July Voice 2022 by Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce

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BUILDING ON THEIR GOOD NAME FOR 120 YEARS PAGE 3

July 2022 | Volume 35 | No. 7

40 LEADERS UNDER FORTY PAGE 17

of the rockford business community

RACVB ANNOUNCES RETURN OF CRE8IV MURAL FESTIVAL

At the One Event, the 40 Leaders Under Forty 2022 gathered at Hidden Creek Estates in Roscoe, IL.

Photos by Mindy Joy Photography

OUR COMMUNITY’S LIGHTNING BEARERS:

2022 40 Leaders Under Forty To catch lightning in a jar is to accomplish a nearly impossible task.

Some attribute this phrase as a reference to Benjamin Franklin and his electricity experiment, in which Franklin flew a kite in a thunderstorm in the

hopes to harness and collect that energy in a Leyden jar. Our 40 Leaders have captured their own lighting: through inspiration and creativity and hard work, they have electrified their businesses and careers. Thunder is good; thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the job. The 2022 40 Under Forty recipients have distinguished themselves in their professional field or organization, are engaged citizens, and

provide leadership by volunteering their time and talents to community groups and causes. Leaders were chosen from various professional fields and walks of life including but not limited to, business, education, engineering, nonprofit, manufacturing, etc. The Rockford Chamber is pleased to present 40 Leaders Under Forty: Our Community’s Lightning Bearers. See our 40 Leaders and photos from the presentation event starting on page 17.

The third annual CRE8IV: transformational ART, an RACVBled public art festival, began in June. Ten local and visiting lead artists are working with teams of artists to create 12 new largescale, vibrant murals in the South Main Street business district, The North End (Main/Auburn Streets), Midtown District (7th Street) and downtown Rockford. Two murals will be painted in Loves Park, and for the first time, one in Roscoe. For a complete list of murals, visit gorockford.com/cre8iv.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

POW(H)ER

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 8:15a - 4:30p

Hoffman House & Holiday Inn 7550 E State St

For more information, see page 29

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DONATED TO UKRAINIAN CITIZENS

A panel featuring David Reyes of Advantage Realtors and Land Bank attorney Brent Denzin finished out the event answering questions from the audience.

Land bank as an economic development tool

Revitalized properties, increased property values By Gabrielle Torina, R1 Planning Council

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Summer networking is back and was officially jump-started with a luncheon hosted in partnership with Region 1 Planning Council (R1) on June 1. But this wasn’t your normal luncheon. Attendees experienced a diverse crowd that combined both the business community, small developers and residents, all looking to learn more about how the land bank works and why it’s such an important economic development tool for the Rockford region. The Region 1 Planning Council Land Bank exists to effectively acquire abandoned and tax delinquent properties,

to allow for private sector redevelopment. Hundreds of properties each year qualify as legally abandoned under Illinois state statute. These properties sit at length, often years, vacant and deteriorating, with no payment of property taxes. With a land bank, vacant properties that are unmarketable due to tax liens can be acquired and returned to the private sector in a cost-effective manner, putting an end to the vicious cycle of declining equalized assessed valuations and abandoned properties in communities. The event kicked off with an address from Rockford Mayor Thomas McNamara, a board member of R1, who boasted about its positive impacts Continued on page 4

The Illinois State Police donated more than 3,000 pieces of protective equipment, including body armor, ballistic face shields and ballistic helmets, to Ukrainian citizens. The equipment can no longer be used by ISP or any other law enforcement agency within Illinois. ISP coordinated the donation with the Illinois National Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of State.

ROCKFORD AIRPORT INCREASES CARGO RANKING The Federal Aviation Administration in June ranked Chicago Rockford International Airport as the 14th largest cargo airport in the United States for landed weight based on the results of its 2021 All-Cargo Data for U.S. Airports. RFD ranked No. 17 in 2020 and No. 19 in 2019. The airport handled more than 3.4 billion pounds of landed weight in 2021, compared to more than 2.7 billion pounds in 2020 – a nearly 25 percent year-over-year increase. This exceeds that of much larger airports including Honolulu, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Newark, N.J., and Seattle.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

CAITLIN PUSATERI Rockford Chamber President

The Power of Slow

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but the world feels a bit, um, intense right now. While most of the agitation stems from broader issues that have been brewing for years and years, the bubbling over on many issues finally seems to be impacting the collective in a way that is less escapable than it has been for some in the past. It feels that we are surrounded by bad news, more change, more disruption, more angst, more hustle constantly. While there have been plenty of people who have been feeling the pressure for centuries, we are at a unique time and place in life where much is colliding for almost everyone. This isn’t in and of itself a bad thing. Uncomfortableness is what will force change. Spotlighting inequities or broken systems is how things get fixed. Grappling with a change in revenue streams or product supply and demand shifts or talent struggles breeds forced innovation and resiliency (though, not always fun). Dissatisfaction with policies or decisions that spark intentional action can lead to mobilized change.

So while the change in many areas of our lives, communities and companies can be a reckoning for good, they are also mentally exhausting. (If you let out a sigh just now and said, “um, yeah it is…” know that you aren’t alone.) I won’t pretend to have all the answers right here, right now. I’m in the process of processing and have been for some time. But part of my journey working through all of the “stuff ” (a word used far too lightly for all the happenings in the world) has been to identify my need to savor the slow. Turns out, I crave it. When we were first quarantined during the very scary beginning of the pandemic, I remember marveling at the calendar in my kitchen. Typically filled with appointments, events, reminders and todos, it was suddenly blank. And I loved it. It felt freeing — both for my brain and my social life. I’ve touched on my love of an empty calendar before and my commitment to keep more white space as I move forward. But, life got busy again and pretty soon dates were piled high with

obligations. Some fun, some mundane — but obligations none the less. In a rare opportunity to browse the adult fiction during an outing with my toddler to the library, I happened upon a book that caught my eye: Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World. I immediately checked it out and then realized I haven’t truly READ a book for me since kids were born. A clear example of how busy my life had gotten. I set aside time at night to simply read 10 pages a day. 10 pages. It wasn’t much, but it was 10X more than I had been doing (um, 0). It turns out, just simply by setting aside time to read — to be slower in my thoughts and multi-tasking and constant need to do, do, do — I felt lighter. I felt a bit more in control, a smidge more relaxed. I started finding other small ways to remove excess from my life. I sifted through untouched junk drawers with more intention, creating a hefty donation pile for my friends at Goodwill. Each removal of stuff felt like a little more room to breathe. I deleted old files.

Cleaned my desktop ever so slightly. Asked myself if I really needed whatever thing I was thinking about adding to my online shopping cart. Sometimes the answer was “yes,” but turns out, often it was “no…” I’m still stressed. I’m still frantic. I’m still concerned about so many things in the world. But, I’m doing what I can to find a bit more space to breathe, allowing me more whitespace to think, to feel, to process, to connect. By slowing down, I’m allowing myself to rev-up in the ways that are meaningful to me. And that feels pretty darn good.

Let your Voice be heard The Rockford Chamber of Commerce w elcomes and encourages member submissions for The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication date. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 350 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. 350, 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. 350, Rockford, IL 61101.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

profile

MEMBER PROFILE

BUILDING SUCCESS FOR NEARLY 120 YEARS:

Schmeling Construction Co. By Paul Anthony Arco If you drive around Rockford and see many buildings like Northwest Bank Perryville, Edgewater Medical Center and LaMonica Beverages, chances are good that Schmeling Construction Co., has had a hand in building some aspect of them, whether it’s an addition, renovation or complete buildout. Schmeling Construction specializes in commercial, healthcare, financial and food manufacturing industries — everything from preconstruction, construction management, design/build or bid/build services. The company got its start by a German immigrant, Emil W. Schmeling, who settled in Rockford in the late 1800s and opened a carpentry shop in 1903. His first significant project was St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rockford. Nearly 20 years later, Emil divided his business among his five sons: William, Elmer, Walter, Albert and Robert. “They basically started over,” said current president Steve Schmeling, who joined the family business in 1983. “That’s when my grandfather, Elmer, and my father, Roger, decided to take the construction part of the business solo and move to Madison Street.” Schmeling built a new facility in the 1980s on Harrison Avenue and has been there ever since.

Steve is the fourth generation Schmeling to lead the family-owned business, and five years ago he was joined by his son, Peter, who is a project manager/safety director. “I grew up watching construction,” Peter said. “I would spend weekends driving equipment in the yard and walking the job sites with my dad.” Steve likens working with Peter to when he worked with his own father. “It really came down to respect,” he said. “We didn’t always agree, but I respected his experience and his ability to make the right decision. You have to let the young people do their thing. During my dad’s time, if you didn’t work 16hour days, you weren’t working. But now it’s a results-oriented business and, so far, we’ve made it through five generations.”

Long-Term Client Relationships Last year, 100 percent of Schmeling Construction projects were negotiated with previous clients, thanks to strong relationships they’ve built within the community. “My father was always involved in the chamber, which got him introduced to a lot of industrialists in Rockford in the 80s and 90s,” said Steve, who is also a believer in giving back — he’s been involved not only with the chamber but charitable organizations including Goldie Floberg and

Schmeling Construction averages about 20 employees, ranging from office personnel to superintendents who work on site. the Community Foundation, while Peter is board president for the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity. Since the 1970s, much of Schmeling’s work centers on healthcare, including all Rockford hospitals, Rockford Pain Center and Rochelle Community Hospital. “Things change so quickly in healthcare,” said Steve. “We have remodeled areas several times because the functionality of that space changes. It could be replacing doors and frames, painting or new flooring or a complete renovation.” Schmeling Construction averages about 20 employees, ranging from office personnel to superintendents who work on site. “I can’t imagine what we’d do without our talented team,” said Peter. “Quality is our top priority.” It’s been a long journey, but Steve wouldn’t have it any other way. “We could

have operated in many other locations, but Rockford has a lot to offer families and businesses. You get what you put into a city, and we’ve been greatly rewarded by working and living in Rockford.” Elmer Schmeling passed away in 1970 and Roger Schmeling died in 2015. But they would be proud of the work that continues under the family name. “It’s about being respectful of the community and doing the right thing,” Steve said. “They engrained into us that integrity and honesty is more important than being the biggest contractor in town.”

SCHMELING CONSTRUCTION CO. President: Steve Schmeling 315 Harrison Ave. 815-399-7800 www.schmelingconstruction.com

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

Rockford native Contrady joins Rockford Chamber staff The Rockford Chamber of computer systems for welcomed Susan Contrady marketing and design. as account executive. With roots deep in the “I am excited to be Rockford area, Contrady employed in this new has grown alongside area position with the chamber entrepreneurs that have and getting to know turned their companies into members,” Contrady said. thriving entities. “We are “The union of the Rockford blessed to have such a variety Susan Contrady Chamber and the RAEDC into the Greater of successful companies in the region.” Rockford Growth Partnership will prove The lifelong vocalist, with jazz singing to be an impressive asset to all chamber under her belt, has been a part of Starlight members and entrepreneurs within the Theatre, a charter member of the Bach region, and I am excited to be a part of this Chamber Choir, and currently is part of partnership.” the Camerata Emanon vocal ensemble. “I Contrady will share advertising recorded the ROCKFORD SONG, which opportunities with members, including The won a contest sponsored by the Rockford VOICE monthly newspaper and inserts, Chamber of Commerce — a long while ago. Community Guide & Membership Directory, That recording made its way to the David event programs, Business Direct e-newsletter, Letterman show, and he lip-synched to it. Leading Business Growth publication, One His comment was something like, ‘who is magazine and website banners. this town that thinks it’s so great as to write Her background has positioned her a song about it?’ well for her role, including as marketing We knew and still know how great this coordinator on an international level town is.” and account executive in print media, Contact Contrady at scontrady@ web development, direct mail and sales rockfordchamber.com or 815-316-4317.

LANDBANK

Continued from front page

and how the land bank program overall improves lives for residents. Michael Dunn Jr., executive director, then led the audience through the history of R1, why planning councils exist, and the value they provide for regional collaboration and planning efforts.

First Multi-County Regional Landbank In 2017, Illinois gave grant funding to eight applicants to start land banks. R1 received one of the largest grants due to having existing infrastructure ready to begin operations and was the first to form a land bank and successfully complete a sale. The R1 Land Bank also is the first multi-county regional landbank in the state of Illinois and continues to set a standard of excellence for regionalized collaboration. “We have become a mentor to cities like Peoria, Quad Cities, Kankakee and more in a very short time. That says a lot about the quality of our team and the impact we’re making on removing blight,” explained Dunn. Eric Setter, land bank coordinator at R1, walked the crowd through the cycle of how a land bank property is acquired, clears its title, and land is returned to productive use. Most commonly, properties are acquired through the abandonment statute. The statute allows a property to be deemed abandoned if the property is 1) two or more years tax delinquent or has two or more years unpaid water invoices 2) vacant and 3) an impairment to public health. If you know of problem properties, you are encouraged to send them to property@r1planning.org.

Finally, a panel featuring David Reyes of Advantage Realtors and Land Bank attorney Brent Denzin finished out the event answering questions from the audience regarding laws and upcoming legislation, and positive success stories of revitalized properties were shared. The estimated economic impact of R1 property sales is: ■ $18M in EAV (equalized assessed value) growth from total number of parcels sold, ■ $6M in renovation costs spent by developers, ■ $3M in building materials utilized from R1 property buyers, and a ■ $2M increase in adjacent property values, simply from a neighboring house going from vacant to occupied. Stay abreast of more land bank news, upcoming events and property sales by visiting R1planning.org and clicking on Properties! Gabrielle Torina is communications specialist at R1 Planning Council. Region 1 Planning Council received the Medium Metro Achievement Award at the National Association of Regional Councils’ 56th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Columbus on June 14 for creating a regional multi-jurisdictional land bank and embedding its operation and governance in the regional planning council.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

Information on required retirement plan for small businesses Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act Deadlines are approaching for Illinois employers of 16 to 24 employees under the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act to provide retirement plans (November 2022), and employers of five to 15 employees (November 2023). The deadline for employers with 25+ employees already has passed. The Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program is a state-sponsored retirement savings program offered by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office that businesses can use to meet this requirement. Employers that do not comply, face penalties of $250 per employee for the first year and $500 per employee for each subsequent year. Exemptions include employers who have fewer than five employees, have been in business for less than two years or who already offer an employer-sponsored retirement plan. These retirement plans comply: 401(a) or 401(k) plan)-qualified plan, 403(a)-qualified annuity plan, 403(b)-tax-sheltered annuity, 408(k)-Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan, 408(p)-SIMPLE IRA plan, 457(b)-governmental tax-deferred compensation plan or Taft-Hartley plan. Does not include payroll deduction IRAs.

Q&A on the Requirements What does it mean that employees are automatically enrolled? Automatic enrollment means that following notification, employers will enroll eligible employees in Illinois Secure Choice unless employees have elected to opt out of the program. Are H-2A visa holders eligible for the program? Yes, however, they will only be enrolled and have an account created for them if they work for more than 60 days and if enough verifiable information is available to create an account in their name. If the program is unable to verify their information, their account will not be established. Are my employees who live in other states eligible for Illinois’ program? Yes, if their employment is based in Illinois. Are seasonal employees eligible? Yes, if they work for an employer for more than 60 days, which is the window for employers to enroll new hires in the program. If they work for less than 60 days, the employer will not need to enroll them. Are workers of only certain immigration statuses eligible for the program? What about undocumented workers? Workers must have a verifiable

individual tax identification number (ITIN) or Social Security number (SSN) to participate in the program. If a worker’s information cannot be verified, the worker will not be enrolled and an account will not be established for them. Is there a fee for participating in the program? Yes, for the employee, there is an ongoing fee paid as a percent of assets under management of roughly 0.75 percent of assets per year ($0.75 for every $100

saved). The fee is computed daily and netted from the assets in an investment option. Investment returns are credited to saver accounts ‘net of ’ this cost. There is also a $5 annual paper statement fee that can be waived by switching to e-delivery. Is there a fee for employers? No. There are no employer fees, and employers are not required to contribute to the program.

Preparing for Provision Erna Colborn, financial advisor and a certified retirement plan specialist, Edward Jones, is offering a workshop, “Prepare for StateMandated Employee Retirement Plan Provision for 2022-2023,” on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 8:30 to 10 a.m., at NICNE, NIU Rockford, 8500 E. State St., Rockford. Cost is free for NICNE members; $25 for general admission. Colborn will give an overview of the Illinois Secure Choice program and other options for small employer retirement plans. Register at www.niu.edu/nicne (click Events).

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

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

Small Business DEVELOPMENT CENTER Networking is a critical part of your business strategy HEATHER KELLEY Illinois SBDC

Work to develop strong business relationships

One of the most cost-effective tools in your business strategy is networking. Many times we have start-up clients who do not have the funds for effective marketing/ advertising activities, and so we coach them in ways to reach out to local networks, peers and mentors to help them build awareness organically. These strategies help give them a much-needed boost until they build enough reserves to invest in other paid strategies. I admit to not always using networking to full advantage, but love to spot natural partnerships and connections for others. The key is to connect and listen for opportunities, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Networking strategies are mutually beneficial as they provide an exchange of information, ideas, referrals and career advancement opportunities. Here are some in-person and digital techniques to help get you started.

many industries and professions meet one another and exchange helpful information. These groups may have specific planned activities for each meeting, or they may allow members to dictate the content of the meetings. Networking groups often meet on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Joining these groups is an effective networking strategy because it allows you to meet other professionals in an environment that promotes establishing relationships with new people. Additionally, if these groups meet in person, they may help you establish networking connections with professionals within your local community. If you are looking for one, call the Chamber office.

Utilize Social Media

plus it’s a great way to keep up with other businesses and individuals in your region. If you want to connect with someone you don’t know, it’s always best to ask for an introduction from a mutual friend or message them and mention common interests. Never spam or message with sales pitches immediately after you connect.

alone in experiencing the various difficulties within your business or wanting to improve your skills and bring something back to your office or organization. Another bonus is having the opportunity to meet your business idols and learning how they approach business — certainly a great experience and one that you can only benefit from.

Grow a Database of Professional Contacts

Send Emails

A database of professional contacts is a list of names, emails, phone numbers and other personal information of people you have met in a professional setting. These may be members of your own organization, members of partner organizations, hiring managers that interviewed you, previous managers and coworkers or members of networking groups.

When establishing a new professional contact, sending an email with an introduction and the reason for the email can help facilitate the connection. When writing to individuals in your network, asking questions about their recent work activities and sharing your own can help maintain a positive relationship. When emailing multiple people at the same time, you may seek advice, take a poll or inquire about creating a meetup.

Join Industry Groups

Offer Assistance

This is a very targeted way to establish contacts, and it’s also a great way to develop partnerships and facilitate positive relationships with competitors. These contacts allow ways to increase your industry knowledge, skills and career development.

When establishing and maintaining networking connections, offering assistance is an effective way to develop stronger relationships. The type of assistance you provide may include giving professional advice, acting as a reference, facilitating a professional introduction, helping with a project or joining a board of advisors or directors.

Many social media platforms provide Attend Conventions professionals with tools that can help them network with members of their community and Conferences and other professionals within their industry. Conferences are always beneficial in Heather Kelley is a consultant with the Illinois Join a Networking Group LinkedIn remains a valuable resource for learning about up-and-coming trends in your Small Business Development Center. Visit Networking groups help members from targeted connections in your industry, industry. You also discover that you’re not rockfordsbdc.org.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

IGNITE: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

CARMEN BRENZ IGNITE

What I would tell my younger self

The other day, my husband and I were driving in the car, and we were talking about life, and I was thinking how crazy it was that I was already 24 and how fast life is going by. Well imagine my surprise when my husband reminded me that I am 26. Needless to say, life is going much faster than I thought. I got to thinking about everything in my life, and it made me think — what would I tell my younger self? Here’s what I came up with: 1. Be More Open: Just because things were always done a certain way, doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Just because someone has a different opinion than you doesn’t mean they are wrong — hear them out … you may learn something new! If someone has feedback for you, listen to it. It doesn’t mean you failed. 2. Speak Up for Yourself: Stop letting people talk over you. You have a voice and are allowed to use it! People want to hear what you have to say. 3. Say Yes & No More: You never know what each opportunity will bring. Say yes more, but also know when to say no! 4. Stop Reading into Everything: Stop putting your own emotions on someone else’s words. 5. Delegate: You. Cannot. Do. Everything! When people offer help, take them up on their offer! Don’t be afraid to ask for help — it doesn’t make you less of a person! (I am still learning how to do this one!) 6. Try New Things: Try something at least once. Don’t say no right away. Don’t be afraid to try something new and put yourself out there — you might find out it wasn’t as scary as you thought. 7. Develop a Routine: Just do it! It makes the days less chaotic. 8. Trust Your Gut: It is usually right! 9. Be Kinder to Yourself: Everything doesn’t have to be perfect! You are human! Mistakes are normal! 10. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask a Question: You won’t know it all! 11. Write it down: No, you won’t remember it later! 12. Read more: Fall in love with reading again — you will be surprised how much you missed it! 13. Change is going to happen, learn how to accept it: This is easier said than done. 14. Not everything has to be planned: Yes, planning is helpful, but sometimes going with the flow is the better option! 15. Take the trip: You have PTO for a reason — use it! Don’t feel guilty for taking time for you!

Know When Your Plate is Too Full: Everyone overcommits at least once in life — that’s okay; just don’t leave people hanging! Have respect for others and tell them when you are unable to fulfill obligations! 16. You Can’t Control Everything: There will be things out of your control, and that is okay! Focus on what you can control, and it will all work out! 17. Make Time for Your People: Time goes too fast! Make sure you spend time with your people — they can’t be replaced! 18. Don’t Be Too Humble: It is good to stay humble, but don’t be so humble that you don’t celebrate your successes in life! 19. Know When Your Plate is Too Full: Everyone overcommits at least once in life — that’s okay; just don’t leave people hanging! Have respect for others and tell them when you are unable to fulfill obligations! 20. Learn How to Work on a Team: Yes, it is easier to work alone, but learning to be a team player is a great quality to have! 21. No One Else Has It Figured Out Either: Yes, even the people who seem to have everything together are fumbling their way through life! 22. Save the Money: Your future self will thank you! 23. Own Your Mistakes: Everyone makes them — don’t be the person who blames someone else. Own up to them and learn from them. 24. Don’t let the bad outweigh the good: A bad hour doesn’t have to mean a bad day, and a bad day doesn’t have to mean a bad week! 25. Be true to you: The world will be a better place because of it! 26. Don’t take life so seriously: Smile more, laugh more, enjoy it — you only get one! Carmen Brenz is coordinator for IGNITE and event & program coordinator for the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

SPECIAL SECTION Construction/Real Estate

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

GUEST COLUMNIST

KERI ASEVEDO Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity

TruGreen announces top 20 trees, shrubs that can increase property value

Money really DOES grow on trees Nearly 50 percent of American homeowners intend to invest more in their trees and shrubs as part of their overall outdoor maintenance this year, according to a recent study conducted by TruGreen and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. According to the NALP, well-landscaped yards with mature trees and bushes that provide privacy not only drive higher prices by 6 to 19 percent, but sell more quickly than houses with little or no landscaping. “Beyond a plant’s make-up, where it goes on the property is equally as important – its access to sunlight will determine the best species,” said Jennifer Myers, senior director of workforce

development, National Association of Landscape Professionals, and executive director of NALP Foundation. “Here are the attributes of valuable trees to keep in mind – a large canopy for shade, fast growth, color and provides screening for privacy.” NALP named the top 20 trees and shrubs that can add value to your home and boost curb appeal: Trees: Black Cherry, Black Tupelo, Crape Myrtle, Linden, Northern Red Oak, Red Maple, Southern Magnolia, Sugar Maple, White Fir, White Oak. Shrubs: Azalea, Burning Bush, Butterfly Bush, Cherry Laurel, Hosta, Hydrangea, Nandina, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Rhododendron.

The ripple effect of community partnerships

Paving the road to construction careers, homeownership

The partnership between Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity and Rockford Public Schools has revealed a kaleidoscope of incredible and moving moments. One of these moments rose to the surface. The school band was playing, school administrators were buzzing about and students were giddy with pride to reveal the fruits of their year-long effort. It was the home dedication day for our very first Guilford High School partnership-build.

would be that year’s Guilford partnershipbuild. The same teacher that taught her son how to build a home was now going to teach that year’s students how to build hers. Keonte was often able to join and mentor them. When I think about the legacy of this partnership, and the lives it has changed, I don’t just think about the high school students getting a great education. I think about people like Tammy, who was inspired to pursue homeownership

Giving students an opportunity to learn construction trades … all while creating housing solutions for the broader community — is a monumental victory for our public schools. One of the students, Keonte, had invited his mom, Tammy Wofford, to join for the ceremony. Standing on that driveway, Tammy was incredibly moved to realize the impact of her son’s accomplishments in his senior year. He had built a house from the ground up. While this came with its own enormous intrinsic reward, it came with something so much greater — the knowledge this house would change the life of the family of five that was ready to purchase it. As Tammy toured the home, admiring the quality of the students’ work and the design of the house, she was reminded of her own longtime goal to buy a similar place to call home for her own family. At the end of the ceremony, Tammy approached me and asked what it took to become a homeowner with Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity. The following year, Tammy — who is an office professional at Ellis Elementary — was approved for a mortgage with Habitat and began the process of building and buying a home. As fate would have it, Tammy was offered the address that

because her son had this life-changing opportunity at school. I think about the young men and women who have gone on to get jobs in the trades because they were exposed to them in their high school curriculum. I think about the subcontractors who have hired graduates of RPS 205 because they saw the exemplary work they accomplished as students. The investment RPS 205 has made in college and career readiness has changed the lives of so many students in our city. Giving students an opportunity to learn construction trades, exposing them to the careers awaiting them — all while creating housing solutions for the broader community — is a monumental victory for our public schools. I am so proud and humbled to be a small part of it. Keri Asevedo is executive director of Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity. The views expressed are those of Asevedo’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

SPECIAL SECTION Construction/Real Estate

GUEST COLUMNIST

Adding farmland to your investments DANIEL HUNTLEY WilliamsMcCarthy LLP

Here’s some practical considerations

Farmland can be a valuable component of your investment strategy, providing diversification along different asset classes. Often characterized by a slow but steady return, farmland can be a stable, relatively safe place to park long-term capital. Farmland also can be valuable as a lending security for other higher risk investments. Just like investing in any asset class though, whether it be individual stocks, bonds, hedge funds or some other investment, it is important to understand the transactional considerations of farmland. The prime season for buying and selling real estate tends to be in the dead season for the agricultural community— typically stretching from November through February. This matches up both with the end of harvest season and before the beginning of planting season when many farmers and farm investors evaluate their upcoming operational needs and capital investments in their farm operations. Accordingly, many

farm leases expire or are up for renewal during that season, which makes it an ideal time to sell farmland free of a farming tenant’s lease. While farms are classified based on their productivity index (PI), a farm’s value will also reflect its development value, with farms bordering industrial or commercial corridors garnering a premium. Farm sales tend to be either via real estate agent or by auction, and the latter is strongly favored for higherclass farmland. Many auctioneers will require an earnest money payment of 10 percent or more at the close of the auction. A successful bidder, whether at auction or via real estate agent, should expect to close within 30 to 45 days. Knowledgeable legal counsel can be valuable in helping an investor navigate the unique aspects of agricultural real estate transactions. Beyond entering into the purchase contract, a farm investor needs to consider what type of landlord they intend to be. Some landlords maintain

a simple system of cash rent—garnering $150 to $300 an acre depending on the quality of the farm. Other landlords engage in a crop share rent arrangement, by which they partner with their farmer tenant—splitting costs and receiving a share of the harvest, which the landlord can market and sell independent of the tenant. Which system of rent is appropriate for a landlord depends on their risk tolerance and knowledge of farming practices and grain marketing.

Different From Stock Unlike an investment in stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange, farmland may involve ongoing capital investment, including in the periodic installation of drainage tile and the application of longer-term inputs—such as phosphates or other fertilizers—to maintain a high productivity index and to protect the sales value of the farmland. Farming tenants can be valuable sources of information as to managing the nutrient levels and the productivity of the land itself.

Despite the knowledge gaps that some investors will face, farmland can be a great investment. After all, they aren’t making more land. Potential farm buyers are encouraged to consult with their legal advisors to determine a starting point for their personal due diligence. Owning a farm can be an important tool to teach children about where their food comes from and about America’s farming heritage. Happy investing! Daniel Huntley is an attorney and partner at WilliamsMcCarthy LLP. A product of multiple generations of farmers, he emphasizes his practice in corporate, real estate, estate planning and agricultural law. Contact 815-987-8980 or dhuntley@ wilmac.com. The views expressed are those Huntley’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

SPECIAL SECTION Construction/Real Estate

July 2022

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

U.S Census Bureau reveals …

Homeowner, rental vacancy rates declined during COVID-19 pandemic For the first time in the 66-year history of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey released in May, the homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%. This occurred in the first quarter of 2022. Previous lows of 0.9% took place in 2020 to 2021 during the pandemic, and prior to that, quarterly rates of 0.9% only seven times in six years (1978, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1957, 1956). The most current vacancy rate estimates reflect tightening housing market conditions over the decade from 2009 to 2019, as the nation recovered from the foreclosure crisis. Housing availability declined further as households adjusted to the changes prompted by the pandemic. The rental vacancy rate in the first quarter of 2022 was 5.8%. This is higher than the historical low of 5.0% recorded prior to 1985, but lower than the quarterly

rental vacancy rate estimate at any point during the 35-year period from 1985 through 2019. Source: Jonathan Spader, U.S. Census Bureau

and 2021. In 1948, the first year collecting

U.S. migration continued to decline from 2020 to 2021

1948 to 2020, marking a new historical low.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop a decline in the nation’s mover rate, which in 2021 was at a new historical low over more than seven decades, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2021 mover rate was less than half what it was in 1948. In 2021, 8.4% of people lived in a different residence one year ago, down from 9.3% in 2020. A falling mover rate is nothing new, and the pandemic did not disrupt this decline. Over the past five years, both the annual mover rate and number of movers fell (from the previous year) in 2018, 2020,

this information, the mover rate was 20.2%, more than twice the 2021 mover rate (8.4%). The 2021 mover rate of 8.4% was lower than all prior mover rates from In recent years, movers did not typically cross state or even county lines. In 2021, less than one-fifth moved from one state to another, while more than half moved within the same county. This was also the case in 2017 through 2020. The relative share of movers indicating housing-related reasons increased from 2020 to 2021. At the same time, the share moving for job-related reasons declined, which may be linked to economic and workplace disruptions during the pandemic. Kristin Kerns-D’Amore, Joey Marshall and Brian McKenzie, U.S. Census Bureau

Fastest-growing cities still in the West and South Populations of cities and towns in the South and West regions of the United States still experienced the most growth from July 2020 to July 2021, with the top 15 fastestgrowing cities or towns located in these regions, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released in May. Eight were in the West; five in Arizona and seven in the South. The South and West also contained the top 15 cities with the largest numeric gains — 11 in the South and four in the West. On average, small towns with populations of less than 5,000 experienced uneven growth across U.S. regions: In the Northeast, they decreased on average by 0.2%. In the Midwest, no change on average. In the South, grew on average by 0.4%. In the West, grew on average by 1.1%. Amel Toukabri, Crystal Delbé, U.S. Census Bureau

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

 Destination

ILLINOIS, USA

ADDING WEALTH TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY BY GROWING TOURISM

JOHN GROH Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Growing tourism through destination vision, planning, execution

Lately, long-term planning seems to have taken a back seat to short-term initiatives that feel more manageable in our sometimes chaotic, ever-changing environment. However, capital-intensive ideas require a lengthier viewpoint and fresh eyes to imagine a future scape that builds on strengths and augments weaknesses. That is the essence of strategic planning, and RACVB is about to bring tourism long-range, strategic planning back to the forefront. I am pleased to announce that we are set to engage in a 12-to-18-month process that will result in the development of a Destination Master Plan – a plan that will revitalize our regional tourism economy and ensure its resiliency in the future. Our collaborative planning will build on the RACVB’s last round of comprehensive Tourism Development Planning, as well as Region 1 Planning Council’s (RPC) revised Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Northern Illinois from November 2020, which specifically identified tourism as one of six key goals to accomplish the overall RPC vision. This new planning effort will focus on the tourism economy within Rockford and surrounding Winnebago and Boone counties, and will engage stakeholders and community members in the process. We’ll bring together various research and data insights into a comprehensive overview of the tourism opportunities today and into the future. By beginning with research and data collection, we can share our findings to inform the community and engage stakeholders in plan prioritization. We’ll also look toward what is needed for the future and identify gaps we can fill to create an equitable and accessible tourism ecosystem that will grow a resilient visitor economy while also making our area an attractive place to live and work.

Building on Our Strengths As we dive into this work, we will strive to balance the focus of our most recent plan, which identified sports marketing as our greatest tourism opportunity and supported the investment in our sports infrastructure, with projects such as Mercyhealth Sportscore Two and UW Health Sports Factory. While maintaining sports tourism as a key driver of our market, we’ll balance that by gaining a deeper understanding and discovery of the opportunities to leverage

With pandemic-driven changes to both consumer travel sentiment and sporting competitions, taking a long view of tourism is needed more than ever. our outdoor recreation assets. The region has a wealth of parks, forest preserves and green spaces. Our two counties possess more than 30,000 acres of protected green and natural space and are home to four rivers (Rock, Sugar, Kishwaukee, Pecatonica) that contribute to outdoor recreation opportunities. These assets are not well enough known outside the region and not always well connected to each other, yet they present a potential for growing the reputation of the region as an outdoor recreation hub and tourism destination. Our Destination Plan will guide us on how to tap this potential. With pandemic-driven changes to both consumer travel sentiment and sporting competitions, taking a long view of tourism is needed more than ever. Without a doubt, tourism is a major industry in the greater Rockford Region, and we will all benefit from building back to and beyond 2019 levels, when tourism in Winnebago County generated $483.2 million in direct spending ($851.1 million in total spending) and supported more than 6,300 jobs. We have a significant gap to close from the low in 2020, when tourism direct spending in Winnebago County declined by more than 25 percent, with a loss of more than 500 jobs. I am excited to kick-off this planning effort with the City of Rockford and RPC and many other partners. As the tourism industry and our community recover from the pandemic and persevere through our current economic challenges, we can look to the future with confidence that by taking a long-term view of the possibilities, we can imagine and deliver an exciting, sustainable tourist destination and economy for our region. John Groh is president/CEO of Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The views expressed are those of Groh’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

New law offers more resources to youth entrepreneurs Legislation that paves the way for youth entrepreneurs to start and operate businesses in Illinois was signed into law on May 13. The provisions will help young adults make meaningful economic impacts in their communities by generating jobs and growing local revenues. Senate Bill 2984 adds “youth entrepreneurs” to the groups that can be assisted at Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers as part of a program that was established in 2021 through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers offer guidance to young business owners, providing them with knowledge and mentorship, as well as access to capital and resources. The new law defines “youth entrepreneurs” as persons between the ages of 16 and 29 who want to start a business in Illinois. The bill received unanimous support in the Senate and House of Representatives and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2023. The Illinois Department of Commerce administers several programs to support entrepreneurs, innovators and small businesses, including Advantage Illinois, which encourages institutional lending to small businesses and the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit, which incentivizes the creation of new jobs. Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship (ADME) is a pilot program to grow Illinois’ minority entrepreneurs and small business communities; and the Illinois Angel Investment Credit Program, offers tax credits to interested firms or individuals who make an investment in one of Illinois’ innovative, qualified new business ventures. Visit www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/Pages Entrepreneurship InnovationTechnology.aspx for more details on available resources for entrepreneurs.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

Certificate in nonprofit management program Courses resume in September

Nonprofit leaders seeking to sharpen their skills to better achieve their missions can participate starting this September in NICNE’s series of five courses towards a Certificate in Nonprofit Management. Each course is led by an expert in their field. The first three courses have taken place, but courses can be taken a la carte and in any order. Must have 90 percent overall attendance to receive certification. The program is particularly valuable for early-career nonprofit leaders or veterans seeking to network and refresh their skill set, managers seeking leadership positions within their organization, employees seeking leadership skills, board members wishing to serve in a more strategic advisory role, and those who transfer from the forprofit to the nonprofit arena. Marketing and Communications with Martesha Brown, MBA, NWIL regional development community relationships manager, Midland States Bank, 12:30 to 3 p.m., Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29 via Zoom (12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) Fund Development with Kay Larrick, MNA, CFRE, executive director, The Carpenter’s Place, 12:30 to 3 p.m., Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 via Zoom. Register at www.niu.edu/nicne.

Healthcare costs exceed $30,000 for hypothetical American family of four Milliman Medical Index: Costs for average person reach $6,859 Milliman, Inc., global consulting and actuarial firm, released its 2022 Milliman Medical Index (MMI), which measures healthcare costs for individuals and families receiving coverage from an employer-sponsored preferred provider plan. In 2022, the cost of healthcare for a hypothetical American family of four covered by an average employer-sponsored PPO plan is $30,260, according to the Milliman Medical Index (MMI). “After years of trending in a constantly upward direction, healthcare costs took a detour from the norm in 2020 and 2021,” said Dave Liner, co-author of the MMI. “After declining for the first time in 2020, and then climbing by an unprecedented 13% in 2021, healthcare trends this year have stabilized at 4.6%.” Costs for the average person reached $6,859. Visit the interactive tool at us.milliman.com/MMIfamilies to calculate costs for yourself and your family.

FDA launches new dietary supplement education The U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched a new initiative, Supplement Your Knowledge, to help educate, inform and broaden consumer, educator and healthcare professional understanding of dietary supplements, such as vitamins, minerals and herbs. More than half of all Americans take dietary supplements daily or on occasion. “Dietary supplements can be valuable to your health, but taking some supplements can also involve health risks,” said Douglas Stearn, deputy director for regulatory affairs in the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. For consumers, there are public education videos and fact sheets with important information on how dietary supplements are regulated and potential benefits and risks. It’s a helpful resource when talking to a physician, nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. For educators, there’s a high school curriculum to teach on evaluating the accuracy and credibility of the information they may see and hear about dietary supplements, “Science and Our Food Supply: Examining Dietary Supplements (2021 edition)” aligns with current national education standards and supports educators seeking Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics activities for their classrooms. For healthcare professionals, there’s a continuing medical education program developed by the FDA and the American Medical Association to help physicians and other healthcare professionals understand how dietary supplements are regulated, provide information to patients on their use and recognize and report adverse events to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/dietarysupplements.

The smog-reducing shingle’s granules technology.

Shingles turn smog into food for plants when exposed to UV According to the American Lung Association’s 2022 “State of the Air” report, 2018-2020, more than 40 percent of Americans live with unhealthy levels of air pollution. Since the launch of the world’s first smog-reducing shingle, Malarkey Roofing Products has provided the industry with enough roofing materials to protect more than 400,000 roofs. The company estimates that each roof has the smog-fighting capacity of two to three trees -- equivalent to more than 1 million trees of smogreducing power. 3M™ Smog-reducing Granules, integrated into Malarkey roofing shingles, remove smog gases from the air, and like trees, absorb pollutant gases like nitrogen oxides, ozone and carbon monoxide. An integrated photocatalyst reacts with UV light to transform the nitrogen oxides in smog into a plant-usable form of nitrogen.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

GUEST COLUMNIST

AMANDA M. SINK The Workforce Connection

Opportunity to lead regional workforce development Consider joining our group of talented board members

For decades, employers have struggled to find talent that meets their needs, including employee education, training or experience — and individuals have fought hard to work for employers that align with their moral and ethical values and personal needs. COVID exacerbated the frequent divide between employer needs and employee desires and brought it to a sharp focus. The pandemic also allowed individuals to be more selective of their employment when returning to the workforce and challenged employers to redefine how they operate and what they offer employees. In short, the pandemic has created a workforce crisis. This is especially true for small to midsize businesses, which comprise most of our three-county region. The Workforce Connection (TWC), a leader in regional workforce development, has long been at the forefront of crafting solutions to workforce problems, and TWC currently is seeking new board members.

Workforce Solutions TWC is Boone, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties’ 501(c)(3) local workforce board, designated by the State of Illinois. It convenes elected officials, a slate of highly knowledgeable and talented board members, regional employers, educational institutions, economic development and public partners to ensure our region has a skilled workforce to compete in the global economy. TWC isn’t just a group of leaders sitting around the table “talking” about problems with no solutions. Our board and elected officials work together using data and industry expertise to identify the needs of individuals and businesses. Then the incredible staff at TWC connects people and employers to the resources, training and education they need for economic prosperity. Being on The Workforce Connection’s board also means being connected to other region executives and local and state politicians. Board members also assist

with guiding the agile public workforce development system and solving specific workforce challenges affecting businesses and individuals. TWC’s board of directors and chief elected officials work in collaboration with The Workforce Connection staff to strategically address the following priorities: ■ Integrate workforce, education and economic development efforts to move the region forward. ■ Engage employers as champions for workforce solutions that meet their current and future needs. ■ Increase the skill level of the workforce through bolstered education and training opportunities. ■ Connect residents of all skill levels and socioeconomic groups to career opportunities. ■ Improve intake, tracking and data management systems. ■ Promote the benefits of the workforce system to residents and employers. Do you want to play a part in the economic vitality of northern Illinois? The Workforce Connection has a need to add new board members. If you want to contribute positively to the region’s economy by helping shape the area’s workforce development system, please visit our website to learn if you qualify and apply https://www. theworkforceconnection.org/board/ join-our-board/. The Workforce Connection commits to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and encourages applicants of all genders, races, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, ages, backgrounds and experiences. Amanda M. Sink is strategic initiatives manager at The Workforce Connection. Contact board@theworkforceconnection. org or visit www.theworkforceconnection. org/board/join-our-board/ The views expressed are those of Sink’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

COVID exacerbated the frequent divide between employer needs and employee desires and brought it to a sharp focus. The pandemic also allowed individuals to be more selective of their employment when returning to the workforce and challenged employers to redefine how they operate and what they offer employees.

American dream no.1 reason first-time homeowners want to buy a home Not having enough money for down payment holds 44 percent back Homeownership is still very much a part of the American Dream, a new realtor.com® HarrisX survey finds. It polled more than 800 prospective homebuyers who plan to purchase their first home in 2021. However, rising prices and a shortage of available homes for sale is making it more difficult for them to achieve their goal. Participants expressed their reasons for wanting a home. Three of the four top responses (the first being “wanting to be a homeowner”) centered on financial benefits: “I want to live in a space that I can invest in improving,” “Need for more space” and “I want to build equity.” “Americans, even millennials [long considered ‘the rent generation’] who many thought would never buy, have a strong preference for homeownership for the same reasons many generations before them have — to invest in a place of their own and in their communities, and to build a solid financial foundation for themselves and their families,” said George Ratiu, senior economist at realtor.com®. “However, today’s firsttime homebuyers face unprecedented challenges brought on by a lack of available homes for sale and double-digit price growth.” The survey found 43 percent of those queried have been searching for their home for more than a year. Onethird (33 percent) have been in the market between six and 12 months. Approximately 14 percent have been searching for three to six months and 10 percent just entered the market in the last three months.

Needle in a Haystack When asked why they have yet to purchase a home, 44 percent said they don’t have enough for a down payment and 34 percent said they haven’t been able to find a home within their budget. This points to affordability and lack of homes on the market as significant challenges facing first-time homebuyers, especially with inventory at an all-time low, and listing prices growing at double digits. Millennials — many saddled with student loans — are struggling the most

to save, with 47 percent saying that their biggest obstacle has been coming up with money for a down payment. This also was true for 44 percent of Gen X and 38 percent of Gen Z respondents. Millennials also are having the hardest time finding a home within their budget at 37 percent, followed by 33 percent for Gen X and 30 percent for Gen Z.

Location, Move-In Ready The old adage, “when it comes to real estate, it’s all about location,” was reinforced when 38 percent ranked location as the top feature they are looking for, followed by a quiet location at 33 percent, a large backyard at 32 percent and a garage at 29 percent. Despite the popularity of reality home improvement shows, only 11 percent were willing to take on a fixer-upper, with 43 percent indicating they want a move-in ready home. The remaining 46 percent said they would be willing to take on some repairs.

Searching online, saving are important first steps When asked what they did first when they decided to purchase a home this year, 29 percent said they started searching online, with nearly a third checking listings at least once a day, if not more. Nearly a quarter (24 percent) said they began saving money and changed their spending habits, while 20 percent figured out their budget. The most common way to save is setting aside a certain amount from each paycheck (50 percent), while 45 percent said they also cut out discretionary expenses, such as gym memberships and eating out for lunch. Twenty-nine percent put away lump sums from annual bonuses, tax returns and gifts. With a majority of respondents in the market since last spring, they are fully aware of the competition they are facing. Fifty-three percent expect a lot or some competition with one in five first-time homebuyers expecting a lot of competition. Source: realtor.com®

SPECIAL SECTION Healthcare Advances

July 2022

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

GUEST COLUMNIST

DR. NICOLE GASTALA UI Health Mile Square Health Center L.P. Johnson Rockford

Advances in behavioral health and addictions

There’s hope for those suffering from Opioid Use Disorder

Illinois has seen a staggering increase in opioid-related deaths per week, an average of 22.6 to 43.4 since the COVID-19 pandemic lock down in March 2020. As the opioid epidemic has grown, the lack of treatment services is prevalent. Since COVID-19, Illinois and the U.S. government have loosened the requirements needed for physicians and other providers to “get waivered” in an urgent attempt to increase the availability of prescribers for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). The root causes of addiction are various, stemming from both inherited and environmental, including but not limited to underlying mental health conditions and history of trauma. Individuals, especially with histories of heavy and/or long-term use of drugs like opioids, often have dismantled their lives and those of others in the process. Advances in medical responses to addiction have included use of Naloxone

(Narcan), a reversal agent which has and will continue to reduce the number of overdose deaths. All forms of MOUD, including Methadone, Buprenorphine and Naltrexone, are critical, but without comprehensive treatment services, will not eliminate addiction or the impact of it in our communities.

Help for Recovery Buprenorphine has become a preferred treatment medication for Opioid Use Disorder in the outpatient setting. The most recognizable pharmaceutical brand name is Suboxone (Buprenorphine-Naloxone). Buprenorphine is a very unique medication. As a partial opioid agonist, it will treat both physical withdrawal from other opioids and cravings for opioids, with increased retention in treatment and in recovery. Buprenorphine also has a high affinity for the opioid receptor, meaning

Long term, MSHC hopes to treat Opioid Use Disorder and Substance Use Disorder similar to other chronic medical conditions and to incorporate addiction treatment as a part of primary care. that it will block other opioids from binding to the opioid receptor. This not only blocks the effects of other opioids, but also prevents overdose, thereby having a significant protective effect. These properties allow for a level of stability in recovery often not achieved without medications, and allows individuals to return to a life of normalcy and safety. Buprenorphine is available in film and tablet forms, which dissolves under the tongue, and also is available as a long-term (monthly) injection. Suboxone can be used during different stages of treatment and offers a longterm solution for treating Opioid Use Disorder. Individuals still are encouraged to participate in a comprehensive recovery plan, which may include outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient counseling/groups, 12-step meetings and SMART recovery. It often is up to the individual, their goals and

what has worked well for their “program.” The UI-Health-Mile Square Health Centers

(MSHC)

focus

comprehensive care for individuals with Substance Use Disorder, particularly Opioid Use Disorder, and linking them to

medication

and

comprehensive

recovery services, including mental health counseling. Long term, MSHC hopes to treat OUD and SUD similar to other chronic medical conditions and to incorporate addiction treatment as a part of primary care. Dr. Nicole Gastala is director of behavioral health and addiction for UI-Health-Mile Square Health Centers. Other contributors: Linda Lesondak, Ph.D.; Judes Fleurmont, and Samantha Madrid. The views expressed are theirs’ and do not necessarily reflect those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

legislative

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

Law guarantees glucose monitors for diabetics Insurance companies and managed health plans in Illinois will be required to provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors with legislation recently signed by the governor. Senate Bill 2969 will help many of the 1.3 million Illinoisans who suffer from diabetes, cannot afford continuous glucose monitors and must rely on dated finger-stick testing. Continuous glucose monitors track blood sugar throughout the day, allowing up-to-theminute data for patients to use when assessing diet or the need for insulin. Continuous glucose monitors provide better treatment for patients with Type I and Type II diabetes and prevent expensive emergency care and hospitalizations. CDC data shows Black, Hispanic and Native American populations are all at a higher risk of developing diabetes.

SPECIAL SECTION Healthcare Advances

HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION FOR ILLINOIS

VISITATION RIGHTS MADE STRONGER FOR FAMILIES OF LOVED ONES IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES For many, one of the darkest parts of the COVID-19 pandemic was the number of people who spent their last days on Earth alone, unable to see their loved ones. A new Illinois law will help ensure that families have more rights to visit their loved ones in healthcare facilities during declared disasters. Senate Bill 1405 provides for the opportunity for at least one visitor of a patient in a hospital or long-term care facility while also maintaining the health and safety of the patients, staff and visitors. To ensure that the health and safety of staff, patients and visitors are not jeopardized, Senate Bill 1405 allows healthcare facilities to maintain standards including health screenings and the use of personal protective equipment.

NEW LAW HELPS EMERGENCY DISPATCHERS Emergency dispatchers will now have access to many of the same services and benefits as other first responders under a new state law. Senate Bill 3127 amends existing state laws to include “Emergency Medical Dispatchers” as first responders. This will allow dispatchers to be recognized as first responders, enabling them to receive many of the same services and benefits. The new law recognizes not only the role that dispatchers play, but the fact that many of them face the same issues as other responders, including post-traumatic stress disorders and other issues.

SPECIAL SECTION Healthcare Advances

July 2022

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL PARTNERS WITH EMPLOYERS

Pledge to reduce workplace injuries by 25 percent by 2025 The National Safety Council (NSC) unveiled its MSD Pledge to reduce the most common workplace injury, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs – such as tendinitis, back strains and sprains and carpal tunnel syndrome – impact nearly a quarter of the world’s population and are the leading cause of worker disability, early retirement and limitations to gainful employment. The MSD Pledge seeks to create safer outcomes for millions of workers worldwide by reducing these injuries by 25 percent by 2025. By making critical changes, employers will also build more equitable workplaces for frontline workers and communities of color, which are two groups disproportionately impacted by MSDs. Organizations signing the MSD Pledge promise to: 1. Reduce risks by analyzing the causes of MSD injuries across operations and investing in solutions and practices that reduce risks to workers. 2. Innovate and collaborate by leveraging best practices and sharing

learnings and countermeasures to expand upon innovations to improve safety practices. 3. Build an organizational culture that values safety by promoting a workplace where safety excellence, transparency and accurate reporting are equally valued, and where everyone, at every level of the organization, is accountable for the safety and health of workers. 4. Commit to a significant reduction of MSD injuries by creating safer outcomes for millions of workers worldwide and reducing MSD risk and subsequent injuries by 25 percent by 2025. MSD Pledge members will participate in the MSD Solutions Index, an annual company index that analyzes the benefits of the pledge over time. The index will aggregate data on risk reduction strategies, workplace safety culture, and innovation and collaboration, while also identifying areas for targeted action and uncovering trends to inform future approaches. Participation in the MSD Pledge is free and open to any employer. Visit www.nsc. org/workplace/safety-topics/msd. Source: The National Safety Council

How costly are sleep disorders? American workers are sleep-deprived Thirty-eight percent of working Americans – more than 54 million people – report being sleep deprived, and night shift workers are most at risk for sleep problems. A majority of night-shift workers, 62 percent, experience short sleep duration, often the result of insomnia and difficulties falling asleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes a person to stop breathing repeatedly during the night. Individuals with OSA are significantly more likely to miss work, experience longterm sick leave and transition to permanent disability. Drivers with sleep apnea commit more lane deviations, take longer to stop their vehicles and have at least a two- to three-fold increased risk of crashes compared to drivers without sleep apnea. Although these increased risks can be mitigated with treatment, many individuals with sleep apnea have other health problems that are exacerbated by their sleep disorder, which results in about $3,000 a year in additional healthcare costs compared to employees without sleep apnea. Bottom line: Treatment is key. Treatment costs for OSA are only one-third the healthcare costs for untreated employees.

Insomnia Individuals with insomnia cost employers an extra $976 dollars per person per year due to absenteeism alone.

An additional $2,530 is lost through presenteeism, or decreased productivity while at work. Healthcare costs also are higher for individuals with untreated insomnia; an estimated $2,224 goes toward treatment of other health conditions exacerbated by insomnia. There are multiple costeffective treatment options for individuals with insomnia.

Restless Legs Syndrome Restless legs syndrome is the “compelling desire to move” during the night and can result in significant sleep disturbance. Individuals with RLS report higher rates of absenteeism and lower rates of productivity compared to those without RLS. One study estimated that untreated RLS resulted in a 20 percent reduction in overall productivity, or the equivalent of one work day lost each week.

Shift Work Disorder Shift work disorder affects people who work different shifts or who work at night. The excessive sleepiness exhibited by those with shift work disorder can diminish workplace productivity and safety in the same ways as other common sleep disorders. Employers with rotating shift schedules should avoid assigning permanent night-shift schedules, assign predictable schedules with shifts no longer than 12 hours and allow employees adequate time to recover between shifts. © Copyright 2022 National Safety Council

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

SPECIAL SECTION 40 Leaders Under Forty

40 LEADERS UNDER FORTY 2022 The Rockford Area’s Lightning Bearers

P R E S I D E N T ’ S N OT E

Electrifying

Did you know that the average striking length

Bearer is a person who searches for knowledge

Turn the pages and get acquainted with

of regular lightning bolt is two to three miles

and enlightenment and who in so doing, seeks

these local powerhouses. Learn, as they have

and carries the electrical power of nearly 100

to bring it to mankind (in our case, the Rockford

discovered, “To ignite your dream, you need

million volts? With a strike, the surrounding air

area.)

only to find your spark.”

is immediately heated up to the temperature

Lightning Bearers are brave folk, indeed.

of 54,000 °F — five times hotter than our sun‘s

As you turn the pages you’ll see dynamic

surface. That is some amazing power! A lightning strike produces a lot of power and

The Chamber proudly presents the 2022 40 Leaders Under Forty.

men and women that represent a wide array of interests, industries, and walks of life — all

Caitlin Pusateri, President

it takes a special person to be able to carry it —

making positive differences that thunder out

Rockford Chamber of Commerce

just like our 40 Lightning Bearers! A Lightning

into our community.

SPECIAL SECTION 40 Leaders Under Forty

July 2022

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

40 LEADERS UNDER FORTY 2022 The Rockford Area’s Lightning Bearers

ANA MONTOYA

Director of Community Outreach, Rock Valley Credit Union

CHRIS FRENCH Golf Professional, Aldeen Golf Club

COLIN PETERSON

Senior Director of Assurance Services, RSM US LLP

LAURA KANE

Chief Executive Officer, Marshmallow’s HOPE Nonprofit Organization Corp.; HERO Mentor Program

ANNIE HOBSON

ASHLEY ROGERS

Youth Services Manager, City of Rockford – Mayor’s Office

Clinical Lead; Co-founder, OrthoIllinois; Breasties, Young Breast Cancer Warriors of Northern Illinois

DR. IAN JAMES BEHR

AUTUMN SCHAAL

Surgeon, MD, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center

Personal Counselor, Disability Coordinator, Rockford University

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July 2022

SPECIAL SECTION 40 Leaders Under Forty

40 LEADERS UNDER FORTY 2022 The Rockford Area’s Lightning Bearers

SARAH LAMBERT

JUSTIN ROSECKE Service Manager, Mr. Goodwater, Inc.

Physician Assistant – Psych & Addiction, Mile Square Health Center – L.P. Johnson Rockford

Associate Financial Representative, Thacker Financial — Northwestern Mutual

DRAKE GRINDLE

DANIELLE MUSKOVIN

DR. MANDOLEN MULL

KRISTIN HAMBLOCK

Vice President of Programs & Community Investment, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

Financial Advisor, Savant Wealth Management

Nurse Manager, MercyHealth

JORDON VOLD

Chair, PURI School of Business; Assistant Professor of Leadership, Rockford U., PURI School of Business

EMILY BURKE

Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Rosecrance Health Network

SPECIAL SECTION 40 Leaders Under Forty

July 2022

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40 LEADERS UNDER FORTY 2022 The Rockford Area’s Lightning Bearers

VIC RIVERA

Arts and Culture Ambassador

JOSEPH LANDMICHL

Manager - Education and Community Volunteers, Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter

NEELEY ERICKSON

DANICA KEATON

Government Affairs Director, Illinois REALTORS®

Director of Development & Community Relations; Owner, Beloit Area Community Health Center; Weddings by Danica

NICOLE FRAZER

MARYJO PIRAGES REYNOLDS

Teacher, Jefferson High School, Rockford Public Schools, District 205

Partner, AllenGalluzzoHevrinLeake, LLC

KYLE SAUNDERS Director of Public Works, City of Rockford

LEA EVERS

Financial Advisor, CFP,® Edward Jones

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

SPECIAL SECTION 40 Leaders Under Forty

40 LEADERS UNDER FORTY 2022 The Rockford Area’s Lightning Bearers

RICARDO MONTOYA PICAZO

KRISTINA REUBER

ERIC BROWN

Chief of Staff, Office of State Representative Dave Vella – 68th

Director of Welcome Center Relations, Rockford Public Schools, District 205

Education and Advocacy Coordinator, RAMP

JEFF LEWIS

THOMAS R. CROSS

KAMRIN MUHAMMAD

Financial Advisor, Savant Wealth Management

Partner, AllenGalluzzoHevrinLeake, LLC

Recreation Coordinator, Rockford Park District

ALLISON BERNARDI INSKO

Realtor, Dickerson & Nieman Realtors

BOBBY REITSCH

Executive Director of Development, YMCA of Rock River Valley

SPECIAL SECTION 40 Leaders Under Forty

July 2022

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ONE Event JUNE 23, 2022 All event photos by Mindy Joy Photography

More photos on page 24

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

SPECIAL SECTION 40 Leaders Under Forty

40 LEADERS UNDER FORTY 2022 The Rockford Area’s Lightning Bearers

JASON HOLCOMB

Director of Community Impact, Region 1 Planning Council

JACOB BRADT President, Rockford Buzz

KATE BLANCHARD, ® M.ED., RDMS, RVS, RT

KYLE YORK

MAUREEN KIRSCHMANN

Clinical Professor/Clinical Coordinator, Mercyhealth

VP – Retail Banking; Real Estate Broker, Illinois Bank & Trust; Dickerson & Nieman Realtors

MELISSA CHILDERS

BRIANA DETTMER

ALLISON HUNTLEY

Plant Quality Manager, Parker Hannifin

Operations Manager, Maxim Healthcare Services

Family and Community Engagement Manager, Rockford Public Schools, District 205

Assistant States Attorney, Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office

SPECIAL SECTION 40 Leaders Under Forty

July 2022

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ONE EVENT PHOTOS

Continued from page 22

MORE ONE EVENT PHOTOS can be found on the rockfordchamber.com website

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July 2022

GREATER ROCKFORD GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

economic development C O U N C I L Why economic development RAEDC matters — quality of life welcomes new board Communities aim to satisfy a talented workforce Quality of Life, sometimes referred to member

as Quality of Place, represents different things to different people. When it comes to economic development, Quality of Life means better infrastructure and more jobs improving the economy and the region, while raising the standard of living for residents. One of the key factors employees base their location decisions on is a high quality of life that is affordable, which in turn creates a highly sought-after and valuable workforce. The municipalities that will thrive and grow offer options for entertainment, outdoor recreational space, location in relation to other cities, goodpaying careers, high-quality educational institutions and lower cost of living. Ensuring companies have access to skilled and available workforce continues to be a driving factor in the selection process. Our region offers high-quality education options at all levels and has pathways to develop new educationto-workforce pipelines as the needs of regional businesses change.

New Quality of Life Metrics Quality of life has been a factor in business location for decades, especially when it comes to the short-list of possible locations. It directly affects a company’s ability to attract and retain employees. Site selection metrics have changed since the pandemic began. Metrics such as global market access, labor quality and innovation, labor recruitment assets and talent retention are now being used in place of more traditional metrics. Establishing a high quality of life

Metrics such as global

market access, labor quality and innovation, labor recruitment assets and talent retention are now being used in place of more traditional metrics. requires communities to collaborate and invest in the aspects that makes them stand out and be inclusive and welcoming. An article by Area Development, an economic development publication and website, stated, “Communities that can satisfy a company’s quality-of-life concerns — with regard to housing, healthcare, education, recreation, etc. — can make moving a business a pleasure.” As remote working evolves and employees have long-term options to work-from-anywhere, the communities that offer a higher quality of life, lower cost of living and diverse career opportunities are the locations that will attract new companies, new employees, create a strong workforce and be more attractive to companies. So far in this Why Economic Development Matters series, we have covered Business Retention, Job Creation and Quality of Life; three of the six main reasons the daily work of economic development matters to municipalities, residents and employers. This work helps improve our region’s economic wellbeing and cultivates opportunities for sustainable primary job growth.

RELOCATION REMINDER:

RAEDC moves offices in July

The

Rockford

Area

Economic

Development Council will relocate its offices from 100 Park Ave, Suite 100, Rockford, IL to 308 W. State St., Suite 350, Rockford, IL, on July 8, 2022. RAEDC’s offices will be closed on July 7 and 8 to facilitate the move. Staff will be working remotely during these days, but may not have consistent access to email or phones.

Update your records with the following information for RAEDC beginning July 8, 2022. Rockford Area Economic Development Council 308 W. State St., Suite 350, Rockford, IL 61101 Information@RockfordIL.com 815-987-8118 RockfordIL.com

The Rockford Area Economic Development Council Board of Directors welcomes Gina Caronna, executive director at The Workforce Connection, as a new member. This appointment was Gina Caronna approved at the board meeting held on June 9, 2022. Gina has extensive involvement in the community through her commitment to creating education-to-workforce pipelines; ensuring regional businesses have the skilled labor needed for jobs that are good today, tomorrow and in the future. As a board member, Gina will work with industry and community leaders to cultivate opportunities that will improve the economic well-being of the region. Before her position with The Workforce Connection, Gina was vice president of STEM and Early College for Rock Valley College and currently is completing her doctorate in higher education. “RAEDC has been instrumental in developing connections between educational institutions and companies in our region for many years, and I am excited to be involved in the continuation of that work,” Caronna said. “We know workforce is one of the driving factors companies evaluate when expanding or relocating and Gina’s background and experience will help the region become even stronger in our business retention and attraction efforts,” said Therese Thill, president of the RAEDC. RAEDC continues the daily work of economic development and having a board of directors with diverse industry-representation is critical to ensuring economic well-being and prosperity for all.

Connect With Us

We love sharing your good news and celebrating the successes of your organization. Connect with us on our social networks and help us spread the word about your good news, upcoming events and employees.

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July 2022

in the news MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

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

1. Joanna Mladic

2. Dr. Hana Hinkle

3. Toni Hinds

4. Barb Schultz

5. Penny Lee

6. Angie Baskin

7. Dr. Ron Oren

8. Chris Parks

9. Mike Agate

10. Gabe Braboy

11. Pamela Whitfield

12. Seth McPeek

13. Cameron Riffle

14. Steve Bamberger

15. Erica Strohm

16. Tari Book

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc., elected the following board members for three-year terms: Lucas R. Derry, April R. Glosser, Paul L. Palmby and Benjamin D. Holmstrom. Thomas Barnes retired from the board following conclusion of his term.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS Community Foundation of Northern Illinois hired Joanna Mladic (1) as operations and systems coordinator.

Hana Hinkle, Ph.D. (2), was named executive director of the Rural Training Track Collaborative at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford’s National Center for Rural Health Professions. First National Bank and Trust promoted Toni Hinds (3) to vice president, retail operations manager, Barb Schultz (4) to vice president and branch manager of the Beloit-Grand Avenue branch, Penny Lee (5) to branch manager and officer in the Janesville office, and Angie Baskin (6) to assistant vice president customer support manager. Eric Chilton joined Weichert, Realtors® - Tovar Properties’ Loves Park office as an agent.

Mercyhealth welcomed Ron Oren, M.D. (7), board certified cardiologist, to Mercyhealth Heart and Vascular Center–Riverside. Chris Parks (8) joined the construction group as a project technician at Engineering Enterprises, Inc., Mike Agate (9) as a CAD technician, Gabe Braboy (10), EI, the transportation group as a project engineer and Pamela Whitfield (11), PE, CFM, the municipal group as a senior project engineer II. Fehr Graham hired Seth McPeek (12) as an engineering technician and Cameron Riffle (13) as an engineering technician in Rockford. First National Bank and Trust promoted Steve Bamberger (14) to vice president, loan production manager at Rock, Green and Winnebago counties; Erica Strohm (15) to vice president, loan production manager, Walworth County; Tari Book (16) to vice president, systems admin manager; Kathy Paulli (17) to assistant vice president loan servicing manager, and Stacy Matuseski (18) to human resources projects and benefits manager and officer. Dr. Eric Fulcomer announced his resignation as president of Rockford University in mid-December 2022. He’s accepted a position as the

president of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Madison, Wis. Rockford Mutual Insurance hired Nicole Hamilton (19) as agency manager and Rachel McDougall (20) as an underwriting assistant. Dr. Alan Runge began as head of school at Rockford Lutheran School. He previously served as the president of the Lutheran High School Association in St. Louis. Geronimo Hospitality Group promoted Jesse Seykora (21) to senior vice president of sales and marketing and Carly Malacina (22) to director of sales. Rockford Community Bank hired Connie Adler (23) as assistant vice president business banking. OSF HealthCare hired Tianyu Dong, M.D., for internal medicine care at the OSF Medical Group – Primary Care – Villagreen. Stillman Bank welcomed Jeff Main (24) as vice president and commercial loan officer, new business development and commercial & agricultural lending.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS

YMCA of Rock River Valley gave Molly Ryan (25) the YMCA Antonio Little Teen Leadership Award and

Vivian Lott (26) the YMCA Community Leader Award. Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois gave the Gold Award, the highest achievement in girl scouting, to Maggie Bell and Kyla Butler, St. Charles; Joy Grady and Grace Trumbull, Lake Zurich; Ella Holtermann, Barrington; Amelia Humphrey, Geneva; Tatum Keene, West Chicago; Lauren Kohl, Bartlett; Jenna Strohschein, South Elgin, and Hallie Thomas, Elgin. Maggie Bell, St. Charles, received the 2022 Elizanne Lewis Gold Award Scholarship and Paige Bowman, Barrington, the 2022 GSNI Gold Award Scholarship. 2022 GSNI Ambassador Scholarships were awarded to Teagan Blake, Loves Park; Alaina Bognetti, Elgin; Natasha Keisler, St. Charles; Aisling McGrath, Batavia; Abby Porter, Lake in the Hills; Shanta Reddy, Loves Park; Maddison Shepard, Crystal Lake, and Shannon Shrader, Pecatonica. Chris Walton (27), PE, senior project engineer, Engineering Enterprises, Inc., received the 2021 Illinois Section American Water Works Association Outstanding Young Professional (YP) Award. University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford at its 2022 Continued on page 27

17. Kathy Paulli

18. Stacy Matuseski

19. Nicole Hamilton

20. Rachel McDougall

21. Jesse Seykora

22. Carly Malacina

23. Connie Adler

24. Jeff Main

25. Molly Ryan

26. Vivian Lott

27. Chris Walton

28. Dr. Michael Potts

29. Dr. Geoffrey Tsaras

30. Melissa Wright

31. Barb Ridley

32. Amy Casey

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July 2022

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

on digital

MEMBER PICS

Ceremonial ribbon donated by ServPro of Rockford

(Continued from page 26) Convocation Ceremony gave Michael Potts, M.D. (28), the Distinguished Service Award and Geoffrey Tsaras, M.D. (29), the Distinguished Teaching Award. Community Foundation of Northern Illinois awarded high school students: Ryan Anderson, Hononegah; Ryan Barrack, Pecatonica; Puranjay Gupta, Auburn, and Hannah Jacobson, Winnebago, with Howard D. Colman Scholarships; Ellie Rothermel, Durand, 2022 Howard D. Colman Honorarium, and Sreyansh Mamidi, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 2022 Howard D. Colman Scholar. Melissa Wright (30), director, Peterson Meadows, received her Nursing Home Administrator’s license. Rockford Mutual Insurance Company celebrated anniversaries: Barb Ridley (31), customer service specialist, 40 years; Amy Casey (32), social media/communications specialist, 5 years, and Tammy Fitzgerald, underwriting assistant, 10 years. Sara Porter (32), AAP, VP digital solutions, Blackhawk Bank, completed the respected Digital Banking School presented by the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) was named a Champion of Free Enterprise by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce for furthering economic opportunities for all Illinoisans.

33. Sara Porter

34. Ed Rounds

OF GENERAL INTEREST Scott Ege, PT, MS, president, Ege WorkSmart Solutions, presented a four-hour technical session, “Functional Ergonomics - The Basics & Beyond,” at the Iowa-Illinois 69th annual Professional Safety Conference in Dubuque, Iowa. Melissa McCormick, MX3 Business Solutions, presented “Cup of Grace & Pinch of Salt,” at the Keller Williams Signature Realty team meeting on May 24. The team learned her Grace and Salt communication method; each attendee received a signed copy of her book, Grace & Salt. Volunteer attorneys, including retired Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge Rosemary Collins, met one-on-one with 110 people to help erase or conceal old criminal records at State Senator Steve Stadelman’s third Second Chances Summit at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford. Prairie State Legal Services, Rockford Public Library and United Way of the Rock River Valley partnered in the effort. Ed Rounds (34), resident, Wesley Willows, organized a book donation with residents; contributing more than 2,000 to The Salvation Army.

OSF Medical Group - Obstetrics & Gynecology hosts a ribbon cutting on June 7 at 621 Roxbury Road, Rockford, for its new location and remodel.

Rock River Valley Blood Center hosts a ribbon cutting for its new 8,700-sq.-ft., donor center at 418 N. Longwood St., Rockford, on June 20, with a donor-friendly layout. It continues to be home to the laboratory and administration offices.

IN MEMORIUM Jody (Josephine) Deery Jody Deery, the Matriarch and Chief Executive Officer of Deery Companies, including Rockford Speedway, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2022 at the age of 97, following a short illness. Josephine Mable Hirsbrunner was born on a small dairy farm in Darlington, Wis., on Nov. 21, 1924, to Edward and Louise (Stauffacher) Hirsbrunner. She graduated in 1946 from Saint Anthony’s Nursing School in Rockford. In addition to her primary nursing job, she would often hitchhike with her lifetime friend, Helen Gilbert, to Freeport Hospital to help with the nursing shortage in the polio wards. Jody married Hugh Gunner Deery in 1948. They moved to four cities (and had four boys) and made their final move to Rockford in 1955. They started The Hugh Deery Insurance Agency in the basement of their home on Harvard Avenue, had their one and only daughter, and three more sons.

In 1959, Hugh and Jody traded the family station wagon for an ownership share in the Rockford Speedway and moved their insurance agency out of the basement to North Main Street in Rockford. By 1966, they acquired full ownership of Rockford Speedway. When on July 14, 1984, Hugh unexpectedly passed away, Jody sat down with the kids, and they decided to continue to run the businesses as a family. The Rockford Speedway became the model for NASCAR-sanctioned short tracks and Jody was chosen as Auto Racing Promoter of the Year, much as her husband had years before. Other business ventures included another speedway in Lacrosse, Wis., Denny’s restaurants, Pack and Ships, tanning salons, publishing house, aerobics studio and Deery Properties real estate. She served as one of the 20 members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame selection committee and led groups and clubs that reinforced her strong Catholic faith and supported her community. Taken from the obituary at www. fitzgeraldfh.com. Go there to read much more on her life.

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois hosts a ribbon cutting on June 21 for its new, 16,000-sq.-ft. store at 3068 McFarland Road, Rockford. It includes a used bookstore and media center and is home to mission programs helping individuals with barriers find meaningful employment.

For Up-to-date Event Information, visit rockfordchamber.com

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July 2022

business

BUSINESS BRIEFS

BMO Harris Bank Center in September poured a concrete slab for the new ice rink. The slab underwent a 10-day wet cure, followed by 18 m YMCA of Rock River Valley gave its YMCA Outstanding Organization Award for 2022 to the Rockford Police Department.

The OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center laboratory received accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists based on results of an on-site inspection. It’s been accredited for more than 50 years. University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford gave the SHIELD Illinois COVID-19 Saliva Testing Collection Site and Laboratory on campus the Distinguished Community Award at its 2022 Convocation Ceremony. Anderson Japanese Gardens will host the Tuesday Evening in the Gardens music series every Tuesday through August. Features local, regional and nationally touring musicians. Free for premium garden members; regular garden admission for basic and non-members. Visit www. AndersonGardens.org. Rockford Park District, YMCA of Rock River Valley and OSF HealthCare partnered to offer YMCA members free access to all park district outdoor pools. Free drop-in lessons will be offered at Harkins Aquatic Center and swim lessons also at Sand Park and Alpine pools, thanks to a donation from OSF HealthCare. Rockford Park District hosts Delicate Forces, a botanically inspired, immersive, large-scale art exhibition through Nov. 6 at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. Visit nicholasconservatory.com/ delicate-forces. Rockford Housing Authority won the Award of Excellence in the Resident and Client Services category for its Section 3 Promotion and Resident Awareness by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. Chartwell Agency received six national Hermes Creative Awards from the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals: BioForward Wisconsin website and Winnebago County Animal Services annual report (platinum), Keith Country Day School Paw Print video series (gold), and Keith Country Day School teacher recruitment video, BioForward Wisconsin talent recruitment videos and Savant Wealth Management evidence-based investing videos (honorable mention). Viddy recognized Chartwell: Keith Country Day School Paw Print video series (gold), BioForward

Wisconsin talent recruitment videos and Savant Wealth Management evidence-based investing videos (honorable mention). For the first time, Rockford was chosen as the host city for the U.S. Figure Skating 2023 Midwestern and Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships, Jan. 23 to 29, 2023. It’s expected to draw 134 teams from the Midwest and Pacific Coast to the BMO Harris Bank Center. WATT Feed Brands’ Feed & Grain magazine has a new name for its showcase issue — Industry Resource Guide. Comprised of a product/service directory; company directory; engineering, construction & millwrights guide; 11 product showcase categories, and the all-new feed & grain top products list. Forest City Gear invites visitors to a virtual tour at http://fcgvirtualtour. com/ for 360-degree views of 30-plus locations across its primary and secondary facilities, state-ofthe-art equipment and capabilities for gear shaping, grinding, hobbing, inspection and engineering services. WNIJ 89.5 launched WNIJ.org/Hola, a new digital community with an events calendar, news and opinion series geared toward Spanish speakers of all levels in DeKalb County. Music on the Mall returns, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Fridays through Sept. 9, at a new location for 2022: center court of Edgebrook near Cora Physical Therapy. Food and drinks from Lucha Cantina and Cork, Keg & Spirits. Visit edgebrookshops.com for band list. Discovery Center Museum is expanding its summer hours and will be open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Advance ticket purchases are available, but not required. Keith Country Day School hosted its 49th Annual Commencement Ceremony. The seven graduating seniors earned $2.8 million in merit-based scholarships, will attend college in the fall, with 86 percent accepted to their firstchoice schools: Union/Albany Medical College, International University of Spain, Wabash College, University of Miami, University of Connecticut and Mount Holyoke. Coronado Performing Arts Center received nearly $1 million in Rebuild Illinois capital funds to repair the nearly 95-year-old landmark’s façade. State Senator Steve Stadelman designated another $200,000 in state capital funds to support the ongoing preservation of the Coronado. Rockford Art Museum opened the new art exhibition, The Shape of

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

Light: Contemporary Painting and Studio Glass, Thursdays through Sundays through Sept. 25. Artists include Jose Chardiet, William Conger, Susanne Doremus, Drew Helge, Richard Hull, Carmen Lozar and Joel Philip Myers. Rockford Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that the region will host the 2022-23 USA Wrestling 16U National Dual Championships, June 7 to 11, 2022, and June 6 to 10, 2023, at Indoor Sports Center at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two in Loves Park. This is the first-time that USA Wrestling will host a national event in the Rockford region. The second largest award show in the genre of gospel music, the 2023 SOAR Awards, returns to the Coronado Performing Arts Center on March 6, 2023. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com, BMO Harris Bank Center box office or 815-968-5222. Rockford Park District announced that Sinnissippi Park Music Shell will feature Music in the Park concerts, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford, Tuesdays and Thursdays, through Aug. 4. Live at Levings returns with concerts, 6 to 8 p.m., and talent showcases, 5 to 6 p.m., at 1420 S. Pierpont Ave. Visit www. rockfordparkdistrict.org/ soundsofsummer. Upper Cervical Care CenterRockford celebrates 19 years of serving the Rockford region. Three local museums received state grants: Discovery Center Museum, $433,000, to improve air quality and accessibly, Rockford Art Museum, $301,000, for upgrades to its HVAC system, and Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, $104,000, for new UV filters windows, a rebuilt brick pathway through the iris garden and pedestrian overpass to the railroad garden. Three Rockford organizations received more than $1 million in equitable workforce recovery grants through the American Rescue Plan Act: City of Rockford, $300,000; YWCA of Northwestern Illinois, $575,000, and Comprehensive Community Solutions Inc., $300,000. The goal is to expand access to workforce training for Illinois residents who are unemployed or underemployed and community-based partners that provide barrier-reducing resources like transportation and childcare. Mercyhealth held its 2022 Project SEARCH graduation ceremony honoring eight graduates in June. The nine- to 12-month training program leads to competitive employment for individuals with cognitive disabilities in partnership with Belvidere School District 100, Vocational Rehabilitation and RAMP.

WATT Global Media’s Petfood Forum Europe held in May in Nuremberg, Germany, and colocated with Interzoo 2022, was the most well-attended ever; attracting pet food professionals from 30 countries including Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States. Fehr Graham was named to the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firms list and Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List; ranking No. 76 out of 100 as one of the fastestgrowing firms in the United States and Canada. New graduates of Rockford Rescue Mission’s Life Recovery Programs for men and women were honored at its annual Restoration Celebration in June. Per Mar Security Services ranked 16 in SDM’s 2022 Top 100 list; the 32nd consecutive year it has ranked in the SDM 100 Report. It received the Five Diamond Certification from the Monitoring Association for meeting five points of excellence. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, hosts nine Family Fun Days through Aug. 12; designed as educational and entertaining programs for families. Advance online tickets recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Rockford City Council unanimously approved a new six-year operating agreement with the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Midway Village Museum announced a new capital campaign for a permanent exhibition on Rockford’s Camp Grant, “You’re in the Army Now: Camp Grant, Rockford’s Legacy.” The fundraising goal of $525,000 will include design, curation and construction. Mercyhealth received a three-year term of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) Echocardiography in the area of adult transthoracic. Natural Land Institute received a portion of funds from a $1 million North American Wetlands Conservation Grant. The grant was given to Ducks Unlimited in order to better protect wetlands in the area. NLI’s portion will be used for stewardship tasks at its Neiman Marsh site in Pecatonica. Delta Air Lines added new nonstop service from General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The new flights will operate seven days per week and compliment Delta’s existing nonstop service to LaGuardia Airport.

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July 2022

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

JULY MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in May 2022

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

American Red Cross, Northwest Illinois Chapter Anpec Industries Blackhawk Bank Brian Thomas Photography, Inc. Bucciferro Family Management Connect Hearing Court Street United Methodist CoyleKiley Insurance Agency Inc. Crown Machine, Inc. Ebiss USA Ege WorkSmart Solutions, PC Express Employment Professionals Fairfield by Marriott/Rockford Geronimo Hospitality Group Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Greater Rockford Italian American Association/Festa Italiana Hanson Professional Services Inc. Healthcare Plus Hilton Garden Inn Ignition Studio, Inc. Illinois Beverage Association Ingersoll Machine Tools Junior League of Rockford, Inc. KMK Media Group, Inc. LM Sheet Metal & Service, Inc. Lonnie’s Stonecrafters, Inc. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Magnuson, Inc. MainStreet Financial Group Marco Midway Village Museum National Business & Industrial Centre, Inc. Nicor Gas Northern Illinois Optical Co., Inc. Northwest Bank of Rockford Oregon Tool

OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center Per Mar Security PNC Bank RAC Adjustment Company RAMP Raymond James & Associates Reno & Zahm LLP Rock House Kids Rock River Tower Apartments LLC Rock River Valley Blood Center - 6th Street Rock River Valley Blood Center Perryville Road Rock River Valley Pantry Rocket Industrial, Inc. Rockford Metal Polishing Co. Rockford Network of Professional Women Rockford Spine Center Rockford Structures Construction Company Rockford Tech-Systems, Inc. Rockford Urological Associates, Ltd. Siena on Brendenwood Sosnowski Szeto, LLP SPXFLOW Hydraulic Technologies State Farm - Danna Krischke The Salvation Army The Terrace Senior Apartments Tilted 10/Tilt Studio Two Men and a Truck US Bank UW Health Northern Illinois Region Weldstar Co. Womanspace, Inc.

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS ALONG THE PATH COUNSELING SERVICES, P.C.

Providing individual, couple, family and group counseling in office and through telehealth. 433 S. Phelps Ave., Ste. 2, 61108 Rebecca Quirk 815-397-4287 www.alongthepathcounseling.com

ELITE GUTTER SERVICE, INC.

Gutters and siding Jay Villani 815-397-8120 www.elitegutter.com

LONNIE’S CARPET MAX

A name that is synonymous with quality in custom-designed flooring throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. 6551 E. Riverside Blvd., 61114 Megan Owens 815-282-5454 www.lonniescarpet.com

THE WELLNESS WAY ROCKFORD

Health restoration clinics that think and act differently to solve health challenges others cannot. 329 Amphitheater Dr., 61107 Mario Rosales, D.C. 779-210-3994 www.clinics.thewellness way.com/il/rockford/wellnesscenter-19.html

USCELLULAR BUSINESS

Providing businesses and public sector organizations of Rockford with the solutions and support to help you reach your goals. Adam M. Rossman 630-890-2630 www.business.uscellular.com

50-YEAR MEMBER

Northwest Bank of Rockford

35-YEAR MEMBER Midway Village Museum

25-YEAR MEMBERS

Rock River Service Company Sam’s Club, A Division of Wal-Mart Stores

20-YEAR MEMBERS

Historic Auto Attractions Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association

15-YEAR MEMBER The Terrace Senior Apartments

10-YEAR MEMBERS

Dry Otter Basement Water Proofing/Foundation Repair Lucas Group Financial Advisors + CPAs

5-YEAR MEMBERS Rockford Township Sosnowski Szeto, LLP

aMBaSSaDOR SPOTLIGHT Nick Birch Stanley Steemer What is your business? A local Stanley Steemer franchise. We provide cleaning and restoration services for Winnebago and surrounding counties. What is your favorite thing to do in Rockford or favorite thing about Rockford? City Market and going out to eat at some of our amazing local restaurants. Advice for someone, especially young professionals, considering becoming an Ambassador? My best advice is to just dive in and get involved! It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, learn about new businesses and be able to be involved in the community.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

July 2022

community

COMMUNITY EVENTS & WEBINARS

JULY 2022 SUNDAY, JULY 3 Rockford Symphony Orchestra presents the Star Spangled Spectacular, 8 p.m., at Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theatre, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Includes patriotic favorites, a tribute to the community’s veterans and music from movies such as Star Trek, Superman and Apollo 13. Food trucks begin 6 p.m. Tickets at rockfordsymphony.com or 815-9650049.

MONDAY, JULY 4 Rockford Park District’s Aldeen Golf Club & Practice Centre hosts Family Night at the Range, Mondays through July 25, 5 to 6 p.m. At least one adult golfer per family group. Advance registration required at shop.golfrockford.org/events.

SATURDAY, JULY 9 First National Bank and Trust hosts a free Shred Day with Paper Recovery Services Corp., 9 a.m. to noon, at 1882 Inman Pkwy, Beloit, Wis. Visit www. bankatfirstnational.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 10 Heritage Museum Park presents Music at the Museum featuring Danny McDade, 1 to 4 p.m., in the gazebo at 1129 S. Main St., Rockford.

Guided tours through the Ethnic Heritage Museum and GrahamGinestra House, 2 to 4 p.m. Bring a lawn chair.

THURSDAY, JULY 14 Rockford Park District hosts a monthly Two-Mile Scenic Walk along the Rock River Recreation Path, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Other dates are Aug. 11 and Sept. 8. Departs at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens and features 16 sculptures. Pre-registration required at nicholasconservatory. com/activities or 815-987-8858.

MONDAY, JULY 18 Rockford Area Arts Council hosts SPARK! in the Park, July 18 to 29, for first through fifth graders at Rockford Park District Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, Rose Garden and Sea Scout Lodge on the Rock River. Children rotate through at least three artistic mediums including dance + movement, art + nature, and visual art. Visit artsforeveryone.com.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 Vince Gill performs, 7:30 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com, the box office or 815-968-5222.

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

THURSDAY, JULY 21 Blooze Brothers, Blues Brothers tribute band, 11-piece show band with music from the 1940s, performs 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Rockford Park District’s Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St. As a prime concert, has a $5 charge. Visit www. rockfordparkdistrict.org/ soundsofsummer. Women of Today’s Manufacturing hosts a Golf Tutorial for its members only, 5 to 7 p.m., at Golf Shack, 1631 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Register at wotmrockford. com/events.

FRIDAY, JULY 22 Alpine Kiwanis Club hosts its 51st-annual Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days, July 22, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; July 23, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at U-Haul, corner of East State Street and Mulford Road and Blain’s Farm & Fleet, 7300 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford. Live entertainment at lunch and dinner. Visit www. alpinekiwanis-il.org or on Facebook.

SUNDAY, JULY 24 Heritage Museum Park presents Music at the Museum featuring Denny Diamond, 1 to 4 p.m., in the gazebo at 1129 S. Main St., Rockford. Guided tours through the Ethnic Heritage Museum and GrahamGinestra House, 2 to 4 p.m. Bring a lawn chair.

MONDAY, JULY 25 University of Illinois Extension offers a Certified Food Protection Manager Certificate Course, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and July 29, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Winnebago County Farm Bureau, 1925 S. Meridian Road, Rockford. Limited space. Register at 815-986-4357 or go.illinois.edu/jsw.

TUESDAY, JULY 26 Brit Floyd performs, 8 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com, box office or 815-968-5222.

THURSDAY, JULY 28 Rockford Park District hosts a free monthly Guided Outdoor Garden Tour, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Departs at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford. Other dates: Aug. 25 and Sept. 22, weather permitting. Registration required at nicholasconservatory.com/activities or 815-987-8858. R1 Electric Vehicle Panel Discussion sponsored by ComEd 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 221 N. Main St., Rockford. Listen to experts speak about EV readiness in N. Illinois on the national and state level with perspectives from the local community.Event is free. We will also be serving a complimentary continental breakfast.

AUGUST 2022 TUESDAY, AUGUST 2 Women of Today’s Manufacturing hosts its 2022 Annual Golf Outing, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Swanhills Golf Course, 2600 Gustafson Road, Belvidere. Register at wotmrockford. com/events.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 Steely Dane - The Ultimate Steely Dan Tribute with jazz and rock musicians playing in the same configuration as the Steely Dan touring band, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Rockford Park District’s Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St. As a prime concert, has a $5 charge. Visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/ soundsofsummer.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka’s new national women’s full-contact tackle football league, the Extreme Football League, or X LEAGUE, debuts at BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, with The Chicago Blitz facing off against the Seattle Thunder at 7 p.m. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com, box office or 815-968-5222.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7 Wesley Willows hosts its 50th annual Fundraising Event for its Good Samaritan Fund, 11 a.m., at Rock Valley College’s Starlight Theater, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford. Brunch with entertainment with Rockford Poet Laurette, Christine Swanberg, and ¾ Time Sweet Adeline Quartet. Performance of Hello Dolly at 2 p.m. Call 815-316-1570 for tickets.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 The Beach Boys brings its Sixty Years of the Sounds of Summer tour to the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, at 8 p.m. Tickets at Ticketmaster. com, box office and 815-968-5222. Rockford Cosmopolitan Charity Golf Classic, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Country Club, 5151 Guilford Road, and Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road. Includes lunch, dinner buffet, awards and raffles at Mauh-Nah-Tee-See. Register at www.rfdcosmo.org.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14 Heritage Museum Park presents Music at the Museum featuring Beth Ann ‘Red’ Beal, 1 to 4 p.m., in the gazebo at 1129 S. Main St., Rockford. Guided tours through the Ethnic Heritage Museum and Graham-Ginestra House, 2 to 4 p.m. Bring a lawn chair.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17 First National Bank and Trust hosts a free Coin Appraisal Event, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 1795 Madison Road, Beloit.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

CHaMBER

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CHAMBER EVENTS & WEBINARS Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

JUNE 2022 THURSDAY, JUNE 30 Grand opening/ribbon cutting at BioLife Plasma Services, 10 to 11 a.m., 5824 E. State St., Rockford.

JULY 2022 THURSDAY, JULY 14 Ambassador Meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Angelic Organics Learning Center, 1545 Rockton Rd., Caledonia , IL 61011.

AUGUST 2022 TUESDAY, AUGUST 9 Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Rd., Rockford. Sponsored by Associated Bank.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 IGNITE Meets a Non-Profit featuring Crusader Community Health, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Crusader Community Health-West State, 1200 W. State St., Rockford. Donate diapers and wipes for the new moms and babies.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30 to 9 a.m., at Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Sponsored by AT&T.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17 IGNITE After 5-PrairieView social event, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Byron Forest Preserve/PrairieView Golf Club, 7993 N. River Road, Byron.

July 2022

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 Pow(H)er Conference, 8:15 a.m to 4:30 p.m. at Hoffman House & Holiday Inn, 7550 E. State St., Rockford. A conference for all who support, believe in and champion the advancement of women. Choose workshops from four tracks: Balance, Advancement, Legacy & Ally. The Women-in-Business Luncheon is included in the Pow(H)er registration but also available for those not able to attend all day. Sponsors: OSF HealthCare (Advocate); Northwest Bank (Community Hero Award); Thayer Energy Solutions (Woman Business Owner Award); Edward Jones, Erna E. Colborn (Excellence in Leadership Award); Humana (Advancement Track); RSM US LLP (Refreshment); Mindy Joy Photography (Event Photographer).

Allen Galluzzo Hevrin Leake, LLC. . . 23 Alden Debes & Park Strathmoor Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. . 14

The Alliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Blackhawk Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 IGNITE Meets a Non-Profit featuring Northwest Community Center,” 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Northwest Community Center, 1325 N. Johnston Ave., Rockford, IL 61101. The goal of this series is to allow IGNITE members to learn more about some of the non-profits in our area and to engage with them. Our members are able to work on personal development and volunteering through these events. Contact Carmen at ckellerman@ rockfordchamber.com.

Project First Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Region 1 Planning Council . . . . . . . . 29

City of Rockford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Rockford Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 29-32

Dickerson & Nieman Realtors. . . . . . 18

Rockford University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC). . . . . . . . 6

Rosecrance Health Network. . . . . . . 23

Cord Construction Company . . . . . . . 8 Illinois Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Mercyhealth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Mr. Goodwater, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Northern Public Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . 11 NorthWest Illinois Alliance of REALTORS / Illinois Realtors. . . . . . . 18 OrthoIllinois. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

VOICE

SEPTEMBER 2022

OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Rockford Public Schools. . . . . . . . . . 17 Rock Valley Credit Union. . . . . . . . . . 19 Schmeling Construction Co.. . . . . . . . 8 Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Thayer Energy Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . 7 UI Health Mile Square Health Center L.P. Johnson Rockford. . . . . . 22 Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . 16

the

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100............................................Direct Line Caitlin Pusateri, President.................................................................... 815-316-4337

Melissa Adams, Executive Assistant.................................................... 815-316-4312 Jeff Bailey, Membership Development Executive................................ 815-316-4336 Susan Contrady, Account Executive.................................................... 815-316-4317 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology....................... 815-316-4338 Carmen Kellerman, Events Manager ................................................... 815-316-4302 Kristin Muehlfelder, Member Relations................................................ 815-316-4315

Doug Rand, Accounting Manager/Controller....................................... 815-316-4316 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator............................... 815-316-4320 Edward Caceres, Director, Small Business Development Center................................................. 815-987-8100

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board Dan Ross Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Vice Chair Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Vice Chair Don Daniels Treasurer John Schuster JFS Services

DIRECTORS LaVonne Brown Savant Wealth Management Samuel J. Castree Staff Management, Inc. Lesly Couper workplace Doug Curry Stenstrom Construction Group Rebecca Epperson Chartwell Agency Carol Friesen OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center Eric Fulcomer, Ph.D. Rockford University Ira Grimmett Collins Aerospace Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Carly LaMonica LaMonica Beverages, Inc. Kris L. Kieper Machajewski YWCA Northwestern Illinois Nicole Radford UW Health Northern Illinois Region Denise Sasse RSM US LLP Peter Schmeling Schmeling Construction Co. Brent Scott Rockford Community Bank, A Wintrust Community Bank Teresa Sharp American Precision Supply, Inc.

Karl Swanson Illinois Bank & Trust Christina Valdez CMM & Associates Dustin Vock Meiborg, Inc. Robert Young Midwest Packaging and Container

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS Caitlin Pusateri President Rockford Chamber of Commerce John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Therese Thill Rockford Area Economic Development Council

Alex Stagnaro-Green, MD, MHPE, MHA Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford

AUGUST VOICE SPECIAL SECTIONS The Education Issue The Future of Work For information on advertising, call 815 987-8100

July Voice 2022

Articles inside

The ripple effect of community partnerships -

Land Bank - July Voice 2022

President's Perspective July 2022

MEMBER PROFILE - Schmeling Construction Co.

Small Business Enterprise - SBDC July 2022

IGNITE July 2022