equity will Evolution Digital Marketing Agency improve because consumers will appreciate The views expressed are those of Evolution Digital and support an organization that gives Marketing Agency’s and do not necessarily back to its communities and cares for its represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. employees.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

legislative LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

Third summit to provide second chances for people with criminal records People who are eligible to have their criminal records sealed or expunged can obtain a free attorney to prepare their case to go before a judge at State Senator Steve Stadelman’s 2022 Second Chances Summit, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on May 20 at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford. Nearly 250 people met oneon-one with volunteer attorneys during the 2018 and 2019 summits. Attempts to have similar events in 2020 and 2021 were called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Many well-meaning men and women in our community find that a past transgression,

often from their youth, prevents them from obtaining living-wage employment and adequately supporting themselves and their families,” Stadelman said. Event partner, Prairie State Legal Services, will provide free event training for volunteer attorneys, which can go towards the state’s continuing education requirements for lawyers. To sign up for the free legal consultation, visit www. senatorstadelman.com. Attorneys who would like to volunteer can enroll in the training session online at the same website or call 815985-2902.

New Illinois laws in employment/labor for 2022

SB 1771. Expands Health Worker Background Checks to include Department of Corrections employees. Effective immediately.

Almost 300 new laws went into effect in 2022 in Illinois. Below are some passed in the area of employer/labor. HB 117. Requires employers of 25 and more people to participate in the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program. Effective Jan. 1, 2022. HB 809. Clarifies that the Joint Labor and Management Committee is not required to operate a community outreach program, maintain a master register of eligible candidates or contract with a testing agency to establish or operate a program or register for full-time firefighter placements. Effective Jan. 1, 2022.

SB 1650. Extends the deadline to file a claim for benefits for a line of duty death. Effective immediately. SB 603. Makes provisions for paramedics who are not subject to the compulsory retirement age applicable to firefighters. Effective immediately. HB 694. Allows a veteran to redact personal information and health issues from their disabled veteran license plate application. Effective immediately.

SB 1657. Establishes continuing education requirements for persons registered to install, service, recondition, or repair a weighing or measuring device used in trade or commerce. Effective Jan. 1, 2022.

HB 1207. Provides protections for employers who learn information about applicant’s compensation history when discussing loss of unvested equity or deferred compensation during salary negotiations. Effective Jan. 1, 2022.

SB 1681. Includes probation officers, as law enforcement officers for line of duty compensation. Effective Jan. 1, 2022.

SB 340. Extends the tax credit for employer matching contributions. Effective immediately.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

ELECTION

Continued from front page

April 2022

compromise, and find solutions. School boards are accountable for how schools—and students—perform. School boards accomplish this by creating strong relationships with parents, teachers, students, and community members. It’s critical that school board members listen to and respond to community concerns and explain the district’s priorities to the public. Doing so helps both schools and students reach their full potential. As the corporate entity charged by law with governing a school district, each school board sits in trust for its entire community. There are two key areas of school district and board responsibility in Illinois, in addition to the summary of duties provided in thie article, Educational Equity and School Finance.

EDUCATIONAL EQUITY School board members are responsible for the “equitable and quality education of every student in the school district” and must act accordingly in their collective work as a board of education to foster excellence for every student. The Illinois Association of School Boards Definition of Educational Equity is as follows: “Educational equity means that every student has access to the educational resources and rigor they need at the right moment in their education, and students’ needs are not going unmet due to race, ethnicity, dominant language, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, family background, and/or family income.

SCHOOL FINANCE Maintaining the fiscal health of a school district and acting responsibly with taxpayer dollars are core responsibilities for school officials. The laws governing school finance in Illinois affect different school districts in different ways. Often, the intricacies and mechanisms of Illinois school funding laws and regulations can be confusing and unclear. IASB has compiled a variety of resources to assist school board members with the various areas of school funding and to provide a general understanding of school finance as it applies to Illinois districts.

The obligation to govern effectively imposes some fundamental duties on the board:

1. The board clarifies the district purpose. As its primary task, the board continually defines, articulates, and re-defines district ends to answer the recurring question — who gets what benefits for how much? Effective ends development requires attention to at least two key concerns: student learning and organizational effectiveness. Ends express the benefits the school

Why Should You Become a School Board Member?

The school board engages in an ongoing two-way conversation with the entire community. district should deliver, thereby providing the entire system with clarity of purpose and a clear direction. A school board rarely creates district ends; rather, it most often detects them through listening and observing. Ends reflect the district’s purpose, direction, priorities, and desired outcomes and are recorded in statements of core values/beliefs, mission, vision, and goals. In effective school districts, every part of the organization is aligned with the ends articulated by the school board in written board policy

2. The board connects with the community. The school board engages in an ongoing two-way conversation with the entire community. This conversation enables the board to hear and understand the community’s educational aspirations and desires, to serve effectively as an advocate for district improvement, and to inform the community of the district’s performance. Effective community engagement is essential to create trust and support among community, board, superintendent, and staff.

3. The board employs a superintendent. The board employs and evaluates one person — the superintendent — and holds that person accountable for district performance and compliance with written board policy. An effective school board develops and maintains a productive relationship with the superintendent. The employment relationship consists of mutual respect and a clear understanding of respective roles, responsibilities, and expectations. This relationship should be grounded in a thoughtfully crafted employment contract and job description; procedures for communications and ongoing assessment; and reliance on written policy.

4. The board delegates authority. The board delegates authority to the superintendent to manage the district and provide leadership for the staff. Such authority is communicated through written board policies that designate district ends and define operating parameters. Ultimately, the school board is responsible for everything, yet must recognize that everything depends upon a capable and competent staff.

5. The board monitors performance. The board constantly monitors progress toward district ends and compliance with written board policies

Serving as a school board member requires commitment, taking a great amount of time and dedication. The motivations behind becoming a school board member can vary for each individual. Are there specific needs for your community that you desire to see met? A goal to improve student achievement and opportunities? When inquiring how to become a school board member, it is also imperative to understand why you are interested in the role.

Common Qualifications for School Board Candidates There are five common qualifications that most states have in order to be eligible to be a candidate. While these may be common necessary criteria, it does vary by state and district. A school board candidate may be asked to meet the following requirements: ■ Be a registered voter. ■ Be a resident of the district that the individual is running to represent. ■ At least have a high school diploma or a certificate of equivalency. ■ Not a convicted felon. ■ Not be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district.

using data as the basis for assessment. Unless the board is clear about what it wants, there is no valid way to measure progress and compliance.

it chooses to do and how it chooses to do

6. The board takes responsibility for itself.

members understand the importance of

The board, collectively and individually, takes full responsibility for board activity and behavior — the work

board. The school board’s role as trustee

the work. Individual board members are obligated to express their opinions and respect others’ opinions; however, board abiding by the majority decisions of the for the community is unique and essential to both the district and community. v

SPECIAL SECTION Keys to Business Success

April 2022

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

Suggestions that U.S. economy reaching full employment

Rapid wage growth puts upward pressure on inflation Gad Levanon, head of the Labor Market Institute, The Conference Board, commented on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation Report in December, 2021. The board is a non-partisan, not-for-profit memberdriven think tank comprised of large, international organizations. Per Levanon’s comments, employment growth remained modest in December, reflecting the ongoing toll of the pandemic on in-person services. As of December, there were no signs that severe labor shortages in the United States were easing. Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 199,000 in December, after gains of 249,000 (upwardly revised) in November and 648,000 in October. Job growth in in-person services — including restaurants, hotels and retail — remained depressed by the rapid spread of the pandemic. The number of jobs in the U.S. economy was still 3.6 million below the pre-pandemic level. December did see the unemployment rate decline further — from 4.2 to 3.9 percent. In June 2021, the unemployment rate was two full percentage points higher, at 5.9 percent. The large drop in the unemployment rate in the past six months reflected a higher proportion of unemployed people landing a job, which may have been related to the expiration of the enhanced unemployment benefits.

Wage Inflation Rapid wage inflation in December suggested that the U.S. labor market was still experiencing severe labor shortages. In the

past nine months, average hourly earnings for production and nonsupervisory employees increased by more than seven percent (annual rate). For comparison, in no other nine-month period in the 35 years prior to the pandemic did this measure exceed five percent. Such strong wage growth put upward pressure on inflation. At 61.9 percent, labor force participation remained low compared with the pre-pandemic rate of 63.4 percent. But that’s gradually improving, especially among women. Some people delayed a return to the labor market because they still fear the virus. Older Americans’ labor participation rate declined significantly during the pandemic with no signs of it recovering.

Strong Employment Figures By March or April 2022, the Conference Board expects strong job growth to resume. Employment in many of the in-person services industries are still well below prepandemic levels and likely to grow rapidly in 2022. The U.S. unemployment rate may well reach 3 percent this year, marking a 70-year low. Severe labor shortages will continue. While the payroll gains missed market expectations, the continued improvement in jobs data more generally suggested that the U.S. economy either achieved or is close to full employment. Against this backdrop, the Fed is likely to continue its plans to accelerate quantitative-easing taper and implement at least three 25– basis point interest rate hikes in 2022

Small Business Pulse Survey Updates

Some small businesses anticipate improved supply chain for their products More than 32.3 percent of U.S small businesses reported a large or moderate increase in demand for their business’s goods or services compared to six months ago, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Small Business Pulse Survey, Feb. 21 to 27.

How has demand for business’ goods or services changed? ■ 21.9 percent of U.S. wholesale small businesses expected to improve methods of logistics, delivery or distribution in the next six months. The national average was 10.7 percent. ■ 55.4 percent of U.S. manufacturing and 48.9 percent of construction small businesses were affected by availability of supplies or inputs used to provide goods or services in the last week. The national average was 32.4 percent. ■ 22.4 percent of U.S. small businesses reported a large negative effect by the Coronavirus pandemic.

How have businesses been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic overall? ■ 11.0 percent of U.S. small businesses required employee COVID-19 vaccination and 8.6 percent a negative COVID-19 test before physically coming to work in the last week. For responses collected Feb. 14 to 20, these were 12.2 percent and 10.6 percent, respectively.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

SPECIAL SECTION Keys to Business Success

April 2022

GUEST COLUMNIST

How to improve the value of your business ERICH VARGAZ, CFP® LaLoggia Investment Group

As an owner who wants to eventually sell, your mission is to improve the value of your

Start now to improve the four intangible capitals

If you’re planning to fund your retirement or next business venture with the sale of your business, you have to build real, sellable value in the enterprise. When a buyer begins reviewing your business as a potential acquisition, they are going to turn over every stone looking for things that aren’t good for the business. Wouldn’t you? Who wants to overpay? So what can you do? As an owner who wants to eventually sell, your mission is to improve the value of your business on an ongoing basis. It’s not something you do a few months before you want to sell the business, it’s something that is core to your operations. Your business already has a range of multiples for which similar businesses change hands. The range is typically not something you can influence -- it’s set by your business type. What you can influence is where you fall within the range. If a business is sellable at all, what is the difference between a business that sells at a low multiple within the range and a business that sells at a high multiple within the

range? Intangible capital. Things that are hard to quantify. Even though they are harder to quantify, they still have tremendous value to a buyer. You either have them, or you don’t.

Four Intangible Capitals to Consider Human Capital The measure of the talent of your team. If you have strong talent, that will be valuable to a buyer. If you have tenured, developed talent that will likely stay on after you leave, and your business does not depend on you to be successful, that is attractive for a buyer.

Customer Capital How strong are the relationships that the company has with its customers? Are those relationships that will live on after you leave the company? If the customers leave with you, you don’t have a very valuable business at all.

business on an ongoing basis. Structural Capital The businesses with infrastructure that is documented, highly functional, and most importantly, transferrable. The systems and tools that augment the customer and human capital on which your company is built. These also come in the form of robust standard operations procedures that are documented and followed.

Social Capital Your culture, your brand, the way your team works, the rhythm of the day-to-day operations and communications, and the way you communicate with customers. The importance of social capital in today’s world cannot be overstated.

What to Do Next By now you know if you have work to do. Consider focusing on improving one of the four intangible capitals for a calendar quarter. Make strategic improvements. Get your advisory team involved. After the quarter, revisit improvements and double

down on that specific area or move to another area and repeat the process. This is a systematic way to increase the value of your business. Remember, if you want to eventually sell, your mission is to improve the value of your business on an ongoing basis so it is sellable. It won’t happen overnight, but it is possible. Erich Vargaz, CFP®, is first vice president investment officer with LaLoggia Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. The views expressed are those of Vargaz’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. Investment and Insurance Products are: • Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency • Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate • Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

GREATER ROCKFORD GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

economic development C O U N C I L Logistics & distribution continue to propel the region forward Second largest employer in our region behind manufacturing

RAAN Co-chairs, David Forward, Woodward, and Reg Gustafson, Clinkenbeard, welcome everyone to MAC2022.

MAC2022 connects, educates, informs The Rockford Area Aerospace Network, a part of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, hosted MAC2022 in March. The event works to strengthen ties within the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries in the Midwest. More than 235 people attended the fullday event featuring 35 exhibitors, including service providers and manufacturers from both inside and outside of the Rockford Region. As a result of the event, there were 70 matchmaking connections made, demonstrating the strength of advanced manufacturing industry in our region. This year, the event offered educational topics ranging from workforce development to cybersecurity and the effect supply chain issues are having on supplier development processes. The daylong event included an aerospace industry update from Kevin Michaels, Ph.D., AeroDynamics, covering the topic, “Commercial Aerospace in a Chaotic World,” and a keynote address by Ronald Sega, Ph.D., on the work the

government is doing now in conjunction with private sector to push technology forward.

Fostering Connections New for MAC2022 was the addition of workshops. These sessions allowed sponsors to demonstrate their services and discuss capabilities with attendees in a longer format than a simple conversation at an exhibit booth. This portion of the day covered topics including the importance of employee onboarding, maintaining an engaged workforce and alternate energy solutions. A large portion of the day included matchmaking between suppliers-to-prime as well as supplier-to-supplier; reconnecting companies that have expanded their services and capabilities since the last inperson aerospace event held in 2019. Thank you to the exhibitors, attendees, speakers, organizers and the sponsors of MAC2022.

SBA ISSUES COVID ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN UPDATE The SBA announced that existing COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan borrowers will receive an additional deferment of principal and interest payments, for a total of 30 months deferment from inception on all approved COVID EIDL loans. The goal is to help small business owners impacted by the pandemic, especially those in hard-hit sectors with the recent variants, supply chain and inflation challenges.

Key Information Regarding Deferment The deferment extension is effective for all COVID-EIDL loans approved in calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Loans now have a total deferment of 30 months from the date of the note. Interest will accrue on the loans during the deferment. ■ Borrowers may make partial or full payments during the deferment period, but are not required to. The SBA recommends using www.pay.gov. ■ The SBA will not send monthly SBA Form 1201 payment notices, but will send regular payment reminders via email. ■ Existing COVID EIDL borrowers can find account balances and payment due dates

in the SBA Capital Access Financial System. Set up an account by logging in at sba.gov. ■ Deferments may result in balloon payments and will not stop any established preauthorized debit or recurring payments on the loan. COVID-EIDL borrowers with an SBA-established PAD must contact their SBA servicing center to stop recurring payments during the extended deferment period. Borrowers who have established a PAD through www.pay.gov or any other bill pay service are responsible for terminating recurring payments during the extended deferment period. After the deferment period ends, COVID-EIDL borrowers will be required to make regular principal and interest payments beginning 30 months from the date of the note. For questions, call tollfree at 1-833853-5638 (borrowers who have hearing or speech disabilities can dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. The center is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Time. Multilingual representatives are available. You may also contact SBA’s resource partners at www.sba. gov/local-assistance. For more on COVID EIDL, visit www.sba.gov/relief.

The Rockford Region has seen the logistics and distribution industry continue to grow by double digits year over year while creating good paying jobs. The strength of our workforce, location and the availability of land all feed into the continued growth. In the past six years, the logistics and distribution industry have invested more than $80,000,000 into the region. The Chicago Rockford International Airport’s proximity to major roadways allows trucks to be driving “70-in-5,” which means they can be on a highway doing 70 miles per hour within five minutes of departing the loading dock.

Key Driver is Airport RFD was recently named the best cargo airport in its class by Air Cargo World magazine, and in 2018, was named the fastest growing cargo airport in the world. With UPS’s second-largest North American hub, RFD is the 17th largest cargo airport in the country and has the infrastructure and shovel-ready locations to support much more air freight and related activity. In 2021 3.4 billion pounds of cargo

Employment Concentration in Logistics and Distribution

moved through RFD. This is an increase of 25 percent over 2020, which has also seen a 15 percent growth over 2019. With the expansion of UPS, international cargo air cargo company Senator International selecting RFD as its Midwest hub, and with the addition of Amazon Air and recently Emirates SkyCargo, the airport continues to be a location at the top-of-mind for cargo companies. Information from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics also demonstrates the importance of logistics and distribution, as the concentration of employees is higher in our metropolitan statistical area than in Illinois and the nation. (See Figure 1) This means 11 percent of our workforce is employed in this industry; second only to manufacturing. The mean (average) hourly wage in our region is $48.20 an hour, and the annual mean salary is $100,260, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, May, 2020. Logistics & distribution will continue to bring jobs to the area through both direct employment and indirect employment, such as construction, and remain a major economic driver for the region.

Rockford MSA

Illinois

U.S.

11.1%

10.3%

8.7%

Figure 1

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DR. EHREN JARRETT Superintendent RPS 205

April 2022

What’s the value of Rockford Promise to Rockford Public Schools?

The location-based scholarship program is first and foremost about raising aspirations for our students. It’s about students enrolled in our district doing better and dreaming big dreams. However, Rockford Promise also is a tool for attracting and retaining talent in our community.

opportunities. The district is about making sure students are prepared to take advantage of those opportunities. Our Systemwide Framework in RPS 205 monitors not only our high school freshmen but middle schoolers to assure they are on-track to graduate. Our core business is education, but we want to be part of the narrative of

Eighty percent of current Promise scholars are first-

attracting and retaining talent in the community. Our high school academies, begun

generation college students. in 2012, have partnered with businesses,

governments and nonprofits to prepare I envision a time – and so does Mayor Tom McNamara – when realtors sell houses and human resources departments sell prospective employees with a Rockford Promise: If you come to our community and live within city limits, your children can have a four-year tuition scholarship, assuming they earn a 3.0 grade point average. It’s a very attainable target for students and a very attractive tool for recruitment. But more than that, it changes lives. The Promise celebrated its largest scholarship class ever this fall with 140 students. Almost one-quarter of our district’s high school seniors this year have applied for a Promise scholarship. The scholars can study at Rock Valley College, Rockford University or Northern Illinois University – tuition-free. Applications to NIU alone are up more than 58 percent over last year. Eighty percent of current Promise scholars are first-generation college students. Of the 96 Promise scholars who started at NIU this fall, 59 percent are students of color. While these numbers are exciting and inspirational, the real impact is in lives transformed.

All About Opportunities Promise scholar Danna Arellano will graduate from RVC this May; she received her high school diploma from Guilford in 2020. A self-described quiet and private person, she nevertheless wrote an emotional and personal thanks to the Rockford Promise organization last month. “As a senior in high school,” she wrote, “I became more conscious about my life choices and what I really wanted to do in life.” Danna now wants to pursue immigration law in the hopes she can reunite families and boost the workforce. “Thank you so much for the opportunity and help. I don’t think I would be strong without Rockford Promise.” The Promise is indeed about

our students for college and careers. The academies were fully implemented in our high schools when today’s seniors were in third grade. Similarly, today’s students in the district can reap the benefits of the Promise for years to come. The City of Rockford’s pledge to contribute $1.5 million annually to the Promise was for 17 years, so students who were in kindergarten last year can qualify as seniors for full-tuition scholarships. Will people pick Rockford just because of the Promise? Maybe, maybe not, but it could be a powerful tiebreaker. If Rockford goes head-to-head with another community, the Promise could push it over the top. The

economic

incentives

Promise programs have been realized in communities like Pittsburgh, where Promise alumni now work in more than 200 local companies. In El Dorado, Ark., the Promise program increased the school district’s enrollment 15 percent. In Buffalo, N.Y., a pioneering Say Yes to Education program offers not only postsecondary tuition but cradle-tocareer,

comprehensive

support

for

students with the goal of eliminating barriers to economic mobility. The potential is impressive, but what value can you place on the hopes and dreams of Promise scholars like Danna Arellano? Even if life gets hard after graduation, she writes, her goals are set, and she believes in herself. “I will be someone.” Rockford’s investment in Danna – and students like her – promises to pay dividends many times over. 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.

BBB SCAM ALERT:

That’s not your boss texting Be aware of imposter scams on text messages, emails Many get text messages and emails from their boss, which is why a new texting scam, “smishing,” is so effective. “Scammers find out where you work and pose as the CEO or other executive,” said Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau. “Be on guard and don’t share money or information – be it your own or your company’s.” Everyone is a target. “Con artists even tried the scam on the BBB,” notes Horton. “We had processes in place to prevent the scammer from being successful.”

How It Works You receive a text from a number you don’t recognize, claiming to be from your boss. The sender knows your name, where you work and your boss’s name. The text message might read something like this: “Hi Chris, I’m tied up in a conference call right now but let me know if you get this text. Thanks [your boss’ name].” If you reply that you received the text, you’ll be asked to do a quick task. This could be purchasing gift cards for a client or wiring funds to another business. In some cases, the scammer may ask you to send personal information to someone, often giving you a plausible reason to carry out the request. No matter how believable the reason sounds, always double-check before taking any action. Once you send the money, gift cards or information, it will be in the hands of a con artist.

BBB Tips for Impostor Scams Don’t trust unsolicited messages from unknown numbers. If your boss regularly communicates with you via text message, save their number in your contact list. Don’t respond if reaching out from a different number. Be wary of unusual requests. If your boss has never asked you to buy gift cards, think twice, even if the request comes from a number you’ve saved. Scammers can potentially clone phone numbers and hijack your boss’s number to target employees. Double-check with your boss

personally. If a request comes from an unknown number or doesn’t sound right, call or email your boss first, using their accurate contact information, rather than replying to the message. Your boss will want to know if they are being impersonated to warn their other employees. If you suspect a scam, don’t reply. If you’re relatively sure a scammer has contacted you, don’t reply to the text message. Replying lets scammers know they have an active phone number and could leave you vulnerable to future attacks. Block the number and delete the message.

This ‘Quick’ Favor is a Clever Scam In a similar imposter scam, a friend or family member asks for a favor. Normally, you would do it, no questions asked. Right? Time to rethink that policy. “The scam works because the email is so convincing,” says Horton. “The message looks harmless and casual — like something a friend might write.” For example, one version reads: “Hi, how are things going with you? Are you busy? I need a quick favor.” The message even ends with “Sent from my iPhone.” While some scammers are trying to make you click on dangerous links, others are using it as a ruse to get you to send them money in the form of gift cards. Concerned about your friend, you reply and ask for more details. The “friend” quickly responds that they are trying to buy a gift card for their niece’s birthday. However, they are traveling and having trouble purchasing the card online. “Could you get it from any local grocery store around you?” reads the email. “I’ll pay you back as soon as I am back.” The request sounds reasonable. But if you do buy the gift card, your “friend” will ask you to share the card’s PIN and/ or send a photo of the back of the card. Unfortunately, you are essentially handing money to the scammer by doing this. Gift cards do not have the same protections as credit or debit cards.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

on digital

MEMBER PICS

 Destination

ILLINOIS, USA

Ceremonial ribbon donated by ServPro of Rockford

ADDING WEALTH TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY BY GROWING TOURISM

JOHN GROH Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Do you know someone who was Made for Rockford?

Make a diﬀerence in a dynamic, ever-evolving community

Mrs. Buckbee’s Wake-N-Bakery, part of Buckbee Weed Co., held a ribbon cutting on March 16 at 275 Deane Dr., Rockford.

The Rockford region is a cradle of Midwestern values, technological innovation and artistic creativity. Downtown Rockford and the main streets of Winnebago County’s other cities and villages are thriving. The four rivers that run through our communities remind us to honor and preserve our natural world. And preserve it we have. Housing costs are low compared to nearby cities. Plus, overall cost-ofliving is 24.7 percent less than the U.S. national average. All that, and we’re close to major airports that can take us anywhere in the world.

Do you know someone who longs to be part of The Rockford Chamber Ambassadors met on March 17 at Comprehensive Community Solutions, 917 S. Main St., Rockford. Claudia Consuelos, programs manager, spoke about the organization’s three programs, YouthBuild Rockford, RockForWork and Advanced Learning Program for Higher Achievements (ALPHA). Visit comprehensivecommunitysolutions.org or call 815-963-6236.

OSF Villagreen View, OSF Healthcare held a ribbon cutting on March 30 at 6830 Villagreen View, Rockford.

a dynamic, ever-evolving community where people of good heart can lean in, work hard, succeed and make a diﬀerence? The Rockford Region affords residents the opportunity to really live. To travel. To play sports. To make art. To tend gardens. To learn. We are not without our challenges (just like so many other communities during these turbulent times), but we are addressing them with a high level of civic engagement. Many are eager to work together to find solutions, and we are inclined to roll up our sleeves and get to work. This determination, paired with a willingness to listen and learn, serves us well. Hard work and working together are what binds us as a community. And it’s why those who want to make a difference are encouraged to invest in the growth and transformation of our region. Our advancements in the past few decades are admirable: ■ The multifaceted, revival of downtown Rockford as a place to live, work and play ■ Rockford Promise, providing free college tuition to RPS 205 students ■ Rockford Casino – soon to be Hard Rock Casino Rockford

IMEG and client, the Rockford Park District, received a Special Achievement Award from ACEC-IL for design and construction of the Jeﬀerson Street Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Rockford. Shown, left to right, are: Ali Gharamti, IMEG; Andrew Leden, IMEG; Mark Smith, Rockford Park District, and Mark Rice, IMEG.

■ Riverfront UW Heath Sports Factory ■ Downtown Embassy Suites by Hilton and Conference Center

■ Stroll On State annual holiday festival ■ CRE8IV transformation art murals ■ RFD Airport record-setting cargo growth ■ Woodward’s expansive Loves Park campus ■ Collins Aerospace’s electric aviation project, “The Grid” ■ The Rockford Family Peace Center ■ Achieving functional zero levels for veteran’s homelessness ■ Chicago Blackhawk’s purchase Rockford IceHogs, investment in the BMO Harris Bank Center ■ Major investments at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford ■ Mental program

Health

co-responder

This impressive list of accomplishments is by no means complete, but it serves as a testament to our region’s ability to create better communities. We citizens are hardworking, innovative and thoughtful. We’re looking for more folks like us! We’re looking for people who want to enjoy the rich life we have to offer in the Rock River. Do you know someone who longs to be part of a dynamic, ever-evolving community where people of good heart can lean in, work hard, succeed and make a difference? Do you have family members who could benefit from moving back to live a bigger life while spending less money? Do you have friends who are looking for room to grow and where their families can live their best lives? Do you know anyone would like to live in a place where careers and side hustles and dreams mingle in our unique culture and community? Ask them to join us, because all people are welcome here, and because they were Made for Rockford. Intrigued? Learn more at madeforrockford.com. 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

April 2022

GUEST COLUMNISTS

CHARO CHANEY Keith School

ASHLEIGH VAN THIEL Keith School

For most students, school is more than just an academic center. It’s a social outlet, a sports venue, a place to explore the arts. School is where kids learn reading and geometry, certainly. But it’s also the place where they learn what it takes to be successful in life: conflict resolution, goal setting and discipline. So for many, the opportunity to take on those life lessons in a more intimate setting is truly a benefit. At Keith Country Day School, we maintain enrollment between 200 and 250 students for any given school year. That means our preschool-through-high school options all come with small class sizes and a range of accessible extracurriculars. Many private schools like Keith remain small by design. That’s because we recognize that personalized instruction and a family-friendly atmosphere make a difference for students of all ages. Having only between 10 and 20 students per class means that teachers at

Smaller education settings bring added benefits

We see the beneﬁts of that play out every day in

Learning conflict resolution, goal setting, discipline our classrooms. Children smaller schools have the opportunity to offer individualized attention as well as the flexibility to offer either extra support or accelerated learning as needed. They are able to cater to their students’ special interests or abilities. We see the benefits of that play out every day in our classrooms. Children who otherwise might be shy or afraid to voice their thoughts are speaking up and engaging with their classmates. They take more risks, gain more confidence and perform better than in a larger setting. Of course, it’s not just academics that make for a well-rounded education. We encourage students to explore their abilities through sports, music, theater, leadership and arts programs. In most small school settings like Keith, students don’t get “cut” from the team and can learn if they actually like a sport. Each child who displays an interest is free to pursue and excel in it at a small school. That’s a big part of what develops the kind of confidence in students that make them successful both

in the classroom and beyond. Socially, many children find it easier to settle into a smaller school. Classmates quickly become friends, and the student body forms a family. While some of our students have been together since threeyear-old preschool, new students find it just as easy to adapt and fit in when they join the school later. Seeing the same group of friends in every class, year after year, helps forge bonds that give students the comfort to embrace their unique selves and truly excel. By no means is a smaller school a compromise on education or experience: Just last year, Keith School again earned its designation as the top private school in the Rockford region, and among the best in Illinois with an A+ rating by Niche. Niche is an independent agency which combines rigorous analysis with parent, student and community reviews to highlight the best places to live and go to school. Making a choice for a smaller, private school can feel like an intimidating financial decision. But ultimately, private

who otherwise might be shy or afraid to voice their thoughts are speaking up and engaging with their classmates. schools all offer scholarships and financial assistance – and that’s not something to be ashamed of ! At Keith, nearly half of our student body benefits from either full-ride scholarships or considerable financial aid. A quality education isn’t something that should only be available to those who can afford it, and finances never need to be the reason why a child isn’t in a thriving classroom. Charo Chaney and Ashleigh Van Thiel are co-heads of school at Keith Country Day School. The views expressed are those of Chaney’s and Van Thiel’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

Illinois is 2022’s 6th least federally dependent state

Region 1 Planning Council launches R1 Resiliency Initiative

Goal to develop a three-year plan to increase region’s adaptability In November 2021, the Region 1 Planning Council, which serves six counties, Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson, Ogle, DeKalb and McHenry, launched its Resiliency Initiative and will develop a three-year plan with long-term goals focused on adaptability, disaster planning and building capacity for the region to anticipate and bounce back from shocks to the system. At a recent R1 Governing Board Meeting, the R1 released its preliminary concept paper with the proposed 3-Year Plan to create the “Resiliency in Action: A Framework for the Northern Illinois Region” (Resiliency in Action). The eventual goal could be the establishment of a permanent Resiliency Center. The plan proposes the following: Year 1–Listen & Learn. Focus on community outreach and establishing the structures needed to engage and learn about key issues in the region. Various community outreach activities, such as surveys, interviews, meetings and workshops will take place to learn what the community would like to include in the Resiliency in Action Plan. The goals during this year: ■ Launch the Resiliency Coalition and Forum. ■ Collaborate and empower the community to inform the planning process. Year 2–Planning for Progress. Once R1 has supported the community in identifying the scope and direction of the plan, Year 2 will focus on writing the Resiliency in Action Plan and continuing efforts to engage local leadership in addressing the needs identified by the community through efforts such as the Regional Resiliency Leadership Summit. The goals during this year: ■ Plan and convene the R1 Regional Resiliency Leadership Summit. The goal is to model the summit on previous work from national regional planning commissions towards a more sustainable and resilient future. According to the United Nations, investing in this type of risk reduction promotes trust and interconnection between local and regional leadership, better opportunities for rural and urban connection, protection and investment in local

communities, assurance for property investors, increased capital investment in infrastructure, increased employment and business opportunities, more livable communities, and increased connection to national and international resources and expertise. ■ Complete the “Resiliency in Action: A Framework for the Northern Illinois Region” plan. Year 3–Action & Implementation. Efforts will focus on the adoption of the Resiliency in Action Plan and the implementation of the strategies outlined therein. R1 will provide support as needed to local governments and organizations looking to apply for funding opportunities or begin new projects outlined in the plan, potentially leading to the creation of a Regional Resiliency Center. The goals during this year: ■ Apply for funding opportunities. ■ Begin project implementation. ■ Launch the Resiliency Center. The Resiliency Center could be a core part of the R1 and serve as a hub for local governments and community organizations to receive technical assistance and direction on planning and implementing various resiliency efforts. Priorities detailed in the plan will be not only be collected from community members but also will include current regional planning activities, such as planning a safe and efficient transportation system; emphasizing complete streets policies and standards; enhancing the livability of neighborhoods through greenspace, housing development and reduction in greenhouse emissions; investing in regional environmental practices, including water resource management; investing in carbonneutral infrastructure, and promoting the integration between economic and urban development with sustainability theories and practices. The R1 soon will engage stakeholders and the public to address Year 1’s “Listen & Learn” goals. To learn more information or to express interest in being involved in these efforts, please email Shelby Best at sbest@r1planning.org.

WalletHub released updated rankings for 2022’s Most & Least Federally Dependent States across three key metrics: return on taxes paid to the federal government, federal funding as a share of state revenue and share of federal jobs.

Federal Dependency of Illinois ■ 46th Return on Taxes Paid to the Federal Government ■ 38th Federal Funding as a Share of State Revenue ■ 39th Share of Federal Jobs (1=Most Dependent, 25=Avg.)

States with Highest & Lowest Tax Rates ILLINOIS RANKED #1 HIGHEST Every year, the average U.S. household pays more than $10,000 in federal income taxes. And while we’re all faced with that same obligation, there is significant difference when it comes to state and local taxes. Taxpayers in the most tax-expensive states, for instance, pay three times more than those in the cheapest states. Surprisingly, low income taxes don’t always mean low taxes as a whole. While Washington’s citizens don’t pay income tax, they end up spending more than 8 percent of its annual income on sales and excise taxes. Texas residents don’t pay income tax, but spend 1.8% of their income on real estate taxes. Compare these to California, where residents owe almost 5% of their income in sales and excise taxes, and just 0.76% in real estate tax. WalletHub compared state and local tax rates in the 50 states and the District of Columbia against national medians; calculating relative income-tax obligations by applying the effective income-tax rates in each state and locality to the average American’s income.

Top 10 Lowest Tax States

Alaska Delaware Montana Nevada Wyoming Florida Utah Idaho Colorado Tennessee

State & Local Tax Rates

State & Local Taxes

Overall Rank adj. to Cost of Living Index

5.84% 6.25% 7.11% 7.94% 8.05% 8.23% 8.34% 8.43% 8.54% 8.72%

$3,694 $3,949 $4,495 $5,021 $5,092 $5,204 $5,274 $5,329 $5,402 $5,513

3 1 2 10 8 5 9 6 13 4

State & Local Tax Rates

State & Local Taxes

15.01% 14.85% 14.08% 13.97% 13.43% 13.27% 13.22% 13.19% 13.18% 12.84%

$9,488 $9,385 $8,900 $8,830 $8,491 $8,386 $8,357 $8,337 $8,329 $8,117

Overall Rank adj. to Cost of Living Index 47 51 49 44 36 38 37 35 31 48

Top 10 Highest Tax States

Illinois Connecticut New York Pennsylvania Kansas Nebraska Wisconsin Iowa Ohio New Jersey

Eﬀective Total State & Local Tax Rates on Median U.S. Household Annual State & Local Taxes on Median U.S. Household Adjusted Overall Rank (based on Cost of Living Index)

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

business

BUSINESS BRIEFS

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

KMK Media Group launched a new website for Alpha Controls & Services at www.alphaacs.com, was hired by Rochelle Community Hospital to manage social media marketing, public relations and video storytelling, and Hononegah High School to develop staff recruitment marketing materials, including signage and collateral. Rockford Housing Authority announced its strategic community partner, the Rockford Apartment Association, as a part of its designation as a Move to Work agency. It will design and test innovative, local strategies, using federal dollars more efficiently, to help residents find employment and become self-sufficient, and increase housing choices for low-income families. It allows for exemptions from many existing public housing and voucher rules and provides funding ﬂexibility.

Carpenter’s Place partners with Rockford Lutheran High School on its ﬁrst-annual Canstruction® Exhibition. Students used science, technology, engineering and mathematics practices to design and build a “Rubik’s cube” on the high school stage on March 13, made entirely of unopened canned food. The almost 800 cans were donated to Carpenter’s Place. from Midland States Bank Foundation to support Meals for Allprogram, which serves mission guests, Life Recovery residents and the community. Midland also contributed to Regional Access and Mobilization Project (RAMP) and Easterseals for a total of $41,284 towards all three organizations.

Digital Hive Mind received three 2021 American Graphic Design Awards from Graphic Design USA: Forest City Gear brochure (print design), United Way of Rock River Valley 100-year video (video design) and 10-year celebration (self promotion). Saint Anthony College of Nursing announced that 100 percent of the 2021 BSN graduates passed the NCLEX-RN licensing exam on the first attempt. The national and state average is 82 percent. Rock House Kids received a $5,000 grant from General Mills to help combat hunger and $50,000 from Kiwanis Charities of Rockford towards its expansion plans. The organization is less than $50,000 away from meeting its goal of $545,000 Rosecrance and Boys & Girls Club of Rockford partnered in January. Clinicians will lead groups on topics such as healthy relationships and stress management techniques during after-school activities at the Fairgrounds Club location. Rockford Symphony Orchestra is offering access to its concerts through the ComEd Digital Stage. Each concert is $10 each or the entire season for $90. Concert are available approximately two weeks after the live performance. Viewers receive a survey link to rate the performance, which will help make the final selection for the new music director. WATT Global Media will host the 2022 Chicken Marketing Summit, July 25 to 27, at the Château Élan in Braselton, Georgia. Brian Thomas Photography was hired by United Way of the Rock River Valley to help with its marketing photography. Rock Valley Credit Union received a 2022 Torch Award for Ethics from the Rockford Regional Better Business Bureau in March.

Fifty-five students from the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford’s Class of 2022 matched on March 18 into residency programs in 19 specialties in 20 different states and Washington, D.C. Forty-five percent matched into primary care specialties (family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics); 23 will stay in Illinois, resulting in 78 percent continuing their training in the Midwest. One alumnus matched into a residency program in pediatrics in Chicago. The Judson University choir, as a critical outreach of the university, made an eight-stop tour of churches and performance venues in Illinois and Wisconsin during spring break in March. The Amateur Athletic Union Volleyball Grand Prix, National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Men’s Basketball Championship and the Illinois Kids Wrestling Foundation State Championship took place in Rockford, March 9 to 13; generating a total estimated economic impact of $2.8 million. A record number of Rockford Promise scholars; Rockford Public School students who received full-tuition scholarships, were included on Rockford University’s honors lists for the fall semester. Of 22 scholars, eight made the Distinguished Scholar List and five made the Dean’s List. Hughes Resources is opening its newest branch at 318 N. 1st St., in Rockford. The new building, purchased in December of 2021, is undergoing renovations and expected to officially open in September 2022. It will provide space to interview job seekers, conduct pre-employment paperwork and help local businesses fill jobs.

Chartwell Agency won eight American Advertising Awards from the American Advertising Federation Northern Illinois: Northern Illinois ReACH website and logo design, Warriner School logo redesign, Winnebago County Animal Services website, Alignment Rockford Ready to Learn campaign, Edgebrook Everyday/Unexpected (silver), and Winnebago County Animal Services logo design and KANDU Yearbook (bronze). American Advertising Federation Northern Illinois awarded 10 gold, 15 silver and 14 bronze 2022 American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) to eight local companies in the professional category and one gold, four silver and five bronze in the student category to five students. All of the gold and some silver entries moved on to the District 6 American Advertising Awards competition. Natural Land Institute received a $6,800 grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois through the Dr. Courtney J. and Margaret Hutchins Hamlin Family Fund for Family Nature Adventures, a family event at Nygren Wetland Preserve on June 25. Rockford Rescue Mission received $5,000

Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded Museum Capital Grants: $433,000 to Discovery Center Museum of Rockford to improve air quality and accessibility in the interactive children’s museum, $301,000 to Rockford Art Museum to upgrade its HVAC system, and $104,000 to Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum for new UV filters for windows, a rebuilt brick pathway through the iris garden and pedestrian overpass to the railroad garden. Rockford Park District’s UW Health Sports Factory is open for drop-in activities year-round, including walking laps, basketball, pickleball or volleyball, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Macktown Living History received a $5,000 Re-Connecting to the Community grant from the Ecolab Foundation and $500 from Pieper Electric, Inc./Ideal Mechanical, New Berlin, Wis., to expand its 2022 outreach and programming. Rockford Area Arts Council named winners of the 2022 Rockford Area Arts Awards: Women’s Suffrage Centennial Plaza & Committee (Public Art of the Year); Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (Placemaking); 317 Art Collective (Innovation in the Arts); Stars of Light – Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. (Excellence in Service to the Arts), and Fatherless Print Posse (Distinguished Artist of the Year). Autism Speaks awarded a $3,690 Norma and Malcolm Baker Recreation Grant to Barbara Olson Center of Hope for its Community Inclusion Project. The Holy Family Catholic Church Knights of Columbus awarded $2,809 to the center.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

in the news

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

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

1. Kathy Henrich

2. Dr. W. Stephen Minore

3. Dr. Douglas P. Roegner

4. Jake Trotter

5. Tyler Jahn

6. Yanel Jones

7. Brock Sutton

8. Ramona Thompson

9. Gale Price

10. Jerry Ritzert

11. Kassandra Medina

12. Holly Roth

13. Jen Wilson

14. Emma Cottrell

15. Dr. Octavia Williams

16. Benjamin Guth

BOARD APPOINTMENTS Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners chose Dr. Rudy Valdez to fill the vacant seat left with the resignation of Commissioner Ian Linnabary. Valdez will have to run for the seat in the April 2023 election to serve the remaining two years of the original six-year term. Kathy Henrich (1), CEO, Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition, was named to the M3 Insurance board. Winnebago County Medical Society elected new board members: W. Stephen Minore (2), M.D., president; Douglas P. Roegner (3), M.D., president-elect; Jennifer Lane, D.O., secretary; Mitchell S. King, M.D., treasurer. Directors: H. Trent Barnhart, M.D.; Ralph W. Everson, M.D.; Tiﬀanie S. Ferry, M.D., immediate past president; Edwin O. Okeson, M.D., and Robert M. Glovsky, M.D. The Rosecrance, Inc., board welcomed Jake Trotter (4), Cicero, France & Alexander, P.C., and Tiﬀany Bates, Illinois Department of Human Services. The Rosecrance Foundation Rockford board welcomed Tana Vettore, Stroll on State; Chicago board Sobhi Baghdadi, Savant Wealth Management, and Iowa board Frank Gray, City of Sioux City retired treasurer, and Eileen Mitchell, Tyson Foods.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS Ad Vice Marketing hired Chelsea Bellone as a marketing consultant. Fehr Graham promoted Tyler Jahn

17. Matthew Weber

18. John Underwood

(5) to associate engineering technician, Yanel Jones (6) to senior engineering technician in the Rochelle office and Brock Sutton (7) to staff engineer. It hired Ramona Thompson (8), SPHR, SHRM-SCP, as human resources leader. Blackhawk Bank welcomed Gale Price (9) as vice president business banking in the Janesville market. First National Bank and Trust Company welcomed Jerry Ritzert (10) as executive vice president chief financial officer. Spectrum Insurance Agency, Inc., welcomed Kassandra Medina (11) and Holly Roth (12) as its newest insurance agents. J.L. Clark promoted Gyas Uddin to plant manager of the Rockford metals facility and Jason Ludewig to product design & innovation manager. WATT Global Media added Jen Wilson (13) to its Feed & Grain sales team and Emma Cottrell (14) as associate editor. Jake Dykstra was named president of Cord Construction Co. United Way of Rock River Valley hired Dr. Octavia Williams (15) as director of development. Stacy Mullins, residential realtor, joined Teri Watts, commercial realtor, to establish Team Top Rock with Key Realty. Benjamin Guth (16), APRN, joined OSF Medical Group – Primary Care – Rock Cut office. Children’s Safe Harbor named Jillisa Bondurant as its new executive director.

19. Denise E. Conklin

20. Jahna Duda

Matthew Weber (17), class of 2003 and longtime head baseball coach at Boylan Catholic High School, was named its next enrollment director. Cicero, France & Alexander, P.C., hired Attorney Jake Trotter (4) as an associate attorney in its divorce/ family law and general civil practice. Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley appointed Karol Szul, Jane Vronch and Breanna Borota as administrative assistants in the records unit and welcomed 7-11 law students and interns for court, legal research projects, victim contacts and administrative tasks. Entre’ Computer Solutions hired John Underwood (18) for PC and network technical support with Rockford area clients. Comfort Keepers’ owners, Mark Podemski and Lucretia Ristin, hosted an open house on March 11 to celebrate the new office at 116 W Exchange St., Freeport, and to introduce Sarah Hass as the new territory manager. Prairie State Legal Services, Inc., named Denise E. Conklin (19), as its new executive director; replacing Linda Rothnagel, interim executive director, and Mike O’Connor, long-time executive director, who left the organization on March 1. Region 1 Planning Council welcomed Cesar Sanchez as an economic development planner. Rockford Christian Schools’ Board of Directors hired Jahna Duda (20) as the next head of school; succeeding Superintendent Paul Brandt in July 2022.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Lana M. Engen (21), CFP™, private wealth advisor, Ameriprise Financial, Inc., was honored with the company’s Circle of Success annual recognition for 2022. Assistant State’s Attorney Kirstin Krivanec, Winnebago County State’s Attorney, was nominated for the YWCA 2022 Women of Achievement Award. Christina Wales, client content strategist, Ad Vice Marketing, was certified in Google Display and Google Search Ads. Martha DeLuna, receptionist, received the Rockford Housing Authority’s January Director’s Spotlight Award. Nicole Bourbon was the February winner of the new Peer-to-Peer Recognition Program. Rockford Area Arts Council announces the winners of the Poetry Out Loud Regional Competition: Olivia Vereb (first place) and Kelcey Dodd (second place), both from Jefferson High School. They advanced to Illinois’ State Poetry Out Loud Competition. Blackhawk Bank named Lorianne Robertson (22), AVP marketing specialist, as the 2021 Blackhawk Bank Spirit Award Winner. Marc C. Gravino (23) and Scott C. Sullivan (24), attorneys, WilliamsMcCarthy LLP, were selected by their peers to the 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers list. Laurie S. Miller (25), MBA, M3’s director of employee benefits – northcentral Illinois, was named a (continued on page 21)

21. Lana M. Engen

22. Lorianne Robertson

23. Marc C. Gravino

24. Scott C. Sullivan

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS ABREO RESTAURANT & CATERING Bar, Restaurant, Caterer.

515 E. State St., 61104 Sandy Johnson 815-968-9463 www.abreorockford.com 25. Laurie S. Miller

26. Ginnie Weckerly

27. Carol Harkin

Continued from page 20

OF GENERAL INTEREST

2022 Risk & Insurance Power Broker®.

Rockford University mourned the passing of its former president, Gretchen von Loewe Kreuter, who served as president from 1987 to 1992. She graduated from thenRockford College in 1955.

YWCA Northwestern Illinois presented Women of Achievement Awards at the 42nd “virtual” Leader Luncheon in March: Rhashonda Williams, Rockford Park District (business); Chief Michele Pankow, Rockford Fire Department (community leadership); Ginnie Weckerly (26), Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois (mentorship); Shannon Krueger, University of Illinois College of Medicine MERIT Program (professions), and organization Belvidere School District 100 (racial justice). Scholarship recipients were Olivia Repka, Hononegah High School (Bright Future), and Cristal Sanchez and Sandy Ruiz, Boylan Catholic High School (La Voz Latina). Connor Magnusson, student at Rockford Christian Schools, was recognized by 13 WREX as a part of its “Inspiring 815” segment. Math teacher, Alicia Heinzeroth, was showcased on “Good Day Stateline,” WQRF-TV/WTVO-TV, on Pi day — March 14.

Forest City Gear announced the death of Wendy Young, president & CEO, on Feb. 22, peacefully, with her family at her side, after a tenacious battle with cancer. The Young family and the greater Forest City Gear family are grateful for the support of the industry and the community. Rockford Area REALTORS® expressed deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Carol Harkin (27), REALTOR®, Gambino Realtors, who recently passed away. She was a member for more than 40 years.

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

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication

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THE STANDARD

Wedding + Events Venue.

John Schuster 214 E. State St., 61104 Sara Moore 815-540-2263 www.standardonstate.com

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

70-YEAR MEMBERS

15-YEAR MEMBER

Lindstrom Travel Winnebago County Medical Society

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum

65-YEAR MEMBER

Countryman Inc. Rock Valley Compounding Pharmacy

Rockford Area Realtors

60-YEAR MEMBERS Rockford Mercantile Agency, Inc. Rockford Public Library Specialty Screw Corporation

55-YEAR MEMBER Dickerson & Nieman Realtors

25-YEAR MEMBER Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.

10-YEAR MEMBERS

5-YEAR MEMBERS Greater Rockford Italian American Association/Festa Italiana The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Viking Chemical Company

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in February 2022. 23WIFR Gray Television, Inc. Anderson Dodge Anderson Nissan Anderson Toyota/Lexus of Rockford Birch Plumbing Inc. Boy Scouts of America, Blackhawk Area Council Broadmoor Agency, Inc. Byron Forest Preserve/PrairieView Golf Club Capri Restaurant, Inc. Carpenter’s Local 792 Chartwell Agency Crandall Stats and Sensors, Inc. Dickerson & Nieman Realtors Distinctive Roofing, Inc. Dixon Automatic Tool, Inc. Farm & Fleet of Rockford First Free Rockford FNBO ForeverLawn Chicago Frink’s Sewer & Drain Inc. Galapagos Rockford Charter School Gambino Realtors Home Builders, Inc. Guler Appliance Company Hidden Creek Estates Hoffman House

HolmstromKennedyPC Hyundai on Perryville Illinois Bank & Trust - Guilford Road Illinois Bank & Trust - Harrison Banking Center Illinois Bank & Trust - Riverside Illinois Bank & Trust - Route 173 Banking Center Illinois Bank & Trust - Stewart Square IMEG Corp. J.L.Clark Kelso-Burnett Co. Key Realty - Team Top Rock, Commercial and Residential Brokers Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC Knopp Construction Inc. L.K.G. Industries, Inc. La Quinta Inn & Suites Rockford LaMonica Beverages Larson & Darby Group Leading Lawyers Lechtenberg & Associates LLC Lindstrom Travel Maciano’s Pizza (Perryville Pizza, LLC) Maciano’s Pizza - Columbia Parkway Maney’s Lawnscape Inc. Montel Technologies LLC

Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association Northern Illinois Food Bank Rockford Branch Northwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council OfficePro Pepper Creek/Fourth Street Greenhouse Pepsi-Cola of Rockford Physicians Immediate Care Pierce Laminated Products, Inc. Pumilia Family Dental Group Riverview Inn & Suites at Cliffbreakers Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated Rock River Ford, Kia, Mitsubishi Rockford Area Arts Council Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Rockford Area Realtors Rockford Mass Transit District Rockford Mass Transit District/ Paratransit Rockford Public Library Rockford Public Schools, District #205 Rockford Rescue Mission Ministries Schmeling Construction Co.

Schnuck Markets Inc. - 11th Street Schnuck Markets Inc. - Charles Street Schnuck Markets Inc. - State Street Sedona of Rockford Shogun Japanese Restaurant Izakaya 88 State Farm Insurance Andrew Blevins Agency State Farm Insurance - Solomon Foley Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. Stratus Networks The Insurance Guy, LLC The Literacy Council The Pension Specialists, Ltd. Thor Computing, Inc. Trajectory Energy Partners LLC V2 Marketing & Management Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute Village of Machesney Park Vixen Productions WilliamsMcCarthy LLP Wilson Electric Co. Woodward (Loves Park Campus) Woodward (Rock Cut Campus) WQRF-TV/WTVO-TV

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

April 2022

community

COMMUNITY EVENTS & WEBINARS

APRIL 2022

FRIDAY, APRIL 8 World Leaders Forum will feature special guest, Edward James Olmos, 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Herrick Chapel, Judson University campus, Elgin. Entrepreneur Jacqueline Ruiz also will moderate a panel discussion with Rick Najera and Evelyn Miralles. Visit www. judsonu.edu/WLFinspiration.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 Saint Anthony College of Nursing hosts a Community Open House, 9 to 11 a.m., at 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford. Visit www.sacn.edu. Angelic Organics Learning Center hosts an Open House, noon to 3 p.m., at 1545 Rockton Road, Caledonia. Visit www.learngrowconnect.org/farmprograms.html.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 Northern Illinois University hosts a STEM Café: “The Labor Shortage Legal, Gender, Economic and Management Perspectives,” a free virtual event, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Features Carl Campbell III on economic factors; Michael Oswalt on labor, employment and workplace organizing; Mahesh Subramony on the changing nature of work, and Kathryn Cady on feminist and labor politics and the experiences of women in the workforce. Register at niusteam.niu. edu/community/stem-cafes.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19 PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” takes place April 19 and 20 at 6 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at the BMO Harris Bank Center and Coronado PAC box offices, ticketmaster.com or 818-968-5222.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21 Stateline Youth for Christ hosts its Annual Banquet, “Be the Story,” 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront, 416 S. Main St. An inspiring journey through the mission and passion of YFC to transform the lives of youth, families

and community. Register at www. statelineyfc.org/new-events.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 Rockford Area Arts Council’s Spring ArtScene 2022 takes place April 22, 5 to 9 p.m.; April 23, 4 to 9 p.m. Kickoff begins at Rockford City Hall with Poetry Prelude, 4 p.m., on April 22. Visit artsforeveryone.com/artscene.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 Rockford Park District presents Nicholas at Night: Bug Out! 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Nicholas Conservatory, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford. Preregistration is required at nicholasconservatory.com. Junior League of Rockford hosts a Trivia Night Fundraiser, 7 p.m., at Klehm Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at www.jlrockford.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 25 Keller Williams Realty Signature presents Diversity is Good for Business, noon to 1 p.m., at 4201 Galleria Dr., Loves Park. Call 815-315-1111. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, presents Blue Man Group, 8 p.m. Visit coronadopac.org/Broadway. 2022 Rosecrance Foundation Annual Beneﬁt, “Hope Begins With You,” takes place 6 p.m., at Mercyhealth Sportscore Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park. Features Emmyand Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth. Tickets at rosecrance.org/rockfordbenefit.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28 Comedian Jo Koy performs as a part of his Funny Is Funny World Tour, 8 p.m., at Coronado Performing Arts Center 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com, Coronado PAC box office and 815-968-5222. Rockford Network presents the seventh-annual Professional Development Day, 8 to 11:30 a.m., at the Rockford Bank & Trust Pavilion at Aldeen Golf Club, 1902 Reid Farm

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

Road. Jo Miller presents “Get Your Shift Together: Five Ways to Shift from Doing to Leading.” Call Yvonne Peterson, 815-414-9044, or Karen Arce, 815-721-9493, or pdchair@ rockfordnetwork.org.

W. Spring St., Freeport. Also virtual on

MAY 2022

Mercyhealth Development Foundation

SUNDAY, MAY 1 Barbara Olson Center of Hope’s sixth-annual Rock for the Center Family Festival takes place, 1 to 3 p.m., at 3206 N. Central Ave., Rockford. Includes an online art auction featuring works by participants and a cash raﬄe. Visit b-olsoncenterofhope.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 7 Macktown Living History hosts its Fiber Arts Festival, May 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; May 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton. Call 815-2183874 and rmj5288@gmail.com.

MONDAY, MAY 9 The Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, presents Anastasia, the new Broadway musical, 7:30 p.m. Visit coronadopac.org/Broadway.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 Judson University’s annual Community Prayer Breakfast takes place 7:30 to 9 a.m., on the Elgin campus. Keynote speaker is Rev. Huron Claus of the Mohawk/Kiowa tribes of New York and Oklahoma. Tickets at judsonu.edu/ prayerbreakfast.

THURSDAY, MAY 12 Macktown Living History presents So You Have Apple/Fruit Trees, a Second Sunday event, 10 a.m. to noon, at 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton. Call 815-218-3874 and rmj5288@ gmail.com. University of Illinois Extension presents Understanding Inflammation and How Diet Influences the Inflammation Process, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, 210

April 13, 1 to 3 p.m., via Zoom. Free

but registration required at 815-9864357 or go.illinois.edu/jsw.

FRIDAY, MAY 13 hosts Golf for a Good Cause, its

annual golf play day at the Beloit Club, 2327 S. Riverside Dr. Proceeds benefit the foundation’s Emergency Medical Services Scholarship Fund.

Registration and breakfast, 7:30 a.m.;

siren start, 8:30 a.m., followed by lunch and prizes. Register at

mercyhealthsystem.org/golf, 815-9714143 or 608-755-8821.

SUNDAY, MAY 15 Illinois Institute of Nursing Studies

Inc., hosts a Golf Outing, 11 a.m., at Rockford Country Club. Buffet lunch,

golfing and raﬄe. Call 779-770-9967.

MONDAY, MAY 16 Women of Today’s Manufacturing hosts its annual Scholarship

Fundraiser, 5 to 8 p.m., at Rockford

Country Club, 2500 Oxford St.

SATURDAY, MAY 21 WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, featuring WWE SmackDown

superstars, takes place 7:30 p.m., at BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm

St., Rockford. Tickets at Ticketmaster. com, the box office or 815-968-5222.

MONDAY, MAY 23 Keller Williams Realty Signature

hosts Mentoring for Diversity, noon to 1 p.m., at 4201 Galleria Dr., Loves Park. Call 815-315-1111.

TUESDAY, MAY 31 Rockford Christian Schools opens its first day of Camp Vertical Extreme for 4- to 15-year-olds, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call 815-391-8000.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

CHaMBER

ADVERTISERS INDEX

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

APRIL 2022 FRIDAY, APRIL 8 Government Aﬀairs Council, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Sponsored by AT&T.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 IGNITE’s Night Out with the IceHogs, 6 to 9 p.m., BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford. Watch an IceHogs game from one of the suites.

TUESDAY, APRIL 12 Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Comfort Keepers presents “Caregivers: Take Care of YOU, too!” Sponsored by Associated Bank.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 IGNITE After 5 – Mary’s Market, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at 4431 E. State St., Rockford. Community Priority Series, a virtual “fireside chat,” 10 a.m. Live online via Zoom and on demand after the event at rockfordchamber.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29 Educational Breakfast, 7:30 to 9:15 a.m., at Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St, Rockford, IL 61103. Featuring information about “Electric Vehicles, EV Chargers and State and Federal Incentives.” Presented by industry experts, Paul Lepien, Chuck Meyers and Scot A. Dobbs. Limited seating. Call Patti Thayer at 815-282-1112 or email Patti at patti@thayerenergysolutions. com. Sponsored by Thayer Energy Solutions.

April 2022

MAY 2022 WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 IGNITE After 5 - Scoreboard Sports Bar and Grill, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at 7550 E. State St., Rockford. “Representation Matters,” a Drive Series live workshop, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This action-oriented session is focused on all-things Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), from the employee break room to the board room.

Blackhawk Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

OSF HealthCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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

Reinhart Boener Van Deuren P.C. . 12

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

Rockford Chamber of Commerce . . . 4,11,12, 17, 23, 24

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) . . . . . 6 Mercyhealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Thayer Energy Solutions . . . . . . . . . 7

Northern Public Radio . . . . . . . . . 22

workplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Northwest Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

VOICE

THURSDAY, MAY 12 Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc., hosts a ribbon cutting, 11:30 a.m., at 4317 Maray Dr., Rockford.

FRIDAY, MAY 13 Government Aﬀairs Council, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Sponsored by AT&T.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 Community Priority Series, a virtual “fireside chat,” 10 a.m. Live online via Zoom and on demand after the event at rockfordchamber.com.

MONDAY, MAY 23 Rockford Chamber Golf Classic 2022, 11 a.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. At-your-car-registration and lunch, 11 a.m. to noon; Shotgun start, noon; casual dinner immediately following golf. Sponsored by MercyCare Health Plans (presenting), UW Health Northern Illinois Region (gift), OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center (Mulligan) and Rockford University (beverage).

Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

the

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

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

DIRECTORS

Chair of the Board Dan Ross Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Vice Chair Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Vice Chair Don Daniels Treasurer John Schuster JFS Services

LaVonne Brown Savant Wealth Management Samuel J. Castree Staff Management, Inc. Lesly Couper workplace Doug Curry Stenstrom Construction Group Rebecca Epperson Chartwell Agency Carol Friesen OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center Eric Fulcomer, Ph.D. Rockford University Ira Grimmett Collins Aerospace Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Carly LaMonica LaMonica Beverages, Inc. Kris L. Kieper Machajewski YWCA Northwestern Illinois Nicole Radford UW Health Northern Illinois Region Denise Sasse RSM US LLP Peter Schmeling Schmeling Construction Co. Brent Scott Rockford Community Bank, A Wintrust Community Bank Teresa Sharp American Precision Supply, Inc.

Karl Swanson Illinois Bank & Trust Christina Valdez CMM & Associates Dustin Vock Meiborg, Inc. Robert Young Midwest Packaging and Container

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

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

MAY VOICE SPECIAL SECTIONS The Transportation Issue What’s New in IT? Leadership Rockford Congratulations For information on advertising, call 815 987-8100

April Voice 2022

Articles inside

Chairman's Perspective - April 2022

MEMBER PROFILE - Wired Café from April Voice 2022

Small Business Enterprise - SBDC April 2022

IGNITE April 2022