July Voice 2019

the July 2019 | Volume 32 | No. 7

LIGHTING THE WAY FOR 100 YEARS

SHOUT OUT TO ROCKFORD PAGE 4

PAGE 12

of the rockford business community

Laura Bennett, 2019 Woman Business Owner of the Year; Lori Diaz, Woman Manager of the Year; and, Carrie Zethmayr, Woman Business Leader of the Tomorrow.

NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR 40 UNDER FORTY

Additional photos by Brian Thomas Photography.

“Our honorees this year are top-notch leaders in both their organizations and industries.”

— Caitlin Pusateri

ROCKFORD CHAMBER EXPO AND LUNCHEON HONORS

Women in Business Laura Bennett and her business, Trekk, Inc., have received numerous international and national awards during the past 25 years.

But when Bennett received the 2019 Woman Business Owner of the Year at the Rockford Chamber’s annual Women in Business Expo and Luncheon, it was unlike any previous recognition she’s received.

“It means a lot,” she said. “Our company was launched here in Rockford. Most of our clients are out of town, but we live and work here. It’s good to be recognized in a local way.”

Trekk started with just three employees, before soon growing to 25. “We quickly realized the differentiator was building these things called websites,” she said, laughing.

“But when several major corporate headquarters left town, we took the show on the road to national and international companies. We went from creating websites to E-commerce and 3D modeling, keeping pace with new technology to always provide something different for our clients. Technology always drove value proposition and still does today.”

Bennett’s recognition was just one of the many highlights at this year’s expo and luncheon. There were 330 people who turned out and 32 businesses represented at this year’s expo, which was held June 20 at Giovanni’s.

“The Women in Business Expo and Luncheon is an important opportunity for the community to celebrate and encourage women business professionals,” said Caitlin Pusateri, chamber vice president, leadership development. “As a chamber, we are committed to encouraging, celebrating and supporting women in a professional capacity. This event helps support other programs and events designed for women leaders such as our Lead 360 and Business Women’s Council.”

The Rockford Chamber seeks nominations of young leaders for recognition as 40 Under Forty honorees at a reception on Nov. 7 at Tebala Event Center, in The VOICE newspaper and ONE Magazine.

Ideal candidates have distinguished themselves in their professional fields or organizations, are engaged citizens and provide leadership by volunteering their time and talents to community groups and causes. Candidates must be 39 years of age or younger as of Dec. 31, 2019 and live or work in Winnebago, Boone, Ogle or Stephenson counties.

Past-year nominees not selected are eligible for re-nomination.

Prior recipients are not eligible.

Nomination form at www.rockfordchamber.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

EDUCATION OUTLOOK LUNCHEON

THURSDAY, SEPT. 12 • GIOVANNI’S For more info, see page 27 SPONSORED BY

Continued on page 3

ROCKFORD CHAMBER, ROCKFORD POLICE AND MONTEL TECHNOLOGIES HOST

Surveillance Seminar

THE VOICE IS PUBLISHED BY

Join the Chamber on Social Media

The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

On June 13th, at Montel Technologies, an open house and seminar was held to inform local businesses about how they can assist the Rockford Police Department by connecting their surveillance devices to the City Police network to aid in more rapidly identifying suspects in crimes being committed. Over 40 businesses attended this session and learned how to share technologies. Called “Intact Communities,” this initiative will establish “real time sharing of information for a safer community.”

This would result in a citywide surveillance system that can seamlessly stream all participating members’ video surveillance cameras real-time

to the Rockford Intelligence Special Operations Center. This collaboration will focus on: ■■ Improving community safety ■■ Improving neighborhood safety ■■ Strengthening

RPD’s

efforts

to

deter, identify, and solve crime ■■ Promoting the revitalization of and growth of local businesses To get involved, businesses can sponsor a city identified hotspot location, join as a residence or business, and spread the word. For more information contact 815-966-1267 or info@intactcommunities.com. v

GET UP TO DATE ON VACCINATIONS As the number of measles cases continues to rise, Winnebago County Health Department asks residents to check if they are up to date on the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine -- the best way to protect against measles. Call 815720-4050 or visit www.wchd.org.

CRIME DOWN IN ROCKFORD COMPARED TO LAST YEAR The City of Rockford released crime statistics for January through May 2019 showing that numbers are down in robberies, aggravated assaults property crimes and auto thefts, compared to the same time in 2018. Violent crimes overall decreased by 21 percent during this timeframe.

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July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

CHAIRMAN’S PERSPECTIVE

MICHELE PETRIE Rockford Chamber Board Chairman

Good news and good news Local heros and local improvements — we can all participate in their success

I hope summer is proving to be including John Phelps at the RLDC. productive and fun for all of you. I want to The Subject of Crime start by reflecting on some good news: This month, I’d like to explore a ■■ Congratulations to Fred VanVleet and comment I often get when a community the Toronto Raptors for winning the 2019 issue comes up, “As a business owner/ NBA Championship for the first time leader why do I care and how do I prioritize in history. Thousands of Rockfordian this issue.” To address these questions, let’s fans assembled to watch our hometown use crime as an example. hero VanVleet play games 5 and 6 in Reducing crime is improving in our our own “Jurassic Park” (an outdoor community but one that few citizens viewing party at City Market created by understand the progress of and know how John Groh at the RACVB and funded by to prioritize. Here are two examples: many local sponsors).

Rockford Police Chief O’Shea came to a ■■ Congratulations to Alli Bernardi, Chamber Board meeting early in 2019. The Martesha Brown, Katy Haun, and Carly Board asked him what we could do/act on LaMonica, who made up a panel of young to help impact crime. He said: ask as many female leaders in a discussion moderated businesses and homes as possible to have

by Kristin Crowley, that really connected outdoor, infra-red cameras that connect with the audience at the Chamber’s Annual directly to the Rockford Police Department’s Women in Business Expo and Luncheon. system. Statistics show, a system integrated ■■ I took a tour of Rockford’s downtown with the Police Department packed full of Embassy suites hotel that is finishing cameras helps solve crimes faster ultimately construction. They are taking a factory freeing man hours to attend to other crime/ built in 1913 and turning it into a 120 room criminals. Without Chief O’Shea educating hotel with fabulous amenities. Thank you us, I wouldn’t have known why I should to the many leaders who made this happen care about cameras linked to the RPD.

The Chamber’s Public Safety Committee responded to Chief O’Shea’s request and outlined a process for contacting the RPD in the May issue of The Voice and held a meeting at Montel Technologies to further refine the process. Why is this a priority? Folks selling real estate, and employers trying to hire, continually face the perception from potential buyers and employees that Rockford is a city weighed down by crime despite the progress we have made. Let’s take a successful project like this and use it as a tool to show how a community can come together to tackle tough issues.

Based on years of questions from the community about getting to the “real root of crime,” Rockford Mayor McNamara and many supporting leaders have been working on forming the Family Peace Center to reduce domestic violence.

Again, the question arises “why should I care about establishing one place where victims go after a domestic violence incident.” Here are the statistics: 37 percent of violent crime in our region is tied to domestic violence. 75 percent of all violent

criminals were a part of a domestic abuse situation in their life. A victim of multiple domestic violence incidents that returns to her abuser the eighth time has a 60 percent chance of being murdered. These statistics are telling us that if we want to significantly drop violent crime in our community it starts in the home. Without the efforts of the city of Rockford and its partners, I wouldn’t have understood how big of an issue solving domestic violence could be in our community. Spread the word that supporting and funding the Family Peace Center (be and advocate) could be transformative.

I will be asking Leaders to focus on communicating simply/effectively so as many people as possible can understand our priorities and contribute. In the meantime, keep asking how you can help, reach out to Leaders when you have questions and find ways to learn.

For any questions, please contact Chamber Board Chairman Michele Petrie at mpetrie@wintrust. com, or Chamber President Einar Forsman at eforsman@rockforchamber.com.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019 3

WIB

(continued from front page) In addition to Bennett, two other awards were presented to local community leaders. Carrie Zethmayr, Zethmayr LLC, was named Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow, and Lori Diaz, Rockford Bank & Trust, was tabbed Woman Manager of the Year.

Zethmayr started her own company, Zethmayr LLC, in 2018, and later partnered with her husband to start a construction services management company. Recently, she earned her real estate brokerage license that will benefit her two companies.

Diaz was recognized for working 30 years in the banking industry and serving on a number of boards including the YWCA, KFACT and the Golden Apple Foundation.

“Our honorees this year are top-notch leaders in both their organizations and industries,” said Pusateri. “They are well deserving of recognition as they have been integral players in many successes throughout our community.”

Panelists Share Lessons Learned The luncheon also featured a panel of community leaders including Alli Bernardi, Alpha Controls & Services LLC; Martesha Brown, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau; Katy

Prior to the luncheon, many business leaders visited the various booths to talk with representatives from different businesses and organizations, including Northern Illinois Hospice, who made several connections throughout the Haun, RPS 205; and Carly LaMonica, LaMonica Beverages. The moderator of the panel discussion was Kristin Crowley, 13WREX news anchor and a Leadership Rockford graduate. The panelists spent time discussing a range of topics they’ve faced as women leaders including challenges, lessons learned to any regrets they’ve experienced during their respective careers.

“I appreciated the honesty of the participants and felt they all offered unique perspectives with their experience as women in the workforce,” said Amy Mastroianni, director of marketing & community engagement for Northern Illinois Hospice. “Continuing

that conversation is important as it will inspire more women to become leaders in their field.”

Pusateri agreed.

“I was extremely inspired by this year’s panel. Having worked with many participants in the Leadership Rockford program, I know what an honor it is to have been chosen to be a moderator,” she said. “These women are outstanding leaders and make me so excited for our region’s future. They are already doing great things but have the capacity to continue to give of themselves, their leadership abilities and their dedication to the success of our region and women.”

morning.

“Northern Illinois Hospice was thrilled to be part of an event that brings together fantastic women in the business community. It’s not only a great opportunity to network, but to show our support for local women,” said

Mastroianni.

“Engaging

with

our peers helps us to evolve and grow as an organization and provides an opportunity to share the Northern Illinois Hospice mission.”

The presenting sponsor of the expo and luncheon was Mercyhealth. Event sponsors were Illinois Bank & Trust, OSF HealthCare and Northwest Bank. v

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July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

 Destination

ILLINOIS, USA

ADDING WEALTH TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY BY GROWING TOURISM

JOHN GROH Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

“Rockford, Rockford, it’s for you, baby!”

The shout-out from Rockford’s hometown hero Fred VanVleet after he helped the Toronto Raptors win the NBA National Championships in mid-June could not have been more exhilarating for the 6,000-plus people who had come to watch the final game at the City Market Pavilion in downtown Rockford.

It was just as exhilarating to me to hear that huge crowd chant, “8-1-5!”

Area residents had gathered by the thousands in and around the pavilion twice that week to watch Games 5 and 6. In his first post-game interview, Fred showed his appreciation for the hometown support. What Fred lacks in NBA height, he more than makes up for in spirit and drive -- a combination of natural talent, heart and humility that made him a star at Auburn High School and Wichita State and now, makes him a household name in Canada with a growing fan club. He’s a spark plug for his team – and for us.

He’s one of RACVB’s most dedicated “sports ambassadors,” and he regularly gives back to his community through programs that center on helping young people develop skills and character.

Fred shows us time and again how much he loves Rockford, and love is a two-way street, as we all know. When I saw the diverse crowds of people who gathered on two nights in June to cheer on the hometown hero, I thought, “This what it looks like when a city loves its residents and what it looks like for a city to be loved in return.”

Some of you remember when author Peter Kageyama, who wrote “For the Love of Cities: The love affair between people and their places,” spoke at our luncheon in June 2016, which was the first event to be held at the newly opened UW Health Sports Factory. The premise of the book and his speech, in a nutshell, is that city leaders should consider how creating real relationships with their residents can help residents form an emotional attachment to the places they live.

In that vein, I was particularly moved by a picture on the front page of the Rockford Register Star the morning after Game 5 that showed a row of young children staring at a big screen with expressions of wonder, anxiety and anticipation as they waited for one of Fred’s 3-pointers to swish. The thousands of little kids and teenagers who came to those two games will never forget it.

If Rockford is the kind of place that

welcomes everyone from every part of the community to enjoy this kind of fun, maybe it’s a place that values them and it’s a place they could love for the long term.

The City of Rockford and RACVB pulled together to host the Jurassic Park RKFD events. But, then again, all we did was set the scene and issue the invitation. Thousands of families chose to come downtown to be part of a shared experience that on those nights, defined who we are as our best selves.

United. Hopeful. Excited.

The Jurassic Park RKFD events were not a lightning strike, so to speak. What was not possible a decade ago has become the standard, and lightning is striking with increasing frequency. RACVB and our partners keep raising the bar. You see, our staff long ago suspended disbelief about what is possible. I look back to the first Stroll on State. We anticipated a few thousand, and hoped for 5,000. Then, 30,000 people showed up.

People want to love the place they live. Part of the RACVB mission is giving them more to love.

While we rooted for VanVleet, we were, in a way, rooting for ourselves and for 815 as a lovable place. VanVleet’s slogan “Bet on yourself,” can and should be our city’s credo, as well.

This summer, people are talking about the nine wonderful new murals that were installed downtown during the CRE8IV mural festival in midMay. Residents may be saying to one another: “Did you see the new murals they put in downtown? Have you seen the sculptures they brought in last year?”

As Rockford deepens these emotional connections with residents, conversations may shift to reflect a sense of ownership for the positive things: “Did you see the new murals and the sculptures we got downtown?

I love that we do these kinds of things here.”

Step by step, RACVB is betting on us, hoping to turn “they” into “we.”

That’s a relationship. That’s the basis for love.

John Groh is president/CEO of Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. www. gorockford.com The views expressed are Groh’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019 5

Chamber Unveils Job Bank on its Website The Rockford Chamber recently

submit their own information including

unveiled the Job Bank link on its

their resume via the website. Once the

website. It is the newest self-service tool

information is submitted and approved

that members can use to fill vacancies

for publishing by the Chamber, it will

and search for jobs. By using the Job

appear online under the Job Bank link.

Bank, the Chamber can be a conduit to

Following are descriptions of the

increasing employment in your industry and in our community.

The Job Bank allows members to post job openings. Job seekers can

main components of the Job Bank:

Start Page The Start Page is the entry point for

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

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding p ­ ublication date. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: THE VOICE Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190 Rockford, IL 61101 For information about advertising contact

Customer Service at 815-987-8100.

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

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

people who want to visit the Job Bank.

It allows the visitor to decide what they need to view: available Jobs or the option to post their own resume.

Available Jobs Listing This page displays all of the existing Jobs that have been submitted and are still within their Active Date Range. Jobs will appear and remove themselves from here automatically, based on their Active Status.

Job Applicants Listing This page displays all of the existing Job Applicants (individuals) who’s posting is still within its Active Date Range.

Submit your Resume This page displays a form for individuals to complete so they can submit their own resume and seek employment. Once submitted, the Chamber will need to approve the submission prior to publishing online.

Post a Job This page displays a form for Rockford Chamber Members to complete so they can post a job opening and seek qualified candidates.

Again, once submitted, a Chamber representative will need to approve the submission prior to publishing online.

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July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

DR. EHREN JARRETT Superintendent RPS 205

Intervening to close educational gap

All over our district, we have teachers and teams of teachers working incredibly hard with one purpose: to close the gaps too many of our students face.

Most schools in this country are designed for students to make a year’s worth of growth, year after year.

That’s a fine pace if all pieces fit together as they should. But it can be a monumental challenge if students come to an educational system with deficits in their learning. Catching up — achieving more than a year’s worth of growth — can require all of a school system’s resources. It requires committed teachers, supportive families and highly engaged learners.

That’s why I’m optimistic about two developments in the Rockford Public Schools and the potential to deliver a transformational education to our students.

The first tool I addressed last month: the Erikson Institute’s Early Development Instrument or EDI. The EDI was a canvass done earlier this year, assessing every kindergartner for his or her readiness to learn in five areas. RPS 205 kindergarten teachers joined their counterparts in private and parochial schools to assess every student in January. They had their first look at the data last month.

The goal is to prevent a learning gap from occurring in the first place — to determine where the community falls short in giving children the best start and to work at fixing it.

The second strategy is also powerful.

In RPS 205, we are focusing on what results in remarkable growth in the classroom. All over our district, we have teachers and teams of teachers working incredibly hard with one purpose: to close the gaps too many of our students face.

Stories of Exceptional Growth We shared these stories of exceptional growth with our staff before the school year ended. These are just three of our bright spots: ■■ Kindergarten teachers Jeff and Jaime Doubek led a grade-level team at Hillman Elementary School that achieved three times the average growth for their students in both math and reading on the Measures of Academic Progress or MAP test. (The measurement was from fall to spring, as it was for the rest of the following

stories.) The Doubeks, who are married, work hard at engaging parents as partners in learning, using an online platform that allows students to share digital portfolios with parents.

■■ Kent Holden teaches seventh and eighth grade math at Maria Montessori at Marsh. He led his students in growth that doubled the national average. Holden teaches with the Montessori trademarks of compassion and understanding, with a big dose of confidence-building through a mix of repetition and challenge. “I’m not just trying to create little mathematicians.

I am trying to create people who can solve problems — to take something that is challenging and overcome it,” he said.

■■ The second grade team at Lathrop Elementary School — comprised of two monolingual and two bilingual classes — has achieved math growth among students that is nearly eight times the national average. Just think: Lathrop second-graders are growing in their math learning at a rate that outpaces their peers across the nation by eight times. The key for the team is customizing lessons based on a skills checklist, which allows students to progress when they understand a concept. “We are very aware of what we need to be teaching and when,” said Jesus Medrano, second grade bilingual teacher at Lathrop.

These teachers’ stories are inspirational. To best honor their accomplishments, we need to work on two tracks: replicating their successes across our system and, as a community, intervening with our youngest children so we have less of a gap to close.

It’s a big challenge, for sure. But I’d like to borrow Kent Holden’s formula for confidence for his Montessori students: Challenge is how we learn, and challenge is how we solve problems.

I am confident our teachers, and our community, are up for the challenge.

Dr. Ehren Jarrett is superintendent of Rockford Public Schools.

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

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019 7

IGNITE: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

KELLI PETERSON SAVANT CAPITAL

You’re not too young to act Get the right financial advice for you

As young professionals, we might not be very worried about retirement because it seems so far off. The truth is, now is the best time to be talking with a financial advisor to make sure you are maximizing all the retirement savings strategies you can.

Here are a few things to consider discussing with your financial advisor.

Alternatively, when you contribute to a Roth IRA, you don’t get a tax break now (the funds go in post-tax), but the funds will grow tax-free, and, any qualified withdrawals will come out with no taxes due in retirement (because you paid the taxes today).

Make Sure Your Financial Advisor is a Fiduciary

While we can never predict what Congress will change with the tax law, most people will see their tax brackets increase throughout their careers. It may make sense to contribute to a Roth account early in your career, when your taxes are relatively low, then switch to a pre-tax (traditional) savings plan to save on taxes when you are near the top brackets.

Is your advisor putting YOUR goals ahead of their own? If you are unsure how they are being compensated, be sure to ask! The worst thing you can do is pay blindly for hidden fees that are buried underneath your investments! Some advisors will make multiple transactions (or trades) within your account to rack up their own commissions/fees.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals are required to act as fiduciaries according to the CFP Board’s Standards of Conduct. This means they should be putting you first! (Visit www. cfp.net/public-policy/public-policy-issues/ fiduciary-standard.)

Review Your Goals Regularly What does “retirement” mean to you?

Whatever your goal is, be sure you know what you are retiring “to,” or you might find yourself bored with all the free time you suddenly have.

What Avenues Do You Have to Have?

■■ Have you heard of a 401(k) plan? Your employer should have a retirement plan set up for you to contribute to, as well as an employer match. Put in as much as your budget allows, with the minimum being the employer match (typically 4 to 6% of your gross salary). The IRS allows you to max out the 401(k) at $19,000 per year! A good retirement savings goal to work towards is 15 to 20% of your salary.

■■ On top of your employer’s plan, you can also contribute to an individual taxadvantaged account – called an IRA. The maximum annual contribution is only $6,000. There are two ways to contribute to your retirement through an IRA – pretax or post-tax. If you contribute to your retirement pre-tax (traditional IRA), then you get a tax break now, and the money grows tax-deferred. But, when you withdraw funds in retirement, you will pay taxes on any funds you take out.

Be Cognizant of Your Taxes!

What About Health Care Savings?

Healthcare will likely be one of the biggest expenses in retirement, with most couples spending a minimum of $250,000 on healthcare throughout their retirement years! If you haven’t talked to someone about a Health Savings Account (HSA), make sure you do. This is a huge savings opportunity! The 2019 annual maximum contributions are $3,500 for individual coverage and $7,000 for family coverage. This is a TRIPLE tax savings!

The funds go in pre-tax, the funds grow tax-deferred, and, if you withdraw funds for qualified medical expenses, those come out tax-free! To be eligible for an HSA you must be covered by a highdeductible health plan (HDHP).

Know Where Your Money Goes For all you Dave Ramsey fans out there – “if you don’t tell your money where to go, you will wonder where it all went!” Keep track of your spending for a month or two. This will help you identify areas where you may be able to cut back in order to increase your savings.

With longevity on our side, NOW is the right time to look into your financial future. Are you ready?

Kelli Peterson, CPA, CFP® is financial planning & tax specialist at Savant Capital and a member of IGNITE. The views expressed are those of Peterson’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

This is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized tax or investment advice. Please consult your tax and investment professional(s) regarding your specific situation.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

July 2019

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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

THE ECONOMY

REGIONAL, NATIONAL INDICATORS

U.S. Indicators

New era for hemp production in Illinois

May 2019

Consumer Price Index



A major crop for Illinois farmers?

0.1 percent

Unemployment Rate

3.6 percent

Illinois and hemp production have a history, with the state

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

75,000

being one of three major producers until the late 1800s,

$0.06

along with Missouri and Kentucky. The fiber was prized on

0.1 percent

ships for sailcloth and cordage. Production waned as steam

0.7 percent (1st quarter, 2019)

ships began to dominate.

Payroll Employment

3.4 percent (1st quarter, 2019) 0.3 percent 0.2 percent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment Rates Region / State / Nation

In April, the Illinois Department of Agriculture issued a call for applications for the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp for the 2019 growing season … and Illinois farmers responded.

Within 48 hours, they sent in more than 350 applications to grow or process the crop.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Department of Agriculture Acting Director John Sullivan have been touting hemp as a potentially billion-dollar industry for Illinois, and no limit was set on the number of acres set aside for production this growing season.

Feb 2019

Mar 2019

Apr 2019

May 2019

Rockford

6.4

6.6

5.4

----

Chicago

4.0

3.6

3.6

3.5

Illinois

4.3

4.4

4.4

4.4

CBD Production

United States

3.8

3.8

3.6

3.6

The vast majority of applications sent by the potential industrial hemp growers were for cannabidiol (CBD) production, which can be cultivated successfully on limited acreage.

While both hemp and marijuana are considered to be “cannabis,” industrial hemp contains less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in marijuana. University of Illinois Extension lists on its website recommended hemp seed varieties that test below the legal levels of less than 0.3 percent THC.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Casino coming to Rockford Senate Bill 690 signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker soon will increase Illinois’ 10 casinos to 16 – including one casino set to be built in Rockford. Legislation permits 2,000 “positions,” or seats to place bets at the Rockford casino.

SB 690 also makes sports betting legal at new and existing casinos and horse racing tracks, online and at Illinois’ most iconic sports venues. Sports betting will be allowed at or within a five-block radius of up to seven sports venues seating more than 17,000 people, such as Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, United Center and Guaranteed Rate Field.

SB 690 freezes popular online-only sports betting platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel for the first 18 months to give casinos first priority in the fast growing mobile market. After casinos’ 18-month head start, the bill would allow up to three licenses total for online-only platforms, running $20 million each.

Source: www.illinoispolicy.org.

How Illinois ranks in top 15 most fun states in America 5th

Restaurants per Capita

11th Movie Theaters per Capita 10th Golf Courses & Country Clubs per Capita 16th Amusement Parks per Capita 3rd

Performing-Arts Theaters per Capita

8th

Fitness Centers per Capita

30th Casinos per Capita 19th Variety of Arts, Entertainment & Recreation Establishments

Grain, Fiber Production Several universities across Illinois have committed to researching hemp’s use in grain and fiber production. University of Illinois, Western Illinois University and Southern Illinois University will conduct hemp grain and fiber production experiments in 2019 to determine best management practices for the new crop.

Information can be used to develop replicated trials across the state for variety performance.

But production is only one piece of the farm-to-market puzzle. The market and supply chain for the grain and fiber crop are virtually non-existent in the state.

It atrophied when hemp was banned by the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937, which did not distinguish industrial hemp from marijuana.

“Hemp can do so much more than just CBD,” said Rachel Berry, founder and CEO of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association. “If we want to actually start making clothing, building materials and

bioplastics here in Illinois, then we are going to need large scale processing.”

Addressing Productionto-Market Gaps While the hemp industry is poised to grow in Illinois, risks remain for producers and investors. The state currently has no local markets and elevators to sell grain, similar to corn and soybeans, nor any fiber processing mills … although its neighbors in Wisconsin and Kentucky do.

Bill Bodine, associate director of state legislation of the Illinois Farm Bureau, said this soon will change. For now, he said determining which communities are interested in hemp production, and the type of hemp they wish to produce, will guide the locations for the various types of processing facilities and where they are needed.

Current plans are to establish two production “nodes” over the next decade in northern and southern Illinois, due to their proximity to other hemp-producing states and access to railways, highways and barges.

For questions, visit web.extension. illinois.edu/jsw/ihp or contact Phillip Alberti, University of Illinois Extension, palberti@illinois.edu or 815-235-4125, or Twitter (@NorthernILCrops).

Compiled by Barbara Connors, The Voice.

Sources: University of Illinois Extension, www. farmcollector.com/farm-life/strategic-fibers

The Many Faces of Hemp Industrial hemp has more than 2,500 known uses. It can be grown for grain, fiber and cannabidiol (CBD), depending on the production system in place.

■■ Hemp grain can be a protein source for animals and humans.

■■ Hemp seed oil contains antiinflammatory properties.

■■ Hemp fiber is used in the textile, construction and manufacturing industries, with the potential to remediate soils contaminated with heavy metals.

■■ CBD, produced from unpollinated female hemp plants only, is used for ailments from anxiety to epilepsy, although not all of the claims have been backed by good research.

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SPECIAL SECTION: The Builders

July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

GUEST COLUMNIST

Powering up for building growth DAVID ANSPAUGH NIBCA

A welcome anticipation for the construction industry

The construction market in the greater Rockford region is on track for sustainable growth during the next six quarters. While this projection is far from stellar, it is, perhaps, the most welcome scenario for developers, contractors and construction users.

With the memory of the recent recession still strong, any period of calm and growth is welcome to those in the construction industry and related entities. Moreover, gradual expansion allows for projects to move ahead unencumbered by material and manpower shortages as well as the higher costs and delays that invariably accompany “boom and bust cycles.”

In other words, it is a good time to contemplate building or remodeling in the commercial sector. Coupled with reasonably accessible and “cheap” money, this construction climate is ideal for those who contemplate increased capacity.

Good News from Springfield Good news has arrived with regard to public spending as well. Recent legislative action in Springfield has promise to open the spigots for vertical and horizontal construction, rail, broadband as well as new education and environmental projects.

Although it may seem to be a bit self-serving, the Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association (NIBCA) recommends that private sector construction planners would be wise to use this period of calm to secure the necessary elements of a construction project, including a contractor, before the full impact of

Necessity is the mother of invention Tool helps workers accomplish tasks in record time

Gradual expansion allows for projects to move ahead unencumbered by material and manpower shortages as well as the higher costs and delays that invariably accompany “boom and bust cycles.” government dollars hits the market.

For a more in-depth analysis of local conditions as well as other material factors, a call to NIBCA at (815) 229-5636 will give interested parties access to professionals with a supply chain of experts in all fields that constitute a successful project.

This can be particularly handy if parties need to be convinced of the merit of building at this time. There is security in well-researched experts with data-driven solutions.

Finally, the greater Rockford area is still a work in progress in regards to a sound economy. There are storms and shoals, to be sure. However, the emerging pattern is positive and becoming more so each quarter.

David Anspaugh is the executive director of the Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association.

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

By Sherry Pritz Enderle This proverb has been the driving force for Restoration Tools, a company that is developing industry-changing tools for disaster restoration. While the team was doing its work as members of a disaster restoration franchise, they realized the need in their industry for more innovative tools which allowed workers to complete tasks faster and more safely.

Product Development With more than 40 years of combined experience in the disaster restoration industry, Restoration Tools partners are familiar with what it takes to run a franchise. Designing and producing a new product was a totally new ballgame.

Inventing and manufacturing a product always presents unforeseen challenges. Identifying challenges, creating new solutions and overcoming roadblocks is part of the process of product development. Restoration Tools had lots of ideas, and the initial impulse was to try to develop them all at once.

With the guidance of Mike Cobert, NIU EIGERlab’s Center for Product Development director, they decided to tackle one invention at a time.

After settling on their first product, The Aerator, they soon realized they had a multitude of decisions to make. In order to achieve the best results, and not damage their new product, they realized it must be paired with a custom mallet for the best results.

With more than one product element to be managed, the team decided to offer a custom carrying bag so the equipment would not be lost or left behind on the job site.

Another caveat to their current innovation underway is offering custom coloring for larger-sized clients such as franchise owners, to provide brand consistency for the company.

The Restoration Tools team discovered that product development is a complex challenge and that when starting a new entity, you may need more time and capital than you initially forecasted.

“We’ve now participated in our first trade show and advertised in our first trade magazine,” said Jocelyn Hare, chief operations officer. “People see the need, and we’re elated to share that partnerships are forming. In addition, we have reconsidered our sales model and plan to work alongside distributors who

Jocelyn Hare, Restoration Tools’ chief operations officer, displays a newly developed mallet proving to be a game changer for the disaster restoration business.

will not only assist with sales, but will enhance our sales and marketing efforts.”

Accelerated Growth The Aerator is a powerful tool because it allows a project that would have taken two technicians eight hours to complete to be handled by one person in a quarter of the time. As such a game changer for the disaster restoration business, it’s already in high-demand.

“From our test marketing, we knew the product had legs, but surprisingly, not to this level. Currently, we’re handling the assembly internally, but we anticipate the need to expand more quickly than we originally forecasted,” Hare said. “Being an owner of a restoration company for the last 14 years, the process of drilling holes has always been a headache. When you hire new technicians, it is inevitable that at some point, they drill a hole above the baseboard, which creates extra work and lost revenue. Not only does The Aerator totally eliminate that issue, but it also saves so much time and effort with the process and cleanup itself.”

A local business owner recently bought two Aerators and is planning to purchase another three this month, due to increased productivity and rave reviews from employees.

The Aerator is just the beginning for Restoration Tools. “Now that we have experienced creating our first product, we plan to move on with additional inventions quickly. We anticipate starting the R&D phase of our next product in late 2019,” Hare said.

To learn more about The Aerator and Restoration Tools, visit restorationtools. com.

To connect with NIU EIGERlab’s Center for Product Development to assist you with moving your invention to market, call 815-965-3522.

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

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019

GUEST COLUMNIST

Success in workforce investments JAKE CASTANZA Project First Rate

Local Building Trades Apprenticeship Programs

For several decades Rockford has been home to five Building Trades Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee programs. These programs have had a strong presence in training some of the best tradespeople in the world.

Our area Building Trades offer a total of 17 programs throughout our region; five of these programs have schools in Rockford. The five schools are a unique training opportunity that have allowed for the institutional success of our Building Contractors and Building Trade unions for over a century. The schools include Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 364, Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 23, Ironworkers and Ornamental Workers Local 498, and Sheetmetal Workers Local 219.

While each of these trades are vastly different, there are some common features. For example, each apprenticeship program integrates systematic on-thejob training, guided by an experienced master-level specialist in a specified trade, with classroom instruction. The federal

government, in cooperation with the State of Illinois, register apprenticeship programs that meet federal and state standards. We believe our programs are best because we provide multiple industries with highly skilled workers who earn family-sustaining wages and are registered with government agencies, operated by sponsors representing labor and management organizations and funded through collectively bargained contributions to tax-exempt trust funds.

This means the programs and apprentices are wholly funded by private investments from both the labor union and the contractor.

A program we would like to highlight is the Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 23 JATC. On June 20th, I had the pleasure of attending the Local 23 apprenticeship graduation where 15 apprentices became journey-men and -women after a fiveyear training program that took place in both the classroom and on the job. Each of the apprentices finished nearly 10,000 hours of on the job training with a local contractor. In total, the Local 23 JATC

SPECIAL SECTION: The Builders

has 97 apprentices that are working for area contractors. This is an enormous investment over the course of the year totaling approximately $900,000 in costs.

Graduate Standouts Graduate Colton Meyer won the 2018 United Association International Apprenticeship Contest Welding Champion. Colton competed with worldclass welders in a rigorous and challenging competition. He is now a journeyman working on local projects with Nelson Carlson Mechanical Contractors.

Additional standout graduate is Carrie Crosby. Carrie is the first of several women who will be completing their five-year apprenticeship with Local 23. Carrie has been an advocate for getting women in the trades and spends her time outside of work volunteering to speak to groups and share her experiences. She has a relentless approach in recruiting, and is also a top pipefitter for Mechanical, Inc. in Freeport, Illinois. Carrie reminds us that a fully-employed journey-level pipefitter (2,080 hours) makes $99,840 before taxes.

Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 23 JATC has committed to training top talent and diversifying their workforce.

Another program to keep your eye on is the IBEW Local 364 JATC, also known as the Northern Illinois Electrical Training Center (NIETC). For over a century, the IBEW has been training top talent for any electrical application. Near of the summer, we will invite the community to visit the

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newly remodeled and renovated facility.

We look forward to showcasing the $1.5 million space that includes an additional 6000 square feet of lab and classroom space.

In our apprenticeship programs, we aim to fit the needs of both the worker and the employer. These new spaces put a focus on vocational hands-on training in various controlled simulations. This ensures that up to 54 apprentices and journeymen and women can train with undivided focus.

This is of great benefit to the apprentices over their five years of classroom training that equates to over 1,000 hours in addition to the 10,000 hours of on-thejob experience. A unique feature of our area’s electrical apprenticeship is that the training is accompanied by an associate degree from Rock Valley Community College.

There are many opportunities to get started with the trades, if interested, visit projectfirstrate.com or NWIBT.org to see how you can get started. Additionally, Project First Rate will host tours and have conversations at the apprenticeship schools with our business partners, educators, and municipalities on the positive effects apprentices have on your business and our local economy.

Jake Castanza is the executive director of Project First Rate.

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

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SPECIAL SECTION: The Builders

profile

MEMBER PROFILE

July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

Wilson Electric Lighting the Way

FINDING STRENGTH IN THEIR EMPLOYEES

Wilson Electric Company still going strong after 100 years

By Paul Anthony Arco Not much has changed since Wilson Electric Company opened its doors in 1919. In fact, the company still calls the same two-story brick building home in downtown Rockford.

Wilson Electric provides electrical work for commercial business, healthcare, industrial and residential clients. “We do a little of everything,” said president Louie Maffioli, whose client base includes heavy hitters such as General Mills, Dean Foods, PCI, TH Foods, Rochelle Foods and Rosecrance to name a few.

“We also service homeowners who have an electrical outlet that needs repair. No job is too big or too small.”

Wilson Electric covers a nine-county area.

The company was founded by Emil Maffioli and Paul Wilson as MaffioliWilson Electric 100 years ago. They worked together for six years, before

Emil decided to leave the business.

“He had no family and no one to turn it over too, so he decided to sell,” said Maffioli. Paul Wilson owned the company until 1950 before he sold it to employees.

Maffioli is a direct descendant of prior owners, but he didn’t know it when he went to work for Wilson in 1973. He came in as an apprentice and worked his way up. “I’m blessed they saw something in me,” he said. “No way did I ever think when I started that I’d be here 46 years later. Not many guys my age can say that.”

Wilson Electric employs 45 people, including electricians, office staff and a service department who handle smaller projects. “Our strong suit is our employees,” said Maffioli. “Many of them have years of experience and were in the trenches at one time in their careers.”

Wilson Electric has seen challenging times over the years, but

Since their founding in 1919 as Maffioli-Wilson Co., Wilson Electric has gained expertise in market sectors such as Commercial Business, Healthcare, Industrial, Residential and Utilities.

Some of the Wilson Electric Company team (from left, standing, going clockwise): Nik Maffioli, Frank Tarara, Joel Kortemeier, Louie Maffioli and Paul Maffioli. they pushed forward and remained true to their beliefs. “We don’t try to bid every job,” Maffioli said. “Our core work is $2 million jobs or less.

If we feel a job is extremely risky we tend to steer away from them. We look at our employees and try to match jobs to their strengths.”

There were times, Maffioli said, he considered moving his business from downtown Rockford, but he could never pull the trigger. They’ve since made significant upgrades to their building including interior and exterior upgrades. “The heart of our company is downtown. It’s served us well, and we like being part of the revitalization of the area. Our building is more welcoming, which gives our employees a happier environment.”

help where needed. “It’s bittersweet,”

Change in Leadership

We’re the oldest electrical company

In a few months, Maffioli will step into semi-retirement and Joel Kortemeier, chief financial officer, will assume the role of president. Other members of the company’s leadership team include Maffioli’s son, Nik, his brother, Paul, and Frank Tarara, who are estimators/project managers that will help lead the company into its second century.

But Maffioli will still be around to

he said. “After doing a job every day of your life for 46 years, it’s hard to walk away. But I’m at the point in my life where I want to spend more time with family and travel. The good news is these guys aren’t kicking me out.”

In

May,

company

officials

celebrated the 100th year anniversary with customers, suppliers, past and present employees.

“I’m proud of the team that was here before us, and the team that is here now that will carry on,” said Maffioli, who will receive an industry award this fall in Las Vegas. “Very few companies stay around for 100 years. in Rockford and that also makes me proud.”

WILSON ELECTRIC COMPANY President: Louie Maffioli 113 S. Madison St. 815-963-0431 www.wilsonelectricco.com

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July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

ROCKFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEMBERSHIP

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What’s with the Big Scissors?

Whether celebrating the opening of a new business, an expansion or a relocation, the Rockford Chamber is excited about your success, and as a member benefit is proud to offer assistance.

Ribbon cuttings, complete with the big scissors (yes, they are sharp!), are more than routine ceremonial events.

They mark significant moments in a business’ history.

Want to Have a Ribbon Cutting?

The Chamber provides …

■■ The red ribbon ■■ large ceremonial scissors ■■ agenda for your approval ■■ invitation for the Chamber president/ CEO or board member to attend and emcee ■■ invitation to Chamber Ambassadors ■■ announcements in BusinessDirect, the Chamber’s email newsletter, and the website calendar ■■ photo in The VOICE newspaper.

Tips for a Successful Event A ribbon cutting/grand opening event naturally provokes excitement, curiosity and a sense of community. But since first impressions are everything, it’s a good idea to go beyond the “same oldsame old ribbon cutting.”

■■ Keep in mind a ribbon cutting is a showcase of your venture.

■■ Consider your goals. Do you want to create awareness around your brand?

Get people excited about your business?

Build relationships with the community?

■■ Coach your staff on key points to speak on. Invite them to dress for the occasion.

■■ These are not exclusive, invitationonly affairs. All Chamber members are invited and encouraged to join in the celebration! If your schedule allows, attend other business celebrations, it is a great way to connect and network with our Chamber members!

Call Heidi Garner, Chief Operating Officer, (815) 316-4312, to secure your ribbon cutting date.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019 15

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manufacturing news GUEST COLUMNIST

Under the on-the-job training program, TWC can

JOHN STRANDIN The Workforce Connection

Workforce Connection board allocates additional funds Here’s more help for employers to train workers

The Business Services Team at The Workforce Connection (TWC) will have additional money available starting July 1 to help employers in Winnebago, Boone and Stephenson counties train both new and existing workers.

TWC has set aside $550,000 in the coming year for work-based learning, including funding for onthe-job training for new workers, apprenticeships and incumbent worker training. This is an increase from previous years, in keeping with the board’s goal of helping employers meet their workforce needs and helping businesses in the region remain competitive.

In the fiscal year that ended on June 30, more than 50 employers took advantage of the work-based learning assistance available through TWC, involving more than 150 individuals.

Help for On-theJob Training Under the on-the-job training program, TWC can reimburse a company for 50 percent or more of the wages of a new employee enrolled in training. Additional reimbursement also is available for companies that hire and train veterans, returning citizens, individuals with disabilities and other target populations.

Manufacturers such as Imperial Punch, Leading Edge Hydraulics, Custom Metals and Titan Tire have found this program to be an excellent way to help new workers get the specific skills they need for their new positions. A half dozen other companies are partners in a new apprenticeship program involving the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local, with TWC reimbursing a portion of both the wages and classroom training costs.

Incumbent worker training allows

reimburse a company for 50 percent or more of the wages of a new employee enrolled in training.

an employer to receive financial assistance to help existing workers gain new skills, perhaps on a new piece of manufacturing equipment or a new computer program. Companies like Ecolab, Rockford Ball Screw, Midwest Aero Support, Greenlee Textron and Specialty Screw used funding from this program this past year for a wide range of training opportunities, including instruction in shop math, blueprint interpretation and Six Sigma training.

job before, and this program provides

Help to Transition Area Youth

remain successful.

In addition, The Workforce Connection preliminary budget for the coming year includes more than $350,000 for young people between the ages of 17 and 24 to receive training or gain work experience. While many of the youth involved in The Workforce Connection Elevate program are employed, others have never held a

them an opportunity to gain some parttime or short-term experience, with federal funding from the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act picking up the cost.

With fewer people looking for work and more jobs going unfilled, it is important for TWC to help connect employers to the training programs and financial assistance they need to More information is available at www.theworkforceconnection.org

or

call (815) 395-6619.

John Strandin is communications manager at The Workforce Connection.

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

Get ready to pitch!

NIU EIGERlab’s FastPitch is October 9

By Sherry Pritz Enderle It’s time to sharpen your five-minute pitch in preparation for NIU EIGERlab’s annual FastPitch competition.

Now in its 13th year, FastPitch on Oct. 9 offers entrepreneurs, inventors, startups, pre-startups, existing business owners and students (high school and college) the opportunity to “pitch” their innovative products, services, apps or “ideas on a napkin” to a panel of regional business and investment leaders. Winners take home one of six generous cash prizes. ($5,000 for the first place finisher!)

All participants “win” by gaining exposure, valuable business pitching experience and the opportunity to conduct

market research at the expo.

Some FastPitch Tips Don’t attempt to impress FastPitch’s judges with sky-high projections. Be yourself, convey why you feel this product, service, app, etc., will make a difference.

That’s part of the “secret sauce” that FastPitch’s trainers will share during the essential and strongly suggested training sessions.

“In the past 12 years, we’ve experienced entrepreneurs win with just an ‘idea on a napkin;’ wowing the judges by sharing both impressive marketing materials and a convincing vision as to why and how they plan to introduce a cool service or utilitarian product to the world,” said

The 2019 FastPitch registration deadline is Sept. 25, but it’s not too early to start preparing.

The vast majority of winners take advantage of the presentation training sessions. This year: Oct. 1 and 3, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at NIU-Rockford.

Sherry Pritz Enderle, FastPitch’s event manager for years.

Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Savant

Generous Sponsors Make It Work

Universal Die Cast, Wipfli and Wood

Capital Management, StateLine Angels,

CPAs. For a complete list, visit the FastPitch

A large percentage of our sponsors have website page. supported us since the beginning, and we For full FastPitch Competition greatly appreciate them all! Our signature sponsors include Colorlab Private Label, details, visit www.eigerlab.org/fastpitchGrowth Dimensions, Midland Bank, competition.

Sponsored by Advanced Machine & Engineering Co.

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July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

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Small Business Enterprise

Did you know the SBDC can provide other help to startup and existing businesses?

Wide range of services the SBDC provides You might know that the Illinois SBDC at the Rockford Chamber offices can help with business planning for startup businesses. But did you know the SBDC can provide other help to startup and existing businesses?

The individuals working at the SBDC are experienced in the tools of starting and growing a business.

We’re here to advise entrepreneurs and current business owners. What’s best, the services are free to clients, as the

Small Business Administration and Rockford Chamber cover the costs.

Here’s Some Services HUMAN RESOURCES: Perhaps you have some questions about HR practices? Maybe you are hiring and need consultation on interviewing, selection or reference checking? Maybe you want to bounce ideas off of us on corrective action being taken with an employee? Perhaps you are ready to do

an appraisal and want some support in conducting a performance review? We can consult with you on many of these types of questions.

While in-depth training, consultation, search/recruitment and coaching can be done with companies or individuals who provide that help for a fee, you can start with the SBDC on the initial discussions and advising.

FINANCING: The SBDC advisors can help regarding questions on how to go about financing for both a start-up or business expansion, as well as the financial projections to prepare for a trip to commercial lenders.

MARKETING: You might need to advertise your product or service, and the SBDC can assist you and guide you in that process, with experienced advisors who can help coach you

MIKE MASTROIANNI SBDC

on how to go about designing and implementing a marketing strategy.

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT: Our advisors can help with the method for designing and maintaining a website for your business, and how to make it a useful tool in marketing your product or service.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Navigating social media can be confusing, but our advisors can help you with the best and most effective ways to use the web to market your product or service.

Feel free to call or email us for more information on how the SBDC can help you in any phase of your business.

Mike Mastroianni is SBDC executive director, Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019 17

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Welcome to the workforce, Gen Z

Well, it’s official. I’m no longer the cool, young whippersnapper around the office. At the ripe old age of 33, I’m officially old news. In an office where I was the youngest for quite a few years (actually I was the youngest in most offices I was in for quite a few years…), I now have two co-workers who are younger than I am. In an office of 12, that is actually quite a move.

For those playing along at home, at 33, I am part of the Millennial Generation/Gen Y. I was born in 1985 so I am actually on the older-side of the Millennial arc (the oldest millennial being about 38/39). I grew up in the golden years where I was able to play outside on my bike, my telephone had a cord attaching it to the wall, and I had to wait 6-8 weeks for any type of delivery.

I had typing and computer classes once

C O M M E R C E

Leadership Development

New kids on the block CAITLIN PUSATERI Rockford Chamber

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I hit grade school but I didn’t have a cell phone until my sophomore year of college. I spent plenty of time on AIM in high school and remember the day Facebook went live on my college campus. I was raised by Boomers, remember 9/11, and graduated college right at the start of the Great Recession.

The generation after mine is currently being called Gen Z (how original).

These kiddos were born sometime between 1997-2010ish and are the newest members of the full-time working world.

While we were so busy trying to figure out how to deal with Millennials, another generation slipped right under our nose!

Tricky, those Gen Z’ers…

Gen Z members grew up in a different world than I did. They are digital and mobile natives meaning they’ve never not known technology to be a part of

Gen Z members grew up in a different world than I did.

They are digital and mobile natives meaning they’ve never not known technology to be a part of their daily lives. their daily lives. Having been raised

by Gen X, they tend to be pragmatic, financially conservative, and interested in security and stability. They have even shorter attention spans than Millennials and multi-task constantly. They work hard, have extremely high expectations of brands and services, and learn through micro-learning opportunities (think: YouTube).

While exact numbers are often conflicting, it’s important to note that Gen Z is larger than the Millennial generation (who’s larger than Gen X and the Baby Boomer generation).

While it may be easy to dismiss this next generation as a bunch of young kids constantly staring at their cellphones, it would be to our own demise to do so.

I have a lot to learn about this new generation. They are new to the working

world and are just breaking into their adult years. I’m excited to see what they bring to the table – the ways they push the norms to make change. Honestly, one of my biggest hopes for them is that they aren’t treated the way Millennials were.

I hope they are valued, encouraged, and supported rather than ostracized or constantly webinar-ed about. It’s odd not to be the cool, new, young kid anymore.

But, when I look in the mirror and look at where I am in my life, it feels right. I’ve grown, matured, and wrinkled more. I think there’s still a lot to be learned from the Millennial generation (we’re still actually pretty young), but I’m excited to welcome a new, fresh set of hopes and dreams to the working world. As leaders, let’s embrace the wonder, see what we can learn and hold on for the ride.

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SPECIAL SECTION: The Home Business Builders of Wellness

July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

GUEST COLUMNIST

DR. JOHN RUSSELL Skills on Point, LLC

Point of care ultrasound brings the diagnosis into view

In modern medicine, diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing are used approximately 80 percent of the time to make the final diagnosis we receive from our healthcare providers. As consumers of healthcare in our local community, it is exciting to learn of the newest technologies which will afford a higher level of accuracy in diagnosing illness without having to wait to arrive in the emergency room or wait for a prior authorization to be approved. Although most will access healthcare during crisis through emergency medical services, the ride to the hospital albeit exciting historically lacks the ability to provide on-site diagnosis before hitting the emergency department doors. In the United States, the prehospital focus has been identification of life-threating medical emergencies and rapid transport for definitive diagnosis and care. Imagine if the hospital already knew with certainty the diagnosis of the transporting patient. That advanced warning can prompt considerable improvement in healthcare outcome by putting the right teams in place.

Not a foreign concept.

For over a decade, your local paramedics and EMTs have been able to provide on-site electrocardiogram imaging to evaluate for the subtle changes in the heart’s electricity found during heart attacks. If identified, the EMS crew will transmit the ECG to the emergency department where the team will activate the cardiac catheterization team for early intervention by a cardiologist to open obstructed coronary arteries. When it comes to stopping the damage of a cardiac event, time, as they say, is muscle.

In similar fashion, point of care

ultrasound technology has made a massive influx to the emergency medical services marketplace. Historically priced more than a luxury car, ultrasound machines such as the Butterfly iQ, GE Vscan, and the Phillips Lumify are now available for several thousand dollars.

We find ourselves at the crossroad of uncharted access to diagnostic-grade imaging for first responders to identify internal bleeding, start intravenous lines with precision, monitor heart beats, and identify collapsed lungs in ways never before done outside of the hospital.

The future is now.

As a nurse practitioner in cardiothoracic surgery, I use this technology daily. It can be found in pain management clinics for precision injections, primary care offices, and at specialty care centers around Rockford.

We train people on this equipment frequently and through the advances in technology, we all win. At times, the ability to identify a disease state may require a very specific medical imaging test read by a board-certified radiologist.

Other times, a quick look is all it takes to confirm no life threats exist.

Bottom line: do not be surprised if you find the stethoscope of the near future comes with an ultrasound probe and a screen.

Dr. John Russell is a cardiothoracic surgery nurse practitioner at SwedishAmerican Medical Group and the owner of Skills on Point, LLC, a medical education company providing procedural skills training to the Rock River region.

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

Happiest cities in the United States For years, researchers have studied the science of happiness and found that its key ingredients include a positive mental state, healthy body, strong social connections, job satisfaction and financial well-being.

However, money can only make you so happy – people who make $75,000 a year won’t get any higher satisfaction from more money.

A study by WalletHub aimed to illustrate that moving to a certain city may help you be more content; comparing more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities as home to the happiest people in America based on 31 key indicators of happiness, ranging from depression rate to income-growth rate to average leisure time spent per day.

Perspectives from Barry Schwartz, Ph.D., Swarthmore College What tips do you have for someone who is unhappy with his or her career?

Ask yourself what will make your work meaningful. Then, either change your job to one that is meaningful, or find a way to recraft your current job so that it gives you meaning. There is a lot of room for finding meaning in work, but I think neither supervisors, nor employees give enough thought to what they can do to add meaning to their work.

Does an individual’s happiness increase or decrease with age?

Top 10 Happiest Plano, Texas Irvine, Calif.

Madison, Wis.

Fremont, Calif.

Huntington Beach, Calif.

Fargo, N.D.

Grand Prairie, Texas San Jose, Calif.

Scottsdale, Ariz.

San Francisco, Calif.

The data suggest that happiness increases with age. I think this is largely because as people age, expectations become more modest and thus easier to meet.

How much does where you live influence your happiness?

Evidence suggests that geography matters less than people think, and community matters more than people think.

Can money buy happiness?

Beyond subsistence, not much.

An important qualification is that money buys health, at least in the United States, and healthier people are happier people.

Do Americans place too much importance on happiness?

I think so — especially in recent decades. The young are especially afflicted with the worry that they are not as happy as others, or as they “should” be.

WalletHub’s Criteria for ‘Happy Cities’ ■■ Life satisfaction

■■ Unemployment rate

■■ Emotional health

■■ Underemployment rate

■■ Depression rate

■■ Bankruptcy rate

■■ Suicide rate

■■ Weekly work hours

■■ Adequate sleep rate

■■ Commute time

■■ Physical health

■■ Strength of social ties

■■ Sports participation

■■ WalletHub’s most caring cities ranking

■■ Share of people aged 12 or older who used marijuana in the past month ■■ Retail opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 persons ■■ Illness and disability index ■■ Life expectancy ■■ Food insecurity ■■ Income growth ■■ Share of households earning annual incomes above $75,000 ■■ Poverty rate ■■ 4+ star job opportunities per total people in the labor force (Number of job opportunities at 4+ star-rated companies on Glasssdoor.com.)

■■ Separation and divorce rate ■■ Hate crime incidents per capita ■■ Ideal weather ■■ Acres of parkland per 1,000 residents ■■ Average leisure time spent per day ■■ Well-being “community” rank (Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index: “Liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community.”)

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019

SPECIAL SECTION: SPECIAL TheSECTION: BusinessThe of Wellness Builders

GUEST COLUMNIST

19

We cannot Narcan our way out of this opioid

DR. TOM WRIGHT Rosecrance

Searching for answers amidst the opioid epidemic Successes with Medication Assisted Treatment

The opioid crisis is one we’re all familiar with at this juncture. We’ve seen headline after headline detailing overdose deaths and showcasing everincreasing, shocking statistics. What there hasn’t been much of – answers.

With more than 100 people a day dying from opioid drug use, drug poisoning is now the number one cause of death in the United States, according to an Itasca-based National Safety Council study, which was recently published in Crain’s Chicago Business.

Nationwide deaths involving both prescription and illicit opioids have risen 544 percent since 1999, and from 2016 to 2017 opioid deaths rose significantly by almost 14 percent in the United States.

In Illinois, those deaths increased by 15 percent.

There’s no question that opioid use disorder is presenting an urgent and fatal problem for our country and our local region. As the numbers show, this dilemma is not going away; it’s getting worse. We need real, tangible answers and we need them now, but what exactly does that look like?

Beyond a ‘Bandaid’ Solution The response that’s gained almost as much traction as the phrase “opioid epidemic” is Narcan. Narcan (also known as Naloxone) is a medication called an “opioid antagonist.” The medication counters the effects of an opioid overdose.

While Narcan can be essential in saving someone’s life from an overdose, it’s important to remember that it’s still a band aid to the overall problem, not a solution. A metaphor I often use is this: Narcan is to an opioid overdose what a defibrillator is to heart disease.

Both save lives, but they don’t get to the underlying root of the matter. Narcan keeps patients alive so we can treat their disease, just like a defibrillator.

Let me paint you an unsettling picture. A young mother overdoses at home on prescription opioids that she received as a result of a neck injury. Her child, sensing something is wrong, calls 911. The police arrive and the mother receives Narcan.

Upon resuscitation, she immediately experiences withdrawal symptoms.

Without the proper treatment and care, what happens? Likely, the mother ends up in a similar situation before much time passes.

We cannot Narcan our way out of this opioid epidemic and ultimately, we do a disservice to those with addiction by supplying a temporary fix and expecting them to fully heal. We need to make sure we take the next step to treatment.

Addiction is a complex brain disease, and recovery takes time, care, attention and quality expertise to achieve and maintain. The only way to effectively answer this severe epidemic is to put additional emphasis on treatment.

Treatment can and does work. I see it daily through our work at Rosecrance.

Rosecrance provides integrated behavioral healthcare services that are grounded in 12-Step philosophy and offers a range of services that help combat opioid use disorders including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).

According to the Substance

epidemic and ultimately, we do a disservice to those with addiction by supplying a temporary fix and expecting them to fully heal.

Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, MAT is considered an effective way of treating opioid dependency. Rosecrance uses FDAapproved medications including Naltrexone, Vivitrol injections, buprenorphine, Antabuse, and Campral to help clients manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

We see MAT work as a treatment modality. We hear clients say time and time again: “MAT is the final piece of the puzzle I needed to maintain longterm sobriety.” Words like that give me hope and remind me that there is an end to this costly disease.

Dr. Tom Wright is chief medical officer at Rosecrance.

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

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July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

on digital

MEMBER PICS

Ceremonial ribbon donated by SERVPRO of Rockford.

Some are more irresistible to mosquitos than others Steps to keep these common outdoor pests away Mosquitoes are already out in force, but what makes one person more attractive to mosquitoes than others? Although researchers are unsure why, studies have indicated that some people are just more desirable than others. University of Illinois Extension educator Chris Enroth said mosquitoes can’t resist the following: Carbon dioxide: “Yes, every time you exhale, you draw those pesky little bloodsuckers closer.”

Lactic acid: Humans produce lactic acid on our skin. Some produce more than others.

High skin temperature Colognes and perfumes Dark-colored clothing Warm days with low winds The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends DEET as the most effective chemical to use to combat mosquitoes. Look for sprays with DEET at 40 percent or higher for an effective, long-lasting repellants. Be sure to re-apply every 4 to 6 hours. Why? DEET confuses the mosquito and blocks the females’ ability to detect carbon dioxide, heat, moisture and human sweat.

May 30 Aqua Aerobic Systems celebrated their 50th Anniversary milestone with their employees and members of the community.

Breeding sites “Only female mosquitoes bite,” Enroth says. This is because they need a blood meal (protein) for reproduction and stagnant water to lay eggs.

■■ Remove any object on your property that may hold water.

■■ Change water in birdbaths weekly.

■■ Stock garden ponds with top-feeding minnows.

■■ Keep covers tight and free of holes over grills, cisterns, rain barrels or anywhere water is stored.

The Joint Chiropractic held a ribbon cutting on May 31 at 6139 E. State St., Rockford.

■■ Clean your gutters -- often an unseen area for mosquito development.

■■ If you can’t remove the standing water, Enroth recommends treating it with Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), which targets the larva of mosquitoes and a few species of fly.

■■ “Avoid using bug zappers to control flying adults,” Enroth says. “About 90 percent of insects killed with bug zappers are not mosquitoes. In fact several are beneficial insects like the brown lacewing.”

Cream City Scale LLC held a ribbon cutting on June 7 for its new location at 4300 N. Bell School Road, Loves Park.

■■ Mosquito foggers work for only a short period of time and are well-suited to being used prior to an outdoor event.

Two Men and a Truck held a ribbon cutting on June 18 for its new storage facility at 6201 Material Ave. #1, Loves Park.

Woodman’s celebrates 100 years with free food and drinks for their customers, employees and vendors in their parking lot at 3155 McFarland Road, Rockford on June 25th.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019 21

business

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded.

Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois added locations in Algonquin, Byron, Cary and Wauconda for its new Discover Daises and Becoming Brownies events. Visit www. girlscoutsni.org/discoverdaisies.

announced it would be moving to the historic 7th Street depot in the Midtown neighborhood in Rockford.

It will lease the building from the Rockford Park District for $10 a year.

YMCA of Rock River Valley opened a new pavilion in time for summer; serving an additional 80 children a week at Camp Winnebago.

Mercyhealth Development Foundation committed more than $400,000 to purchase 30 life-saving devices to be given to 25 Emergency Medical Services agencies in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. LUCAS Chest Compression Systems deliver high-quality mechanical CPR in a consistent manner.

First National Bank and Trust achieved another Superior 5-Star Rating from BauerFinancial, the nation’s premier bank rating firm.

Per Mar Security Services acquired Stearns Sound & Security of Waupaca, Wis. Sole employee and founder Jerry Stearns will retire and assist in transitioning the more than 400 active customers to Per Mar’s Wausau office.

OSF HealthCare was named to Becker’s Hospital Review 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare 2019 for diversity within the workforce, employee engagement and professional growth.

RAMP will host Food Truck Thursdays through Aug. 29 across from Millennium Fountain, under the Jefferson Street Bridge. Patrons may eat on The Patio at 202 Market St., in downtown Rockford.

KMK Media Group developed new collateral, a website at www. heritagewayadvisors.com and updated brand for Heritage Way Advisors. KMK won a silver Telly award for a series of TV commercials for Pearson Plumbing & Heating Co., featuring service technicians sharing stories about some favorite customer experiences.

Rockford Housing Authority’s leadership team announced the Family Peace Center, housing at least a dozen help groups to serve survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The Mayor’s Office of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Prevention has been working to establish it through a $450,000 federal grant. Private and government grants will be sought to pay for operations beyond 2020.

In recognition of its augmented reality Accent TV campaign for International Paper, Trekk received a Platinum Muse Creative Award in the experiential & immersive category: Accent TV’s fourth major award in 2019.

The Mercyhealth EMS System celebrated the graduation of 11 students from its 2019 Rockford paramedic class at Javon Bea Hospital and Physician ClinicRockton. The 10-month, full-time training program is coordinated through the Prehospital and Emergency Services Center.

More than 200 table tennis professionals were in Rockford, May

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois and Danfoss Drives held the first-ever 2019 Girl Scout Rope Runner Champions competition; designed to teach girls STEM concepts, such as center of mass, gravity and mass vs. weight by rolling wooden figures down a rope on a single wheel, using weights to balance. Finalists advanced to the Rope Runner Championship at GSNI’s Air Fair in St. Charles, Ill., in June.

25 to 26, for America’s Team Championship Table Tennis Tournament at UW Health Sports Factory; competing for division titles and up to $10,000 in prize money and medals.

SwedishAmerican Foundation announced its 2019 Caring for our Community Grant recipients: Awaken 815 ($20,000), KFACT Inc. ($15,000), Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries ($8,000) and Stateline Youth for Christ ($15,000).

Rockford Park District and YMCA of Rock River Valley are expanding their partnership. The YMCA will offer swim lessons at Alpine Pool and Harkins Aquatic Center and three other locations. Register at www.rockriverymca.org/youthswim.

Rockford Systems added a new press safety inspection service to determine if part-revolution punch presses and press brakes and full-revolution punch presses are in safe working order according to OSHA regulations and ANSI standards.

The Alliance presented Health Transformation Awards at its Annual Seminar in May. NOVO Health, Appleton, Wis., received the award for its direct contracting model that offers employer-partners transparent, bundled pricing on more than 60 outpatient medical procedures. Promega Corporation, Fitchburg, Wis., won for a Caregiver Leave policy, part of its employee health benefits. Marilyn Bartlett and the Montana State Employee Health Plan, Helena, Mont., won for a turnaround plan using Medicare rates to benchmark and then reset hospital payments, which had been found to have large pricing variations.

Mercyhealth was named a 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare 2019

by Becker’s Healthcare for the second year. It earned recognition as No. 1 on the AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 list

and among Working Mother magazine’s Best Companies for Working Mothers.

YWCA Northwestern Illinois announced Elizabeth Smart as speaker for its 40th annual Leader Luncheon and Women of Achievement Awards ceremony on March 2, 2020 at Giovanni’s Convention Center. Her abduction was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time.

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and NW HomeStart announced $24,998 given to recipients of the 2019 Neighborhood Grants Program in May: African-American Resource Center at Booker, Capron Lions Club, Circles of Learning, City of Belvidere, Collier Gardens Resident Council, Greater Freeport Partnership, Ken-Rock Community Center, North Highland Neighborhood Association, Park-erWoods Community Association, Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, Winnebago Community Historical Society, Youth Services Network and Zion Outreach.

Saint Anthony College of Nursing held its annual commencement ceremony for 112 students; conferring nine doctors of nursing practice, 15 masters of science in nursing and 88 bachelors of science in nursing degrees in May at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.

SwedishAmerican was named to the 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare list by national industry magazine, Becker’s Healthcare, for the fifth consecutive year.

Five craftsmen from Japan restored tatami in two of Anderson Japanese Gardens’ authentic 16th century Sukiya-style buildings in May at a cost of $35,000. By May 21, the restoration project received more $28,000 in outside support from foundations, corporations and individual donors.

Midtown District Association

Rockford Housing Authority received The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials’ 2019 Award of Merit and is nominated for the National NAHRO Award of Excellence for the Life Skills Piloted Program in Rockford.

Rockford Public Library announced its partnership with 501(c)(3) incorporated nonprofit, New Genres Art Space. It will open its doors on the second floor of Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford on July 20 and feature six programs: digital and experimental art exhibitions, an artist residency program, classes and workshops, the speaker series, the Rockford visual art archives and a digital media art collection.

McMahon Associates, Inc., announced funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Single Family Rehabilitation Program to City of Loves Park ($269,770), City of South Beloit ($335,065) and Village of Machesney Park ($428,132) to help low-income homeowners afford costly repairs and expenses.

Rock House Kids received a donation through International Paper Company for hot meal items for dinner throughout the year.

Are you a Member with News to Share?

Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101 DEADLINE IS THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING ­PUBLICATION

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July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

R O C K F O R D

C H A M B E R

O F

C O M M E R C E

economic development High performance cultures make high performance bottom lines

Don Harkey, CEO of People Centric Consulting

The Rockford Area Economic Development Council’s CARE Committee organized a High Performance Cultures seminar, following up on the RAEDC’s Annual Meeting topic welcoming Don Harkey, CEO of People Centric Consulting, back to the Rockford region.

Harkey shared that the secret to creating a high-performance culture is not to focus on culture, but instead to focus on systems that impact culture, and the results are dramatic:

■■ 37% lower absenteeism ■■ 25 to 65% lower turnover ■■ 48% fewer safety incidents ■■ 41% improved quality ■■ 10% improved customer service ■■ 21% increased productivity ■■ 22% increased profitability “Continuing the discussion that began last November demonstrates the importance our region sees in creating high performance cultures

both within individual businesses and in our communities,” said Gerald (Jerry) Sagona, VP for business development with the RAEDC. “This is a differentiator when it comes to retaining businesses as well as attracting new businesses into the region.”

The RAEDC would like to thank presenting sponsor First Midwest Group/ Interstate Crossings at Machesney Park.

RAEDC gets results during Rockforward 20/20 The Rockford Area Economic Development Council released the 2018 Results Report for the Rockforward20/20 strategic plan. This is the third year of a five-year initiative lead by the RAEDC, as the data collection agency for the region.

The region is well on its way to completing the economic development impact measurements by the year 2020.

Download the 2018 Rockforward20/20 Results Report at RockfordIL.com/ 2018Rockforward2020.

■■ 50% completed of the 8 million square feet of new or renovated space goal.

■■ 54% completed of the 10,000 new or retained jobs goal.

■■ 99% completed of the $925 million capital investment goal.

Our community achieved many things during 2018, and all of them were accomplished through collaboration.

Without the support of our investors and community, we would not be able to conduct the daily work of economic development and cultivate the

opportunities for primary job growth that increases the economic well-being of our region.

■■ We welcomed Project Alpha to the region; showing them property locations, our education to workforce pipelines and our ability to work as a team. We are competing against regions three to four times our size because of our ability to collaborate and problem solve.

■■ Airbus attended the Supplier Symposium with special guest Congressman Adam Kinzinger; connecting regional manufacturers with opportunities to expand their reach in this global economy.

■■ The RAEDC started a marketing strategy targeting real estate brokers and professionals in the Chicagoland area; featuring Fortune Magazine wraps, online ad buys and pre-roll video focusing on the fact that we have a great quality of life, an affordable

housing market, we specialize in speedto-market build-to-suit buildings, and our region is welcoming to all people.

The important work of improving our economic strength and competitiveness is made possible only through the collaboration and support of our RAEDC investors, and we are grateful for the support we receive. Not only does the RAEDC help companies grow, we also position our region as an ideal location for businesses and industries.

The significant work of building a stronger and more sustainable economy must continue.

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

To find out how to support the RAEDC and our community, contact Jarid Funderburg, VP of business & investor relations, at JFunderburg@RockfordIL. com or 815-969-4259.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019 23

January-May

Jan-May 2018: 119 Jan-May 2019: 100

Jan-May 2018: 2,193 Jan-May 2019: 1,856

Rockford Statistics

DOMESTIC RELATED AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

54%

SHOTS FIRED

Rockford Park District’s Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., hosts R4: recycled/reclaimed/ reused/recrafted, July 6 to Aug. 25, featuring sculptures of recycled and reclaimed materials by member artists of Chicago Sculpture International among lush tropical plants. Visitors also can stroll along the Rock River Recreation Path to view the more than 10 public art sculptures. Visit www. nicholasconservatory.com.

7

65

3,900

3,633

4,897

YTD 2018

YTD 2019

YTD 2018

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 Jan-May 2018: 182 Jan-May 2019: 136

Jan-May 2018: 203 Jan-May 2019: 157

The City of Rockford infographics help residents and businesses understand the key metrics by which the City measures its performance.

City departments use dozens of statistics to track the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of critical city services. Slide presentations of these key metrics are posted monthly on the City website and released to the media and public.View the full presentation deck on the City website: https:// rockfordil.gov/news/rockstat/

2019 YTD

SUNDAY, JULY 21

January-February

Franchesco’s Ristorante presents its third-annual Solo Italiana, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 7128 Spring Creek Road. The family-friendly event features Italian musicians, cuisine, fun games and activities for kids, including a spaghetti-eating content.

4

YTD 2019

25

Alpine Kiwanis Club hosts Brat Days, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., on July 19, and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on July 20 at Edgebrook Center, CherryVale Mall and Blain’s Farm & Fleet. Large orders (50 or more) should call 815-979-5249.

Visit www.alpinekiwanis-il.org for entertainment schedule.

SATURDAY, JULY 6

83

JAN-MAY 2019

JAN-MAY 2019

Jan-May 2018: 632 Jan-May 2019: 508

23

FRIDAY, JULY 19

Lifescape Community Services, Inc., hosts the 4th of July Classic Run/ Walk with two-mile run, 7:10 a.m.; one-mile family fun walk, 8 a.m., and 8K run, 7 a.m. Starts and finishes on North Madison Street in front of the trolley station. New this year is a post-race breakfast and live local music at the Rockford City Market Pavilion.

Register at www.Runsignup.com.

22

JAN-MAY 2018

JAN-MAY 2019

JAN-MAY 2018

16

15

JAN-MAY 2018

20

21 Jan-May 2018: 860 Jan-May 2019: 681

2019 YTD

THURSDAY, JULY 4

TUESDAY, JULY 23

4,696

Violent Crimes – decrease of 21% Robbery – decrease of 16% Property Crimes – decrease of 15% Aggravated Assaults – decrease of 20% Shots Fired – decrease of 23% Auto Thefts – decrease of 25%

YTD 2018

The city of Rockford released crime statistics for January through May of 2019. Numbers are down significantly in each category from the same timeframe in 2018.

COMMUNITY EVENTS community

Rockford Park District presents its weekly Tunes on the Terrace concerts, 5 to 8 p.m., at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St. Features musical performers of jazz, easy listening, folk/Americana, country and more through Aug. 28. Visit www. rockfordparkdistrict.org/ soundsofsummer or call 815-987-8858.

YEAR END 2019

City releases crime stats for first five months of 2019

Wesley Willows presents Celebrate Your Independence, 10 a.m. For questions, call Cahlee Denny at 815-316-6001.

86

89

2019

2019

THURSDAY, JULY 25 Rockford Park District’s Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens hosts free Guided Outdoor Garden Tours, 9:30 a.m., once a month, June to September, at 1354 N. 2nd St. No registration required. Visit www. nicholasconservatory.com or call 815-987-8858.

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July 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

in the news MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded.

Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

1. Dr. Lisa M. Bly

2. Daniel T. Ross

3. Henry Robison

4. Kristen Abramowicz

5. Margaret McDonald

6. Stephanie Baxter

7. Patricia Hutchinson

8. Jennifer Charlesworth

9. Casey Christianson

10. Kathryn Copeland

11. Justin Smith

12. Marci Ward

13. Dr. Alhang Sanyo Konyak

14. Greg Lundquist

15. Amy Mastroianni

16. Laura Sunderhaus

17. Brock Sutton

18. Dr. Peter Gunther

19. Pam Carey

20. Jennifer Smith

21. Ciara Stahly

22. Kenneth Germain

23. Kayla Scudder

24. Dr. David A. Nielsen

BOARD APPOINTMENTS The National Association of Workforce Boards appointed Dr. Lisa M. Bly (1), executive director of The Workforce Connection board, as regional liaison for the Midwest Region.

Stillman BancCorp, N.A., welcomed Daniel T. Ross (2), Gallagher, to its board.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS Rockford Lutheran School hired Henry Robison (3) as athletic director, replacing Josh Sternquist, who will be assistant principal and athletic director at his alma mater, Belvidere High School.

Savant Capital Management hired Kristen Abramowicz (4) and Margaret McDonald (5) as administrative assistants, retirement plan services; Stephanie Baxter (6) as conversion specialist; Patricia Hutchinson (7) as manager, retirement plan services; Jennifer Charlesworth (8) as client services representative; Casey Christianson (9) as associate, accelerated career development program; Kathryn Copeland (10) as facilities assistant; Justin Smith

25. Julia ScottValdez

26. Peter Medlin

(11) as financial advisor, and Marci Ward (12) as marketing assistant.

John Stuckmann, Rockford Rescue Mission, crisis center coordinator, retired after 38 years of service.

The Alliance® promoted Kathryn (Otto) McLeod to director of member services and innovation, Paul Roelke to account executive, and Mike Roche and Mike Krach as directors of business development.

Mercyhealth welcomed Alhang Sanyo Konyak, M.D. (13), to Mercyhealth Alpine as a family medicine with obstetrics physician.

Blackhawk Bank promoted Greg Lundquist (14) to assistant vice president business.

Northern Illinois Hospice hired Amy Mastroianni (15) as director marketing & community engagement and Melissa Sadler, RN, BSN, as home team leader.

CYRS Wealth Advisors, LLC, hired Laura Sunderhaus (16) as administrative services associate.

Ann Foti, Mercyhealth, was promoted to director of finance.

Fehr Graham hired Brock Sutton (17) as an engineer.

Miller Eye Center hired Dr. Peter Gunther (18), optometry.

27. Brianne Canova

28. Suzanne Fischer

Barbara Olson Center of Hope promoted Pam Carey (19) to executive director.

John C. Myers, M.D., FACS, FACC, is the new interim chair of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties following the retirement of Samuel Appavu, M.D. SwedishAmerican welcomed advanced practice registered nurse Kimberly Harris to the Heart Institute and Tracy Palmer to the Belvidere Clinic.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois promoted Jennifer Smith (20) to engagement director and Ciara Stahly (21) to program officer.

Union Savings Bank promoted Kenneth Germain (22) and Kayla Scudder (23) to assistant vice presidents.

Mercyhealth welcomed David A. Nielsen (24), D.O., to Mercyhealth Orthopedic Specialists.

Rock River Water Reclamation District hired Julia Scott-Valdez (25) as chief human resource officer.

WNIJ hired Peter Medlin (26) as full-time education reporter.

Brianne Canova (27), CPA, as chief financial officer.

Suzanne Fischer (28), RN, MSN, joined OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center as vice president, ambulatory and procedural services.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS John O’Connor (29), CYRS Wealth Advisors, earned the designation of Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor from the National Association of Plan Advisors. theFranaGroup, awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Darien Booker, East High School, to attend Elmhurst College, and Jacob Klaung, Christian Life High School, to attend Rock Valley College.

Xue-Jun Li, Ph.D.(30), University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, received a $439,725 grant from the National Institutes of Health to study neuron disease.

Natalie Hooper (31), Rockford Lutheran High School, received the $2,500 Jane Lyons Memorial Scholarship for 2019 from the Rockford Park District. She plans to attend Western Illinois University.

Continued on page 25

Stenstrom Companies hired

29. John O’Connor

30. Dr. Xue-Jun Li

31. Natalie Hooper

32. Adam Beck

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019 25

in the news MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

33. Todd Martinovich

34. Nancy Salsbury

35. Phil Thompson

36. Joe Galvanoni

Rockford Chamber members appear bolded.

Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

37. Holly BriggsFinn

38. Dr. Alex Stagnaro-Green

39. Dr. Michael Glasser

40. Adam Glassberg

Are you a Member with News to Share?

Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101 41. Richard Brown

42. Donald Duncan

(continued from page 24) Spectrum Insurance Agency announces Adam Beck (32) now is licensed for property and casualty insurance, Todd Martinovich (33), property and casualty producer, added a CLCS designation, and Nancy Salsbury (34) and Phil Thompson (35) renewed their CIC designations.

Meridian congratulated Joe Galvanoni (36) as its May 2019 employee of the month.

Holly Briggs-Finn (37), housekeeping manager, Wesley Willows, received a Golden Cross prize from the Council on Older Adult Ministries, a part of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Alex Stagnaro-Green (38), M.D., MPHE, MHA, regional dean, University of Illinois College of Medicine, received the 2019 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Healthcare Leadership at the graduation ceremony in Chicago. Michael Glasser (39), Ph.D., received the 2019 University of Illinois College of Medicine Faculty of the Year Award among faculty at all four medicine campuses.

The following WilliamsMcCarthy LLP attorneys/partners made the 2019 Leading Lawyers list: Russell Anderson, Carol Bailey, James Devine, Carl Ecklund, Marc Gravino, Troy Haggestad, Carol Hartline,

43. John Tejcek

44. Dan DeGryse

John Holevas, Joel Huotari, Kim Krahenbuhl, Timothy Rollins, Thomas Sandquist and Scott Sullivan. The following made the 2019 Emerging Lawyers list: Adam Fleming (partner), Daniel Huntley (associate) and Tyler Slack (associate).

Rockford Rotary Club gave Service Above Self awards to Carol Burmeister, Valeri DeCastris, Mariel Heinke and Donald Kellogg, and to several teens who started the March for our Lives event, which attracted 1,000 people.

Adam Glassberg (40), financial advisor, Savant Capital Management, was selected by InvestmentNews as a member of its 40 Under 40 class of 2019.

OF GENERAL INTEREST Richard Brown (41) and Donald Duncan (42), financial advisors, and John Tejcek (43), business development manager, Savant Capital Management, spoke about the 401(k) industry at the 2019 Chicago HR Summit in April.

Dan DeGryse (44), director of Rosecrance Florian Program and battalion chief of Chicago Fire Department, will participate in the fifth-annual Kennedy Forum Meeting as moderator for a roundtable discussion, “Supporting First Responders.”

DEADLINE IS THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING ­PUBLICATION

Nominate a rising star for Rockford Chamber’s 40 Leaders Under Forty!

Who are the great leaders under forty you know at your workplace, among your friends and volunteering for your favorite causes? Consider nominating them this year. A member committee will choose those to be announced and honored at a special celebration on November 7.

Nominations are due by 12:00 p.m., August 16, 2019 Nomination forms are available online at www.rockfordchamber.com.

July 2019

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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS EBISS USA

Logistic Services and Trade Show Management with Warehouse Storage 7918 Forest Hills Road Loves Park, IL 61111 Derek Huffer 815-516-5084 www.ebiss-usa.com

GRACE FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES

Funeral Home, Cremation Provider, Special Events, Pet Cremation Provider 1340 S. Alpine Road, 61108 Kristan McNames 815-395-0559 www.gracefh.com

GRANTVIEW DISTILLERY

SUNBELT RENTALS

One of the largest equipment rental companies in North America servicing a variety of customers from commercial, industrial, residential and municipal industries to do-it-yourselfers.

4649 26th Ave., 61109 Dan Keegan 779-513-4718 www.sunbeltrentals.com

SVA FINANCIAL GROUP

Investment and Trust Advisory Professionals 2990 N. Perryville Road, Ste. 4128B, 61107 Ray C. Schenk, CFP®, CTFA, CHFC®, CLU®, Wealth Manager, SVA Wealth Management, and Trust Officer, SVA Trust Company 815-316-0606 www.svafinancial.com

Rockford’s Hometown Craft Distillery. Craft spirits include: whiskey, vodka, rum, and soon, gin.

6969 S. Main St., 61102 TAC ROCKFORD Addie Ford Providing products and engineering 815-269-4069 services to manufacturers www.gvdistillery.com 304 N. Main St., 61101 Amy Eller ROCKFORD AREA SHRM 815-962-5600 www.tacrockford.com CHAPTER #182 Advancing the principles, policies and practices of the human resource profession and providing a medium to exchange ideas and experiences.

P.O. Box 2453 Loves Park, IL 61132 Blanca Lopez 779-696-2687 rockford.shrm.org

SECURE STAFFING Employee Services 14477 De La Tour Dr. South Beloit, IL 61080 Cassie Schultz 815-977-7433 www.securestaffing.net

SEROLA BIOMECHANICS, INC. Manufacturer of orthopedic products 5406 Forest Hills Court Loves Park, IL 61111 Thomas Person 815-636-2780 www.serola.net

TYSON AND BILLY ARCHITECTS/BRADLEY AND BRADLEY ARCHITECTS

Tyson and Billy Architects is a full service architectural firm providing personalized service backed with quality performance.

4000 Morsay Dr., 61107 Kerstin Butler 815-229-8222 www.tysonandbilly.com

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in May, 2019 Al Grace Appliance & TV Angler Motors Inc. Anpec Industries Auto Clinic of Rockford Inc. B & H Office Furniture Broadway Florist Canon Solutions America, Inc. Carpenter’s Local 792 Cherryvale Place, Senior Living Chuck Brauer Trucking Inc. Comfort Keepers Court Street United Methodist Crown Machine, Inc. Danfoss Drives Discovery Center Museum of Rockford Ege WorkSmart Solutions, PC Fairfield Inn & Suites Fiberglass Innovations LLC FIELD Forever Green, Inc. ForeverLawn Chicago FurstStaffing GinestraWatson Co. Goldie B. Floberg Center Gustafson’s Earthworks Inc. Hagadone Media Group - Midwest Hilton Garden Inn Holmertz-Parsons, CPA’s Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic Huntington Learning Center In Home Medical Group LLC Ingersoll Machine Tools LDR Cleaning & Restoration Lifescape Community Services/ Community Kitchen, Inc. McDonalds - Bear Family Restaurants - Kishwaukee St McDonalds - Bear Family Restaurants - Auburn St McDonalds - Bear Family Restaurants - Northridge Dr McDonalds - Bear Family Restaurants - West Riverside Blvd McMAHON Midwest Community Bank Mosaic in Rockford

Mosquito Joe of Rockford - Crystal Lake North American Tool Corporation OrthoIllinois - Roxbury Rd

OrthoIllinois - South Alpine Rd OSTI - Ogle County Physical Therapy

OSTI - Belvidere Physical Therapy OSTI - Edgebrook Physical Therapy

OSTI - Poplar Grove Physical Therapy

Paper Recovery Services Corp.

Planet Fitness - North Second St Planet Fitness - South Alpine Rd

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C. Rock House Kids

Rock River Valley Blood Center - North 6th St Rock River Valley Blood Center - Perryville Rd Rock Town Consulting Rock Valley Culligan

Rockford Heat Treaters, Inc. Rockford Mutual Insurance Company

Rockford Network of Professional Women Rockford Public Schools, District #205 Rockford Spine Center Rockford Township

Siena on Brendenwood Sosnowski Szeto, LLP

Stillman BancCorp N.A. TECm

Terracon, Inc.

The Atrium - Meridian Senior Living The Salvation Army

The Terrace Senior Apartments Thermo Fisher Scientific Todd Transit, Inc. US Bank

Vape-N-Juice

Vixen Productions Widmer Interiors

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

30-YEAR MEMBER

10-YEAR MEMBER

Giovanni’s, Inc.

K&J Finishing, Inc.

25-YEAR MEMBER

5-YEAR MEMBERS

Heinzeroth Marketing Group

The Arc of Winnebago,

20-YEAR MEMBERS Cicero, France & Alexander, P.C. Northern Illinois University

15-YEAR MEMBERS Honest Pest Control, Inc. Soltys Dentistry

Boone and Ogle Counties Auto Clinic of Rockford, Inc.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2019 27

chamber

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

JULY, 2019

THURSDAY, JULY 11 Ribbon Cutting, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at Tower Loan of Illinois, LLC, 304 N. Alpine Road, Rockford.

TUESDAY, JULY 16 Ribbon Cutting, 3 to 4 p.m., at Northern Illinois Hospice, 4751 Harrison Ave., Rockford.

AUGUST, 2019 THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 Lunch with a Leader with Anisha Grimmett, Alignment Rockford, noon to 1 p.m., at Rockford UniversityPURI School of Business, 5050 E. State St., room 124.

Government Affairs Council, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., at Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14 Breakfast Buzz, 7:30 to 9 a.m., at Rockford University-PURI School of Business, 5050 E. State St., room 124. Edward Griffin and Adam Viederis, Gatehouse Media/ ThriveHive, present “Trends in Digital Advertising.” Sponsored by RSM US LLP.

ADVERTISERS INDEX Advanced Machine & Engineering Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Anam Memory Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Northern Illinois University. . . . . . . . .14

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

Northern Public Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Brian Thomas Photography. . . . . . . .14

OSF HealthCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Construction Business Development Center (CDRC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Global Leadership Summit. . . . . 26

Rockford Bank & Trust Co.. . . . . . . . . 2 Rockford Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . . 17, 20, 23, 25, 28

Illinois Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Schmeling Construction Co.. . . . . . . 10

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC). . . . . . 16

Stenstrom Construction Group. . . . . 12 Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Mercyhealth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Thayer Lighting, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Midland States Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Think Big Expo & Festival. . . . . . . . . . 6

M3 Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Winnebago County – 815 Outside. . . 4

VOICE

the

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100...........................................Direct Line Carmen Brenz, Program & Event Coordinator ....................................815-316-4302

Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO........................................... 815-316-4304 Heidi M. Garner, Chief Operating Officer..................................... 815-316-4312 Olivia Guzman, Administrative Assistant/Customer Service Rep...........815-987-8100 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology.................... 815-316-4338 Lynette Jacques, Vice President, Member Investment. . ................... 815-316-4317 Kristin Muehlfelder, Member Relations....................................................815-316-4315 Caitlin Pusateri, Vice President, Leadership Development.....................815-316-4337 Doug Rand, Accounting Manager/Controller................................ 815-316-4316 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator.......................... 815-316-4320 Mike Mastroianni, Executive Director,

Small Business Development Center......................................................815-987-8100

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Rockford Chamber’s new tag line and logo for WE BUILD was put on the Chamber’s storefront by Colorwave Graphics.

ROCKFOR D CHAM B ER

MEMBERSHIP SALES POSITION Seeking a dynamic, self-motivated, credible individual to complete our membership development/sales team.

The ideal candidate must be sales-oriented, willing to follow proven success methods and enjoy talking to business leaders.

This position is for someone who is: ■■ Works independently

investment revenues. Responsible for achieving membership recruitment goals on a monthly basis.

■■ Values integrity

EXPERIENCE:

■■ Wants to work in a position that supports business

■■ Proven track record of achievement

■■ Goal-oriented

■■ Seeking a career rather than a job ■■ Understands the issues facing business

PURPOSE & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: Primary responsibility is to ensure the growth of the Chamber’s membership by creating, developing, sustaining and recruiting new members in a manner that will ensure a net gain in members and an enhancement of the Chamber’s

■■ Proven success in a professional sales environment ■■ Possess superior telephone skills ■■ Previous success in a fast-paced environment ■■ Ability to communicate with use of imagery, a must ■■ Must be able to laugh at yourself and with others

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree preferred

Send resume and personalized cover letter including day-time phone number to: hgarner@rockfordchamber.com.

DIRECTORS

Chair of the Board Michele Petrie Wintrust Commercial Banking & Mortgage Chair-Elect Dan Ross Gallagher Vice Chair Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Treasurer Amy Ott Boylan Catholic High School

Andrew Benson Benson Stone Company, Inc. Kimberly Blascoe Wipfli LLP Jan Bowman TLC Construction LaVonne Brown Savant Capital Management Paula Carynski OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center Samuel J. Castree Staff Management, Inc.

Immediate Past Chair Richard Zumwalt Z Resource

Doug Curry Stenstrom Companies

Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

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

Jeff Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust

Karl Swanson Rockford Bank & Trust Co

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Kris L. Kieper Machajewski YWCA Northwestern Illinois Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting Mark Peterson CBL Associates Cherry Vale Denise Sasse RSM US LLP

Sue Schrieber Don Daniels Mercyhealth SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health John Schuster Rosecrance Health Rebecca Epperson Network Chartwell Agency Teri Sharp Ira Grimmett American Precision Collins Aerospace Supply, Inc.

Jon Thompson Butitta Brothers Automotive Terry Voskuil Woodward

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

AUGUST VOICE SPECIAL SECTIONS Upskilling / Right Skilling (Vocational Education, Employee Training & Mentoring)

Industry Convergence (Mergers & Acquisitions) For information on advertising, call 815

987-8100