May Voice 2014

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the voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

May 2014 | Volume 27 | No. 5

Building on success Winnebago County Chair Christiansen reflects on past, envisions future

By Paul Anthony Arco For Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen, plenty has changed since he took office 10 years ago.

Those changes have taken place in economic development, education, public safety and health, as well as quality of life. But it’s past successes that have him fired up about the future.

PHotoS BY BRIAN tHomAS PHotoGRAPHY

Winnebago County Chairman Scott Christiansen spoke of the changes that have taken place since he took office a decade ago.

That was the message he shared with more than 450 business leaders and elected officials, during his State of the County presentation entitled “Game On,” hosted by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce on April 17, at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years,” Christiansen told the crowd.

“It’s amazing what we’ve been able to do. My philosophy has been consistent when it comes to public health, safety and quality of life. But we can’t do it alone.”

Christiansen shared his vision for Rockford’s future. He imagines a safer community, with more downtown parking, higher graduation rates and unemployment numbers well below the national average. It’s his hope that the I-39 corridor will be booming, that 10 trains will run daily between Rockford and Chicago, and that 30 daily commercial flights will fly to and from Chicago Rockford International Airport. He teased about EIGERlab coming up with a way to fix potholes, more on page 3

Building brand recognition by “giving it away” Lessons some companies have learned

By Barbara Connors

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

Join the Chamber’s Linkedin group www.linkedin.com/e/gis/2544

When Chick-fil-A opened in Rockford several months ago, it did it with a mindset to be a positive influence on Rockford residents and the city of Rockford, said Marketing Director Kylie Rosado.

Prior to its grand opening, the franchise gave away more than 8,000 free chicken sandwiches to other businesses, and distributed more than 20,000 free offer coupons in the community. The business collected hundreds of dollars worth of baby items and non-perishable food from guests for local nonprofit Children’s Home & Aid, as a part of its grand opening celebration.

Building Brand through Philanthropy Business technology writer Minda Zetlin reported on March 14 at www.inc.

com on this philanthropic sales and brand recognition strategy, which at first might seem counterintuitive.

In order to market a product, a business might want to consider giving it away.

Some companies have found success in building brand recognition, and ultimately sales, by giving away their products – as well as their time and manpower -- to support worthy causes.

Zetlin pointed to the case of Barefoot Cellars, a tiny company started in a garage that has grown into an international wine more on page 4

CEanCi LaunChES unitE! CEANCI, Career Education Associates of North Central Illinois, launched Unite!, an online platform to connect local employers with future employees and address workforce development needs.

Participating businesses can use Unite! to create a pipeline to future workers; by increasing visibility to students, parents, educators and administrators; engaging and informing youth in career development; highlighting local job opportunities and demand, and aligning training and education with forecasted job needs.

Unite! can be accessed through Career Cruising, a career exploration and planning tool currently used by area students.

Businesses can join for free by visiting www.ilunite.org, and clicking “Join Now” or call Margie Hartfiel, 815-921-1650, or Caryn Huber, 815-921-1658.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

rockford Chamber

golf Classic May 19

Rockford Country Club For more info, see page 30

DiD WintEr aFFECt inSECt popuLationS? The region’s very low temperatures will have varying effects on insect pests that overwinter, according to Grant McCarty, University of Illinois extension educator. “For many of these overwintering insects, it’s hard to tell how this will impact the populations. Many of these pests are adept in preparing for these temperatures.”

Pests that potentially could have lower populations this season include Western Corn Rootworm, Brown Marmorated Stinkbug and Emerald Ash Borer—but this does not mean these insects do not have the ability to recover in numbers, as many will overwinter/place their eggs in the soil profile, tree bark, and even buildings. Early snow in the area also could have served as protection for pests already in the soil profile.

McCarty suggests to prepare beds now and plant very hardy crops (kale, pea, onion, spinach) and semi-hardy crops. Visit web. extension.illinois.edu/jsw.

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President’s Message VIEWPOINT

The Chamber meets the needs of business through member input Upcoming surveys provide perspective from you The Rockford Chamber works hard to fulfill its mission of being the leading advocate for business growth in our region. Our efforts to serve as an advocate for a strong business climate are to maintain an active awareness of what’s on our members’ minds. Through the various sessions we have throughout the year with Government Affairs, Public Education, or our other councils we are able to have a great understanding of what is important to our membership. Every so often however, we need to attempt to achieve broader level of input from our members, which is where some of our key surveys come in to play.

What we have learned of late is the business uncertainty remains high for small businesses. Much of this uncertainty is led by what many cite as a lack of consensus on direction by our various elected bodies, federal and state in particular. What we are seeing as a high concern locally as well is concern about crime and safety

in our community. For both of these areas, the Rockford Chamber wants to receive your feedback to help guide our advocacy efforts. Your input is critical to our development of a plan that serves the business community.

You may remember that we surveyed our members four years ago on issues tied towards public education. Those survey results led to a plan of action for the Chamber and community that we believe has put us on a strong track for substantial improvement in public education.

During the month of May, the Rockford Chamber will be rolling out its Public Policy Survey and its Crime and Public Safety Survey. We want to know your thoughts, opinions, and perceptions on both topics!

Public Policy Survey The most effective way to gain member insight is by conducting an annual public policy survey. Taking the time to seek member input will

Einar K. Forsman Rockford Chamber of Commerce

not only provide us with a guidepost for your policy priorities, but it will also increase member engagement in your advocacy efforts. We will be asking you about government and government offices, about legislative issues, and about those areas that obstruct or impact your ability to run and grow your business. The survey will be short, and will be about input gathering, not about “selling” any particular policy position.

community,

Crime and Public Safety Survey

particular issue could strengthen our

As many of you know, this is a new area for the Chamber to engage in and we really need your perspective on crime and public safety and its impact on your business, your employees, and you as residents of this region. We will be looking for the topics of highest priority to you, and to identify areas or initiatives that the Chamber can be most effective in addressing for its members.

It may be as simple as providing quality information to you about issues in our

more attention to an issue.

or as complex as a broader member engagement initiative to be proactive in addressing issues tied towards public safety.

Having the ability to accurately convey the collective opinion of the business community on priority issues can be very impactful. In some cases, publicly releasing the strong support or opposition of our membership on a influence with elected leaders and bring During

the month of May you will receive an email from me providing a link to both surveys. Please take a moment to complete them both. Your feedback is valuable to our mission!

If you are not a regular recipient of our emails, but want to participate in the survey, please let me know at eforsman@ rockfordchamber.com.

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Chairman Christiansen and Mimi Murphy talk before his address.

Joe Castrogiovanni and Steve Gunderson came to hear the chairman’s perspective.

Gary Caruana, Jim Stevens and Owen Costanza.

Alanna Conard and Earl Dotson Jr. enjoying catching up at the State of the County.

State of the County

important issues are finding ways to advance the educational system and making sure people feel safe in the community. If you don’t feel safe, that affects business and it affects employees, so we need to make sure to stay on top of that issue.”

Fred Wescott, a Winnebago County Board member and chair of the Winnebago County Housing Authority, first noticed Christiansen’s tenacity back in 2003, when the chairman helped solve an issue within the Housing Authority, before he even took office. “That’s when I began to understand what his values are, his goals and his passion for Winnebago County,” Wescott said. “I’m amazed at the things he’s accomplished since I was appointed to the county board in 2007.

For example, he’s lowered the budget $22 million since 2008. You can’t really grade that. It’s off the charts.”

Wescott is especially pleased with the transformation taking place in downtown Rockford. He makes the comparison to Louisville, Ky., a city that has exploded, thanks to an influx of restaurants and entertainment venues coming into the downtown area.

“That’s what I want to see here,” he said. “We’re seeing more than 20,000 people a month visiting downtown Rockford. There’s a vibe taking place here. It’s exciting to see.”

Sponsors of the luncheon were BMO Harris Bank (presenting), Humana and SwedishAmerican Health System (gold), and AT&T (silver). n

Continued from front page

the jail becoming market condos and that Forbes, the national magazine that has ranked Rockford as the third most miserable city in the nation, opening a local office to see how Rockford has transformed itself.

All joking aside, he pointed to the news last week that the state is investing $223 million to building passenger rail that will run through Chicago to Rockford, with stops in Elgin, Huntley and Belvidere, beginning in 2015.

He mentioned Woodward Inc.’s decision to invest $200 million in Loves Park over cities in South Carolina and Wisconsin, to build a new manufacturing and office campus.

Christiansen praised efforts such as Transform Rockford, Reclaiming First and the attempt to get the Ziock building in downtown Rockford converted into a 150-room hotel complete with bars and restaurants. He also commended initiatives such as “Knock Out Crime,” which has resulted in more than 1,000 tips called into police and more than 200 school visits in order to build a better rapport with students.

What Leaders Had to Say “From a leadership standpoint, one of the chairman’s strengths is his way to cut across all party lines and get people to work together,” said Einar Forsman, president and CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. “For us, two

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

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding ­publication. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190 Rockford, IL 61101

For information about advertising contact Customer Service at 815-987-8100.

The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community (USPS 784-120). ISSN number 1086-0630, is published monthly by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, Illinois 61101. Periodicals postage paid at Rockford, Ill. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101.

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Giving It Away

Speaking of Area Restaurants …

Continued from front page

brand selling 600,000 cases a year, in part by giving it away. At the beginning, the company with an unknown product was told that to get retail shelf space in the competitive wine industry, it would need to commit at least $100,000 in advertising for brand recognition. The fledgling company simply didn’t have the money.

Unexpectedly, Michael Houlihan, Barefoot’s co-founder and co-author of The Barefoot Spirit, got a call from a nonprofit in San Francisco’s Chinatown asking for sponsorship dollars -- or at least donations of wine -- to raise money for playground equipment for a children’s park. Unable to contribute the money, Houlihan donated wine, which was used at the nonprofit’s fundraising event. A few weeks later, Houlihan reviewed his company’s sales figures in San Francisco and was surprised. The four stores near Chinatown had sold out and re-ordered from the distributor.

Since then, Barefoot’s national strategy has been to partner with nonprofits. When the company enters a new market, it hires a local “Barefooter” to represent the brand and to find appropriate nonprofits to support.

Houlihan suggested to other businesses that to use this technique they should get creative with their offerings. In addition to donations of product or cash, consider what else your company can do. Maybe setup and teardown at the event? He also suggests asking for something in return, such as a thank you at the podium or in the newsletter, or a chance to talk about your product at the event. The important thing is to make it a “win-win” situation for everyone involved.

Find Mindy Zetlin’s article at www.inc.com.

Businesses Partner to Raise Funds, Sales Red Mango, 1093 West Lane Road, Machesney Park, regularly uses the “giving it away” marketing concept. The #1 Zagat-rated seller of frozen yogurt and smoothies seeks to raise money for area schools, sports teams, clubs and other charities.

“Our Good Neighbor Program provides a fun, healthy alternative to

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Share your fundraising idea

Abreo, 515 E. State St., Rockford, was recognized in April as one of the 12 best Illinois restaurants NOT in Chicago by Thrillist Chicago (www.thrillist.com). Many of the other restaurants listed are in the Chicago suburbs. The site introduced its list with: “Believe it or not, there are restaurants outside of Chicago that’re good, too. No, not in St. Louis ... gross. Definitely other cities though, including a ton of non-Chi cities in Illinois.”

About Abreo, it stated: “This inventive wine bar and small-plate patio helmed by Chef Paul Sletten sits right in historic downtown Rockford (hometown of the actor who plays Mr. Turner in Boy Meets World). The menu is seasonally driven, while the duck nachos, Asian noodles, and white chocolate-blueberry bread pudding are ... delicious-driven.”

The Voice would like to talk about what your company or organization is doing to partner with area nonprofits to raise money for them and as a sales and brand recognition strategy for you. Email your information and a contact person to interview to editor@rockfordchamber.com.

fundraising,” said Angela Young, general manager at Red Mango. “While we go out and do remote smoothie events, it is a little more difficult to be able to provide our frozen yogurt off site. Having the organization come to us helps us to provide a ‘full service’ fundraiser, where there are options for everyone in our frozen yogurt and full smoothie menu.”

To participate in the Good Neighbor Program, the nonprofit chooses a day to host its fundraiser. For up to four hours, supporters of the nonprofit come to Red Mango with their coupon flyers to purchase product -- with 20 percent of the purchase donated back to the organization. The nonprofit has only to promote the event and distribute the fundraiser flyer. “In the past six months, we have seen a huge increase in the amount of organizations, schools, foundations, athletic teams, etc., reaching out,” Young said. “We now have people calling daily to reserve a spot, especially with the weather breaking.”

Visit www.Facebook.com/RedMango Rockford or call Young, 815-885-8574.

Culver’s Restaurant, 5610 Wansford Way, Rockford, partners with nonprofits for Scoopie Nights. The nonprofit chooses the time of the event – Sunday between

Supporters of GiGi’s Playhouse in Rockford hold a Red Mango fundraiser last October as a part of Down Syndrome Awareness month. noon and 3 p.m., or Monday or Tuesday between 5 and 8 p.m. The nonprofit has the option to hold a drawing or poll to decide on the flavor of the day. “The flavor of the day will appear on our outdoor message board along with your organization’s name on the day of your event,” writes manager Jasmine Ellis in the partnership letter.

Culver’s donates 10 percent of its sales during the fundraiser to the organization.

The nonprofit agrees to send staff and volunteers to run food out to customers.

“Kids have such a blast as their principal or teacher delivers their fresh food to their table,” Ellis writes. Culver’s also sets up a silent auction table with Culver’s apparel and treats, and baskets donated by the nonprofit. Call 815-398-9938.

Chick-fil-A Rockford, 280 N. Perryville Road, offers “Spirit” fundraising nights to schools, charities and organizations, primarily those that serve area women and children. Organizations have the opportunity to earn five to 15 percent of sales.

“Since opening, it has been a joy for Chick-fil-A Rockford to partner with

various organizations such as Rockford Rescue Mission; providing 500 free sandwich coupons to donors of its annual telethon; 600 coupons to Rockford First’s Mens’ Conference; 100 “reading reward” coupons to Washington Academy, and coupons or gift baskets as raffle items to about 30 charitable organizations,” Kylie Rosado said. In April, the business partnered with Sportscore and the Rockford Raptors Soccer Club in a “chicken for kickin’” promotion to more than 500 teams competing in the Puma Cup Tournament.

To request a donation, contact Rosado, rockford.fsu@chick-fil-a.com.

Jersey Mike’s, 1513 West Lane Road, Machesney Park, and 6284 E. State St., Rockford, donated 100 percent of its sales on March 26 to The Literacy Council as a part of the company’s national “Day of Giving.” “Day of Giving” was the final event in the sub sandwich franchise’s fourth-annual March “Month of Giving” fundraising campaign, which in 2013 raised nearly $1.7 million for 86 different charities nationwide.

Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO, made “Giving … making a difference in someone’s life” the company’s mission. The company believes the philosophy has fueled the sub sandwich chain’s popularity, which has nearly doubled in size in three years.

“This year we hope to raise more than $2 million to support these local causes so we can bring hope to all those involved with the charities and make a difference in people’s lives,” Cancro said. For more information visit www.jerseymikes.com/ mog or contact Sue Tarara, marketing manager, 815-520-4300 or s.tarara@ comcast.net.

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Company looking to restore old Amerock building downtown I looked at my phone a few minutes after City Council ended and saw a tweet from Rockford Register Star reporter, Kevin Haas, “Loud applause from the gallery after Ziock hotel deal approved.”

On Monday, April 7, the Rockford City Council approved an agreement between the City of Rockford and Gorman & Company, developers from Madison, Wis., to redevelop the former 13-story Amerock building into a 150room hotel with an adjacent 20,000 square feet of conference space and a 500-stall parking deck.

Gorman & Company will spend $52 million dollars to renovate the behemoth that towers over Davis Park and the Rock River in downtown Rockford. It is no small undertaking, but they are experienced with projects like this. In Milwaukee, they recently opened the Brewery Inn & Suites; once home to the Pabst Brewery, the building is now an upscale 90-room boutique hotel.

At the time construction began, the former brewery was in the same shape, if not worse, than the current state of the Amerock building. They have the experience and the financial backing to bring quality development to our downtown.

Conferences Downtown All Year Constructed as a textile manufacturing facility approximately 100 years ago, Amerock has been vacant for more than 20 years. There have been talks of demolition and alternately redevelopment for years. Much work is still ahead; however, the 13 to 1 vote was crucial and demonstrates great potential and optimism.

As I reflect on what this may mean for tourism to our region, I think about the months from April to October when visitors are traveling as far north as Janesville and other nearby cities to find a place to stay because our hotels are full, often due to large sports tournaments.

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John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

I think about the meetings and conferences we can bring to the region year-round that otherwise might not select Rockford. And I think about how well the Amerock hotel development will complement the downtown sports complex, as well as other events taking place at BMO Harris Bank Center, the Coronado Theater and Prairie Street Brewhouse.

But bigger than the impact this will have on the tourism industry is the impact this will have on the community.

Development of Amerock into a downtown hotel means 372 construction jobs along with 281 full time equivalent permanent jobs at the hotel and conference center. After all, visitors mean jobs.

Development of Amerock also means development of neighboring properties and the continued resurgence of downtown Rockford. Justin Fern of Urban Equity Properties recently acquired the 60,000-square-foot Hanley Furniture building at the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets. Fern stated in the Rockford Register Star that he would not move forward on his development unless Amerock also moved forward. Fern also is renovating buildings in the 300 and 400 blocks of East State Street.

We have so much opportunity in front of us. Downtown is rising. Rockford is rising.

In closing, on behalf of the RACVB, I want to be sure to thank our City of Rockford aldermen and city staff for their diligence and support of the development agreement with Gorman and Company.

And thank you to Gorman for believing and investing in Rockford.

John Groh is president/CEO at 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.

Rockford City Council approves in April a plan to redevelop the former 13-story Amerock building in downtown Rockford into a 150-room hotel with conference space and parking deck.

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RAEDC welcomes new president: Michael P. Nicholas Charged with helping employers retain, create quality jobs

international operations, After an extensive and he has served as an 10-month search, the elected official.

Mike Rockford Area Economic also has a track record as Development (RAEDC) a change agent and an named Michael P. outstanding team builder.”

Nicholas, Crystal Lake, Sagar Patel, RAEDC’s Ill., as its new president. vice chair/treasurer and Nicholas, who began on president of Woodward April 7, most recently was Aircraft Turbine Systems, the president and CEO said, “Mike Nicholas of Continental Datalabel, Michael P. Nicholas, stood out as the best Elgin. The announcement RAEDC president candidate. He has a superb was made at a news conference at Eigerlab on March 18 by combination of experience required Joel Sjostrom, RAEDC’s chairman of the for this position -- business acumen, board, chair of the search committee and community service, leadership skills and president/CEO of Sjostrom & Sons. interpersonal skills. He’s led businesses Sjostrom noted, “The RAEDC worked in both manufacturing and service with a recruiting firm that has a successful industries; start-up and mature. He also track record of attracting great talent to has served on the McHenry County similar communities. There were many Economic Development Corporation, talented candidates and we selected from Lakewood Village board and other the best. Mike’s diverse experience will be public institutions. He has a very an exceptional foundation for our work at positive outlook for the Rockford area, the RAEDC. He has run companies with based on a realistic assessment of our

region’s strengths and weaknesses. He brings excellent marketing skills, which is a key for retaining and attracting businesses and talent. I am excited with our selection of Mike and confident that his leadership will make a positive difference for the economic prosperity of our region.” Patel will be the new RAEDC chairman of the board in January, 2015.

Mike Nicholas shared, “I am very excited about this opportunity. A lot of very good work has been done by

the RAEDC and its partners, and I am confident that the organization and the region will continue to build on that. I’m very impressed with the RAEDC and its high quality of leadership.”

In 2013, Janyce Fadden resigned as RAEDC president after eight years with the organization. Don Thayer, a Rockford executive, was named RAEDC president during the search for Fadden’s replacement. The RAEDC and its board thank Thayer, who led the organization through the comprehensive search.

Roundtable efforts: Collaboration, communication, results

By Sherry Pritz, EIGERlab/RVC With the objective of assisting individual companies in specific targeted clusters, EIGERlab has been organizing and developing roundtable focus groups intent on identifying and addressing barriers to business growth. EIGERlab Roundtables are monthly discussions with community leaders, business owners and corporate executives in similar business clusters that identify pressing issues and outline collaborative short-term action plans to address them.

The concept behind bringing together groups of owners and leaders in similar types of businesses is to focus on common problems and barriers related to their business growth hindering their ability to grow, to create collaboration and trust, to understand collective resources and collaborate, and to expand employee pools through community branding.

IT Roundtable member, Phil Wasson said, “The IT Roundtable has been an excellent opportunity to learn of local information technology resources that are available in the Rockford area. It also allows participants to learn about the varied needs and strategies of companies, non-profits, and government entities from right here in the Rockford region.”

New City Apps to Be Announced

problems. The resulting phone apps are owned and used by our city, county and appropriate not-for-profits. Christopher Whitaker, civic technologist with Smart Chicago Collaborative and “White House Champion of Change for Civic Hacking,” is instrumental in advocating for and spearheading these Hackathons.

The 521 Initiative 521 Rockford, the newest of the roundtables, is comprised of 25 companies targeted at supporting and creating a more robust minority business community.

The 521 Initiative (5 Planning Areas; 2 Business Enterprises; 1 mission) is targeted at growing and strengthening the minority-owned business community in the Rockford area. “It is refreshing to see members of 521 reinvest in greater Rockford,” said Excell Lewis, owner of XL Academics, who was instrumental in creating the foundation of 521. “I am positive that the efforts of this initiative will assist in revitalizing small business ownership by creating sustainable jobs.”

TechWorks Manufacturing Roundtable discussions have resulted in the creation of a new training program — FastTrack Assembly — to assist with new workforce needs. Companies such as Leading Edge Hydraulics, Fastenal and GE Aviation meet on a regular basis to discuss topics such as employment and best practices. Russ Dennis, CEO of Leading Edge Hydraulics stated, “As an advisory council we are discussing economic and employment trends, which are beneficial to all involved in the business planning/forecasting process.”

As a result of a recent IT Roundtable Open Tech Challenge event (Hackathon), several apps were created to assist the City of Rockford and will be available to the community soon. These open tech challenges bring volunteer programmers and coders Sherry Pritz is marketing coordinator/ together to create apps that address business development at EIGERlab/Rock specific social and governmental Valley College.

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Energy efficiency, conservation

Evolving technology, emerging competitive advantage Industrial electricity prices have risen 36 percent over the last 10 years, causing financial hardships for many manufacturers. In order to help combat the rising prices, the Northern Illinois University Department of Technology and the Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy will present a free, energy efficiency training workshop at the Northern Illinois University-Rockford Meeting and Conference Center on May 2.

Dr. Kevin B. Martin, assistant professor, will lead the workshop and focus on assisting participants with identifying and implementing ways to reduce energy use, boost productivity, and achieve measurable energy savings. At a similar workshop at Kaskaskia College in March, Dr. Martin introduced key factors for manufacturers to consider as part of their efficiency plans. Case in point – researching energy bills and technologies should be part of continuous improvement efforts as emerging technologies are lessening the burden of controlling future costs. Additional recommendations for businesses to get a jumpstart on savings include: Keep track of the power bills.

Remember, transmission fees come on

a separate bill. Understanding this total cost can improve payback projections when presenting project opportunities to management. Some companies pay a “ratchet clause” for peaks in usage.

Techniques such as staggering equipment start-ups and usage can make a significant reduction in pricing based on usage spikes. Schedule load shifts. Load cycling, for instance, if your company has six air conditioning compressors, allow only three or four to turn on at the same time. Post charts of demand changes for employees with measurables: $/KW per month.

Review the equipment. Keep a regular maintenance schedule and track efficiency ratings. Review the owner’s manual for the pressure to run equipment and adjust the air compressors to the recommended PSI levels. Higher does not mean it will run faster, the equipment usually has a regulator so the output will not increase, just the energy bill. One manufacturer reported that turning down the psi from 120 to 90 made a significant amount of savings. That simple task can save energy and money.

Electric motors use over half of all U.S. electricity. Wipe off and read the motor plates. Reducing rotating equipment speed (flow) by 20 percent can

Rockford becomes 35th Code for America Brigade City EIGERlab held an Information Technology (IT) Roundtable that was instrumental in Rockford becoming the 35th Code for America Brigade (CfA) city. CfA attempts to bridge the tech gap between private and public sectors, with the understanding that government sector technology usually is old and slow.

According to CfA’s Christopher Whitaker, Rockford has the three key things needed to be a Brigade or civically innovative city. First, a city government that is open to sharing open data, which fuels innovation and transparency. Second is a space to meet, collaborate and hold events, EIGERlab.

Third is a technology community with the ability to take on the big challenges that face cities.

One of the Rockford Code for America Brigade’s newest interested parties is Chris Nwakalo, chief brand and strategy officer for New Vybe Fitness, Loves Park. “If you look at the iPhone, it’s changed the world in five years. When I went to Whitewater (Wis.), I was surprised at the negative feelings towards Beloit. I hear a lot of the same things about Rockford. I want to learn more about Rockford’s issues, and how we can use technology to address them.”

The brigade will meet at 9 a.m., every second Saturday at EIGERlab, 605 Fulton Ave., Rockford. For more information, visit Meetup.com, group name “Code for Rockford,” or contact Jen Hall, jen@catalystjenhall.com or 815-975-0466.

reduce input power requirements by 50 percent. Cogged V-Belts run cooler, add additional lifetime, and conservatively increase efficiency by no less than 2 percent. An 18 degree Fahrenheit rise over the maximum rated temperature for a motor can cut the motor lifetime in half.

Air compressors are frequently one of the most expensive utilities in manufacturing. A dirty filter can create a pressure drop which results in a throttling effect in the system. Be sure to fix all leaks.

A 1/16-inch hole costs around $2,000/ year. Complete a “Sunday Test” and look for leaks when the facility is quieter. A 3 to 7 percent savings can be realized with synthetic lubricants that reduce wear on compressors.

Underutilized Building Envelope Technologies Cool roofs, green roofs and window films can be incorporated in facilities for further cost savings. The Department of Energy estimates a 15 percent payback for tightening the building envelope.

Boilers – Do you need hot water or steam? There are incentives available for new steam traps. Consider underutilized water heater technologies such as condensers, heat pumps, tankless or solar as cost-saving options.

Lighting is 36 percent of nonprocess electricity. Utilizing solar tubes and technologies for parking lots for instance can provide savings. Technology advancements in the last two years are worth investigation by companies that have previously used incentives as upgrades may be available. Look into products such as dock lights with LED lighting and fluorescent lighting with emerging lighting battery backups. Programmable start ballasts on fluorescent lights also will extend the life of the lamp.

A pre-audit questionnaire has been made available, as well as additional resources for companies to follow as they get a jump on energy conservation.

Recommended review and pre-audit homework includes: ■■ Motors and Machines Are machines left running when not in

operation? If so, why?

Are energy efficient motors, pumps, and equipment used?

Are motors, Amy Fitzgerald IMEC pumps, and equipment sized according to their loads?

Do you throttle pumps and fans to control the flow rate?

■■ Compressed Air Does the compressed air system only produce the minimum pressure needed to operate the equipment?

Do you use compressed air to dry or move parts?

■■ Lighting Is lighting focused where workers need it?

Is lighting controlled by motion sensors in warehouses and storage areas?

Do you have old lighting systems that are now producing yellow, blue or greenish hues?

■■ Process and Facility Heating and Cooling Are heating temperatures maintained at higher levels than necessary?

Do you have any type of heat recover?

Do employees have control over hearing and cooling in their work areas?

Are exterior windows and doors opened to adjust heating and cooling?

There is limited time remaining to register for the Energy Efficiency Workshop at NIU Rockford, but resources still are available. If unable to attend an efficiency workshop but interested in learning more about best practices for energy efficiency in lighting systems, compressed air systems, boilers/steam systems, motors & drive systems, fans and pumps; identifying financial incentives, or developing an energy-efficiency culture, contact Dr. Kevin B. Martin at kbmartin@ niu.edu or IMEC’s manufacturing specialists at info@imec.org or 888-8064632. Get started on your energy efficiency audit now!

Manufacturing News is sponsored by IMEC

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PERSPECTIVE Rockford University

Transforming Rockford: Transforming yourself Transformation or change is necessary to grow and develop as individuals, organizations and communities. We hear that word “transform” a lot since the announcement of the Transform Rockford movement. However I wonder how many of us take it upon ourselves to proactively change ourselves, our work environment, our organizations or our community. In many cases, what I see instead is people and organizations who start down a path and even if they know the path isn’t right, keep going and resisting change.

I had the unique opportunity to act as a facilitator or moderator for a number of the Community Visioning Sessions for Transform Rockford. As a moderator for a few of those sessions, it was my role to present to the community the process of Transform Rockford and to prepare the participants to dream and envision what they wanted the Rockford area to become. There is so much positive energy around this process, it was hard not to be enthusiastic about the events and the promise of a transformed Rockford region.

I believe that for some just attending one of these sessions and having their voice heard was a bit transformational.

Taking a chapter out of Transform Rockford’s book, having a vision and a

plan in place is vital when going through any transformative process. Leaders in organizations and the community must have visions and make plans to improve themselves and their followers in order to reach the vision. There are many different avenues that can be used for this improvement, such as structured classes, community learning opportunities, executive development programs, community service, and the list continues.

Leadership Development I work at and am getting my degree at Rockford University, so my initial thought turns to the programs we offer that support improvement: undergraduate programs, an adult-accelerated degree program and a master’s of business administration. We also offer leadership training through our Executive Development Program. We have a speaker series every other Wednesday where community members can hear a talk from one of the Rockford Chamber’s identified “People You Should Know.”

There are opportunities through other local colleges or organizations as well who may offer classes or seminars that support individual and organizational improvement. You also can become involved in an organization such as

Transform Rockford or whatever fuels your passion, and helps you grow and find your voice. This way, you not only transform yourself but your community.

Transforming Yourself As I near the completion of my master’s of business administration degree and graduation day draws near, I have a chance to reflect on my journey and the transformation I began two years ago.

At that time I had my career set, and I thought I knew what I wanted to be when I “grew up,” until I dipped my foot into that field and realized it was NOT for me. I could have kept going down that path, even though I knew it wasn’t right, or I could do something about it. With some guidance from my undergraduate advisor, Jeff Fahrenwald, I decided it would be best for me to enroll in Rockford University’s MBA program. I went back to continue learning and developing my skills. I pushed myself to do things outside my comfort zone (like speak in front of large groups), and I got involved in Transform Rockford as a way to give back to this community and to grow.

Your transformation or change doesn’t necessarily need to be as abrupt or 180 degrees as mine was. A transformation can be grand and loud or smaller and quiet.

It can change and affect the community, or it Lauren Kepler can change and Rockford University affect just you.

I think the point is when we stop changing or growing, when we settle, we not only don’t keep up, but we fall behind. We don’t keep up with other leaders or other organizations. We should constantly be improving ourselves and the people surrounding us. It will make for a better organization and in turn a more enhanced community.

I believe that we are always transforming.

The different people you meet, the places you visit, and even the books you read all can have a hand in your transformation.

Making a conscious and deliberate effort to develop goes a long way. If you commit yourself to growing and developing, you will have a positive effect not only on yourself, but this community as well.

Lauren Kepler is training coordinator and assistant office manager in the Rockford University graduate office and a 2011 graduate with a bachelor of arts in business administration.

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

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2014

Time to act is now

Facility improvements made possible by bond referendum Coming up with a business plan – or educating students – would be simple if it weren’t for the reality of limited resources. Still, it all comes down to fundamentals: Teaching students closest to where they live. Giving them the best support possible. Aligning our facilities footprint with best practices.

These fundamentals have guided us as we consider how to proceed with our facilities plan, which was made possible by a $139 million bond referendum overwhelmingly approved by voters.

Bottom line? We want to give all of our students adequate and excellent resources. It shouldn’t matter where a child lives in the city -- or which school he or she attends – the educational support that student receives should be uniform. It should be sufficient for the best possible outcomes for our kids.

Today, our elementary schools vary greatly in size. Some schools are “twostrand buildings” – there’s only two of each grade level (two first grade classes, two second grade classes, for example).

Two-strand schools might have just a couple hundred students. Only when the school hits the enrollment mark of 500 students do we hire an assistant principal to serve the building. Only then can we station more full-time staff. In smaller buildings, our specialists – like nurses, social workers, art and music teachers – are itinerant staff. In the course of a week, they split their time among several buildings.

It’s not fair to shuffle staff from school to school. It’s not fair to cheat students of the in-house resources they need, day in and day out.

Allocating Resources Wisely There’s a better way. Students are best educated – and resources best allocated -- in three- and four-strand buildings.

That’s one of the goals behind a new facilities plan to provide the best services and educational opportunities for our students.

The Rockford Chamber’s Education Committee supported another of our goals: zone schools, so students can attend the school closest to their home.

The idea is to build neighborhoods and connect families – and neighbors – to their nearby schools. But today, our student attendance plan falls short. In some of our schools, half of the students live within that zone. The other half of the seats – the remaining space – is filled with students in special programs. These students take long bus rides to and from school each day. That’s unacceptable.

Some of our elementary schools are old and in poor condition. It would be too difficult and too expensive to carry out another goal: improving energy efficiency and transforming them into 21st century learning environments.

You’ll hear more details as we ask the community to weigh in. We’ve already met with parents, teachers and community members. These meetings will ramp up in May. We’re in a unique position to act now, thanks to the $139 million bond referendum. We’ve already built additions at Johnson, Conklin, Lathrop, McIntosh, Froberg and Spring Creek elementary schools, plus the ongoing construction of the field houses at Auburn and Guilford high schools. As we move forward, we need to do more – we need to do better -- for our students.

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.

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May 2014

Rockford Chamber Launches

Sports Memorabilia Auction on Facebook

A generous member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce has contributed several autographed sports memorabilia items from some of your favorite Chicago sports teams.

Many thanks to our friends at Upstream Investment Partners for creating an opportunity for other Chamber members to bid on some great collectible items! With the Blackhawks doing so well in the playoffs, what a great time to celebrate our Chicago sports teams!

Beginning May 2, we will auction off a variety of awesome autographed sports memorabilia in anticipation of our upcoming golf outing!

Check out a schedule of items and the auction details on the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. The bidding can only be done on Facebook. Each item will have a minimum starting bid that represents 50% of the estimated value. You can see the items on Facebook or contact our office and schedule an appointment to review the items in person. You have to bid to win. Don’t miss it!!

May 2 Blackhawk Marian Hossa puck May 5 Bears Henry Melton 8x10 Photo May 6 Blackhawk Andrew Shaw mini helmet (approx. ¼ to ½ regular size) May 7 Bo Jackson mini White Sox helmet May 8 Blackhawk Patrick Kane Puck May 9 Blackhawk Corey Crawford hockey stick May 12 Bears Henry Melton/Tim Jennings signed mini helmet May 13 Blackhawk Corey Crawford Puck

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Conference to explore how poverty affects community’s health Submitted by Rockford Health Council The choices we make are shaped by the choices we have. Choices are presented by opportunities. But how many opportunities do people have if they are living in poverty? They have limited access to many things, such as affordable and fresh produce, safe places to live, exercise and play, transportation, childcare and much more. Unfortunately, as we all know, there are many people in our community who have these limited choices due to the state of poverty they are in.

The reality is that employment rates, high school graduation rates, income, safety and our health all are at an extreme low in our community. We’ve all heard that Forbes Magazine rated us “The Third Most Miserable City in The United States” in February, 2013; which is no surprise because 23.5 percent of our population is living below the poverty level, which is almost twice the state rate of 12.6 percent. More than 30 percent of our households with children under the age of 18 and half of our single mothers are living below the poverty level. It is apparent that we are not making a good name for ourselves. This state of poverty is one of the largest factors contributing to our poor health in Rockford (Healthy Community Study 2010).

Offering More Opportunities On May 14, Rockford has the opportunity to attend a workshop led

by Jodi Pfarr, which will address these problems we have. This is an opportunity to bring the people of Rockford together to gain a deeper understanding of how our community’s poverty is affecting our community’s health. With the opportunity to bring the people of a community like this one together, it gives us the choice to be involved in the process of changing Rockford. With a deeper understanding of how poverty affects the people of our community, we also can help give those living in poverty more opportunities.

According to the County Health Rankings, Winnebago County falls 97th out of 102 counties in Illinois for contributing factors to health outcomes.

These staggering results alone should be enough to encourage members of the community to attend this valuable event. Pfarr will entertain, teach and engage the community, while helping us to understand poverty on a deeper level and its effects on our city. Pfarr is qualified to give in-depth insight and lead an impactful discussion regarding the impact of generational poverty on the health of individuals and their communities.

May 14 Blackhawk Andrew Shaw lithograph

Join the Conversation

May 15 Bears Tim Jennings 8x10

Rockford Health Council presents “The Effects of Poverty on Individual and Community Health,” a daylong workshop and luncheon on May 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road.

Keynote speaker Jodi Pfarr, Bridges Out of Poverty, will educate and inform on poverty’s effect on community health outcomes. She brings knowledge from experience with nonprofit organizations and working in low-income housing for people with issues around mental illness Jodi Pfarr and/or chemical dependency. CEUs available through the Illinois Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Justice.

Sponsored by Rockford Housing Authority and the Winnebago County Health Department. Register with Gary Jahnke, gary@rockfordhealth.org, 815-395-5702 or visit www.rockfordhealth.org.

May 16 Blackhawk Jonathan Toews jersey Note: Bidding for each item opens and closes on the same day All proceeds go to support the Rockford Chamber of Commerce!

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2014

Gov. Quinn announces $223 million to restore Chicago to Rockford Amtrak service

The return of passenger rail to Rockford for the first time since 1981 will begin with one round trip daily between Chicago’s Union Station and a temporary station located in Rockford.

Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn announced on April 10 a $223 million state capital investment that will create hundreds of jobs and restart Amtrak service between Rockford and Chicago beginning in 2015. The return of passenger rail to Rockford for the first time since 1981 will begin with one round trip daily between Chicago’s Union Station and a temporary station located in Rockford.

Service will be expanded the following year and eventually will continue west to Dubuque, Iowa. The projects are part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and build a 21st century infrastructure that will drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“Next year, rail service between Rockford and Chicago will finally be a reality,” Gov. Quinn said. “This funding and a new route are the final pieces of the puzzle to restart this critical rail service, which has been dormant for more than three decades. This is just the beginning – reliable, intercity passenger rail will create jobs and drive economic development in these cities, the region and the state for years to come.”

Following two years of negotiations, the state decided to switch to a new route, using tracks owned by Metra and the Union Pacific Railroad. The new northern route was selected following lengthy negotiations with the Canadian National Railway, whose tracks originally were chosen for the service.

Switching to the new tracks will ensure that service begins in 2015 and isn’t held up by continued delays.

“I want to thank Governor Quinn and his staff for their persistence and determination to restore Amtrak service to the city of Rockford,” Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey said.

“I am excited to be part of the final push to make Amtrak service a reality,” State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) said. “Our growing, vibrant city boasts tremendous transportation opportunities and the addition of passenger rail service to and from Chicago enhances the amenities our community needs.”

The Plan The new route will use Metra’s Milwaukee District-West Line and connect to the Union Pacific Railroad near Big Timber Road in Elgin. The Rockford station temporarily will be located at 703 Seventh St., on the east side of the Rock River, while IDOT and the city continue to develop a permanent Main Street station on the river’s west side. Gov. Quinn and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin dedicated $3 million in state and federal funding in 2012 in develop this new, multi-modal station. Stops also are being planned for Elgin, Huntley and Belvidere.

“It is essential for the economic development and the ultimate financial well being of all communities to have quality transportation,” Elgin Mayor David Kaptain said. “I thank Governor Quinn and the state of Illinois for providing our region with improvements to I-90, high-speed rail and bus rapid transit between Elgin and Rockford that will bring us all unprecedented opportunities for growth.”

The $223 million in track, signaling and safety improvements are funded primarily through Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program.

Preliminary improvements to the Union Pacific tracks will accommodate Amtrak trains at 59 mph by the end of next year.

Final improvements are planned to be completed in 2016, at which point speeds will increase to 79 mph and a second Chicago-Rockford round trip will be added. The state will continue to work with the Canadian National Railroad to extend this corridor to its ultimate destination of Dubuque, Iowa, stopping in Freeport and Galena.

An investment of $7.85 million also was announced to rehabilitate the temporary station on 7th Street in Rockford and $5.85 million to be split between Huntley and Belvidere to develop their own stations. The existing Metra station in Elgin will serve as its Amtrak stop.

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May 2014

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Member Profiles PROFILES

By Paul Anthony Arco Tracy Richter savors a good cup of coffee. For Richter, vice president of private banking at Riverside Community Bank, not only does it taste and smell divine, it can serve as a catalyst to open communication lines between the banker and many of her clients. So it helps that there’s a coffee shop, Meg’s Daily Grind, located directly across the street from her northeast office.

A few times a month, Richter will meet clients and potential customers across the street, for a cup of java and good conversation. “My job is all about building relationships,” she said.

“Because it’s such a casual setting, people tend to open up and talk more in a public venue, instead of being in my office or in a board room. It’s more about the setting than the coffee. It’s the furniture and the ambiance of the place that makes it more comfortable.”

Rockford is fortunate to have many such businesses scattered throughout town, including Meg’s Daily Grind with four locations, Katie’s Cup, Restoration Cafe and Wired Cafe, all located in the downtown area of Rockford.

Tracy Richter, Wester Wuori

Photo credit: Jim Killam

Lauren Killam, lead cafe associate at Restoration Café, oversees a staff of Mission Life Recovery residents from Rockford Rescue Mission.

Coffee talk

Local coffee shops prove the perfect backdrop for business meetings of all types For Crystal Douglas, life is better when it involves coffee. “I love good coffee and good atmosphere,” says the owner of Wired Cafe, who runs the business with help from her daughters, Maggie Douglas and Shanna Hill.

Douglas estimates that nearly 70

percent of her customers are either conducting meetings or catching up on paperwork. “Some days there isn’t an empty seat to be found,” she said.

Wired Cafe is popular for groups of lawyers huddled together before a big court case, or developers

gathered before a meeting at City Hall.

Transform Rockford volunteers also show up from time to time. “A lot of deals are made over coffee,” Douglas said. “It’s a safe place. I wish I could expand my business to have dedicated space for a couch and fireplace, to give it more of a coffeehouse feel.”

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey often pops into downtown locales for meetings, to return messages, and to collect his thoughts. “It’s nice to meet people out in the community,” he said. “It lends itself to more casual conversation, and it’s also a nice way for me to unplug a bit and get some work done. Sometimes there are fewer distractions there as opposed to being in the office.”

Another downtown option is Restoration Cafe, located across from the Winnebago County Justice Center.

The cafe is owned and operated by the

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2014

Member Profiles “A coffee shop is a nice environment to get something specific done or to be creative. You can hunker down and get things accomplished without being distracted by things that may pop up in a regular workplace.” —Heather Camacho, Katie’s Cup Rockford Rescue Mission. The cafe has two leather chairs near a fireplace and 11 tables, soft lighting, free Wi-Fi and plenty of eclectic art and photographs adorning the walls. There’s also a private meeting room ideal for small business functions.

“A coffee house puts people at ease,” said Lauren Killam, lead cafe associate, who oversees a staff made up of Mission Life Recovery residents who work at the cafe as a way to gain hands-on work experience, as well as learn both social and customer service skills. “We brew fresh coffee all day long. Even people who don’t drink coffee enjoy the wonderful aroma.

That’s why we carry 12 different teas for customers who prefer something other than coffee.”

That includes Wester Wuori, who’s never developed a taste for coffee. Still, the marketing director at Rockford Health System often schedules early morning meetings at various coffee shops. It’s a place where he and other volunteers can meet to discuss details of community projects or political campaigns that they are involved in – over a cup of hot tea in Wuori’s case.

“Rockford is an early-morning meeting community,” he said. “I know many people who are more than willing to meet at 6:45 a.m. for a meeting. At the end of the day, they want to get home to be with family, or do something outside of work. Rockford has a nice selection of locally-owned coffee shops. They’ve got a good vibe. I like the fact that you walk in, and each one has its own unique look. It’s not like a chain where every location looks the same.”

Katie’s Cup opened 2009 by ZION Development in partnership with Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries.

Two years ago, the coffee house was sold to Seventh Street Coffee Inc., a group of investor donors who partner with Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries. “We get a nice mix of older folks and younger people who come in,” said Heather Camacho, manager.

“A coffee shop is a nice environment to get something specific done or to be creative. You can hunker down and get things accomplished without being distracted by things that may pop up in a regular workplace.”

Meg’s Daily Grind is owned by Jodi and Chris Erickson, and daughters, Megan Carlson and Leslie Erickson.

Sons Scott and Jeff, and Megan’s husband, Paul Carlson, and daughterin-law, Chelsea Erickson, also lend a hand from time to time.

There are four Meg’s locations.

Megan oversees the Perryville and Rock Valley locations, while Leslie manages the Alpine and Heartland sites. Meg’s Daily Grind is a popular site for a variety of events including bible study, knitting and book club groups.

“I don’t think doing business in coffee houses is a new trend,” said Jodi.

“We have many people who met their customers at Meg’s to sign a contract or discuss business. We really appreciate that. It’s getting our name out there to potential customers.”

If there’s a potential downside to meeting in such a public setting, it’s the potential of noise issues and concerns about the privacy of conversations and documents. There’s also the occasional problem of a slow or unavailable Internet. Still, most agree the positives far outweigh any negatives.

“When you think about all that you squeeze into a day, it’s definitely easier to meet for coffee than lunch,” said Riverside’s Richter. “And it doesn’t hurt to regularly run into centers of influence, as opposed to seeing them only two or three times a year. Hopefully, when they have a need, they’ll think of me.

Repeat exposure helps build value in their eyes.”

Meg’s Daily Grind www.megs-daily-grind.com 3885 N. Perryville Road 815-639-0909 3301 N. Mulford Road 815-921-1676 1141 N. Alpine Road 815-316-8785 1280 S. Alpine Road 815-316-8785

Restoration Café www.rockfordrescuemission.org 625 W. State St. 815-977-4361 2710 20th St. 815-316-0607

Wired Café www.wiredcaferockford.com 414 East State St. 815-316-2524

Katie’s cup www.katiescup.com 502 7th Street (815) 986-0628

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May 2014 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

BY THE NUMBERS: FOCUS ON BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

SBA eases restrictions to increase capital access Revised rules open loans to more businesses

The primary mission of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is to “…aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns.”

Arguably SBA’s most important tools to accomplish its mission are its two main lending programs: the SBA 7-a and the SBA 504 loan programs.

These loan programs increase capital access to small businesses, and capital is the blood supply that nourishes small businesses and permits them to grow and flourish.

The SBA 7-a program is a guaranteed bank loan used when the bank might be reluctant to make the loan in the case where collateral is lacking, the business has a short tenure or is in a high-risk industry, or other risk factor that threatens the business or poses significant risk to the bank loan. Most Rockford area banks are active SBA 7-a lenders, with a few regularly among the most active in Illinois.

SBA 504 offers credit terms not normally available to small business; providing direct access to Wall Street capital market funds. Normally reserved for the strongest and largest firms, capital market funds are available to small businesses from the guarantee provided by SBA to repay the loan in the event the borrower is unable. In effect, small businesses are able to borrow in the most liquid market in the world with the credit rating of a U.S. federal agency. The result is less money down for the borrower and a long term fixed interest rate at attractive levels. Rockford Local Development Corporation (RLDC) is the Rockford area lender for the SBA 504 program.

New Rules for SBA Loans SBA continually analyzes its programs with input from its lenders’

Andrew Jury RLDC

network, including commercial banks and entities such as RLDC, to streamline its rules and processes in an effort to make its lending programs more responsive to small businesses.

Recently, SBA made two new rules changes to make the loan programs more inclusive.

The first rule change was eliminating the Personal Resources Test. This rule previously disallowed certain borrowers who had too much cash and other liquid assets relative to project costs. Eliminating this rule increases access to the loan programs for small businesses.

The second rule change was to permit businesses to include project costs incurred well before the project was approved for financing. It is not unusual for a small business to incur fees and costs while planning a project and before finalizing plans and seeking financing. Until the recent rule change, SBA would let the company only include those costs incurred within nine months prior to applying for SBA funding. With this rule change, small businesses are able to include more costs in the project and likely reduce the amount of additional equity they must invest in the project.

SBA and your local financial institutions, including the RLDC, desire to help small businesses grow and prosper by providing capital necessary for growth. We are pleased to discuss your expansion plans to see if SBA or other programs will help you realize your growth plans.

Andrew Jury is a loan officer at Rockford Local Development Corporation.

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

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

BY THE NUMBERS: FOCUS ON BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES 15

May 2014

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Attracting top talent with a best-in-class 401(k) Business is booming, you’re taking orders left and right, your company culture is good, employees are happy and it looks like it’s going to be a great year. Now you need to hire additional employees to keep up with the demand, but you can’t seem to find the right people. And when you do, they aren’t willing to leave their current jobs and the great benefits behind.

When it comes to attracting high caliber talent, whether you’re a small, mid-size or large business, you have your work cut out for you. In a recent survey by professional staffing firm Robert Half, six in 10 small business owners said the biggest challenge in hiring or managing staff is finding skilled professionals for the job. Attracting top talent is not easy, especially in our current economy. Employees are less willing to move from one job to another without a really good reason. The instability we’ve gone through in recent years has led to more caution and reluctance to take the risk and change jobs.

With competition fierce for top talent, employers must evaluate the benefits they offer and figure out how to differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack. One way to do this is to offer a best-in-class 401(k).

Characteristics of a Best-in-Class 401k Plan In order to determine if your company’s 401(k) plan measures up to others, take some time to evaluate your plan and determine if changes need to be made to guarantee it is one that will benefit both you and your employees. All 401(k) plans are not created equal. The consequences of having a sub-par plan can lead to substantial loss of quality of life for loyal employees and lower employee retention as they realize other companies offer more exciting and financially secure options.

With that in mind, here are the top five characteristics of a best-in-class 401(k) plan. If the plan you offer your employees incorporates these characteristics you have a better chance of attracting and retaining top talent.

1. Optimal Plan Design and Administration Coordination When all aspects of a 401(k) plan are easy to understand, employees are eager to participate. It is just not enough to make it possible for employees to save. Best-inclass plans must be designed to anticipate potential challenges and offer courses of action for every type of participant.

2. Fiduciary Guidance Fiduciary Governance is a series of best practices

and advice that you should incorporate into your day-to-day 401(k) plan management. By following a prudent fiduciary process, with the help of your plan administrators, you can offer investment selection and review processes based on industry best practices.

3. Investment Consulting More is not necessarily better in terms of the number of options your plan offers. Too many options may be too confusing, and employees may decide to not participate.

It’s crucial that your investment consultant works with you to offer a plan with investment choices that allow participants to earn the highest possible rate of return commensurate with their risk tolerance and personal constraints.

4. Participant Success Kit The Employee Benefit Research Institute states that only 39 percent of U.S. workers have tried to determine how much they will need to save for a comfortable retirement. Make sure your plan includes a comprehensive guide for success. The right tools will engage participants and give them an opportunity to efficiently manage their retirement. By taking a few simple steps and adding basic features you can elevate your plan to best-inclass status. Some tools to consider include a well-diversified Qualified Default

Investment Alternative (QDIA), Scott Laue automatic Savant Capital Management rebalancing, and automatic enrollment.

5. Engaged Participant Education Ongoing investment education is an important component of a best-in-class plan.

The fundamentals of retirement investing are not difficult to grasp and can be very exciting for employees as they plan for their future. It is important that your plan includes interactive educational materials that will help employees embrace the plan and help them design their financial future.

Offering a best-in-class 401(k) plan demonstrates to current and potential employees that your company is highly motivated to provide benefits critical to employee well-being and goes a long way in creating a positive corporate culture.

If you want to hire and retain the best employees, make sure you are offering the best retirement planning options.

Scott Laue, JD, CFP®, CRPS® is a financial advisor with Savant Capital Management.

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

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BY THE NUMBERS: FOCUS ON BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES

May 2014 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Saving through your retirement plan at work?

As a participant in your work-sponsored retirement savings plan, you’ve made a very important commitment to yourself and your family. Making that commitment is an important first step in your pursuit of a successful retirement. Now it’s important to stay focused -- and be aware of a few key risks that could derail your progress along the way.

1. Beginning with no end in mind.

When planning for retirement, generally it is best to know where you’re going. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), workers who have calculated a savings goal tend to be more confident in their retirement prospects than those who have not. Unfortunately, EBRI also found that less than half of workers surveyed had actually crunched the numbers to determine their need (Retirement Confidence Survey, March 2013).

Your savings goal will depend on a number of factors -- your desired lifestyle, preretirement income, health, Social Security benefits, any traditional pension benefits you or your spouse may be entitled to, and others. By examining your personal situation both now and in the future, you can determine how much you may need to accumulate to provide the income you’ll need during retirement.

Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone.

Your employer-sponsored plan likely offers tools to help you set a savings goal. In addition, a financial professional can help you further refine your target, breaking it down to answer the all-important question, “How much should I contribute each pay period?”

2. Investing too conservatively.

Another key to determining how much to save is targeting an appropriate rate of return, or how much your contribution dollars may earn on an ongoing basis. Afraid of losing money, some retirement investors choose only the most conservative investments, hoping to preserve their hard-earned assets.

However, investing too conservatively can be risky, too. If your contribution dollars do not earn enough, you may end up with a far different retirement lifestyle than you had originally planned.

3. Investing too aggressively.

Retirement investors striving for the highest possible returns might select investments that are too risky for their overall situation.

Although it’s a generally accepted principle to invest at least some of your money in more aggressive investments to pursue your goals and help protect against inflation, the amount you invest should be based on a number of factors.

The best investments for your retirement savings mix are those that take into consideration your total savings goal, your time horizon (or how much time you have until retirement) and your ability to withstand changes in your account’s value.

Again, your employer’s plan Greg Kyles Raymond James likely offers tools to help you choose wisely. And a financial professional can also provide an objective, third-party view.

4. Giving in to temptation. Many retirement savings plans permit plan participants to borrow from their own accounts. If you need a sizable amount of cash quickly, this option may sound appealing at first; after all, you’re typically borrowing from yourself and paying yourself back, usually with interest.

However, consider these points: Any dollars you borrow will no longer be working for your future.

The amount of interest you’ll be required to pay yourself could potentially be less than what you might earn should you leave the money untouched.

If you leave your job for whatever reason, any unpaid balance may be treated as a taxable distribution.

For these reasons, it’s best to carefully consider all of your options before choosing to borrow from your retirement savings plan.

5. Cashing out too soon. If you leave your current job or retire, you will need to make a decision about your retirement savings plan money. You may have several options, including leaving the money where it is, rolling it over into another employersponsored plan or an individual retirement account, or taking a cash distribution.

Although receiving a potential windfall may sound appealing, you may want to think carefully before taking the cash. In addition to the fact that your retirement money will no longer be working for you, you will have to pay taxes on any pretax contributions, vested employer contributions, and earnings on both. And if you’re under age 55, you will be subject to a 10 percent penalty tax as well. When it’s all added up, the amount left in your pocket after Uncle Sam claims his share could be a lot less than you expected.

Keep in mind that no investment strategy can guarantee success. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of your contribution dollars.

Greg Kyles is a financial advisor with Compass Financial Group of Raymond James and an Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®). He can be reached at 815-654-4387 or greg.kyles@raymondjames.com.

Diversification and strategic asset allocation do not ensure a profit against a loss. Investments are subject to market risk, including possible loss of principle. The process of rebalancing may carry tax consequences. As federal and state tax rules are subject to frequent changes, you should consult with a qualified tax advisor prior to making an investment decision. Raymond James & Associates, Member NYSE/SIPC.

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

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

BY THE NUMBERS: FOCUS ON BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES 17

May 2014

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Who’s eligible for unemployment benefits?

Turning employer losses into wins at unemployment hearings In successfully representing unemployment benefit claimants, I have observed that many employers lose winnable claim protests because they failed properly to handle the discharge or did not properly prepare for the hearing. The purpose of this article is to offer employers some suggestions on how they can turn those losses into wins.

An employee is eligible for benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act if he/she is able and available for work and has not been discharged for misconduct connected with the work or voluntarily left employment for reasons that are attributable to the employer.

An employer can contest a former employee’s application for benefits if the employer has evidence that the employee is not able and available for work.

An employee is able and available for work if he/she ■■ is physically able to work; ■■ is not a full-time student whose schedule makes him/her unavailable to work a full-time work schedule; ■■ has rejected a full-time offer of employment in a field that was substantially similar to the position he/ she left; or ■■ is self-employed in a full-time capacity.

An employee is discharged for misconduct connected with the work if the employee deliberately and willfully violated a reasonable work rule or policy or, despite a warning, repeated conduct contrary to the employer’s admonishments. In either case, the employee’s conduct must be harmful to the employer. The fact that an employer might have just cause to discharge does not mean the employee is guilty of misconduct.

A classic example of such an occurrence would be an employee discharged for excessive absenteeism as a result of illness or injury. While excessive absenteeism is cause for discharge, it will

not be considered willful and deliberate if it is the result of an injury or illness.

Employees discharged for performance-related reasons most likely will be entitled to benefits because poor performance is not necessarily “deliberate and willful” conduct. If an employer wants to protest a benefits application for an employee discharged for poor performance, the employer better have documentation that clearly establishes the employee’s lack of performance was more than just his/ her inability to meet the employers reasonable standards.

Careful What You Promise An employee who voluntarily leaves employment still can obtain benefits if the reasons for his/her leaving are attributable to the employer. An example of such a situation could occur when an employee accepted a position with the assurance that he/she would never have to travel and two months after being hired is asked to travel extensively. If the employee informs the employer of the assurance made at the time of the offer, and the employer continues to insist on the travel, then if the employee quits the cause will be attributable to the employer because it was completely within the control of the employer. The employee will be eligible for benefits.

When an employee is warned about a policy or rule violation, it is best to document the warning in writing. An attempt should be made to obtain the employee’s signature evidencing his/her receipt of the warning. If the employee refuses to sign, it is advisable that the refusal be witnessed by at least two individuals, preferably the immediate supervisor and a representative from human resources. This documentation will establish that the employee was aware of the policy or rule violations.

In addition, for purposes of protesting a claim for benefits, the reason for

discharge should be communicated to the employee in person and in writing.

Again, this should be done with a witness if possible. The documentation will lock down the reason for separation.

Employers must make sure that the evidence presented during the telephone hearing proves misconduct, voluntary leaving or other appropriate basis for protesting unemployment. Employers should not allege that the employee left voluntarily when documentation in the employee’s personnel records show the employee was discharged. In misconduct cases, the burden of proof is with the employer to establish the discharge was for misconduct. In voluntary leaving cases, the burden is with the employee to establish the reason for leaving was attributable to the employer.

Keep It Concise Most administrative law judges (ALJs) like to move the hearing along.

These hearings usually are scheduled a half an hour apart, so the employer should be prepared to present its case as concisely as possible. The employer’s representative and witnesses should prepare in advance for their presentation of the case. One employer witness should have the employee’s personnel records available to reference. Although the rules of evidence are somewhat relaxed in these hearings, most ALJs want to hear from witnesses with firsthand knowledge of the events that resulted in the decision to discharge. Employers should be prepared to present those witnesses or have a reasonable explanation for why they are not available.

The person who made the decision to discharge can testify as to why the decision was made, but unless he/she witnessed the conduct, a witness with firsthand knowledge is critical. Also, someone must be able to articulate the harm to the employer as a result of the employee’s conduct. Not all violations

of policy result in harm to the Charles J. Prorok Prorok Law, PC employer.

IDES regulations require that all exhibits intended to be offered at the hearing must be provided to the ALJ and the claimant 24 hours in advance of the hearing. Failure to provide copies to the claimant will prevent the employer from using the exhibits at the hearing. While exhibits may be faxed to the ALJ, they should be mailed as well. Exhibits sent to the claimant should be by certified mail to confirm delivery, but also should be sent by regular mail in the event the certified mail is refused.

ALJs will require some foundation for documents offered as exhibits.

Therefore, either the person who prepared the document or someone who routinely maintains the records should be available to testify. Cross examination should be limited to questions that are necessary to prove the employer’s case.

If all or some of the employer’s witnesses are in the same room during the hearing, the employer should be careful to avoid conversations among the witnesses. The ALJ can hear the conversation, and it can be interpreted as coaching a witness or unduly influencing a witness’ testimony. You don’t want to upset the ALJ with this type of conduct.

The best way to win an unemployment hearing is to identify the relevant issues, assess the likelihood of success and adequately to prepare for the hearing.

Advance preparation does not guarantee winning, but it will significantly increase the odds.

Charles J. Prorok, Esq., has practiced law in Rockford for 36 years with a focus on employment relations.

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

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BY THE NUMBERS: FOCUS ON BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES

Women in Business Expo and Luncheon to feature Chicago network leader The Chicago The Rockford Network (TCN) is Chamber’s an organization of Business Women’s Chicago’s most Council is pleased distinguished to host Kate professional Bensen, President/ women. Founded CEO of the in 1979, TCN Chicago Network creates empowering for the Women In relationships for Business Expo women leaders that and Luncheon enable its members scheduled for to increase their Thursday, June 19. impact on their Kate Bensen organizations and joined The Kate Bensen, president/CEO, the community Chicago Network Chicago Network at large through in April 2010 as peer networking, mutual support executive director and became and issue awareness. Our more its president and CEO in 2013. than 400 members are the leading Prior to joining the Network, women of Chicago’s business, Kate led the nonprofit capacity professional, cultural, nonprofit and building practice for Conlon Public educational communities.

Strategies for two years, using At the luncheon three awards her broad based experience in organizational development, growth are presented: Woman Manager of the Year, Women Business Owner and positioning to assist clients of the Year, and Woman Business with strategic planning, visibility, Leader of Tomorrow. Northwest governance, board development Bank is the Awards Sponsor. and fundraising matters. She also provided strategic counsel to clients Also at this Luncheon is when the on government relations matters.

Athena Powerlink Award Recipient Bensen has more than 20 is announced for 2014-2015. That years’ experience in working with recipient will receive significant nonprofits, as a lawyer, board mentor and consulting services for member and nonprofit leader. Prior twelve months to help their business to joining Conlon Public Strategies, grow to new levels. PNC Bank Bensen served as Chair of the sponsors the Athena Powerlink University of Chicago Women’s Program for the entire year.

Board from 2004 to 2007, where The Presenting Sponsor for she significantly enhanced this 47the Women in Business Expo and year old organization’s membership, Luncheon is The Women’s Center fundraising results, grant making at Rockford Health System. Gold efficacy and visibility among key Sponsor is OSF Saint Anthony stakeholders.

Medical Center.

Attend

Women in Business Expo and Luncheon

Thursday, June 19 • 10 am - 1:30 pm Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford Expo, 10 a.m. to noon; lunch, presentation, awards, noon to 1:30 p.m. Announcement of 2014 award winners: Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow, Woman Manager of the Year, Woman Business Owner of the Year and Athena PowerLink.

May 2014 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Applying your tax refund for your future Pay off debt, start a fund, invest After weeks of waiting, you finally received your tax refund check from the IRS. It could be your ticket to a vacation, down payment on that car you’ve been eyeing or just a fun night out on the town in Chicago, Milwaukee or Rockford.

While it’s hard to resist those tempting choices, there are other options that could secure your financial future. Finding the right balance of managing your immediate needs and debt and preparing for your future requires that you do something investors do: think strategically about your finances.

There are a few strategies that you might want to consider with your tax refund, regardless of your age or the refund amount.

Pay off debt. Paying off debts in excess of long-term investment returns may be a first place to use some of your income tax return. It is not uncommon to see credit cards that charge in excess of 12 to 18 percent. If your credit card rates are higher than the 20-year average of the S&P 500, it could make more sense to pay off high interest rate credit cards or loans before looking into investments.

Start an emergency fund. Keeping an emergency fund equal to three to six months of your current take-home pay is one of the smartest decisions a well-informed consumer can make. An emergency fund can really be helpful in the event that you find yourself unemployed or have unforeseen major expenses. You never know when your furnace will need replacing or a major plumbing or vehicle repair present itself.

A rainy day emergency reserve fund will allow you to pay for repairs instead of financing a repair and paying interest for months or years to come.

Chad E. Henry

Upstream Investment Invest Partners responsibly.

Once you have paid off any high interest rate debt and built up an emergency fund, you may be asking yourself, “What should I do next?” The answer to that question depends on each individual’s situation, age, time horizon and beliefs. Taking your tax return and putting it to work in a taxfree sheltered account like a Roth IRA, and using professional guidance to align investments with your risk tolerance, time horizon and goals can put you on the path towards your financial goals.

Consider the tax structure of retirement programs such as the Traditional IRA, Roth IRA and employersponsored retirement. They can provide the financial structure to ensure your retirement dreams come true.

If your tax return was large, you may want to decrease your withholdings to put more money into your pocket each paycheck. Overpaying income taxes allows the IRS to keep your money without paying any interest and deprives you of the opportunity to invest now, which puts time on your side.

Chad E. Henry, CFP®, AAMS, is branch director and vice president at Upstream Investment Partners in Rockford.

The above opinions are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax advice. Consult your tax advisor regarding your specific situation. Securities offered through Sigma Financial Corporation. Member FINRA/ SIPAC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Sigma Planning Corporation, a registered investment advisor.

Upstream Investment Partners and The Henry Private Wealth Management Group are independent of Sigma Financial Corporation and SPC.

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

Nominate a Vietnam Veteran for Rockford AirFest Honoring Heroes Program To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, the Chicago Rockford International Airport will recognize the dedication and sacrifices made by Vietnam War veterans at AirFest 2014: Let the Thunder Roll, as part of the Honoring Heroes program, sponsored by Anderson Automotive Group. Rockford AirFest takes place June 7-8 on airport grounds.

Nominees (veteran or fallen military members) must come from RFD’s service region of northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa and have not previously been recognized in an Honoring Heroes program.

Honorees and families will receive two complimentary one-day tickets to the festivities, general parking and shuttle to the Heroes Chalet located on the flight line, complimentary beverages, lunch and snacks, exclusive meet and greet opportunities with the performers, and a commemorative heroes booklet with photos and bios of each honoree.

Nominations are due by May 23, 5 p.m. Forms are available and can be dropped off, along with a required photo of the person, current or in uniform, at any Anderson Automotive Group dealer location. Nominations also can be sent to rfdmelman@gmail.com or mailed to Chicago Rockford International Airport, Rockford AirFest 2014, attn.: AirFest Honoring Heroes Program, 60 Airport Dr., Rockford, IL 61109-2902.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

BY THE NUMBERS: FOCUS ON BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES 19

May 2014

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

The thrill of the ride: Can you time the market?

Ever been on the “Market Timing Roller Coaster?” Many people find themselves drawn in by the allure of beating the market and end up on an emotional rollercoaster of financial decision-making. A big surge in the market occurs, the roller coaster goes up and perhaps a bit of adrenaline and greed set in and you think, “Buy!” Since what goes up must come down, the market sometimes dives, the roller coaster drops, fear takes over and you exclaim, “Sell!”

Allowing emotions and investing to mix is a dangerous game, and it often results in poor financial decisions being made.

Of the many variables that can influence the performance of a portfolio, behavior is probably the most important for a lot of investors. Emotions can lead investors to take the wrong action at the wrong time. It is easy to stay disciplined and adhere to your financial plan when the markets are doing well, but it is much tougher to remain on course when the markets become volatile.

Most people are familiar with the investment adage, “buy low and sell high.” It’s a simple enough concept, but when human emotions get involved, simplicity often goes out the window.

Knowing the precise time to buy and sell

a stock is a rare skill. Most people end up executing trades at the wrong time and instead buy high and sell low.

Take the Emotion Out of It So how do you put aside emotional urges and stay on track financially? It’s generally known that investors are highly unlikely to exploit the market, and further, that market timing usually results in lower returns than those generated from a buy, hold and rebalance strategy.

How much did the average investor lag the average fund over the past 10 years ending in 2012? A total of 0.95 percent annualized, according to Morningstar. The average fund returned 7.05 percent, but the average investor netted 6.1 percent. That’s a good chunk of the return.

So why is this? Shouldn’t investors be able to make smarter investment decisions with all the technology and information available today?

It appears that the constant flow of information is actually causing more harm than good for the average investor by creating an environment where investors are inclined to buy and sell based on pure emotion. The 2006 study, “All That Glitters: The Effect of Attention

and News on the Buying Behavior of Individual and Institutional Investors,” found that individual investors buy stocks that grab their attention, meaning “stocks in the news, stocks experiencing high abnormal trading volume and stocks with extreme one-day returns.”

Because investors are so overwhelmed with the many stocks potentially to buy, many investors consider purchasing only the stocks that really catch their attention.

The study found that the attentiondriven buying patterns they documented “do not generate superior returns.” In fact, they concluded that “most investors will benefit from a strategy of buying and holding a well-diversified portfolio.”

of advice, “Investors Lisa Berlage who insist on Wipfli LLP hunting for the next brilliant stock would be well advised to remember what California prospectors discovered ages ago: All that glitters is not gold.”

Stay on Track

limited to other blogs, websites or articles, is not owned or

So how can you stay on track?

Connecting with a financial advisor who can help you establish a long-term approach might help you maintain perspective and discipline over the long run. An advisor can help you to set clear, appropriate investment goals, develop a well-diversified portfolio, and minimize the overall investment cost.

Before you jump on the market timing roller coaster, keep in mind this nugget

accuracy or reliability of any information that may be found

Lisa Berlage is a consultant at Hewins Financial/Wipfli Hewins.

Hewins Financial Advisors, LLC and Wipfli Hewins Investment Advisors, LLC (together referred to as “Hewins”) are investment advisers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The views expressed by the author are the author’s alone and do not necessarily represent the views of Hewins or its affiliates. The information contained in any third-party resource cited herein, including but not controlled by Hewins, and Hewins does not guarantee the in such resources.

Links to any third-party resource are provided as a courtesy for reference only and are not intended to be, and do not act as, an endorsement by Hewins of any of the content found therein or its use. The standard information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and should not be construed as, or used as a substitute for, financial, investment, or other professional advice.

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

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May 2014

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Issues to Watch LEGISLATIVE New Laws for 2014

More than 200 new laws took effect on Jan. 1 in Illinois. Here are some related to business, commerce, labor and licensure. For specific language of the laws, visit www. ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp.

BUSINESS, COMMERCE, LABOR, LICENSURE Subcontractors HB 923/PA-0105 Requires contractors to report payments to any subcontractors or independent contractors to the Department of Labor. The legislation was strongly opposed by small business because it is drafted to apply only to nonunion contractors. It is viewed as an additional burden on small businesses, requiring them to disclose proprietary information on what they pay their business partners – information that is not required to be disclosed by other employers.

Employee Classification HB 2649/PA 98-0106 Seeks to address the practice of misclassifying employees as independent contractors in the construction industry. Imposes substantial penalties, cease and desist orders, and debarment orders against employers found to have misclassified employees as independent contractors.

Also imposes individual liability onto corporate officers and agents who “knowingly permit such employer to misclassify its employees.” Exempts groups that are “responsible bidders” from having to comply with these new requirements. Opponents have raised concerns that the measure is largely targeted at making it more difficult for non-union contractors to win contracts.

Opened Wine Bottles SB 722/PA 98-0145 Provides that Illinois wineries may

permit a patron to remove an opened and partially consumed bottle of wine for off-premise consumption. The wine must be resealed in a tamper-proof package.

Prevailing Wage Reports HB 2540/PA 98-0173 Deletes language requiring copies of prevailing wage reports to be filed with the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State has no responsibility over prevailing wage rates and the filing simply duplicates information already filed with the Illinois Department of Labor.

Payday Loan Fines HB 1323/PA 98-0209 Amends the Payday Loan Reform Act and Consumer Installment Loan Act by allowing the state’s financial regulation agency to establish standards, procedures and fines for violations of the acts. The loan industry is seeking this legislation because they feel that the lack of clear rules and standards has led to unequal treatment among lenders.

Professional Licensure Privacy HB 1338/PA 98-0211 States that when the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issues a license or a certificate that is required to be displayed at a place of business, the license or certificate can not include the individual’s home address on the face of the license.

Automotive Service Contracts HB 1460/PA 98-0222 Expands the definition of service contracts to include repair/ replacement of tires/wheels, removal of dents, repair of windshield, key replacement and use of protective chemicals or devices.

Barber School Licensure HB 2210/PA 98-0238 It prohibits anyone from operating a school or college of barbering unless they are licensed by the Department of Financial and

Professional Regulation. All schools must be a post-secondary school.

Electronic Signatures SB 1826/PA 98-0289 This measure allows for the use of an electronic signature for plans submitted by architects, engineers and land surveyors when submitting computer-prepared plans.

Restricts Rebuttable Presumption for EMT/Paramedics SB 1847/PA 98-0291 Amends the Workers’ Compensation Act. Provides that the rebuttable presumption that certain health conditions arose out of and in the course of employment that applies to paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) applies only to public employees who spend their time responding to emergencies.

Hispanic Employment HB 3270/PA 98-0329 Creates the Hispanic Employment Advisory Council in the Department of Central Management Services.

Aimed at increasing Hispanic hiring.

Motorcycle Dealers HB 2508/PA 98-0424 Prohibits motorcycle manufacturers from requiring motorcycle dealers to use manufacturer-approved floor fixtures for the display of any product that is not a product of the manufacturer; purchase lighting fixtures that are to be installed in the dealership only from the manufacturer’s approved vendors; or relocate to a new or alternate facility.

Workplace Violence HB 2590/PA 98-0430 Creates the Workplace Violence Prevention Act. Allows an employer to seek an order of protection to prevent further violence or threats of violence to an employee. This would be used in cases where the employee has been threatened or attacked at their place of work or there is a credible threat of violence at the workplace. This could include cases where domestic violence spills over to the workplace and cases where a worker is threatened by a disgruntled customer or former employee, but it also would include instances where the person making the threat has no connection to either the business or the employee.

Funeral Directors HB 2616/PA 98-0432 Allows an owner who is not licensed under the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code to interact with clients while a licensed funeral director is present.

Prevailing Wage Records HB 3223/PA 98-0482 Imposes a number of new burdens on non-union contractors requiring them (but not union contractors) to track and submit a significant

amount of new information on their certified payroll for work performed on a public works project. These added reporting requirements will discourage competition for publicly financed projects, which could be more costly for taxpayers.

Facebook Privacy SB 2306/PA 98-0501 The bill creates a very narrow exception for employers in the insurance industry to monitor a business-related social media website created by an employee.

The legislation was needed to allow an employer to access an employee’s social media account when the employer is required under Illinois insurance laws or federal law to monitor employee communications.

Home Office Cost Statement Submission SB 2353/PA 98-0505 Requires corporations that own chains of nursing homes to submit a copy of the federal Home Office Cost Statement to the Department of Public Health.

Requests for the statement would be accessible under the Freedom of Information Act. Wage Claims SB 1568/PA 98-0527 Increases penalties for employers that violate the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Also expands the Department of Labor’s jurisdiction over claims under the Wage Payment and Collection Act, including claims of $3,000 or less.

Labor Relations Board SB 1830/PA 98-0535 Clarifies that the board has the authority, but not the obligation, to set the pay rates of arbitrators and to establish suspension and dismissal procedures. A recent audit by the Auditor General found that the board was required to set fees for the mediation panel.

However, since the board was created in 1984 it has never set the fees of the arbitrators. Instead, the arbitrators have always set their own fees. This would give the board the ability to continue the current practice without violating the law.

Auctioneer/Real Estate Licensure SB 92/PA 98-0553 Allows an auctioneer without a real estate license to perform certain activities regarding a real estate auction, as long as the auctioneer holds an auction license and obtains a Real Estate Auction Certification.

The bill allows auctioneers without a real estate license to participate in real estate auctions by partnering with someone who has a real estate license.

Source: Information provided by Ill. Senator LaHood.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2014

21

Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS

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

Heinzeroth Marketing Group launched a new website, www. heinzeroth.com, with ideas for planning and managing unified marketing campaigns.

KMK Media Group, Inc., completed a new product video for Raynor Garage Doors featuring kids using hand-paints on garage doors to promote Raynor’s new OptiFinish line of paint colors.

Rock Valley Credit Union hired KMK to develop and implement a social media strategy.

SwedishAmerican Health System was honored as Community Partner of the Year at the YMCA of Rock River Valley community dinner in March. It opened BetterLife Wellness in the I.D. Pennock Family YMCA with programs for the community focused on health and fitness goals. The health system is the first in Rockford to offer the computer tomography scanner machine, Optima CT660, a low-dose scanner that reduces radiation. The health system has established a new full-service outpatient pharmacy and “med-to-bed” program. Pharmacy staff will identify patients one to two days from leaving the hospital, go to their rooms, double check their medications, verify insurance

Satori Pathway Network-dementia resources drew more than 40 area healthcare providers to a dinner in March at Giovanni’s with speaker Dr. Renato De Los Santos, Alexian Behavioral Health Hospital, on “New Advances in the Treatment of Psuedobulbar Affect.” Satori presented education on new assessment services and day services to the Rochelle Hospital social services department.

Anam Community Brain Health Center hosted a Healthy Indian Cooking Class and Dinner.

In April, Rockford Park District’s Junior Chariots Wheelchair Basketball team won for the first time the Junior Varsity Division of the 2014 National Wheelchair Basketball Associations’ 2014 Two students from Comprehensive National Tournament in Louisville, Ky. Community Solutions’ workforce development programs, YouthBuild and coverage, process co-pays and deliver Library of the Health Sciences at the RockforWork, joined more than 100 college gave free books to light or the medication to the bedside. other students in Washington, D.C., in non-readers in April as part of World April to meet with elected officials to SwedishAmerican Medical Center/ Book Night U.S. Belvidere celebrated five years of advocate for increased federal dollars YMCA of Rock River Valley service; providing emergency care to to support the U.S. Department of completed its first 10-week more than 62,000 people and more Labor’s YouthBuild program.

Community Health Challenge. More than 134,000 outpatients.

PR Etc., a full-service communications than 100 people took part in the boot Along with other medical students camp, which ended in March, and lost firm, expanded its portfolio of clients to nationwide, 44 University of Illinois a combined 96 pounds and 87 inches. include ComAp LLC and valueideas.

College of Medicine at Rockford The 2014 Rockford MELD Mother’s graduates learned in March where they Rockford Park District Board of Day cards and note cards are available will spend the next three to six years of Commissioners received the for purchase and feature scenes of Government Finance Officers medical training. Students matched in Anderson Japanese Gardens taken by Association’s Certificate of 14 specialties and 15 states -- 48 local photographer, Jeffrey Anderson.

Achievement for Excellence in percent in primary care specialties Visit www.rockfordmeld.org.

Financial Reporting for the 17th such as family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics. The Crawford consecutive year.

Continued on next page

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Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS (continued from page 21) Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomed the Rockford Raptors Soccer Club Puma Cup for a 12th consecutive year. The soccer tournament drew 600 teams from across the Midwest and Canada to Sportscore One and Two in April; bringing an estimated 20,000 attendees and a projected economic impact of $1.4 million.

Allegiant celebrated 100 wish trips for Make-A-Wish® families over the last two years with a celebration at Chicago Rockford International Airport in April. Wish recipients Jonea, 5, and Takiya, 17, traveled with families to Orlando/Sanford through Rockford.

OSF Life Flight air ambulance helicopters and flight crew members throughout the state all exceeded the new minimum standards for 2015 and beyond by the FAA for part 135 (privately owned) operators in the United States, according to OSF HealthCare officials.

Rosecrance held open house events in April at two new locations in Crystal Lake and McHenry, Ill., serving residents of McHenry County with treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.

Fehr Graham acquired civil

engineering and land surveying firm Arnold Lundgren Associates, Rockford; adding employees to its new office space in the renovated Prairie Street Brewhouse in downtown Rockford.

Rockford Park District, along with the City of Rockford and the Rockford Housing Authority, received a $241,300 State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant for much-needed improvements to Sabrooke Park, 2900 Kishwaukee St. The total project cost is $482,730.

Heartland Church, 1280 S. Alpine Road, Rockford, hosts Celebrate Recovery every Friday night, with dinner at 5:45 p.m.; worship at 7 p.m. Contact celebraterecovery@ heartland.cc or 815-395-8000.

As a part of its anniversary in 2014, Bergstrom, Inc., will produce a video highlighting Rockford’s history and open a permanent exhibit on its history; honoring the entrepreneurial spirit in June at Midway Village Museum.

A renewal memorandum of agreement is being drafted to continue the partnership between the University of Illinois Rockford and Princess of Naradhiwas University. Doctors from Rockford

helped build the medical school in Songkla, Thailand. A student exchange program has continued, with hands-on work for Rockford students in infectious diseases, including advanced TB, malaria and HIV. Thai students have worked in Dixon at clinicals. The hope is to enhance the partnership’s research component.

The Literacy Council announced a choice of one of three unique experiences or $7,000 in cash for the winner of the “Ultimate Bucket List” raffle. Winners will be drawn at the 100 Men Who Cook & Brew on May 17 at BMO Harris Bank Center.

Also new this year, the event will feature a craft brew tasting lounge for ticket holders of the first seating.

Visit www.theliteracycouncil.org.

Health Conservation, Inc., hired V2 Marketing Communications to develop a marketing package including brand collateral materials and a tradeshow display to promote HCI as a leader in the mobile health testing industry.

Safe Kids Winnebago County Coalition, lead by SwedishAmerican EMS, received a $1,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation to increase the use of booster seats in Rockford.

Black Diamond Plumbing and Mechanical, Inc., acquired Axberg Heating Company, Inc., a Rockford-based company with more than 55 years of experience.

For the third year, Judson University sophomore architecture studio students competed in the Disaster Shelter Competition, sponsored by World Vision and John Brown University, to design and build a prototype of an emergency shelter for rapid deployment and set-up in areas affected by natural and man-made disasters.

Rosecrance’s Parent Café, which takes a humorous look at parenting and a serious look at discipline will offer workshops on the last Monday of the month at the Rosecrance Berry Campus, 8616 N. Ave., Rockford.

Blackhawk Bank plans to expand into Janesville with an office on West Milwaukee Street pending city and regulatory approval. It will be a loan center serving northern Rock County with commercial loan services to business owners and home mortgage loans to individuals.

The projected opening date is early third quarter. Blackhawk Bank will reserve the opportunity to provide full service deposit operations until a future date.

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theVoice rockfordchamber.com

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

1. Cathy Crain

2. Joseph McFarlane

3. Margaret Reynolds

4. Rick Hayden

5. Matt Rather

6. Chris Porter

LDR Construction Services, Inc., LDR Cleaning & Restoration (LDR) hired Juan Andrade and Juan Andrade as construction crew members and promoted Jim Juno to project superintendent and Jeff Rydell to project manager.

Attorneys Joseph McFarlane (2) and Margaret Reynolds (3) joined Reno & Zahm LLP as associates.

The Rockford Aviators acquired catcher Adrian Martinez, and signed third baseman, Kyle Dhanani; outfielder, Jose Martinez, and left-handed relief pitcher, Justin Albert, for 2014.

Dickerson & Nieman Realtors hired two new agents Ward Baxter and Kevin Dowe.

Chem Processing, Inc., hired Rick Hayden (4) as quality manager and Matt Rather (5) as safety and environmental manager.

Scott Englehart joined Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Rockford, as a financial advisor.

Rockford Mutual Insurance Company hired Chris Porter (6) as hardware & network technician.

Northern Illinois Hospice hired Paula Sanders, RN (7), as admissions nurse, and Matt Hopkins, RN (8); Jennifer Ramsby, RN (9), and Heather Kolk, RN (10), as case managers.

Case manager Julie Brock, RN, BSN (11), moved to nurse educator.

Cheryl Kunz (12) was promoted to director of marketing for AquaAerobic Systems, Inc. Jim Derry became Field

17. Susan Cadie

18. Laura Baluch

8. Matt Hopkins

College or University Teaching of Mathematics by the Illinois Section of the Mathematics Association of America in March.

New Hires, Promotions, Retirements Riverside Community Bank hired Sheila Holcomb as a mortgage loan originator and Cathy Crain (1) as a private banking mortgage professional. The bank promoted Marsha Abramson, Amy Brewer, Gina Caruana, Denny Roop and Pat Young to senior vice president.

7. Paula Sanders

9. Jennifer Ramsby

13. Dr. Anne Fridh

10. Heather Kolk

14. Shirley Geiser

Fasteners’ new president; succeeding Bill Derry who assumed the role of chairman.

Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic hired Dr. Brock Field and Dr. Nathaniel Hays, graduates of Palmer College of Chiropractic.

Anne Fridh, PsyD. (13), was named administrator, Rosecrance Ware Center; overseeing adult mental health operations in downtown Rockford.

Employee/Community Recognitions, Awards Dr. Pamela Nichols, principal of White Swan Elementary School, received the traveling trophy for the Puri Family Outstanding Principal Award.

Rockford University awarded Sunil Puri, president, First Rockford Group, with honorary membership to Sigma Beta Delta. He’s a 1982 graduate of Rockford University.

11. Julie Brock

15. Wendy Goldsworthy

12. Cheryl Kunz

16. Bryan Gatlin

Program, along with 12 other student-athletes nationwide.

Shirley Geiser (14), Spectrum Insurance Agency, Durand, received an award for superiority in life and health insurance sales at the Pekin Insurance 2014 awards banquet in March.

Alpine Bank announced its Employee Service Star Award winners for 2013. Wendy Goldsworthy (15), senior application systems administrator, received the Service to Internal Customers Service Star Award; Bryan Gatlin (16), assistant manager - Roscoe branch, the Service to External Customers Service Star award, and Susan Cadie (17), marketing & communications coordinator, the Role Model Service Award.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau named its February, 2014, It’s a Great Day in Rockford award winners: Sarah Bursley McNamara, Rockford Art Museum, and Major Robert McClintock, Salvation Army.

The Literacy Council announced its new tutors to be matched with adult learners: Mary Newport, Julia Seper, Sandra Sullivan, Torrie Thomas, Kevin Fay, Lisa Nelson, Carrie Houston, Chris Walsh, Eloise Wheeler, Ray Owens, Gwen Anderson, Judith Wilfert, Herb Klunk, Sherri Kulawinski and Sameer Aljobori.

Judson University softball player Maddie Smith was chosen for the Red Cross/NAIA Leadership

Rock Valley College professor Dr. Paul McCombs received the 2014 award for Distinguished

19. Dr. Brian J. Bear

20. Dr. Ramaswamy Kalyanasundaram

21. Joe Flynn

22. Diana Davis

Attorney Laura Baluch (18), partner with Barrick, Switzer, Long, Balsley & Van Evera, LLP, was nominated for inclusion in the American Society for Legal Advocates and given an award as one of the Top 40 Family Law Attorneys under 40 in Illinois.

Brian J. Bear, M.D. (19), Rockford Orthopedic Associates, was named on the Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor for 2014 list, given to only four to five percent of U.S. doctors.

Ramaswamy Kalyanasundaram, PhD (20), head of the department of biomedical sciences, professor of microbiology and immunology, and assistant dean for research, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, received a Fulbright Scholar grant to further his research regarding lymphatic filariasis.

Joe Flynn (21) celebrated five years and Diana Davis (22) 10 years with Rockford Mutual Insurance Company.

Amber Seebruck (23), caregiver, Comfort Keepers of Northwest Illinois, earned the Comfort Keeper® of the year award at the Comfort Keepers® Leadership Conference in Denver, Colo.

Rock Valley College math professor Rodger Hergert was honored by the Illinois Mathematical Association of Community Colleges with a Distinguished Service Award in April.

Sheila Chang (24) and Mina Tanaka (25), students at University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, received the United States Public Health Service 2014 Excellence in Public Health Award for their Active Community Engagement project on children and family wellbeing in the Rockford area.

23. Amber Seebruck

24. Sheila Chang

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2014

25

the News IN Members THEin NEWS Michael Mastroianni named sixth Rock Valley College president After a national search, the Rock Valley College Board of Trustees appointed Michael Mastroianni as college president. The lifelong Rockford resident and Rock Valley College alumnus served as interim president. Also during his 16 years at RVC, he led the Management Institute (Business and Professional Institute), served as dean of community outreach, associate vice president of outreach and planning, and vice president of career and technical education and outreach.

Mastroianni has held many area board positions, including with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

“We believe Mike not only shares those strong ideas, but has the background to immediately build on our current momentum,” said RVC Board Chair Michael P. Dunn. “Throughout his role as interim president, he demonstrated to our board and our community what he will offer as our next president.”

New Chamber Members CHAMBER MEMBERS BNI - Northwest-North Central Illinois Word-of-mouth referral marketing;Business networking;Business referrals Peggy Nuelle 815-398-9061 www.bni.com

C & E Builders Custom home building for over 60 years; building new homes as well as repairing roofs, gutters and siding.

7161 Windsor Parkway, Loves Park Chad Encheff 815-391-0649 www.cehomebuilders.com

Gymnastic Academy of Rockford One of the finest, safest and most well-equipped facilities in the country with over 40,000-square-feet of work space.

6630 Spring Brook Road Jim Aamodt 815-654-3867 www.onefungym.com

Gymnastic Academy of Rockford - South 25. Mina Tanaka

26. Curtis D. Worden

27. Nancy Salsbury

28. Dr. Scott Trenhaile

Dr. Hannah Orem, 1st Step Chiropractic, S.C., supported Palmer College of Chiropractic students in their Run for Research, developed by Dr. Orem as a student to raise funds for the Upper Cervical Research Foundation.

developers, was named by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as multi-media award winners for a video and scientific poster, “All-Arthroscopic Patch Augmentation of a Massive Rotator Cuff Tear: Surgical Technique.”

Golden Apple Foundation’s Investing in Excellence: Assistant Principal Development Program has three finalists: Carl Hobbs, Belvidere High School; Billy Lewis, Hononegah High School, and Allison Louis, Machesney and Marquette Elementary Schools.

Amy Kirsch, MSN, RN, director of psychiatric services; Barbara Connors, MS, BSN, RN; and Eve Dano, BSN, BS, RN, SwedishAmerican Center for Mental Health, presented the poster, “Soothing Rooms, Reducing Restraint Trauma in Patients and Nurses,” at the 2014 Nurses Expo in Rockford in March.

Rockford Memorial Development Foundation, Rockford Health System, gave its highest Triumvirate Recognition Society honor to Curtis D. Worden (26) for two decades of philanthropy.

Of GENERAL INTEREST Stephanie Lammi, KMK Media Group, presented “What is Your Electronic Face?” on how LinkedIn and YouTube can benefit business at the Women of Today’s Manufacturing dinner in March.

Nancy Salsbury (27), Spectrum Insurance Agency, Rockford, completed Commercial Casualty I towards her CISR designation.

Shirley Geiser and Salsbury attended the IIA Insurance 101 “How to get from the bottom of the pile” seminar in Rockford in March.

Scott Trenhaile, M.D. (28), Rockford Orthopedic Associates, along with six physician co-

Carrie Zethmayr, director of international trade, Rockford Area Economic Development Council, participated in a panel discussion, “The Benefits to Businesses of Using Foreign Trade Zones,” with the International Trade Club of Chicago in April.

SwedishAmerican Health System announced the following provider relocations: Kendra Hall, M.D., FAAP, pediatrician, to SAMG/ Rock Valley; Tarek Harb, M.D., FACOG; David Moore, M.D.; David Schleicher, M.D., and Lois Hull, APN, OB/gyn, to SAMG/ Obstetrics and Gynecology; Kristine Bohrmueller, APN, nurse practitioner, to Dr. Tarek Harb’s practice, SwedishAmerican Medical Group/Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Lisa Larson, APN, nurse practitioner, to Midwest Heart Specialists.

Offering a safe environment in which kids and adults of all ages can come

together and experience fun and fitness all under one roof!

1949 S. Bell School Road, Cherry Valley Jim Aamodt 815-580-8461 www.onefungym.com

Gymnastic Academy of Rockford - Roscoe One of the finest, safest and most well-equipped facilities in the country with over 40,000-square-feet of work space.

11447 2nd St., Roscoe Jim Aamodt 815-623-2345 www.onefungym.com

Nicor Gas Natural gas, public utility serving northern Illinois 4651 Linden Road David Pietryla 815-261-9423 www.nicorgas.com

WalshCo Consulting Group, Inc. Executive recruiting Jeff Cook 815-708-7521

26

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

Thursday, May 1

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens features its third-annual Butterfly Exhibit through May 11.

The conservatory will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Thursdays during the exhibit.

Rockford University Department of Economics, Business and Accounting presents its sixthannual Business Luncheon: Corporate Social Responsibility, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Regents Hall, Burpee Center, 5050 E. State St. Luncheon keynote speaker is Christopher T. Budde, Thermo Fisher Scientific. For more information, contact Karen Ream, 815-394-4384 or kream@rockford. edu.

Global music phenomenon Celtic Woman presents The Emerald Tour, 7 p.m., at 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at 815-968-0595 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

The Rainbow Valley Rides Carnival takes place at CherryVale Mall, 7200 Harrison, Ste. 5, Rockford, May 1 to 11; Monday to Friday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

Friday, May 2

Court Street United Methodist Church, 215 N. Court St., Rockford, presents its ninth-annual Garden Bazaar, May 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and May 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Call 815-962-6061.

Golden Apple Foundation presents its 18th annual Excellence in Education Banquet, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Red Carpet Arrival of Golden Apple Teachers and Puri Family Outstanding Principal, 5:30 p.m.; Awards presentation/ dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Appletini Afterparty with Luxe Productions, 8:30 a.m. Reservations at goldenappleofrockford.com or 815226-4180.

Saturday, May 3

The Alzheimer’s Association® Greater Illinois Chapter presents the 11th annual Unforgettable Art: An Affair for Alzheimer’s, 6 p.m., Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall, Cherryvale North Blvd. 50 talented artists will transform blank canvases to art while patrons sip cocktails and enjoy hors d’oeuvres. Pieces will be auctioned during the event. Tickets at 815-4841300 or www.alz.org/illinois.

Natural Land Institute hosts a Garlic Mustard Pull, 9 a.m. to 1

May 2014

Community Events COMMUNITY

p.m., Nygren Wetland Preserve, Rockton. Sturdy shoes, long sleeves, pants and gloves are recommended. Volunteers may bring their own snacks and water.

Please register at 815-964-6666 or email Kim Johnsen at kjohnsen@ naturalland.org.

Rockford Park District’s railbased Trolley Car 36 will offer public Excursion Rides from Nicholas Conservatory to Riverview Park, 1, 2 and 3 p.m., Saturdays through May 17. Buy tickets at the conservatory, 1354 N. 2nd St. Visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/ boatandtrolley or call 815-987-8894 or 815-987-8800.

Judson University celebrates its Golden Centennial Commencement in Elgin, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Lindner Fitness Center, 1151 N. State St., Elgin. Keynote is spiritual formation researcher and author Mindy Caliguire.

Sunday, May 4

Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, presents Monstrous Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 815-963-6769 or visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra presents English Festival with violinist Sofiya Kyrylyuk, 3 p.m., Hononegah High School Performing Arts Center, 307 Salem St., Rockton. For tickets visit www.rockfordsymphony.com or call 815-965-0049.

Monday, May 5

Rockford Health System presents Healthy Woman 2014, with free health screenings/expo, 4:30 to 6 p.m.; dinner, 6 p.m., at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Keynote with Laura Koch, N.P.; Elisha Robinson, M.D., and Melissa Stenstrom, M.D. Call 815-9711999.

Wednesday, May 7

Judson University hosts its annual Community Prayer Breakfast with former World Vision International CEO Dean R. Hirsch as keynote speaker, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Lindner Fitness Center, 1151 N. State St., Elgin, Ill. Tickets at www.judsonu. edu/prayerbreakfast.

Go Global 2014, Stateline’s Premier International Trade Conference, 8 a.m., Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Topics include Export Business Planning, Five Secrets of Going Global with Success, and Supply Chain Strategy. Register at www.goglobalrockford.com or 815-969-4267.

Thursday, May 8

Shelter Care Ministries’ annual Spring Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Prairie Street Brewhouse.

Featured speaker and Rockford Register Star reporter Brian Leaf will present, “Poor Town, Your Town,” on a doubling of poverty in the region between 2000 and 2010.

Contact Carol West, 815-708-2650 or cwest@shelter-care.org.

Mid-West Family Broadcasting presents an Open House, 4:30 to 7 p.m., at Giovanni’s. Includes hors d’oeuvres, specialty drinks, music from D.J. Sonido Latino, followed by Miles Nielsen. RSVP to Britainee, 815-874-7861, by May 5.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

chemical dependency. Call 815395-5702.

Saturday, May 17

The Literacy Council’s 100 Men Who Cook & Brew, 6:30 or 7:30 p.m., entrance at BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford. Includes a craft brew tasting lounge for guests with a 6:30 p.m., entrance ticket.

Entertainment by Eddie B Jazz, large silent auction and Ultimate Bucket Raffle drawing. Tickets at www.theliteracycouncil.org or 815963-7323.

The Ski Broncs Waterski Show Team’s annual Broncs Bash fundraiser takes place, 6 to 11 p.m., Tebala Shrine Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford. Dinner, presentation, silent auction, raffle auction, live entertainment by Men of Our Times. For tickets visit www. skibroncs.com/broncsbash.

Rockford Park District hosts the 11th annual Rockford Football Training Camp for boys and girls, 5 to 18, with Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Auburn High School stadium, 5110 Auburn St., Rockford. Led by NFL Youth Football staff and area high school coaches. Register at www. rockfordparkdistrict.org/youthsports, nflflag@rockfordparkdistrict.org, 815-987-8800 or 815-962-7469.

Saturday, May 10

Friday, May 23

Friday, May 9

Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, hosts a Vintage Market by Rockford’s own Urban Farmgirl as part of Victorian Village’s opening weekend, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Features Midwest vendors of vintage goods and oneof-a-kind artisan pieces. Visit www. midwayvillage.com.

Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, presents Astronomy Day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Call 815-963-6769 or visit www. discoverycentermuseum.org.

Sunday, May 11

Grammy-Award-winning standup comedian Lewis Black will perform, 8 p.m., Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at 815968-0595, www.ticketmaster.com.

Wednesday, May 14

Rockford Public Library presents Finding Grants for a Non-Profit Organization, 2 to 3:30 p.m., main library, second floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. Learn how to search the Foundation Directory Online. Registration required at 815-965-7606.

Rockford Health Council presents Healthy People. Strong Community, a seminar on the effects of poverty on individual and community health, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road. Speaker Jodi Pfarr spent her career working in lowincome housing for people with issues in mental illness and/or

Rockford Public Library presents Lunch and Learn: Maximizing Internet Searches, noon to 1 p.m., Nordlof Center, Small Multi-Purpose Room, 118 N. Main St. Bring your bag lunch. Registration required at 815-965-7606.

Wednesday, May 21

U.S. Bank presents its Economic Outlook Event, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford. Presenter is David A. Jeppson, chief investment officer, The Private Client Group, U.S. Bank, on current global economic conditions and investment. RSVP to Ruth Andrews, ruth.andrews@usbank.com or 815639-2436.

Thursday, May 29

RAMP’s annual Wine & Beer Tasting with silent auction, 5 to 8 p.m., 200 Prairie St., Rockford; before Dinner on the Dock. Visit www.stayclassy.org/rampwine.

Friday, May 30

La Voz Latina hosts a Grand Opening for its new location at 730 N. Church St., Rockford, 4 to 6 p.m., Door prizes, giveaways, family activities, Latin dishes from local businesses and Folkloric Dance children’s performance.

Saturday, May 31

Rockford Public Library presents Fresh and Local – Where to Get It, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., East Branch, Friends of RPL community room, 6685 E. State St. Registration required at 815-965-7606.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2014

Members Caught on Digital ON DIGITAL Ceremonial ribbon donated by SERVPRO of Rockford.

27

Membership: 101 MEMBERSHIP

Your Membership Matters!

Count on our support— over the past year…

YMCA of Rock River Valley, 200 Y Blvd., Rockford, held a ribbon cutting on March 27 for the Girls Locker Room and Harding Center.

Gymnastic Academy South Trampoline Park & Training Center, 1949 S. Bell School Road, Cherry Valley, held a ribbon cutting and open house on March 28.

Members from Money Smart Week of Northern Illinois celebrate their annual kickoff breakfast on April 4 at Discovery Center Museum. The event kicked off a week (April 5 to 12) of free financial literacy events in the region.

4,182 50 2,000 6,860 3,067 30,000 60 1910 72 5,272 193

$15,000 $451,166 $1.48 Priceless

Callers were referred to Chamber members in response to phone inquiries.

Member ribbon cuttings were supported by the Chamber.

Residents and businesses were introduced to your business in the Membership Directory & Relocation Guide.

Average number of times each member’s listing was displayed.

Regional business people read the latest announcements in our weekly e-newsletter.

Learned about our member businesses each month in our newspaper, The VOICE. Members shared their expertise as a guest columnist in The VOICE. The year the Chamber began serving the needs of businesses in the region.

BUSINESS BY THE NUMBERS Minimum number of event opportunities per year to connect with other members.

Business contacts you could make attending Chamber events.

Average number of monthly attendees at council meetings.

IT ALL ADDS UP The amount of annual savings one member enjoyed by taking advantage of the Auto Owners Insurance Program.

The annual savings Chamber members received from pool and individual contracts in the energy savings program, Powershare.

Average daily cost of membership.

Being part of a business community that supports economic growth, a healthy business environment and a strong community!

That’s what your Chamber does for you!

Jason’s Deli held a ribbon cutting on April 8 at 575 S. Perryville Road, Rockford.

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May 2014

Membership Renewals Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in March, 2014.

13 WREX ABC Supply Co., Inc. - Rockford ABC Supply Co., Inc. - Roscoe Akerman Shoes Al Grace Appliance & TV American Driveway Maintenance, Inc. American Resource Management Group Associated Bank Ballard Companies, Inc. Barbara Olson Center of Hope Beefaroo, Inc. Blue Sky Insurance Agency, Inc. BMO Harris Bank Capri Restaurant, Inc. Carpenter’s Local 792 Coca-Cola Refreshments Delta Dental of Illinois Dickey Staffing Solutions Fisher’s Ethan Allen Fleet Lift Truck Service Forty Two Eighty Nine Furst Search General Mitchell International Airport Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Gitz-Meier Remodeling/Restorx Guler Appliance Company Guyer & Enichen, PC H. C. Anderson Roofing Co. Inc. Hayes Beer of Rockford Highcrest Centre Hoffman House Holmstrom & Kennedy, P.C. Hooters of Rockford HR Green Inc. Integra Business Systems, Inc. Interstate Graphics Kent Feeds, Inc. K-I Machine Tool & Production Inc. Klaas Financial, inc., Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC, Registered Investment Advisor, A Registered Investment Advisory Firm Kryder Wood Products Lamar Outdoor Advertising of Rockford LaMonica Beverages, Inc. Larson & Darby Group Leading Lawyers Mack Paper Company, Inc. Maculan Chiropractic Clinic Maney’s Lawnscape Inc. Mark Pack Inc. MegaFab Midwest Scale Company, Inc. Modernspace Studio/ Techline-Rockford Mulford Park Apartments Mylan Institutional Inc. New Leaf Remodeling

Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association Northpoint Benefit Group Inc. Nova Painting & Decorating Oliver Close, LLC OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Padgett Business Services Paper Recovery Services Corp.

Pathways EAP Pepper Creek/Fourth Street Greenhouse Pepsi-Cola of Rockford Perryville CRASH1 PR Etc., Inc. Quimby & Co., P.C. River Valley Kitchens & Baths, Inc. Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated Rock Valley Compounding Pharmacy Rock Valley Packaging, Inc. Rockford Area Crime Stoppers, Inc. Rockford Career College Rockford Charter Coach Rockford Coronado Concert Association Rockford First Rockford Health Council Rockford Health System Rockford Mass Transit District Rockford Mass Transit District/ Paratransit Rockford Mercantile Agency, Inc. Rockford Park District Rockford Public Library Rockford Public Schools, District #205 Rockford Register Star Rockford Speedway/ Forest Hills Lodge Rosecrance Health Network Service Machine Company, Inc. Sprinkmann Sons Corporation Staybridge Suites Superior Joining Technologies, Inc. SwedishAmerican Health System TDS Terra Creek Apartments The Oliver Group Inc. The Vitamin Shoppe 619 TruGreen Village of Machesney Park Visions Lighting and Accessories Voss Metals Company, Inc. Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Willett Hofmann & Associates, Inc. William N. Georgis, M.D., SC Winnebago County Medical Society Women of Today’s Manufacturing (WOTM) Woods Equipment Company X L Academics, Inc. Zuba and Associates, P.C.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Regional, National Indicators THE ECONOMY U.S. Indicators March, 2014



Consumer Price Index Unemployment Rate

0.2 percent 6.7 percent

      

Payroll Employment Average Hourly Earnings Producer Price Index Employment Cost Index Productivity U.S. Import Price Index U.S. Export Price Index

192,000 $0.01 0.5 percent 0.5 percent (fourth quarter, 2013) 1.8 percent (fourth quarter, 2013) 0.6 percent 0.8 percent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment Rates Region / State / Nation Feb 14

Jan 14

Feb 13

Change / Mo.

Change / Yr.

Rockford

12.1

12.9

12.9

0.8

Chicago

9.0

8.6

9.8

0.4

Illinois

9.4

9.1

10.0

0.3

United States

7.0

7.0

8.1

0.0

 0.8  0.8  0.6  1.1

Source: U.S. Department of Employment Security

Population Clock As of April 21, 2014

U.S. 317,907,299

World 7,161,135,901

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Who is Voting?

Voting rates among young adults fell from

44.3%

44.3 percent (2008) to 38.0 percent (2012) following increases in two consecutive presidential elections (2008 and 2004), according to a new report on age and

voting patterns by the U.S. Census Bureau. In every U.S. presidential election from 1964 on, 18- to 24-year-olds voted at lower rates than all other age groups. Americans 65 and older voted at higher rates than all other age groups since the 1996 election.

May 2014 Member Anniversaries Get to Know Your Ambassadors Name: Len Eisele Company: Union Savings Bank Position: Branch Manager How long have you been an Ambassador?

One year What do you like most about being an Ambassador? I enjoy celebrating the achievement of people’s goals and dreams. Every ribbon cutting represents the culmination of someone’s hard work and vision, and to be on hand to congratulate them is a wonderful honor that never gets old.

Thank you to the members who celebrate their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber in May, 2014.

35-yEar MEMBErS

Dom’s Printing & Marketing Services, Inc. Gypsum Supply Company Hayes Beer of Rockford Heritage Credit Union Rockford Speedway/Forest Hills Lodge Rosecrance Health Network

30-yEar MEMBEr

American Red Cross, Rock River Chapter

25-yEar MEMBErS

Magnuson Industries, Inc. TruGreen

20-yEar MEMBEr JMB Business Funding

10-yEar MEMBEr

Thrifty Boutique Resale Shoppe

5-yEar MEMBErS

Aunt Mary’s Restaurant Grace Funeral & Cremation Services

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2014

29

IGNITE

Young Professionals

Who do you know?

Be prepared to give others a career boost I recently came across an email promoting an interesting idea: creating a list to answer the question “Who do you know?” The idea immediately caught my attention as there’s not much that gets my blood pumping as quickly as creating (and crossing off!) a to-do list, a goals sheet or even a shopping list. I feel organized, energized, ready to take on the world – all from a little ole list.

While this level of excitement may not be exactly the norm, stick with me.

This article, targeted towards female leaders, discussed professional women -- not always proportionally represented in leadership roles – who frequently were asked, “Who do you know?” The question may be for a board position, a senior role within an organization, etc. The author of the article (One New Thing, for those playing along at home) found herself constantly unsure of what to answer. When posed with the “Who do you know?” question, she usually came up blank for various reasons –

none of which was a lack of knowledge of professional, capable women. (The author tended to write people off before giving them the option to turn the opportunity down – she’s too busy, she wouldn’t be interested, etc.)

Creating the List The answer the email suggested was simple: create a list and carry it with you.

I found this idea profoundly simple and, at the same time, game-changing. As a Leadership Team member for IGNITE with a knack for networking, I constantly am approached with the, “Who do you know?” question. I am asked for leads on new talent, ways to get involved with particular organizations or job openings. So often, I’m caught off-guard or thinking about a million different things, so sometimes I go blank. I know a plethora of talented YPs in our area and others who would gladly relocate! I should never blank! Enter: The List.

Since reading that article, I’ve been

working on creating my own version of The List. I’ve included young professionals that I know personally who would rock any opportunity thrown their way. I want to be able to help promote my fellow YPs; help them stand up to the plate! Answering the question with an, “Um, let me think on that …” isn’t nearly as helpful as, “Oh, you need a person who is a great people person with attention to detail? That’s Hillary — let me get you her contact info.” My goal is to help connect YPs with each other and with great opportunities in our community. That starts with being able to answer the question, “Who do you know?”

So next time you see me, ask me who I know. I just might have a list of names for you.

Caitlin Ludwig is the marketing specialist at Blackhawk Bank and a member of IGNITE. Please contact igniterockford.com.

Caitlin Ludwig IGNITE

ignitE Cup IGNITE Cup is IGNITE’s new, awesome event series custom built for Rockford YPs!! Basically, teams of 8 to 10 will participate in a variety of events – athletic, social, cultural, volunteer, etc. – over the summer for points. The team with the most points at the end of the summer, wins!

Is there more to it than that? A little. Check out our website for more info. (www.igniterockford. com) and sign up yourself or your team today!

30

May 2014

Rockford signs expanded partnership agreement with Lidköping, Sweden Representatives from the City of Lidköping and Skaraborg County in Sweden; the City of Rockford and Winnebago County in Illinois, and economic development partner Sustain Dane, Madison, Wis., met at EIGERlab to sign an expanded Industrial Partnership Agreement.

“This agreement has been and continues to be a vital economic engine for our communities,” said Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. “One example is our local company Leading Edge Hydraulics, which thanks to its international efforts and relationship with Sweden, has resulted in a job growth of 25 employees.”

Other “Wins” from the Partnership Winnebago County Chairman Scott Christiansen highlighted the signing of the International Energy Collaboration, a partnership with Freedom Field and the International Bioenergy Days Conference.

Dr. Bill Gorski, president and CEO, highlighted the three homes built collaboratively as part of the SwedishAmerican’s neighborhood revitalization program; a partnership with East High School and De la Gardiegymnasiet in Lidköping.

SwedishAmerican also hosted five nursing students from Lidköping at the

hospital as part of the professional and educational exchange program.

History of the Partnership The Lidköping-Rockford Industrial Partnership Agreement originally was signed in 2006 and updated in 2011. The 2014 agreement expands to include the 15 municipalities of the Skaraborg län (the Swedish equivalent of a county) and the 16 municipalities of Winnebago County, as well as Sustain Dane in Madison, Wis. Past Industrial Partnership Agreements, through business and educational collaborations, have resulted in the creation of job growth and wealth for both communities. The mission is “to grow locally by working globally.”

About Lidköping Lidköping is one of Sweden’s 290 municipalities, located on the third largest lake in Europe, Lake Vänern.

It’s logistically significant as a result of its 220 kilometers of coastline.

The City of Lidköping has about 39,000 inhabitants, and it is one of 15 municipalities in Skaraborgs län, a county of 250,000 inhabitants. Trade and industry is diversified by the 3,500 small and mid-sized companies in the farming, biochemistry, machine technology, plastic technology and food industries.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events Ambassador Luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Rachel Thomann, Furst Pros, 815-997-1417, rachel.thomann@ furstpros.com.

Wednesday, May 7

Thursday, May 15

MAY, 2014 Thursday, May 1

PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Presenter is Jeff Kaney, CEO, Kaney Group, LLC. Thursday, May 8 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford

Celebration of Leadership Graduation of the Rockford Chamber’s 59th leadership class. Dr. Robert Head, president, Rockford University, will share his perspectives on leadership.

Sponsored by PNC Bank (presenting).

Graduation sponsors: Comcast Business, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, McGladrey LLP, North American Tool Corporation, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford Health System, Rockford Park District, Rock Valley College, Savant Capital Management, SwedishAmerican Health System and UTC Aerospace Systems.

Friday, May 9

Ribbon Cutting, Weldstar, 9710 Forest Hills Road, Machesney Park, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., lunch, refreshments, prizes and tours to follow. RSVP to Korey Witalka by May 2 to 630‑859‑3100 or kwitalka@ weldstar.com.

Government Affairs Council, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Registration required. Call Heidi Garner, 815-316-4312.

Tuesday, May 13

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Thomas Conwell, MSI Reverse, tconwell@msiloans.biz.

Ignite: Lunch Outside the Box, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5050 E. State St. (5100 building).

Julie Bousma presents “Volunteerism in the Rockford Community.”

Friday, May 16

Tri State Alliance 2014 Summit, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chicago Rockford International Airport, 60 Airport Dr., “Transporting People, Commerce and Information for Regional Prosperity” will draw many regional chambers, economic development and governmental organizations.

Monday, May 19 11:00 am Rockford Country Club 2500 Oxford St., Rockford

Rockford Chamber

Golf Classic

Golf, lunch, on‑course contests, cocktail hour, dinner and awards. Noon shotgun start; dinner, prizes to follow. Lunch‑only and dinner‑only registration available.

Sponsored by SwedishAmerican Health System (presenting); Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP (gold); The Alliance and General Mitchell International Airport (greens).

Tuesday, May 20

How to Supervise People and Lead a Team, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Giovanni’s, Inc., 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Speaker is Glenn Shepard, speaker and management consultant. Author of: How to Manage Problem Employees and How to Make Performance Evaluation’s Really Work. How to Be the Employee Your Company Can’t Live Without became a #1 best seller.

Chamber 101 with Speed Networking, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., a quarterly orientation on getting results from membership, Benson Stone Company, Inc., second floor, 1100 11th St., Rockford. Sponsored

by MembersAlliance Credit Union.

Wednesday, May 21

Wednesday, May 14

Ribbon Cutting, Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic, 3 to 4 p.m., 1877 Daimler Road, Rockford.

Breakfast Buzz ‑ Sales Techniques for the 21st Century, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Rock Valley College, Woodward Technology Center, 3301 N. Mulford Road., Rockford. Lynette Jacques, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, will present new strategies including: sources for researching companies, getting the meeting and developing a client‑focused message. Sponsored

by McGladrey.

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@ gmail.com.

PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Presenter is Mike Brown, CEO and president, YMCA of Rock River Valley.

Tuesday, May 27

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Thomas Conwell, MSI Reverse, tconwell@msiloans.biz.

Wednesday, May 28

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@ gmail.com.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2014

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Rachel Thomann, Furst Pros, 815-997-1417, rachel.thomann@furstpros.com.

Friday, May 30

Ribbon cutting/Open House, 4 to 6 p.m., La Voz Latina, 730 N. Church St. Door prizes, giveaways and activities; Latin dishes from local businesses, and folkloric dance children’s performance.

JUNE, 2014 Wednesday, June 4 PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Presenter is Jeff Makeever, patent attorney, Reinhart Boerner Van Duren P.C.

Tuesday, June 10 Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Thomas Conwell, MSI Reverse, tconwell@msiloans.biz.

Wednesday, June 11 Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, Rockford.

Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@gmail.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Rachel Thomann, Furst Pros, 815-997-1417, rachel.thomann@furstpros.com.

Ribbon Cutting, Hilton Garden grand reopening and tours, 4 to 6:30 p.m., 7675 Walton St., Rockford. Ribbon cutting, 4:30 p.m.

Friday, June 13 Government Affairs Council, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Registration required.

Call Heidi Garner, 815-316-4312.

Wednesday, June 18 PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford.

Presenter is David Schertz, CEO, Northern Region OSF Healthcare.

Thursday, June 19 10:00 am - 1:30 pm Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford

31

ADVERTISERS Advertisers Index

Alpine Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 16

Riverside Community Bank . . . . . . . . 19

Aspen Counseling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Rockford Area Realtors. . . . . . . . . . . . 16

BMO Harris Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Brian Thomas Photography. . . . . . . . 13 Broadmoor Agency, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Comcast Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Fast Mailing Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 First National Bank and Trust. . . . . . . 14 Fridh Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Women in Business

IMEC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Expo and Luncheon

MembersAlliance Credit Union. . . . . . . 5

Expo, 10 a.m. to noon; lunch, presentation, awards, noon to 1:30 p.m. Announcement of 2014 award winners: Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow, Woman Manager of the Year, Woman Business Owner of the Year and Athena PowerLink.

Sponsored by Women’s Center – Rockford Health System (presenting); OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (gold); Northwest Bank of Rockford (awards); PNC (ATHENAPowerLink® award).

Tuesday, June 24 Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Thomas Conwell, MSI Reverse, tconwell@msiloans.biz.

Wednesday, June 25

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, United Commercial Realty, Teriw1214@ gmail.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Rachel Thomann, Furst Pros, 815-997-1417, rachel.thomann@furstpros.com.

Ribbon Cutting, Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic, 3 to 4 p.m., 1877 Daimler Road, Rockford.

Illinois Tollway Launches 2014 Construction Season The Illinois Tollway reported that 2014 is going to be its biggest construction year ever, with $1.4 billion in capital spending in improvements throughout the tollway system.

Construction Projects for 2014 Include: • Plans for the complete rebuilding and widening the 37-mile western segment of I-90 between Randall Road in Elgin and I-39 near Rockford.

• Preparations will begin on rebuilding and widening the 25-mile eastern segment from the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to Randall Road. Work includes rebuilding the mile-long westbound section of I-90 between I-294 and the Kennedy Expressway, as well as interchange improvements, reconstruction of local crossroad bridges, retaining walls and noisewalls and reconstruction of the Fox River Bridge.

• In 2014, Phase One of the new interchange to connect the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-57 will be complete, providing 75 percent of the project benefits to the traveling public. North Tri-State Tollway (I-94) work includes ramp improvements at the Belvidere Road and Grand Avenue interchanges and Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) work includes repairs on five interchanges.

Drop It and Drive The Illinois Tollway reminds drivers of the law prohibiting the use of hand-held cellphones while operating vehicles on all Illinois roadways. Drivers caught using a cellphone face a $75 fine for the first offense. Repeated violations will cost $150 each and may lead to suspension of driving privileges.

Visit www.illinoistollway.com for updates on tollway construction progress.

Mass Mutual Financial Group. . . . . . . 14 McGladrey LLP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Midland States Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Rockford Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Rockford Bell Credit Union. . . . . . . . . 19 Rockford Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . 19, 20, 22, 25, 29, 30 Rockford Health System. . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Rockford Tech-Systems Inc. . . . . . . . 14 Sikich. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Thayer Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Tri-State Alliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 United Way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Northwest Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Van Galder Bus Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. . 21

Wipfli LLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100.............................................. Direct Line Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO.......................................... 815-316-4304 Heidi M. Garner, Executive Assistant to the President.................... 815-316-4312 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology................... 815-316-4338 Lynette Jacques, Advertising and Sponsorship Executive............... 815-316-4317 Vee Jevremovic, Manager of Education Programs and Events. . ........ 815-316-4337 Cyndie Landis, Financial Assistant. . .......................................... 815-316-4300 Joy Moriarty, V.P. Finance. . ..................................................... 815-316-4316 Stacy Mullins, Director of Events. . ............................................ 815-316-4302 Diane Navickis, Member Relations Manager.. .............................. 815-316-4315 Mary Ann Suprenant, Membership Development Manager.............. 815-316-4336 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator......................... 815-316-4320

Chamber Board of Directors & Officers Executive Committee

Directors Andrew Benson Benson Stone Company, Inc.

Chairman of the Board Richard Walsh SwedishAmerican Health System

Jan Bowman TLC Construction

Chairman Elect Patti Thayer Thayer Lighting, Inc. Vice Chair Richard Zumwalt OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Treasurer Larry Bridgeland Mid-City Office Products Immediate Past Chairman Mike Broski Entré Computer Solutions

Paul Callighan ComEd, An Exelon Company Joe Castrogiovanni Giovanni’s, Inc. Dr. Rena Cotsones Northern Illinois University Darlene Furst Furst Staffing Jeff Hultman Riverside Community Bank

Paul McCann Stanley Steemer Pat Morrow Alpine Bank Amy Ott Chicago Rockford International Airport Mark Peterson CBL Associates Cherry Vale Michele Petrie BMO Harris Bank Laura Pigatti Williamson Rockford Park District Timothy Rollins WilliamsMcCarthy

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Henry Seybold Rockford Health System

Michael Mastroianni Rock Valley College

Pat Shaw McGladrey LLP

Somchan Thatsanaphon K-I Machine Tool & Production Inc. Josh Trust Rockford Register Star Tim White UTC Aerospace Systems Jennifer Wood CPA

Ex-Officio Directors Don Thayer Rockford Area Economic Development Council Einar K. Forsman President & CEO, Rockford Chamber of Commerce John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

June 2014 Special Section: Advertising / Marketing Transportation / Vacation / Stay-cations For information on advertising, call 815 987-8100