May Voice 2020

the May 2020 | Volume 33 | No. 5

TIPS TO HELP HOMEWORK NOT BE A PAIN

HOWE GETS THE GOODS DELIVERED

PAGE 10

PAGE 17

of the rockford business community

BE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS THE JOURNEY BACK TO A SENSE OF ORDER

By Kevin Polky, kp counseling It seemed to be just a normal Wednesday night. The work was finished for the evening. As the executive director of kp counseling and Shatter Our Silence and owner of Four Corners Wellness, working into the evening is typical. But now it was time to sit down with my wife Diane and watch an episode of one of the series we have been into.

A notice comes across my phone, “NBA suspends season.” The next announcement minutes later was air flights were being restricted. What’s going on? Is this real? The next day when the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled and the NCAA basketball and wrestling tournaments were cancelled, I knew this was real.

Being an avid sports fan, it did not make sense that they would cancel these huge tournaments. Later, hearing the news about universities, schools, restaurants and bars being restricted from their normal operations, I thought, “this is bigger than I ever could have imagined.”

Rapid Change The following weeks were surreal.

We had emergency meetings on how we were going to ensure safety of staff and clients, provide the mental health needs of already anxious and depressed clients and continue to be able to generate enough revenue to continue employing almost 50 employees at kp. It seemed like every time I decided, new information would come in, and I would have to pivot and modify or completely

change the decision I had just made.

We are considered an essential service, but the safety of the staff and the clients were at risk if we were meeting in person. Working with my staff in a matter of three days, we shifted 100 percent of our services to digital counseling called telehealth.

After just six weeks of being thrust into this new world, we are operating at more than 90 percent of our capacity.

Continued on page 3

Are you ready for the BOUNCE BACK?

Positive actions to increase your sense of control

By Marti Davis, the Higher Talent Group

THE VOICE IS PUBLISHED BY

Join the Chamber on Social Media

The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

There is no doubt that the coronavirus is creating challenges for all of us, both personally and professionally. I hope that you, your family, friends and coworkers are remaining safe and healthy in these times of uncertainty.

I have had numerous calls from many of my clients in the workplace, wondering what they can do in these most unusual times.

My first piece of advice is to look at the flip side of the situation and remember, prior to the pandemic, unemployment was at an all-time low. I believe that manufacturing jobs will eventually recover and will once again, in time, boost the economy. I look forward to seeing a town such as Rockford booming again when this happens.

So, instead of focusing on something we cannot control, (the pandemic) focus on what you can develop to ensure a promising future. Choose to prioritize positive actions that will improve your personal well-being. A solid foundation will be the building blocks to your success.

Next, how many of you have various “I’ll get to that” items on the back burner that you still have not completed? This is the time to get those items done on a personal and business level. I can name a few tasks that we all seem to fall behind on and sometimes even avoid.

Those ‘Back Burner’ Items Here are some suggested links that may help to motivate and inspire new best practices at home and work.

1. Clean up and organize your in-box Continued on page 4

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES Salesforce Care Small Business Grant. Salesforce and Ureeka invite eligible small businesses to apply for a $10,000 grant for help through the COVID-19 outbreak. The application is in two phases. Visit grants.ureeka.biz/salesforce to start a phase 1 application.

Facebook Small Business Grants Program. Facebook is offering cash grants and ad credits to help up to 30,000 eligible small business partners in more than 30 countries. Visit www.facebook.com/ business/boost/grants.

Betterfin Launches ReadyRelief to Assist in Securing Stimulus Funds. Betterfin has launched a platform to help companies impacted by COVID-19 apply for and secure fiscal stimulus funds as quickly as possible.

ReadyRelief™ is a free, TurboTaxlike platform at www.betterfin.com/ blog/readyrelief.

Small Business Resiliency Guide. The SBDC, with the support of Grow with Google, has launched a national Small Business Resiliency Guide. Visit americassbdc.org/ protect-your-business.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! CHAMBER

Golf Classic

MONDAY, AUGUST 31 Rockford Country Club For more information, see page 22 SPONSORED BY

NEW TESTING SITE AT UIC CAMPUS A new drive-through COVID-19 Community Based Triage, Testing and Transfer Site opened at the UIC Health Sciences Campus Rockford, 1601 Parkview Ave. The site assesses patients with symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough and shortness of breath, and determines if they need testing, self-quarantine, medical follow-up or immediate transfer to a hospital.

Medical tents on the campus will allow about 500 patients a day to be evaluated.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! It will be open seven days a week, CHAMBER 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until further notice.

The testing involves a self-nasal MAY 18 swab —MONDAY, most effective in patients Rockford ItCountry with symptoms. does notClub detect if For more information, see page 23 someone previously had COVID-19.

SPONSORED BY Patients need to have symptoms to be tested.

Golf Classic

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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

BROOKINGS INSTITUTION / APRIL 28, 2020

Our employment system has failed low-wage workers: Surging unemployment claims show that our labor market, built for efficiency, can crumble in times of crisis at huge human and economic costs. The pandemic has exposed a weak point in the country’s economy: the precarity of low-wage workers. Many have adapted to unimaginable circumstances, risking their own well-being, implementing public health protocols, and keeping the essential bits of the economy, like access to food, running.

A lack of labor market protections exacerbates these workers’ insecurity and leaves the whole system fragile. Fiftythree million Americans, 44 percent of the labor force, earn low wages. In the best of times, these workers cycle more frequently from one job to the next without wage advancement. This lack of job stability causes financial volatility for households even when the economy is growing.

Workers’ tenuous connection to the labor market is reflected not only in the low wages they earn, but in the safety net available to them. We find that workers who earn low wages and do not have employer-sponsored health care account for 22 percent or 32 million of the country’s workforce.

In a crisis, these workers are the least attached to their employer and thus the

most likely to be laid off or have their hours reduced. And nearly 40 percent of them, 12.3 million individuals, work in the hospitality and retail sectors, the two sectors most immediately impacted

by COVID-19-related layoffs (Figure 1). Not surprisingly, the United States is experiencing more job losses due to social distancing measures than other high-income countries.

Since the 1970s, low-wage jobs as a percent of total employment in the U.S. have increased while middle-wage jobs have declined, in part due to the loss of certain industries and profound lack of consistent education that would allow workers to learn job skills for the future.

Many other high-income countries experienced the same dislocation of industries over this period, but their investments in education and employment support helped displaced workers and newcomers to the workforce adapt.

In addition, the poor quality of lowwage employment leads to a cycle of attrition and replacement that drives the labor market toward a less-thanoptimal equilibrium with neither firms nor workers incented to invest in the job. This takes a steep toll on workers’ skills and opportunities for training: Low wage earners have little incentive

How can we rebuild?

Many vulnerable workers are concentrated in hospitality and retail sectors. to spend scarce time and hard-earned money building skills; meanwhile, employers, though frequently lamenting skills gaps, have little incentive to train workers who they expect to leave. The labor market arrives at a “low skill equilibrium.”

bare a system in need of a reboot. As policymakers turn their focus from public health to the labor market, they can view the crisis as an opportunity to rebuild a more robust and responsive employment system for both workers and companies.

A Modern Benefits System

Political Leaders and COVID-19 made explicit the CEOs Should Not consequences of this less-than-optimal Miss this Calling equilibrium and broader worker precarity that is exposing the country to systemic risk. The pandemic is leaving economic disaster in its wake and laying

A robust economic recovery hinges on at least two policy agendas: expanding unemployment insurance to Continued on page 4

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

SENSE OF ORDER Continued from front page

A Sense of Control So, what have I learned so far into this pandemic about myself, the businesses and the world around me?

I think it is natural in the midst of an unknown fear to want control. We are thrust into a perpetual fight or flight cycle and a sense of control would help us. But, how do we attain this control?

Some by hoarding toilet paper and others by denying anything is going on and ignoring the social distancing guidelines.

We can keep this extreme response going for only a few weeks, but this is going to last much longer. Similar to if we are running a mile. We can keep a fast pace and just focus on getting the

May 2020

of our lives. Inviting us to be the hero

The cycle of order, disorder and reorder should

THE VOICE Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190 Rockford, IL 61101

of our own story.

At this point in the COVID-19

sound familiar because it is template for every great

pandemic, we are individually and

story and movie.

collectively in the disorder stage. I

run over with as quickly as possible, but when you are running a marathon, you have to find your pace.

Order … Disorder … Reorder As I am trying to find my pace in these dark times, I find solace in the wisdom of Joseph Campbell’s work on the concept of The Hero’s Journey.

In a simplified explanation, Campbell illustrates there are three phases to the journey, and it is important to note that it goes in a circular direction not a linear direction.

We start in order, with whatever

LET YOUR Voice BE HEARD The Rockford Chamber of Commerce welcomes and encourages member submissions for The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community.

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication date. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to:

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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.

am consistently reminding myself to our normal has been for us. But, in follow the structure of my self-care plan this normal we are restless or uneasy. of daily exercise, meditation, being We know there needs to be a change outside, being present with my loved or there is a better way to do life, but ones in my house, connecting digitally we are reluctant to change the status quo due to fear of the unknown. We with others outside of the house and either choose or are thrust into the seeking the opportunities for growth in the stillness. next stage, disorder.

In this stage, it is where the scary I invite you to face your doubts and work is done. We are forced to face fears, too. Be open to the opportunities challenges internally and externally that are waiting for you in these that we have been avoiding. But, we obstacles; opportunities for innovation, have access to allies, and guides will collaboration and greater kindness appear. During this stage, we have the to ourselves and others. Embrace the opportunity to fight for our true selves stillness and move toward the Light and to live the life we were designed to live. As we wrestle with our fears that lies within each of us. Together we head on, we realize a greater gift will create a new reorder to our lives.

Choose to be a Light in the and strength lies within us than we previously knew. darkness. v The final stage is taking what we have learned in the darkness and creating the Kevin Polky is founder & new normal. The cycle of president of kp counseling. order, disorder and reorder should sound familiar The views expressed are those of because it is a template Polky’s and do not necessarily for every great story and KEVIN POLKY represent those of the Rockford movie. It speaks so deeply kp counseling Chamber of Commerce. to us because it is the story

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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

HOW TO REBUILD Continued from page 2

protect workers through this and future shocks, and efficiently facilitating their reemployment. If in doing so companies and policymakers also raise the skill equilibrium and make work less precarious, the country will emerge more resilient.

Not surprisingly, the United States is experiencing more job losses due to social distancing measures than other high-income countries.

With respect to the first policy agenda, the federal government has taken steps that, though unprecedented in magnitude, could go further. Some of the expansions to unemployment insurance are set to end July 31, an arbitrary expiration date that will most likely not give sufficient time for people to get back to their jobs.

In contrast, in other high-income countries such as Germany, employees and employers have for decades made significantly larger mandatory contributions to unemployment funds that are ring fenced and provide a certain minimum wage replacement for a certain time in between jobs.

They also have a fund that companies can draw on to adapt to downturns by reducing workers’ hours without greatly reducing their pay or benefits.

Importantly, these programs benefit companies by reducing their costs of hiring and training new employees.

With private sector buy-in, policymakers in the U.S. can act now to put in place similar programs that, with funding over time, can prevent today’s tragedy in the future: 20 percent or more of U.S. workers losing their jobs and lining up at food banks.

When we turn to recovery and the second policy agenda — facilitating reemployment — portable benefits are another kind of modern scheme that can be adapted to assist workers’ economic mobility through training and career navigation. Portable benefits involve individual accounts to help workers accrue and access benefits even as they transition from one employer to the next, important especially for gig and contract workers who make up an increasing share of the labor force. The crux of these schemes is shared investment by workers, employers, and the state.

For example, Austria’s “backpack” model offers private sector workers portable severance pay, financed by

employers who contribute a percentage of employees’ monthly pay to a fund that workers carry as they progress through their careers (like a backpack) and can redeem if they are laid off.

Other examples include Singapore’s Skills Future credit system and France’s recent implementation of “personal training accounts.”

The focus on training will become increasingly important in recovery because the jobs available will likely look very different. Coronavirus is pouring jet fuel on top of a labor market already experiencing rapid technologydriven change. Public health measures

Physicians Immediate Care now offering

rapid COVID-19 testing at 34 Illinois locations

Physicians Immediate Care is expanding its rapid COVID-19 testing capabilities to 34 Illinois locations. Any patient with COVID-19 symptoms now is eligible to receive the rapid test -- healthcare workers, first responders or exposed patients deemed at risk by providers can get testing with or without symptoms. All patients must have a physical examination in person using the Curbside Care program to assess severity prior to eligibility.

Physicians Immediate Care is the first urgent care in Illinois to deploy Abbott’s breakthrough rapid COVID-19 test, which can deliver positive results in as little as five minutes.

For more information visit www.visitphysicians.com.

Rockford and Nearby Area Clinics Curbside Testing Belvidere

1663 Belvidere Rd.

8-4:30 M-F

DeKalb-Sycamore

2496 DeKalb

8-6 M-F, 8-2 SS

sectors are reassessing the costs and

Dixon

1672-1684 S. Galena Ave.

8-4:30 M-F

benefits of automation versus manual

Freeport

1009 Fairway

8-4:30 M-F

labor, and companies are building core-

Loves Park

1000 E. Riverside

8-4:30 M-F

Machesney Park

11475 N. 2nd

8-4:30 M-F

Rockford East State Street

6595 E. State St.

8-4:30 M-F

Rockford South Alpine

3475 S. Alpine Rd.

8-6 M-F, 8-2 SS

are accelerating trends away from brick and mortar to online. Meanwhile, entire

competency in lines of business that can be conducted remotely, further isolating the 42 million people without access to high speed internet.

No doubt there will be a high price tag attached to the programs described above. But a quality system, built over time with contributions from everyone, would have likely cost far less than the giant CARES package and additional stimulus packages likely to come, not to mention the costs of unemployment to firms—the lost know-how and ensuing hiring costs—and the costs of unemployment to broader society— increased

crime

and

diminished

community health.

There is an imperative but also an opportunity to emerge from this economic shock with a more decent labor market—one that assures living wages, safe work environments, a net that catches all, and a springboard that gets people back on their feet.

Companies would win here too. But without a clear first-mover advantage, improving the equilibrium demands concerted policy action. We can invest to build a digitally savvy, surefooted workforce for the future, or risk furthering the gap between low-, middle-, and high-wage workers, ultimately missing the opportunity for a more resilient society. v Source: Brookings Institution: Martina Hund-Mejean,

Board

Chair-Mastercard

Impact Fund and Marcela Escobari, Senior Fellow – Global Economy and Development.

BOUNCE BACK Continued from front page

For example, if you work in an office setting, consider updating your skills on Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook). Pick one, or why not all!

4. If you run your own business, this is the time to review your current business plan and see what you may need to improve or change. For example, if you are not part of the social media movement, you need to get on board!

Social media marketing is powerful and will not only increase your presence with your current customer base, but will entice new customers to inquire about your services. Big tech companies like Go Daddy are now offering free assistance to small businesses to help them adapt during these challenging times. Visit www.godaddy.com/openwe-stand.

I hope some of these suggestions are helpful to you. Let us start preparing for the bounce back as we experience a “pause” in business and in family life. v

that is overflowing with emails! People underestimate how much easier it is to find things in your inbox once you create an organized system allowing documents to be found immediately.

As an example, no matter what email provider you use, “11-tips-for-managingemail-more-efficiently” at www.pcmag. com/news (PC magazine) was the perfect solution to email clutter.

2. Did you know that most people wait until the last minute before updating their resume for a new job opportunity? Resumes should always be a work in progress so you can document new responsibilities or outline new accomplishments you achieved in your current role. There are so many business resources available that would be happy to assist you with everything from brushing up your resume to providing coaching services while you seek new job opportunities.

3. Regardless if you are working or not, this is the time to improve any skills you use on a regular basis at work. There are so many MARTI DAVIS free tutorials on YouTube Higher Talent Group — your choices are endless!

Marti Davis is founder of the Higher Talent Group.

You can reach her at marti@ highertalentgroup.com or www.

HigherTalentGroup.com.

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

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

GUEST COLUMNIST

PAUL BRANDT Rockford Christian Schools

When guiding values are

Lesson learned covered in steel dust; while seated on a skid of wire

clear, we might not always

How do your values inform your actions and decisions?

behave.

As a school decision-maker, the state of on-campus instruction was an intense focus of my attention.

Rumors abounded. On a Tuesday, it was reported that the governor would announce a two-week extension on Wednesday. That Wednesday, it was shared with great confidence that on Thursday he would extend through the end of the year. Then, on Thursday, it was learned that an “inside source” reported the governor’s decision to extend closure for one week.

None were correct.

Which leads me to the question: Who deserves your attention?

In 1970s in Peoria, Illinois, a few weeks of my summer college break were invested as a short-term hire to clean the Keystone Steel and Wire Foundry during its annual shut-down.

The experience generated two pivotal decisions. First, that taste of blue-collar labor convinced me to return to college that fall. Second, deep conversations with a fellow laborer led me to propose

to Susan, who is my wife of 43 years.

He was much older than me and new to a town where, like Rockford, it seemed everyone was connected with everyone. During breaks we found ourselves outdoors sharing uncomfortable seats on a skid of wire.

I chose that shaded spot because I could not handle the cloud of cigarette smoke in the lunchroom. He was there because his race was not welcomed inside.

Our talks shifted from generalities to personal experiences and then to talk of this life and even of the next. His life experiences outside central Illinois opened my eyes. His perspectives gained from injustice shocked me.

His confidence in seeking and following the will of God impressed me. His positive spirit was infectious.

I was profoundly affected and, with his smiling encouragement, was led to personal reflection and persistent prayer on the matter of my life path.

With overalls covered in steel dust

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and seat coated with wire rust, that summer I decided to ask for Susan’s hand in marriage.

Lessons learned on a pile of wire have been repeatedly applied.

Know What Guides You Service? Profit? Personal benefit?

The greater good? Fame? When guiding values are clear, we might not always behave as we ought, but we know how we ought to behave. A childhood foundation in Christianity as faith-inaction led me as a young adult to see beyond myself and to look to God for meaning and direction. My break-mate’s gentle, mature guidance helped me to think with clarity guided by what is truly valuable.

Put Those Guiding Values to Work Does your advisor or mentor or consultant or news source hold and demonstrate values like those guiding you? Conversations beneath an overhead

behave as we ought, but we know how we ought to

crane revealed my new friend’s Christian faith and his commitment to seeking and then following God’s will for his life.

It was learned that injustice would not defeat him. His persistent defiance of mistreatment put into practice, “Be angry but do not sin …” (Ephesians 4:26) He put faith into action by speaking truth to me and to those who rejected him in the workplace so our eyes and hearts could be opened to a better, broader community.

He was someone to honor. He was worthy of my attention.

First knowing, and then intentionally being guided by our values, helps to get past confident lies, unfair generalities and sweet-sounding rumors to trusted sources for positive, lasting benefit … maybe for decades to come.

Paul Brandt is superintendent of Rockford Christian Schools.

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

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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

DR. EHREN JARRETT Superintendent RPS 205

It takes a village to travel the road to eLearning Emerging from two viruses stronger than ever

Our school year began with a virus that shut down our technology, only to have another kind of virus shut down our schools just six months later.

The global pandemic has presented extraordinary challenges to the Rockford Public Schools. The situation has demanded learning — and doing — at record scale.

It has demanded 2,000 teachers learn the tools of remote education — some of them for the first time. It has demanded the district survey families of 20,000 of our students in grades 3 to 12 to determine whether they had devices and WiFi at home. It has demanded our staff distribute 15,000 Chromebooks, 2,000 grab-and-go learning packets and 100,000 meals to our students who needed them.

And that was just in the first few weeks.

Most of us came into this situation without a skill set in logistics. Our teachers didn’t become teachers because they were enamored of technology. But we are meeting the challenge. We talk a lot in education about job-embedded learning. Since mid-March, we have had very intensive job-embedded learning for our teachers, students and staff.

Whether it’s a grandmother learning to navigate RPS 205’s remote learning website or it’s a teacher learning to create his or her own website landing page, I am consistently proud people are stepping in and learning new skills that made them uncomfortable at first.

I am very impressed with what we have built in a very short time.

The Road to eLearning What we don’t have — at least not yet — is a true eLearning model, which has a defined schedule and daily minimum hours of instruction. What I promise we will do is continue to innovate and meet challenges. Those challenges include fulfilling our obligation to special education students and those with social-emotional needs. Their needs don’t stop when the face-to-face interaction does.

We didn’t do any of this alone.

After identifying more than 1,200

families without access to WiFi in their homes, we reached out to Comcast, state Rep. Maurice West and Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. We consulted with the Winnebago County Geographic Information System, or WinGIS, to identify gaps in internet coverage. About 30 hours later, we were able to create separate maps to locate all our students in grades 3 to 12, those we haven’t heard from regarding their access to technology and those who were unable to pick up their devices.

The digital divide is real, and we are learning more about how to close it than before we had to distribute 15,000 Chromebooks.

Nonprofit partners, including the Boys and Girls Club, the United Way of Rock River Valley and CityFirst, also offered invaluable help distributing school supplies and other needed services.

We would be remiss, too, if we didn’t mention other school districts that provided excellent models of at-home learning in record time. To create our plan, we borrowed from the examples of the Hononegah and Belvidere school districts, Elgin U-46 and the Chicago Public Schools.

The Silver Lining We will emerge from this pandemic with a much stronger sense of how we can meet the learning needs of our students remotely.

Our school year began with a virus that shut down our technology, only to have another kind of virus shut down our schools just six months later. We have tighter security in information technology as a result of last fall’s challenges.

I am confident we will have a stronger foundation in remote learning because of the coronavirus. The silver lining might even be the end of snow days. We did not choose this massive undertaking, but our district and our students will be better for it.

Dr. Ehren Jarrett is superintendent of Rockford Public Schools.

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

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

 Destination

ILLINOIS, USA

ADDING WEALTH TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY BY GROWING TOURISM

JOHN GROH Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

RACVB here to help Real. United.

Rockford.

Connections, resources to assist the heartbeat of our community Every day, I’m encouraged and inspired by our region’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, even as we face unprecedented challenges that impact each of us personally and all of us together on so many fronts.

Compassion and generosity.

Creativity and innovation. Resilience and adaptability.

Expertise and professionalism. Determination and persistence. Vision and optimism. These traits in our region’s DNA will help us survive. Yes, the strengths we have relied on during hard times in the past will help us plant our feet firmly on the other side of this crisis and step forward together.

Our community’s top priority remains the safety, health and well-being of our residents and visitors. However, we also look ahead to and are preparing for recovery. As the region’s Destination Management Organization (DMO), we are connected to every sector of our community, and we keenly feel our responsibility to be a resource to our many partners and the community in general.

According to the latest data, visitors to Winnebago County helped put 3,039 local people to work, and they spent $392 million while visiting our region -generating more than $6.8 million in local tax receipts that support vital municipal services. So, the economic impact of tourism is great, and we must do all we can to emerge from this downturn as quickly as possible.

For this reason over the past six weeks we have launched several initiatives that allow us to be a clearinghouse for information useful to our community, while continuing the forward-focused work that will position our community to shine when we are, once again, ready to welcome conferences, tournaments and tourists.

Initiative 1. Connect with local businesses and organizations -- the heartbeat of this region Our team has called more than 500 local tourism-dependent businesses and organizations to share resources, check in and see how we can be of service.

We also started a COVID-19 Facebook group to be a resource to the tourism industry. Our focus is on the changes to strategy and tactics necessary during social distancing and quarantine. This group is a safe sounding board for ideas, questions and repository of factual

information on COVID-19 and its effects on our industry.

Initiative 2. Provide timely resources for community members and businesses We want to keep all of our local partners and residents informed by monitoring updates related to the pandemic and passing along relevant information via e-blasts, across GoRockford social channels and our online Resource Center at www.gorockford.com/resource-center.

The homepage is the jumping-off point to services, support and information.

In addition to information from our health industry, categories include: LunchChat. A new RACVB webinar resource featuring real-time relevant topics by community and industry experts on Tuesdays and Thursdays over the lunch hour.

Businesses. Financial resources and support for area businesses that are struggling due to the virus. Information on unemployment benefits. Government orders and press conference information.

Contact information for elected officials.

Food & Beverage. Ways our local restaurants are adapting to change with an up-to-date list of bars and restaurants that are offering curbside pickup or to-go service.

Hotels. Resources available to help area hotels that have been negatively impacted by declining occupancy and demand due to reduced travel.

Interactive. Stay-at-home activities for the whole family, including recipes, activities for children and virtual tours of local attractions and more.

Sites & Attractions. A home for online activities and tours presented by some of our area attractions and museums to fulfill their missions and serve the public.

Simply put, RACVB is here to help our community members and businesses.

We understand and believe that what is good for our community, is good for a visitor. Our strengths as a region and as individuals will see us through this difficult time, as they always have. Until then, please continue to stay safe and healthy.

John Groh is president/CEO of Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit www. gorockford.com.

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

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SPECIAL SECTION: IT Going — Security Local & Fraud Prevention

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May

2020

GUEST COLUMNIST Best practices to maintain

JEFF COBB Comcast Business

cybersecurity from anywhere

One of the biggest adjustments many companies have had to make is managing a remote workforce.

Unfortunately, this major rise in remote workers is creating more opportunities for cybercriminals. Remote workers have fewer security measures on their home networks than they would likely have in the office. IT staff might be running skeleton crews and don’t have the same level of visibility into what employees are doing and threats to the network. And with more time spent online, everyone is more susceptible to social engineering tactics associated with phishing attempts.

Phishing attempts on businesses are on the rise. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the anxiety with social engineering, sending spoof emails, either purporting to come from internal stakeholders with information about workplace changes or coronavirus response efforts, or external organizations like the WHO with news or information about COVID-19.

On average, two-thirds of small businesses have experienced some sort of hacking attempt. But good cyber hygiene habits can help prevent them from causing damage. Here are a few strategies to stay secure.

Educate Your Team Education is key to addressing the human element of cybersecurity. Raising user awareness of cyber dangers should be a priority for all businesses.

Cybersecurity training is most effective as an ongoing effort, ideally combining in-person sessions, online courses and awareness campaigns with email reminders and posters. Clearly, in the current environment, e-mail and online meetings are the only avenues available.

Topics should include: ■■ Identify and avoid suspicious emails. This will help users avoid phishing attempts with URLs or attachments programmed to download malware into your network.

■■ Set and enforce strong password policies. Teach users to come up with strong passwords or passphrases, enforce policies to change passwords frequently and prohibit password sharing.

■■ Set browsers to warn users when visiting a site that has been flagged as containing malware.

Enact Common Sense Policies Technology alone cannot guarantee the security of a company’s data. User education must be supported by common sense policies. If you train users and do nothing to enforce security rules, chances are users will fall back on bad habits that can lead to a breach.

Security policies are multidimensional.

Password policies are a good starting point, but businesses also need to address who gets access to which systems.

Employees should be granted permission only to those systems they need to do their jobs. Businesses also need rules on whether employees are allowed to use their own mobile devices for work (BYOD). If so, those devices need to be monitored, secured with endpoint protection, encryption and — in case of loss or theft — wipe capability.

Set a Strategy End users are often the weak points that enable cybersecurity breaches, but educating your employees is only part of the battle. If you know your enemies, you have a better chance to defeat them. In addition to user education, here are some other essential components of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that will grow with you: Implement advanced tools: Businesses need a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity and should consider implementing a combination of tools that includes an antivirus program, firewall and network security solutions that proactively protect all devices connected to your network.

Invest in expertise: It’s hard to have a full grasp of cybersecurity without expert help. For smaller companies, working with a managed security services provider (MSSP) is the best bet, though even businesses with in-house experts can benefit from tapping a provider.

Secure mobile devices: As computing becomes more mobile and cloud-based, companies must include mobile devices in their security strategies or risk leaving a door open to cyberattackers.

■■ Block downloads from suspicious or unsanctioned sources.

Jeff Cobb is regional vice president of Comcast

■■ Prohibit users from sharing companyowned laptops and mobile devices.

community.

■■ Teach users not to access sensitive company data through public WiFi networks.

The views expressed are those of Cobb’s and do

Business.

Visit

cbcommunity.comcast.com/

not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

SPECIAL SECTION: IT — Security & Fraud Prevention

GUEST COLUMNIST

MICHAEL K. BROSKI Entré Computer Solutions

Considerations for some new office norms Security in the age of remote workers, virtual meetings

While Entré has encouraged its own remote work force for years, many of the organizations that we support were not prepared prior to the lockdown. My Entré teammates worked around the clock for the first week to get clients up and running and functioning as if they were in the office. Our goal was to make sure that our clients did not have to lay off or furlough any employees because they did not have the technology in place to accommodate a remote workforce.

I believe that the new business norm will be a hybrid working environment of both in-house and remote workers.

Companies that we work with acknowledge that their remote workforce is as productive as they were before when working at the office.

With this thought, security remains Job One for your IT staff. I promise that the HACKERS do not care about the virus and will exploit poor planning.

Precautions that were considered prior to the lockdown need to be factored in as we go forward. Password management, firewall, VPN access, multifactor authentication, safe email practices, intrusion detection, wireless connections and more must all be part of your overall security equation.

Additionally, some organizations discovered that they did not have enough bandwidth to handle their remote workers.

In addition, issues such as corporate phone systems, call routing, faxing and copying, must all be considered when a remote workforce is considered and commissioned.

The remote workforce is an extension of your in-house workers.

Consider These Things The following considerations should be understood by both your IT staff and all your employees.

■■ Use strong passwords at least 12 characters long that include at least one capital letter and one special character. &EntreMachesney would be an example.

■■ Virus pattern files should be updated daily.

■■ Do NOT open emails from people you don’t know. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

■■ An industry standard firewall should be implemented at the corporate office.

■■ Intrusion considered.

detection

should

be

New Norm: The Virtual Meeting Virtual meetings have become the norm and will continue to be prevalent even after we return to “normal.” We have all become better and more productive. Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Skype are products that are household names now.

Currently, I have between four and six virtual meetings a day with clients. I have another four to six meetings daily with my Entré team.

Dos and Don’ts for remote meetings.

■■ Send out an invite and an agenda prior to the meeting.

■■ Schedule meetings for the “right” people. Not everyone needs to be at every meeting.

■■ Logon early and make sure your technology works.

■■ Consider lighting and background.

■■ Make sure your remote workers have decent audio-visual equipment.

■■ All computers should be muted unless talking.

■■ Meetings are much more productive if video is utilized, it helps avoid distractions.

■■ Close programs that are not pertinent to the meeting.

■■ No eating and dress professionally.

■■ Be attentive to everyone talking and try to make the meeting as productive as possible. Act as if you were having a faceto-face meeting.

■■ Don’t use the same passwords for multiple sites. One login for your corporate accounts and separate logins for other accounts.

As I said, I believe the virtual meeting and remote work force will be the new norm for years to come. With that said, we will always need to be vigilant and proactive with our security practices, and we will always need to adjust.

■■ Multifactor authentication (MFA) should be implemented with as many programs as possible. Financial institutions have mandated MFA.

Michael K. Broski is president of Entré Computer Solutions in Machesney Park and Beloit.

■■ VPN access should be implemented, and an MFA authenticator implemented such as DUO.

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

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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

GUEST COLUMNIST

SCOTT EGE Ege WorkSmart Solutions, PC

Office ergonomics tips for stay-at-home workers Don’t let that ache become a pain!

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world. The Stay at Home order has resulted in a significantly higher percentage of people working solely from home for the first time.

Dining room tables are now used as desks. Kitchen stools have been transformed into “office” chairs. Use of ipads, mobile devices and laptops have increased dramatically to accommodate virtual meetings.

Not physically “leaving work” wanes on a person’s mental health – let alone not having a break from family members (no matter how much you love them!).

This new “home office” environment has presented many challenges. As a physical therapist, I hear about people who are feeling the “aches and pains” of this change in their bodies. And let’s face it, now is not the best time to see the doctor for these types of symptoms.

Posture is EVERYTHING!

at eye level and at arm’s length away.

Bifocal users should lower the monitor height 4 to 6 inches.

■ A larger-sized monitor screen (greater than 19 inches) is recommended.

■ Reduce eye strain by applying the 20-20-20 rule: Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes by looking at things at least 20 feet away.

■ Avoid glare on your monitor screen.

Position your monitor so that windows run alongside the workstation rather than in front of or behind the screen.

Use windows shades/blinds to diffuse the light.

Mouse & Keyboard ■ Place your mouse within easy reach and on the same surface as your keyboard.

■ Use keyboard shortcuts to reduce extended mouse use.

Focus on steps that move you toward a path of improved “musculoskeletal health.” Studies show that more than 90 percent of people demonstrated improved posture when they had simple reminders about their posture while working. Setting up a “comfortable” space at home that is safe and productive can be challenging. Here are a few simple tips to promote good posture.

■ Switch hands to operate the mouse

Sit, Stand, MOVE

■ Keep clutter away from your feet.

Research shows that the ideal pattern for 30 minutes of work activity is a combination of 20 minutes sitting in neutral postures, eight minutes standing in neutral postures and two minutes of movement/stretching.

■ Use a task light to see documents better.

Chair Posture ■ Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor or supported with a footrest (a stack of books under your feet works great!).

■ Keep your shoulders by your side, hands at or below elbow level, wrists straight, lower back supported against the back rest of the chair, hips and knees bent at 90 degrees.

■ Keep your CHIN UP – avoid bending your head and neck downward.

■ Place a small pillow or a rolled-up towel across your lower back.

■ Support the weight of your arms with arm rests, the desk surface, pillows, or something similar.

Monitor Positioning ■ The top of your monitor should be

General Work Area ■ Avoid placing documents flat on a surface. Use a document holder or angle paper documents toward you.

Place documents so they are in line with you and the monitor.

■ Use a headset, earbuds or the speaker when on the phone.

■ Prop up your mobile devices or use a stand.

■ Use voice-to-text features on your computer and mobile devices.

Laptop Users ■ Position the top of your screen at eye level using a stack of books to raise your monitor height ■ Use an external keyboard and mouse. It’s worth the $50!

■ Use a larger monitor screen (greater than 19 inch is recommended), and your laptop as a second monitor screen.

Exercise!

■ Practice eight minutes of exercise a day. Movement creates blood flow and brings nutrients to your bones and joints.

improve

cardiovascular

endurance,

reduce blood pressure and lower weight.

■ STRETCH!

■ Exercise reduces stress and is good

■ Do Yoga.

for your mental health!

■ Take a walk! Walking just 30 minutes a day, three times a week has shown to

Scott Ege, PT, MS, is a physical therapist

& ergonomics consultant at Ege WorkSmart Solutions, PC. Contact him at scott@ egesolutions.com.

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

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

GUEST COLUMNIST

PATTI THAYER Thayer, Inc.

Despite the crisis, now is the right time for new energy technology

During the COVID-19 crisis, many of us have seen photos of cities that showed markedly improved air quality and visibility as quarantine efforts caused less energy to be used. With increased use of renewable energy and equipment that uses less power overall, that could be our everyday reality.

But these new technologies don’t just help the environment, they help your bottom line. Lighting alone can account for as much as 40 percent of the electricity use at the average business; if an array of typical 4 ft office lights is replaced by the LED equivalent, the cost of that energy is reduced by 50-75 percent while producing the same amount of light or better (e.g. 50 percent energy reduction for a lamp retrofit, and up to 75 percent for an integrated retrofit or new fixture).

Despite the difficulties created by the COVID-19 crisis, 2020 is the best time to adopt new energy technologies. Let’s review some guidelines to make your project more successful.

Act Soon For Incentives There’s a truism in business: “The best time to start was yesterday, the second-best time is right now.” Beginning today means the incentives and rebates that utilities and government bodies provide will start paying you back on your investment that much earlier.

For example, ComEd offers incentives which can range from 30 to 70 percent of the cost of the project.

The 179D Tax credit, which awards sharp reductions in energy use in commercial buildings, can amount from $0.60 to $1.80 per square foot, and some products may be eligible for financial assistance from the Illinois Finance Authority.

Find a company that has experience in this field and can help by assessing and calculating what incentives fit your situation best and offer assistance in applying for them.

Act Soon To Begin Saving Every week that you use an outdated technology is another week you lose out on a broad range of savings. One local example: Benson Stone replaced all of their 120-watt and 90-watt par 38 lamps to 17-watt LED lamps. The owner originally projected a payback in two years.

At the end of one year, the owner realized he had additional energy savings by not having to lower his air conditioner, and he had ended up with a one-year payback. He is not only saving on electricity, but also on cooling, because

LEDs produce little heat. Maintenance and replacement costs are lower, because LEDs last longer than traditional bulbs.

Act Soon For Your Employees There are major benefits to your workforce when you choose updated lighting and lighting controls. According to a study by the American Society of Interior Designers, 30 percent of employees report headaches related to eye strain. Workers suffering from eye strain also make more mistakes in their work.

Technology that allows you to produce more light in a given space for the same cost makes this problem much easier to eliminate.

Studies also show that bright light — especially bluish hues that match natural sunlight — produce increased alertness which will potentially help employees have a better night sleep. Today’s advanced lighting controls make it possible for your space to adapt to the outdoor environment, allowing you to deliver bright light at an even lower cost. Sensors can increase the artificial lighting when conditions outside are dim and decrease it when the sun is bright. This lowers costs on bright days, but more importantly, it increases the feeling of exposure to natural light, and thereby increases employee productivity and morale.

Revisit Your Budget, Plugging In Solid Estimates Once you’ve spoken with a knowledgeable lighting provider about your goals and options, you’ll have reliable numbers you can plug into your budget.

These will include at least the following: ■ Upfront capital financing costs

required

and/or

■ Rebates you can expect ■ Minimized maintenance costs for at least 5 years ■ Estimated monthly electric bills before and after installation This benefit for your budgeting process is just one more reason to involve a knowledgeable adviser early. Creating realistic numbers for a system install can be difficult without the help of an expert.

Go through these steps, and soon you’ll be enjoying the benefits of the latest technology in your business!

Patti Thayer is president and owner of Thayer Lighting, Inc., a solution-oriented lighting company.

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

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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

GUEST COLUMNIST Finding opportunity in uncertain times DR. MANDOLEN MULL Puri School of Business

A shorter path to that coveted degree

When I moved to Rockford in the summer of 2018, I found myself comparing the community to the place I had just left: Waco, Texas. What I discovered was a city of welcoming and good-hearted people, businesses that had been operating for generations, a downtown area being revitalized and a workforce raised on a good, strong, work ethic. I also recognized something valuable: opportunity.

Just as I had observed in Waco, Rockford comprises a population of people who want to advance their careers but need to earn a college degree. A degree can open doors to the next promotion and to career-long success.

For many people, a college degree is the “hammer” that breaks through the glass ceiling. In Waco, we created a degree program that awarded college credit for on-the-job training and changed lives as well as the community. I decided to build that here in Rockford.

Education for Current Employees That was the inspiration for Rockford University’s Bachelor of Science in Management Studies and Bachelor of Science in Accounting Studies, which allow Rockfordians the opportunity to apply their documented work training (Six Sigma, SHRM, company-sponsored leadership training, continuing education, etc.) as college credit. Classes are all taught by faculty with corporate experience, so students gain tangible business knowledge and tools that they can immediately apply to their work environments. Experienced workers no longer have to “start at the beginning” on

their journey toward a bachelor’s degree.

This benefits employers because Rockford University enhances the value of the work training and certifications they are providing for employees.

Additionally, the degrees allow students to transfer in prior college coursework, which shortens the path to the degree.

Both can be completed online, during evening sessions, or a combination of both formats. Tuition even includes an evening meal so students don’t have to rush out of their workplace to sit in a drive-through line.

As a professor and chair of the Puri School of Business at Rockford University, my role is to provide opportunity for our region’s workforce. Our mission at Rockford University is to change people’s lives for the rest of their lives.

As an employer working to enrich the region’s economy, you deserve educational partners who are equally committed to Rockford. Your employees — our friends, family members and neighbors — deserve to be inspired by who they can become, both now and in the future. That is my personal mission here in Rockford, Illinois (which has the greenest grass I have ever seen outside of my homeland of Ireland). I am inspired by the people, the community, and the opportunity here, and I look forward to partnering with you and your employees.

Dr. Mandolen Mull is chair of Puri School of Business at Rockford University.

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

Bring some green joy to our world Master gardener helpline open for your gardening questions

All of this disruption in our daily activities hasn’t stopped the sun from shining, the April rains from pouring or the daffodils and crocus from blooming. With this, residents are turning their thoughts to their lawns, planters and flower beds, and in the nick of time, greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries have been added to the list of essential businesses in Illinois.

As it does every year, the University of Illinois Extension has opened its Master Gardener helpline, staffed with trained Master Gardeners, to offer research-based information on residents’ gardening issues.

Submit your questions – everything from trees, shrubs, perennials, insects or lawns – to go.illinois.edu/MGHelpline or leave a message at 815-986-4357. Also visit go.illinois.edu/jsw for upcoming webinars on garden topics, fact pages on garden-related topics, recorded webinars and more.

IMAGE BY KATE MANGOSTAR.

ROCKFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Leadership Development

CENTER FOR

CAITLIN PUSATERI Rockford Chamber

A subtle look at transformation

I ate a lot of chocolate in March.

Well, some of it was chocolate … some of what I ate was gooey, saucey pizza or delightfully salty caramels or smooth, rich ice cream. The start of April signaled a fresh beginning like a deep breath after a long day. But it also signaled the start of socially acceptable Easter candy. And, by sociallyacceptable, I mean I was better able to justify to my husband, dog and toddler why chocolate now was seasonably appropriate. It would be a shame, after all, if we let perfectly good Cadbury mini eggs waste away in unending bouts of sadness.

Easter came, and Easter went.

Cadbury mini eggs came, and Cadbury mini eggs went. Pants with buttons gave way to pants with stretch and give.

I needed the extra stretch — mostly mentally, but physically it wasn’t completely unwelcomed to have a little bit of extra room.

I zoomed. I played with lighting and backgrounds, clicking mute on and mute off to hide a noisy life filled with toddler laughs and dog barks. I woke at hours that I used to considered middle of the night and somehow started finding peace and solitude as I buzzed away on my third cup of coffee before the clock hit 5 a.m. I was oddly busy for someone without anything on her calendar. There never seemed to be enough time to cram everything in.

And yet … it was oddly dull to talk with others about the day.

And as both the flowers and the windows open, I can feel a sense of routine setting in. The fresh air drifts through the house as the calendar turns, yet again. The world has stopped in so many ways, but in so many other ways, it naively continues without a care in the world.

My mind is not so naïve. My emotions flip on a dime. My heart breaks for all that has been lost – all who have been lost. My heart beats faster at the first encounter in weeks that I’ve had with people who bear a different last name than I. Suddenly, others feel dangerous. I notice the discomfort I feel with others mulling about. I’m quickly aware that I’ve

never felt this discomfort before — and how privileged that makes me — which only increases the discomfort now. I stumble a bit as I push open the door of the small business I grabbed dinner from – my facemask tight against my nose and somehow obscuring my vision though it’s nowhere near my eyes.

Stuck at home. SAFE at home. Let’s stay home. Lucky to be home. Such conflicting messages race through my head, but somehow gratitude tends to rise to the top.

I haven’t redecorated any rooms. I’ve sorted through a bin — not reorganized my entire basement. I have moved must-read books from my nightstand to the chair downstairs and perused a few pages, moving the bookmark ever so slightly. I haven’t baked any long, demanding cakes, but threw together a few muffins one night to drop off at a doorstep, my heart breaking as my toddler waves to her grandma through glass. I keep reminding myself that while I will come out of this changed, it might not be a transformation that neatly checks off boxes from an ever growing life-long to-do list.

It may look like a calmer mind and a clearer understanding of priorities.

Transformation may show itself through memories of long walks in the sun and quiet naps with a little girl when life is once again busier with schedules than I’d like it to be. It may pop up when I reach for chocolate and instead decide to enjoy frozen grapes.

It may be in hard conversations when I remember what it was like not to be able to physically sit with someone in times of difficulty and lean in a little closer rather than pull away. It may peer in as I try to dig my heels in – demanding rigidness when flexibility would actually work just fine. I might, just might, come out of this a slightly fuller leader – full of gratitude, full of grace, full of the ability to stop and pause, full of chocolate. Full to the brim and perhaps, just perhaps, overflowing with possibility.

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

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

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Small Business Enterprise It is very difficult to have

SBDC and COVID-19 assistance MIKE MASTROIANNI SBDC

patience when your business is in crisis, but we ask that you do so.

Our partnership with you in moving through the maze

As everyone is aware, the second round of PPP funding was authorized and made available for applications April 27th. We, as your local SBDC, are available to advise businesses, but we are not a point of entry for PPP applications.

Businesses should be mindful that banks are overrun with requests and are working with their existing applications in queue first. However, we encourage you to touch base with your banker first before looking elsewhere.

We are doing the best we can to provide information as it is updated. Both Edward Caceres of the SBDC and I are attending as many of the webinars and training programs we can to stay current.

There are some questions that we can’t answer.

■ We don’t know the status of your loan application. You have to contact the SBA

directly to assess where they are in the process of awards, and you may have to wait to get an answer.

■ We don’t know the status of your application with your bank or lenders.

That, you have to check on with your business banker. It may take a time for them to get back to you with the information.

■ We don’t know how long the new infusion of money will last once approved and appropriated.

■ We don’t know when businesses will reopen or how that will occur. Look for announcements from the Mayor’s office or from the Governor’s office.

■ Finally, we can’t fill out paperwork for you. We can direct you to the appropriate site to apply, or to the SBA lender where you have a business account, but can’t

Essential businesses seem to be doing well, but even those businesses can see a downturn if other businesses are closed and don’t need their services.

It is our wish that your business

fill out paperwork. This is something you have to do.

receives the assistance it needs to keep

Continually Moving Parts

importantly, it is our wish that you, your

There is a lot of speculation, guess work and misinformation. Keep track of what is going on by visiting our website, which is updated frequently, or the SBA or other websites. Links are provided on our website, and Edward is working on the video assistance that will be on our site in both English and Spanish.

It is very difficult to have patience when your business is in crisis, but we ask that you do so. The SBA and other agencies are doing their best to get funds out to those in need as quickly as possible. Remember, they have never experienced anything like this either.

going during these difficult times. More co-workers and your family practice social distancing, so that you can stay safe and stay well.

Resources Don’t forget the state funding, and the city funding.

To get a handle on city, state and federal funding, visit https://cdn.rockfordil.gov/ wp-content/uploads/2020/04/covid-19business-resource-04022020_800.pdf Our website is www.rockfordsbdc.org Mike Mastroianni is director at the Illinois Small Business Development Center in Rockford.

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economic development ILLUSTRATION BY RAWPIXEL.COM

Creating connections for the good of our community Since the Stay at Home order has been implemented, the RAEDC has been working hard to create connections that prepare our community to be forward looking and proactive. We have been working closely with educational institutions, local and state officials, financial institutions, and businesses to provide information, guidance and tactical support as we work through this unprecedented time.

Protocols

By working with local and state officials, the RAEDC has ensured manufacturers can continue to support our community by being classified as “essential” by Governor J.B. Pritzker. Our manufacturers provide critical components to support the response to this pandemic. Our region also is manufacturing parts to support our local hospitals, and manufacturing PPE should traditional PPE supply chain become unavailable.

We have also served as a distribution point for Manufacturing Operations Protocols, Retail Protocols and Grocery Store Protocols to ensure employees are better protected when they are working, and customers are safer while shopping. These include cleaning processes, precautions to take if an employee arrives to work sick or becomes sick while at work, and how to work with employees ready to return to work after being ill.

Medical Careers

Our region is rapidly and responsibly training healthcare students to provide additional assistance to the healthcare industry. The RAEDC has connected with our educational institutions to expedite training for new medical personnel. This would include the work Rock Valley College is doing to move course work online and allowing for it to be completed at the student’s own pace for CNAs prior to beginning clinicals.

Financial Support

The RAEDC have convened financial institutions to understand their capabilities and what resources could be deployed to the community to support the COVID-19 crisis. As a result of these meetings, the Northern Illinois Community Development Corporation will be recapitalized. The NICDC provides funds to help small businesses through bridge loans until the SBA loans have been distributed. Special thanks to our partner lending institutions and John Phelps from the Rockford Local Development Corporation for coordinating this effort.

Winnebago County Emergency Operations Center

We have been working directly, in cooperation with the Winnebago County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), to help with overall strategic planning.

It is truly an honor for us to work shoulder to shoulder with our first responders in the EOC trenches. The RAEDC team has directly helped source critical medical supplies and evaluated regional manufacturing and supply chain alternatives.

We will continue to work with our partners and to find solutions and connections that benefit our community. This is what we have always done and will continue to do.

20 THINGS

we have learned in 2020

The RAEDC is digging deep and looking for the positives and remembering there is always an opportunity to learn from a situation. 2020 has already provided many challenges. RAEDC staff took some time to evaluate the things learned this year.

Hopefully, you have some time to reflect on your experiences and find things you have learned.

1. Adaptation is key.

2. Understanding for others is important.

3. My ability to concentrate and blur out the sideline chaos, especially while working from home.

4. Reminder that the human spirit longs for connectedness, kindness and balance.

5. Challenges in the marketplace -whether it’s global trade, women’s equal pay issues, real estate value fluctuations or economic growth factors -- will always be tenuously present. It’s how we collectively come to terms together to balance the problems with thoughtbased leadership and solutions that will truly matter.

6. Our region is resilient, resourceful and ready! Our community comes together in the face of adversity to help one another, to cheer one another on, and to lift one another up when one of us has endured hardship.

7. With all the uncertainty, it can feel overwhelming; sometimes all it takes to feel better is sunshine, fresh air and some music.

8. There may be a lot of jargon and acronyms as well as many hotbutton issues surrounding economic development, but it boils down to building relationships and using the opportunities presented to us.

9. Say yes, then figure out the how.

Accept challenges, learn, try new things or find a way to make a process more efficient.

10. “I’ve learned to appreciate MBA classes at Rockford University. I did not plan on taking an online class, but

the professors and students have made the transition so easy. I look forward to class every week!”

11. How special our community is when faced with tragedy, confusion and uncertainty. It is amazing to watch people rally to the call and support one another.

12. How to do more in the kitchen and taking time making meals and experimenting with different recipes.

13. “It was not as difficult to adapt to working remotely as I thought. It can be overwhelming to some.”

14. “I have a lot of patience, because dealing with my kids and working from home is not easy.”

15. “Sometimes we as parents get busy and do not spend as much time with our children. Being quarantined has blessed me with being able to make time for them. I have learned more things about my children than I wouldn’t have known. They have taught me new games and informed me what kids are into now.

16. “My faith, family and friends continue to be the most important aspects of my life.”

17. We are surrounded by beauty and sometimes need to pause, refocus and enjoy it.

18. “The best part of my professional work is helping people and creating friendships in the process.”

19. Hallway conversations in the office are underrated.

20. Technology provides opportunities, imagination makes them reality.

RAEDC releases 2019 Results Report for Rockforward20/20 The Rockford Area Economic Development Council released the 2019 Results Report for the Rockforward20/20 strategic plan.

This is the fourth year of a five-year initiative lead by the RAEDC. The region is well on its way to completing the economic development impact measurements

by Dec. 31, 2020.

■ 67% completed of the 8 million square feet of new or renovated space goal.

■ 70% completed of the 10,000 new or retained jobs goal.

■ 133% completed of the $925 million capital investment goal.

The important work of improving our economic strength and competitiveness is made possible only through the collaboration and support of our RAEDC investors, and we are grateful for the support we receive.

The RAEDC works to attract businesses into the region as well as retain businesses that are already

located here. The daily work of economic development cultivates primary job growth opportunities and increased economic well-being for the region.

The daily work of economic development is made possible through the support of our investors, stake holders and community members.

To find out how you can support the RAEDC and our community, contact Jarid Funderburg, JFunderburg@ RockfordIL.com, or call 815-969-4259.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

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manufacturing news How manufacturing is retooling itself in the new economy MEAGHAN ZIEMBA Z-Ink Solutions

Changing project focus and repurposing operations

American manufacturing has experienced both setbacks and opportunities during this outbreak, causing the industry to retool itself so operations can continue and workers stay safe, healthy and happy.

certifications and training.

“Basically, I am rescheduling the bigger projects that have been part of our goals and pulling them into our workflow to start them immediately. Even simple things like some walls that needed to be painted.

Essentially, we want to be well positioned to Rethinking Sanitization stay on top of our legacy business, but also Processes capture growth through efficiency coming COVID-19’s highly contagious nature out on the backside of this ... however long has forced manufacturers to rethink their that might be.” sanitization processes. Some businesses have enforced mask requirements for their Reassessing the Value employees when they cannot properly of Online Tools social distance themselves from others or A lot of industrial manufacturers are are face-to-face with customers. reassessing the value of online tools and Mike Payne, president and owner of how they fit into their daily operations.

Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication, uses a Due to stay-at-home orders across the bleach water recipe from the Centers for nation, businesses like Air Gaging, LLC Disease Control and Prevention to spray have had to rely on cloud-based peer-to-peer and sanitize all workstations, machines, software platforms such as Zoom, Google bathrooms, benches, doors, etc., several Hangouts, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Team times a day. “We also require all of our and Skype to conduct meetings, customer employees to practice regular handwashing. sales and training.

Once their shift is over, it is mandatory for “I really enjoy traveling and visiting them to wipe down their work areas before our customers/distributors, but during this they leave.” time, we have utilized [such platforms] to do The rearrangement of workstations some additional training,” said Christopher and incorporation of staggered shifts and Koehn, president at Air Gaging, LLC. breaks are becoming common practices to “A lot of our distributors are very busy help increase the physical space between during normal business hours, so this has employees and limit the amount of group been an opportunity for us to do some gatherings and physical touch. Some additional training that wouldn’t have been businesses are also checking employees’ available before. Once this is behind us, temperatures as they enter the facility as an we will be in a better position as a business extra precaution. because of it.”

Expediting Projects Some manufacturers are taking advantage of the current situation to review their growth strategies.

“We’re expediting projects we’ve ‘not had time’ to do,” Payne said. He’s been keeping his workforce intact by developing projects with the extra free time the pandemic created for his business.

“We’ve been reorganizing and cleaning our warehouse and tool cribs. We’ve also taken steps to improve our workholding components and fixtures, as well as our 5s-light work cells.”

Repurposing Business Strategy, Operations

The increased demand for protective gear and life-saving medical equipment has caused some manufacturers to switch gears and repurpose their business strategy and operations to help fight COVID-19.

Multiple distilleries and breweries have started producing hand sanitizer and alcohol-based disinfectant for essential workers.

Ally Marotti, Chicago Tribune, reported on the Illinois Essential Equipment Task Force that coordinates the efforts of Illinois Other things Payne is focused on: manufacturers that have retooled their ■ Updating job set-up instructions for production lines to make ventilators, masks and parts for test kits and other medical more efficient workflows. equipment.

■ Changing quality department Brett T. Evans, senior editor, motor1.com procedures. reported on Ford testing out color-coded ■ Acquiring measuring equipment. wristbands that vibrate when employees get ■ Working on and obtaining new too close to each other. The bands, supplied

GrantView Distillery starts a new Rum Hand Sanitizer batch with the generous donation of 500 lbs of sugar. Their hand sanitizer is 100% donated and made through a community effort. Kurt Pierce and Tim Ford (Owner) with GrantView Distillery. Photo courtesy of GrantView Distillery.

by Samsung Electronics, “incorporate Radiant RFID technology using shortwave Bluetooth to detect the proximity and clustering of other devices.” Once another wristband is detected, the device vibrates and sends a color-coded message to the screen that “alerts the employee to maintain appropriate distance.”

As states start to revoke stay-at-home orders, it will be interesting to see how

manufacturing will change and what sort of innovations will be developed post COVID-19.

Meaghan Ziemba is owner of Z-Ink Solutions and a member of Women of Today’s Manufacturing (WOTM).

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

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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

IGNITE: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS For such a time as this …

CRYSTAL SAVAGE Rockford Rescue Mission

IGNITing impact in the midst of COVID-19

Let’s be honest; right now, we are living in a rapidly changing climate due to COVID-19. We are daily adjusting our professional and personal lives. It has been in this pandemic I see, not everything in our lives “pause.” Homelessness does not pause.

Trauma does not pause. Addiction does not pause. Therefore, help cannot pause.

When our leadership team started to have to make some very rapid changes to how we are keeping everyone safe, it was not easy. In these conversations we reminded each other of Esther 4:14, God called us, as leaders, to where we are “for such a time as this.” I never imagined my “time” would be COVID-19, I seriously felt like asking for a “re-draw” for my “for such a time as this.” But I knew I couldn’t “pause.”

Here are three lessons I have learned from guests at Rockford Rescue Mission to not “pause” and IGNITE myself during “such a time as this.”

Find a “Heartbreaking” Passion Daily, at the mission, I see people “pause” because of crisis. People literally freeze until they start to have hope restored in them; they start to see they are called for a purpose. When crisis happens, such as a pandemic, it is easy to “pause,” because who truly knows what to do?

I was challenged years ago to choose a career in something that “broke my heart” -- to find work that I was so passionate about that sometimes it would hurt. We all have different callings, and that is what makes humanity beautiful.

What can you do, that you are passionate about, that would be a blessing to someone? It may be picking up some extra food or items on a needs list at the store for a non-profit, donating old blankets and towels to the local

animal shelter or ordering pizzas for the COVID-19 wings at the hospitals.

Knowing that we are not only surviving through this pandemic but helping others survive, can help us feel a little less alone.

Ask and Look for “Other Duties as Assigned” Thousands of people come to the mission every year. Those with the greatest success stories usually are those who sought out ways to help, when they themselves needed help. They don’t do this for recognition or praise but rather because they know it can make a difference and it needs to be done.

It would be so easy to wage this war on COVID-19 in our jam jams, on the couch binging on the next popular season and posting memes about tigers while suddenly having a new “enemy” named Carol Baskin, but would it help our community?

“Other duties as assigned” is often a workplace joke -- those items that show up on our to-do lists that are nowhere to be found on our job description. If you are still working, what are tasks during “such a time as this” that you can step up to, that could make an impact at your workplace?

If you have extra hours or are in a position, where are agencies you can volunteer your services? (Tip: pick some place that “breaks your heart.”) There are opportunities to make a difference during “such a time as this” when we are tempted to “pause,” which can truly make a difference to our professional and personal environments.

Virtual library cards now at Rockford Public Library Acquire new skills, academic help, entertainment at website

Rockford Public Library has begun issuing library cards through its website at www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org. For questions email info@ rockfordpubliclibrary.org and include your phone number for a telephone call back.

Other digital services available to card holders: ■ Current and historical news through NEWSBANK. ■ Ebooks and audiobooks through CLOUD LIBRARY and HOOPLA. ■ Children’s audio and animated books through TUMBLEBOOK. ■ Music through HOOPLA and FREEGAL. ■ Movies and television programs through HOOPLA and KANOPY. ■ Magazines through FLIPSTER and RB DIGITAL. ■ Digital courses through UNIVERSAL CLASS and “Great Courses” through KANOPY. ■ New languages through ROSETTA STONE. ■ Children’s video lessons through SCHOLASTIC GO. ■ Academic help through HOMEWORK HELP and DMV PRACTICE EXAMS. Access these resources at www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org/a-to-z-alldatabases.

Expand Your Comfort Zones No one wakes up excited to get help from the mission -- it is the hardest day of their lives. I daily see brave individuals walk through our doors and admit they need help. They are making the conscious choice to step out of their comfort zones to change their lives.

Our lives and “normal” have literally changed because of COVID-19. Now is the best time to really shake up our comfort zones!

A life lesson our guests have taught me is, no one grows without a challenge.

How can you grow during this season when the world is literally standing still?

It could be picking up that leadership book, attending a webinar series or finally packing up all those items that “don’t spark joy” to donate. Use this time to grow and IGNITE yourself as a leader and not stay stuck and on “pause.” We have to create a new routine, and we may even find new routines we love.

We all have different jobs, positions, resources, education … we all have different ways to make an impact. It would be so easy to wage this war on COVID-19 in our jam jams, on the couch binging on the next popular season and posting memes about tigers while suddenly having a new “enemy” named Carol Baskin, but would it help our community?

Our community is looking to us; we have been equipped, called and trusted as young leaders in our community to rise up when it is easy to “pause.” Now is our “for such a time as this” to IGNITE impact in the midst of COVID-19 and change lives.

Crystal Savage is communications and marketing director at Rockford Rescue Mission.

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

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

SPECIAL SECTION: Mobility

17

profile

MEMBER PROFILE

Howe Freightways, Inc.

Delivering success in the trucking industry

By Paul Anthony Arco In 1991, Ken Howe was working as general manager of a local transportation company. He was putting in long hours, overseeing the day-to-day operations for the 35-truck company. While he was making a good living, Howe knew it was time to make a move, if he was to make one at all.

“I came to the conclusion that in this industry you’re going to work 24/7 and always be on call,” he said. “If I’m going to do that, I might as well do it for myself. If I’m right, we’ll be successful. If I’m wrong the worst thing that happens is I fail. But I have the knowledge and industry experience to land on my feet.”

Howe’s leap of faith paid off. On May 1, 1991 Howe opened Howe Freightways, Inc., and never looked back. Today, the freight shipping and trucking company has a 45-truck fleet specializing in both flatbed and Conestoga trucks. Howe Freightways delivers to 48 states, but its bread and butter is the upper Midwest.

Ninety percent of its deliveries are within a 500-mile radius of its home base in Rockford.

“It was rocky in the beginning,” said

Howe, who used his lifesavings to get him over the initial hump. “I didn’t know if I’d be successful. Fortunately, I had banking partners that believed in me. The first decade I had years when I made money and years when I didn’t.

Some years I broke even. But I always paid my employees and my bills.”

Howe Freightways moves mostly steelwork and raw materials, such as roofing material, machinery, concrete, fertilizer and salt for big box stores. Its biggest clients are U.S. Steel, Liebovich and Owens Corning.

“We deliver steel coils for U.S. Steel from Gary, Ind., to Minnesota; haul a ton of materials such as plates, sheets and coil for Liebovich and roofing material for Owens Corning,” said Howe. “We also transport intermodal containers and empty containers, especially when there is extra room on the flatbed.”

Howe Freightways has 45 drivers, a combination of company drivers and independent contractors, along with office staff and two mechanics. The trucks average 2,500 miles on the road each week. As president, Howe handles operations and sales.

“My philosophy has always been that

Howe Freightways, Inc., delivers to 48 states, but its bread and butter is the upper Midwest. the number one asset of any company is the people,” he said. “The trucks, the technology mean nothing without the people. That’s why we go above and beyond to give our team all the tools they need to be successful. They know their job better than anyone, so my job is to get out of their way. But if they need guidance, we’re available 24/7.”

Finding passionate drivers isn’t always easy. But Howe Freightways has drivers who’ve been with the company anywhere from five to 20 years. “We don’t have a revolving door,” Howe said. “We usually find out in the first six months if this is the right career for them. You get what you put into it.”

As Howe quickly approaches three decades in business, it’s given him a time to reflect back on the successes

and challenges that have occurred over the years. “When I started the business I didn’t think about this far down the road,” he said. “Not that it’s been an easy 29 years. There are things you have no control over. I just knew that I needed to put 18 to 20 hours a day to keep the ship afloat, and I was willing to do that.

“We are a much different company than we were, say, 25 years ago,” he added.

“Timing is everything. Sometimes you get lucky. I’m extremely proud, but it’s not just me. The reason I’m successful is my team.

And failure has never been an option.”

HOWE FREIGHTWAYS, INC. Ken Howe, president 2716 8th St. 815-316-1002

FEMA delivers PPE equipment via the Chicago Rockford International Airport The Chicago Rockford International Airport had airplanes full of medical equipment land April 14 and 15, 2020.

Delivered in a plane that can only touch down on a few runways in the world, the two Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) planes that were packed with more than 440 pallets and 300,000 pounds of Personal Protection Equipment bound to a warehouse near Chicago.

“Project Air Bridge” was launched March 29 to speed the delivery of much-needed medical equipment and supplies from overseas manufacturers. The program partners with U.S. medical supply distributors

to airlift personal protective equipment from foreign factories.

“To be able to get those in, being able to help support that, being able to bring in over 300,000 pounds

of medical supplies and get them to the warehousing, so they could be distributed, is great!” said RFD Deputy Director of Operations, Zack Oakley.

The planes were Antonov An-124 Ruslan. Until the Boeing 747-8F, the An-124 was, for thirty years, the world’s heaviest gross weight production cargo airplane and second heaviest operating cargo aircraft.

The plane itinerary began in Malaysia, landed in Japan and made a stop in Anchorage, Alaska before landing in Rockford on April 14, according to Flightaware.com.

In addition, the Chicago Rockford Airport was notified they will receive $18.6 million to further assist it to prepare for, and respond to, disruption caused by COVID-19.

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SPECIAL SECTION: Mobility

GUEST COLUMNIST

NATE HOLLAND CIT Trucks, LLC

The backbone of our economy

Over the past six weeks, we as Americans, have been living through unprecedented times. Adjustments to social, economic, and family norms have been altered indefinitely. People all across this great nation are hunkered down in an effort to try and slow the spread of COVID-19. As we all know retail establishments, restaurants, bars and other services deemed non-essential have had their doors shuttered in the wake of the current pandemic. With that being said, there are still essential services that are necessary to keep our society from completely coming to a halt.

Transportation is one of the most essential of these services.

Most people take for granted the role that the transportation industry has in our daily lives. Everything that you buy at the grocery store, the renovation project you’ve been working on at home, and yes even the toilet paper you buy have been brought to our local community by way of truck. In addition to goods being moved, waste needs to be collected, mail needs to be delivered, medical supplies need to get to hospitals and utilities need to be

maintained and remain operational. To ensure that all of demands of our nation are being met, people get up every morning, tie their boot laces and perform their jobs while staring down the uncertainties of an invisible enemy. The employees at our dealership, CIT Trucks in Rockford, do their part to keep everything moving.

By providing parts and performing services on all heavy equipment, we help mitigate “down time” and ensure that our communities’ needs are being met, especially during this perilous time.

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting our daily lives, transportation hums along and will be ready to pick back up and facilitate our nation’s demands when we return to normalcy. I would like to use this opportunity afforded to me by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, to personally thank all the people in our community who are doing what must be done to keep America moving forward.

Nate Holland is general manager of CIT Trucks, LLC. The views expressed are those of Holland’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

GUEST COLUMNIST

TIM CHARLES Pierce Distribution Services Company

Some were positioned for a crisis like this

Consider fine tuning warehousing activities It’s Saturday morning, and you’re at home having coffee, while placing another order on Amazon’s website.

By now that is common for millions of people every day. We all enjoy the convenience — a few clicks, and everything you need will arrive at your house in a few days.

Most people never stop to think about what goes into making this ordering process so simple. However, the current COVID-19 pandemic shows that there are several steps in the order fulfillment process that can stop you from receiving your items.

become highly automated, reducing the likelihood of errors, but errors can still be made.

Once your order has been picked, the fourth step is packing the order. All of your items must go into boxes for shipping, and ideally in as few boxes as possible

to

reduce

freight

costs.

However, if there are multiple boxes shipping to you, the warehouse must ensure all of the boxes are correctly labeled to go to your address. And lastly, the fifth step is shipping. Yes, this is the step that involves you hoping UPS brings you a box that isn’t opened, and doesn’t look like it’s been run over.

Right now, we are all in the same boat — waiting to see how soon this situation improves. COVID-19 has

Unfortunately, we have all had times when this last step let us down.

Challenges in Warehousing Amazon obviously has a fine-tuned

affected all of us, both at

order fulfillment process because that

work and at home. And

is

the toughest part is the

manufacturers though, something like

unknown of when things will finally get back to normal.

their

For

many

COVID-19 can be a major disruption to the daily warehouse activities. Their warehouses are not areas of business most

Let’s set aside the current “tough to get” products that are in short supply right now and use an example of something simple you may order, such as a PlayStation video game for your kids. Yes, you could go to Best Buy and purchase it there, but you already have a busy day planned so why go to that trouble when UPS could just deliver it to your house in two days?

We’re going to assume that Sony has shipped these video games to Amazon on time, and focus on what happens after that. There are five basic warehouse processes involved, and a problem with any one of them could leave you with children complaining that their video game didn’t arrive when they wanted it.

The first step is receiving — when the items are shipped to a warehouse, they must be accurately received into Amazon’s system so that Amazon knows they are there. Second is put away, it doesn’t do any good to receive an item if a warehouse employee then takes that item to the wrong storage location. The third step is order picking — once the warehouse has received your order, and then picks the items you have ordered. This step of the process for many companies has

business.

manufacturers

consider

themselves to be specialists in, and there is probably not a plan in place on what to do when an event such as a pandemic takes place.

Our company’s business has always been managing the parts operations of manufacturers, those who understand that utilizing an outside company may make more sense than trying to handle it themselves. And a major worldwide event such as COVID-19 usually gives some of these manufacturers even more cause to look into this option.

Right now, we are all in the same boat — waiting to see how soon this situation improves. COVID-19 has affected all of us, both at work and at home. And the toughest part is the unknown of when things will finally get back to normal. Until it does, do the best you can — work with the resources available to you, make good use of your time at work, and plan for how your business will operate “post COVID-19.”

Tim Charles is business manager at Pierce Distribution Services Company.

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

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

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business

BUSINESS BRIEFS

RAMP, Mercyhealth, OSF Healthcare and SwedishAmerican have worked with the deaf community to create a training video on interacting with deaf and hard of hearing patients at hospitals and clinics.

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., has created a Coronavirus Resources Center with information on navigating the unique legal challenges and business implications raised by COVID-19, such as J.P. Kale’s article, “Effects of CARES Act on Patent and Trademark Practice Before the USPTO.” Visit www.reinhartlaw.com/ coronavirus.

CORA Physical Therapy is treating patients in its clinics with advanced safety protocols. It expanded its telehealth services to help patients continue their plans of care. Visit www.coraphysicaltherapy.com/ telehealth.

OSF Pharmacy is offering curbside service. Call ahead for payment or pull into North Tower parking lot and call 815-395-6010 for delivery to your vehicle. Delivery also is available to other buildings on the hospital campus or by mail.

OrthoIllinois offices remain open for patients affected by bone and joint injuries/conditions and in pain.

Telehealth appointments are available by webcam or smartphone.

Per Mar Security Service acquired GT Fire & Security, Grand Island, Neb., allowing both companies to improve their delivery of products and services.

V2 Marketing Communications recently launched a new website for Taylor Creek Nurseries — taylorcreeknurseries.com. The new site features a database of hundreds of easily searchable native plants and seeds, instructions for planting, free seed plan designs and a retail shop. The site also features extensive resources on starting a prairie, building a butterfly garden and growing your own wildflowers.

City First Church partnered with Convoy of Hope to distribute food, supplies, baby products, and hope to families in need on April 2; particularly to those recently unemployed, children with no access to meals at school and senior citizens at risk. It was able to distribute more than 43,000 pounds of food to more than 600 households, as well as toilet paper, diapers and baby food. Team members, wearing gloves, delivered food safely to the trunk of each car.

Rockford Art Museum extended its major art exhibition Sonic Disruptions: Buisch + Hogin through Sept. 27.

Rockford Gastroenterology Associates introduced RGA Telehealth, a secure online service

Loves Park company Colorwave Graphics is poised to manufacture and deliver locally or ship recyclable hospital beds and partition walls, using the durable, 16mm-thick corrugated board typically reserved for making lightweight temporary trade show display structures. The company states they can be stored flat or recycled and assembled in minutes without tools. that connects patients with their physician or nurse practitioner for consultation, diagnosis and treatment options.

Winnebago County CASA Program converted the 36th annual Heritage Run to a virtual run on April 26. Each runner ran the distance on their own, and then reported their time, with results posted online.

Chartwell Agency received Hermes creative awards: Navy Week (platinum), Rockford Christian Schools Viewbook (platinum), Baton Rouge Cardiology Center website (gold), Chartwell Agency training video (gold) and 2018 Beloit Health System annual report (honorable mention).

The Kjellstrom Family Foundation pledged matching dollars for every dollar donated by the public up to $125,000 towards United Way of Rock River Valley’s COVID-19 Emerging Needs Fund. The fund in mid-April neared $50,000 in donations, thanks to $26,000 from Meijer, $10,000 from an anonymous donor, and donations ranging from $10 to $2,000 by community members.

With an increase in the number of requests for remote services, SWITS, Ltd., a local language service provider, has positioned interpreters to work from home and has expanded the available platforms to match those being requested by customers. The interpreters continue to work with hospitals, public health, law enforcement and other organizations in the public and private sectors.

SWITS also is offering discounted pricing on written translations of COVID-19-related materials.

Panino’s Restaurant hired KMK Media Group to manage its regional marketing, including branding, social media, signage, packaging and website. Alpha Controls & Services hired KMK to handle its website and online marketing efforts.

Womanspace partnered with In Home Medical Group and Boots

Upholstery to coordinate volunteers to sew masks from home.

Brian Thomas Photography provided Hoffmann Law with professional business portraits.

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois gave the Winnebago Community Historical Society a $4,747 grant through the Community Arts & Humanities Fund to buy a laptop, screen and projector for its Town Hall Programs.

Rockford Art Deli designed a t-shirt, priced at $25, with $10 going towards a meal to area hospital staff

by Lucha Cantina. The goal has been to serve 180 meals a week.

The new Hero campaign is an extension of RAD’s #HereForGoodRKFD campaign, which kicked off when the Shelter in Place ordinance came into play.

Since its launch, the campaign has sold 3,557 shirts; raising $35,580 for local businesses.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois announced that while Girl Scout Cookie booths have been suspended, customers can order or donate cookies online through Girl Scouts Cookie Care. Visit www. girlscouts.org/cookiecare or purchase directly from girl scouts through their “virtual cookie booths.”

The organization launched GSNI at Home, www.girlscoutsni.org/ GSNIatHome, with self-guided, free activities.

United Way of Rock River Valley, a part of the 815 Community Response Team, awarded $250,000 from its COVID-19 Emerging Needs Fund to 33 non-profit organizations in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties. This is its first round of grants.

Entré Computer Solutions partnered with Avaya and RingCentral to provide the tools to securely communicate and collaborate using voice, video, messaging and fax for remote locations and employees.

Rockford Systems launched its new GermBlock™ line of cough and sneeze shields for industrial, commercial, clean room and retail settings. The shields limit the spread of airborne droplets.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends employers place barriers (e.g., sneeze guards) between employees and customers, and employees working in close proximity.

Rockford Mutual Insurance Company named one of its representing independent insurance agents, FTS Insurance, Libertyville, Ill., as its 2019 agency of the year.

Illinois Bank & Trust gave $75,000 to the YMCA of Rock River Valley COVID-19 Emergency Childcare program and $25,000 to the Galena Art and Recreation Center, which remained open to meet community needs. The YMCA has temporarily transitioned its facilities to provide emergency childcare for essential personnel. In partnership with other organizations, it has delivered more than 5,000 meals a week as well as virtual workout options and other sheltering-in-place resources.

Rosecrance is participating in a yearlong Medication Adherence Learning Community. This will provide experts and opportunities to enhance the Winnebago County Therapeutic Intervention Program, for people in the criminal justice system, and the Assertive Community Treatment program, for community members with chronic mental illnesses.

The SwedishAmerican Coumadin Clinic received the designation of “Anticoagulation Center of Excellence” by the Anticoagulation Forum.

University of Illinois Extension announced that 4-H clubs have continued to meet in Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago counties using technology such as Zoom for family meetings.

The OSF HealthCare Foundation announced a $1 million gift to the Saint Anthony College of Nursing from the estate of Kenneth and Josephine Miles: 60 percent will go towards the college’s greatest need and 40 percent towards student scholarships through the new Josephine and Kenneth Miles Scholarship Endowment.

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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

in the news MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

1. Dr. Juliette Kalweit Schmeling

2. Nellie Miller

3. Patty Stadelman

4. James Gensler

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded.

Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

5. Thomas Okite

6. J. Joseph McCoy

7. Amy Smith

8. Lori Diaz

In Memorium — John Beck

9. Audrey Moom

10. Dr. Jon Russell

11. Dr. Iftekhar Ahmad

12. Kerry Schaible

14. Sarah Ramsen

15. David Cyrs

16. Erna Colborn

17. Dr. Sarah Hagarty

BOARD APPOINTMENTS The Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford board welcomed Dr. Juliette Kalweit Schmeling (1), SwedishAmerican Medical Group; Nellie Miller (2), SupplyCore Inc., and Patty Stadelman (3), WTVO/ FOX39.

Stillman BancCorp, N.A., welcomed James Gensler (4) to its board.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS Chastain & Associates LLC hired Thomas Okite (5), P.E., CFM as a project manager in Rockford.

Denita Lynde was promoted as the new administrator of the Rosecrance Griffin Williamson campus.

Stillman Bank welcomed J. Joseph McCoy (6) as trust officer.

Blackhawk Bank welcomed Amy Smith (7) as cash management administrator cash management and Lori Diaz (8) as senior vice president cash management.

Robert (“Bob”) F. Weber, Jr.,

resumed the role of vice chairman, chief financial officer of Woodward, Inc., to address ongoing global economic challenges attributable to the coronavirus pandemic. Jonathan (“Jack”) W. Thayer, current chief financial officer, will depart the company.

John Chadwick will retire as vice president/general manager of WREXTV; remaining through 2020 as a consultant. Tina Ryan, local sales manager and married to Chadwick, also will retire. Josh Morgan, station manager, will assume day-to-day responsibilities for running the station. Audrey Moon (9) was named as news director.

Jon Russell, O.D., (10) Center for Sight & Hearing, optometrist specializing in low vision services, left the center to pursue new life adventures.

Dr. Iftekhar Ahmad (11) was named medical director of oncology services for OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center Patricia D. Pepe Center for Cancer Care.

13. Dr. Marc A. Zussman

18. Dr. Scott Trenhaile

The City of Rockford and Rockford Park District shared with the community the passing of John Beck, 57.

Beck spent 19 years as the city’s 12th ward alderman. He started with the Rockford Park District as the arts, events and recreation project manager in 2007 and for 13 years wore many hats. He was instrumental in many special events and projects including the Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition, Sinnissippi Music Shell programming, Tribute to Veterans, Festival of Lights, Juneteenth and Davey Johnson Accessible Fishing Pier. He was a founding member of the Rockford Chariots wheelchair basketball association. Photo courtesy of City of Rockford

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Kerry Schaible (12), financial advisor, Northwestern Mutual, was named a qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table in 2020.

Marc A. Zussman, M.D. (13), OrthoIllinois, was peer selected to the Best Doctors in America® List for 2019-2020.

Meridian named Sarah Ramsden (14) as its employee of the month for March.

David Cyrs (15), CYRS Wealth Advisors, was named a 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager by Chicago magazine.

Erna Colborn (16), financial advisor, Edward Jones, achieved the professional designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist.

OF GENERAL INTEREST Sarah Hagarty, M.D. (17), clinical assistant professor, University of Illinois College of Medicine, and plastic and reconstructive surgeon,

OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center, is researching a new technique for reducing complications, pain and hospital stays of patients undergoing certain types of breast reconstruction surgery. It was selected for online publication in The Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Scott Trenhaile (18), orthopedic surgeon, OrthoIllinois, is chairing a 10-week international medical education webinar series, “Why+How in Shoulder Repair: A Series on the Continuum of Care through the Orthopaedic Journey.”

He co-authored an article about rotator cuff repair appearing in the April issue of Arthroscopy, the Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery.

“Let’s Make a Deal,” featuring Savant Capital Management CEO Brent Brodeski, was the cover story in CityWire, a publication for professional advisors and investors.

PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING IN PUBLIC. PRACTICE COMMUNITY AWARENESS THROUGH THE ROCKFORDCHAMBER. Make sure your customers remember who you are.

Advertise in print and online.

Contact Lynette at (815) 316-4317.

IMAGE BY VISUALS-OGEIYMXSASQ, UNSPLASH

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

21

on digital MEMBER PICS

Farmers Markets in the Year 2020 Many of us love getting out to the farmers markets for the fresh produce and bakery items, to support local farmers and businesses, or simply to use as an excuse to get out into the fresh air. We still love them this year, but what will they look like?

Edgebrook Farmers Market Opens June 3 Edgebrook’s new farmers market opening date is June 3. Featured will be local vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants, organic produce, baked goods, artisan cheeses, honey and farm fresh eggs, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visit edgebrookshops.com/events/ farmers-market or edgebrookshops on facebook.

Rockford City Market, North End City Market Open June 5, 6 Rockford City Market and North End City Market will open the first weekend in June. Organizers are working on new layouts to space vendors out six feet, adding hand

washing stations for customers and vendors, providing new guidelines to vendors for safe transactions, and supporting vendors in May, due to the delay of the usual market open.

Visit rockfordcitymarket. com or RockfordCityMarket or northendcitymarket on facebook.

Rockford Midtown Market Opens June 6 The 2020 Rockford Midtown Market will open June 6 and run every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market will comply with the recommendations of the Illinois Farmers Market Association.

Visit rockfordmidtownmarket. com or RockfordMidtownMarket on facebook.

(L to R) Dave Wojnicki, Field Fastener; Brittany Wojnicki, OSF podiatry resident program, and Dr. Kelly John, OrthoIllinois and OSF podiatry resident program, drop off 100 pairs of shoes and socks to Carpenter’s Place and the Veterans Drop-In Center on Holy Thursday. They decided to take precautions and not do the direct foot washing for homeless individuals of the past two years.

Shopping Tips for the 2020 Farmers Market Season Provided by Illinois Farmers Market Association FOR CUSTOMERS ■ This is not a family event. Limit attendance to one member of the household.

■ Pre-order products where possible to speed up transaction process.

■ Use credit and debit cards for purchases. If cash is used, do not expect change.

■ Do not pick up any products or produce at vendor stands, ask staff to help you.

■ If you prefer a reusable bag, you will need to place purchases in your bag yourself. It will not be filled by vendors. At home, regularly wash your reusable bags.

■ At home, wash all products thoroughly before using.

■ As per usual, maintain hygiene precautions: Six-foot distance from everyone; sneeze or cough in a tissue or crease of your elbow; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; wash your hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer.

■ Stands must use vinyl or plastic table covers for easy sanitizing.

■ Vendors must sanitize their stands regularly; wiping down tables, terminals, cashboxes, etc., with approved disinfectants.

■ No gathering, no sitting, no entertainment, no eating on site or other activities.

■ No restrooms. Stagger booths to ensure adequate space for social distancing while shopping and waiting in line.

■ Redesign the market space to allow stand spaces to have at least six feet of distance between the tents, more where possible, to reduce congestion and contact.

■ Redesign booths adding a transaction table, product behind.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FARMERS MARKETS

■ Use tape or chalk to note six feet spaces and to direct customer lines.

■ No consumable products or food prepared on site.

■ Require staff, volunteers and vendors to wear gloves and masks.

■ No open alcohol, alcohol sales; where approved can sell bottles and cans.

■ No food demonstrations.

■ Stands must have an IDPH farmers market portable hand washing station.

■ Consider one-way movement if space is confined or narrow.

■ Implement market guidelines for safe handling of Link/EBT and nutrition incentive transactions.

Above: Junior League members in the organization’s early years paint decorative tins, tiles and stools for a craft fundraiser.

On April 11, Junior League of Rockford, Inc., celebrated 90 years in the community with a virtual birthday party. Many of its community projects still are thriving: Ken-Rock Community Center (1930); Washington Park Community Center (1957); Stepping Stones (1970); Bright Side Adult Day Center (1973), now part of Lifescape Adult Day Program; Discovery Center Museum (1981); Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) (1986); Youth Services Network (1986); Rock River Discovery Park (1991); Domestic Violence Assistance Center (1998), now part of Remedies Renewing Lives; MAYA’S House (2003); RAISE Program (2007), and Backpack Buddies (2013), now part of Northern Illinois Food Bank.

The organization announced plans to launch its 9 Gifts to the Community program with nine community service projects throughout the year. Its current STEM project has brought Girls Who Code clubs to Rockford at KFACT and Rockford Public Schools. Its new member class is collaborating with Northern Illinois Food Bank to recruit volunteers and solicit donations.

Are you a Member with News to Share?

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

DEADLINE IS THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING PUBLICATION

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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

May 2020

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

45-YEAR MEMBER Stenstrom Construction Group

15-YEAR MEMBERS DeMuth Steel Products, Inc Shelter Insurance Companies

30-YEAR MEMBER CoyleKiley Insurance Agency Inc.

10-YEAR MEMBERS HR Green Inc. Ipsen, Inc. River Valley Kitchens & Baths, Inc.

20-YEAR MEMBERS Chuck Brauer Trucking Inc. R. J. Bowers Distributors, Inc. Rock River Tower Apartments LLC Ticomix, Inc.

5-YEAR MEMBERS Edward Jones Jen Reisinger, AAMS®, CRPS®, Financial Advisor Illumination.io

COMMUNITY EVENTS community

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

MAY 2020 WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 University of Illinois Extension presents the webinar, Take Your Kitchen Appliances Out for a Spin, 1 p.m. Learn how to use those slow cookers, spiralizers, heavy-duty blenders, air fryers and electric pressure cookers. Register at go.illinois.edu/HealthAtHome.

Deadline for bids is 10 a.m., May 6 for Rock Valley College’s Advance Technology Center Buildout Project.

No hard copies accepted.

For instructions, visit www. rockvalleycollege.edu. (Click community, bid information and vendors) or email Kathleen Jones, k.jones@rockvalleycollege.edu.

THURSDAY, MAY 7 Chartwell Agency presents Reimagining Your Future: A Workshop Webinar to Build a New Game Plan, a free Lunch Bites webinar at noon. Find future topics and reserve your spot at event. webinarjam.com/register/2/5v3xyhn.

SATURDAY, MAY 9 Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful

hosts its Spring Clothing Drive, 9 a.m. to noon, at 4665 Hydraulic Road, Rockford. All clean clothing accepted, wearable or not. Volunteers will remove the items from your vehicles.

Visit knib.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 University of Illinois Extension presents the webinar, Diabetes: Practicing Self-care During Difficult Times, 1 p.m. Register at go.illinois. edu/HealthAtHome.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 University of Illinois Extension presents the webinar, Cooking For One, 1 p.m. Learn new ways to plan, shop, prepare and enjoy meals on the smaller side. Register at go.illinois. edu/HealthAtHome.

JUNE 2020 SATURDAY, JUNE 20 Rescheduled date for Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup, 9 a.m. to noon. At least 2,200 volunteers are needed to clean up neighborhoods, businesses, schools and parks around the area.

Supplies provided. Visit knib.org.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in March 2020 Above and Beyond Associates Amberwood Care Centre American Precision Supply, Inc. Ameriprise Financial Associated Bank Barbara Olson Center of Hope Beefaroo, Inc. Blackhawk Propane Company, Inc. Block Advisors BMO Harris Bank Butitta Brothers Automotive Chartwell Agency Chiro One Wellness Center of Rockford Countryman Inc. Custom Concrete Ltd. DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services Dickerson & Nieman Realtors Discount Tire Dixon Automatic Tool, Inc. Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront & Rockford Conference Center Employers’ Coalition on Health (ECOH) ESCO Grinding & Supply Company First Free Rockford First National Bank G & O Landscaping Inc. Gambino Realtors Home Builders, Inc. Giordano’s Glenwood Center Ltd. Guler Appliance Company Keith Country Day School Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC Knopp Construction Inc. L.K.G. Industries, Inc. Lamar Advertising of Rockford LaMonica Beverages, Inc. Macktown Living History Manpower MegaFab Mercyhealth Midwest Scale Company, Inc. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport Mosquito Joe of Rockford of Rockford - Crystal Lake Janesville Nettie’s Mercantile and Cafe

Nicor Gas Northwest Community Center Northwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Overhead Door Company of Rockford PCI Pharma Services Pepper Creek/Fourth Street Greenhouse Pepsi-Cola of Rockford Prairie State Legal Services Inc. Pumilia Family Dental Group Quartz Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated Rock River Development Partnership/Rockford City Market Rocket Industrial, Inc. Rockford Area Crime Stoppers, Inc. Rockford Mass Transit District Rockford Mass Transit District/ Paratransit Rockford Metal Polishing Co. Rockford Park District Rockford Public Library Rockford University RU Recovery Ministry Schmeling Construction Co. Severson Dells Nature Center Singley Construction Stratus Networks Sundog SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health T K Group, Inc. The Pension Specialists, Ltd. UNION Savings BANK Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Village of Machesney Park Vixen Productions Willett Hofmann & Associates, Inc. Wilson Electric Co. Winnebago County Board Office Wipfli LLP Women of Today’s Manufacturing (WOTM) Wood CPA’s Ltd Woodward WQRF-TV/WTVO-TV Youngberg Industries, Inc. Zuba and Associates, P.C.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS CARAVEL AUTISM HEALTH Autism Diagnostic and Treatment Services 6565 E. State St., 61108 Jessica Popilek-Ayling 262-442-4308 caravelautism.com

EMBASSY SUITES – THE TOP

A 12th floor cocktail lounge offering a seasonal rooftop two-tiered outdoor deck with outstanding views of the city and the river district.

416 S. Main St., 61101 815-668-7878 esrockford.com

EMBASSY SUITES THE TOWER KITCHEN & BAR RESTAURANT

Featuring an outdoor patio along Davis Park and the Rock River.

416 S. Main St., 61101 815-668-7878 esrockford.com

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May 2020

ADVERTISERS INDEX American Precision Supply . . . . 18

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

Blackhawk Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Premier Technologies . . . . . . . . . 9

Beautiful smiles with healthy bites.

1075 Featherstone Road, 61107 Dennis Flanagan, DDS, MS 815-399-5757 flanaganortho.com

Brian Thomas Photography . . . 11

Rockford Mass Transit District . . 17

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

Rockford Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . 9, 15, 20, 22-23

HARBORTOUCH

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

FLANAGAN ORTHODONTICS

Full service point of sale and merchant services provider offering a wide range of services.

John Malopsy, Relationship Manager 619-202-4862 hbrbarrescue.com

Edward Jones – Erna Colborn. . . 4 Entré Computer Solutions . . . . . . 8 The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) . . 13 Mercyhealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Northern Public Radio . . . . . . . . 16

VOICE

LYFORD OAKS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Condominiums.

7927 Brixham Road, 61107

PROGRESSIVE WEST ROCKFORD CDC*

A 501C3 Community Development Organization.

1244 Clover Ave., 61102 The Reverend Earl S. Dotson, Sr. 815-968-9569

Rockford Local Development Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Thayer Lighting, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 7 Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital . . . . . . . . 6

the

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

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

DIRECTORS

Chair of the Board Michele Petrie Wintrust Commercial Banking & Mortgage Chair Elect Dan Ross Fehr Graham Vice Chair Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Treasurer Amy Ott Boylan Catholic High School Immediate Past Chair Richard Zumwalt Z Resource

Brent Bernardi Alph Controls & Services LLC Kimberly Blascoe Wipfli LLP LaVonne Brown Savant Capital Management Paula Carynski OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center Samuel J. Castree Staff Management, Inc. Doug Curry Stenstrom Companies

Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

Dr. Alex Stagnaro-Green Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford

Jeff Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust

Terry Voskuil Woodward

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Robert Young Midwest Packaging and Container

Carly LaMonica LaMonica Beverages, Inc.

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS

Kris L. Kieper Machajewski YWCA Northwestern Illinois Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting

Denise Sasse Don Daniels RSM US LLP SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health Sue Schrieber Mercyhealth Rebecca Epperson John Schuster Chartwell Agency Rosecrance Health Eric Fulcomer, Ph.D. Network Rockford University Teresa Sharp Ira Grimmett American Precision Collins Aerospace Supply, Inc.

Einar K. Forsman President & CEO, Rockford Chamber of Commerce John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Nathan Bryant Rockford Area Economic Development Council

JUNE VOICE SPECIAL SECTIONS Reimagining Wealth Smart Factories

(People-Tech Partnerships, Manufacturing)

For information on advertising, call 815

987-8100