July Voice 2015

BUTITTA BROS AUTOMOTIVE PROS

BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSION

PAGE 3

PAGE 16

The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

July 2015 | Volume 28 | No. 7

Women in Business EXPO AND LUNCHEON

By Paul Anthony Arco As manager of quality for the medical surgical specialty section at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Chelsea Hardacre has very little down time during her day.

She’s responsible for five inpatient hospital units and 250 nurses and CNAs. She supports RNs in the clinical ladder program; oversees Joint Commission Compliance audits; addresses quality data compliance with staff; assists in developing and implementing infection control initiatives, and collaborates with physicians and nurses to improve patient care.

But it’s the little things that help Hardacre stand out in her profession. For example, she sends personalized thank you notes to employees at home, not only

PHOTOS BY BRIAN THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Recognized as Woman Business Owner of the Year, Jacki Gommel (center, right) was presented the award by Tom Walsh, Northwest Bank. to encourage them, but also to let them know their hard work is appreciated. She also teamed up with her co-managers to develop an employee newsletter that is used to communicate vital information, opportunities for improvement, and recognition of excellent care on a weekly basis to the many employees under her supervision.

Women Honored for Business Leadership For her efforts, Hardacre was recognized with the Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow award during the Rockford of Chamber of Commerce’s annual Women in Business Expo and Luncheon. “I’m surprised and honored,” said Hardacre. “When I interviewed with OSF nine years ago, they told me my ideas and thoughts mattered. That certainly turned out to be true.”

The expo and luncheon is held every year to recognize women-owned and

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

YMCA launches ‘Hop the Gap’ Achieving a healthy lifestyle is particularly

Join the Chamber’s LinkedIn Group www.linkedin.com/e/gis/2544

summer

important

months,

during

when

kids

the are

vulnerable not only to forgetting what they’ve learned during the school year but also to excessive weight gain. The

Community ideas are being requested by the Transform Rockford organization. Attend a brainstorming meeting to contribute ideas on how the Rockford area can become the top 25 community by 2025.

The Community Idea Exchange meeting is to be held Wednesday, July 8 at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the YMCA, 200 Y Blvd., Rockford.

For additional information or questions, call 815-977-5840 or visit transformrockford.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! CHAMBER

Founder’s Day CELEBRATION

July 15 • Rockford University SPONSORED BY For more info, see page 30

(left)Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow, Chelsea Hardacre, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. (right) Connie Vitali, M.D., received Woman Manager of the Year.

-managed businesses. More than 450 people turned out and 50 businesses were represented at this year’s expo, which was held June 25 at Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort. “It was a great event,” said Patti Thayer, chamber board president. “There was a lot of energy in the room.”

In addition to Hardacre, two other business leaders were honored during the luncheon for their professional and personal contributions.

Continued on page 4

Helping kids avoid the ‘summer slide’

TRANSFORM ROCKFORD COMMUNITY IDEA EXCHANGE MEETING

YMCA has launched Hop the Gap, www.hopthegap.org, a new, national campaign aimed at reducing summer learning and health gaps. Hop the Gap focuses on five gap areas: hunger, health, learning, water safety and safe spaces.

According to the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot survey, more than 70 percent of parents were unaware of the recommended standards for healthy eating and physical activity for children.

For example, only 29 percent of parents surveyed knew that half of their child’s plate at meals should consist of fruits and vegetables as recommended by Continued on page 17

SUPPORT SHIFTING FAVORABLY FOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION Winnebago County residents expressed support for the region’s tourism industry, in a survey randomly sent to 1 in 18 households, and conducted by Health Systems Research of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford for the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Projects and priorities given high support were ecotourism (outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, biking) at 91 percent, amateur sports facilities at 90 percent, downtown Rockford revitalization at 84 percent, connecting and extending bike paths at 80 percent, and attractive gateways into the community at 70 percent. The proposed whitewater rapids course on the Rock River received 57 percent support, with 15 percent undecided.

Residents’ attitudes on downtown Rockford revitalization shifted favorably between the 2012 survey and the most recent, with a sizable move in citizen support for downtown revitalization.

Support for more funding for downtown Rockford redevelopment jumped to 60 percent in 2015 compared to 45 percent in 2012.

This year, 53 percent “strongly agreed” and 32 percent “agreed” that downtown Rockford revitalization was important to the community, compared to 26 percent who “strongly agreed” and 42 percent who “agreed” in 2012.

2

July 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

President’s Message VIEWPOINT

Seven Strategies for Generating Ideas How do organizations come up with new ideas? And how do they use those ideas to create successful new products, services, businesses, and solutions?

Most of the ideas behind these projects came from “happy accidents” rather than some ongoing process to generate ideas. In more than a few cases, individuals or small groups were simply “freelancing,” working on ideas on their own initiative rather than being directed by some “new venture” board or other idea management system.

Creative, game-changing ideas will always have an element of serendipity to them and will never be producible on demand. But, today’s economic climate has caused a small but growing group of organizations to rethink how ideas happen and to examine what they can do to implement better innovation processes.

Fortifying the Idea Factory Three-fourths of companies are consistently disappointed in their innovation results, according to global surveys of executives. Put simply, if good ideas don’t get hatched, they won’t get launched. The successful organizations are, in essence, reinventing inventiveness.

They are paying much more attention to the front end of innovation where

possibilities first come to light. They are managing these notions in vastly different ways so that large quantities of ideas enter the funnel, get considered, fill the pipeline and eventually emerge as new products, processes, solutions and business models.

In reviewing the unconventional methods of leading organizations, it may be concluded that, while breakthroughs can never be guaranteed, superior idea management systems can do much to increase throughput and output of significant ideas. These leading-edge organizations tap seven key strategies for fortifying their idea factories. They: Invite everyone to join the quest for new ideas. Organizations can enlarge their pool of ideas by including more employees in the process of new product and service ideation and in solving vexing organizational problems. Start by encouraging them to listen to customers.

Don’t allow managers, technical specialists, or purchasing, finance, or human resource professionals to participate in new product/ service/market development decisions unless they spend at least 20% of their time with customers and suppliers.

Involve customers in the process of generating ideas. The traditional focus group needs are passé. Form advisory

boards of key customers to serve as sounding boards for ideas. Identify customers who tend to buy the latest versions of your products. These “lead adopters” can provide you with insights about where the market may be headed and how your organization can best position itself.

Involve their customers in new ways. Look outside your own field or industry for ideas on how to get customer input. Automakers, retailers, consumer electronics manufacturers, for instance, are on the leading edge of customer surveying and are often considered the early adopters of ideational techniques.

Focus on the needs that customers don’t express. Learn from customers by observing what they are not doing, listening to what they are not saying.

Recognize the sources of their frustration and find potential ways of eliminating it.

Seek ideas from new customer groups. Periodically expand your definition of who your customers is, or could be. Instead of looking at only the present, look also at the past (former customers) and the future (anyone you haven’t done business with yet). Ask how you might meet those customers’ needs.

Involve suppliers in product

innovation. Just as you look to Patti Thayer your customers Einar K. Forsman Rockford Chamber for new ideas Rockford Chamber Board Chairman of Commerce (such as by detecting their unarticulated needs), think of your organization as your supplier’s customer. You, too, have unarticulated needs. Try expressing them and get your supplier’s idea-generating capacity working in concert with yours.

Benchmark idea-creation methods.

Organizations need to seriously examine the climate in which ideation takes place and put someone in charge of improving the focus regularly. Innovation-adept firms invest in facilitated ideation sessions, read books, attend seminars, and constantly seek to improve their skills.

As the world changes at a faster and faster pace, ideas and ways of operating that were adequate yesterday no longer suffice.

Given the disruption facing more and more industries, the rapid commoditization of products, and the convergence of strategies, firms that rely on yesterday’s ideas, yesterday’s products, and yesterday’s assumptions are clearly vulnerable.

Excerpt from Robert B. Tucker, The Innovation Resource Consulting Group.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

3

July 2015

By Paul Anthony Arco There’s no shortage of automotive repair centers in Rockford. That’s why it’s important for a business to stand out any way it can.

For Butitta Brothers Automotive, success is all about taking care of the customer. “We try to do it right and build long-lasting relationships,” said President Jon Thompson. “We treat everyone like family. There’s no magic bullet here. We’re not a company like Apple that is coming up with the latest or greatest products. We’re doing the same thing that everyone else in the auto repair industry is doing. We’re just trying to do it better.”

Butitta Brothers is a full-service automotive repair facility providing a range of services including oil changes, tires, engine replacements and heating and air conditioning services for all makes and models.

There are 10 Butitta locations in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin: three in Rockford and one each in Beloit, Belvidere, Freeport, Janesville, Loves Park, Oregon and Rochelle. Thompson also owns a NAPA Auto Care Center in Roscoe and Cherryvale Tire & Auto in Rockford.

Brothers Joe and Jim Butitta opened their first six-bay shop in Rockford in 1969 strictly to repair radiators. In 1971, the company moved to 18th Street and expanded operations to full service automotive repair. Joe left to start his own business, Rockford Radiator, while

PROFILE

Strategic Company Growth

Member Profile

Butitta Brothers Automotive Providing auto repair for 46 years

Butitta Brothers employs 57 at its various locations. (President Jon Thompson is in the front row, middle.)

Jim remained with Butitta Brothers before eventually selling the business to his son, Jim, Jr. In 2005, Thompson bought the company from his longtime friend.

To help make a smoother transition, Jim, Jr. stayed on for a year to show Thompson the ropes. Most importantly, nearly all employees remained with the company. “I had a good business understanding but I didn’t know anything about automotive repair,” Thompson said. “Fortunately, I have great people who are knowledgeable and work really hard. It makes my life a lot easier.”

Thompson Liebovich

spent

20

Brothers,

a

years

at

Rockford-

based metals handling and processing company, before making the decision to branch out on his own. “I had a wellrounded education at Liebovich,” said Thompson, who was vice president of purchasing. “I learned from good people like Gregg and Larry Liebovich and Mike Tulley. I worked from the ground up. I worked in the shop. I worked in sales and I know how important customers are to any business. The most important person in any organization is the one who takes care of the customer.”

That includes taking care of the community that supports your business. Butitta Brothers helps a number of charities including Sharefest, the Rockford IceHogs Foundation, Rosecrance, and RAMP. “We choose wisely and try to be good stewards of everything we’ve been given,” said Thompson. “It’s good to hear the stories of people who’ve been helped by our support.”

Recently, Butitta Brothers received a top shop award from a national group called Elite Pro Service, an organization that includes 100 independent shop owners from across the country.

Member businesses meet on a monthly basis to share best practices within the automotive industry.

As for the future, Thompson is always looking to add to his stable of repair centers – but only if it makes good business sense. “It has to be the perfect situation,” he said. “We don’t expand just to expand. The cultures have to be right.

The baby boomer generation is starting to retire and some of those independent shop owners are looking to get out of the business. We’re in it for the long haul.”

BUTITTA BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE President: Jon Thompson 2233 Charles St., Unit J Rockford 815-397-0448 www.butitta.com

4

July 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Women in Business (continued from front page)

Connie Vitali, M.D., an independent physician with RMH Pathologists Ltd., a multispecialty pathology group that directs the laboratory at Rockford Memorial Hospital, received the Woman Manager of the Year award. She serves in the capacity of chairman of the department of pathology and medical director of the lab at RMH. She has been a member of the Rockford Health System Board of Directors since 2008 and is in the second year of a two-year term as board chair.

She’s also vice chair of the MercyRockford Health System Board.

“I’ve had the opportunity to broaden my horizons here,” Vitali said. “I’m humbled and honored to serve on a hospital board. I’ve learned so many new skills and developed respect for this community. It’s been very rewarding.”

Jacki Gommel was named the Woman Business Owner of the Year. She is a registered interior designer with more than 30 years of experience in the design and management of commercial interior design projects. In 1995, she formed her own business, Gommel Design. Her design influence can be found in a wide range of medical, educational, financial, corporate, industrial, religious, hospitality and retail projects.

“I appreciate the Rockford Chamber of Commerce,” said Gommel. “When I lost a job 20 years ago, the first thing I did was get a chamber membership, which helped a great deal.”

Denise and Jodi Phillips, owners of Midwest Stone Source, were named as this year’s participants in the ATHENA PowerLink mentoring program, sponsored

by PNC. This is a national program that pairs participants with a panel of business experts to help grow their company.

Control Over Your Calendar The luncheon’s keynote speaker was Fawn Germer, author, speaker and business consultant. She is the bestselling author of eight books — and her newest book, “Reset,” explains how to reboot worklife balance to live a more meaningful, productive life without regrets.

“Making choices is all that matters in life,” Germer told the audience. “Time is the most valued thing you have. It’s important to lean in – to have powerful careers – but don’t forget to lean out.

There are so many opportunities to grow and succeed as professionals, but OWN your calendar. Don’t be too busy to live

right now. You only get one shot — don’t waste a minute.”

Germer’s message resonated with Einar Forsman, president and CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

“You can be successful and still have other priorities in your life,”’ he said. “We all put pressure on ourselves when we’re not doing our job or get behind. People need to give themselves permission to not always feel guilty and stressed about work.

It’s okay to have balance in life.”

Prior to the luncheon, many business leaders filed through the various booths to talk with representatives from different business and organizations, including Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, who had nearly 60 inquiries during the expo. “Many of them have aging parents who need assistance in the home,” said Libby Simms, marketing director. “It’s an opportunity to educate the audience about the various options that are available in the community.”

The expo and luncheon was presented

by The Women’s Center at Rockford Health System. The gold sponsor was OSF Healthcare; the bronze sponsor was V2 Marketing Communications; and the awards sponsor was Northwest Bank of Rockford.

theVoice

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.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

5

July 2015

IGNITE

Young Professionals

A city capable of greatness Rockford is the third-largest city in Illinois – but it may not be that way for long. According to U.S. Census Bureau trends, Rockford’s population declined by 3,840 people between 2010 and 2014.

This decline was the largest of any city in Illinois, and Rockford is by far the largest city on this list. We’re hardly alone of course. A number of cities across Illinois are facing this problem, and Illinois is one of the slowest growing states in the nation.

So the question becomes, what do we do? I think the good news here is that these numbers probably aren’t a surprise to anyone. It’s hardly been a secret that the recent economic downturn has hurt our local economy, and this city has been slower to rebound than others. Because of this, we’ve not only anticipated this problem, but groups across the city have been working feverishly for the past few years towards fixing it.

View from a Newer Resident I first moved here in 2012 – halfway through the period encompassed by the Census Bureau report. And just in these last few years, I’ve seen a tremendous

Tremendous change is happening

It’s not an accident that our city has so many groups and initiatives that aim to make the city better. change. Downtown is becoming more vibrant, with new restaurants and businesses opening all the time. Our gorgeous, historic buildings are being converted into new useful spaces and apartments that are lending charm and interest to areas that had appeared to be abandoned.

Groups such as Transform Rockford and Sharefest are attacking our city’s issues head on in order to make real, tangible improvements in the lives of its citizens, and events like our downtown block parties and City Market have become lively examples of the best our city has to offer.

Our IGNITE Coordinator, Caitlin Ludwig, recently said, Rockford “is its own best-kept secret.” I can’t argue with the Census Bureau’s numbers, because they are what they are. But we should remember what else they are – a snapshot of where our city used to be.

Like looking back at our old high school yearbooks, looking at these Census

Bureau numbers is like looking into the not-so-distant past at a more awkward version of ourselves. These numbers don’t reflect the Rockford that I’ve come to know, or the Rockford that has been emerging so quickly in the last couple of years.

Many Groups Involved My parents recently visited Rockford for the first time since I’ve moved here.

Like many other people, they only knew of our city from what they’ve heard on the news or what they’ve seen in the paper. What they in fact, saw, was a city with historic old buildings being preserved and refit for new businesses and residences.

They saw clean landscaping and freshly-planted flowers along our public walkways. They were even more impressed when they heard that much of this landscaping was performed by hundreds of Sharefest volunteers who sought to do nothing more than make

their city nicer.

Mark Middendorff As the IGNITE Rockford president of IGNITE, I like to think that our group has contributed to Rockford’s recent changes. I hope that we’ve had a positive impact not only on our hundreds of members, but on all of the businesses and residents that our members touch. It’s not an accident that our city has so many groups and initiatives that aim to make the city better. Each of these groups is in on the secret.

We all know that this city is capable of greatness. And when we see articles like the census, we should all remember that these articles are telling a story about where we’ve been – not about where we’re going.

Visit igniterockford.com.

Mark Middendorff is an associate at SmithAmundsen LLC and president of IGNITE Rockford.

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

6

July 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Regionalism as a key to transformation

By Jennie Broecker, RAEDC

fabric.

7. A “servant leader” organization

Tom Clark, CEO of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., shares experiences with regional success at the June 1 Transform Rockford Community Conversation.

The Rockford Area Economic Development Council thanks Northrop Grumman for meeting with 36 regional companies at a May 27 supplier symposium at NIU Rockford.

Thanks also to Congressman Adam Kinzinger for hosting the event, which included 10-minute one-on-one meetings (think “speed dating”) as well as roundtable discussions on international business, government contract procurement and workforce resources.

More than 100 people turned out June 1 at the Nordlof Center to hear a Transform Rockford Community Conversation about how regionalism can lead the way to becoming a Top 25 community.

Tom Clark, CEO of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., is a nationally recognized leader for this approach in a city that rallied from poorly ranked 30 years ago to highly desired today. Clark shared some of the key elements of regional success: 1. A big tent, because “good ideas come from anywhere.”

2. A vision for your region as well as the vision of how others see you.

3. A code of ethics for regional partners that “sells the region first, our communities second” and that outlines open, respectful communication.

4. A way to build infrastructure during downturns. Companies don’t watch where you are; they watch where you’re going. “You can have a really crappy place, but if you’re doing something about it, people know you’re thinking.”

5. Political support from and for local elected officials.

6. A “leadership development plan” that engages new young leaders in their 20s, 30s and 40s into the civic

that courageously touts collaboration and measures its successes.

“Sometimes you have to be the guardian at the gate of regionalism.”

8. A commitment to making downtown “a vibrant urban center.”

Metro Denver is the nation’s first regional economic development entity, bringing together more than 70 cities, counties and economic development agencies in a nine-county area.

What are the results of such largescale cooperation in Denver?

■■ One of the top 10 fastest-growing cities in the nation (Forbes, 2015).

■■ The third-best city for college graduates, based on job potential, percentage of millennials, lifestyle and unemployment rate (Rent.com, 2015).

One of the top 10 best cities to relocate to (Sperling’s Best Places, 2014).

Even though “everyone gets their say, but not everyone gets their way,” regionalism

is

a

transformational

model for success.

To view the video from the June 1 Community Conversation, see the link on the Transform Rockford page in this issue. To learn more about Metro Denver, visit www.metrodenver.org.

New name reflects a wider focus

By Thomas Bona, EDDNI The region’s economic development district has a new name, but its commitment to expert grant writing, partnership-building, research and regional economic development planning services remains the same.

The Economic Development District of Northern Illinois (EDDNI) is the new name of the Rockford Region Economic Development District (RREDD), effective June 1.

The name change reflects the organization’s focus on serving the wider Northern Illinois region, including Boone, McHenry and Winnebago counties. Our organization was formed in 2010 and is funded through a partnership of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, Growth Dimensions for Belvidere-Boone County, and Winnebago and Boone county governments.

Our primary role is to do economic development planning, which includes planning for job creation and growing community wealth.

Additionally, EDDNI provides grant research, grant proposal writing and/or review and related

technical assistance to any not-for-profit entity serving Winnebago, Boone or McHenry counties. Our specialty is in working with economic and community development-focused programs and organizations. We can also work with small- and mid-sized businesses on identifying grant opportunities. These services are provided on an hourly fee-for-service basis.

EDDNI is home to the region’s only Grant Professional Certified (GPC) professional, one of only 10 in Illinois. The GPC is a nationally recognized and standardized credential that only experienced and skilled professionals are eligible to achieve.

EDDNI can also provide your organization or business with research services, including demographics, labor trends, and other data and information.

For more information about EDDNI’s services, contact us at 779-348-7009, info@eddni.org or www. eddni.org.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com July 2015

7

How manufacturers are building an approach to Lean Transformation Today’s successful companies are flexible, efficient and responsive to change. They deliver what their customers need, precisely when they need it. They eliminate wasteful, nonvalue-added activities in production and administrative processes. Lean manufacturing is a proven method to reduce lead time and eliminate wastes wherever possible. This is a never-ending journey of continuous improvement as an organization responds to its customers with new products, opens new channels and markets, and introduces new technologies in both its products and processes.

Successful lean transformations require a multi-faceted approach — it’s NOT just about the “tools.” The four main components of this approach are: 1. Strategy. What’s the condition of the business today? What is the desired condition of the business? Where do you want to go and how will you get there?

2. Value Stream Mapping. A current state value stream map is the result of an intense effort to gain a deep understanding of the current state of the operations of a business. Then, the team creates a future state value stream map and an action plan to get there. This becomes the “blueprint” for improvements.

3. Behaviors and Culture. Businesses are people, and any group of people has their own culture. Culture is the collection of habits and behaviors of this group of people. This culture may need to change in order for the business to get where it wants to go. Visual displays, daily accountability meetings, leadership standard work and gemba walks are some ways to change an organization’s culture.

4. Projects. To improve a business, things need to change. These changes are often made through kaizen events or other improvement projects.

Does your business have a sound strategy? If so, does it have a blueprint for improvement, and a culture to get there?

If so, you are probably ready to dive into some improvement projects. If not, work to build the strategy and culture into the business, and then create the blueprint for improvement (value stream map).

Detailed Approach

manufacturing and administrative to develop a future state vision to act as a blueprint for lean activities. The Future State often represents a significant change compared to the way the company currently operates. The VSM team will develop an implementation strategy to make the future state a reality. The most urgent needs will be addressed first, and can typically be accomplished in a very short time frame with the appropriate resources applied.

to use half the manufacturing space and half the investment in tools to produce products in half the time with fewer defects.

Amy Fitzgerald 5S/ IMEC Workplace Organization.

Reduce waste and cost by implementing visual controls to organize the workplace, sending clear/simple signals to employees, reducing inventory and increasing work flow, quality and safety.

Quick Changeover. Change tooling and fixtures quickly and efficiently allowing smaller batch sizes, more frequent changes, quicker customer response time, and better machine utilization.

Cellular/Flow Manufacturing. Link and balance manufacturing operations to reduce lead times, minimize work in process, optimize floor space.

Pull/Kanban Systems. Control shop floor inventory and production scheduling by implementing pull systems. Develop a visually driven, employee-controlled material replenishment system.

Total Productive Maintenance.

Maintain machines and equipment at peak productivity. Increase equipment effectiveness and avoid production interruptions.

Kaizen Event Facilitation. Rapid improvement process focused on waste elimination or problem solving in a work cell or process. An intense two to five day event aimed at achieving a specific objective, such as dramatically reducing setup time.

Facilities Layout. Strategically locate key assets to minimize wasted movement, handling and travel distance of work and labor.

Gain a better understanding of how a lean transformation can set your organization on the path to continuous improvement. Experience change and see results. Let IMEC be your guide. Visit www.imec.org for more information.

The process to begin a lean transformation can be customized depending on what stage(s) the organization already has in place. For instance, a manufacturer may have a strategy and a value stream map, but does not have the culture or the buy in from the entire team; the process would begin by creating a lean culture. Far too many companies want to jump into a lean transformation by completing projects such as 5S without having a solid strategy, Culture a value stream map or buy in from the In order for a lean transformation entire organization. Without taking to occur, the company’s culture must be the necessary prerequisite steps, a lean addressed. Culture is key for not only the transformation is bound to fail. short-term transformation but also for the long-term sustainability of lean. A Vision and Strategy lean culture is committed to continuous Our approach balances strategic improvement. ALL employees must be “planning” with strategic “doing.” involved in the improvement process. This It’s a customized process that results means maintaining enthusiasm about the in a well-defined action plan, plus process and creating a safe environment implementation and follow-up to keep you for employees to make suggestions and on track. Appropriate planning ensures that employees are able to effectively take risks while getting total buy-in from implement the improvements without the leadership.

We work with designated Lean disrupting ongoing work activities. It starts by clearly identifying the objective Champions to make the lean journey you want to reach. Is it reduced set-ups, visible throughout the company. The improved delivery, shortened lead time, champions are typically process/valueoverall efficiency? We lay out a timeline stream managers who will become in which implementation is rapid enough internal facilitators and actively lead lean so that employees see it working and projects. They are equipped with “tools” for decision-making, communication and generating measurable results. tracking lean deployment progress and Value Stream Mapping results.

The hallmark of IMEC’s approach Value Stream Mapping enables a Train-to-Sustain model – a company to identify waste in is overview preparation on the key lean manufacturing and administrative processes and develops a plan to reduce or methodologies. Our simulations and eliminate it, by streamlining work processes hands-on exercises drive home the power and cutting lead times. This often results of lean to a cross-section of employees in reduced costs and increased quality. from different levels of responsibility/ IMEC can assist you through concept authority and operating units within the training (workshop), application (value facility. Soon, the champions will be ready stream map development), and value to take over facilitation without the need stream improvement implementation for continued lean implementer support or mentoring. (kaizen events).

Through value stream mapping, The Lean Tools a team of employees can map the Lean Simulation. Work in a “mock” current state from customer back to raw material including all steps, both value- company, assemble a product on a added and non-value-added, and both simulated factory floor and learn how Amy Fitzgerald is marketing manager at IMEC.

Manufacturing News is sponsored by IMEC

8

July 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Professional fundraising Beyond car washes and bake sales Bake sales, car washes, door-to-door candy bar teams, vanloads of cookies, grant proposals, annual appeals and capital campaigns. …

All of these have one thing in common: raising funds. According to the Oxford Dictionaries, fundraising is defined as the seeking of financial support for a charity, cause or other enterprise. Most of us have supported a plethora of nonprofit organizations; even if that means eating our share of cookies, dropping our “treasures” at resale stores, pledging program support to a student caller, or creating an estate plan that allows us to leave a legacy gift to an organization that aligns with our beliefs and passions.

As varied as the possibilities are for causes to support, so too is the experience of those who lead these efforts. Most of us didn’t proclaim our desire to be professional fundraisers in third grade, while our friends were declaring their affinity to become lawyers, physicians, teachers, engineers or architects. To nurture our interest in the fundraising field and foster professional development, we sought out organizations that offered support and best practices.

Created by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Giving Institute, the Donor Bill of Rights created guidance and structure for our work and began to professionalize what had begun as a passion and affinity with an organization or cause. Membership in these professional associations provided comradery with our peers and continual learning opportunities.

This affiliation and belonging to local or regional chapters also provided mentorship opportunities with seasoned professionals who had paved the way for elevating what was once a volunteer role to a career in fundraising. Oftentimes, these leaders had earned or were headed toward certification as a fundraising expert.

Earning certification can provide a recognizable demonstration of personal and professional achievement and commitment. It certainly offered some structure to and respect for the field and allowed those who had chosen this career to proudly proclaim the title of “professional fundraiser” when asked what role they play in the organization for which they work. The Association of Fundraising Professionals provides the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) study course and exam.

Certification from NICNE Locally, the Northern Illinois Center

for Non-Profit Denise Noe Excellence NICNE (NICNE) recognized a need for something additional.

Responding to a shortage of qualified candidates for fundraisers in our region, they held planning meetings with local development professionals to create a Certificate in Fund Development.

When speaking with Pam ClarkReidenbach, NICNE director, about the need for this program, she shared, “Nonprofit organizations are being asked to do more with less, requiring them to adopt professional fundraising strategies and practices. Qualified fund development professionals are in great demand. This program is designed to build our community’s capacity to meet the needs of nonprofit organization.

This certificate program will provide a solid foundation of fundraising fundamentals and an overview of fund development as a career. If you have considered a career in the field of fund development, this program is for you!”

This program was created in response to a need for skilled professionals and designed for: Individuals wishing to pursue a career in fund development.

Nonprofit staff members that find fundraising a growing part of their regular responsibilities.

Seasoned professionals wishing to refresh their skills and knowledge.

Board members and other volunteers interested in expanding their knowledge and expertise.

Broken down into bite-sized, topicspecific segments, I was honored to be asked to facilitate “The Science of Fundraising” session this spring (making me one of those “seasoned” folks).

Additional sessions are planned for the fall and cover topics, such as marketing and communications; policies, practices and networking; and the fundamentals of non-profit organizations.

Whether your interest lies in exploring a career change, serving in a leadership role at a nonprofit or being a better volunteer board member, consider joining us. Information can be found at www.rockford.edu/community/ nicne/programs/ Denise Noe is assistant vice president for institutional advancement at Rockford University.

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

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

9

July 2015

Rockford University PERSPECTIVE

Life or business It’s all about the equity!

Brian Huels

We have all most likely heard that accounting is the “language of business.” What fun! If you think back, you probably remember the first time you sat through an accounting class, the first time you looked at a set of financials, or perhaps the first time you sold something and made money.

Accounting provides a framework for summarizing information about a bunch of transactions and putting these transactions into a framework many can understand.

However, have you ever sat back and thought about the accounting of life?

The root of accounting is sourced from this basic accounting equation, Assets = Liabilities + Equity, or as I like to refer to it, “ALE.” It typically is one of the first things taught in an introductory accounting class; not because it is easy to master, but rather because of how important it is. As I share with my students, “The premise behind this equation is simple. First off, it always has to be in balance. The A always has to equal the L plus the E. Second, you have to have an understanding of what each of the words mean.”

Here is a quick summary of wording associated with these each of the pieces.

■■ Assets = things that provide future material benefit.

■■ Liabilities = things owed or claims against one’s assets.

■■ Equity = value; what is left over; the difference between assets and liabilities.

In a business setting, assets would be items such as cash, vehicles or a building, to name a few. Each of these items provides a future benefit, ranging from being able to spend, invest, use, etc.

The opposite of an asset is a liability.

Liabilities include loans, unpaid bills and similar type items. In a business setting, the goal is to have more assets (items that provide future benefit) than liabilities (things you owe). If a situation develops where assets are greater than liabilities, positive equity IS the end result.

Essentially, the more positive value is created, the more that items generating a future benefit exceed what we owe others.

Be an Asset In recent times, Rockford seems to be undergoing some great, wonderful changes. From the expansion of SportsCore, to the Transform Rockford movement, to the revitalization of downtown, to the arrival or expansion of many new businesses in the area,

great things Rockford University are happening in the Rockford community. We all can admit things are not perfect, however, the journey of transformation is a process, and I propose that you reference the basic accounting equation above to think about how you approach daily life.

What differences are you making not only to help better Rockford, but the businesses, lives, and others around you?

On a daily basis, we all should be seeking to create as many assets as possible. Seeking ways to provide things that not just provide immediate benefit for ourselves, but make a deep impact for all of those around us now and in the future. This could be as simple as picking up garbage you see on the street or taking time to say hello to someone you cross paths with at the store. Each of us has the power to be an asset to the community, and the organizations we work for. Each of us has the responsibility to take advantage of these opportunities.

In contrast, we also are very often in situations where we can be a burden to those around us. We can stake claims against community assets and actually be more of a liability. Littering, wasting time on unproductive things, borrowing items, or being a burden on other people are ways we become liabilities.

Referencing the accounting equation I purpose each of us to seek on a daily basis to be assets to all of those around us and to minimize the liabilities we create.

As an accounting student learns very early on, the equation of A=LE has to balance. The more assets we generate, while watching the liabilities, the more we increase equity. In this present time of transition and opportunity, we all can look at the future benefit we can create, as well as seek to maximize the equity of ourselves, those around us, and this great Rockford region.

I encourage each of us to get out and look to create as much future material benefit as possible. Be leaders! Be ASSETS! In the end, if we do it right, positive equity will be created for all.

Go Rockford!

Brian Huels is an assistant professor at the Puri School of Business, Rockford University.

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

10

July 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

How far can regionalism take Rockford?

Lessons from the ‘Mile High City’

By Alex Gary

Finally, some positive home price momentum

By Alex Gary The U.S. housing market, which generally has been improving since 2011, had a robust first quarter, according to the National Association of Realtors, with 148 of the 174 metro markets reporting increases in the year over year median sales price of a single-family home.

Fifty-one of the metro areas studied by NAR reported double-digit percentage increases in first quarter 2015 compared with the first three months of 2014.

Rockford was in the good but not great news category.

The Rockford metropolitan area remains one of the nation’s 10 most affordable housing markets with a median single family home sale price of $78,600 in the first three months of 2015.

The Rockford metropolitan area includes Boone and Winnebago counties.

That median sale price was up a solid 7.5 percent from first quarter 2014 when the median price of both counties was $73,100. Although Rockford wasn’t one of the metro markets enjoying

price growth of more than 10 percent, it did top the overall U.S. increase of 7.4 percent from first quarter 2014.

Breaking down the data further, the gains are finally coming from Winnebago County. According to Illinois Association of Realtor statistics, the median price of homes sold in Winnebago County increased from $65,000 in the first quarter of 2014 to $74,000 in the first quarter of 2015. It marked the third straight quarter that Winnebago County home prices increased after a stretch of four straight – third quarter 2013 through second quarter 2014 – quarters of declining prices.

According to IAR statistics, the local housing market topped out in the fourth quarter of 2006 when the median home sale price of homes sold in Winnebago County hit $129,700 and $187,950 in Boone. First quarter 2014 is when both Boone and Winnebago counties bottomed out with the median prices falling to $85,000 and $65,000 respectively.

Alex Gary is a Transform Rockford volunteer

Rockford makes a ‘good’ list

By Alex Gary A California-based job search website lists the Rockford area as one of the Midwest’s 20 hottest job markets so far in 2015. ZipRecruiter, which aggregates applications from job boards, examined hiring demand trends in the Midwest’s major metro areas to see which industries are seeing the greatest growth.

The Chicago metro area was No. 1, followed by Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Indianapolis. Rockford ranked No. 16, ahead of such areas as Omaha, Neb.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Fargo, N.D., and Appleton, Wis. Zip Recruiter cited “heavy production driven companies like the Chrysler Assembly Plant and UTC Aerospace Systems” for continuing to create manufacturing jobs.

ZipRecruiter listed manufacturing production supervisors, physical therapists, Class A CDL truck drivers, electrical controls engineers and senior financial analysts as the most in-demand positions in the area.

Indeed, manufacturing, which was hit the hardest during the Great Recession, has led the rebound for the Rockford economy. According to Illinois Department of Employment Security data, manufacturing jobs in Boone and Winnebago counties tumbled from 34,600 in June of 2007 to 25,000 in January of 2010 when the local jobless rate hit 17.3 percent.

From January, 2010 through April, 2015, the most recent available data, manufacturing has climbed back to 32,600 jobs, regaining 7,600 of the 9,600 jobs lost because of the financial, housing crisis.

The other industries that have shown solid job growth since January, 2010 are professional and business services, which has regained 2,100 of the 5,100 jobs lost during the meltdown, and the leisure and hospitality industry, which shed 1,500 jobs from 2007 to 2010 and has since gotten all of those back.

The health care industry was one of the few bright spots in the Great Recession. Because of the aging community, educational and health services increased from 21,800 jobs in June of 2007 to 22,800 by January, 2010 and since has grown to 23,700.

In April, the unemployment rate of Boone and Winnebago counties dropped to 5.8 percent. That’s the first time it’s been below 6 percent since September, 2007.

At first glance, Rockford has little in common with Denver, Colo., other than future flights out of the Chicago Rockford International Airport to Denver International Airport.

Nearly 650,000 people live in Denver, the capital of Colorado, and the city is home to a major league baseball team, NFL team and NBA franchise.

Rockford is home to about 150,000 and our sports offerings are minor league hockey and baseball teams.

But Tom Clark of Metro Denver, the economic development arm for 70 counties, cities and economic development groups in northern Colorado, said Denver in 1986 had lots in common with today’s Rockford.

In the late 1980s, Denver was ranked No. 2 in air pollution, behind only Los Angeles. Collapsing oil prices in the 1980s caused a number of oil and gas companies in the Denver area to relocate. In 1986, Forbes magazine, a local favorite after listing Rockford as No. 3 on its most miserable cities list in 2013, had a story about Denver’s struggles with the headline, “Denver: You can’t fall off the floor.”

Denver’s economy was in a crisis and the region responded by creating an economic development group that would supersede all of the already existing organizations.

Sharing Denver’s Experiences On June 1, Clark was at the Nordloff Center in downtown Rockford at the request of Transform Rockford to share insights on how regionalism turned Denver, thought of by locals as a cow town, into a western economic powerhouse.

“We started out and said ‘can we present ourselves as our companies see us, as a place and not a group of individual cities,’” Clark said.

“Suspicion was the biggest thing that kept us from collaborating. I suspected that the guy next to me was to do me wrong. He suspected the lady down the street was going to do him wrong.”

Of course, Denver didn’t create regionalism. There are all kinds of regional groups to be found on the Internet. The Rockford area has groups such as the Rockford Economic Development Council, which traces its origins back to our own struggles of the 1980s. The RAEDC preaches regionalism and works with businesses, organizations and municipalities and other economic development groups, such as Boone County’s Growth Dimensions.

The Rockford area has rallied regionally to win projects such as the expansion of Belvidere’s Chrysler assembly plant, Woodward Inc.’s new

Rock Cut Campus in Loves Park and AAR Corp.’s new maintenance repair and overhaul facility at the Chicago Rockford International Airport.

Clark talked about finding clusters, building on industries that are already strong in your community. That’s been a RAEDC focus for about 10 years.

What was interesting about Clark’s talk is the extent that Denver has committed to regionalism. All of the partners signed on to a code of ethics and are held to the code with possible expulsion as a threat and have lived up to the code for nearly 40 years.

Among the points all cities and counties in the Denver region agree to: ■ They commit to selling “Metro Denver” first and individual communities and projects second.

■ If a business seeks to relocate from city or county in the region to another, then the county or city in danger of losing the business is contacted to give them a chance to keep the enterprise.

■ Cities and counties are allowed to compete for projects, but once a site selector has knocked them off the list, they stay off the list.

■ “At no time shall any member of the Metro Denver ECD solicit a fellow member’s prospects.”

■ Cities and counties can not “sell against” other Metro Denver members by insulting other areas.

Denver today gets love from Forbes, which ranked it the No. 4 metro area for Business and Careers, behind only Raleigh, N.C.; Des Moines, Iowa and Provo, Utah. The Kaufman Foundation, which measures entrepreneurial activity yearly, ranked Denver as the fifth best metro area to launch a startup company, passing San Francisco, New York and San Antonio.

When asked what is Denver’s biggest concern today, Clark said it’s the price of housing. It’s too high. The median price of a single-family home sold in the first quarter of 2015 in the DenverAuroroa area was $338,100, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Clark said they need more affordable housing to continue to be a magnet to young professionals just starting out.

In the Rockford area, the median price of single-family homes sold in the first three months of the year was $78,600.

“The first response today when there’s a challenge is what do we have to do together to get this done. It’s not who do we penalize?” Clark said. “Do we still have our fights? Yeah, but they aren’t life-long quarrels. … There is a sense that everyone gets their say, not everyone gets their way.”

Alex Gary is a Transform Rockford volunteer.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

11

July 2015

Give students an advantage by sharing the love of reading

Summer is a child’s opportunity to learn

By Wendy Kunz, Sylvan Learning of Loves Park For most children, summer is a time to leave classes and homework behind.

However, when they return to school in the fall after the long summer break, students can find themselves struggling to catch up.

Skills and knowledge gained throughout the school year fade during the summer months. According to Sylvan Learning, loss of content retention begins within 24 to 48 hours of learning unless the new information is reinforced or applied immediately. After a month without reinforcement, approximately 80 percent of what a student has recently learned can be lost.

A break from school is great for recharging your children’s batteries, but if they aren’t using the skills and knowledge learned in the classroom, they could find themselves lagging behind when school starts up again.

For children who have been struggling at school, summer can be their opportunity to catch-up on key skills and feel more confident when they head back to class. For students who do well, it’s an opportunity to keep their enthusiasm for learning high.

Parents can play a key role in reinforcing learning on an ongoing basis.

Here’s some practical tips for integrating continuous learning into fun, family activities all summer long:

Summer Fun That’s Educational, Too ■■ Read with your child. You can’t start too early. You can’t read too much. Reading to young children nurtures an interest in language, words and communication. For older kids, reading together can be fun and interesting. Parents can even turn Harry Potter or Twilight mania into a learning opportunity. Read the books together with your children and ask questions about the plot and characters.

■■ Search for reading activities on the Internet and create a reading list.

There are an abundance of sites that provide summer reading lists for children.

At www.BookAdventure.com, children (grades K to 8) create personalized books lists from more than 7,500 recommended titles, take quizzes on the books they’ve read at school or at home, and earn points towards small prizes for understanding the books they’ve read.

■■ Plan a field trip. Plan a trip to an interesting site close to home — an historic site, a museum, the zoo, etc. Research the trip in advance with your child and discuss it afterwards.

■■ Find pen pals. Encourage your child to write notes and letters to family members and friends as a way of practicing writing.

■■ Plan a meal together. Helping mom or dad with the regular grocery shopping and meal preparation creates opportunities to use math skills such as making change, weighing fruits and vegetables, etc.

The United Way of Rock River Valley seeks community leaders to consider becoming a United Way I READ mentor.

A background in education is not required — just a passion to share a love of reading and learning with a child. United Way I READ mentors in as little as 20 minutes, one day a week during the school year drastically change and improve a child’s life; boosting their academic achievement and putting them on track for a bright future.

United Way of Rock River Valley’s I READ program matches volunteer readers with Kindergarten students. Through weekly one-on-one connections, mentors not only help the children improve their literacy, but also engage them in active conversations and explore new ideas through content and problem-solving.

Mentors provide emotional support and guidance by following their students through third grade. This consistent, healthy adult relationship enhances the students’ self-esteem and confidence.

Impact Last Year During the 2014-2015 school year, more than 380 students were connected with 245 United Way I READ mentors in 18 Rockford, Oregon and Harlem public schools. Students received more than 3,300 hours in one-onone focused time through the program, and mentors distributed 4,000 books for their students to take home during the year.

This year’s new reading mentors will support more than 80 incoming Kindergarten students. Consider applying for this coming school year by contacting Tonya Thayer Meyer at 815-986-4806, tonya@unitedwayrrv.org or visiting www.wevolunteer.org.

■■ Visit the library. Libraries can recommend books appropriate for your child’s reading level and interests, and many libraries offer free children’s programs.

■■ Keep a journal. Give your child an empty notebook to keep a summer journal. Regular entries will keep writing skills active.

desk in a well-lit area. Add a supply of pens, pencils, markers and paper.

■■ Reference materials. Make sure you have a dictionary, atlas and other resource materials for research.

■■ Your example. Parents can help encourage learning activities by example.

Read with your children. Discuss trips and

■■ Summer enrichment programs.

There are a variety of enrichment programs available for children.

experiences. Keep your own daily journal.

■■ Get involved in STEM! There are a variety of classes and camps out there!

Engage your kids in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math!

Wendy Kunz is director at the Loves Park Sylvan

Write letters together.

Learning. For more educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, visit www.

SylvanLearning.com or call 815-899-8909.

Make Your Home a Year-Round Place for Learning

The views expressed are those of Kunz’s and do

■■ Work area. Set up a simple table or

Chamber of Commerce.

not necessarily represent those of the Rockford

12

Advisory Teams for Business / Estate Planning

July 2015 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

‘Step-by-step’ approach can ease estate-planning process Avoid becoming overwhelmed Like many people, you may enjoy investing. After all, it can be invigorating to put away money for your future, follow the performance of your investments, and track the progress you’re making toward your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

However, you might be less excited about doing estate planning; dreading the perceived time, effort and cost. Yet, you can make the entire process more manageable by breaking it up into specific tasks.

You might be less excited about doing estate planning; dreading the perceived time, effort and cost.

Yet, you can make the entire process more manageable by breaking it up into specific tasks.

What are these tasks? Everyone’s needs are different, but here are a few suggestions that may be applicable to your situation.

Purchase life insurance. If something were to happen to you, would your family be able to stay in the house? Would your children be able to go to college? You should have sufficient life insurance to take care of these and other essential needs. You might hear about various “formulas” for how much insurance you should purchase, but you may be better off by working with a financial professional — someone who can evaluate your assets, goals and family situation, and then recommend an appropriate level of coverage.

Draw up your will. For most people, a will is probably the most essential estate-planning document. Regardless of the size of your estate, you need a will to ensure that your assets and personal belongings will be distributed according to your wishes. If you die intestate (without a will), your belongings will be distributed to your “heirs” as defined by

Shawn D. Rooney Edward Jones

state laws — and these distributions may not be at all what you had in mind.

Consider a living trust. Depending on your situation, you may need to go beyond a will when drawing up your estate plans. For example, you might want to create a living trust, which can allow your assets to go directly to your heirs, avoiding the public, timeconsuming and expensive process of probate. A living trust offers other benefits, too, so you may want to consult with a legal professional to learn more about this estate-planning tool.

Check beneficiary designations.

The beneficiary designations on your insurance policies and retirement accounts, such as your IRA and 401(k), are powerful and can even supersede the instructions left in your will. So it’s in your best interests to make sure you’ve got the right people listed as your beneficiaries. Over time, you may need to update these designations to reflect changes in your family situation.

Make final arrangements.

Whenever you pass away, it will be a stressful time for your loved ones. To ease their burden, consider establishing a “payable-on-death” account at your bank, and then funding this account to pay for your funeral and related expenses.

Share your plans. The most comprehensive estate plan in the world may not be of much value if nobody knows of its existence. Share your plans with your loved ones and heirs. It’s important that everyone knows their roles in carrying out your wishes.

When dealing with any estateplanning issues, you’ll want to consult with your legal and tax professionals.

And by taking a step-by-step approach, you can keep the process moving forward — without feeling that you’re being overwhelmed.

Shawn D. Rooney is a financial advisor for Edward Jones.

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

14

July 2015 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Advisory Teams for Business / Estate Planning

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Contemporary estate planning with ‘ethical’ wills

Passing lessons learned to one’s heirs

Michael T. Cyrs Savant Capital Management

Ethical wills most often take the form of a written preamble to family. These letters often include advice on life’s lessons learned, an identification of family heritage, exhortations and words of encouragement, or expressions of gratitude and faith, and in some cases, last-minute communications of forgiveness and understanding.

Typical estate planning techniques involve creating written legal instruments, such as last wills or trusts, to provide direction with respect to the disposition of assets.

The usual focus is simply on what and to whom. Many people, however, view wealth as more than money and possessions. These individuals desire to supplement those usual planning documents with directives that transfer what they believe to be “true valuables;” namely, their wisdom, guiding principles, spiritual beliefs and family heritage. These additional directives are commonly referred to as “ethical wills,” and they are well on their way to becoming a mainstay in estate planning once again.

The history of ethical wills is a long and rich one, tracing its roots back to when history was first recorded.

Such directives were commonly used by pharaohs in Egypt and by Old Testament patriarchs to convey wisdom, motivating values and instruction to successors in managing their kingdoms. According to Jewish history, more than 3,000 years ago, Jacob gathered his children around his deathbed and instructed each of them in how they should live after he was gone. Similar instructions were recorded as being given to family members by prophets and kings such as Moses, Joshua and David.

Ethical Wills: the Formal and Informal Today, ethical wills most often take the form of a written preamble to family, designed to accompany more formal estate planning documents.

These letters often include advice on life’s lessons learned, an identification of family heritage, exhortations and words of encouragement, or expressions of gratitude and faith, and in some cases, last-minute communications of forgiveness and understanding. Ethical wills are often simple letters: kept confidential and

revealed only when the estate plan is administered or read to family.

Increasingly, individuals will go a step further and record audio or video messages, or even create written or photographic books for family members to have after funeral or burial arrangements conclude.

Individuals who may not want to go to the extent of creating a more formal ethical will often structure their estate plan in an “ethical manner” by attempting to incorporate their values into the design of their plan.

For some, this means simple cash bequests to favorite charities, cash gifts to grandchildren or younger heirs as a “rainy day fund,” or bequests to establish funds restricted to education or similar personal objectives. Each of these structured gifts can impart an identification of one’s values into the overall estate plan.

Another approach is to develop an identification of specific gifts of personal and household items to certain individuals, often with a short message as to the desired meaning of the chosen gift.

For decades, estate planning focused simply on transferring assets at the lowest possible cost. Today, more and more individuals seek to develop a deeper connective thread in their estate planning, and those who do find that ethical wills are the true treasure they want to pass on to their loved ones.

Michael T. Cyrs, JD, MBA, CFP®, is an estate and wealth transfer advisor with Savant Capital Management.

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

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and CFP® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Advisory Teams for Business / Estate Planning

July 2015

15

Economy is gaining momentum Optimism rising among small businesses and we are starting to see optimism rise among small businesses,” said Andrew Cecere, chief operating officer of U.S. Bancorp. “There is tremendous potential in that optimism. Small businesses are critical to the health of our economy. As their bankers, we are always advocating for them and looking for ways to help them take advantage of opportunities to expand and grow.”

Recession or Recovery?

By Michael E. Abate, U.S. Bank Now in its sixth year, the U.S. Bank Annual Small Business Survey measured the opinions of more than 3,000 small business owners, who shared their views on the state of the national and their local economy, general business conditions and challenges, and their outlook for 2016.

This year the results show small business owners are more confident about the future of their businesses now than at any time in the six-year history of the survey. Optimism is on the rise, businesses are healthier, and they may be on the verge of taking action to expand; however, few are actually seeking credit to do it.

“The economy is gaining momentum,

When asked about the national economy, 18 percent of small business owners said they felt the economy was in recession in 2015, down from 89 percent in 2010. Moreover, 67 percent say the national economy is in recovery or expansion, up from 46 percent in 2013.

Business owners who said they plan to add staff increased to 25 percent in 2015 from 20 percent in 2014. Three out of four (76 percent) say their business is financially strong, and their revenues have stabilized, with 28 percent saying revenue increased and 52 percent stating that it had stayed the same over 2014.

Most are still not seeking credit, however, with 86 percent reporting they had not tried to borrow money for business purposes in the last six months. Of those who did borrow,

Mobile and social media are now an established part of the small business owner’s overall delivery 65 percent said it was easy, compared to just 44 percent who cited easy access to credit last year. In addition, significantly more small business owners (34 percent) said they plan to make a capital expenditure to expand their business over the next year.

“Our role as bankers is to understand our small business clients’ opportunities and challenges as much as possible,” said John Elmore, vice chairman and head of branch channel and delivery at U.S. Bank.

Effects of Healthcare, Social Media Increased competition and rising healthcare and labor costs surfaced as more significant challenges facing business owners this year, however for the first time since 2010, fewer than half (47 percent) said the long-term impact of the Affordable Care Act will be negative.

Business owners were split on whether the health care law resulted in premium hikes – 49 percent said they had higher premiums, 45 percent said there was no impact, and 7 percent said their

premiums were lower. (Note: percentages do not add to 100 because of rounding.)

Mobile and social media are now an established part of the small business owner’s overall delivery, with 75 percent of respondents saying they have integrated a mobile solution into their business strategy, and 67 percent reporting that they maintain a social media presence to make connections, find talent or market their business.

Top business uses of mobile include accessing bank accounts, accessing social media, making and accepting payments and depositing checks. They also offer mobile-friendly sites, use apps to organize and manage their business and use text alerts to market products, services or promotions.

Michael E. Abate is market president at U.S. Bank on East State Street in Rockford.

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

16

July 2015 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Advisory Teams for Business / Estate Planning

Guest Perspective INSIGHT

Is your business built to last?

Building a successful succession plan Making the case for business succession planning would seem easy. As a business owner, you’ve made enormous sacrifices, missed birthdays and baseball games, spent sleepless nights, invested countless hours and then, finally, begun to reap the rewards.

In short, you’ve spent years doing all the right things to create significant value and a lasting legacy. Why then do so many business owners fail to take that next critical step: planning for a seamless transition to the next generation of leadership?

The statistics are a bit shocking, given what’s at stake. It’s reported that fewer than half of the business owners seeking to transition out of their businesses and/or transfer ownership are ultimately successful. Nor are these statistics likely to improve.

An aging demographic of chief executives, an increasingly competitive landscape, under-investment in capital equipment and fast-changing new technologies are just some of the forces that make succession planning an increasingly important part of

You’ve spent years doing all the right things to create significant value and a lasting legacy.

Why then do so many business owners fail to take that next critical step: planning for a seamless transition to the next generation of leadership? ensuring a company’s survivability going forward. The consequences of an ill-planned succession can be dire, ranging from the forced sale of a business at below market value to the gradual, or sudden, collapse of the business altogether.

Which is why, in the course of establishing a relationship with many of our business customers, we ask the question: do you have a succession plan in place?

Putting a succession plan in place: It doesn’t have to hurt. The same mentality that makes a business person successful – hard charging, high energy, in control and, well, “bulletproof” – also can make that person reluctant to plan for the inevitable day

when a transition should take place.

Here are the steps we recommend to make that planning process less painful, and more profitable: Step One: Assemble a team of advisors.

No two businesses are alike, and the succession plan for one will look very different from that of another. That’s why it’s important to first assemble an advisory team with experience in all facets of the typical transition process.

These advisory teams generally are comprised of your banker, CPA, an attorney with business and estate planning experience, an insurance agent and a certified business appraiser.

This team can give the business owner an objective, “outside looking in” perspective, help determine the overall objectives for the succession plan, provide the expertise needed on critically important issues such as business valuations, tax strategies, estate planning, buy-sell agreements; offer insight into selecting and preparing future management going forward, and much more.

Step Two: Assess the situation.

Your advisory team can help you “drill down” into the situation as it exists in your business today: What are your goals? What unique challenges are you currently facing? Who are the best potential candidates for successor, and why? What timeframe are you looking at? Are there any issues, circumstances or expectations likely to help, or hinder, the process?

Step Three: Building the perfect plan.

Now, with the help of input from your team, it will be possible to formulate a succession plan that maximizes the value of your company, ensures workforce stability and continuity going forward, and prepares company senior

management/ Linda Heckert leadership for Northwest Bank new roles and responsibilities.

A typical succession plan will generally include, but not be limited to, a description of: ■■ How the transfer will occur. There are many potential sale and gifting scenarios, ranging from private sales to Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) to Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) and more. Your plan will help structure the right scenario for your business, ensuring maximum value for you, your family and your employees.

■■ When the transfer of ownership will occur, based on the current state of the business and the owner’s personal and financial goals. This process might be designed to unfold all at once, or over the course of several years.

■■ Distribution of ownership, such that the future owners are identified and their roles within the company, if any, are clearly defined.

■■ Selection of future management.

Since new ownership and management may, or may not be, the same individuals, integration of new ownership and/or new management will require some level of preparation and training well in advance. The succession plan can help put these procedures in place.

If you’re a business owner without a succession plan, no matter how far off in the distant future a transition is likely to occur, now’s the time to begin the process of putting your plan in place. Assemble your team, benefit from their expert advice and guidance – and go forward knowing your legacy has never been more secure.

Linda Heckert is senior vice president, director of business and retail banking, at Northwest Bank of Rockford; specializing in providing value-added service to businesses, business owners and individuals.

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

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

17

July 2015

Construction begins on addition to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center OSF HealthCare and OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 24 to signal the beginning of construction on an $85-million bed pavilion. The 144,247-square-foot, four-story structure will be attached to the existing hospital building and house 78 private rooms for medical and surgical beds.

The hospital’s semi-private rooms will be converted to private rooms; totaling 190 private rooms when the project is completed (no change in the number of licensed beds).

The pavilion also will offer ambulatory services on the first floor of the new pavilion, including PromptCare, the relocation of women’s services — mammography, ultrasound and bone densitometry, and a retail pharmacy.

“Enhancing the experience for our patients, families, employees and medical staff is always at the forefront of our planning,” said Paula Carynski, president of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. “Private rooms and a more modern setting will truly help with that endeavor.”

The new pavilion will house 78 private rooms for medical and surgical beds.

Hop the Gap (continued from front page)

USDA’s My Plate. More than half of parents surveyed thought the correct amount was one-third or less. And only about a quarter of parents knew that children should get at least 60 minutes of exercise each day.

Family Health Snapshot Survey ■■ While most parents (65 percent) accurately believe that leisure screen time should be limited to two hours or less each day, 64 percent report that their kids spend three or more hours per day online, playing video games or watching TV during the summer.

■■ Only about half of kids get at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity during the summer.

■■ While produce consumption rises during the summer, many kids still don’t eat the recommended amount of vegetables.

■■ Only 26 percent of kids spend more than an hour each day reading a book for fun during the summer.

■■ About three-quarters of kids drink sugar-sweetened beverages at least weekly during the summer, and about a quarter of kids average one or more sweetened beverages daily or nearly daily.

Enriching Summer Activities The survey also revealed that parents prioritize finding enriching activities and ensuring that their kids don’t lose what they’ve learned during the school year over the summer.

However, they may need help following through on these intentions to help avoid the “summer slide.”

“Without access to daily lessons, enrichment and exercise, kids are at risk of falling behind during the summer months,” said Mike Brown, CEO and president, YMCA of Rock River Valley.

“This summer, we’re helping parents turn their good intentions into reality with programs designed to strengthen their kids’ minds and bodies and keep them on track for good health and academic success year-round.”

“Our job is to help families recognize they have the power to keep their kids healthy and ready to learn by keeping them focused, encouraging them to eat healthy, exercise and trading their tablets for books,” said Sandra G. Hassink, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which partnered in the Family Health Snapshot survey.

For more information, visit www. rockriverymca.org.

theVoice

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center’s new addition will generate up to 700 constructions jobs and is expected to be completed by early 2018.

The groundbreaking ceremony on June 24 marked the beginning of construction for the 144,237-square-foot structure.

18

July 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Where Are They Now? In 2008, the Rockford Chamber launched the 40 Leaders Under 40 awards program to honor those movers, shakers and up-andcomers who make things happen. Here’s a look at what some of them are doing now!

A FEW QUESTIONS FROM 2008 WE ASKED AGAIN …

Name the adjective that best describes you.

Deliberative. Brendan Maher

What do you like to do “off the clock”?

Spend time with my family, especially our three terrific kids.

Read for pleasure. Travel when possible. Attempt to stay in shape.

Brendan Maher (left) “In 2008, I was seven months pregnant with our third child, Ryan, and definitely ready for him to arrive! Ryan is now 6 years old, with sisters who are 10 and 12,” says Pam Maher. (above, right) “In a family with three energetic kids under the age of thirteen, every day seems like a key turning point. Pam and I have truly been blessed with children who keep us on our toes, challenged, happy and fulfilled each and every day,” says Judge Brendan Maher.

Pam Maher Where are you now? My marketing communications company, KMK Media Group, is now 17 years old, and we still work with a variety of clients ranging from healthcare to government, manufacturing to education, non-profit to service industries. Our foothold in web, graphic design, public relations and advertising is rivaled by our explosive growth in running many successful social media campaigns for our clients in recent years.

Physically, KMK Media Group is now located in a different spot. In 2011, we bought a beautiful, 100-yearold Victorian home, gutted it and turned it into our corporate offices at 716 N. Church St., in downtown Rockford’s cultural corridor. We are proud to be truly invested in the redevelopment of downtown.

What did you take away by becoming an honoree? I was blessed to be a 40 Under 40 honoree together with my husband, Brendan. When we first met 20 years ago, I was a senior in college and he was in his first year of law school. We had no money, faced two years apart as he finished school, and didn’t know exactly how our career paths and lives would mesh in time, place and goals. Somehow with lots of hard work, the pieces all fit together. I’m proud of my husband and of the opportunity to build our professional lives side by side while building a family and jointly serving our community.

What would be the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during that time? Be open to new opportunities. I never would have dreamed I’d be an entrepreneur, but I love what I do every day. Also, work with and hire people more for how they fit your culture than how they fit your job description. There needs to be a good mix, obviously, but if you like the people you work with, they fit well within your team, AND they do great work, you’ve got it made. We have that and that makes going to work every day very enjoyable.

What advice would you give to those coming up in your industry? I went to college to become a TV journalist, and I did that for five years. Then I worked for a non-profit, and then I became an entrepreneur at the age of 26. As a college communications major, I’d recommend others get a broad-based communications/marketing/advertising background, as the methods of communication in our society are rapidly changing. You need to be able to evolve with

If you weren’t doing what you are now, what job would you want?

What’s your hidden talent?

I can juggle. Sort of. Brendan Maher

In the real world, I can’t think of a profession I would prefer to being a lawyer and now a judge. Within my

that. As an entrepreneur, I’d advise others to believe in the people you hire, support them and come to the realization quickly that they probably know far more than you do and let them help the business grow.

Who is your role model and why? Jean Vitale, the founder of Beef a Roo. She supported me as our business grew; offering guidance and opportunities to expand my skill set. She did all of this while growing a successful independent business herself and being a fabulous mother to five children. She is amazing.

Any key turning points in your career or family? I mentioned family above. That family also includes our oldest, Colleen, who has Down syndrome. Four years ago, I helped open GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford and currently serve as its board president. That was a key turning point in knowing how Colleen would change our lives to allow us to help support and change the lives of other families in our community.

Brendan Maher

current profession, it would be a privilege to serve as an appellate court judge, a federal district court judge and, in my dreams, on the United States Supreme Court. If I get to choose any job regardless of my actual abilities or financial needs, I’d probably pick professional golfer or professional tour guide for a large, international travel company. Brendan Maher

What were you doing when you were chosen as a 40 Leader Under 40? I was a partner at WilliamsMcCarthy LLP law firm in downtown Rockford, representing individuals and businesses in business litigation, personal injury lawsuits and employment law and litigation. I also provided advice to clients on legal compliance issues and assisted with out-of-court dispute resolution. Shortly thereafter, I took a nearly two-year stint as an assistant United States attorney with the U.S. Attorneys’ office in Rockford, primarily prosecuting white collar criminals.

Where are you now? I am a circuit court judge. In 2010, I was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to my current position as a 17th Judicial Circuit Court Judge (encompassing Winnebago and Boone counties). After my appointment, I was fortunate to be elected in November, 2012 to a full six-year term. I served the first four years of my judicial career as the presiding circuit judge in Boone County and currently am assigned to a full-time criminal courtroom in Winnebago County.

What did you take away by becoming an honoree? Along with my wife, Pam, I felt honored to be considered a “leader” at that time, especially because I had never thought of myself in that regard. I was fortunate to work for a law firm that placed a high value on giving back to our community through

not-for-profit service and other involvement, and the recognition I received is in large part due to the encouragement and mentoring I received as a young lawyer at the firm.

What would be the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during that time? I continue to see the value in thinking things through and being patient as the best way to avoid and to solve problems. In my current position, really listening, hearing and understanding the people who come through my courtroom provides me with the best opportunity to make the right decision in a case. As with most things in life, those skills require practice in order to improve.

What advice would you give to those coming up in your industry? Do your best to find and pay attention to an experienced lawyer who is willing to serve as a mentor as soon as possible. Though law school provides new lawyers with “book smarts,” and the bar exam provides them with a license, a good mentor can provide critical early guidance in navigating the courthouse, making important connections within the legal and professional community and avoiding some of the most common “rookie mistakes.” Perhaps most importantly, a good mentor can drive home the importance of building and maintaining a positive professional reputation from the outset of a young lawyer’s career.

Any key turning points in your career or family?

Two important doors have opened for me since 2008.

Though I was perfectly happy in my role as a partner at WilliamsMcCarthy LLP, I was honored and privileged in December, 2008 to be offered a position as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Rockford U.S. Attorney’s Rockford office handling federal criminal and civil litigation. Then, in June, 2010, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed me to the bench, and I was sworn in as a circuit judge on my birthday in August, 2010.

What advice would you give to those coming up in your industry? The Japanese gardening community is pretty small, as you can imagine. I’d tell people who are considering becoming involved in a visitor attraction that it is a deeply rewarding industry.

Anderson Japanese Gardens has a profound positive impact on thousands of people every year. For each guest that impact is different, but what we aim to achieve is to have guests leave feeling upbeat and energized.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

19

July 2015

Issues to Watch LEGISLATIVE

New Illinois Laws for 2015

IDOT Releases Multi-Year Highway Construction Plan

AGRICULTURE, ANIMALS AND HUNTING

The program allows for maintenance on the state’s existing roads and bridges, financing improvements to 1,431 miles of highway and 357 bridges. IDOT noted that while 83 percent of state highways and 93 percent of bridges currently are in acceptable condition. Without significant improvements over the next five years, only 62 percent of highways and 86 percent of bridges will be in acceptable condition.

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

Reptiles and Amphibians SB 902/PA 98-0752 Creates the Herptiles – Herps Act, which sets provisions for permits to acquire, breed and sell herptiles (reptiles/amphibians) listed in the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act. All permits, fees and fines will be determined by administrative rule through the Department of Natural Resources.

Aquatic Life Definition SB 3333/PA 98-0771 Changes the definition of aquatic life to mean all fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, algae, aquatic plants and aquatic invertebrates. The legislation also expands the definition of aquatic life to include any other aquatic plants or animals that the Department of Natural Resources identifies after consultation with biologists, zoologists or other wildlife experts.

Commercial Fishing License HB 4277/ PA 98-0898 Allows veterans and blind or disabled residents to fish with commercial devices without holding a sports fishing license during valid fishing seasons.

Trapping License HB 5079/PA 98-0913 An initiative of the Illinois Trappers Association to assure that trappers are competent. After Jan. 1, 2015, anyone who has not held a valid trapping license within three years preceding the license application must provide evidence of competency, as provided within the Wildlife Code. The upswing in fur prices in the last few years have led to an increase in people trapping for the first time. It has been found that a lot of these trappers have little or no real knowledge of how to trap, resulting in an increase in nontargeted animals (such as dogs and cats) being inadvertently captured.

The Department of Natural Resources offers an online trapper education course, which will give novices basic knowledge of how to properly set and maintain traps, kinds of traps to use, and how to avoid unwanted species.

The “grandfather” clause is added to accommodate trappers who are

In May, the Illinois Department of Transportation released an $8.4-billion, six-year highway construction plan as part of the state’s proposed highway improvement program. Of that, $1.85 billion is to be invested in Fiscal Year 2016, beginning July 1.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has been advocating for a statewide capital construction program to make improvements to the state’s transportation infrastructure.

Visit goo.gl/gLOqt7 for a document on the full FY 2016-2021 Proposed Highway Improvement program, including projects planned in certain regions in the state.

Source: Senator Syverson’s Week in Review

already licensed and engaged in this activity beyond the basic level.

Commercial Hunting Regulations HB 5080/PA 98-0914 Initiative of the Conservation Police Lodge to update waterfowl outfitter regulations. This legislation would allow them to be regulated similarly to what is in place for deer and wild turkey outfitters. The legislation also includes deer and wild turkey under the outfitter permit provision and provides that anyone who provides or offers, for compensation, outfitting services for deer, waterfowl or wild turkey hunting without a permit shall be charged with a Class B misdemeanor.

Native Fish for Bait HB 5082/PA 98-0915 Allows bighead carp, black carp, grass carp and silver carp to be taken with a casting net or shad scoop and used as bait on the body of water where collected, if killed immediately, by a person with a valid sport fishing license. It also allows mooneye, goldeye, skipjack herring, carp (other than bighead carp, black carp, grass carp, and silver carp), buffalo, suckers, gar, bowfin, shad, and drum to be taken with a casting net or shad scoop and used for live or dead bait where collected, by a person with a valid sport fishing license.

Dairy Products SB 3157/PA 98-0958 Brings Illinois into line with federal U.S. Department of Agriculture standards by modifying definitions in the Grade A Pasteurized Milk and Milk Products Act, making enforcing agencies responsible to prevent the distribution of adulterated milk and milk products, and revising testing rules.

Pesticides HB 5464/PA 98-0923 Streamlines the application process for licensing agricultural pesticide applicators.

Wolves, Bears, Cougars SB 3049/PA 98-1033 Adds the Gray Wolf, American Black Bear and Cougar to the list of protected species in Illinois, while spelling out conditions that allow landowners to kill the animals if they are causing an immediate threat of physical harm or death to a person, livestock, domestic animals or harm to structures or other property. In recent years, all three have started to return to Illinois in very limited numbers and this is an effort to manage that reintroduction.

Protecting Aquatic Life HB 5869/PA 98-1044 Provides that releasing any aquatic life into the wild in Illinois without first securing permission of the Department of Natural Resources is a Class B misdemeanor. This bill seeks to target potentially invasive species being imported into the state, as has happened with Asian Carp and zebra mussels.

Industrial Hemp Studies HB 5085/PA 98-1072 Establishes the “Industrial Hemp Pilot Program” and allows higher education institutions or the Department of Agriculture to grow or cultivate industrial hemp if used for research purposes that specifically studies the growth, cultivation or marketing of industrial hemp.

“Industrial Hemp” means cannabis sativa L., having no more than 0.3 percent total THC content. Current law does not allow any person to possess cannabis.

20

July 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Power of partnerships It’s key to moving Rockford forward How often are we involved in projects where the volunteers turn out in such strong numbers and work so enthusiastically that the job gets finished ahead of schedule ... and the later volunteer shifts have to be cancelled?

Well, that’s what happened with the Rockford Sharefest/Forest City Beautiful 2015 project as 1,400 volunteers stepped up to strategically beautify downtown Rockford for the second consecutive year, May 29 to June 5. Add in the cooperative weather and a nine-day job finished 1-1/2 days early!

It’s a beautiful example of the power of partnerships. Prompted by a strategic goal to further enhance and activate downtown in advance of the 2016 opening of Rockford’s new riverfront sports complex, the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau first joined forces with Rockford Sharefest in 2013 for Stroll on State. That year, Sharefest volunteers helped decorate downtown Rockford for the holidays and host the event. In June of 2014, more than 700 volunteers installed landscaping and streetscape enhancement as part of the RACVB’s Forest City Beautiful launch to systematically beautify the downtown area.

This year Rockford Sharefest doubled down with Forest City Beautiful and brought their massive volunteer organization and strength to downtown.

Here are some of the highlights of the Rockford Sharefest downtown project.

■■ Significant landscaping renovation of the riverfront area behind the Luther Center and Rockford Public Library ■■ Added 40 large planters arranged with flowers and greenery ■■ Prepped, primed and painted 28 street lampposts, along with garbage cans and utility boxes ■■ Planted 24 new trees ■■ Weeded and cleaned numerous areas ■■ Built and rebuilt retaining walls ■■ Laid down three semi loads of mulch ■■ Put down 11 pallets of sod ■■ Renovated more than 20,000 square feet of planted spaces Studies consistently show that how a community looks is important to residents and visitors, and of course to

John Groh

employers and Rockford Area Convention & job creators.

Visitors Bureau The results of the Sharefest and Forest City Beautiful efforts are impressive; please visit downtown Rockford to see the results.

RACVB wishes to express our deep and sincere thanks to Rockford Sharefest for choosing and embracing the Forest City Beautiful initiative. We are also grateful to other partners who made this effort so successful: City of Rockford for their planning and logistical leadership; Community Foundation of Northern Illinois for a $45,000 grant to help purchase large planters; many businesses, such as restaurants that donated food for volunteer leaders who worked all day; many donors to our Forest City Beautiful effort; and, of course, the 1,400 volunteers.

Sharefest: ‘Forest City Beautiful is Great Example’ RACVB’s partnership with Rockford Sharefest is unique and so meaningful that I asked Creig Day, director of Rockford Sharefest, what he thought about it. He said, “I feel like Forest City Beautiful is a great example of a partnership where we do more than just work with each other, but we trust one another and actually lean in to each other. We ask for help that requires other people’s strengths and what they have access to. We lean into businesses that can do things we don’t know how to do.

So often we think only in terms of money, but people want to be able to contribute in a way that they feel they had an impact on the successful outcome of a project.”

Creig continued, “The goal of Forest City Beautiful is not just to have a beautiful downtown, they want to have beauty in other areas too. So for the volunteers whose 670 shifts were cancelled, we hope they will find another project to get involved in. Because of this, we are a community on the rise,” said Creig.

John Groh is president/CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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

Rockford Sharefest volunteers Pam Barker, right, and granddaughter, Kylie Westberg, beautified one of many areas in downtown Rockford.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

July 2015

College, career experiences for all students

Community volunteers critical to transforming lives College and career readiness doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of experiences that add up. These experiences might be nice in isolation, but in combination they hold the power to transform student lives.

Only a few years ago in the Rockford Public Schools, students had to be in the right place at the right time to get these experiences.

Today, we are quickly moving toward guaranteed college and career experiences for all RPS 205 students in grades 8 to 12. And, every step of the way, we are doing it with tremendous community support.

Here’s a glimpse of what an RPS 205 eighth grader will experience in the five years before he or she graduates: Eighth grade: Every eighth grader takes a seminar course that covers self-exploration as well as career exploration. Students determine what they want from a career and from life, and develop a personal budget to help them get there. They visit a high school.

Our community partnerships also allow us to provide a growing number of leadership and horizon-broadening activities for eighth graders, such as the Rock Valley College STEM Summit and the Rotary Leadership Academy.

Freshman Academy: The Freshman Academy supports students as they transition from middle school to high school. Teachers collaborate to develop common expectations for students and develop materials, activities and events to support their successful completion of Year One of high school. The team also helps ninth grade students make an informed decision about which College and Career Academy they will enroll in beginning their sophomore year.

Academy Expo: Each year in September, our ninth graders attend the Academy Expo, a career exploration event at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

It is possible only because of help from 700 community volunteers and the 140 organizations and companies that staff industry booths. We have joined with schools in the region to expand the expo’s reach, knowing that our students live and will work in a regional economy.

Sophomore site visits: Students visit businesses or community organizations aligned with their selected pathway and academy. They explore their career interests and learn about a day in the life of professionals. The sophomore site visits this past March were extremely successful, with more than 60 businesses and organizations participating. In a follow-up survey, 93

Every eighth grader takes a seminar course that covers self-exploration as well as career exploration. percent of students said they believed the visits were worthwhile and helped them become better informed about their career pathway. Almost all of the teachers – or 97 percent – said they saw relevance between the visits and student coursework.

ACT Prep: High school students have an opportunity to attend six weekly ACT Prep classes that prepare them for taking the college entrance exam. This past winter, 460 students enrolled -- more than triple the number two years ago. We are grateful for First Midwest Group’s generous support of this experience. We are also grateful to teachers who are willing to spend their Saturdays with students.

Senior Capstone project: A Capstone project is a deep research and writing experience in an academic or career interest.

It is an authentic assessment of 21st century skills — creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. A committee of teachers, counselors, building administrators and district administrators recently rolled out a Capstone proposal that was two years in the making. As a result, a districtwide pilot is set to begin in fall 2016. Already this spring, students at Roosevelt Alternative High School and Auburn High School piloted Capstone projects.

The ultimate goal is for Capstones to change the culture of senior year into one that is highly valued and uniquely productive.

Here and across the country, you hear a lot about college and career readiness these days. But we are able to walk the talk in the Rockford Public Schools.

We are proud to be in a community where hundreds of people show up and show a commitment to our students.

They roll up their sleeves, providing experiences that promise a brighter future for our young people.

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.

21

22

July 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

1. Roberta Holzwarth

2. Stacy Gullikson

3. Shawn Novak

4. Libby Miller

5. April Blakely

6. Betty Bradley

7. Eric Kilgore

8. Joe DeLaughter

9. Melanie Collard

10. Catherine Povalitis

11. Mike Montgomery

12. Stacy Bernardi

13. Devlin Donaldson

14. Nancy Binger

15. Julia Brun

16. Kyle Schilling

BOARD APPOINTMENTS Daniel Huntley, attorney at WilliamsMcCarthy, was appointed to the Severson Dells Nature Center board.

Roberta Holzwarth (1), chair of HolmstromKennedy’s Labor and Employment Group, was reappointed to a two-year term on the board of directors of the office of compliance, an independent agency in the U.S. legislative branch, which applies employment and workplace laws to the U.S. Congress and its legislative branch agencies, requiring them to follow many of the same laws applied to the private and public sectors.

Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc., re-elected the following board of directors to terms that expire in 2018: David K. Adkins, Stephen P. Carter, Diane M. Hendricks and Stephen R. Thomas.

Stacy Gullikson (2), mortgage loan officer, Illinois Bank & Trust, State Street Banking Center, was elected to the HomeStart board.

Shawn Novak (3) was appointed as treasurer for Kantorei, The Singing Boys of Rockford.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS Illinois Bank & Trust promoted Libby Miller (4) to market president of its Galena region.

Nexus Office Systems hired April Blakely (5) and Betty Bradley (6), service administrators; Eric Kilgore (7), field service associate; Joe DeLaughter (8), I.T.

17. Steve Schneider

18. Jennifer Kruchten

associate, and Melanie Collard (9), assistant controller.

First National Bank and Trust Company hired Beth Jacobsen as a trust officer in the wealth management group.

Chartwell Agency hired Catherine Povalitis (10) as an account executive.

Alpine Bank hired Mike Montgomery (11) as vice president – information systems.

First Midwest Group hired Stacy Bernardi (12) as the newest member of the leasing team with a focus on the sale and leasing of industrial and commercial space.

Devlin Donaldson (13) joined Judson University as the senior vice president for external relations and Nancy Binger (14) promoted to vice president for enrollment management and strategic planning.

KMK Media Group hired Julia Brun (15), bachelor of journalism in strategic communication student, Missouri School of Journalism, as a summer intern.

First Midwest Group hired Kyle Schilling (16) as portfolio and estate manager in the accounting team.

First National Bank and Trust promoted Steve Schneider (17) to senior vice president, senior agricultural banking officer, Jennifer Kruchten (18) to senior vice president, senior commercial lending officer and George Hausermann (19) to senior vice president, senior technology and operations officer.

19. George Hausermann

20. Dr. James J. Macneal

Katy Chadwick was named the new brand distribution manager for Mid-West Family Broadcasting - Rockford Media Group.

MercyRockford Health System, the newly-formed parent company of Mercy Health System and Rockford Health System, hired Dr. James J. MacNeal (20), DO, MPH, NREMT-P, as its new medical director of emergency medical services.

Dickerson & Nieman hired Steven Firnbach (21) as a broker at its Roscoe office.

SwedishAmerican welcomed pediatrician Manika Bhateja, M.D., (22) FAAP, to its Rock Valley Clinic.

Forest Hills Country Club hired Mark Cowgill as chef and Dave Thompson as PGA head golf professional.

John Morrissey Accountants promoted Michael St. John (23) to director of accounting & tax services. Staff Management, Inc., promoted Michelle Pozzi (24) to vice president of human resources.

The Saint Anthony College of Nursing board hired Sandie Soldwisch, PhD, APN, as the new president of Saint Anthony College of Nursing.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Noah Carmichael, Fehr Graham’s Rochelle branch manager and a principal owner, graduated from the seventh class of the Illinois Road and Transportation

21. Steven Firnbach

22. Dr. Manika Bhateja

Builders Association Emerging Leadership Program.

Marci Buquet was the $2,500 grand prize winner of the Rockford Park District’s Great Golf Ball Drop in May to benefit The First Tee of Greater Rockford.

Janus Kozdon, Rock Valley College, was one of only eight selected to participate in Research Experiences for Undergraduates’ 10-week research training opportunity at Texas A&M University and funded by the National Science Foundation for community college students in physics and astronomy.

Ron Clewer, CEO, Rockford Housing Authority, started the process of joining the Sandy Hook Promise team to help bring gun violence prevention center stage.

He was chosen from a pool of candidates to run in the New York City Marathon with 12 other runners to bring attention to gun violence prevention.

Tim Howard, construction marketing specialist, and Rod Ekberg (25) and Becky Norwood (26), sales executives, WilliamsManny Insurance Group, Rockford, completed the Certified Insurance Counselors Life and Health Insurance course at Hilton Milwaukee.

Nancy Salsbury (27), Spectrum Insurance Agency, completed her Life & Health Institute exam leading toward her Certified Insurance Counselor designation. Shirley Geiser (28) completed a Pekin

Continued on page 23

23. Michael St. John

24. Michelle Pozzi

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

23

July 2015

the News IN Members THEin NEWS

25. Rod Ekberg

26. Becky Norwood

27. Nancy Salsbury

28. Shirley Geiser

29. Julie Steele

30. Gary Kieper

31. Thomas Budd

32. Kimberly Bittner

four-week wellness series, “Eating for Health” for employees and students at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

33. Karen C. Brown

34. Kirk Newton

(continued from page 22) Insurance Introduction to Personal Lines Workshop in May. Tony Capozziello, family consumer education teacher, Beloit Memorial High School, won the 2015 Financial Literacy Champion Award presented by First National Bank and Trust. He received $100 and the high school a $1,000 grant towards its financial education efforts.

Mark Barba, M.D., and Michael Chmell, M.D., Rockford Orthopedic Associates, were among six physicians recognized as QualityPath Designated Doctors.

Rockford Health System, along with Rockford Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, announced the winners of its 2015 Minority Nursing Scholarship Awards: Jeri-Lamia Farmer, Esdras Medeles, Sidra Moore, Tiffany Noakes, Symphony Posley, Olivia Ramos, Atiya Roby, Angelica Romero, Gladys Serrano Martinez, Laquisha Thompson, Rosa Valdez and Courtney White.

Dr. Michael Roh, Dr. Christopher Sliva and Dr. Fred Sweet, spine surgeons, Rockford Spine Center, received Vitals Top Ten Doctors awards for City and State for 2014.

SwedishAmerican presented the Dr. Henry C. Anderson Quality Award to Dr. Jack Lenox, OB/GYN chairman and medical director, and the SAMG Care Coordination Team for decrease the readmission rates of patients with COPD, CHF, hypertension and diabetes: Jennifer Kuroda, Timothy Flynn, M.D., Jennifer Saporito, Susan Lewis, Mary Lou Baumann, Susan Letzter, Mary Panther, Tracy Palmer and Julie Cecchino.

Julie Steele (29), Comfort Keepers®, of northwest Illinois was named Comfort Keeper of the Month for May. Forest Preserves of Winnebago County announced the winners of its Hooked On Fun: kids fishing

35. Garrett Sonntag

36. Dr. Brian J. Bear

event: Lucas Wildt (age 3 to 5) 13-inch Bass; Nick Lamb (age 6 to 8) 18-inch Largemouth Bass; Noah Lamb (age 9 to 12) 16-inch Bass, and Gina Meyer (age 13-16) 13-inch Largemouth Bass.

Gary Kieper (30), vice president, business development, Rockford Bank & Trust, completed the Family Business Advisor training program in Little Rock, Ark. Kieper and Thomas Budd (31), president and CEO, earned the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Kimberly Bittner (32) earned the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation.

Karen C. Brown (33), MBA, FACHE, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, chief operating officer, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, received the American College of Healthcare Executives Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award at the Central Illinois Chapter of ACHE meeting in Peoria.

Mike Mastroianni, president, Rock Valley College, and graduate of the Class of 1970, won the 21st annual Veritas Award during the Baccalaureate on May 28 at Boylan Catholic High School.

Kirk Newton (34) celebrated five years with Rockford Mutual Insurance Company. Garrett Sonntag (35) earned the Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designation from the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters.

OF GENERAL INTEREST Brian J. Bear (36), M.D., Rockford Orthopedic Associates presented two of his research projects to attendees of the Mayo Clinic Hand Surgery Symposium: A Celebration of 40 Years of Hand Fellowship Training 2015 in May in Rochester, Minn.

37. Jody Perrecone

38. Patti Thayer

Dr. Fred Sweet, Rockford Spine Center, presented at the 13th annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference, “The Future of Spine,” hosted by Becker’s Spine Review in Chicago in June with a focus on “Infection Control for Your Spine Center.”

Jody Perrecone (37), certified nutrition consultant and Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) facilitator, conducted a

Dr. Philip Schalow, 1st Step Upper Cervical Care Center, had two research papers accepted for presentation at the International Research and Philosophy Symposium in Spartanburg, S.C., “Survey of practice in upper cervical chiropractic offices” and “Observational study of the arcuate foramen and its significance.”

Patti Thayer (38), owner, and Karl Arvidsen, operations manager of Thayer Lighting attended LIGHTFAIR® International—the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference in May 5-7 in New York City.

24

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

July 2015

Community Events COMMUNITY

Friday, July 3

Discovery Center Museum, Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, presents Kaboom! 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on July 3, and 1 to 5 p.m., on July 4. Learn secret ingredients in fireworks, test your rocket design, and make patriotic art, a light-up hat and noisemaker. Stroll downtown on Saturday for fireworks.

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

Saturday, July 4

Rockford MELD hosts its Classic July 4th Run and with the Alan Hutchcroft Memorial 8K Run at 7 a.m., 2 Mile Run at 7:10 a.m., and Mile Fun Walk at 8 a.m., on North Madison Street.

Register at www.rockfordmeld.org.

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful’s Rockford and Roscoe Recycle Centers will be closed.

Tuesday, July 7

Shelter Care Ministries, 412 N. Church St., Rockford, hosts an orientation for its Careers & MORE class for the unemployed, underemployed or those searching for new employment opportunities, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Classes begin July 13, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for four weeks. Register at lwhite@shelter-care.org.

Rockford Park District hosts Blueprint Golf School, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 7 to 9, and July 28 to 30, for competitive junior golfers, 13 to 17, at Alpine Hills Junior Golf Club, 4402 Larson Ave. Fee is $450 per student.

Registration at www.golfrockford.org.

University of Illinois Extension and Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden present Young Explorers, 9 to 11 a.m., July 7,14, 21 and 28, on plant science, nature at night, invasive species and winged wonders. Register at web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw or 815-986-4357.

Wednesday, July 8

Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theatre presents Mary Poppins, July 8 to 12. For show times and tickets, call 815-921-2160 or visit www. rvcstarlight.com.

University of Illinois College of Pharmacy at Rockford will host an Information Session and Tour, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 1601 Parkview Ave., on careers in pharmacy. For individual appointments, email Rachel Van Den Broek, rachelv@uic.edu, or visit www. uic.edu/pharmacy.

Next Rockford hosts a General Membership Meeting on locationbased scholarships at 7:30 a.m., at Rockford Public Schools, 501 Seventh St. Interested Gen X/Y welcome to attend. For questions contact Scott Anderson at sanderson@rustoleum. com or 815-904-2407.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Tebala Shrine Circus takes place July 17, 18 and 19, 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., at Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park. Visit www.tebalacircus.com for tickets.

Saturday, July 18

Rockford Public Library presents Fresh and Local-Working Farms in Suburbia, 2 to 4 p.m., East Branch, Friends Community Room, 6685 E. State St. Registration required at 815-965-7606.

Sunday, July 19

SwedishAmerican, a Division of UW Health, hosts a stop of the 2015 Pink Heals Tour, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in front of Camelot Tower, 1415 E. State St. The pink fire truck and firefighters dressed in pink will make their grand entrance at 11:30 a.m. Call 779-696-7676 or visit www.swedishamerican.org.

(Above) Children dig in Discovery Center Museum’s outdoor dinosaur quarry. On July 10, touch real dinosaur bones and talk to a paleontologist.

(Right) Kevin Persaud and Kai Holdmann discover the wonders of worms and soil as a part of the 2014 Young Explorers series at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Rockford.

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, presents Art on the Lawn, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., a juried fine art show. Blues powerhouse “The Jimmys” performs in the Fountain Garden, 6 to 8 p.m. Visit www.klehm.org.

Friday, July 10

Discovery Center Museum, Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, presents Diggin’ Dinos, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 815-9636769 or visit www. discoverycentermuseum.org.

Saturday, July 11

Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Anderson Japanese Gardens present Wonderful Woodwinds, a part of Symphony Saturdays, 10 to 11 a.m., 318 Spring Creek Road. An up-close and personal presentation by professional musicians of the RSO. Visit www.andersongardens.org.

Womanspace presents its 7th annual Fairy Festival, 1 to 4 p.m., 3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford. Performances by Rockford Dance Company, noon picnic lunch and fairy house competition. Rain date is Sunday, July 12. Call 815-877-0118 or visit womanspace-rockford.org.

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful hosts its Summer Clothing Drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at eight area Schnucks Markets and Belvidere Township offices, Accepting clean, bagged clothing, shoes, hats, belts, purses, outerwear, pillows, linens, fabrics, stuffed toys and soft-sided luggage.

Items need not be wearable.

Volunteers should pre-register at www. knib.org, info@knib.org or 815-6371343.

Sunday, July 12

Rockford Park District presents Domingos En El Parque, 2 to 8 p.m. at Levings Park, 1420 S. Pierpont Ave. Features music, arts and culture of the area’s Latino community, including Banda Aires de Guanajuato, traditional brass-based banda style music, Revolucion de Amor and Grupo Galaxia. Visit www.rockfordpark district.org/soundsofsummer.

Tuesday, July 14

Wednesday, July 22

Wednesday, July 15

Breaking Benjamin performs, 8 p.m., at the BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, with special guest, Starset. Tickets at the box office, online at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

Entré Computer Solutions hosts a free Seminar with ERP Software provider Winman at Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. RSVP required at seminars@ entrerock.com or call Tiffany at 815-399-5664, ext. 245.

Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theatre presents The Last Five Years, July 15 to 19. For show times and tickets, call 815-921-2160 or visit www.rvcstarlight.com.

Thursday, July 16

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

Friday, July 17

Discovery Center Museum, Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, presents Journey to Mars, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Attend an astronaut academy and become part of the engineering team that designs the wheels for a Mars Rover.

Special planetarium show.

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

The Alpine Kiwanis Club of Rockford presents Brat Days, July 17, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and July 18, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Edgebrook Center, Schnucks on East State Street and Schnucks on North Alpine and Harlem Road. Drive-through service at Schnucks locations. Entertainment schedule at www.alpinekiwanis-il.org.

For orders of 50 or more, call 815-979-5249.

Rockford Public Library presents Thinking Like a Mystery Writer, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Nordlof Center, large multi-purpose room, 118 N. Main St. Registration required at 815-965-7606.

Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theatre presents Memphis, July 22 to 26. For show times and tickets, call 815-921-2160 or visit www. rvcstarlight.com.

Thursday, July 23

University of Illinois College of Pharmacy at Rockford will host an Information Session and Tour, 1 to 3 p.m., 1601 Parkview Ave., on careers in pharmacy. For individual appointments, email Rachel Van Den Broek, rachelv@uic.edu, or visit www. uic.edu/pharmacy.

Friday, July 24

GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford hosts its annual Lemonade Days, July 24 and 25, with lemonade stands across the Rock River Valley to raise dollars for GiGi’s operational funds. Visit gigisplayhouse.org/rockford/ or call 815-654-7529 for lemonade stand locations.

Wednesday, July 29

Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theatre presents Young Frankenstein, July 29 to Aug. 2.

For show times and tickets, call 815-921-2160 or visit www. rvcstarlight.com.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

July 2015

Sounds of Summer

25

New Chamber Members MEMBERS AIRGAS One of the nation’s leading single-source suppliers of gases, welding and safety products.

5635 International Dr., 61109 Sean Bruckner 815-874-1448 www.airgas.com

AIRGAS One of the nation’s leading single-source suppliers of gases, welding and safety products.

10853 N. Second St. Machesney Park, IL 61115 Sean Bruckner 815-654-2200 www.airgas.com

BEARLY WORN TRADING POST

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

Children’s consignment & resale, clothing & accessories.

7326 N. CherryVale Mall Dr., Ste. A, 61112 Jennifer Boeke 815-580-8546 www.bearly-worn.com

CONNECT HEARING Hearing health care, audiological services.

3957 N. Mulford Road, Ste. B, 61114 Beth Laken Turek, B.S., COMD, NBC-HIS 815-637-1777 www.connecthearing.com

HAROLD DRAKE/ LIFESTYLE COACH All natural products - The fastest, easiest, most effective weight loss system money can buy.

Kirkland, IL 60146 Harold Drake 815-766-1061 hadrake.myxyngular.com

INTERLOGIC OUTSOURCING, INC. Rockford Auto Museum hosted a ribbon cutting on May 28 for its new location at 518 Walnut St., near downtown Rockford.

Payroll & related employer services.

P.O. Box 811375 Chicago, IL 60681 Mark Redshaw 547-262-2800 www.ioipay.com

INTERTECH INTEGRATED SYSTEMS, INC. CNC programming & 3D modeling.

8160 Old River Road, 61103 Lynn Freese 815-977-9805 www.intertechis.com

MASSAGE ENVY SPA OF ROCKFORD

Massage Envy Spa of Rockford held a ribbon cutting on June 24 at 6241 E. State St.

Massage therapy and facials.

6241 E. State St., 61108 Alexis Ricco 815-398-ENVY www.massageenvy.com

OAK STREET HEALTH Primary care doctors for adults with Medicare.

301 E. State St., 61104 Gina Smith 815-668-7810 www.oakstreethealth.com

PREMIER HOMES CLEANING Residential and commercial cleaning services - bonded and insured.

Katty and Louis Roggensack 815-312-6444 www.premierhomes cleaning.com

ROCKFORD BUZZ Serving as Rockford’s premiere community resource for events, positive news and local businesses in the Rockford Region.

Jacob Bradt 815-708-4334 www.rockfordbuzz.com

SUGARJONES, INC. Cup cakes, cookies, dessert bars and custom cakes. Wedding cakes.

Rockford’s first and only dessert bakery.

3600 E. State St., 61108 Kathryn Pomerene 815-708-0801 www.sugarjonesinc.com

SYLVAN LEARNING Tutoring kids in reading, writing, math, study skills, ACT Prep and more!

6330 E. Riverside Blvd.

Loves Park, IL 61111 Wendy Kunz 815-899-8909 locations.sylvan learning.com/us/loves-park-il

VALKOMMEN PLAZA Section 8 elderly housing.

1111 S. Alpine Road, Ste. 101, 61108 Ruth Hoyt 815-965-4090 www.valkplaza.com

26

July 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

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

Crusader Community Health received the NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Level 3 recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes focused on highly coordinated care and long-term, participative relationships.

Savant Capital Management acquired $150 million AUM Orion Capital Management of Winnetka, Ill.; bringing its current AUM to approximately $4.5 billion. This is its third acquisition in the Chicago market in 17 months. The Rockfordbased firm now has five of its 11 offices in the Chicago area.

Rockford Memorial Hospital was recognized by the Alliance during its inaugural Health Transformation Awards in Madison, Wis., in May as one of five QualityPath-designated hospitals, and the only one in Illinois.

KMK Media Group organized a groundbreaking ceremony for Pitney Place, a building expansion for Rockford Rescue Mission. KMK led PR efforts, prepared speakers’ talking points and the groundbreaking site for local dignitaries and leaders.

Rockford Park District was named one of 158 “Healthiest Companies in America” by Interactive Health. In 2014, the park district experienced a participation rate of 72.5 percent in its wellness program by eligible employees and spouses.

Rockford Health System implemented a new online check-in tool at www.RHSInQuicker.org for patients using its emergency department and four convenient care locations. Patients fill out the form, wait in their homes and arrive at the facility at their projected treatment times.

SwedishAmerican Hospital held a weeklong celebration, June 8 to 12, in honor of its 104th anniversary, which included the dedication and renaming of the SwedishAmerican Heritage Center Museum to the Dr. Henry C. and Dorothy Anderson Heritage Museum, to honor the late Dr. Henry C. Anderson.

Rockford Memorial Hospital earned the Baby Friendly Designation and is one of only six hospitals in Illinois to receive the honor and one of only 267 birthing centers nationwide. Initiatives included helping mothers of newborns successfully breastfeed; improving mother/baby bonding.

Edgebrook will host a second farmers market on Thursdays through August, from 3 to 6:30 p.m.,

with new vendors and some of the Wednesday farmers market regulars.

Rockford Rescue Mission received a $1,500 grant from the Rockford Cosmopolitan Club for the youth study planned as part of the building of Pitney Place, which will expand the mission’s emergency shelter and long-term program for women and children.

XL Academics hired Chartwell Agency for public relations, content marketing strategy and website design and content.

Laurent House in Rockford celebrated on June 6 and 7 famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s 148th birthday, as well as the first anniversary of the opening of the only building ever designed by Wright for a person with a disability.

Daimler Trucks North America recognized Rockford Toolcraft Inc., for the second time as a recipient of the DTNA Masters of Quality Supplier Award. The selected suppliers provide top-quality components for the company’s Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation brands.

The Olympic Tavern celebrated 70 years in business at Fulton & Main streets in May. OSF Saint Anthony Center for Cancer Care was reaccredited for three years by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative certification program for outpatient hematologyoncology practices that meet nationally recognized standards for quality cancer care.

SupplyCore held a check presentation for two local organizations, MELD Inc., and RAMP, Inc. Each year, SupplyCore hosts an internal auction/fundraiser with participation from its employees and donates the proceeds to local organizations.

V2 Marketing recently completed the 2014 annual report for United Way of Rock River Valley. The 16-page report features financial figures, donor lists and stories from the 2014 fiscal year of the people the organization has impacted with its programs.

University Primary Care Clinic at Rockton, will become part of OSF Medical Group effective July 19. The Belvidere location will be renamed OSF Medical Group – Shappert and will continue to serve as a teaching site for the College of Medicine.

The U.S. Small Business Administration named Rockford Bank & Trust the Illinois 2014 Veteran Lender of the Year for its support of veteran-owned small businesses at the 2015 Illinois Lender Summit and Awards conference in Chicago in June.

KMK Media began work on a video series giving prospective families and the community an inside look at Rockford Public Schools’ Gifted and Montessori programs.

Colorwave Graphics, LLC produced and installed all the grand opening event signage for Woodward Rock Cut Campus on July 1. It custom designed and wrapped a six-passenger golf cart for Friends of Riverfront – Beloit. It produced and installed perforated window film graphics for each radio station booth within Midwest Family Broadcasting - Rockford Media Group. It produced a fleet of RMTD Bus advertising graphics for Oak Street Health.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that seven first-time and returning sports events during Father’s Day weekend generated an estimated $1.3 million for the Rockford Region.

SwedishAmerican is the region’s first health system to offer automated whole breast ultrasound, a new screening tool for women with dense breast tissue that does not expose the patient to an additional radiation dose (as is the case with 3D tomography). Illinois is required to cover the cost, just like a mammogram.

V2 Marketing organized, promoted and facilitated a four-day workshop and banquet event for the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor’s 28th annual international gathering in Philadelphia, which drew more than 100 participants.

Rockford Health System and Humana Inc., established a new Accountable Care agreement with value-based incentives tied to performance improvement, including more personalized care and a broad range of population health tools such as predictive analytics, chronic care, disease management and wellness programs.

Chicago Rockford International Airport retained Chartwell Agency to oversee media coordination for AirFest for the fourth year, including media rides and interviews with show performers. AirFest 2015: Things Are Looking Up in Rockford brought in more than 140,000 visitors during the two-day show, with 60 percent visiting from outside the Rockford region.

By agreement between OSF HealthCare and The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, the University F.W. Shappert Primary Care Clinic in Belvidere, and providers from the

IDG’s CIO magazine named Rockford Health System the recipient of the 2015 CIO 100, which recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic

excellence in information technology.

13 WREX won 10 Silver Dome Awards at the Illinois Broadcasters Association annual awards banquet in June. First place awards were: Best Community Service Activity Freeport Food Drive (WREX staff) and Best TV Use of Graphic Design and Best TV Single Commercial (Kyle Yonkers).

Kelley’s Market, part of Kelley Williamson Company, announced its corporate sponsorship of Rock Run Soccer Club for the 2015-2016 soccer season.

Rockford Rescue Mission received a $50,000 grant from The Blazer Foundation to help fund the construction of Pitney Place. It’s to be used as a matching gift, adding 25 percent on all new gifts coming in, up to $200,000.

The Hole Hearted for Hospice Golf outing, which drew 115 golfers to Forest Hills Country Club in June raised $14,000 for Heartland Hospice.

KMK Media Group was hired by the Rock River Valley Pantry for marketing initiatives, including logo development and collateral development, for the group’s annual fundraising dinner.

The 30th annual Ryan Jury Memorial Golf Outing on June 24 raised a record $70,000, pushing overall total donations to $1,047,858. Proceeds benefit the Ryan Jury Child Development Learning Center located on the SwedishAmerican Hospital campus.

Online bidding will take place, July 21 to 28, for a two-story retail, office and warehouse, ideal for user/investor and partially occupied by several tenants. The approximately 35,051-sq.-ft. building inside the city limits of Loves Park on the northeast corner of Perryville Road and Riverside Blvd., (4001 N. Perryville Road) features large commercial windows, heating and air conditioning, public and service elevators, asphalt parking lot with approximately 70 spaces, one overhead door, one dock and an electric sign. The building previously was valued at more than $4,000,000 and has a suggested opening bid of $850,000. Onsite inspections for interested parties will be conducted from noon to 2 p.m., on July 14 and July 22. Contact Rick Levin, Rick Levin & Associates Inc., 312-6562025, rick@ricklevin.com or www. ricklevin.com.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

27

July 2015

Regional, National Indicators THE ECONOMY



Unemployment Rate

What do you like most about being an Ambassador? At one time, I worked for the chamber in Janesville and also sat on the

0.1 percent 5.5 percent

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

Company: Lamar Outdoor Advertisingn How long have you been an Ambassador?

November, 2014

May 2015

Payroll Employment

Name: Jim Lyke

Position: Account Executive

U.S. Indicators Consumer Price Index

Get to Know Your Ambassadors

      

280,000 $0.08 0.5 percent 0.7 percent (first quarter, 2015) 3.1 percent (first quarter, 2015) 1.3 percent 0.6 percent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Population Clock As of June 12, 2015

U.S. 321,064,169

World 7,249,366,391

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Unemployment Rates Region / State / Nation Jan 15

Feb 15

Mar 15

Apr 15

Rockford

7.8

7.0

6.8

5.8

Chicago

6.8

6.6

6.4

5.9

Illinois

6.1

6.0

6.0

6.0

United States

5.7

5.5

5.5

5.4

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ten U.S. cities now have one million-plus people San Jose, Calif., is now among the 10 U.S. cities with a population of one million or more, according to estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau. California now has three cities with one million or more people (Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose); tying Texas (Houston, San Antonio and Dallas) for the lead among states.

• New York remained the nation’s most populous city; gaining 52,700 people — more than any other U.S. city.

• Half of the 10 cities with the largest population gains between 2013 and 2014 were in Texas — Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth; added more than 18,000 people.

• Each of the 15 fastest-growing cities between 2013 and 2014 were in the south or west, as were all but two of top 15 numerical gainers. The lone exception, aside from New York, was Columbus, Ohio, which gained 12,421 people to make it the nation’s 13th largest numerical gainer.

• For the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, New Orleans (384,320) returns to the list of the 50 most-populous cities this year, with Arlington, Texas, dropping off the list.

chamber board in the small town where I grew up. Those experiences have given me a great appreciation for chamber volunteers, and representing Lamar by becoming an ambassador here seemed like a perfect fit. It is a great way to meet new people, learn about local businesses and get in tune to the benefits the chamber brings to the community.

28

July 2015

Six things you should know about the Supreme Court decision in King v. Burwell Julie Stich,Director of Research, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans The decision is in! The Supreme Court has ruled on the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) case. Now what?

1. In the case of King v. Burwell, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Burwell, that is, the Obama administration.

2. Because of this decision, nothing changes.

3. Subsidies, also called premium tax credits, will continue to be available to individuals living in the 34 states with public health insurance exchanges run by the federal government as well as those living in the 16 states with state-run exchanges and the District of Columbia.

4. Generally, subsidies are available to exchange enrollees who are not offered health coverage through an employer or government plan and whose household income falls between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

5. Other provisions of the ACA are still in effect, including rules requiring: ■ Individuals to obtain qualifying health insurance coverage (the individual mandate)

■ Employers with 50 or more employees to offer affordable, minimum-value health coverage to full-time employees and dependents (the employer mandate) ■ Coverage for dependents up to the age of 26 ■ Prohibitions against preexisting conditions, rescissions, annual limits and lifetime maximums ■ PCORI and transitional reinsurance fees ■ Reporting and disclosure (e.g., the summary of benefits and coverage and health coverage information on Forms 1094 and 1095) ■ Waiting period limits ■ An excise “Cadillac” tax on high-value health plans starting in 2018.

6. Congress will continue introducing legislation aimed at amending ACA. A recent International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans survey found that nine in ten organizations were closely following the discussion surrounding the case. Today’s highly anticipated ruling brings some certainty to employers so they can move out of “wait-and-see mode” and continue with their ongoing ACA compliance requirements.

Membership: 101 101 MEMBERSHIP Chamber Participation – It’s About Time!

You can derive significant benefits from your chamber membership in little or no time!

In less than 2 hours, you can…

■ Attend a Chamber 101 & Speed Networking event ■ Attend a monthly Breakfast Buzz ■ Write an educational article to submit to The VOICE

In less than 1 hour, you can…

■ Answer a few questions for the “Business Shorts” section of The VOICE ■ Stop by a “Business After Hours” or a “Good Morning Rockford” networking event and make some new business contacts ■ Support a new member at a Ribbon Cutting; meet other members

And even if you have NO TIME to get involved, the Chamber still offers you…

■ Business referrals from the Chamber’s website, annual Membership Directory and from Chamber staff members in response to inquiries received at the office ■ Information and advocacy on legislative issues of importance to your business ■ Complimentary promotion of news about your business in the “Members in the News”, “Business Briefs” and “Community Events” sections ■ A way to keep up-to-date and in-the-loop with your copy of The VOICE and our E-newsletter ■ Assistance with special events ■ Services and programs that provide our smaller businesses with access to better prices and discounts, normally available only to larger businesses ■ Valuable resources and implements important initiatives to help members grow their business

Contact Sue Boyer, Member Relations, at sboyer@rockfordchamber.com to find out more about member programs and opportunities!

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Membership Renewals Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in May, 2015.

ABC Catering Ltd., A Better Choice Catering ABC Supply Co., Inc. (Rockford) ABC Supply Co., Inc. (Roscoe) Aero Electric & Communications Co. Alpine Bank American Red Cross, Rock River Chapter Ameriprise Financial Joan Kelley, CFP, CPA Ameriprise Financial Lana M. Engen, CFP Ameriprise Financial Michael Hibbard, CRPC Anpec Industries ATRONA Test Labs, Inc. Auto Clinic of Rockford Belter Machinery Co., Inc. Benny & Sons Body Shop Berg Industries, Inc. Capri Restaurant, Inc. Cellusuede Products, Inc. Chem Processing, Inc. Comfort Inn of Rockford Comfort Keepers Comprehensive Community Solutions Copperstone Inn, Orchard Ridge Farms Coyle-Varland Insurance Agency Inc. Crimson Pointe Crown Machine, Inc. Days Inn Rockford DeMuth Steel Products, Inc Discovery Center Museum of Rockford Englewood Electric Supply Fairfield Inn & Suites Fiberglass Innovations LLC First Community Credit Union Freed Plumbing, Inc. FurstStaffing Glenn Shepard Seminars Goldie B. Floberg Center Gruno’s Diamonds Gustafson’s Earthworks Inc. Gypsum Supply Company Harlem Community Center Hayes Beer of Rockford Hilton Garden Inn Holiday Inn Express - Rochelle Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic Ingersoll Machine Tools

Jason’s Deli John Morrissey Accountants, Inc. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Key Realty, Inc. Lawn Care by Walter, Inc. Lifescape Community Services/ Community Kitchen, Inc. LM Sheet Metal & Service, Inc. Magnuson Industries, Inc. McMAHON Meg’s Daily Grind Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center Midland States Bank Wealth Management Necchi-New Home Sewing Center, Inc. North American Tool Corporation Our Children’s Homestead Packaging Coordinators, Inc. Per Mar Security Perryville CRASH1 PG Display Prairie State Legal Services Inc. RAMP Rock River Valley Blood Center (6th Street) Rock River Valley Blood Center (Perryville Rd) Rock Town Consulting Rock Valley College Rock Valley Culligan Rockford Country Club Rockford Map Publishers, Inc Rockford Public Schools, District #205 Rockford Speedway/Forest Hills Lodge Rockford Supportive Living Rockford Tech-Systems, Inc. Rockford University Stillman BancCorp N.A. Summit CPA Group, P.C. SundogIT Swanson’s Discount Vacuum, Inc. The Global Small Business Incubator The Pregnancy Care Center United Way of Rock River Valley Visions Lighting and Accessories Widmer Interiors William N. Georgis, MD, SC Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Youngberg Industries, Inc.

July 2015 Member Anniversaries Thank you to the members celebrating their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

105-YEAR MEMBERS

AT&T Aramark Uniform Services, Inc. Barnes International, Inc. BMO Harris Bank ComEd, An Exelon Company J. L.Clark, A CLARCOR Company JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Rockford Register Star Rockford University Schmeling Construction Co. Schneider Electric Woodward

35-YEAR MEMBER Todd Transit, Inc.

30-YEAR MEMBER First Midwest Group

25-YEAR MEMBERS

Helen Hill Communication Midwest Mailworks, Inc. Riverfront Museum Park

20-YEAR MEMBERS

Corporate Services, Inc. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden Northern Illinois Hospice Peterson Meadows The UPS Store

15-YEAR MEMBERS

J. Carlson Growers, Inc. Rockford Lutheran School

10-YEAR MEMBERS

Mid-West Family Broadcasting Stewart & Associates, Inc.

5-YEAR MEMBERS

GE Aviation Ingenium Aerospace LLC Midland States Bank – Wealth Management Rockford Heat Treaters, Inc.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

29

July 2015

Four steps to stop a cyber thief, protect yourself online First National Bank and Trust (FNBT) urges customers to take an active role in protecting their data and offers tips to help ensure the safety of personal information.

Create c0mplic@t3d passwords.

Avoid birthdays, pet names and simple passwords like 12345. It is also important to change passwords at least three times a year. Because friendly theft — theft by someone the victim knows — is the most common type of identity theft or fraud, don’t share your passwords with family members and be mindful of who has access to your personal information.

Keep tabs on your accounts. Check account activity and online statements often, instead of waiting for the monthly statement. You are the first line of defense because you know right away if a transaction is fraudulent. If you notice unusual or unauthorized activity, notify your bank right away. When a customer reports an unauthorized transaction in a timely manner, the bank will cover the loss and take measures to protect the account.

Stay alert online. Be sure computers and mobile devices are equipped with upto-date anti-virus and malware protection.

Never give out your personal financial information in response to an unsolicited email, no matter how official it may seem. Your bank will never contact you by email asking for your password, PIN or account information. Only open links and attachments from trusted sources.

When submitting financial information on a website, look for the padlock or key icon at the top or bottom of your browser, and make sure the Internet address begins with “https.” This signals that your information is secure during transmission.

Mobilize your defenses. Use the passcode lock on your smartphone and other devices. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access your information if your device is lost or stolen. Before you donate, sell or trade your mobile device, be sure to wipe it using specialized software or using the manufacturer’s recommended technique.

Some software allows you to wipe your device remotely if it is lost or stolen. Use caution when downloading apps, as they may contain malware and avoid opening links and attachments — especially from senders you don’t know.

Summer job seekers Identity theft and other scams Finding a summer job is always a top priority for college and high school students. The Better Business Bureau warns consumers of seasonal job scams, which can lead to identity theft.

Signs of these scams include fake postings that require little effort for the job or claim to be high paying.

“When your job search turns to desperation, a great posting can seem promising, but it can also lead to trouble,” said Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the BBB. The BBB offers seasonal job hunters these issues to look out for:

information, as it can lead to identity theft.

■ No interview or application.

If you are offered a job without a formal interview or job application, it’s most likely a scam. Do not provide any personal or financial

■ Too good to be true. If an employer offers you a lot of money for simple work or to work at home, it is most likely too good to be true.

■ No job details. If the employer does not provide you with the details of the job in writing, be wary. When you have details in writing, be sure to read them carefully and ask questions.

■ No website or contact. If the employer does not have a website or contact information is missing, consider that a red flag.

■ Fees required. If the employer requires fees for training, background checks or drug tests, it is likely to be a scam.

These costs are normally the responsibility of the employer.

Tips for Victims If you are a victim of fraud and suspect your personal information has been compromised, you should take the following steps: ■ Call your bank and credit card issuers immediately so they can take necessary steps to protect your account.

■ File a police report and call the fraud unit of the three credit-reporting companies.

■ Consider placing a victim statement in your credit report and a fraud alert on your account.

■ Keep a log of all the contacts you make with authorities regarding the matter. Write down names, titles and phone numbers in

case you need to re-contact them or refer to them in future correspondence.

■ Contact the FTC’s ID Theft Consumer Response Center at 1-877-ID THEFT (1877-438-4338) or www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

First National Bank and Trust Company is a family-owned, community bank headquartered in Beloit, Wis. Visit www.bankatfirstnational.com.

The views expressed are those of First National Bank and Trust Company’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

30

July 2015

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events JULY, 2015

Wednesday, July 1

PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Speaker is Paulina Sihakom, market executive, PNC Bank.

Wednesday, July 8 7:30 - 9:30 am Rock Valley College, Woodward Technology Center 3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford

Breakfast Buzz

Speaker is Rebecca Epperson, Chartwell Agency.

Sponsored by McGladrey.

Wednesday, July 8

Ribbon Cutting, Brookdale Rockford, 11 a.m. to noon, Emeritus at Rockford, 1545 Temple Lane, Rockford.

Monday, July 13

Kovak Dermatology & Laser Institute hosts a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 9 a.m., 195 Buckley Dr., Ste. A, Rockford. Dr. Stanley Kovak, a leader in the aesthetic skin care and laser industry for more than 20 years, will offer free consultations all day. Call 815-329-6180.

Tuesday, July 14

Advantage Club – Superstars, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Contact Nick Nelson, Harvard State Bank, 815-887-9013 or nnelson@ thehsb.com.

Wednesday, July 15 4 - 7 pm Rockford University 5050 E. State St., Rockford

Chamber Founder’s Day Celebration Business After Hours Join in the celebration of the Rockford Chamber’s 105th birthday and learn who is inducted into the Northern Illinois Business Hall of Fame.

Sponsored by Rockford University (presenting); and AT&T (hospitality).

St., Rockford. Speaker is John Morrissey, principal/president, The Morrissey Family Businesses.

Tuesday, July 21

Ribbon Cutting, Rocktown Adventures, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., 313 N. Madison St., Rockford.

Tuesday, July 28 Advantage Club – Superstars, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Contact Nick Nelson, Harvard State Bank, 815-887-9013 or nnelson@ thehsb.com.

Wednesday, July 29 PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Patrick O’Keefe, communications manager, Transform Rockford, presents “Why Engaging Your Community Matters.”

Good Morning Rockford!

University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, 7:30 to 9 a.m., 1601 Parkview Ave. Includes hot breakfast and tours.

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.

Contact Teri Watts, Key Realty, Commercial & Industrial, Teriw1214@gmail.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@rockfordcc.com.

AUGUST, 2015 Tuesday, August 4

Business Women’s Council, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St., Rockford.

Sponsored by Siena on Brendenwood.

Wednesday, August 5 11:30am - 1:30pm Giovanni’s 610 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford

Economic Forecast BUSINESS LUNCHEON

Wednesday, July 15 Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.

Contact Teri Watts, Key Realty, Commercial & Industrial, Teriw1214@gmail.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@rockfordcc.com.

PYSK Talks, noon to 1 p.m., Rockford University, 5100 E. State

Rockford Area REALTORS and the Rockford Chamber welcome Lawrence Yun, chief economist and senior vice president of research, National Association of REALTORS, on an economic forecast for the nation and Rockford region. Get an understanding of current and future home sales statistics, affordability index, and real estate market trends.

Tuesday, August 11

Advantage Club – Superstars, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Nick

Continued on page 31

theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Stadelman to host utility bill workshop with Citizens Utility Board To help Rockford area citizens find ways to cut back on their utility bills, State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) will host a workshop with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Thursday, July 2, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Zeke Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman, Rockford.

The workshop will be of particular help to consumers who no longer receive assistance to reduce their utility bills, but is open to all who are interested. “Utility bills make up a significant portion of every family’s budget,” Stadelman said. “The Citizens Utility Board is a great resource for consumers.”

Interested attendees are encouraged to register with CUB by calling 312-263-7872 or visiting www.SenatorStadelman.com.

Chamber hosts Rockford Mayor, Police Chief to discuss crime in Rockford On June 10, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s Public Safety Council held a session for its members on crime, public safety, and crime prevention tactics by the City of Rockford Police Department. Public Safety Council Chair Pat Morrow, a Chamber Board member, welcomed over 60 guests at the University of Illinois — Rockford. The purpose of the program follows an extensive survey on public safety sent to chamber members, which indicated a desire to the chamber to help increase awareness of local businesses on crime trends and efforts to stem criminal activity.

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey, Police Chief Chet Epperson, and many of the RPD leadership team presented specific topics, including crime reporting methods, statistical trends, geo-policing, and ex-offender programs. Mayor Morrissey wrapped up the session by presenting a model based on collective impact of law enforcement, elected leaders, municipal entities, and the business and citizen community to work together on a common agenda to address crime in our community. More information is expected to be shared by the Chamber in the next few months. The City and Chamber are considering a second session with the topic focused on gang activity. Watch for this to come in early Fall.

If you would like to join the Public Safety Council, please email Einar Forsman at eforsman@rockfordchamber.com.

EVENTS

Upcoming Chamber Events (cont.)

(Continued from page 30) Nelson, Harvard State Bank, 815887-9013 or nnelson@thehsb.com.

Wednesday, August 12

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.

Contact Teri Watts, Key Realty, Commercial & Industrial, Teriw1214@ gmail.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@rockfordcc.com.

Friday, August 14

Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 - 8:45 a.m., Congressman Adam Kinzinger will present, Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles

Do you have news to share?

31

July 2015

St. For more information, contact Heidi Garner at 815-316-4312.

Tuesday, August 25

Advantage Club – Superstars, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Contact Nick Nelson, Harvard State Bank, 815-887-9013 or nnelson@ thehsb.com.

Wednesday, August 26

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.

Contact Teri Watts, Key Realty, Commercial & Industrial, Teriw1214@ gmail.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Deanna Watts, 815-968-9881 or Deanna@rockfordcc.com.

Send news releases and other

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

DEADLINE IS THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING ­PUBLICATION

Advertisers Index ADVERTISERS

Alpine Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 12

MercyRockford Health System. . . . . 3

Blackhawk Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

NIHP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Brian Thomas Photography. . . . . . 20

Northern Public Radio . . . . . . . . . . 23

Broadmoor Agency, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . 4

Northwest Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Comcast Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Rick Levin & Associates. . . . . . . . . . 8

Edward Jones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Rockford Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . 9

First National Bank and Trust Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Rockford Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . 21, 27, 29, 30

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

Sikich. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Illinois Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Klaas Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Thayer Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Leading Lawyers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

UPS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

McGladrey LLP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

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

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100.............................................. Direct Line Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO.......................................... 815-316-4304 Heidi M. Garner, Executive Assistant to the President.................... 815-316-4312 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology................... 815-316-4338 Lynette Jacques, Vice President, Member Investment. . .................. 815-316-4317 Vee Jevremovic, Manager of Education Programs and Events. . ........ 815-316-4337 Crystal Larson, Financial Assistant/Administrative Support. . ............ 815-987-8100 Joy Moriarty, Vice President, Finance........................................ 815-316-4316 Stacy Mullins, Director of Events. . ............................................ 815-316-4302 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

DIRECTORS

Chairman of the Board Patti Thayer Thayer Lighting, Inc. Vice Chair Richard Zumwalt OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Vice Chair Michele Petrie BMO Harris Bank Treasurer Larry Bridgeland Mid-City Office Products Immediate Past Chairman Richard Walsh Zimmerman & Walsh, LLP

Andrew Benson Benson Stone Company, Inc. Jan Bowman TLC Construction Joe Castrogiovanni Giovanni’s, Inc. Dr. Rena Cotsones Northern Illinois University Rebecca Epperson Chartwell Agency Darlene Furst FurstStaffing Ira Grimmett UTC Aerospace Systems Dr. Robert Head Rockford University Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home Jeff Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Henry Seybold Rockford Health System

Mike Mastroianni Rock Valley College

Patrick Shaw McGladrey LLP

Paul McCann Stanley Steemer of Rockford

Laura Pigatti Williamson Rockford Park District

Patrick Morrow Alpine Bank Amy Ott Boylan Catholic High School Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting Mark Peterson CBL Associates CherryVale Tim Rollins WilliamsMcCarthy Dan Ross Williams-Manny Insurance Group

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

August 2015 Special Sections:

The Road Ahead (Educational Attainment) For information on advertising, call 815 987-8100