June Voice 2016

ROCKFORD ROTARY CLUB’S CENTENNIAL PAGE 6

ROCKTOWN ADVENTURES MAKES A SPLASH PAGE 17

The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

June 2016 | Volume 29 | No. 6

Chamber celebrates 61st class of Leadership Program As executive director of Growth Dimensions, an economic development organization, Jarid Funderburg knows all about the importance of networking.

That’s why, for Funderburg, taking part in the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Rockford class was vital.

“It was a no-brainer to get involved in this leadership program,” he said.

“The Rockford Chamber of Commerce is a great organization to help you learn about Rockford and the region. I learned a lot from the many organizations we visited. Mostly, it was the comradery,

Women in Business EXPO & LU NCH EON

June 23 • Giovanni’s, Rockford This year’s class includes 45 professionals from local nonprofits, businesses and government agencies. networking and connections that we

It was the 61st graduating class of

made that will have a lasting effect on

Leadership Rockford.

There were 265 business and

level program,” said Einar Forsman,

community leaders who turned out

president and CEO of the Rockford

for the Celebration of Leadership

Chamber of Commerce. “In the

Luncheon at Giovanni’s on May 19,

beginning, some of the participants

to recognize Funderburg and other

aren’t quite sure what the program is all

graduates of Leadership Rockford.

about. But by the end of the program,

This

45

they’re all singing the same tune. It

professionals from local nonprofits,

was meaningful to them; they develop

businesses and government agencies.

Continued on page 8

year’s

Questions? 815-987-8100

Join the Chamber’s LinkedIn Group

For more info, see page 27 SPONSORED BY

“This is a consistently popular, high-

class

included

Unique Rockford offerings this summer

■ online registration ■ keynote speaker video clips ■ event photos ■ list of Chamber events

The Rockford Chamber’s Golf Classic on May 23 teed off an impressive range of golf outings hosted by area businesses and non-profits this summer and fall season. Take a tour of the The Voice Golf Guide on page 1415 to plan your warm weather recreational outings, while supporting their worthy causes.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

me in my work.”

Visit us online at: rockfordchamber.com

THE VOICE GOLF GUIDE INSIDE

Thousands of residents and visitors hike, bike and ride horseback along the 15-mile multi-use trail system at Lockwood Park Trailside Equestrian Centre and Children’s Farm. ©Rockford Park District - Photo by Jesse Fox

By Barbara Connors Summer has come at last! After a long winter and wet spring, area residents and visitors are eager and looking for places for their next meet-up: Be it boutique shopping, farmers markets, craft fairs, creative cuisine, summer entertainment or fresh-air recreation. Call it adventureseeking, call it post-winter therapy, call it quality time, call it family time. Offer it.

Rockford will show up.

Inside are some outdoor markets, golf

outings, entertainment venues and events that make living in the Rockford region special this summer.

Farmers Markets, Music at Edgebrook Edgebrook Farmers Market opens for its 25th season, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Wednesdays through October. Vendors will sell farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers and plants, baked breads and sweet treats, maple syrup, honey, locally Continued on page 16

LIDKÖPING, ROCKFORD CELEBRATE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP A news conference on May 26 at the Rockford Area Economic Development Council celebrated the Industrial Partnership Agreement first signed between the Mayor Lawrence Morrissey, City of Rockford, and Mayor Kjell Hedvall, City of Lidköping, in August 2006 at Läckö Castle in Lidköping, Sweden.

The Industrial Partnership Agreement is unique as an economic development and navigation and networking tool that serves as a gateway for organizations and companies in the participating regions and markets to grow locally by working globally.

In 2011, the agreement was updated through a signing ceremony via Skype, between Mayor Lawrence Morrissey and Mayor Kjell Hedvall.

In 2014, the agreement was updated and expanded to include the City of Lidköping and County of Skaraborg (on the Swedish side) and the City of Rockford, Winnebago County, SwedishAmerican Health System (Rockford) and Sustain Dane (Madison, Wis.) on the U.S. side.

2

June 2016

Chairman’s Perspective VIEWPOINT

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Women making a statement in the business world In the last several decades, women have made incredible progress in starting and growing their own businesses. In addition, many major corporations, such as Pepsi, Kraft, IBM, Xerox, Hewlett Packard, Disney, and Facebook, to name a few, are led by women who serve as CEOs, COOs and other high-ranking officers.

According to the National Association of Women Business Owners, more than 9.4 million firms are owned by women, employing nearly 7.9 million people, and generating $1.5 trillion in sales as of 2015. One in five firms with revenue of $1 million or more is woman-owned and 4.2 percent of all women-owned firms have revenues of $1 million or more.

There are many local success stories as well. They include the late astronaut Janice Voss; Fox News Channel anchor Heather Nauert; singer Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child; Paula Carynski, president of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and Amy Ott, the first president of Boylan Catholic High School.

There are women in politics, women who are doctors, lawyers and aerospace engineers, to name a few. Some of these women serve on boards, but we could

I’m especially proud of my daughters, both of whom are products of Rockford schools. always use more. One of my goals, when I became chair of the chamber board, was to create more diversity on our board as well as on other boards, and to get more women in business involved in chamber activities. I believe its working.

A very bright individual, Raphaela Dohm Lessman, who graduated from Guilford High School, is the VP, Head of Corporate Internal Audit for Henkel AG & Co, KGaA, a $120 Billion company which employs 60,000 people. She resides in Germany and manages 40 auditors.

I’m especially proud of my daughters, both of whom are products of Rockford schools. One, Joy Gaspard Teelin, is a cardiovascular nurse practitioner and has four children. How does she manage all of that? Another daughter, Jodi Gaspard Peterson, a former prosecutor taught law in China at two Law schools.

All of us as business people face

■■ Children and career

as a key issue, Patti Thayer with women in Rockford Chamber seven nations Board Chairman listing this discrepancy as their major concern.

Women in business will be showcased at the Rockford Chamber’s Women in Business Expo and Luncheon on June 23 at Giovanni’s. This year’s event will feature a panel of women who are not only business owners but leaders in various industries. It will feature great dialogue, shared experiences and plenty of stories about successes and failures.

In addition, a few key leaders will be honored with the Woman Business Owner of the Year, Woman Manager of the Year and Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow awards.

I’ve heard it said many times before that a woman in business should think like a man, but act like a woman. It’s true. Women have to be smart and tough in business. There are many of us out there. I hope to see you at the expo and luncheon on June 23.

The global report reveals that four in every 10 women see the gender pay gap

Patti Thayer is the Chair Person of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

challenges that are common to small business, including fatigue, client dependence, money management, and balancing quality and growth. In addition for women in business, there are plenty of statistics tracking the percentage of women in the workforce, their qualifications and their salaries.

But the data doesn’t show us the whole picture. It doesn’t assess how women feel, how they fare in their day-to-day business, the challenges they encounter.

And that is why the Thomson Reuters Foundation, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, embarked on a global task, asking more than 9,500 women across the G20 to identify the top five issues faced at work.

The findings are compelling; according to the research, the issues that concern women the most are: ■■ Work-life balance ■■ Equal pay ■■ Harassment ■■ Career opportunities

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

3

June 2016

IGNITE

Young Professionals

Getting a seat at the table A Millennial view

A little over two years ago, I attended the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner at Giovanni’s. The keynote speaker was Haydn Shaw who is an expert on the generational gap in the workforce. I, like many of IGNITE’s members, fall within the Millennial generation and let’s face it, we’re different than any generation before us. Haydn did a great job illustrating the differences between the Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials.

It has become evident to me working with many clients and serving on various boards or committees that these generational gaps are alive and well in Rockford, Illinois.

As a Millennial, I definitely value

technology. If I can do something using technology that can be easily replicated, I’m able to create efficiencies that can be carried forward. I think any manager or executive can appreciate the idea of getting the same amount of production in less time (who doesn’t want that?).

I’ve been challenged by individuals from different generations, both in my current position and past experiences, that validate the data and prove that technology is producing accurate results, which is paramount in my profession and an important viewpoint that Baby Boomers and Gen Xers seem to think about automatically. This goes back to the saying, “garbage in, garbage out.” We need to take a step back from

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

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

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

The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community (USPS 784-120). ISSN number 1086-0630, is published monthly by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, Illinois 61101.

Periodicals postage paid at Rockford, Ill. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101.

technology and consider sources (even us Millennials).

Ideas from Millennials I recently attended a meeting on the generational gap, in which leaders of the community (mostly Baby Boomers and Gen Xers) wanted feedback from Millennials and to get our ideas. This is a tough task when there’s a generational and cultural divide. How do you get the feedback you’re looking for from Millennials? Should you give your younger associates a seat at the table?

The overarching goal is to engage the Millennials and ensure they’re working in the best interests of both the company and the community while also strengthening your understanding of what your workforce is looking for. I, and many of my colleagues, value the opportunity to give feedback. That said, if our feedback isn’t taken into consideration, you’re likely to get a young professional who becomes disengaged or doesn’t speak up when they have thoughts. It’s a balancing act, especially at the management level, to obtain feedback and make sure the input is taken into consideration.

My suggestion as it relates to obtaining

a Millennial’s feedback is Andrew Hendrickson IGNITE Rockford simple: Get to know your audience and talk to them. There is a stigma that Millennial’s don’t talk, we txt. I’m not a fan of that stigma because I enjoy meeting with individuals face-to-face and being able to read the body language that goes into having a conversation.

I think many in my peer group are the same way and appreciate personal interaction while also consistently using technology to communicate. If you’re looking for feedback from your younger workforce, you should be able to communicate a specific agenda and why you’d like the feedback, and you’re more likely to get results. Like anyone, the more context we have, the better feedback we can give.

Andrew Hendrickson is vice president-assurance senior associate at RSM US LLP, and a member of the IGNITE Leadership Team.

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

4

June 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Overtime overhaul expected to be costly Preparing for the new FLSA rule

By Allen Smith, SHRM (revised from original article) The White House and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rule, changing exemptions from overtime pay. As HR professionals wait for the release of the DOL’s final changes to overtime exemptions, it’s becoming clear that the new rule will cost many employers a lot of money. But it also will create an opportunity for HR to correct some past mistakes. The rule provides the opportunity to reclassify workers who have long been misclassified, since reclassification without a reason for it, such as a new rule, can raise eyebrows, said Andrew Burnside, an attorney with Ogletree Deakins, New Orleans.

The rule is expected to raise numerous challenges when some workers get pay raises to qualify for the new exempt salary level, while other workers are reclassified as hourly employees. Nonprofits and local governments will be hit particularly hard, as they don’t have the resources to increase salaries above the salary level threshold, so workers will have to be reclassified as nonexempt, said Alfred Robinson Jr., an attorney with Ogletree Deakins, Washington, D.C., and a former acting administrator of the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division.

Rule Highlights

differently, depending on local economics.

■■ Less clear lines between the department manager and staff. Supervisors will have to work harder if duties once performed by reclassified workers are reassigned to managers.

■■ Impact on services and whether extra work that exempt employees did will not happen after the reclassification.

■■ Temptation contractors.

to

use

independent

Unaffected Provisions Some pay provisions will not be affected, including: Outside sales. No change to its provision that minimum pay is not required.

Computer professionals. No change to computer professionals being paid the hourly rate of $27.63 per hour or more.

Licensed professionals. No change for professional employees (lawyers and doctors), who are not required to be paid a salary or minimum pay. (They may work on a fee basis.)

Certain retail employees. No change for retail employees paid on a commission under the Section 7(i) exemption.

Steps to Take Now Identify exempt positions where employees earn less than $50,000. Decide for which positions you will increase salaries above the new salary level.

Determine tasks performed weekly for employees who are likely to be reclassified and how many hours they usually work.

What job duties can be redistributed or eliminated, or if an entire function can be outsourced. Consider whether benefits will change for workers moving from exempt to nonexempt.

After converting workers to hourly pay, put restrictions on overtime work. Options other than converting to hourly work include salaried nonexempt employment, fluctuating workweek (not administratively easy) or Belo contract (like the fluctuating workweek, only more complicated).

The final overtime rule is expected to increase salary level tests for the executive, administrative and professional exemptions, Robinson observed. He said the rule also may periodically increase the salary level if it is indexed to 40 percent of full-time salaried earnings or pegged to the consumer price index, a measure of inflation.

The salary threshold for the white-collar exemptions is expected to be anywhere from $47,000 to $50,440 — more than twice the current annual level of $23,660. (The final rule raises the salary level to $47,476 and automatically increases every three years to maintain the level at the 40th percentile of full-time salaried workers in Allen Smith, J.D., is the manager of workplace the lowest-wage U.S. Census region.) law content for SHRM. Follow him @ While some employees will be bumped SHRMlegaleditor. above the salary threshold for whitecollar exemptions, at least for this year, Key Changes to FLSA Rules others will be reclassified as nonexempt.

1. Salary threshold changed to $913/ Employers will have to “worry about offweek ($47,476 per year). the-clock work” by reclassified workers, 2. Automatic salary threshold increases who won’t be used to having to sign in and every three years (not annually) to maintain level at 40th percentile in lowest wage out, Robinson cautioned.

Opportunity for Employers Robinson noted considerations in reclassifying employees: ■■ Costs to absorb and manage overtime.

■■ Morale issues. Employees who worked their way up won’t like the stigma of punching a clock and will feel as if they have been demoted.

■■ Inconsistency for large employers that may have to classify the same position

census region.

3. Duties tests are unchanged.

4. Effective date is Dec. 1, 2016. HR professionals should determine now which employees are affected, whether to re-classify them, and execute a communications strategy. Keep in mind the periodic adjustments and set a regular review process.

5. Highly Compensated Employee (HCE) exemption is now $134,004 per year.

See full details at SHRM Online’s FLSA Overtime Rule Resources page at www.shrm.org.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

June 2016

Schools foster students’ talents with big results

Charting a path towards real-world success One of the things I talk about a lot is the importance of students, not just graduating, but being college and career ready. The message is especially timely now during graduation season.

I’ve seen powerful examples of readiness in the Rockford Public Schools.

Here are three of them: ■■ During Brad Foster’s senior year in the Auburn High School Renaissance Academy, he did a Capstone project researching a new method for treating non-small cell lung cancer. Community partners including the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford and SwedishAmerican helped him in the lab and with a generous donation. Capstone projects combine theory and practice to demonstrate a high level of scholarship and college and career readiness. None of our students, though, do it alone. We have much community support along the way. Brad Foster intends to pay it forward: He is headed to Duke University to study biomedical engineering.

■■ During the 2014-15 school year, Kaylin Janicke and Isabella Doll Jaycox learned how to make hats out of fleece. Before they and their charitable team of students were done, they provided hats to more than a thousand students in RPS 205 elementary schools. This past December, four Marshall Middle School students -- Zeke Stockton, Jack Holmstrom, Nik Stadelman and Brandon Harmsen -followed the girls’ lead. They made and donated 450 “Happy Heads” fleece hats themselves. Meeting a need for local students is exactly the kind of actionoriented research we want our students to be doing while they are with us.

■■ Demetrius Markham is gifted at both art and science. An aspiring mechanical engineer, he also is a National Silver Medalist in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and he represented northern

Illinois in the Poetry Out Loud national recitation contest. He was fortunate to find a teacher in Lynn Stockton who not only saw his potential, but saw the need to nurture both sides of his intellect. Markham calls Stockton -- an art teacher at Jefferson High School -- one of the most influential people in his life. After Markham decided to commit to the University of Michigan on a full ride scholarship, he announced it on Facebook with a picture of Stockton by his side. “She made me the artist I am today, and without her, I would not have had this opportunity,” he wrote.

Powerful Connections These stories are what our high school academies are all about. We are seeing how powerful it is when we connect students -- whether it’s through art, or charity, or science. We’re finding realworld applications for their talents.

Beginning with the study of career clusters in the eighth grade, through attendance at the Academy Expo and choosing an academy and pathway in the ninth grade, through visits to companies in 10th grade and visits to colleges in 11th grade, we in RPS 205 stay focused on the day a student leaves our classrooms.

As much as we enjoy having our students with us, we enjoy even more when they are ready to make their mark on the world.

I am proud of the students we graduate every year, and I am grateful for the community’s work in helping them become the people they can be.

Congratulations and good luck to all our graduates.

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.

5

6

June 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Rockford Rotary’s centennial celebration culminates in a gift to the community Service to community is Rotary’s mission Rockford Rotary celebrates its centennial with a gift to the community, a Rotary Labyrinth in Linear Park at West State and Avon Streets in the Ellis Heights area.

Eradicate polio? Encourage second graders to read by reading with them, one-on-one, for one hour a week? Help eighth graders prepare for a more positive high school experience? These are just three examples of community service that the Rockford Rotary Club supports and works on, as it celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016.

We are proud to be the oldest service club in Rockford, and we are also proud that our efforts to “encourage and foster the ideal of service” makes a real difference right here in Rockford and around the world.

Rockford Rotary now joins an honored group of organizations, such as the Rockford Chamber, founded in 1910, that has served our community for 100 years and longer.

Rotary’s Service Ideal: Rockford and Worldwide

critical year for students and an optimum time to give them the tools to navigate successfully through high school.

a day at Rockford University and Rock Valley College and a final celebration at a sit-down dinner.

■ The Rotary Academy school-year program provides selected eighth-grade students with hands-on opportunities to develop leadership skills like team building, problem solving, communication, conflict resolution, personal growth, goal setting, etiquette, and of course, community service. Seven middle schools select 30 eighth graders for the yearlong program, which includes

■ The partners -- Rockford School District, Rockford Park District, Rockford University and the YMCA -- agree that the youth are our future, and that the leadership skills they learn in Rotary Academy help them through high school and beyond.

■ Rockford Rotary is part of Rotary International with more than 35,000 Rotary clubs and 1.2 million Rotarians

■ The charitable association helps many not-for-profits and public organizations.

For example, did you know that we purchased the popular Trolley Car 36 for the Rockford Park District in 1983?

During summer and fall weekends, enjoy a trolley ride in downtown Rockford.

■ In 2002, Rockford Rotary introduced Rotary Academy for eighth graders in the Rockford School District to provide them with leadership training for a more positive high school experience.

Educators advised that eighth grade is a

worldwide.

From 1985 to 1986, Rotary International launched its most ambitious and challenging goal, to eradicate polio around the world. Rotarians have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children, many in third-world countries, against polio and five other deadly diseases in 122 countries, with more than $1.5 billion contributed in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Thus the program is called Polio Plus. There are only two countries left, Afghanistan and Pakistan, in order to declare the world free of polio.

Rockford Rotary’s Centennial Gift

OTHER ELLIS HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVES

■ Soon after Rotary was established in Rockford in 1916, the service club established Camp Rotary in 1921. The 83-acre site along the Kishwaukee River hosted for nearly 60 years more than 100,000 youths with outdoor experiences of camping, swimming, boxing and more, through camperships. In 1978 Rotary donated the camp to the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District.

Russ Johansson Rockford Rotary Club

(above) Construction trainees of YouthBuild Rockford, a U.S. Department of Labor-funded training program of Comprehensive Community Solutions, Inc., began work on their 49th construction/ rehabilitation project in the Ellis Heights neighborhood at 715 Oakley Ave. Since 1995, trainees have built or renovated homes in Rockford’s most distressed neighborhoods, including the city’s first two LEED-certified green homes. (right) The Rockford Police Department and the United Way of Rock River Valley held an open house and ribbon cutting for the newest Strong Neighborhoods House in the Ellis Heights neighborhood, 312 Irving Ave., on April 26. Local police officers will work to build positive relationships with residents, and provide human services and programming, such as financial literacy, mental health resources and summer activities for youth. Source: United Way of Rock River Valley

The City of Rockford, in partnership with Zion West Neighborhood Association, West Gateway Coalition and Rockford Corridor Improvement launched the Abandoned Lot Mowing Program to maintain abandoned residential lots in the Ellis Heights neighborhood. Residents selected in part by the United Way of Rock River Valley will be paid hourly for their work.

To commemorate its 100th anniversary, Rockford Rotary will establish a Rotary Labyrinth in Linear Park, at the southwest corner of West State and Avon Streets. It will consist of a labyrinth, four benches and landscaping. The benches will feature Rotary’s Four-Way Test, which guide Rotarians’ personal and professional relationships.

■ Is it the truth?

■ Is it fair to all concerned?

■ Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

■ Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

You’re Invited!

We invite chamber members to the dedication of the Rotary Labyrinth on Wednesday, June 15, 4 p.m. We chose a labyrinth, as it symbolizes peace and inspiration. We wanted it in Ellis Heights to support the community’s efforts to help this area become a stronger neighborhood.

We are grateful to our partners who are helping us with our centennial project -the Rockford Park District and the City of Rockford.

Russ Johansson is president of Rockford Rotary Club.

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

Celebrate our River District Join the inaugural bike tour Bike riders in the region are invited to participate in the River District Association’s “River District 12,” its first-annual bike tour, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., on June 25. The 12-hour event promotes bike safety and awareness as participants pass five checkpoints throughout the River District, comprising a 4.5-mile loop, with the intention of biking the most miles possible. Eight bonus checkpoints will be staggered throughout that, if completed, will credit one extra lap (4.5 miles). These bonus checkpoints River District 12 is about building community, could include a physical task, beautification of the understanding who lives and works in the neighborhood neighborhood or a bike safety course. and discovering the amazing things happening right

here. The event is inspired by the Riverwest 24 Bike Race in the Riverwest neighborhood of Milwaukee.

The intention is to unite the community with something as simple as bike riding. Whether you register or volunteer, spend the day with friends, exploring our beautiful city. Register in two categories: solo or team (two to six people). Entry fee is $20 per rider (cash or check) at Namaste Studios, 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., on Fridays or $23 per rider online at www.riverdistrict12.com until the event fills up. No event day registration. Also view our gallery and learn how to volunteer.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

June 2016

The simple side of leadership Sometimes it’s the little things in life It’s often said that the best things in life are the simple things – the first warm day after a long winter, all green lights during the morning commute, the perfect cup of coffee on a relaxing Sunday morning. The big, complicated moments in life are great, but often it’s the small simple things that make life extra special. Conversely, it seems to be the simple things that can really wreck our days as well – a rainy afternoon, someone pulling out in front of you on your way home, regular mayo instead of light. In the end, the simple things really run our lives. And they seem to run our businesses as well.

The simple things seem to be what trip up organizations the most. How often does a big hubbub at the office really boil down to something simple?

I would venture to say most of the time.

But, very rarely do we actually boil the problem down to the simple basics. We focus on the extremities and outcomes rather than the core of the issue or the root of the problem.

In today’s world, we always seem to be trying to figure out ways to do more things with less. Somehow, this push for extreme efficiency has pushed us farther and farther away from the simple things. As the wheels turn harder and faster, we turn our focus away from the basics. To achieve true greatness, to be the city and community we know we can be, we have to refocus ourselves on the simple things.

Fresh Ideas

than we would like is because communication between departments could be clearer. Perhaps organizations could retain more young Caitlin Ludwig professionals RLA if they had quality, quarterly feedback sessions that included plans for professional growth both within the current position as well as within the organization. Maybe new ideas would be generated faster and with more gusto if employees felt they had ownership in the organization’s mission and vision. None of these ideas are actually that hard, but sadly, they seem to be outliers in organizations.

Getting back to the basics tends to be the answer any time you hit a roadblock. As a community, we can foster an atmosphere of greatness if we hold our organizations to the tenets of simplicity – the basics of business.

If we make ourselves experts at the basics, each organization’s greatness, and in turn, our community, will be unstoppable. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll hit all green lights while sipping that perfect cup of coffee with the windows rolled down on the first real spring day as we hit the road during our morning commute.

As leaders, we need to break down the issues that plague our organizations and find the root cause. Perhaps the reason employee turnover is higher

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

Leadership Development news is sponsored by Comcast

7

8

June 2016

Signs available reminding motorists to slow down

61st Leadership Class (continued from front page)

Students create winning design for City of Rockford Rockford Public School students Angelica Morales and Chase Heim (center) display their winning sign design at the May 16 Rockford City Council meeting.

Come June 1, you’ll notice new yard signs planted at Rockford area residences warning motorists to slow down in areas where families and children play, thanks to the winning design of two Auburn High School students. The City of Rockford recognized Angelica Morales and Chase Heim during its May 16 City Council meeting as the winners of its traffic calming competition.

Rockford Public School students were invited to create signage addressing the city traffic division’s number one complaint – perceived speeding in residential areas. Six finalist entries were selected from the 35 submittals received, and the winning sign chosen by judges from the City of Rockford, Rockford Police Department, Rockford Public Schools, Rockford Park District, Alignment Rockford and United Way of Rock River Valley.

“I am so proud of Angelica and Chase,” said Elizabeth DeGunther, Auburn High School graphic arts, fine arts, and 3D modeling and animation teacher.

“This

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

is

an

important

community involvement project that gave my students an opportunity to effect change in their community.”

The students received a City of Rockford and Rockford Park District prize package valued at more than $200, including movie tickets and admission passes for various activities throughout the city.

The yard signs are available for pickup starting June 1 at City Hall.

Please call the traffic department at 779-348-7173 to schedule a time for pickup. Limit one per household. For more information about the students, visit the Rockford Public Schools blog.

a network of friends and bond well together. Now they have a better understanding of the community.”

The keynote speaker for the luncheon was Kika Young of Forest City Gear and a graduate of the 2014 Leadership class. Young’s message addressed the need to look at leadership through a situational lens and search for what the situation needs in the form of leadership; then ask who is best equipped to lead in that particular set of circumstances.

“We all have a blend of ability, knowledge, and experience that equips us to be the best choice in a particular set of circumstances—that combination of your best assets put to work in the appropriate setting,” Young told the audience.

Building Connections Originally known as the Community Awareness Program (CAP), Leadership Rockford is the chamber’s signature leadership development program. Leadership Rockford runs for eight months and helps participants gain knowledge and awareness of business, government and civic issues, as well as take part in group and panel discussions and community service projects.

Jeff Fahrenwald, director of the MBA program at Rockford University, knows a little something about leadership. He’s worked with a number of businesses and nonprofits in various leadership roles. He speaks to the chamber’s leadership class every year.

“It’s one of the best groups I talk to every year,” he said. “They’re enthusiastic, ask great questions and really want to grow. This program

builds awareness and creates a tremendous network they didn’t have before. They discover how effective they can be as leaders. I think we can always use more leaders, and the more diverse our leaders are, the better.”

The Leadership Rockford class met bi-weekly from October to May to discuss topics ranging from transportation and economic development to education and diversity. The program started with a teambuilding experience, and included a trip to Springfield to meet with state legislators. Other highlights included visits to the Winnebago County Jail and the Chicago Rockford International Airport. The class heard from various keynote speakers almost every other Friday throughout the program. As part of their service, participants volunteered for community projects with various nonprofit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity and Lydia Home.

“We’re always trying to make sure people are connected to each other and the alumni,” said Caitlin Ludwig, the chamber’s vice president of leadership development. “The best Continued on page 9

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

9

June 2016

61st Leadership Class (continued from page 8)

way to become involved is by meeting and hearing from other leaders who are fully engaged.”

Leadership Rockford moderators were honored during the luncheon.

The outgoing moderators were Gabe Chappell, Associated Bank; Derek Erwin, Raymond James Associates, and Jessica Hayes, Manpower. “It was an awesome experience,” said Erwin.

“It’s a great way to meet people. Now when I go to a chamber event, I know 30 people as soon as I walk in. If I was an employer I would make this program mandatory. When you get involved, you fall in love with Rockford. That helps with retention.”

Cathy Bayer, communications specialist for Rockford Public Schools, also took part in this year’s program.

“Leadership Rockford offered a closer look at Rockford and its moving parts – the people, places, ideas,

accomplishments and challenges,” she said. “Our task as leaders is to keep improving our community. Several class discussions drew the same conclusion: Rockford has so much good going for it, and fortunately, the passion for this community is infectious. This class offered the groundwork and connections to great people – including my classmates – to contribute on a deeper level and to keep improving.”

Rockford Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Leadership Luncheon was presented by PNC Bank.

Graduation sponsors included Associated Bank; Dickerson & Nieman Realtors; FIELD; Growth Dimensions; OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center; Rockford Housing Authority; Rockford Toolcraft, Inc.; RSM US LLP; SwedishAmerican, a Division of UW Health; Ticomix, Inc., and Woodward. theVoice

10

Issues to Watch LEGISLATIVE

June 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

New Illinois Laws for 2016

LANDLORDS ACCUMULATED INTEREST

HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY

Here are some laws related to agriculture, animals and hunting; consumers, and energy, utilities and conservation, that have taken affect this year. For specific language of the laws, visit www.ilga.gov.

HB 1319/PA 99-0253

When considering applications for grants, directs the Department of Natural Resources to add certain criteria for giving park projects priority based on their level of handicapped accessibility.

AGRICULTURE, ANIMALS and HUNTING ANIMAL CRUELTY FINES HB 3231/PA 99-0357 Provides that, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, a person who is convicted of a specified cruel treatment of animals violation on a companion animal in the presence of a child shall be subject to a fine of $250 and ordered to perform community service for not less than 100 hours.

ANIMAL WELFARE OWNER ID HB 4029/PA 99-0310 Requires animal control facilities to check for microchips and other ID means to determine owner. If an owner is identified, the facility must contact via mail at least seven business days before transfer, foster home or euthanasia. Before transfer, foster home or euthanasia, the facility is required to check a second time for microchip and make sure original information obtained, if any, was correct.

BOBCAT HUNTING HB 352/PA 99-0033 Amends the Wildlife Code to allow bobcat hunting in Illinois from Nov. 1 to Feb. 15.

DHS GAS STATION INFO HB 4115/PA 99-0044 Provides the Department of Agriculture will maintain a list of addresses and phone numbers for gasoline and service stations on its website, and that it provides the Department of Human Services with the link that DHS can post on its own website.

EXOTIC WEED ACT SB 681/PA 99-0081 Adds more than 17 plant types to the Illinois Exotic Weed Act, including species of bush honeysuckle, olive, salt cedar, poison hemlock, giant hogweed, Oriental bittersweet, teasel and knotweed. The act lists non-native plants that spread by seeds or vegetative propagules (rhizomes, bulbs, tubers, corms, etc.) and naturalize; degrading natural communities, reducing the value of fish or wildlife habitat, and threatening Illinois endangered or threatened species. Owners or managers of

properties do not have to remove them, as they do those listed under the Illinois Noxious Weed Law, but are encouraged to prevent them from spreading, including removing flowers before they set seed.

HUMANE CARE FOR ANIMALS SB 125/PA 99-0311 States that, “No owner of a dog or cat may expose the dog or cat in a manner that places the dog or cat in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat or cold conditions.”

YOUTH HUNTING LICENSE AGE HB 3234/PA 99-0307 Raises age cap for youth hunting licenses from 16 to 18.

CONSUMERS CONSUMER TICKET PURCHASE PROTECTIONS HB 3103/PA 99-0431 Attempts to strengthen protection for consumers who purchase tickets from brokers or resellers. Requires ticket brokers and resellers to disclose the registered name and city of the event venue; that the broker is not the box or office or a licensed agent; that lost and stolen tickets may only be reissued by the brokers or resellers; whether it is registered under this act; its refund policy, name and contact information.

The broker or reseller must guarantee a full refund if the ticket does not grant admission or if the event is canceled and not rescheduled.

Provides that the lessor shall, within 30 days after the end of each 12-month rental period, pay to the lessee any interest that has accumulated to an amount of $5 or more, unless the lessee is in default under the terms of the lease. All accumulated interest that remains unpaid, regardless of the amount, must be paid over to the lessee upon termination of the tenancy.

MECHANICS LIENS: SUBSTITUTION OF BOND HB 2635/PA 99-0178 Amends the Mechanic’s Lien Act to establish a process for a property owner to substitute a surety bond for a mechanic’s lien on the property, thus enabling the property owner to sell or refinance the property.

ENERGY, UTILITIES AND CONSERVATION Best Use of Dust Suppressants HB 4007/PA 99-0089 States that a provision concerning beneficial use determinations does not apply to dust suppressants applied to material that is burned for energy recovery, used to produce a fuel, or otherwise contained in a fuel.

CLEAN AIR ACT SB 1672/PA 99-0463 Amends the Environmental Protection Act and requires the Pollution Control Board to adopt regulations establishing permit programs for Clean Air Act permits meeting the applicable requirements of specified provisions of the Clean Air Act. Ensures incorporation of federal laws and regulation into state statute and environmental policy.

Voters to see measure on November ballot to protect road funds Voters in November will get the opportunity to decide if funding for the state’s roads should be off limits to other agencies or programs, due to a proposed state constitutional amendment approved by the Illinois General Assembly, “Transportation Fund Lock Box” (HJRCA36).

The amendment states that any revenue collected from transportationrelated activities (registration fees, gas taxes and mass transit fees) is only spendable on road construction, maintenance and other related transportation expenses.

Since 2003, nearly $7 billion has been diverted from the Road Fund, which aims to repair Illinois’ roads and bridges. According to an audit completed in May 2013, less than half of Road Fund expenditures went toward road construction costs in 2011 and 2012.

The constitutional amendment, co-sponsored by Senator Syverson, passed with overwhelming support from both parties in the Legislature.

Other proposed amendments to the Illinois Constitution failed to advance out of the General Assembly this spring, including proposals to change the way legislative district boundaries are drawn, to eliminate the Lieutenant Governor’s office, and to change the state’s flat tax rate to a graduated rate.

Source: Senator Syverson’s Week in Review: May 2 - 6

HB 3457/PA 99-0391

INCREASED PENALTIES FOR RIVERS, LAKES AND STREAMS ACT HB 3240/PA 99-0073 States that anyone who violates a provision of the act shall be subject to a civil penalty worth two times the applicable permit fee, but not to exceed $5,000.

LIHEAP FUNDING SB 418/PA 99-0457 Ensures that Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program providers will still receive a 10 percent administrative fee for the previous fiscal year’s work even when the LIHEAP program runs out of funds.

OIL AND GAS ACT CHANGES SB 1377/PA 99-0137 Amends the DNR Oil and Gas Act. Changes the section concerning fabrications of permits concerning wells. This would increase the penalty to $5,000 for every falsification and misuse of information.

OIL AND GAS PAYMENTS HB 313/PA 99-0129 Adjusts oil lease/transfer fees for inflation. If a lease fee payment is $100 or less, a lessee may make one annual payment via check.

OIL AND GAS SERVICE OF NOTIFICATION ACT SB 1378/PA 99-0138 Creates the pathways that the Department of Natural Resources would use to notify owners of an abandoned well.

PROHIBIT MGP (MANUFACTURED GAS PLANT) WASTE FROM LANDFILLS HB 1326/PA 99-0365 Bans MGP waste from being placed into waste disposal sites (other than those permitted to receive dangerous material), unless it contains pollutant levels below the U.S. EPA levels.

UTILITY DEPOSIT WAIVER SB 1645/PA 99-0420 Requires utility companies to waive deposit requirements on new accounts for 60 days for documented domestic abuse victims.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

11

June 2016

Rockford University PERSPECTIVE

Generating a sense of community connectivity Fridays at the City Market are an excellent time

Denise Noe Rockford University

Whether spending time talking with business owners who are interested in what their customers are looking for, mentoring women business owners through the Athena PowerLink program or wearing that special piece of handcrafted jewelry made by a talented friend, my sense of community grows with each encounter.

I try to always do my part. Those who know me well know that extends to supporting locally owned businesses.

Haircuts, Chai tea lattes, home décor and furniture, dining out, farmer’s markets, local handmade art & jewelry … the list goes on and on. My conscious decision to choose an independently owned local business goes far beyond how my spending strengthens our economy and creates jobs. It goes beyond the trickledown effect of supporting a tax base to improve and transform our region. It goes even deeper than creating a diverse community of entrepreneurship that highlights our unique strengths and abilities. For me, “going local” provides me with an opportunity to build our community and celebrate the talents that give us our distinct personality.

Whether spending time talking with business owners who are interested in what their customers are looking for, mentoring women business owners through the Athena PowerLink program, eating locally sourced foods at my favorite restaurants or wearing that special piece of handcrafted jewelry made by a talented friend, my sense of community grows with each encounter.

The satisfaction I get from what I buy and where I shop is much more personal and distinctive because of my choices.

My connectivity and social network also expands and deepens.

Local Products, Local Talent Connecting with numerous local businesses can be a large and timely task. The Rockford City Market truly is a fabulous place to meet friends and get a taste of the local shops and restaurants that our area has to offer. The City Market takes place Friday afternoons and extends into the evenings. The variety of vendors at the market is extremely vast and diverse. You can eat food from local restaurants, bakeries and shops while shopping for clothes and local jewelry.

You also can listen to local music. Friday’s at the City Market are an excellent time to spend exploring not only the vendors within the market boundaries but also the shops, restaurants and breweries that

surround the area. I have found some of my favorite local shops and restaurants from their booths at the market or by walking around downtown before or after the market.

When you hear “shop local,” you think of physical products and restaurants, but Rockford has an impressive amount of local talent to shop for as well. For me, supporting local talent is just as important as supporting local shops and restaurants. In the Rockford area, you can hear live music at Anderson Gardens on a Tuesday night, see local bands and musicians at the Rockford City Market, watch a production at Rock Valley’s Starlight Theater or catch a Rockford University play.

During his commencement address for Rockford University on Sunday, May 15, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., supported the idea of connections and a sense of community as an integral component to a healthier lifestyle. He added that connectivity, when combined with empathy and optimism, were what he wished for the graduates. Of course, Rockford University graduates are uniquely positioned to heed his advice, given their immersion as part of a local independent not-for-profit focused on higher education that has staff and faculty who encourage a connected, empathetic student experience and a regional sense of community.

I’m going to keep doing my part. It’s something I try to instill in my teenagers as well. If a sense of community and connections are components of a healthier lifestyle, then frequenting my favorite shop for home décor, choosing a fantastic handcrafted necklace or enjoying a meal on the patio of one of our many locally owned restaurants is part of helping shape their future. At least that’s what I tell myself!

Denise Noe is assistant vice president for advancement at Rockford University.

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

12

June 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

KUKA Robotic Training … coming soon

It’s an exciting time for the engineering and technology programs at Rock Valley College. By now you may have heard that RVC and Northern Illinois University are offering a program where students can earn their associate’s degree in engineering from RVC and go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering from NIU -- all on the RVC campus in Rockford. NIU also is offering a master’s degree in engineering at RVC. The Rock Valley College Foundation’s Engineering Our Future campaign is seeking to raise $6 million to modernize the facilities in the college’s Woodward Technology Center and provide instructional support and scholarships for this exciting new partnership.

Training in KUKA Robotics Meanwhile, the college continues to make sure its engineering students receive training on the types of

innovative equipment that will best prepare them to enter the workforce.

The latest addition to the college’s current facilities is the acquisition of a KUKA robot. KUKA Robotics is one of the leading manufacturers of robotic systems worldwide.

Six years ago, RVC became the first community college in Illinois approved for FANUC Robot Certification. Since that time, more than 200 students have become certified, and many have found employment locally at companies such as Gunite Corporation, UTC Aerospace Systems, Woodward, Chrysler and companies in the Chicago area.

The acquisition of the KUKA robot will make RVC’s graduates even more employable, as they will now receive FANUC and KUKA certifications.

More than 60 percent of the robots used in heavy industry are FANUC or KUKA, and KUKA robots are in use at local companies such as Woodward, Ingersoll and Chrysler.

“In fact, once certified, RVC students could be employed by manufacturing companies who are using the FANUC or KUKA robots anywhere in the world,” says Professor Joe Etminan from the engineering & technology department at Rock Valley College.

New CERT Program In addition to supplying current students with sophisticated robotic training on state-of-the-art equipment, the Business and Professional Institute

offers customized training to meet the specific needs of its customers. In order to meet the demand for employees to be certified to use FANUC robots, FANUC created the Certified Educational Robot Training or CERT Program.

The CERT Program offers company employees the opportunity not only to learn about real-world industrial automation, but also prepares them for current work situations. Employees who are certified to use FANUC robots become a more valuable asset to their work teams and companies.

Local companies have found the CERT program to be extremely beneficial and convenient, which has resulted in cost savings regarding travel expense. Edward L. Bledsoe II, director

Innovations at EIGERlab

of operations for Gunite Corporation said, “Having the RVC training facility so close to our facility has been a great benefit to our operation. It has allowed us to provide the proper training for our operators and maintenance associates.

Also, the instructors have been very accommodating related to customizing the training syllabus and training times around our schedule.”

Employees are trained on one of three FANUC robot table-top training models used by Rock Valley College.

The models are designed to teach the fundamentals of robot programming, which can be applied to their current job responsibilities. Employees learn basic robot training with the help of eLearn, an online training program. In addition, the employee can program the robot using a fully operational version of FANUC Robotics’ own simulation software, ROBOGUIDE. This allows the employees to program the robot and then see the robot perform its assigned task.

If more advanced FANUC training is requested by the customer, the curriculum can be customized to meet those specific needs. Upon successful completion of the exam, each employee will receive a official certification from FANUC through Rock Valley College.

If you are interested in learning more about Rock Valley College’s FANUC or KUKA Robotic training offerings, please contact Bernie Luecke at 815-921-2067 or B.Luecke@RockValleyCollege.edu.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 10TH ANNUAL FASTPITCH

NIU EIGERlab celebrates the 10th annual FastPitch this year on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at NIU-Rockford, 8500 E. State St., Rockford, and invites entrepreneurs once again to pitch their business concepts in three minutes or less to a group of judges from the business and investment community. Presentations are open to the public at 5 p.m.

Presenters will benefit from networking opportunities in creating their viable businesses. The winning presenter will take home, not only a cash prize, but exposure to investors, business leaders, media and potential mentors. FastPitch will offer cash awards to the top finalists as well as the Clean Tech Award and Dale Falconer, “Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award.”

Visit www.eigerlab.org/fastpitch-competition.

Manufacturing News is sponsored by RVC BPI

Manufacturing News is sponsored by RVC BPI

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

13

June 2016

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

By Lana Paris, Wesley Willows With baby boomers quickly becoming the largest senior population ever, retirement communities have evolved in recent years. Wesley Willows first opened its doors in 1966, welcoming a new era of independent retirement living. The concept of retirement communities was revolutionary at the time – seniors actively enjoying their lives in a carefree environment with healthcare options if needed.

Today, those moving to senior living communities are younger and more active than ever before. As this population grows older, it also grows smarter. Seniors are taking control of their future by moving to Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). Wesley Willows is the largest, most established CCRC in the Rockford area.

A CCRC is a specialized community offering lifestyle options and levels of care on campus, including: ■■ Independent living for residents who are just that, ■■ Assisted living for residents who need help with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, ambulating, etc.),

Seniors are taking control of their future by moving to Continuing Care Retirement Communities.

Residential communities offer levels of care Customizing services to fit individual needs

provides the security of knowing that as health care needs change over time, you won’t have to move to another community. “It really just means that Wesley Willows is your forever home,” said Bill Pratt, president and CEO of Wesley Willows. “Some residents are gardening and taking fitness classes; some need memory support; others are in rehab after a knee replacement – no matter, they are at home receiving personalized services.”

■■ Memory care, and

Trend Towards Younger Residents

■■ Skilled nursing and rehabilitation (short and long term).

Having several lifestyles on campus

Today’s seniors are moving to a beautiful community at a younger age, while healthy. “The real change in the

past 20 years has been customizing each resident’s experience within the community with programs and amenities to suit everyone,” Pratt said.

“That is why we are seeing younger seniors on our campus.”

In 2008, Wesley Willows opened the Town Center and Suites, a resort-style hub to the community featuring chefprepared meals, aquatic and fitness center, library and technology center, concierge services and activities for everyone. Wesley Willows’ main campus is in a vibrant, rural setting. Independent living is offered at Peterson Meadows, an east-side option adjacent to shopping and I-90.

Senior living professionals say that they have gone “Beyond Bingo”-- offering activities for a wider range of interests.

They agree that the new generation of seniors demand options that appeal to their individual lifestyles. “Our residents are interested in high-quality amenities that offer choice and convenience,” said Pratt.

It’s no secret that staying active as we age is crucial to our health, and it’s beneficial for a community to offer a full wellness and life enrichment program for residents with personal trainers and a variety of fitness classes. Residents who were living alone and feeling isolated report increased happiness from participating in the programs and activities.

Often, following a hip replacement or extended hospital stay, people need extended rehabilitation. Wesley Willows offers Rockford area residents short-term inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapy, such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, for individuals recovering from injuries or illness, who then can return to their homes.

Lana Paris is director, fund development at Wesley Willows Corporation.

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

14

Summer Activities—Golf Guide

June 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Chamber’s golf classic

tees off a season of events A tour of outdoor outings for a good cause

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce kicked off a summer season of golf outings with its annual Golf Classic on May 23 at Forest Hills Country Club. The weather cooperated with a warm, sunny day.

Thirty-six foursomes participated in the annual event; connecting with business associates -- old and new. The first place foursome award with a score of 59 went to Dave Beto, Jeff Beto, Ned Gillette and Amos Yoder. Awards also went to Penny Lechtenberg for Closest to the Hole for Ladies, Chris Peanosky for Closest to the Hole for Men, Kris Kieper for Longest Drive Lady, Scott Gould for Longest Putt Men and Tony Madus for Longest Drive Men.

Thank you to the businesses that sponsored the classic and helped make it a success: SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health (presenting); Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP (gold); Blackhawk Bank (gift), and General Mitchell International Airport and The Alliance (greens).

Tee-box sponsors were Northwest Bank, Cookies By Design, Northwestern Mutual, Camelot World Travel, GreenFire, Better Business Bureau, Meijer, MembersAlliance Credit Union, Physician’s Immediate Care, IGNITE, Rockford Chamber of Commerce and Ambassadors Club.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Summer Activities—Golf Guide

June 2016

A Full Season of Golf Outings The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club

5151 Guilford Road, Rockford 815-399-0711 • www.mntscc.org June 6 Boys & Girls Club June 13 Milestone June 20 Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful June 24 Boylan Open (all day) June 27 Women’s Italian Open July 7 Jackmandew Tour July 18 OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center July 25 Lombardi Club Aug. 1 Jerry Guse Memorial Aug. 12 Men’s Italian Open (p.m.)

Aug. 22 Youth for Christ Aug. 29 PICRA Sept. 8 Parks Chamber Golf Outing Sept. 19 IGNITE Young Professionals

Rockford Country Club

2500 Oxford St., Rockford 815-968-9881 • www.rockfordcc.com June 3 June 13 June 24 July 18 Aug. 1 Aug. 8 Aug. 12 Aug. 25 Sept. 12

Wounded Warriors Project United Way of Rock River Valley Boylan Open Rockford Area Realtors Northern Illinois Hospice Rockford Memorial Foundation Cosmopolitan Club University Club GiGi’s Playhouse

Sept. 19

Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association

Aldeen Golf Club

1902 Reid Farm Road, Rockford 815-282-4653 • www.aldeengolfclub.com June 3 Amanda Reed June 10 Northwest Illinois Building Trades June 15 Ryan Jury July 22 RPS 205 July 23 Dylan Mastrionni Memorial July 27 Entre Computer Solutions July 28 Rockford MELD Aug. 1 Greg Lindmark Memorial Aug. 2 IAFF Local 413 Aug. 4 Rockford Area Sexual Assault Counseling Aug. 5 Rockford Christian School Aug. 12 Rock Run Soccer Club Aug. 13 Andrew Murray Aug. 14 Folds of Honor Aug. 19 Dental Society Aug. 20 Jim Olson Memorial Aug. 29 AESF Sept. 9 Midway Village Museum Sept. 10 Brad Fowler Invitational Sept. 20 Special Olympics Golf Skills at the Aldeen Practice Centre Oct. 15 Phelps-Rose Memorial

PrairieView Golf Club

7993 N. River Road, Byron 815-234-8535 • www.byronforestpreserve.com (click Facilities) June 4 Andy Patton Memorial June 11 Byron Booster Association June 18 Ogle County Hospice June 24 Hiawatha Education Association June 27 Home Builders Association July 29 Brian VanVickle Aug. 10 United Way of Rock River Valley Aug. 20 Lynn Scott Rock PFD Aug. 30 Rally-4-Cure Sept. 24 Vedra Scramble Oct. 1 Easter Seals Oct. 8 PAWS

Forest Hills Country Club

5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford 815-877-4280 • www.foresthillscountryclub.com June 6 Hole Hearted for Hospice June 27 Center for Sight and Hearing Aug. 1 Wounded Warriors Aug. 12 Cosmopolitan Club Sept. 9 Walter Lawson Children’s Home Oct. 7 Healing Pathways

15

16

Summer Activities

June 2016

Summer Activities

Wings of Wonder, a lorikeet exhibit, has been one of the popular draws to Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. ©Rockford Park District - Photo by Jesse Fox

raised free-range meats, farm fresh eggs, jams and jellies, brick oven pizzas, and more.

Edgebrook Evening Farmer’s Market returns on Thursdays through Sept. 15, 3 to 6:30 p.m. The market will include special guests and musical performances as well as the traditional vendors.

Music on the Mall returns most Fridays through September, featuring local musicians, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the outdoor space outside Mary’s Market.

Seating is limited; consider bringing your own chair. During inclement weather Music on the Mall may be cancelled or moved. Call 815-394-0765 for weatherrelated inquiries.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

(continued from front page)

Native Rockfordians Reed Sjostrom, Dustin Koch and Chris Manuel are co-owners of Prairie Street Brewing Company along the Rock River.

Rockford City Market returns for the seventh season featuring more than 70 vendors.

For the full performance listing, visit edgebrookshops.com/events.

parking lot at the end of Haas Road near Durand.

Walk Where Flowers Carpet the Forest Floor

■■ June 21 - Harlem Hills Prairie Nature Preserve. Hills should be pink/purple with thousands of Pale Purple Coneflowers.

Meet on Flora Drive in Loves Park.

Natural Land Institute and Severson Dells Nature Center invite residents to participate in free Wildflower Walkabouts, easy guided hikes on Wednesdays and Tuesdays through June 29 at 6 p.m.

■■ June 1 - Sugar River Alder Forest Preserve. Meet at parking lot off of Haas Road near Durand.

■■ June 7 - Hartley Memorial Forest Preserve. Three miles south of Durand on IL Rt. 70. Park on Campbell Road.

■■ June 15 - Colored Sands Forest Preserve.

Bring a wildflower book, binoculars and bug spray. Meet at the Banding Station

■■ June 29 - Searls Prairie Nature Preserve.

Meet across from soccer fields on south side of Central Avenue in Rockford.

Walks are free, but membership in NLI and/or SDNC is encouraged. Registration not required. Long sleeves, pants and sturdy shoes recommended. Walkabouts usually last one and a half to two hours.

Visit www.naturalland.org or www. seversondells.org.

Vintage, Repurposed Items for Sale This year brings the return of the free Rockford Vintage Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on June 18, July 16 and Aug. 20 at 124 N. Water St., the same location as Rockford City Market in downtown Rockford.

Vendors will sell vintage, antique and re-purposed items, including home and garden goods, furniture, clothing, jewelry, art and children’s items, along with entertainment and food and beverages. The market is managed by the Rock River Development Partnership, the organization that operates the Rockford City Market and North End City Market.

Visit rockfordvintagemarket.com.

Introducing …

Prairie Street Brewing Company Prairie Street Brewing Company continues its Dinner on the Dock tradition on Thursdays this summer from 5 to 10 p.m. Live music from 6 to 9 p.m.

Visit www.rockfordbrewingco.com.

In other news, Rockford Brewing Company renamed itself in May as Prairie Street Brewing Company. Three young Rockfordians, Dustin Koch, Reed Sjostrom and Chris Manuel, opened Rockford Brewing Company in 2013. According to the three, business has been very good, but for one thing needing tweaking: the name.

“We actually had two names and that was confusing people, including us,” Koch said. “Rockford Brewing Company stood for brewing craft beer and Prairie Street Brewhouse stood for everything else that went on in the building, from meetings and weddings, to leasing offices and loft apartments.”

To honor the legacy of Jonathan Peacock, the English immigrant who in 1849 opened the riverside brewery on Prairie Street that’s used today, the business now is called Prairie Street Brewing Company. The new logo features an image of a peacock bird and three feathers as a reference to the three current owners.

Manuel also revealed that the company will open a restaurant and brewery at the UW Health Sports Factory in downtown Rockford this summer.

Rockford City Market Open For Business Rockford City Market returns for the seventh season, Water Street at East State Street, in downtown Rockford, on Fridays, 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., through Sept. 30. Hours after Labor Day are 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Seventeen new vendors will make an appearance: Bearded Republic, Buck’s Hot Sauce, The Commissary Food Truck, Crystals by LoRayne, Gotta B Crepes, Gustafson Farms, Jacq’s Attire, The Kitchen Garden, My Sweets, North 38 Signs, Pam Kehoe-Peterson Jewelry, Quixotic Bakery, Rockford Woodcraft, Sweet Dreams, Thrive Café and The Wild Rhubarb.

The market will feature more than 70 vendors this season: established businesses with locations outside of the downtown Rockford and new businesses looking to build a client base.

Visit www.rockfordcitymarket.com.

RVC Starlight Theatre’s 50th Season Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre celebrates its 50th season with four productions this summer, including three of its most successful musicals.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (June 8 to 11; July 6 to 10).

Jesus Christ Superstar (June 15 to 18; July 13 to 17). Performed in 1975, ’89, ’05.

The Phantom of the Opera (June 22 to 25; July 20 to 24). Performed in 2011.

Children of Eden (June 29 to July 2; July 27 to 31). Performed in 1997 and 2003.

Shows are 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on June 11, 18, 25 and July 2.

Visit rvcstarlight.com or call 815-9212160.

Recreation at Rockford Park District The Rockford Park District released its annual report describing residents’ and visitors’ participation in district programs Continued on page 17

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Summer Activities

June 2016

17

Enjoying the Rock with Rocktown Adventures Recreation on the region’s four rivers

By Kevin Versino, Rocktown Adventures Being an outdoorsman, one of the things I like most about our location on Madison Street is looking out our front window and being able to enjoy the Rock River and all the excitement that downtown has to offer. This is especially true in the summertime when I can hear the voices and see the faces of others in our community enjoying one of our region’s greatest natural assets, whether it’s at Rockford City Market or some of the exciting activities the Rockford Park District has to offer.

When selecting our location in 2014, we wanted to be downtown and as close to the river as possible. Not only because it made sense logistically for our paddlesport programming, but because we wanted to be a part of the momentum taking place downtown, and so much of that activity takes place near or on the Rock River.

This summer, I encourage you to visit Rocktown Adventures and take advantage of our downtown and the Rock River. We offer a number of paddlesport rentals and exciting activities that are fun for all ages and skill levels. Rocktown Adventures makes it easy for you and your family to fall in love with the river – just like we have.

Youth Paddlesport Camp: Are the kiddos interested in some adventure?

How about learning a paddlesport?

These four-day camps will run once a month in June, July and August, with the camp in June taking place from June 7 to 10. Designed for children ages six to 17, our instructors will teach kids kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) skills, providing them the confidence to safely and comfortably maneuver on the water. Forward, reverse and sweep strokes will be introduced along with basic safety and rescue procedures.

These camps will take place at Jericho Lake, and after completion of the camp, your child will be able to enjoy paddling down the Rock River. As important, YOU will be able to enjoy paddling with them now that they have the skills.

City Market Paddle: Looking to add a twist to your Friday night venture to City Market? Kick off your weekend with a paddling adventure topped off by a visit to the Rockford City Market every other Friday starting June 3. The trip is

(below) Kevin Versino, general manager, says Rocktown Adventures provides equipment and instruction for recreational outings on all of Winnebago County’s four rivers. (right) Outings include Woman on Water, a twist on Girl’s Night Out with instruction and paddle time on kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

only $30 and includes a kayak, paddle, personal floatation device, shuttle, guide and a guaranteed good time. Want to partner up? Tandem kayaks are also available for $40.

Woman on Water: Put a new twist on Girl’s Night Out with a morning adventure. Our “woman’s only” paddle meets Wednesday mornings, with one or two early Saturday morning paddles per month as well. The session includes safety and dry land instruction and an hour-long paddle. Meet some new friends and take in Rockford from a whole new perspective, river level! Kayak and stand up paddleboards will be used alternating weeks.

Kayak Fishing: Participate in one of paddlesport’s fastest growing segments right here in Rockford. The Kishwaukee is a good Smallmouth Bass fishery. Did you know the state record walleye was caught in Winnebago County on the Pecatonica River? Kayak fishing gives anglers the opportunity to drop their line in the water without the hassle of a motorboat and with the added benefit of exercise. Rocktown Adventures has programming and rentals available for this rapidly growing sport.

Daycations: Build in some quality family time this summer, and make Rocktown Adventures a part of your family “daycation.” We offer rentals and instruction for families to develop skills

Summer Activities (continued from page 16) and services. Here’s how the numbers stacked up: ■■ 52,427 viewed the greenhouse/exhibits at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens.

■■ 23,000 enjoyed free outdoor concerts at Sinnissippi Music Shell.

■■ 86,841 participated in “Books for Fun” at Magic Waters Waterpark.

■■ 28,000 participated in outdoor family fun at Lockwood Park during “Locktoberfest.”

■■ 1,071 participated in family events at Atwood Center.

For the full report and listing of summer activities, visit www.rockford parkdistrict.org. theVoice

and confidence to safely and effectively maneuver on the water, while making memories together. With the help of Rocktown Adventures, your family will be able to enjoy all four rivers we have in Winnebago County.

Prefer Terra Firma over being on the water? We have you covered with

camping equipment available for rent; letting you take advantage of all the camp sites administered by Forest Preserves of Winnebago County as well as Rock Cut State Park.

We are excited to be located in the heart of downtown along the river, and I encourage you to consider heading this way as you plan your next family or social adventure. With all we have to offer, I am sure you’ll be excited to come back again and again. Let Rocktown Adventures be your guide the next time you want to “Gear Up Head Out.” Kevin Versino is general manager of Rocktown Adventures.

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

18

June 2016

Connection between primary jobs and retail development

Making connections at Hannover Messe Dennis McCarthy, RAEDC, and John Saunders and Chris Anderson, Larson & Darby Group, represented the Rockford Region at Hannover Messe, along with the State of Illinois Department of Commerce in the Illinois Investment Pavilion. The world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology took place April 24 to 28.

During the four-day trade fair, McCarthy had one-on-one meetings with 43 companies to present the strengths and assets of the Rockford Region, including more than $1.5 billion in current investments being made in the area, proximity to major highways, accessibility of four class-one railroads, and availability of our highly skilled workforce.

The ability to participate in an event of this magnitude was made possible through the RAEDC’s Leadership Council 2015 Emerging Opportunities Fund (EOF). The EOF is designed for discretionary investment in mutually agreed-upon, forward-thinking initiatives that will leverage positive change for economic development of the Rockford Region. The 2015 investment was made

By Stacy Bernardi, RAEDC

(shown left to right): Dennis McCarthy, director of national business development, RAEDC; Chris Anderson, designer, and John Saunders, principal, Larson & Darby Group. to business attraction marketing, which includes promoting the Rockford Region to site selectors and developers in the Chicagoland area, Wisconsin and other key markets through exhibits at trade shows and advertising in relevant publications and online.

The United States was the official partner country for Hannover Messe 2016, which drew 190,000 visitors and 5,200 exhibitors from 75 countries. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President Barak Obama opened Hannover Messe, with its keynote theme of “Integrated Industry – Discover Solutions.” This was the first time a U.S. President opened the industrial technology trade fair.

Caterpillar Inc. Supplier Symposium reaches 75 area companies The RAEDC and Congressman Adam Kinzinger welcomed Caterpillar Inc., to Rockford to foster connections with 75 northern Illinois companies at a supplier symposium held at the Chicago Rockford International Airport.

The purpose of the symposium was to connect the capabilities of regional manufacturers to opportunities at Caterpillar Inc., to increase sales for those local companies. In addition to a 30-minute presentation detailing the

lengthy process of becoming a supplier for a large complex company like Caterpillar Inc., the morning included individual supplier meetings for businesses with Caterpillar procurement representatives.

Caterpillar Inc., is a leading global provider of construction and mining equipment, engines, turbines and locomotives. It operates through three product segments — construction industries, resource industries, and energy & transportation.

Rockford included as a targeted community with the Department of Defense Five Illinois communities including Rockford are targeted under a grant to support manufacturing and Defense Department relationships. In December 2015, the University of Illinois received a $5.5 million grant to support economic revitalization in Illinois communities affected by reductions in federal military spending.

The other communities are Quad Cities, Peoria, Metro East and Greater Chicago.

The two-year grant was awarded by the DoD’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) under their Defense Industry Adjustment program created to assist military-connected communities as defense spending declines due to federal budget reductions and the wind-down of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The grant is matched by nearly $775,000 in cash and in-kind contributions from local sources.

The data-driven initiative will fund

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

three primary efforts to help communities retool their economies and foster growth.

According to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, “This federal funding will support a datadriven study into how we can best utilize Illinois’ defense assets and support the surrounding communities. This information is critical to developing a comprehensive strategy to strengthen our defense installations and support local economic development.”

The project team for this effort was in Rockford on May 26 at NIU-Rockford to officially kick off this program. The Rockford Chamber of Commerce and the RAEDC will assist the project team locally in their outreach efforts to companies in this region to ensure their capabilities are well documented to assist with growing business with the Department of Defense.

For information go to www.illinoisdia.org.

Importance of Primary Jobs

large retail chains, 48 percent of the revenue spent is re-circulated into the community, versus 13.6 percent with chain stores. There also is the theory that when a community has many local retail shops with a proven track record of success over multiple years, some chain stores may take a longer look at coming into a community or a downtown area.

It proves to a large company that you are committed to the growth in that particular area.

The reality is that retailers rate communities as primary, secondary, and even lower. Retailers look at the basic facts of the overall community. They look at average household income, number of homes or rooftops, education level, unemployment rate, market competition, and in some cases, the demographics.

When communities question why there is not a particular store in the community, such as a Whole Foods, it needs to look at the facts of what a company is requiring to locate a store in its community.

Most companies now will list their requirements on their websites.

The more primary jobs a region retains and creates -- in our case in advanced manufacturing and healthcare -- the more money there is to spend in a community. So while the RAEDC will help anyone by guiding them towards success in retail, we do not focus on the attraction of retail. We are lucky to have those experts, so we can focus on the higher-paying jobs.

The importance of the “buy local” theory is its multiplier effect on a local economy. When we buy local versus

Stacy Bernardi is vice president for development at the RAEDC.

The Rockford Area Economic Development Council’s primary mission is to cultivate opportunities for primary job growth to increase the economic well being of our region.

Retail is a very important component of our community and local economy, as it generates a tremendous amount of tax dollars for our local municipalities.

Historically however, retail jobs do not pay livable wages, and therefore are not considered “primary jobs” in the economic development world. This certainly does not make them any less important to the person employed or the community.

There are economic development organizations that do focus and dedicate a person to the retail industry, but the RAEDC has never been set up that way.

If you look as close as Aurora, “Invest Aurora” does dedicate a person to attract retail. In the Rockford Region, our strength is in brokers who attract retail, and our focus at the RAEDC is to assist them when necessary. We are very fortunate to have First Midwest Group, who is a leader in attracting and growing the region’s retail market. Spring Creek Development, Orput Companies and Landmark also have contributed at a very high level to our region’s retail expansion.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

19

June 2016

Exploring a community in a digital world

Josh Albrecht Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

New ways to tell the Rockford story Telling the Rockford story is what the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has been doing for more than 30 years. We share the fun and adventure that awaits visitors (more than 7.6 million people each year) who experience our region for a variety of reasons – attending sports events and tournaments, exploring our parks and rivers or taking in culture at one of our many museums and attractions.

YouTube. (Don’t worry, the system is smart enough through filtering to make sure nothing inappropriate makes it through.) Once a user tags us, their posts will then generate to our homepage. We are extremely excited to be able to use this new technology as part of our storytelling.

Also, later this summer, we will be partnering with our friends at the Illinois Office of Tourism to bring

One of the newest ways that the message is spread to the world is the digital marketplace.

Getting the message out to the world is one that has evolved through the years. As technology has become more prevalent, we have turned to it more and more to connect with our audience – both visitors to the region and our own citizens.

One of the newest ways that the message is spread to the world is the digital marketplace. That is why over the past year we have continued our strategy to tell our story online in dynamic ways. Staying on-trend and current can be difficult in the everchanging digital landscape.

In the social media world, our GoRockford brand continues to see great success. In the first quarter of this year, our Facebook followers have increased to nearly 19,000 followers, Instagram increased to nearly 5,000 and Twitter jumped to 5,500. This past winter, we added Snapchat, which continues to rise in popularity throughout the country, and we already have several hundred followers on this social media platform. Add in our 267,000 YouTube video views, and we are seeing lots of traction in the online social media space.

New in Social Media To maximize the impact of the social media world and those who help to tell the Rockford story via GoRockford, our newly redesigned website, www. gorockford.com, is one of the first tourism websites in the country to use a new social media integration platform called Stackla. Now, our visitors and residents can help to tell the story of Rockford simply by tagging us with #gorockford to their posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and

Rockford-area

experiences

directly

to travelers through a series of virtual travel experiences in partnership with Georama, the world’s first real-time virtual tour platform. These tours will be broadcast live via www.gorockford. com and will feature several of our more popular sites and attractions. This will be a very authentic and fresh way to experience our great city and region.

We anticipate these live broadcasts to take place in late July (more details on exact time and dates to come soon!).

Finally, in an effort to make the digital experience easier and more exciting when exploring the Rockford region, our newly redesigned website is now fully responsive, making it easier to read and use on all devices, from desktop computers to tablets to mobile phones. Add in our new geolocation map that helps you find what sites, attractions, restaurants and shops are closest to you and our revamped Blog section will allow our GoRockford team to share some of the best things about our region in an easier and more efficient way (Top 5 Burger Places and Top 5 Cool Treats in the Summer are both coming soon!)

Now, thanks to the digital world, there is only one better way to learn about our region than using the GoRockford brand, and that is to go out and experience it for yourself. (But don’t forget to share what you learn by tagging #gorockford.)

Josh Albrecht is director of marketing & public affairs at the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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

20

June 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

The beautification committee has spearheaded 12 landscaping or beautification projects the past two years, including creating a monarch butterfly haven on Huffman Street. ©Rockford Park District - Photo by Jesse Fox

Competing districts growing now under collective action

By Alex Gary Four years ago, Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey called all of the various business districts that receive money from the city together to deliver a very simple message.

“He said ‘work together and come up with a big picture plan and share resources or you ain’t getting any money’,” said Dori Kearney, director of development of the Midtown District.

In Rockford, at times that has been easier said than done. When Transform Rockford was first formed, Woodward Inc. CEO Tom Gendron cited an ongoing dispute between Rockford’s mayor and the Winnebago County board chairman as being an impetus for starting the group. And last summer’s airwaves and television news were dominated by fighting over a plan by the Rockford Housing Authority to build affordable housing near Rockford University. Locals love to cite memories of one city fighting another over the area’s increasingly precious resources.

Kearney was skeptical the business districts were going to be able to work together as well.

“There was frustration over who got what, and we’d get rolled by (the River District) on an ongoing basis,” she said.

“I didn’t see how it was going to work.”

The partnership, named EDEEN (Economic Development, Education and Entrepreneurship Network), started slowly, but now is working under the name Rockford Community Partners, and Kearney is one of its biggest backers.

“We talk all the time now about how we can hook up, work together on events or projects, make sure we promote other businesses and other districts promote ours.”

Among the Tangible Improvements ■ The beautification committee has spearheaded 12 landscaping or beautification projects the past two years, including creating a monarch butterfly haven on Huffman Street.

This year, the focus will be to vastly improve one area – Seventh Street.

■ Supported and helped build festivals or special events such as the Midtown Ethnic Parade and Festival

and SWIFT’s Explore Rockford Truth.

Midtown’s association is anchored by Seventh Street. SWIFT’s association is anchored by South Main Street.

Business district association officials worked with Rockford to create BUSINESSFirst. That’s a twice-a-month meeting where anyone interested in buying and renovating a downtown commercial space can come in and meet with officials from every single department or organization that will have to sign off on the project. The goal is to eliminate what many have seen as a bureaucratic nightmare in renovating the city’s older buildings.

That’s a short list. Rudy Valdez, SWIFT vice president, said many more are to come because of the collaborative atmosphere.

“It took a while to begin working because we had to build the relationships,” Valdez said. “We learn some best practices or new ideas from the other districts and sometimes we learn things that keeps us from going down bad roads.”

Todd Cagnoni, Rockford’s director of community and economic development, is the point person for the

city with the business districts. He said it is unfair to believe that the cooperation among the business districts is some exotic formula that needs to be magically spread throughout Rockford.

The city directly funds several business districts through the partnership, including Midtown, SWIFT, the River District, Neighborhood Network and the Miracle Mile. Cagnoni believes cooperation is the norm and highly public disputes such as last summer’s drama between the Rockford Housing Authority and the Rockford City Council are the exception.

“There are always going to be failures in communication on any type of process, and it’ll happen again,” Cagnoni said. “We know there was skepticism at first and it’s very nice to hear the BDAs say they’ve gained value.

We continue to communicate and bring projects forward that otherwise might not have happened.”

Alex Gary is president of Alex Gary Communications Inc. The views expressed are those of Gary’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

A difficult trend to break

By Alex Gary The first half of property taxes were due June 3 in Winnebago County, and just in time for that first payment, The Tax Foundation updated its data on property taxes by county.

The Washington D.C.-based nonprofit posted a color-coded map on its website May 18, showing which counties paid the most and least in property taxes in 2013.

The Tax Foundation hadn’t updated the data since 2012 when it used 2010 figures.

How states tax property varies widely.

In 2013, the highest annual median property tax bill was $9,941 in Nassau County, New York. In Perry County, Alabama, the median property tax bill was $206.

Of all the issues facing Rockford and Winnebago County, property taxes are perhaps the most perplexing. Over the past 30 years, several government entities have replaced manufacturing firms as the area’s largest employers. Any kind of concerted effort to cut tax funding would likely mean layoffs at places such as the Rockford and Harlem school districts,

the city of Rockford, Winnebago County and the Rockford Park District.

According to Tax Foundation data back to 2007, the unfortunate trend of property owners having to pay an increasingly high percentage of their property values in taxes picked up pace during the Great Recession.

When looking as the county as a

whole, there are several in Illinois that pay more, some significantly more, in annual property taxes. But when it comes to property taxes as a percentage of home value, Winnebago County has always been near the top, and in 2013 clearly was at the top. It is much more frustrating to shell out nearly $285 a month in property taxes on an $82,500

house than it is to pay about $495 a month for a home in Kendall County that was worth more than twice what a home in Winnebago County was ($166,300).

Alex Gary is president of Alex Gary Communications Inc.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

21

June 2016

Business Briefs BUSINESS BRIEFS Kansas and South Carolina. The HIIP program supports existing community health centers serving medically underserved populations through the alteration/renovation, expansion or construction of a facility.

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

An annual report showed that visitors Per Mar Security Services was awarded Honeywell Platinum Authorized Dealer status.

SwedishAmerican purchased a life-sized, high-tech birth simulator, “Victoria,” to help educate labor & delivery unit providers and nurses and improve health outcomes for moms and newborn babies. The hospital also purchased “Baby Hal,” a high-fidelity newborn simulator.

V2 Marketing Communications organized, promoted and facilitated a four-day workshop and banquet event for the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor in Phoenix, which drew more than 100 participants. OrthoIllinois, formerly known as Rockford Orthopedic Associates, hired V2 for its advertising campaign, “You have a choice when it comes to your orthopedic needs,” on television, radio, outdoor, print and online in Rockford and McHenry County.

PrairieView Golf Club received Byron Area Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Business Achievement Award at its annual dinner in April.

13 WREX received two Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards by the Radio Television Digital News Association. It received the top honor of Overall Excellence in Region 7 and a News Documentary award for its 30-minute news special, “Digging Deeper: Understanding Extremism,” which aired in February 2015.

Rockford Park District installed a dock on the Riverfront Museum Park campus behind Burpee Museum, 737 N. Main St., thanks to foundation fundraising of $195,046.

Rockford Memorial Hospital received the Healthgrades® Patient Safety Excellence Award™, which places it within the top 10 percent of all hospitals nationwide for its excellent performance in safeguarding patients from serious, potentially preventable complications during hospital stays.

SwedishAmerican Hospital was recognized as a four-star top performer by the national healthcare research leader, Professional Research Consultants, Inc., for superior achievement by its senior administration leadership in mid-May. SwedishAmerican was named for the second time an Anticoagulation Center of Excellence by the Anticoagulation Forum for quality care of patients taking blood thinners -- the only clinic in Illinois so named.

OSF Saint Anthony College of Nursing hosted a ribbon cutting for two new simulation labs at its

Dorothy Boyer attends a dedication ceremony on May 22 in honor of her son SFC Alan L. Boyer, Missing in Action in Laos during the Vietnam War for almost 48 years. Rockford Charter Chapter ViêtNow installed a Boyer bench and plaque at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Clarcor Pavilion.

Guilford Square campus, 698 Featherstone Road; a community health lab and an OB lab, funded in part by proceeds from the 2015 OSF Foundation Annual Pink Ball.

Nursing students can experience what it’s like to be an OB nurse during childbirth.

Savant Capital Management donated $2,500 to RAMP and Midway Village Museum each. It will choose one non-profit a month in 2016 for a $2,500 award, for a total of $30,000 as a part of its 30th anniversary celebration.

North American Tool Corporation celebrated its 30-year anniversary on April 21. It was founded in 1986 in South Beloit by father and son team, Kenyon Y. Taylor and Roger Taylor.

Woodward, Inc.’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.11 per share for the quarter, payable on June 6, 2016, for stockholders of record as of May 23, 2016.

MercyRockford Health System’s MD-1 physicians worked with Rockford Catholic Schools as a part of its Casualty Care Program to provide training in the event of a mass classroom casualty. More than 130 teachers will receive tools, skills and knowledge to save lives in the event of a shooting or other traumatic incident, including emergency kits for their classrooms.

Remedies Renewing Lives received a $3,530 grant from the Schneider Electric Building, L.L.C. Management Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois for lockers for its new domestic violence shelter.

Forest City Gear expanded its capabilities with the addition of a Reishauer RZ 160 Gear Grinding Machine and high-speed load/ unload automation for the high volume production of eight gears for a robotics application. Estimates are that the machine will reduce the current machining time from 13,000 to 2,400 hours.

Rock Valley College students in the electronic engineering technology, manufacturing engineering technology and sustainable energy systems programs showcased their capstone projects in May: Solar Village Green Project for Rock Valley College; 220 VAC Wemo Application, and an Inverter Test Stand for Freedom Field Renewable Energy; and SMED Project, and Electric Room Thermostat Cell for Crandall Stats and Sensor Company.

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois completed a record 3.5 million in refunds during the 2016 tax return season through its GoodTAXES free volunteer income tax preparation program in Rockford and DeKalb. It saved families with incomes of less than $50,000 more than $415,000 in preparation fees.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that the National Junior College Athletic Association selected Rock Valley College as host for the 2018 NJCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament, Nov. 8 to 11, 2018. The quarterfinals and championship games will be played on the new turf fields at MercyRockford Sportscore 2 and is expected to draw 750 total visitors; generating $130,500 in economic impact.

A package designed by Heinzeroth Marketing Group for Rain Bird’s new Easy-To-Install Automatic Sprinkler System won the national Whole Package Award by the National Retail Hardware Association.

Byron Forest Preserve District retained Chartwell Agency to work with its internal team on a number of strategic communications initiatives.

Chartwell developed a comprehensive integrated communications plan for the Rockford Board of Elections.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released $2,406,955 in Health Infrastructure Investment Program funds to three clients of theFranaGroup in Indiana,

The Rock River Anything That Floats race returns to Rockford on Sunday, Aug. 21, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 1.6-mile race on the Rock River ends with a party at the Prairie Street Brewing Company. Register by Aug. 1 at www.rratfr.com.

ComEd Smart Ideas Program Year 9 utility incentives are available to qualified customers starting June 1, 2016. Contact Thayer Lighting, Inc., for details.

The Rockford IceHogs’ 2015-16 campaign generated its highest donation total in team history: $223,739.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau re-launched www.

GoRockford.com with a new design that tells the region’s story through photos, calendar and event listings, user-generated content and feature articles from local bloggers, and enhanced listings of attractions, restaurants, shops and hotels.

Rockford Health Physicians – Perryville, 3401 N. Perryville Road, expanded its walk-in clinic hours to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

No appointment necessary.

Midland States Bancorp, Inc., began an initial public offering of 3,865,000 shares of its common stock pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at an initial public offering price expected to be between $25 and $27 per share. The common stock is expected to trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “MSBI.” Rockford IceHogs plays its first home game of the 2016-17 season on Saturday, Oct. 22. The full 201617 schedule will be announced later this summer. Season tickets now are on sale. Visit icehogs.com.

Mercy Health System and Rockford Health System announced its new brand and logo, Mercyhealth, which unifies its hospitals, clinics, facilities and service lines across 15 counties in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

Colorwave Graphics, LLC, produced and installed 60 x 7-foot and 20 x 6-foot wall murals, including large mounted prints, and a 5 x 5-foot acrylic sign for Wheaton College. It provided several displays and graphics for Culligan International’s 80th Anniversary celebration.

22

June 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

1. Connie Chiarelli

2. Patrick Hoey

3. Scott C. Sullivan

4. Andy Wadia

5. Molly Beckford

6. Kathy LaCapra

7. Jennie Hahn

8. Dr. Alan Kaplan

9. Gregory Campbell

10. Aulbrey De Alwis

11. Dr. James Cole

12. Mary McNamara

13. Dr. Kathleen Kelly

14. Pam Osborne

15. Frank Manzullo

16. David Bogner

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

BOARD APPOINTMENTS Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois named its directors-at-large: Kellyn Lawrence and Lois Wollney; and associate directors: Gretchen Guimarin, Lauren Platt and Jacqueline Wright.

Connie Chiarelli (1) and Patrick Hoey (2), assistant deputy chief of police, were elected to Remedies Renewing Lives’ board.

Woodward, Inc., appointed Jonathan (“Jack”) W. Thayer to serve on its board. He also was appointed to the audit committee.

WilliamsMcCarthy, LLP senior partner, Scott C. Sullivan (3), was re-elected to the Centrue Financial Corporation board, where he serves as chairman of the corporate governance committee.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS Rockford Mutual Insurance Company hired Andy Wadia (4) as quality assurance analyst and Molly Beckford (5) as data entry specialist. Kathy LaCapra (6), director of human resources, celebrated five years.

Jennie Hahn (7), group services specialist, celebrated her 25-year anniversary with Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

SwedishAmerican welcomed Dr.

Alan Kaplan (8) as the newly appointed CEO of UW Health in Madison; succeeding Dr. Jeff Grossman. Gregory Campbell (9), PA-C, joined Dr. Danny Copeland at the Valley Clinic. Aulbrey de Alwis (10), APN, joined Dr. Yaser Zeater and Dr. Vivek Thappa at the Pulmonology & Sleep Disorders Clinic. Dr. James Cole (11), general surgeon, joined UW Health Surgery at SwedishAmerican. Mary McNamara (12), APN, joined Dr. Srivani Sridhar at the Woodside Clinic. Kathleen Kelly, M.D. (13), ABIHM, FACP, chief clinical integration officer, is retiring after more than two decades of service and leadership. Lee Wilke, M.D.; Jennifer Steiman, M.D.; Aaron Wieland, M.D.; Emily Winslow, M.D., and Ryan Macke, M.D., are UW Health providers seeing patients at the UW Health Multispecialty Surgical Oncology Clinic at the SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center.

Pam Osborne (14) joined Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful as administrative manager. DaShanda Mosley, senior at University of Illinois Chicago, is marketing intern.

Frank Manzullo (15), seasonal employee, returned as litter coordinator for the Great American Cleanup on April 30.

Stillman Bank hired David Bogner (16) as vice president & trust officer.

Susan Sondgeroth (17) joined OrthoIllinois’ occupational health service line team as client services coordinator.

Entré Computer Solutions named Barrett Cowan (18) as Employee of the Quarter.

The City of Rockford named Kyle Saunders (19) as water superintendent, replacing Tim Holdeman and interim Greg Cassaro.

Angela Johnson (20), M.S.N., A.N.P.-B.C., F.N.P.-B.C., joined Rockford Spine Center as its first nurse practitioner.

Erica Strohm (21) joined First National Bank and Trust Company as a residential loan production manager.

Rockford Housing Authority hired Ann Johns as procurement, contract and section 3 compliance manager.

North American Tool Corporation appointed Bridget Turner (22) as technical service associate in its customer service department.

Alpine Bank hired Emily Keilback (23) as VP, education & development, of its human resources department.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Cathy Niliaram completed the requirements for the advanced Microsoft AEP Certification, which will allow Entré Computer Solutions to sell and market these products to the educational community.

Jeff Blanck, superintendent, and

Tom Rizzio, Ringland-Johnson Construction, finished 10th place out of 96 competitors with a 40-inch Muskie at the Vitaminerals Spring Shootout at Cave Run Lake in Kentucky, a part of the Professional Musky Tournament Trail.

Dr. Philip Schalow, Upper Cervical Care Center – Rockford, passed the Board Examination of the Diplomate in Chiropractic Craniocervical Junction Procedures.

Dr. Stephen Minore (24), president & CEO, Rockford Anesthesiologists Associated, received the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists Distinguished Service Award for 2016.

Student Matthew Williams, Rock Valley College, received a $1,250 Illinois Mathematics Association of Community Colleges Memorial Fund scholarship. Michael DeSchepper (25) received the Kyle Mitchell Award and Memorial Scholarship and plans to transfer to Rockford University to study computer science. Jordan Baker (26) received the R. David Gustafson Prize in mathematics and is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering.

SwedishAmerican honored two volunteers, Rae Biesiadecki and Carolyn Truninger, at a recent Association of Fundraising Professionals luncheon for the annual Puttin’ on the Glitz fashion show and luncheon to raise money for oncology patients and families.

Savant Capital Management employees earned certifications:

(continued on page 23)

17. Susan Sondgeroth

18. Barrett Cowan

19. Kyle Saunders

20. Angela Johnson

21. Erica Strohm

22. Bridget Turner

23. Emily Keilback

24. Dr. Stephen Minore

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

23

June 2016

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

25. Michael DeSchepper

26. Jordan Baker

27. Steve Bragg

28. Jessica Knudsen

33. Phil Thompson

34. Jennifer Halvorsen

Continued from page 22 Steve Bragg (27) the Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT); Hannah Collman the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Jessica Knudsen (28) a master of science degree in personal financial planning and the Master Planner Advanced Studies designation (MPAS®) and Kaela Lovgren (29) the Registered Paraplanner designation.

Lori Gummow (30), executive director, Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful, received the Community Builders Award in March by the Grand Lodge of the A.F. & A. M. of the State of Illinois Star in the East Lodge #166.

Emily Wilczak, M.D. (31), OSF Surgical Group-Rockford, passed the board certification in general surgery.

Meridian named Shelly Ciaccio (32) as Employee of the Month for April. She will be training as assistant project manager.

Rockford Park District announced the winners of its 10th annual Great Golf Ball Drop: Richard Gibbons ($2,500), Mary Ann Smith (50-inch Samsung LED TV - $1,000 value), Chris Kovarik (2016 Golf Rockford Eagle membership - $690 value), Sue Anderson (Four Magic Waters Waterpark season passes - $320 value) and Cindy Bacher (Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens family membership - $100 value).

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois that its $500 Girl Scout Ambassador Scholarships went to Brittany Wylie, Susan Arns and Rachel Roschi. Its Jeanne Floberg Girl Scout Ambassador Scholarship went to Meagan Hall. Its $500 Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarships went to Megan Kalafut, Erin McDermott, Ashely Sherwood and Samantha Walter.

Phil Thompson (33), Spectrum Insurance Agency, completed Certified Insurance Counselors Agency Management classes and Jennifer Halvorsen (34) the ‘Principles of Fire and Water Damage’ class held by Restorx.

OF GENERAL INTEREST Michael Roh, M.D., spine surgeon, Rockford Spine Center, served as a panel speaker on cervical spine surgery at New York PresbyterianColumbia University Medical Center.

29. Kaela Lovgren

30. Lori Gummow

31. Dr. Emily Wilczak

32. Shelly Ciaccio

24

June 2016

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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

Wednesday, June 1 Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosts its Annual Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., at UW Health Sports Factory, 305 S. Madison St. Keynote speaker is Peter Kageyama, author of For the Love of Cities and Love Where You Live. Visit www. gorockford.com/lunch.

Saturday, June 4 First National Bank and Trust hosts a free Shred Day, 9 a.m. to noon, at its Winnebago branch, 500 N. Elida St. Office Pro will ensure secure destruction of paper documents. Limit six boxes per person.

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden presents its annual Garden Fair, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit klehm. org or call 815-965-8146.

Rockford Park District hosts its Tennis Summer Kick-Off, 10 a.m. to noon., at Forest City Tennis Center, 7801 E. State St. Free introductory lesson for all, skill level evaluations for lesson placement and cardio tennis demonstration for adults, 11 a.m. to noon. Call 815962-7469, 815-987-8800 or visit

www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/ tennis.

Thursday, June 9 PCI Pharma Services presents a free Serialization Forum, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at 4545 Assembly Dr., Rockford. Drug counterfeiting is rising globally and regulatory deadlines are approaching fast.

Supply chain partners must upgrade their production lines to comply with traceability deadlines. Register at pciservices.com/events.

Friday, June 10 Rockford Art Museum opens the Rockford Midwestern Biennial at 711 N. Main St., through Sept. 25.

Preview event for museum members and exhibiting artists, 5 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a free public opening, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Visit rockfordartmuseum.org.

Tuesday, June 14 NIU EIGERlab presents Quickbooks Basics to Manage Your Business, 5:30 p.m., at NIU-Rockford, 8500 E. State St., Rockford. Register at spritz@ eigerlab.org or 815-753-2192.

Wednesday, June 15 The Atrium - Meridian Senior Living, 2885 McFarland Road, Rockford, hosts Loving Miss Lilly, with education on Alzheimer’s-/

dementia-related issues, 1 to 3 p.m., or 5 to 7 p.m. Free. Registration required at events@elderwerks.com or 847-462-0885.

SwedishAmerican and YMCA of Rock River Valley present The Latest in Migraine Treatment with Dr. Jeffrey Royce, 5:30 p.m., at the hospital conference rooms, 1401 E. State St., Rockford. Free. Call BetterLife Wellness, 779-696-9700, for questions or visit www. swedishamerican.org.

SwedishAmerican Foundation presents its 31st annual Ryan Jury Memorial Golf Outing at Aldeen Golf Club, 1900 Reid Farm Road, Rockford. The four-person scramble begins with 7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., shotgun starts. Dinner at 6 p.m., at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center with entertainment and silent auction.

Call 779-696-2496.

Thursday, June 16 RAMP’s seventh-annual Bad Pants Golf Scramble takes place at Timber Pointe Golf Course, 5750 Woodstock Road, Poplar Grove.

Registration for nine-hole golf scramble at 2 p.m.; shotgun start at 3 p.m. Dinner to follow. Includes contest holes, on-course drink tastings and silent auction. Register at 815-968-7467 or www.rampcil. org/badpantsgolf.

Saturday, June 18 Rockford Park District presents Introduction to Archery, 1 to 3 p.m., a part of “In the Outdoors” every third Saturday, April through October, at Seth B. Atwood Park, 2685 New Milford School Road.

Free. No registration required.

Tuesday, June 21 Styx performs at 7:30 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at the BMO Harris Bank Center and Coronado box offices, Ticketmaster. com or 815-968-5222.

Thursday, June 23 RAMP’s Wine & Beer Tasting with Silent Auction takes place at The Standard (soon-to-open venue with two rooftop bars), 214 E. State St., Rockford. Register at www.classy. org/rampwine.

Tuesday, June 28 Rockford Art Museum hosts a new three-day event, Art in Bloom, June 28 to 30. Works of art from its collection will be interpreted through floral design, and local floral designers will give demonstrations, workshops and programs. Free with regular museum admission, except for the Preview Party, June 27, 6 to 8 p.m. Call 815-968-2787.

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

Airgas - Rockford Airgas - Machesney Park ABC Supply Co., Inc. - Rockford ABC Supply Co., Inc. - Roscoe Accuride Wheel End Solutions Rockford Gunite Al Grace Appliance & TV Ameriprise Financial Aspire Financial Group Ameriprise Financial Joan Kelley, CFP, CPA Androck Hardware Corporation Anpec Industries Astro-Physics, Inc. Beefaroo, Inc. Behr Iron & Metal Belter Machinery Co., Inc. Blackhawk Propane Company, Inc. Blount International (Parent Company of Woods Equipment) Cain & Company ComEd, An Exelon Company CoyleKiley Insurance Agency Inc. Cricket Communications Crimson Pointe DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services

Dixon Automatic Tool, Inc. Employee Benefit Association of Northern Illinois Enders Flowers Forest City Gear Co. Gauerke Electric Company Gruno’s Diamonds Hampton Inn Rockford Hampton Properties (Leasing Office) Harlem Community Center Hoffman House HR Green Inc. Illumination.io Insurance Pro Agencies Russell Kilker Interstate Graphics Ipsen, Inc. J.L.Clark Kaney Aerospace Kantorei, The Singing Boys of Rockford Kelly Services Key Realty, Inc. Magnuson, Inc. Martin Group Montel Technologies, LLC

Mutual Management Services National Business & Industrial Centre, Inc. Northwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council OrthoIllinois OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Pathways EAP Prairie State Legal Services Inc. Pumilia Law, LLC Red Roof Inn #10035 Regal Cutting Tools Ring Container Technologies River Valley Kitchens & Baths, Inc. Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated Rockford Art Deli Rockford Career College Rockford First Rockford Gastroenterology Associates, Ltd. Rockford Process Control, Inc. Rockford Public Schools, District #205 Rockford Sanitary Systems, Inc. Rockford University Rockford Urological Associates, Ltd.

Schafer Gear Works Rockford, LLC Service Machine Company, Inc. Shogun Japanese Restaurant Izakaya 88 Singley Construction Spring Ridge Senior Housing State Farm Insurance Julie Weaver Stateline Business Journal Stenstrom Companies SundogIT Terra Creek Apartments The Oliver Group Inc. The Pregnancy Care Center 13 WREX Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum Townsquare Media Rockford TruGreen Valley Expo and Displays Van Sickle & McLaughlin, CPAs Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Women of Today’s Manufacturing (WOTM)

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

25

June 2016

Regional, National Indicators THE ECONOMY

THE ABBEY RESORT & AVANI SPA

U.S. Indicators

Beautiful upscale 90-acre resort with numerous amenities located on the shores of Lake Geneva, Wis. 269 Fontana Blvd.

Fontana, WI 53125 Sara Schmitz 800-709-1323 www.theabbeyresort.com

April 2016 Consumer Price Index



0.4 percent

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

New Chamber Members MEMBERS

5.0 percent

      

160,000 $0.08 0.2 percent 0.6 percent (first quarter, 2016) 1.0 percent (first quarter, 2016) 0.3 percent 0.5 percent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

ALDEN DEBES REHABILITATION AND HEALTH CARE CENTER Specializing in Transitional Care and Post-Acute Services. Alden Debes optimizes the transition from hospital to home.

550 S. Mulford Road, 61108 Kim Kohls 815-229-0600 www.aldendebes.com

ALDEN PARK STRATHMOOR

Unemployment Rates Dec 2015

Jan 2016

Feb 2016

Mar 2016

Rockford

7.2

8.5

8.0

7.7

Chicago

5.5

6.6

6.8

6.6

Illinois

6.1

6.3

6.4

6.5

Alden Park Strathmoor specializes in rehabilitation and health care throughout the Rockford region.

5668 Strathmoor Dr., 61107 Nina Kuljanin-Thompson, BS, MSW 815-229-5200 www.aldenparkstrathmoor.com

United States

5.0

4.9

4.9

5.0

B & H OFFICE FURNITURE

Region / State / Nation

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where Illinois Stands 1 = highest / 25 = average 13th Most Financial Savvy State 27 . . . Average Credit Score 25 . . . Mortgage Debt as a % of Income 7 . . . . Credit Usage (%) 23 . . . Delinquency Rate on Mortgages, Auto Loans, Student Loans & Credit Cards 19 . . . % of the Population Spending More than They Earn 5 . . . . % of the Population with Rainy-Day Funds 24 . . . Total Debt as % of Median Income State with the 10th Highest Tax Burden 10 . . . Overall Tax Burden (10.19%) 9 . . . . Property Tax Burden (4.26%) 15 . . . Individual Income Tax Burden (2.76%) 33 . . . Total Sales & Gross Receipts Tax Burden (3.17%) 13th Best State for Women’s Quality of Life 5 . . . . Median Earnings for Females (Cost of Living-Adjusted) 25 . . . % of Women Living in Poverty 16 . . . Share of Women-Owned Businesses 22 . . . High School Dropout Rate for Women 30 . . . % of Women Who Voted in the 2012 Presidential Election 21 . . . Female Uninsured Rate 24 . . . Women’s Life Expectancy at Birth 1 . . . . ‘Top-Rated Women’s Hospitals’ Score 28 . . . Women’s Preventive Health Care

Bringing quality refurbished office furniture to the northern Illinois/ southern Wisconsin area at significant savings for our customers.

1121 Broadway, 61104 Ryan Brauer 815-963-3333 www.bhofficefurniture.com

BONZA MEDIA, INC. Film and Video Production Josiah Sjostrom 815-206-8384 www.bonzamedia.com

DUSTY BOOTS SALOON & EATERY Dusty Boots Saloon and Eatery is a fresh take on Country Music in the Rockford area.

3907 Broadway, 61108 Joe Pendergrass 815-399-3185 www.dustybootssaloon.com

IN HOME ACTIVE LIVING/ACTIVE LIVING ASSOCIATES Activity Program for Seniors Jessica Capriola 815-988-7999 www.activelivingassociates. com

INTEGRATIVE HEALING CENTER We take a holistic integrative approach to breast cancer and not only utilize conventional medicine, but employ holistic alternatives as well.

6019 Fincham Dr., 61108 Elisha Robinson, MD 779-207-8822 www.integrativehealing center.info

MERCYCARE HEALTH PLANS Healthcare Insurance P.O. Box 550 Janesville, WI 53546 DuWayne Severson 608-741-5626 www.mercycarehealthplans.com

MODERN COUNSELING INTERNATIONAL Finding internships for International University Students to train International Students for the workforce.

22858 N. South Krueger Road Kildeer, IL 61114 Maggie Kasicki 815-703-1133 www.us5151.com

MURPHYREALTY, INC. With more than a decade of real estate experience, we will help you make your dream into reality.

1107 N. Blackhawk Blvd., Ste. 9 Rockton, IL 61072 Pamela Murphy, MSP, C.L.C. 815-624-UBUY (8289) www.murphyrealty.org

PET LOADER Pet Loader’s lower angle of ascent/ decent and greater traction eliminates your dog’s fear of entering your vehicle.

4859 Colt Road, 61109 Evon Whalen 815-765-1957 www.petloader.com

ROCKFORD UNITED LABOR American Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Congress of Industrial Organizations 212 S. 1st St., 61104 William F. Corey 815-968-1411

SHAARS INTERNATIONAL, INC. An experienced expert in the field of international trade and export management 129 S. Phelps Ave., Ste. 901A, 61108 Capt. Shahid Naseer 815-315-0717 www.shaarsinternational.com

26

June 2016

Get to Know Your Ambassadors Name: Mary Jo Hare

Company: SERVPRO of Rockford

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Membership: 101 101 MEMBERSHIP

Position: Co-owner

How long have you been an Ambassador?

10 years

What do you like most about being an Ambassador? It has been a wonderful – and fun-filled – experience! Our responsibilities afford so many opportunities to meet and greet chamber members at the numerous events hosted throughout the year.

The varied venues of meetings, ribbon cuttings, social events and educational seminars create priceless resources for getting to know the persons and places that truly make Rockford a “world-class city.” Getting to know Rockford more intimately and building relationships with others that care about the city and those that live here has been exciting and rewarding in so many ways. I look forward to each event as a new adventure in assisting others to see Rockford as a place to proudly do business – and to call home.

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

70-YEAR MEMBER

15-YEAR MEMBERS

Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Thermo Fisher Scientific

Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center Rockford Structures Construction Company Stockholm Inn

30-YEAR MEMBER

10-YEAR MEMBERS

40-YEAR MEMBER

RAMP

25-YEAR MEMBERS Bourn & Koch, Inc. FIELD Rockford Tech-Systems, Inc. United Way of Rock River Valley

20-YEAR MEMBER Blackhawk Bank

The Brian Boyer Group – State Farm Rockford Mutual Insurance Company

5-YEAR MEMBERS Phones Plus Biz, Inc. Rockford Network of Professional Women Salsa Business Network The Salvation Army

Did you know the Rockford Chamber turns 106 years old in July?

Let's Celebrate!

Rockford Chamber Founder’s Day Celebration

Business After Hours July 14 Rockford University

(one of our founding members)

5050 E. State St.

Includes the announcement of the newest inductee into the Northern Illinois Business Hall of Fame.

Thank you

to the founding members that were present to sign a charter to form a Rockford Chamber with the intent to create “a forceful working unit for the good of Rockford” … and that are still with us today!

Aramark Uniform Services, Inc. AT&T Barnes International, Inc. BMO Harris Bank ComEd, An Exelon Company HolmstromKennedy PC J.L.Clark, A CLARCOR Company JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A Rockford University Rockford Register Star Schmeling Construction Co. Woodward Thanks to all of the members of the Rockford Chamber that work so hard to lead business growth in this area!

www.rockfordchamber.com

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events JUNE, 2016

building along State Street). Kristina Reuber, Golden Apple Foundation, will present.

Wednesday, June 1

People You Should Know (PYSK) Talk, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5050 E. State St. (5100 building along State Street). Carm Herman presents Finding Your Passion.

Tuesday, June 7

Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St. Jennifer Whiteford, managing partner and leadership coach, The Anser Group, presents Makeover Your Leadership Brand - Part 2, an interactive experience on how to think and act like a brand in your career, business and life. Sponsored

by MembersAlliance Credit Union.

Wednesday, June 8

Breakfast Buzz, 7:30 to 9 a.m.

New location! Rockford University PURI Business School building, 5050 E. State St., room 124. Rob Carroll, Townsquare Media; Scott Picken, WQRF‑TV/WTVO‑TV; Dave Smith, 23 WIFR, and John Chadwick, WREX, present Broadcast News Media Coverage in Today’s Market Place. How has the explosion of distribution channels affected the operations of broadcast television and radio news? Sponsored by RSM.

Thursday, June 9

Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC, 4707 Perry Ridge Lane, Loves Park.

Friday, June 10

Government Affairs Council, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Mike McMahan, Vice President of Advanced Metering Infrastructure Implementation will provide an update on the Com Ed Smart Grid program. Sponsored by AT&T.

Tuesday, June 14

Ribbon Cutting and Re‑Grand Opening, Memory Care Floor at Rockford Supportive Living, LLC, 2 to 3 p.m., 2114 Kishwaukee St., Rockford.

Wednesday, June 15

People You Should Know (PYSK) Talk, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5050 E. State St. (5100

Ribbon Cutting, Rotary Labyrinth Dedication, 4 to 5:30 p.m., southwest corner of Avon and West State streets, Rockford.

Monday, June 20

Ribbon Cutting, Rock House Kids ‑ New Playground, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1325 7th St., Rockford.

Thursday, June 23

Ribbon Cutting, 1st Step Chiropractic, S.C., 4 to 5 p.m., 4519 Highcrest Road, Rockford.

Thursday, June 23 10:00 am - 1:15 pm Giovanni’s 610 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford

Women in Business

EXPO & LUNCHEON A panel of women business owners and leaders will dialogue on growing pains and stories on their pathway to success.

The event includes the announcement of the Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow, Woman Manager of the Year, Woman Business Owner of the Year, and the Athena PowerLink awards.

Sponsored by Mercyhealth (presenting), OSF Healthcare (gold), Northwest Bank of Rockford (Women-In-Business awards) and PNC Bank (AthenaPowerLink).

JULY, 2016 Wednesday, July 13

Breakfast Buzz, 7:30 to 9 a.m. New location! Rockford University PURI Business School building, 5050 E. State St., room 124. Rockford.

Susan Sklar, Alzheimer’s Association, and Annie Fridh, Psy.D., Rosecrance Ware Center/Rosecrance Mulberry Center, present Hot Button Issues in the Workplace on how Alzheimer’s disease and mental health and substance abuse affect your workplace. Sponsored by RSM.

Thursday, July 14

Chamber’s Founder’s Day Celebration Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., Rockford University, 5050 E. State St. Announcement of the newest inductee into the Northern Illinois Business Hall of Fame. Sponsored by Rockford University (presenting) and AT&T (business).

JULY VOICE SPECIAL SECTION:

Business Advisory Teams For information on advertising, call 815

27

June 2016

987-8100

Advertisers Index ADVERTISERS

Alpine Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Northern Public Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Blackhawk Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Northwest Bank of Rockford . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Brian Thomas Photography. . . . . . . . . . . 19 Rockford Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Broadmoor Agency, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Rockford Chamber of Comcast Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 7, 14, 23, 26, 28 Giovanni’s, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Rockford Toolcraft, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Global Leadership Summit . . . . . . . . 13 IGNITE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Illinois Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Klaas Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Rock Valley College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 RSM US LLP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

KMK Media Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Thayer Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Larson & Darby Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Wipfli LLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Mercyhealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 13 WREX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100.............................................. Direct Line Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO.......................................... 815-316-4304 Heidi M. Garner, Chief Operating Officer.................................... 815-316-4312 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology................... 815-316-4338 Lynette Jacques, Vice President, Member Investment. . .................. 815-316-4317 Caitlin Ludwig, Vice President, Leadership Development.................... 815-316-4337 Stephanie Mathews, Administrative & Finance Assistant .................... 815-987-8100 Stacy Mullins, Director of Events. . ............................................ 815-316-4302 Doug Rand, Accounting Manager/Controller............................... 815-316-4316 Sue Boyer, Member Relations................................................. 815-316-4315 Mary Ann Suprenant, Membership Development Manager.............. 815-316-4336 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator......................... 815-316-4320

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

Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home

Henry Seybold MercyRockford Health System

Jeff Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust

Patrick Shaw RSM US LLP

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Laura Williamson Rockford Park District

Dr. Rena Cotsones Northern Illinois University

Kris Kieper YWCA Northwestern Illinois

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS

Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate

Paul McCann Stanley Steemer of Rockford

Don Daniels SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health

Patrick Morrow Alpine Bank Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting

DIRECTORS

Andrew Benson Benson Stone Company, Inc. Jan Bowman TLC Construction Joe Castrogiovanni Giovanni’s, Inc.

Rebecca Epperson Chartwell Agency Darlene Furst FurstStaffing Ira Grimmett UTC Aerospace Systems

Mark Peterson CBL Associates CherryVale Dan Ross Williams-Manny Insurance Group

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

Let your Voice be heard Do you have 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