August Voice 2018

ASTROPHYSIC’S STARSTUDDED SUCCESS

READ 815

INVESTING IN STRONGER WORKFORCE

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PAGE 4 THE VOICE IS ONLINE AT ROCKFORDCHAMBER.COM

of the Rockford Business Community

august 2018 | Volume 31 | No. 8 IRS WITHHOLDING CALCULATOR

ROCKFORD CHAMBER CELEBRATES 2018

DOWNTOWN

PHOTOS BY BRIAN THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

On a beautiful early evening July 12, the Rockford Chamber celebrated its 108th birthday with more than 350 members, supporters and friends. This was the Chamber’s “Give-back” event for its members and community and an opportunity to show off our great downtown. This free event was open to the public and featured live music by Prime Time Live Band and tasty food and beverages provided by Blue Line.

The Rockord Art Deli was on hand to make Rockford Chamber T-Shirts with a vintage flair and Toad Hall shared a reproduction of a significant 1917 Chamber publication highlighting Rockford’s economy and benefits.

The IRS reminds workers to access the withholding calculator to ensure that employers are withholding the right amount of tax from paychecks.

Visit IRS.gov to determine whether you need to submit a new Form W-4 to your employer.

The calculator estimates income, credits, adjustments and deductions for most financial situations. The results can be used to fill out the form and adjust income tax withholdings.

Updated forms must be given to employers to take effect.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! LUNCHEON

EDUCATION OUTLOOK

Continued on page 3

SEPT. 6 • radisson conference center For more info, see page 27 SPONSORED BY

RFD moves up to 22nd for cargo volume

Visit us online at: rockfordchamber.com ■ online registration ■ keynote speaker video clips ■ event photos ■ list of Chamber events

Questions? 815-987-8100

Join the Chamber’s LinkedIn Group

The Chicago Rockford International Airport now ranks as the 22nd largest airport in the nation for air cargo volume, up from 31 in 2016, and ahead of major airports such as San Francisco International, Salt Lake City International, Minneapolis-St. Paul International and Boston Logan.

Nearly 1.4 billion pounds of cargo traveled through RFD in 2017, a 50 percent increase over 2016, thanks to factors such as UPS moving its Des Moines operation to RFD last July.

“Our growth and success are a result of our tremendous partnerships with public and private entities, and we expect to see our numbers continue to rise,” said Mike Dunn, executive director at RFD. Early indicators for 2018 are that more than 2 billion pounds will travel through the airport by year’s end – a roughly 80 percent increase over 2017.

Nearly 1,000 jobs were created since the

beginning of this year and expectations are for 1,000 jobs to be added in the remainder of 2018 and 2019.

“We expect to continue to climb this list as we have plenty of room to accommodate additional operations,” said Zach Oakley, deputy director of operations and planning at RFD. “With our dynamic team and strong partnerships at the airport, I don’t see this growth slowing any time soon.”

The airport continues to receive federal funding to support expansions.

Officials expect support to continue as RFD has more than 1,000 acres of land for additional projects. Earlier this month, the airport celebrated the groundbreaking of its new 120,000-sq.ft. building expansion at the Chicago Rockford International Airport Cargo Center along with the start of construction on a new $3.5 million ramp for cargo aircraft parking.

POSITIVE WEST NILE VIRUS MOSQUITO POOL CONFIRMED The Winnebago County Health Department, which monitors for West Nile virus activity through traps and sampling of mosquitoes, identified in mid-July one mosquito pool positive for West Nile virus.

There have been no human cases in the county so far this year.

WNV is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito that feeds on an infected bird.

To avoid being bitten, reduce exposure during times when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.

Repel using products containing DEET, picaridin, IR 3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Report dead birds at the hotline 815-720-4245.

Common symptoms in humans include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. There are no vaccines or medications to treat it. For prevention information, visit www. wchd.org or call 815-720-4000.

2 | august 2018

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

position

President’s Message

Examining the local value of economic development incentives Every year local and state governments in the United States expend tens of billions of dollars on economic development incentives.

Under intense pressure to deliver economic opportunity, policymakers utilize incentives to encourage private sector firms to create jobs, invest in communities, and strengthen local industries. Drawing on a detailed literature review and a unique analysis of economic development transactions in four U.S. cities (Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Salt Lake County, and San Diego), this report advances a framework for inclusive economic development to help leaders analyze and evolve their incentive policies.

The report’s key findings include: 1. Economic development incentives remain a core aspect of local and state economic development policy. This report defines economic development incentives as direct financial benefits that incentivize a firm’s opening, expansion, or retention.

What distinguishes incentives from broader economic development efforts is that governments selectively provide these

incentives to individual businesses, arguing that their investment or expansion would not occur but for the incentive.

2. Incentives have come under renewed scrutiny from both academic researchers and the public. The competition between cities to land Amazon’s second corporate headquarters—along with the controversial billion-dollar incentives packages being offered—has thrust local and state economic development approaches into the public spotlight.

Pressure to limit incentives for big corporate relocations has drawn on academic evidence that remains skeptical about the effectiveness of incentives, arguing that incentives do not influence business decisions to nearly the extent policymakers claim nor are they properly targeted to businesses and industries that can offer the greatest economic and social benefit.

3. Cities should target incentives based on core principles of inclusive economic development. A review of local and state economic development

incentives provided to firms in the four U.S. cities finds that transactions align with several principles of inclusive economic development but fall short on others. Cities, regions, and states must master the global scale and technological complexity of the advanced economy and address the entrenched and exclusionary biases that prevent all workers and communities from meeting their productive potential. This dynamic is distilled into four principles toward which cities and states can align incentives.

■ Grow from within by prioritizing firms in advanced industries that drive local comparative advantage, innovation, productivity, and wage gains. On average, advanced industries account for about 20 percent of economic output but receive about onethird of all incentives.

■ Boost trade by facilitating export growth and trade with other markets in the United States and abroad in ways that deepen regional industry specializations and bring in new income and investment.

■ Invest in people and skills by Einar K. Forsman incorporating Rockford Chamber of Commerce workers’ skill development as a priority for economic development and employers so that improving human capacities results in meaningful work and wages. Black and Hispanic workers remain underrepresented in industries that receive economic development incentives, and a low share of incentives go to firms for job training purposes.

■ Connect place by catalyzing economic place-making, and work at multiple geographic levels to connect local communities to regional jobs, housing, and opportunity. Within this principle, many cities focus incentives on addressing blight and distress in communities of concentrated poverty.

4. Economic development leaders should ensure incentives policies align with broader economic objectives, embrace public transparency and rigorous evaluation, and only target firms that advance broad-based Continued on page 24

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

august 2018 | 3

Founders’ Day (continued from front page)

The publication is on sale for $20 and the Chamber has additional Chamber shirts available for purchase. The Presenting Sponsor was Rockford University, a Chamber founding member. Illinois Bank & Trust was the hospitality sponsor, and the business sponsor was Savant Capital Management. theVoice

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

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

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

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

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

Go to www.rockfordchamber.com and login to see more pictures!

4 | AUGUST 2018

theVoice

PROFILE Member Profile

Roland Christen’s telescope manufacturing company, Astro-Physics, received national attention in 2006; appearing in Travel Channel’s “Made in America” television program.

Star-studded success

Astro-Physics, Inc., puts its telescopes on the national map

By Paul Anthony Arco If you happen to be a star gazer, do you ever think about who made that telescope you’re peering through?

Chances are good that it’s a local company.

Astro-Physics, Inc., is a manufacturer of amateur telescopes, mounts and accessories, based in Machesney Park and owned by Roland and Marjorie Christen. “We design and manufacturer high-end telescopes and mountings for the advanced amateur,” said Karen Christen, business administrator.

“These are very experienced hobbyists.

This isn’t their job or living, but a hobby.

We make top line equipment.”

Astro-Physics may not be a household name, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t known. While they sell their products directly through dealers, a majority of sales are direct to customers, many of whom are international clients. Simply, Astro-Physics doesn’t advertise because it doesn’t need to.

Sundstrand Engineer Starts Business The company was founded in the 1970s when Roland was an electrical engineer at Sundstrand. “My dad is an amateur astronomer who wanted to take pictures of the stars. It was driving him crazy so he created his own accessory to take extended photos,” Karen said.

“Everywhere he took this box people asked if he could make them one.”

So, in 1975, Roland took out a small ad in a national astronomy publication for what he called the “star tracker.” Before the magazine even hit the streets, he had an order for six. From there, he started producing telescopes, mounts and other accessories. Roland left his engineering position in 1984, and his wife left her job as a speech pathologist a year later to work fulltime in their business.

The Christens started working from their basement and moved into rented space three years later. They built their current facility in 1990 and doubled its size with an expansion project in 2004.

Astro-Physics employs a staff of 22, ranging from machinists to tech support.

About 30 percent of the employees are astronomy enthusiasts.

“We enjoy being in the Rockford area,” said Karen, the Christen’s daughter.

“As a manufacturing company, we’ve considered moving elsewhere. Sometimes it would be easier to be in Arizona where there are more astronomers, the air is dry and there are no clouds. But we stay in Rockford because of the support we receive, and it’s easy to work with the subcontractors here.”

Production doesn’t happen overnight.

From the time a customer places an order, the process takes about six months.

Telescopes and mounts can range in price from $6,000 to $30,000. Astro-Physics sells more mounts than telescopes.

National Attention Karen Christen was a physical therapist until she joined the family business a year ago. She will take the reins of the business one day, once her parents decide to retire.

“I loved my job in healthcare for 21 years,” she said. “But I was at a crossroads in my career. My parents and I had a long talk and decided this was the right choice for all of us. How many people get the opportunity to walk into a successful and interesting business with tremendous growth opportunity? I have no manufacturing background, but I know how to run a business.”

Astro-Physics received national attention in 2006 when Travel Channel’s “Made in America,” television program profiled the local company. The show’s host, John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin on the TV show “Cheers,” came to town to learn more about Astro-Physics, its employees and the products they make.

“When I go to conventions, people are in awe of my parents,” Karen Christen said. “Around the world, Astro-Physics is famous. In Rockford, we’re unknown. And we’re ok with that.”

ASTRO-PHYSICS, INC. Owners: Roland and Marjorie Christen 11250 Forest Hills Road 815-282-1513 www.astro-physics.com

theVoice

AUGUST 2018 | 5

Young Professionals ignite

Let’s get moving!

Thoughts on staying physically active in Rockford, Illinois The secret to an active lifestyle might seem counterintuitive: The more energy you expend, the more energy you will have. The inverse is also true; leading a sedentary lifestyle teaches our bodies to expect inaction, so when the time comes to get moving, it is taken by surprise and tires quickly. The key to transitioning from one to the other is pushing through the initial transformation so your body comes to expect action, and in turn has the energy to keep it up. Both cycles are self-perpetuating, but it is your choice which path to take.

This article provides ideas for how to make more active decisions in Rockford, Illinois. Let’s get moving!

The easiest place to start is making small active choices throughout the day.

Use the stairs, take walking breaks at work, or do some regular stretching, situps, pushups and squats at home. There are other activities to do on your own too, like walking and jogging. The trick to taking advantage of this hyper-efficient (and affordable) activity is to start small and slow. Go for a short walk every other day. The Rock River Recreation Path offers over seven miles of paved path with free parking and beautiful views of the Rock River, Sinnissippi Gardens and the Nicholas Conservatory. As your body adjusts to regular movement, lengthen your distance.

Patience is necessary to see real change over time. Register for an organized walk/run with a friend (find info on running groups at Fleet Feet and Runner’s Image). Create a training schedule to prepare for the big day.

Put a calendar on your wall; cross off each day you complete your workout to measure progress. On race day, feel good knowing you worked hard to reach this point! Afterward, sign up for another race to improve your performance.

Some Alternatives Biking is a great alternative to jogging. The “I Bike Rockford” Facebook group and email list has regular announcements for local group rides. If mountain biking is more your style, Rock Cut State Park offers more than 23 miles of trails that are connected to the Willow Creek Bike Trail and Perryville Path; connecting it to Loves Park and Rockford. While at Rock Cut, rent a kayak, canoe or paddle board for an upper body work out.

Another alternative is joining a gym.

Rockford offers traditional gyms like the YMCA, Peak Fitness and Anytime Fitness. These affordable options (between $30 and $50 per month) provide convenient hours, a wide variety

of exercise Dan Fiedler equipment and IGNITE even classes and fitness training at additional cost.

Crossfit gyms offer communitybased workouts and regular classes with trained coaches who can help modify workouts to your fitness level. You might have seen the Crossfit Games on TV (taking place this year in Madison, Wis., at the beginning of August).

Don’t be intimidated, local gyms are accessible to people of all fitness levels.

Go to Crossfit Supercell (free classes every Saturday at 9 a.m., for people who want to give it a try), Crossfit Rockford and Screw City Crossfit. Check out their Facebook pages and websites for more info. They cost a bit more because of the attention each member gets from the coaches, but they offer a unique way to build community with others trying to create an active lifestyle.

Team-Based Options Another community-based alternative is joining a soccer, softball or volleyball team through Mercyhealth Sportscore (two locations). UW Health Sports Factory also has year-round activities like volleyball, basketball, pickleball and dodgeball. Both facilities have restaurants — great places to grab a bite with teammates after a game. Sign up with friends or make new friends by joining a team on your own.

Interested in water sports? The YMCA hosts a rowing crew on the Rock River.

A slightly less formal activity that still provides the team sport atmosphere is pick-up Ultimate (Frisbee) every Monday evening from 5 p.m., until dark at the park near the corner of Mulford Road and Darlene Drive. It is free, all skill levels are welcome (even the “no-skill” level) and no special equipment is necessary.

Making a successful lifestyle change requires incremental steps over a long period of time. Set sustainable goals and find ways to keep yourself accountable to them. Have patience; you will feel healthier and gain energy.

These are just a few ideas, many more options for being physically active in Rockford are waiting to be explored.

If you know of things not mentioned here, take the initiative: Invite others to join you and start doing it!

Dan Fiedler works for the U.S. District Court.

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

6 | AUGUST 2018

theVoice

Community Challenge Kick-off

County Chairman and city Mayors challenge to area youth Winnebago County Board Chairman Frank Haney, City of Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, City of South Beloit Mayor Ted Rehl, City of Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain, and a growing network of community partners have launched the “Read 815” campaign.

“Read 815” is a challenge to every person in our community to read a book a week from now to the start of the school year. It is also an invitation to every adult in our community to challenge a child or group of children to take the “Read 815 Challenge,” and to read with and alongside them as needed. Everyone can participate.

Everyone can help.

The biggest difference between where a person is today compared to where they could be five years from now comes down to two things: “…the people they meet and the books they read.” (Charles E. Jones, The Books You Read, 1986.)

Creating a culture of reading in our community is critical to our long-term success. It impacts everything — from quality of life for our residents and their families — to our communities’ ability to attract and retain business — to public safety.

Post your weekly reading selfie on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram

by using the hashtags: #Read815, #BookAWeek, or #ReadingSelfie. Tag your friends and family with a challenge to read a book a week.

Follow “Read 815” on Instagram for best-in-category reading selfie contests, prize announcements, celebrity appearances, and more. To qualify, posts must include campaign hashtags, or a reading log (use the Read 815 Booka-Week Challenge log, your own reading journal, or any reading program chart.)

There are many programs available throughout the region for both children and adults. Find one on the “Read 815” Instagram page, or tell us about your favorite.

Launching partners include Alignment Rockford, City of Belvidere, City of Rockford, City of South Beloit, The Fatherhood Encouragement Project, The Literacy Council, Regional Office of Education, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Park District, Rockford Public Library, Rockford University, Rock Valley College, Transform Rockford, United Way, Village of Machesney Park, Village of New Milford, YMCA of Rock River Valley, and Winnebago County. From social media posts to volunteerism and sponsorship, there are unlimited opportunities for participation.

Mid-West Family Broadcasting acquires assets of B95 Broadcast station owner and local DeKalb County leader, Tana Knetsch, has entered into an agreement to sell the assets of WDKB-FM, B95 to MidWest Family Broadcasting, already with five radio stations in Rockford.

For the past three decades, Knetsch has owned and operated WDKBFM in DeKalb County with a focus similar to that of Mid-West Family Broadcasting: local programming and a high level community involvement.

Mid-West Family Broadcasting will enter the DeKalb market once the Federal Communications Commission approves the transfer of license from Knetsch; expected in late August or early September. Until then, Knetsch will continue to operate B95 and for a period of time after the transfer of license, will remain as a consultant to Mid-West Family Broadcasting.

“We’re very excited to build on the great foundation that Tana has built at B95,” said Mike Paterson, general manager of Mid-West Family Broadcasting. “WDKB is a wellrespected mainstay of DeKalb County.

Our mantra is to ‘Create a Customer’ during any interaction – whether that’s an advertiser, a listener, a co-worker or a community member. We’re very excited to dig into the communities of DeKalb County and demonstrate our commitment to them by being involved and making an impact for local residents and business owners.”

Mid-West Family Broadcasting owns and operates radio stations in eight Midwestern communities including South Bend, Ind., and Madison, Wis. All of its markets are locally owned and operated by shareholder employees.

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

august 2018 | 7

River Edge Tax Credit statewide signed into law

Shown are representatives of the seven businesses chosen for the second-annual Business is Blooming city-wide beautification contest.

RACVB announces winners of Business is Blooming The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the 2018 Business is Blooming program winners, part of the Forest City Beautiful goal to encourage businesses to beautify their storefronts.

A team of eight judges visited the exterior grounds of 54 businesses south of Riverside, west of Alpine, north of Broadway and east of Rockton Avenue.

Seven were chosen: ■ Trove, small business ■ UIC Health Sciences Campus, large business ■ Sisters Thai Café, restaurant outdoor dining ■ Restoration Café, downtown business ■ Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, returning champion

■ Anderson Japanese Gardens, public garden ■ Erlander/Nordic Cultural Center, attraction Judging was based on a wellmaintained landscaping, façade, lighting, benches, walkways, signage, fences and hardscape; litter-free perimeter; graffiti-free exteriors, first impressions; cleanliness; inviting signage; creative exterior, and exterior music, if applicable. Winners received a prize package including a trophy, an RACVB online promotions prize package valued at $1,850 and a Business of Distinction window cling.

According to Chris Berndt, director of physical plant, IT and facility planning for UIC Health Sciences Campus – Rockford, said, “maintaining the parklike atmosphere of the 20-acre campus,

from when it was a [tuberculosis] TB sanitarium in the early 1900s to when it became the College of Medicine in 1971 to today as a health sciences campus with multiple colleges and programs, takes dedication and planning.” He credited the work of the maintenance staff, Crimson Valley Landscaping and the campus Garden Club.

In its third year, the 2019 Business is Blooming program will again expand city-wide and become a nominationbased contest. Registration for the 2019 contest is open and all applications are due by June 14, 2019, with judging on July 16, 2019 and awards ceremony on July 25, 2019. Business owners are encouraged to visit forestcitybeautiful. com/bloom to get more information and register to participate. There is no cost to nominate a business.

Legislation expanding an economic development tool known as the River Edge Tax Credit was signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner at the end of July. Senate Bill 3527 expands the tax credit previously available in downtown Rockford, Aurora, Peoria, Elgin and East St. Louis, to businesses across the entire state.

“This tax credit has been a vital tool to spur the economic growth of downtown Rockford,” said Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford.

In Rockford, it has been used to incentivize projects like the $12 million renovation at the Prairie Street Brewhouse. “I’m excited about the possibilities that await our state by expanding this credit statewide.”

The credit is equal to 25 percent of the rehabilitation costs for a business in a historic building, with a limit of $15 million total per year that will be administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on a first-come firstserve basis. It expires at the end of 2023.

Source: Senator Stadelman’s Weekly Bulletin, July 27, 2018

8 | AUGUST 2018

theVoice

Guest Perspective insight

New challenges, demographic changes mean new priorities Once again, I was fortunate to be given an opportunity to learn more about the wonderful activities and services in our community. This time it was regarding the Rockford Park District. I thought I had a good understanding of the many ways the RPD improves the quality of life for our residents. My family utilized the playgrounds, parks, facilities and participated in numerous events. I also knew that the RPD was a great place for kids to gain valuable employment experience learning what it means to bring people together for leisure, education and the common love of play.

However, within the last few months, I realized that my experience with the RPD was just a small part of all that goes on in a day, month, year — and actually its 109year history! I’ve caught myself saying over and over again, “I had no idea.”

As you have likely heard by now, the RPD is in the midst of developing a fiveyear master plan, which will include recommendations on areas to reinvest, eliminate and strategically add. Since March, it has been hosting community meetings and gathering feedback through a variety of unique and creative ways to ensure relevancy and meet the recreational and educational needs of current and subsequent generations.

Taking a Fresh Look Executive Director Jay Sandine reached out to a cross-section of regional residents to be a part of an Operations Advisory Committee. This seven-member volunteer committee, along with two Board of Commissioner representatives, was charged with providing a fresh set of eyes on all aspects of RPD operations, including human resources, finance, partnerships, golf, aquatics, maintenance, food and beverage, marketing and youth programs.

Along with myself, the volunteer Operations Advisory Committee members include Creig Day, executive director, Rockford Sharefest; Jeff Fahrenwald, vice president strategic development, SupplyCore; Jim Aamodt, owner, Gymnastic Academy of Rockford; Lloyd Johnston, president, Rockford NAACP; Luz Ramirez, chief administrative officer, YWCA Northwestern Illinois; Stephanie Koch, owner, Culver’s; Scott Olson, Rockford Park District board of commissioners; and, Tyler Smith, Rockford Park District board of commissioner.

The group has met monthly since February; coming to the table with unique perspectives, life lessons, business experience and select areas of expertise.

The goal: to work with community members, business owners, RPD staff

and other Rudy Valdez Rockford Park District stakeholders to identify opportunities, strengths, areas of improvement and risks so that new strategies can be developed. Committee members have spent time analyzing operational strategies, reviewing budgets and policies, going on tours to look at the heavy amount of maintenance and infrastructure needs throughout the district, experiencing what it’s like to be a youth participating in a free summer playground program, and just asking questions.

This is a very transparent organization, that is very large and complex, which is why many of us keep saying, “I had no idea.” I have spent the majority of my time meeting with Executive Director Jay Sandine and Foundation President Lori Berkes-Nelson to develop, reinforce or adjust partnering opportunities in order for the RPD to have an even greater impact on our community.

For 109 years, the RPD has been working to increase property values, stimulate economic development, decrease juvenile crime, and improve our communities’ health. They have been saying “yes, how can we help?” going above and beyond, all while being stewards of taxpayer dollars.

However, our community has new challenges and demographic changes that financially impact current RPD priorities; making it extremely difficult for them to provide the same level of service as in past years without new revenue streams or reducing the RPD footprint. I am in awe of the incredible work the RPD has done and continues to do, day in and day out, to make our region the best it can be in leisure and play. In addition, the various learning programs at locations such as Washington Park Community Center, Atwood Park, Lockwood Park and Nicholas Conservatory complement and augment curriculum in regional educational institutions.

The approach the RPD has taken to gather feedback over these last few months has demonstrated the commitment to establishing a viable and effective strategic plan to keep the RPD on the national awardwinning level. The more the members of the Operations Advisory Committee and the community learn about the RPD and its history, the less often we will hear or say, “I had no idea.”

Rudy Valdez is a Rockford Park District operations advisory committee member and Kaney Aerospace product leader.

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

theVoice

AUGUST 2018 | 9

 Destination

ILLINOIS, USA

ADDING WEALTH TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY BY GROWING TOURISM

Give me an R-O-C-K-F-O-R-D

Many ways to celebrate Rockford Day on 8-15

Rockford Day is all inclusive of the region, which includes 815ers and 779ers in Cherry Valley, Durand, Loves Park, Machesney Park, New Milford, Pecatonica, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe, Seward, Shirland, South Beloit and Winnebago.

Here at RACVB, every day is Rockford Day, but for the past three years, our city has paused collectively on August 15 to celebrate the people, places and things that make us glad we live here.

Why August 15? Well, of course, the date relates to our 815 area code, which covers the entire region. Rockford Day is all inclusive of the region, which includes 815ers and 779ers in Cherry Valley, Durand, Loves Park, Machesney Park, New Milford, Pecatonica, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe, Seward, Shirland, South Beloit and Winnebago.

Plans are in place to make Rockford Day 2018 bigger and better. Each year, more organizations and businesses choose to participate in activities or celebrate the day with special deals for customers. At RACVB, we’re planning a Patio Party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our office at State and Main streets in downtown Rockford.

Come for music, prizes and surprises.

Remember the musical tribute we used to sing to celebrate our moms on Mother’s Day? “M is for the million things she gave me …,” etc.? In the spirit of the occasion, I offer this guide to the good times for Rockford Day. (Don’t expect me to sing it, though!)

Spell me PROUD R is for a REAL and rocking good time with Andrew Robinson, a Rockfordbased musician who’ll bring his one-man band to the Patio Party at RACVB. O is for ORIGINAL. Get in the spirit of Rockford Day by viewing episodes of “Our City, Our Story.”

Film maker Pablo Korona has captured original, one-of-a-kind stories about interesting people who make Rockford tick. You can find the OCOS videos on our website, gorockford.com.

C is for CIVIC PRIDE. Mayor Tom McNamara will kick off Rockford Day at 8:15 a.m. with a proclamation ceremony

John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

at Mary’s Market on East State Street.

Rockford Day helps us focus on and celebrate the obvious progress we’re making in our region.

K is for KEEP NORTHERN ILLINOIS BEAUTIFUL, which is asking residents to save bottle caps and bring them downtown on Rockford Day for use in a piece of artwork to be created on the spot. Also, K is for KIDS, specifically teen apprentices in the ArtsPlace program, who will demonstrate their civic pride by creating a chalk drawing on the State Street Bridge.

F is for MRS. FISHER’S, a treasured Rockford chip-making company that will offer treats at RACVB’s party. And, F is for FLOWERS. While you’re downtown, check out the amazing impact of the FOREST CITY BEAUTIFUL efforts.

O. Again. OH MY GOODNESS, is there anything better than Zammuto’s granita, made the OLD-FASHIONED Italian way? Come and get it at our party!

R is for ROCKFORD DANCE COMPANY, which will perform mid-day in the parking lot of the Rockford Register Star. The ROCKFORD AREA ARTS COUNCIL will offer an exhibit by the Rockford Art Guild from 8:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Shumway Market Gallery.

And R is for the first iBike Rockford community ride through downtown. Find the route on our website and plan to pedal from 6 to 7 p.m.

D is for DISCOUNTS, DEALS and DOCK PARTIES. In the evening, Prairie Street Brewhouse will host Rockford Day on the Docks featuring music, food and drink. We invite other public and private organizations from throughout the region to join in the celebration by offering Rockford Day-themed specials. Visit gorockford.com and find Rockford Day under the “Events” tab. Register your special, and we’ll feature it on our website and in social media.

Rockford Day is all about showcasing what we love and appreciate about our region. I hope you’ll join in the fun.

John Groh is president/CEO of Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The mission of the RACVB is to drive quality of life and economic growth for our citizens through tourism marketing and destination development. www. gorockford.com The views expressed are Groh’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

august 2018 | 10

Investing in a stronger workforce at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) It has been 53 years since the Chrysler Belvidere Assembly plant was built with the first production line vehicle (1966 Plymouth Fury II) made on July 7, 1965. See the Boone County Museum of History story at http://bcmuseumofhistory.org/page. asp?PageID=94.

The plant’s labor force is now more than 5,300 hourly and salaried employees. The Belvidere plant has been responsible for building 13 different models over the last 53 years. Some of the past models included the Chrysler Horizon (1979-1988), Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue (1990-1993), Dodge Neon (1994-2005), Jeep Compass (20072016) and the Jeep Cherokee model currently being made.

It was in late 2015 that FCA announced it would move production of the Jeep Cherokee to the Belvidere plant. The assembly plant was built adjacent to the Chrysler-operated Belvidere Stamping Plant, which produces sheet metal parts for the production line and is unique to Chrysler’s plants, along with Belvidere becoming the first Chrysler plant in 2006 to use a fully-robotic body shop.

Customized Health & Safety Training Rock Valley College has been called upon by the Belvidere assembly plant to assist in various capacities over the years, with the Business and Professional Institute (BPI) providing customized training programs. In November 2017, Jeremy Bahr, environmental health & safety manager, contracted with BPI to offer OSHA 30-hour General Industry classes. Upon successful completion of the training in December, each attending FCA employee received a 30-hour General Industry Safety and Health certification card along with a First Aid/CPR/AED and Blood Borne

Pathogens certification, which complies with OSHA and the American Heart Association standards.

“Due to our different shifts at the plant, Rock Valley and its instructor were able to create a training schedule to accommodate our specific needs,” Bahr said. July 10 was the start of the third employee group for OSHA 30-hour General Industry training, and upon completion, more than 30 employees will have received their certification.

Customized TIG Welding Michael Campa, LTTC skilled trades representative from the Belvidere Assembly plant, also reached out to Rock Valley College’s BPI unit for onsite TIG (Gas Tungsten Arc) welding, specifically for the die makers in the stamping department. The customized TIG welding curriculum for the die makers was comprised of theory, heat treatment and metallurgy, along with hands-on lab application of gas tungsten arc welding.

The curriculum also covered welding in all positions on plate with special emphasis on welding shop safety rules and process safety. The first group of die makers completed their class on Jan. 17.

Three other die maker groups have since

completed their training. The training was scheduled in four classes consisting of 4.5 hours each, from 6 to 10:30 p.m.

“We were extremely pleased with the instructor and how accommodating BPI was in making the schedule work for our A, B and C crews,” said Campa. “Being able to provide the training on-site for the die makers was extremely important and having them utilize their own equipment, which allowed us to get a great return on our training investment.”

Michael Hobbs, skilled trades training representative, who works closely with Michael Campa, inquired if Rock Valley College’s BPI could accommodate an HVAC training for the skilled trades employees. After additional conversations and research to understand the specific training needs, the curriculum was agreed upon.

The two-day training was conducted on May 21 and 22, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Belvidere Assembly Plant.

The specific air conditioning service training curriculum covered refrigerant recovery, evacuation and charging techniques, refrigerant piping for split systems and system start-up for small tonnage systems. The curriculum also discussed the importance of system troubleshooting through logging.

“The employees all agreed that the training was very thorough and spot Bernie Luecke on,” Hobbs RVC BPI said.

“Mike Campa and I were very impressed with the delivery and content of the air conditioning service training, we will definitely be scheduling more.”

The Business & Professional Institute has also scheduled a special Chilled Water Systems trainings for September with Hobbs and Campa. The two-day curriculum will cover how to maintain and adjust system water piping system components to obtain optimal chiller operation. Additional air conditioning service training is slated for October.

If your company has a training need or you are interested in learning more about BPI’s customized training services, please contact Bernie Luecke at 815-921-2067 or e-mail at B.Luecke@ RockValleyCollege.edu Note: Some of the content in the article was cited from internet sources.

Bernie Luecke is director of the Business & Professional Institute at Rock Valley College.

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

APPRENTICESHIPS Rock Valley College recently enrolled 22 FCA employees in the following trades: ■ Electrician ■ Millwright ■ Pipefitter ■ Die Maker ■ Tool Maker

Sponsored by RVC BPI

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com AUGUST 2018 | 11

august 2018 | 11

New online tax collection rules ‘level playing field’ Illinois to benefit from Supreme Court ruling

By Barbara Connors

has prevented market participants from competing on an even playing field.”

After years of debate over states’ rights to collect sales taxes from out-ofstate retailers for online purchases, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair on June 21.

In a 5-4 decision, the court agreed that an economic presence — not a physical one — should be the basis for taxing a sale.

“We are encouraged by this decision and believe it is a positive step forward for the industry to level the playing field between bricks-and-mortar stores and online retail,” said Mark Peterson, general manager of CherryVale Mall and a member of the Rockford Chamber board.

The supreme court called the precedent set in 1992, Quill Corporation v. North Dakota, in which governments can only collect sales taxes on purchases made from retailers with a physical presence in the state “flawed” and a “tax shelter for businesses.” “By giving some online retailers an arbitrary advantage over their competitors who collect state sales taxes,” the opinion said, “Quill’s physical presence rule has limited States’ ability to seek long-term prosperity and

Increased Revenues for Illinois The ruling has opened the door for Illinois to collect sales taxes from more outof-state online retailers. In anticipation, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Budget Implementation bill, signed

by Gov. Bruce Rauner in June, with a law for the state to capture this new revenue without waiting for veto session, according to a blog by Hannah Meisel of Springfield-based political newsletter, capitolfax.com.

Beginning on Oct. 1, the state’s 6.25 sales tax extends to out-of-state retailers who do $100,000 or more worth of business annually in Illinois (or 200 or more in annual transactions).

These businesses are considered to be “maintaining a place of business in this state” and required to collect and remit the taxes.

The Illinois budget, which took effect in July, includes $150 million in new revenue from this anticipated increase in online sales taxes — an estimate derived by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. It’s also estimated that

One weekend to jump start an idea Teams to test viability of new concepts

By Jason Todd, Thinker Ventures You don’t need to be a startup to be at Startup Weekend Rockford 2018, hosted by Thinker on Sept. 7 to 9 and presented by Techstars and Google for Entrepreneurs. Beginning that Friday night, strangers will gather and present their ideas for products and services, then join into teams. By the end of Sunday, five to eight ideas will be presented to a handful of judges.

The challenge of testing a concept, learning as a team and iterating in a short period of time can lead to new discoveries. Companies such as Zapier ($6 million in annual revenue), Launchrock ($6.5 million in annual revenue) and Eventup ($2.5 million in annual revenue) all were launched at Startup Weekends.

New Discoveries The winner of Startup Weekend Rockford walks away with eternal glory as the envy of their peers, and on occasion, discovers the next big thing.

Individuals also use Startup Weekend to learn how to run their organizations better, jumpstart career paths and get connected with energy for launching new concepts. Mentors

are on-hand to provide expert advice and fine-tune implementation.

I have been involved in Startup Weekends around the Midwest for several years; judging, mentoring and facilitating weekends in Rockford, Madison and Purdue University. Each weekend has its own personality and amazing participants. I’ve seen apps that will help you find where the party is at or teach people to cook, and even a robotic, automated ice cream maker using liquid nitrogen!

There are a handful of ways to get value out of this year’s event: Attend. It’s a high commitment weekend that you won’t forget. Coders, mechanical engineers, designers, writers, CEOs, dreamers -- everyone can play a part.

Encourage someone else to attend.

It’s perfect for college students, young professionals and even 40-year-olds who enjoy the creative process.

For more information visit communities.techstars.com/usa/ Rockford or thinkerventures.com/ event/startup-weekend-rockford.

Jason Todd is founder and managing director at Thinker Ventures.

80 percent of out-of-state retailers already pay sales taxes in Illinois.

Multiple Factors in Play From a national perspective, the amount of new revenues state and local governments collect based on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling will vary depending on their reliance on general sales taxes. This according to Fitch Ratings, one of the Big Three U.S. credit rating agencies.

Fitch noted that five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon) have no statewide sales tax, but 20 rely on sales taxes for more than onethird of their total tax collections. The majority of the largest internet retailers already collect sales taxes through voluntary agreements with states.

Estimates are that the increase in sales taxes are between $8 billion and $13 billion, or roughly two to four percent of state and local sales tax collections in 2015, according to the 2017 U.S.

Government Accountability Office report. It took into account internet sales taxes already being collected. The report surmises that Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Alabama could be among the states seeing the greatest revenue benefit.

Einar Forsman, Rockford Chamber president noted, “For brick and mortar businesses that receive online orders, complexities remain in how to manage and apply the appropriate State sales taxes at time of order. How this will be resolved on a national level remains to be seen.”

Compiled by Barbara Connors, editor of The Voice, from sources: capitolfax.com, www. fitchratings.com.

The Chamber will followup in future articles as to how the law changes are affecting local businesses.

12 | august 2018

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

Accountability, the glue that binds an organization Jennifer was staring across the desk, arms crossed, trying to keep a neutral expression on her face. Inside she was seething. Her direct report Roger, once again, had missed a major deadline delaying shipment of the customer’s product by 3 weeks. Jennifer listened as Roger justified the missed deadline, reminding her of how much he had on his plate. As she slowly boiled over inside, Roger said, “Seriously Jennifer, it’s not like I’m the only one that misses deadlines.” That was it, she’d had enough. “Roger are you kidding me?!”

She then spent the next 30 minutes recalling the past years’ worth of unmet expectations, Roger’s mouth wide open caught in the vortex of accountability.

You have probably seen or experienced a scenario very similar to this one. Direct report walks into their boss’s office for a yearly review and they are held “accountable”. It is a word steeped in meaning, yet devoid of understanding.

Webster defines accountability as, “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s

actions.” It is the word at the forefront of the question every leader is asking.

“How do I hold my people accountable for outcomes?”

First, let’s talk about what accountability is not. Accountability is not using a position of authority to “catch” people making mistakes. It is not berating an employee for missing a deadline or obligation.

Accountability is giving those under authority the opportunity to “give account” (tell their story) for meeting expectations on a regular basis to their teammates and their leader(s). It is the glue that binds an organization’s strategy, mission, processes and direction.

When an organization is doing it well, meetings are better, morale improves, turnover decreases and profits go up. It allows employees to answer the fundamental question, “How am I doing?”

So, what does a great accountability structure look like?

It’s important to note that accountability is dependent upon one

critical function that most companies do — usually not well — , and that’s setting expectations (measures).

Clear expectations are the driver for accountability. Without expectations or metrics that are predictive (ones that impact the result directly) and influenceable (the team has control over results), accountability cannot take place.

Once we’ve set clear expectations, there are key components to a culture of accountability.

First, a leader must set up Accountability Structures (One to One and Team meetings) on a regular (i.e. monthly) basis. The remaining three components happen in the meeting.

The leaders gives their direct reports the opportunity to “give account” by: ■ Reporting on last period’s commitments (action plans)

accountability is what we like to call “Just In Time” feedback.

Leaders should regularly seek Kevin Williams to understand The Anser Group what is working and not working around accountability.

By simply creating a structure and a space for employees to “give account”, not only will you erase the negative stigma associated with the word ‘accountability’, but you will reap the benefits of a more engaged and productive workforce…and ultimately a heathier and more successful organization.

■ Reviewing and updating the dashboard (metrics)

Kevin Williams is managing partner at The Anser Group.

■ Setting new commitments (action plan) Finally, the last part of great

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

RLA Ad - Space is 9.5 x 3.25

rockfordchamber.com • theVoice • august 2018

Preparing for Success with a 21 st Century Education | 13

A Few Words from RPS 205 Superintendent VIEWPOINT

Transformed learning throughout the district Cherry Valley School opens in August At the Rockford Public Schools, we’re going back to the future.

Offering a 21st century education can mean new, modern school buildings, transformed learning spaces and innovative programs that emphasize creativity and critical-thinking skills.

We’re doing that.

But it can also mean reinvesting in things we should have never stopped doing. We’re doing that, too.

An example is our training for manufacturing careers. Manufacturing has always been in our community’s DNA, although RPS 205 didn’t always prioritize training for the modern manufacturing careers that exist today.

We’re doing that now.

Every year over the last five years, we’ve made significant investments in renovating manufacturing classrooms at Jefferson High School. We began by removing more than 70 percent of obsolete equipment.

We engineered floor space for an optimal learning environment. We installed a new CNC milling machine, after Circle Boring donated one of theirs to tide us over. We purchased eight new manual lathes. There were many other investments.

It isn’t just about shiny new things, though. In Charles Kluzak’s classrooms, students have learned valuable life skills as well as marketable manufacturing skills. They have clocked in using timecards, learned time management and how to plan for long-term projects. They know Six Sigma and OSHA standards.

INCubatoredu Launches in 2019-20 Kluzak knows the value of these skills from experience: He came to teaching in RPS 205 after managing several manufacturing companies. He will continue to offer strong value to students as he transitions this coming school year from teacher to coach of our high school academies at Jefferson.

We’re also excited about the future of an innovative program, INCubatoredu, which will begin as a pilot at one high school in the 2019-20 school year.

INCubatoredu gives students an authentic entrepreneurship experience, extending from business concept to creating a viable and functioning product to pitching the product. All along the way, students learn from a team of experts, including volunteer coaches and

mentors. The learning model uses the teacher as facilitator rather than “sage on the stage.” That prompts students to work in teams, to continually test their thinking and to continuously improve.

The plan for INCubatoredu is one of the many reasons I am proud of our award-winning high school academies, which have their own models for continuous improvement.

Modernized Physical Spaces Our investment in the future continues in physical spaces, where we are able to offer modern instruction in a more modern environment. It’s part of a 10-year plan to upgrade every building in the district. Along with 13 additions and a $17 million investment in new furniture, we are building two new schools.

The first to come on-line is Cherry Valley Elementary, which will open this month for the 2018-19 school year. The new school consolidates White Swan, Thompson and the former Cherry Valley School, and it reduces our footprint for more efficient and effective learning.

A ribbon cutting for Cherry Valley School will be held at 3 p.m. Friday,

Aug. 17. The community Dr. Ehren Jarrett Superintendent is cordially RPS 205 invited to that event, as well as a community open house the same day from 3:30 to 5 p.m. We encourage you to come see what a 21st century classroom looks like.

And stay tuned for the opening of Constance Lane Elementary School near the current Kishwaukee School a year from now. The new school will be the result of a collaborative vision with the City of Rockford and Winnebago County to remove blighted homes, improve the neighborhood and create a true community school.

The concept of community school is back to the future, too. It’s not oldfashioned. On the contrary: It’s what 21st century learning is all about.

Dr. Ehren Jarrett is superintendent of Rockford Public Schools.

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

14 | Preparing for Success with a 21 st Century Education

august 2018 • theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

Rockford University PERSPECTIVE

The literacy connection to a better quality of life The theme presented in this issue of The VOICE, “Preparing for Success with a 21st Century Education” is complex. You have only to read a newspaper or website to know that this is an issue around which it is hard to gain consensus. Well-meaning people often spend valuable time arguing about the efficacy of different delivery systems, the importance of family, the dearth of funding, the merits and dangers of Common Core, the pedagogy of pedagogy. I think you get the point.

In my view, it doesn’t matter the century. It doesn’t matter your age or where you are along life’s continuum; with a few anecdotal exceptions, success is grounded in literacy with a capital L (reading, writing and arithmetic) and the degree to which an individual can, or wants, or needs to eventually learn and utilize multiple “small-l” literacies to develop a framework around which to lead a fulfilled and successful life.

Ultimately it is the personal responsibility of every individual to somehow master the primary literacies of reading and writing and arithmetic.

While I am confined here to 600 or so words, suffice it to say that there is a menu of literacies widely viewed as fundamental to success in the 21st century. They can be found at http://wiki. c2.com/?KindsOfLiteracy.

When It Began It all started about 10,000 years ago with numeracy. A system of symbols intended to depict quantities was developed to record acts of commerce.

That codification eventually expanded into similar symbols to depict the kinds of items being traded. The better you were at reading those symbols, the better your lot in life.

On top of that, those who could synthesize that information; utilizing or expanding on other literacies (for instance, historical, cultural, philosophical, visual, religious, scientific and financial) were those who all civilizations depended on to expand our general base of knowledge through hypothesis and discovery, theory and relativity, cause and effect.

Flash forward 10,000 years, and the same holds true. There have been a few more literacies developed, resulting from centuries of discovery and advancement, including digital, technological and media literacy. The emergence of these literacies has provided a better life for those people with access.

carve out their lives?

For our Dr. Eric W. Fulcomer part, as a Rockford University comprehensive liberal arts university, we serve as alchemists if you will, providing deep-dive exposure to a homogeneous mix of literacies in an effort to create wellrounded generalists who go from us to lead others, shape communities and solve problems.

Ultimately it is the personal responsibility of every individual to somehow master the primary literacies of reading and writing and arithmetic.

Furthermore, it is a shared responsibility of our society to proactively call out literacy as job one and work toward a goal to shape an engaged and educated citizenry.

The Habit of Reading So, where do we begin? I am intrigued by the new regional initiative to increase 3rd grade reading levels, Read 815, of which Rockford University is a proud partner. Its simple premise seems doable for everyone. I urge you to read on your own while you actively encourage others to read and/or take advantage of the many reading programs available through our local libraries and participating partners.

Coincidentally, when the challenge was put forth through Read 815 to read a book a week for the next seven weeks, I was reading, “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business.”

Fortunately reading has become a habit for me. It is my sincere hope that reading becomes a habit for everyone in the Rock River Valley for our collective good.

Happy reading.

Looking Forward

Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., is president of Rockford University.

So, assuming you are willing to accept my basic premise of success through literacy, where does that leave us and who is responsible for what as individuals

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

rockfordchamber.com • theVoice • august 2018

Preparing for Success with a 21 st Century Education | 15

Guest Perspective insight

Soft skills beats job training in tomorrow’s job market Learning how to learn, versus what to learn As educators, our role is to prepare students for future workforce demands that may be different than those we see today. We design curricula based on predictions about the jobs of tomorrow, which can be difficult to determine.

The speed of innovation continues to accelerate, and a 2016 white paper

by IDC, a leading market research organization, found that the number of skills required for the future job market was growing at an equally astonishing rate. They identified 62 “cross-category” skills, skills required for nearly all occupations, in 2016. In 2013, there were just 37. Most centered around what we consider “soft skills,” including broad communication, problem-solving, interpersonal and presentation skills.

The competitive, global and interconnected world in which we

operate requires that businesses have access to employees who are effective communicators, strong problem-solvers, capable of working independently or in teams, flexible and adaptable. If it sounds like a tall order -- it is.

At Keith we recognize that to give today’s students the foundation necessary to be tomorrow’s knowledge leaders, here is what our classrooms – and students – need.

Oral and Written Communication Skills As corporate hierarchies are flattened, even front-line staff are customer-facing problem-solvers. In its examination of 76.7 million job postings between 2015 and 2016, IDC found oral and written communication was the most required skill across all

Contract extension awarded The Rock Valley College Board of Trustees voted 6-to-1on Tuesday, July 24, in favor of a four year contract extension for college President Douglas Jensen.

Jensen was awarded a four percent raise to $187,200 for the 2018-2019 academic year. His contract includes annual salary increases of three to five percent, depending on the consumer price index. Contract benefits include a $750 monthly automobile stipend and a $5,000 tax-deferred annuity.

“Many people will hear me say that Rock Valley is this community’s college,” Jensen said. “My wife Karen and I are very proud to be here for the next four years.”

Trustee Bob Trojan praised Jensen’s budgeting skills and said he is a “good technologist.”

“This community is a technology community,” Trojan said. “22 percent (of the work force) still work in manufacturing and I think he brings those kinds of skills.”

Excerpted from www.rrstar.com/news

occupations. We need to teach students to collect and process information, then share that information effectively with potentially diverse audiences.

To foster capabilities and confidence in this area, the full continuum of students at Keith (PreK to 12th grade) regularly write and present reports to groups, teach subject matter to their fellow classmates and work in small and large groups on projects. By starting as early as our four-year old program, you can imagine how developed our students’ abilities are by the time they reach high school.

Developing an Entrepreneurial Attitude Tomorrow’s leaders will compete in a global market, so an entrepreneurial attitude is necessary. They’ll need to identify and advance ideas while managing unknowns like emerging technologies, legislation, regulation and globalization. Developing thoughtful, self-starting risk-takers will be to our nation’s competitive advantage.

This generation of students already exhibits a willingness to lean into this attitude. Many of the clubs and organizations active at Keith are a direct result of student interest, cooperation and organization. Our students thrive in academic competition teams, developing their confidence in winning and character in losing.

There’s an enhanced interest in independent study, learning outside of the traditional classroom model, that requires far more self-direction from the student. All of these cultivate the entrepreneurial attitude foundational to high-opportunity jobs.

Incorporate Technologies There is no doubt that technology continues to be a driver of innovation and productivity – both in the workplace and classroom. However, technology is

a double-edged sword.

How

should we teach

Dr. Robert Willis Keith Country Day School

technology when it could so easily become outdated?

We invest in technology as a tool, not a subject matter in itself. At Keith, students use technology to facilitate collaboration, synthesize information, interpret data and evaluate outcomes.

By teaching students the value of the tools, rather than just the tool itself, they can easily embrace new technologies.

Teach Them HOW to Learn At Keith, our students are taught how to learn, versus what to learn to pass a test or earn a grade. We believe this focus is central to our students’ success being accepted to the most competitive colleges and universities, earning merit-based scholarships (our 37 graduating seniors garnered $5 million in scholarships) and living lives of meaning and purpose.

Soft skills beat specific job training – both in terms of their universal applicability and value in tomorrow’s job market. Teaching students to indulge their curiosities, solve problems, draw conclusions and share ideas helps develop the soft skills they’ll need for the next phase of life, whatever that may be. Our educational systems need to assure employers that future workers will have the foundation skills to be valuable and relevant, knowing that many of the occupations they’ll pursue don’t even exist today.

Dr. Robert Willis is the interim head of school for Keith Country Day School.

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

16 | Preparing for Success with a 21 st Century Education

august 2018 • theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective insight

Why hard skills matter…

But soft skills matter more

Matt Giebel

Since opening our office in April in the Rockford area, I’ve met with hundreds of companies. The feedback I’ve received has a common thread.

Employers have a difficult time finding skilled labor due the “skills gap,” and they struggle to find reliable candidates who want to work and contribute positively.

With unemployment in the Rock River Valley hovering around 4.4 percent, it is no wonder that employers are having a difficult time, but these challenges are very much in line with the national sentiment and have been an issue for nearly a decade.

Rather than dwell on the difficulties and the doom, let’s focus on solutions.

What specific skills are employers looking for and how can they combat the 21st century challenges?

Soft Skills for Success In 2016, Express Employment put out a national study that surveyed employers on an annual basis from 2013-2015 as to what they felt were the most important soft and hard skills. The top three most critical soft skills were dependability, motivation and verbal communication. Experience, technical ability and training took the top three slots in the hard skills category.

To extrapolate further, per Cathy Davidson of the Washington Post, Google once had a hiring philosophy to acquire almost exclusively computer science candidates with top grades from elite universities. They did this by creating a sourcing algorithm.

In 2013, Google decided to put their hiring strategy to the test by implementing Project Oxygen, which utilized all of the human resource data compiled thus far. Surprisingly, they found that, “among the eight most important qualities of Google’s top employees, STEM expertise comes in dead last. The seven top characteristics of success at Google are all soft skills.”

In 2016, the Job Outlook Survey done by the National Association for Colleges and Employers, found that the top three skills employers look for are all soft skills: leadership, teamwork and communication. Technical skills were near the bottom.

Environment of Personal Growth While finding the right hard skills match can be extremely difficult, it stands to reason that hard skills are concrete and tangible; thus easier to train. Yet, we now know to reach their full potential, employers must find candidates with soft skills. But how

can this be Express Employment Professionals done? On rare occasions an employer will stumble upon a top-notch candidate with refined soft skills, but the majority of applicants lack a certain “Je ne sais quoi.”

In the current market, it’s up to the employer to create an environment that supports personal growth in relation to soft skills. Not only will this approach improve the culture and performance of the employers’ current workforce, it will also attract better candidates over time.

Simple Ideas to Get Started ■ Administer personality assessments and have a group discussion thereafter. This is a great starting point that will aid employees in their personal understanding, create trust among the group when done properly, and improve communication.

■ Train on and discuss as a group the book “Emotional Intelligence 2.0.” This book discusses the idea that the single most important factor to success in any role is one’s EQ (emotional quotient). Unlike IQ, most soft skills are affected by EQ, and it can be improved.

■ Try group acting classes. (No, really.) I come from an arts background that included many acting and stage movement classes. I can tell you from personal experience that this taught me how to let my guard down, how to communicate, how to listen, how to accept criticism, and how to grow from it. Top employers from all over the nation, including Google, have adjusted their sourcing strategy to include a focus on finding artists, musicians and liberal arts graduates because of their strong soft skills.

Rockford is on the right track with regard to offering avenues to improve hard skills. In my recent discussions, more and more employers are sending employees to school and taking on apprentices to help close the hard skills gap. However, let’s not undervalue the role that soft skills play in the success of employees and ultimately their respective companies. Keep growing, Rockford!

Matt Giebel is the owner of Express Employment Professionals in Rockford.

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

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

august 2018 | 17

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 Enterprise The art (and science) of problem solving Getting all the players to the table Recently, when I talk with business owners or managers, they complain about new hires’ lack of problem-solving skills.

They think that the problem is inadequate skill sets, or a lack of a set of guidelines, as if a protocol for problems is needed.

Everyone offers all types of reasons and/or solutions for the issue; however, none of them appear to have a foundation in logic and reasoning. That bothers me.

Problem solving is usually fairly simple; it is just the way our brains work. The answer to the problem is usually the simplest solution.

Easy peasy: Problem = Solution.

Well … that is the case when it’s an individual or a basic issue that requires our attention, but what if the problem is complicated, involving several departments or individuals -- either directly or indirectly? The process or methodology is completely different.

As we strive to include as many team members as possible, problems become more complex and difficult, and solutions become more tenuous; requiring some analytical skills, and most importantly, processes.

This article tackles inclusion and teamoriented resolutions.

what is it, why is this issue with us? The second step is what barriers or challenges are we facing to resolve the problem — this is where it can get sticky, so the question we must ask is — why are we grappling with this and for how long?

The third step is where group input is critical, brainstorm, creatively develop different solutions. If you care to have someone time the brainstorming session, it is helpful to set limitations. No idea or possible solution is off limits. By this time, you have lots of creativity and an abundance of ideas, some are reasonable and viable and some are whimsical; it does not matter. You wanted input, you got it, your team participated and now you have information that is usable.

The brainstorming session’s purpose is developing alternatives. These provide the group a means of selection.

The fourth step is Selection of a few Solutions: Decide (as a group) to review the integrity and strong possibilities of just a few. Kick it around, play the devil’s advocate, do the pros and cons perspective.

Then last, but not least, Selection of the Best One. The Action Plan is the final phase.

Simple Problem/Solution Model

A Quick Review: Six Steps

One of the models I have observed others using frequently, is what I refer to as “get to the solution with reasoning.”

The first step is defining the problem —

1. Define the Problem (What is the problem?)

2. Barriers and Challenges (What is preventing us from a solution?)

ABOUT THE SBDC The Illinois SBDC at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce offers services free of charge to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Rockford area, both chamber members and non-members. As a partnership between the Rockford Chamber and the Illinois DCEO, it operates out of NIU EIGERlab, NIURockford, 8500 E. State St., and maintains an office at the chamber’s downtown location. For questions, contact Bo Boger, SBDC director, at 815-316-4301.

3. Brainstorm Solutions (How do we solve this issue?)

4. Selection of Solutions (Select a few of the best) 5. Selection of the Best One (Decide on the best) 6. Action Plan (What are the action steps?)

With just a few years of team-building experience, I have witnessed managers conduct this process in short and brief timeframes, occasionally as a stand-up meeting, with all the members standing in a circle and someone acting as the scribe for the group, as well as a timer for each segment. (DBBSSA).

A More Complex Model Another group problem-solving model is a bit more complex and demands more information to reach a group consensus; however, the approach has many advantages, mainly that by the time the group has developed a final decision related to the action plan there is no “stone unturned.”

The initial step forward is problem identification. This takes more time (usually) than one might imagine.

A good definition is imperative — a majority of the group must agree. Next is problem verification — what data or process mapping bares this as reality.

The third is cause analysis or cause verification — more frequently referenced as “root cause analysis.” The fourth is solution generation — brainstorming, or solution analysis — prioritizing. The most important guideline here is “be practical.”

The last and final step is a solid action plan that everyone is pleased to participate fully — and implement with sincerity.

■ Problem Identification ■ Problem Verification ■ Cause Analysis

Bo Boger SBDC

■ Solution Generation ■ Action Plan

Step Back: Evaluate Both of these problem/solution models do not include one of the most vital and important steps which needs addressing; that is, evaluation of the results of the action plan. We forget about that step, primarily because we have spent so much time identifying, analyzing, deciding on solutions and action plans, we think it is done. Not so.

Ask yourself this question; how many times have you heard someone in the organization say, “we spent all that time developing a solution to this problem and now we see that our solution needs refinement and additional time to make certain this is accomplished correctly.”

Our fellow employees are good people and well-intended, they are also human, and we want to get to the results phase as quickly as possible.

Try some of these models when you have a chance or a need; there is a good possibility you will be pleased with the results. Remember, participation is the key to the kingdom of the problem-solution model.

Bo Boger is director at the Illinois SBDC at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

18 | AUGUST 2018

theVoice

Guest Perspective insight

The next point of pain for Illinois businesses The Biometric Information Privacy Act Businesses in Illinois using biometric information, as defined below, for customer or employee identification, must ensure compliance with the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). As businesses from local retailers to nationwide chains are learning, failure to comply can mean being faced with class-action lawsuits and per-violation civil penalties. Currently, there are more than two dozen class-action suits pending against businesses falling under Illinois jurisdiction.

Fortunately, as with most privacy and information security concerns, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

“Biometric information” consists of specific biometric identifiers, including retina or iris scans, fingerprints, voiceprints, and scans of hand or face geometry. The use of such unique, identifying features has become even more prevalent during the time since BIPA was enacted in 2008, and these features are now included as part of many smart-phone applications, financial transactions and security screening processes. Specifically, use of biometric information to track employee work hours or customer purchasing is an increasingly common business practice.

LLCs

and

other

groups

Ryan Gailey HolmstromKennedyPC

or individuals engaged in collection of biometric information. State and local governments are excluded from coverage under BIPA, as are financial institutions covered under Title V of the GrammLeach-Bliley Act.

Testing the Law Illinois courts have only recently begun to address the extent to which liability under BIPA may be found. On Dec. 21, 2017, the Illinois Second District Appellate Court issued a decision in Rosenbach v. Six Flags Entertainment Corp., which involved a season-pass holder whose fingerprint was scanned upon having purchased a season-pass to the local amusement park. The plaintiff, while alleging that the defendant failed to provide written notice of the purpose or subsequent handling process for the fingerprint scan, did not allege that any actual injury had occurred as the result of such failure.

The court held that a plaintiff alleging “only a technical violation of the act without alleging any injury or adverse

Protecting Personal Information

effect” did not meet the definition of a

Under BIPA, private entities converting, storing or sharing biometric information must obtain the individual’s consent, develop a written policy covering the use of such information, make the policy publicly available, and establish a schedule for retention and destruction of such information. Prior to collecting biometric information from any individual, a private entity must inform the individual of the occurrence and purpose of collection, in addition to obtaining the individual’s consent.

Following the collection, BIPA seeks to further protect affected individuals by restricting disclosure of the information.

A private entity may not sell, lease, trade or seek to profit from possession of the identifying information.

BIPA allows aggrieved individuals to seek relief in the event that a provision of the law is violated. Each negligent violation imposes a penalty of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater.

Reckless or intentional violations carry a penalty of the greater of $5,000 or actual damages. A private entity could also be ordered to pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs of affected individuals. Private entities are defined to include partnerships, corporations,

was therefore not entitled to recover

“person aggrieved” under BIPA, and damages.

Since Illinois courts are continuing to consider the extent to which claims may be brought pursuant to BIPA, we are continuing to monitor the developing caselaw to see how things unfold.

Businesses, hospitals, physician group practices and other entities looking to initiate, expand or evaluate their current use of biometric information should contact our Privacy, Security & Information Technology Group with any questions concerning development of the required written policies, secure retention, and any potential liability that may be involved.

Ryan

Gailey

is

an

associate

at

HolmstromKennedyPC and a member of the employment & labor, corporate & business, civil litigation, real estate and health law groups, with several years of experience in civil litigation, workers’ compensation, business transactions and administrative law.

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

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

august 2018 | 19

Moving to Rockford area from Southern California was a great decision After scouting many communities, South Beloit had the workforce and strategic location

By JAC, RAEDC Correspondent In 2002, the owners of American Control Electronics based in the Los Angeles area, asked (now President) Dan Schnabel, to research the best place to move their company. Schnabel put together a research effort with a list of factors that needed to be considered in making a move.

The company designs and produces a wide variety of AC and DC electronic control systems and power products used in industrial, commercial, EV, medical and home automation markets.

It has also developed several “green” products that control motors from battery and/or photovoltaic power.

The company had started as a repair shop in the L.A. area but had grown to manufacturing its own products.

It was in a location that made finding qualified employees troublesome, and had also established a nice customer base located in the Midwest.

Schnabel was from the Milwaukee area originally. The company owner then knew about the “Midwest work ethic,” which is not as prevalent in southern California. The decision was made to move operations to the Midwest.

After much research and study, the company narrowed its choices down from 20 locations to a top three. Schnabel and other employees researched where they wanted to live based on the original decision factors. They visited the communities, asked questions of the communities, studied the education systems and looked at the housing and amenities in the communities.

Originally from Milwaukee, Dan Schnabel considered the “Midwest work ethic” when moving his company from California.

The company’s market is industrial motors. Schnabel says he did research to identify where the motor manufacturers in the United States were located. He identified 60 of them and found half of them were in Illinois or adjacent states.

“That put Illinois in the bullseye.”

Schnabel says the available plant location located in South Beloit scored the highest. He visited possible locations in South Dakota, Wisconsin,

Missouri, and Indiana. They chose South Beloit because of the available work force and the strategic location.

He really emphasized the quality of the work force that made it possible to move all the business across the country and be up and running quickly.

Read the full article about this “small company with a big heart” at RockfordIL.com/ACE.

20 | august 2018

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

in the news Members in the News

1. Richard Rowlett

2. Officer Eric Thurmond

3. Michelle Gorham

4. Alexx Salazar

5. Robert Dice

6. Dr. Tammie Jones

7. Shannon Stubbs

8. Drew Pearson

9. Andrew Trocki

10. Annie Ray

11. Eric Hansen

12. Rick Bastian

13. Todd James

14. Dave Adkins

15. Lindsay Arellano

16. Kristen Paul

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

BOARD APPOINTMENTS Northwest Community Center welcomed its newest board members: Brad Williams, Electrical Workers Union/Local 364 IBEW, and Kurt Broski, CPA, Entré Computer Solutions.

Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford board voted in new members: Richard Rowlett (1), Field Fastener, and Officer Eric Thurmond (2), Rockford Police Department.

Martha Kaiser is the new Golden Academy board representative and Michelle Gorham (3), YMCA of Rock River Valley, the new board chair.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS Blackhawk Bank promoted Alexx Salazar (4) to AVP branch manager/ teller supervisor.

Robert Dice (5), RN, MS, was named manager of trauma and burn services at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center and Tammie Jones (6), DNP, MS, RN, SENP, as vice president, patient care services/chief nursing officer.

Alexander S. Mills was named executive director of Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden.

Omni hired Aaron Koats, Alex Gibson, Angela Palmer, Aslinn Merriman, Juan Godina and Peter Ells.

SwedishAmerican hired Shannon Stubbs (7) as director of physical medicine and rehab services and

17. Phil Elsbree

18. Brent Scott

welcomes its new Advanced Practice Nurse, Drew Pearson (8), adult gerontology acute care, at UW Health Surgery at SwedishAmerican.

Fehr Graham hired Andrew Trocki (9) as an engineer and promoted Annie Ray (10) to project hydrogeologist.

Eric Hansen (11) joined Rockford Mutual Insurance Company as network engineer.

Rick Bastian (12), chairman and CEO, Blackhawk Bancorp and Blackhawk Bank, announced his year-end retirement. Todd James (13) will be chief executive officer of Blackhawk Bancorp and Dave Adkins (14) successor as CEO of the bank and president and chief operating officer of Blackhawk Bancorp.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau promoted Lindsay Arellano (15) to vice president of sales and service, Kristen Paul (16) to destination development operations manager and Andrea Cook to associate director of marketing & communications. RACVB hired Phil Elsbree (17) as senior sales manager.

as its new director of facility operations.

13 WREX welcomed two new anchors, James Stratton (21) at the evening news desk and Lindsey Fafoglia (22) with 13 News Today.

Center for Sight for Hearing hired Noah Tavor (23), a second orientation & mobility (white cane) trainer, for those with vision loss in northern Illinois.

Harneet K. Gahley, M.D. (24), is the first fellow of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program. She completed a family medicine residency through the college’s Dixon Rural Training Track.

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois appointed Ben Bernsten as its new president and Tim Gebauer as the new director of retail.

Alissa Bartel (25), APN, FNP, joined OSF HealthCare Medical Group – Rock Cut Primary Care.

First Free Rockford hired Nathan McDonald (26) as communications director.

First Community Credit Union hired Leslie Hass (19) as vice president of mortgages and Patricia Knoble (20) as assistant vice president of origination.

Mercyhealth promoted Deena Buffington (27), MJ, RN, CPHRM, to manager of quality and nursing practice for its ambulatory practices; and welcomed Anastasios K. Konstantakos (28), M.D., FACS, board certified cardiothoracic surgeon, at Mercyhealth Heart and Vascular Center–Rockford.

Spectrum Progressive School hired Dr. Mary Beth Cunat as its new principal.

KMK Media Group hired Maegan Shinkle (29) as communications specialist.

Fairhaven welcomed Steve Pearson

Rusti Swanson (30) was named chief

Wintrust Commercial Banking in Rockford hired Brent Scott (18) as senior vice president.

19. Leslie Hass

20. Patricia Knoble

21. James Stratton

22. Lindsey Fafoglia

credit officer of Illinois Bank & Trust.

Deb Nau (31) is the new executive director of The Parks Chamber of Commerce.

Entré Computer Solutions hired Benjamin Martindale (32) as netmonitor intern, Fernando Tyus (33) as set-up delivery and Jeff Alleman (34) as network support specialist.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Josue Gomez (35), interpreter, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center, earned national certification from the Certification Commission for HealthCare Interpreters – one of only 3,200 nationwide.

Andrew Insko, assistant VPcommercial portfolio manager, Illinois Bank & Trust, earned the Credit Risk Certification by the Risk Management Association. Andrew Hall (36), assistant vice president and wealth advisor, earned the designation of Certified Trust and Financial Advisor.

Felicia Davis (37), assistant executive director, Winnebago County Housing Authority, received the 2018 Rising Star Award and Dina Getty (38), board vice-chairman, the 2018 Alvira B. Long Memorial Award as a board commissioner by the North Central Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.

Kelvin Gueits, J.L. Clark, was selected as 2018 Metal Decorator of the Year by the International Metal Decorators Association.

Mercyhealth Certified Nurse Midwife,

Continued on page 21

23. Noah Tavor

24. Dr. Harneet K. Gahley

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

august 2018 | 21

in the news Members in the News

25. Alissa Bartel

26. Nathan McDonald

27. Deena Buffington

28. Dr. Anastasios K. Konstantakos

29. Maegan Shinkle

30. Rusti Swanson

31. Deb Nau

32. Benjamin Martindale

33. Fernanado Tyus

34. Jeff Alleman

35. Josue Gomez

36. Andrew Hall

37. Felicia Davis

38. Dina Getty

39. Alicia Huntley

41. David Waddle

OrthoIllinois (45), participated in a panel about bundled payments and global episodes of care at Becker’s 16th annual Future of Spine + The Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference.

Dr. Michael Chmell (46), medical director, OrthoIllinois Surgery Center, participated in a panel on outpatient total joint replacement.

(continued from page 20) Alicia Huntley (39), MSN, APN, CNM, received an American College of Nurse-Midwives 2018 Outstanding Preceptor Award.

Mercyhealth Hospital School of Radiography graduated seven students in 2018. Many are continuing employment with Mercyhealth: Debra Dunlap, Brittany Helland, Taylor Mailhot, Rachel Meyer, Leanna Schwendau, Ashley Showers and Patrick Towne (40).

Angela Mausehund was an honorary graduate, as she passed away early in the program.

Dr. Philip R. Schalow, D.C., DCCJP, Upper Cervical Care Center, presented research results with anomalies of the atlas (C1) vertebra in June at the International Chiropractors Association Upper Cervical Research Symposium in San Diego. He attended the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine conference in April on regenerative medicine.

40. Mercyhealth Radiology class of 2018

David Waddle (41) is Meridian’s June Employee of the Month.

Steve Schou (42), vice president, business development and wealth advisor, Rockford Bank & Trust Wealth Management, earned the Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM or AWMA® professional designation.

OF GENERAL INTEREST

Mercyhealth Top Performers, under the direction of Coach Tim Bailey (47), joined Mercyhealth this year to help amateur, professional, collegiate, high school and youth athletes looking to get an edge on the competition at Rockford Park District’s Mercyhealth Sportscore Two.

Don Schreiner (43), CEO, OrthoIllinois and OrthoIllinois Surgery Center; and Shawna Zabkiewicz (44), director of valuebased care and case management, and Dr. Victor Antonacci,

Daniel Huntley (48), associate, WilliamsMcCarthy LLP, helped to debunk some common estate planning myths in the recent US News & World Report article, “6 Common Myths About Estate Planning.”

Rockford Chamber builds its membership services

42. Steve Schou

46. Dr. Michael Chmell

43. Don Schreiner

44. Shawna Zabkiewicz

47. Tim Bailey

45. Dr. Victor Antonacci

48. Daniel A. Huntley

The Rockford Chamber welcomed two new people to its staff in the membership department. “We are excited to have both Cori and Kristin on our team,” said Lynette Jacques, vice president, member investment. “They have a passion for the Rockford Chamber’s mission and the community. We look forward to the value and strength they will bring to the future of the Rockford Chamber.”

Cori Currey takes on the membership development executive role, having years in marketing, sales and events manager experience under her belt. She most recently was employed with The Compass Group, on contract at Wesley Willows. She has worked as a regional account manager at NorthStar Title Services; managing a five-state territory, and at Stewart Title in B2B sales for northern Illinois and

Indiana. She’s passionate about the Rockford community, especially the River District.

If you are interested in joining the chamber or would like to refer someone as a potential new member, please contact Cori at 815-316-4336.

Kristin Muehlfelder joins in the member relations role. She has a strong background in customer service and sales, having worked for the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau in group services support, at DFI Communications in client services and at Holiday Inn in South Beloit as a sales representative.

For any questions on your chamber membership, updates to your website listing or information on ways to get connected, please reach out to Kristin at 815-316-4315.

22 | august 2018

business

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com Rockford Chamber members appear bolded. Thank you for your support of your fellow Chamber members.

Business Briefs

OrthoIllinois and Associates in Orthopaedic Surgery (AOS), located in Elgin, two leading bone and joint health care providers in northern Illinois, joined forces in June. AOS becomes part of OrthoIllinois and will take its name; patients will experience no disruption in care.

Pantry, 421 S. Rockton St., and Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau, 1925 S. Meridian Road. For times and seasonal drop-off sites, call 815-9864357 or visit web.extension.illinois.edu/ jsw.

Fehr Graham participated in a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction of South Beloit’s wastewater treatment plant, the largest project in the city’s history.

emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults.

MOD will donate at least $50,000 to support JED’s programs and initiatives.

KMK Media Group worked with Heartland Financial, USA to develop the The Mayor’s Office of Domestic Violence concept for a nationwide banking campaign for member banks across the and Human Trafficking Prevention and country, including Illinois Bank & Trust the 17th Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Coordinated Court held a public in northern Illinois. It worked with Pearson to produce the fourth TV spot forum in July at the Rockford Police in a series.

Department District 3 office on its proposal for the creation of a Family MOD Pizza introduced its first “Impact Justice Center, a centralized and trauma Pizza” in its 350-plus stores across the informed facility, where organizations can United States with the Isaac pizza work to give survivors and their children available through Oct. 1. It benefits the access to the services they need.

Jed Foundation, a nonprofit to protect

Natural Land Institute held a news conference at Womanspace to announce a new program, Conservation@Home, which includes Conservation@Work and Conservation@ School, and is designed to inspire those in the community to conserve land in their backyards, places of work and school yards.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau partnered with the Rockford Wildcats as host of the 2018 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Girls Basketball Sixth Grade National Championships, June 24 to 29, at the UW Health Sports Factory; the first time the AAU Basketball Nationals (any age group or gender) were hosted in Illinois.

The 33rd annual Ryan Jury Memorial Golf Outing in June at Aldeen Golf The Rockford IceHogs contributed more than $160,000 to charitable causes Club, raised more than $70,000; pushing total donations well over 1.3 during its 2017-18 campaign, which included a team record of $80,124 raised million dollars. Funds raised will go in part towards the expansion of during the Hogs’ 19th annual jersey SwedishAmerican’s new four-story auction for the Bryan & Amanda Bickell Women’s and Children’s Tower with a Foundation, for a total of more than $1 million raised through 19 seasons of the level III neonatal intensive care unit. annual Jersey Auction Game.

SwedishAmerican now offers This spring, OC Creative received two AVA Digital Awards; a platinum award for its Lincoln Land Community College “The School for the Job” video and a gold award for its Premier Supercopa “2018 Announcement.” Out of more than 2,000 submissions from 40 countries, it won a Rose Gold recognition in the 2018 Muse Creative Awards competition for its “Where’s The Food?” brochure.

implantable cardioverter defibrillators to patients with heart disease.

HeartLogic Diagnostic is the first and only heart failure implantable device that provides an approximate 34 days advanced notice of an impending heart failure event.

Researchers from the Regenerative Medicine and Disability Laboratory at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford published Rockford Area Convention & Visitors findings in the journal Human Bureau unveiled 13 new sculptures as a Molecular Genetics from studying cells part of Forest City Beautiful at various from people who have hereditary locations in downtown Rockford, the spastic paraplegia, which includes a Main/Auburn roundabout and West State group of inherited disorders in which Street. Out of 35 submissions, nine people have increasingly weak and artists from the Midwest were chosen by stiff legs that often leads to them a selection committee to feature their needing a cane, walker or wheelchair. work.

The Radio Television Digital News Northwest Bank of Rockford expanded Association awarded 13 WREX with its loan offerings to include a new the National Murrow Award for Overall Indirect Lending Program to launch by Excellence, which recognizes a station Labor Day; working directly with local car for the totality of its journalistic efforts, dealerships to offer financing options for including breaking news, continuing customers. coverage, weather, sports, community University of Illinois Extension – service and digital media. It becomes Winnebago County hosts Plant a Row the smallest television market to win for the Hungry with year-round drop-off the National Murrow Award for Overall sites at University of Illinois Extension, Excellence since 2003 Anchorage, 1040 N. 2nd St.; Rock River Valley Alaska.

Montessori Private Academy received accreditation from the American Montessori Society, which took 2-1/2 years of self-study, refinement and AMS onsite review to accomplish.

OSF HealthCare rolled out SilverCloud Health, an online tool for immediate access to evidence-based, cognitive behavioral therapy programs for a range of mental and behavioral health issues such as depression, anxiety and stress.

old, so they can read at or above their grade level, once in elementary school.

SwedishAmerican Hospital earned URAC accreditation in specialty pharmacy.

The Rockford IceHogs begins its 20th season of professional hockey and 12th as the primary AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks with back-to-back road games at the Cleveland Monsters on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6. Overall, Rockford SupplyCore Inc., donated $23,578 to will host 38 home games during the local non-profits with employees raising upcoming campaign. a record $11,789. With the company SwedishAmerican, a division of UW match, the total donated was $23,578 Health, collected more than 3,200 to organizations such as Rockford diapers for The Pregnancy Care Center MELD, RAMP and the Veterans’ in Rockford during its second-annual Drop-In Center in Rockford. diaper drive in June.

University of Illinois College of OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medicine Rockford began a new Medical Center seeks community Hospice and Palliative Medicine members to fill out its Community Health Fellowship Program accredited by the Needs Assessment by Aug. 31. The last Accreditation Council for Graduate survey identified obesity as one of top Medical Education with one physician three greatest opportunities and OSF per year offering specialized care for increased the number of nutrition patients with serious and terminal consults and basic health screening tests illnesses. at community events. More than 1,000 Wesley Willows showcased “Shrek pounds of fresh produce also was The Musical” on July 8 at Rock Valley donated through Plant-A-Row last College’s Starlight Theatre as its annual summer. Call 815-381-7723. benefit for the Good Samaritan Fund, Rosecrance and Sioux City, Iowasetting a record of $100,000 raised to based Jackson Recovery Centers have provides charitable care for residents jointly announced their intent to merge who have outlived their financial in mid-2019. Recently, the resources. organizations’ boards of directors Digital Hive Mind launched a new separately and unanimously approved a website for Surface Mount Letter of Intent for Jackson to merge Technologies at www.teamsmt.com, into Rosecrance on or before July 1, including updated messaging, on2019. The first step is for Jackson to location photography of SMT’s staff, become an affiliate of Rosecrance manufacturing operations and facility effective Jan. 1, 2019. The arrangement and video highlighting the company’s now enters a due-diligence phase core capabilities. where both sides expect to create Rosecrance partnered with Northern provisions of a Definitive Agreement to Illinois Food Bank on its second finalize the merger. mobile pantry event with nutritious Winnebago County, in partnership with meals provided to 300 families at the the Diversity Council of Winnebago Rosecrance Ware Center on North Main County, has established a year-round Street in Rockford. internship program through the Rockford Area Arts Council held its Winnebago County Host Fee Fund RAAC arts camp for young creatives, economic development award, to build ages 5 to 13, in summer at Ellis a diverse pool of skilled, young leaders Elementary School, in partnership with today and retain diverse leaders the Illinois Arts Council Agency, City of tomorrow. Contact hr@wincoil.us or Rockford, Rockford School District 815-319-4285. #205 and the Community Foundation Comprehensive Community of Northern Illinois.

Solutions, Inc., hosts its next First Free Rockford collected $12,134 YouthBuild Rockford AmeriCorps in donations for Fisher House of program beginning in November for Northern Illinois during its Patriotic ages 16 to 24. Classes lead to a high Celebration event in June. school diploma or GED, hands-on training in construction and a Segal Community Foundation of Northern Education Award for post-program Illinois and HomeStart awarded $22,490 to 13 recipients of the education or training. Visit www. facebook.com/YouthBuildRfd. 2018 Neighborhood Grants Program.

Five projects received the maximum Forest City Gear added an EVO Cam award of $2,500. advanced full-HD digital microscope to its Quality Assurance Lab, which Blackhawk Bank committed to donating $15,000 to the Janesville Early provides the operator with Literacy Task Force over the next three magnification up to 300 times to display even the most minute workpiece details years to increase the language and literacy skills of youth, birth to five years for fast visual inspection of gears.

theVoice

AUGUST 2018 | 23

legislative Issues to Watch

Funding for Rock Valley College renovation released The state of Illinois’ comptroller’s office released in July $9.2 million to Rock Valley College towards construction of Classroom Building 1. The state had stopped its commitment to the college during the years of budget stalemate, but in 2016, the college restarted construction anyway using its own finances.

Renovation of the 61,000-sq.-ft. structure included upgrades to plumbing, lighting and electricity and the building of a two-story, 21,000-sq.-ft. addition.

“The two-year budget impasse negatively impacted every community in our state by delaying payments for vital services and halting money for important capital projects, like this one at Rock Valley College,” said Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford.

Equifax breach prompts Illinois to take action A new law means Illinois consumers no longer will be forced to pay to freeze their credit reports to protect themselves against identity theft, according to Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford. The law is in response to the Equifax data breach between May and July 2017, which affected as many as 143 million Americans, including 5.4 million Illinois residents.

Freezing credit reports means no new credit may be issued under a person’s name and Social Security number. Until now, credit reporting agencies had been allowed to charge Illinois consumers up to $10 each time they asked to freeze or unfreeze their reports. Under the new law, credit reporting agencies are barred from charging Illinois consumers to freeze their reports. Consumers also will be able to prevent or minimize damage to their credit by placing or lifting a credit electronically or over the phone.

New Illinois adoption credit Illinois announced its new adoption credit program with a new adoption tax credit of up to $5,000 for a couple adopting a child at least one-year-old who resides in Illinois. Other adoption situations will qualify for up to a $2,000 credit.

“Lowering the cost of adoption helps bring families together sooner and helps put children into better environments where they can grow, thrive and be loved by parents,” said Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, at a press conference in June. “Encouraging adoptions also makes good fiscal sense.

Loving, adoptive families can provide better care for children than more costly foster care and institutional programs.”

New Illinois laws for 2018 The following are some new state laws passed in January 2018 and the state’s fiscal year in July 2018. For more details on any of the following, visit www.ilga.gov.

Accelerated Placement Act SB 1223 Requires school districts to have an accelerated placement policy that allows students to be referred and evaluated for possible early entrance to Kindergarten or 1st grade, acceleration in a single subject, compacted curriculum, grade acceleration, grade telescoping or early high school graduation.

Alternative Methods of Secondary School Credentials HB 2740/PA 100-0130 States that high school equivalency certificates may be awarded through means other than the passage of a standardized assessment offered through a private vendor.

School Absences HB 3139/PA 100-0156 Mandates that beginning July 1, 2018, all schools receiving public funds must collect and review chronic absence data and determine what systems of support and resources are needed to engage the students and their families. Defines “chronic absence” as “absences that total 10 percent or more of school days of the most recent academic year.”

Includes with or without valid cause, and out-of-school suspensions.

Electronic Cyberstalking HB 3251/PA 100-0166 Expands the cyberstalking statute by prohibiting the electronic harassment of a person using spyware or electronic tracking software to transmit a threat of immediate or future bodily harm, sexual assault, confinement or restraint toward that person or a family member of that person.

Hate Crimes HB 3711/PA 100-0197 Adds cyberstalking, transmission of obscene messages and certain acts of intimidation to the list of crimes that can be prosecuted as hate crimes to address the increasing use of technology to attack victims. Allows for the imposition of a new civil penalty up to $25,000 for each violation.

Gives the attorney general’s office civil enforcement authority.

Commercial Fishing Device Restrictions HB 3272/PA 100-0168 States that lake trout, salmon and Lake Whitefish may not be taken using commercial fishing devices like gill or pound nets.

Compiled by Barbara Connors, editor of The Voice from sources: Senator Stadelman’s Weekly Bulletins; State Sen. Dave Syverson press release; www.ilga.gov.

24 | august 2018

Membership Renewals

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

Value of Incentives (continued from page 2)

Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in June, 2018.

11th Street Express Printing, Inc. Arachnid 360, LLC BMO Harris Bank Barrick, Switzer, Long, Balsley, Van Evera, LLP Beggin Tipp Lamm, LLC Benny & Sons Body Shop Bickford of Rockford Bill Doran Company Black & Jones Attorneys at Law Blackhawk Bank Blake Oil Company Blue Line Sports Pub Cellusuede Products, Inc. Cicero, France & Alexander, P.C. Danfoss Drives Discount Tire Ethnic Heritage Museum Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center Feldco Windows, Siding & Doors First Midwest Group Forever Green, Inc. Franchesco’s Ristorante Fridh Corporation Gleason Cutting Tools Corporation Gordon Flesch Company, Inc. H & R Block Heinzeroth Marketing Group Illinois Material Handling J & M Plating, Inc. JC Milling Co., Inc. John Morrissey Accountants, Inc. Lonnie’s Stonecrafters, Inc. Mainstreet Financial Group MFG, LLC Montessori Private Academy Motivate Personal Physical Rehabilitation

North American Tool Corporation North Park Rental Service, Inc. Northern Illinois University NIU EIGERlab Center for Product Development Northwest Bank of Rockford Premier Technologies Pumilia Family Dental Group RAMP Raymond James & Associates RBC Wealth Management Ring Container Technologies River Valley Kitchens & Baths, Inc. Rockford Linear Actuation, Inc. Rockford Local Development Corporation Rockford Structures Construction Company Rockford Township Rocknel Fastener, Inc. Shelter Insurance Companies Staff Management, Inc. Summit CPA Group, P.C. Superior Joining Technologies, Inc. Swanson’s Discount Vacuum, Inc. The Arc of Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Northern Illinois The Terrace Senior Apartments Thermo Fisher Scientific Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital Vintage @ 501 Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Womanspace, Inc.

August 2018 Member Anniversaries Thank you to our members celebrating their anniversaries with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

30-YEAR MEMBER

10-YEAR MEMBERS

Morgan Building Maintenance Inc.

Anderson Environmental Co. Tovar Snow Professionals

15-YEAR MEMBER Gordon Flesch Company, Inc.

5-YEAR MEMBERS Premier Technologies The Ridge Condominium Association Rockform Carbide Manufacturing

opportunity. First, policymakers should ensure incentives reflect local and regional economic objectives. This census of incentives provides one guide for how cities can situate their incentives practices within four principles of inclusive economic development.

Second, localities must commit to making incentives information publicly transparent, and then rigorously evaluate their impact on firm outcomes to determine what works. Finally, clearer criteria and more effective targeting should reserve incentives only for those firms that will advance

broad-based opportunity, either by incentivizing opportunity-rich firms and industries, incentivizing firms to provide workers more opportunity, or by addressing place-based disparities in opportunity.

Fortunately, we observe progress toward a more responsible and rigorous incentives approach in many U.S. cities, signaling a nascent but necessary progression in the practice of economic development.

Source: Excerpted from Brookings Institute study of same title. March 2018. For the full report go to www.brookings.edu

New Chamber Members ACCESS ONE INC.

HEART & SOLE REFLEXOLOGY

Full-service technology provider that engineers, installs and manages everything from the desktop to the cloud.

820 W. Jackson Blvd.

Chicago, IL 60607 Derrick Havis 815-318-8231 www.accessoneinc.com

Certified reflexologist, practicing the science and principles that areas of the hand and feet correspond to all organs, glands and parts of the body.

1113 Mondale Dr., 61108 Cecelia Neylon 815-289-8869 heartandsolereflexologist.com

CASH STORE

Independent living for age 62 and better. Full social calendar, health and wellness programming, fine dining.

4444 Brendenwood Road, 61107 Ms. Stacy Hirsch 815-399-6167 www.sienaonbrendenwood.org

Offering cash advances, title loans and installment loans that are a better alternative to payday loans at our three Rockford locations.

1120 E. State St., 61104 Joan Hodges 815-963-7700 www.cashstore.com/local/paydayloans-rockford-il

SIENA ON BRENDENWOOD

Are you a Member with News to Share?

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

DEADLINE IS THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING PUBLICATION

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

august 2018 | 25

on digital

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

State Farm Insurance - Brian Pinkstaff holds a ribbon cutting and grand opening on July 11 at 3957 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford.

President and CEO Javon Bea speaks at Mercyhealth’s ribbon cutting for the new Mercyhealth Alpine clinic in Loves Park on June 20. It replaces the existing clinic next door and offers family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, rheumatology, laboratory and X-ray. It’s home to two physician training programs with 12 medical school graduates joining the new Family Medicine Residency Program. Mercyhealth will welcome 13 medical school graduates into the new Internal Medicine Residency Program at Mercyhealth Mulford.

Lifescape Community Services hosts a ribbon cutting with the Sauk Valley Chamber of Commerce on July 11 for its new Rock Falls location at 206 Dixon Ave., with in-home service, home-delivered meals, personal care and the Adult Protective Services program.

Mercyhealth Occupational Health and Wellness introduces its new Mobile Health Clinic at the Mercyhealth Alpine ribbon cutting on June 20; offering respiratory programs, hearing conservation programs, substance abuse programs, physicals (DOT, post offer, fit for duty), flu shots, vaccinations and vision testing.

Chicago Rockford International Airport holds a groundbreaking on July 2 for its new 120,000-sq.-ft. building expansion at the Cargo Center and the start of construction for a new $3.5 million ramp for cargo aircraft parking. More than $27 million in federal funding was secured for the airport’s improvement projects and nearly 500 jobs created. The ramp expansion project is expected to be completed by October 2018; the new cargo building by July 2019.

26 | august 2018

community

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

Community Events

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

learning session, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., on Aug. 4 and 11 (ages 4 to 5). Visit www. spectrumschool.org.

Winnebago County’s first African American judge. Visit www. ethnicheritagemuseum.org.

Wednesday, August 1

First National Bank and Trust hosts a free Electronic Recycling Drive in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, 9 a.m. to noon, at the branch at 300 E. Main St., Rockton.

For acceptable items, visit www. goodwillni.org/donations.

Monday, August 6

Rockford Senior Follies presents SHOWBIZ 2018, a musical review and fundraiser for VetsRoll, at the Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford.

Emcee Paul Logli with Carl Cole on piano. Open seating on Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. For information call 815-3892214.

Thursday, August 2

Spectrum Progressive School presents Cultivating Creativity, a “Taste of Spectrum” learning session, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., on Aug. 2 (ages 10 to 12) and Aug. 3 (ages 13 and 14).

Visit www.spectrumschool.org.

Friday, August 3

Winnebago County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) hosts a Fundraiser, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Artalé Wine Company, 6876 Spring Creek Road, Rockford. Tickets at the door; cash or check only.

Saturday, August 4

Spectrum Progressive School presents Trying out Nature Preschool, a “Taste of Spectrum”

The 34th annual State Street Mile, presented by SwedishAmerican, a division of UW Health, will be held in downtown Rockford. For questions, contact Rick Durso, 815-985-7656, or visit facebook.com/ statestreetmilerockford.

Sunday, August 5

Rosecrance Health Network host its annual Recovery 5K Walk/Run, 7 a.m., starting and finishing at Rosecrance Berry Campus, 8616 Northern Ave., Rockford. Participants receive a medal, T-shirt, goodie bag and refreshments. Awards by age group. Register at www.rosecrance. org/recovery5k.

Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., will unveil its newest exhibit, Judge K. Patrick Yarbrough’s Sport Memorabilia, 2 to 4 p.m., on Sundays to mid-November. Rockford native Judge K. Patrick Yarbrough is

KNOW A STAR?

Center for Sight & Hearing hosts fall Sign Language classes, Aug. 6 through Oct. 1. All skill levels are welcome. Visit cshni.org for the full course schedule.

Spectrum Progressive School presents Something Messy this Way Comes, a “Taste of Spectrum” learning session, 9:30 to 11 a.m., on Aug. 4 and 11 (Kindergarten to first grade). Visit www.spectrumschool.org.

Tuesday, August 7

Bear Family Restaurants invites the community to National Night Out Rockford, 5 to 8 p.m., at Levings Park, 1420 S. Johnston Ave. Special appearance by Ronald McDonald at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, August 8

Rockford Park District hosts Ladies Series of Group Golf Lessons on Wednesdays and Fridays for two weeks at Aldeen Practice Centre, 1902 Reid Farm Road, beginning Aug. 8 at noon and Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. Register

by Aug. 1 at www.golfrockford.org.

Also Golf Lessons for Ages 50+ for two weeks on Wednesdays and Fridays beginning Aug. 8 at 1 p.m., and Sept. 5 at 10 a.m.

Thursday, August 9

Tuesday, August 14

Rockford Career College hosts a Meet and Greet and Tour with Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, 2 to 3 p.m., at 1130 S. Alpine Road. Call 815-965-8616.

University of Illinois Extension presents the Illinois Certified Food Protection Manager Course, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Aug. 14, and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 17, at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, 210 W. Spring St., Freeport. It replaces the Food Service Sanitation Manager Course. Pre-registration required at 815-235-4125 or web.extension. illinois.edu/jsw.

Thursday, August 16

Rockford Park District hosts a two-mile, 1½-hour Scenic Walk featuring 16 unique sculptures, 11 a.m., along the Rock River Recreation Path. Meet in the lobby of Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St. For more information call 815-987-8858 or visit www. nicholasconservatory.com.

Saturday, August 18

Rockford Park District’s Atwood Center hosts There’s an App for That, 9 to 11 a.m., a part of the In the Outdoors series at Seth B. Atwood Park, 2685 New Milford School Road.

Visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/ atwood or call 815-987-8800.

Northern Illinois Food Bank, Rockford Park District and Community Action invites families with children 18 and under living in their home to Summer Family Markets to shop for free groceries, 4 to 6 p.m., at Wantz Park, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park. No registration or documentation is necessary. Bring shopping bags.

Thursday, August 23

Saturday, August 11

River District Association presents Shop the Blocks, “School House Rock the Blocks,” noon to 5 p.m., at the City Market Pavilion, 100 N. Water St., Rockford. Visit Shop the Blocks: Retro Rockford on facebook.

The YWCA La Voz Latina Annual Recognition Banquet takes place, 5:30 p.m., at Giovanni’s Convention Center with awards for “Latino of Distinction” and “Community Member of Distinction.” For tickets visit www. ywcanwil.org.

Monday, August 13

Monday, August 27

Alzheimer’s Association presents Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon.

Call 815-977-9122 or visit www.alz. org/illinois.

Alzheimer’s Association presents Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia, at 1111 S. Alpine Road, Ste. 307, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call 815-977-9122 or visit www.alz.org/ illinois.

Friday, August 24

Alzheimer’s Association presents Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Boone County Council on Aging, 2141 Henry Luckow Lane, Belvidere. Call 815977-9122 or visit www.alz.org/illinois.

NOMINATE THEM FOR THE

Are you a Member with News to Share?

Deadline: August 13

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

2018 People You Should Know Award Presenting Sponsor

DEADLINE IS THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING PUBLICATION

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

august 2018 | 27

chamber

Upcoming Chamber Events

AUGUST, 2018 Wednesday, August 1

Lunch with a Leader with Mick Gronewold, noon to 1 p.m., at the Region 1 Planning Council, 313 N. Main St., Rockford.

Tuesday, August 7

Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Mary’s Market, 4431 E. State St., Rockford. Julie O’Rourke, market leader for trust & investments, Associated Bank, presents Labor and Tariffs and Central Banks, Oh My! Sponsored

by Associated Bank.

Wednesday, August 8 7:30 - 9 am Rockford University PURI Business School Bldg., Rm. 124 5050 E. State St. , Rockford

Breakfast BUZZ

David Knoup, Ticomix, Inc., presents Work Smarter Not Harder, on empowering your employees to get the most out of Microsoft productivity applications, such as SharePoint Online, including Office 365.

Sponsored by RSM US LLP.

Wednesday, August 8

IGNITE Does Paddleboarding! 6 to 8 p.m., at Windsor Lake, 1820 Windsor Road, Loves Park. Lake activity parking will be behind the office building.

Wednesday, September 12 7:30 - 9 am Rockford University PURI Business School Bldg., Rm. 124 5050 E. State St. , Rockford

Breakfast BUZZ Bo Boger, Small Business Development Center, presents Making a Good Decision About People.

Sponsored by RSM US LLP.

Friday, September 14

Accountability: Bridging the Gap Between Expectations & Results, 8 to 11 a.m., at Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford.

Half-day workshop led by bestselling author Joseph Grenny. Includes breakfast and copy of Grenny’s book, Crucial Accountability.

Open House and Ribbon Cutting, Baird Wealth Management, 3 to 7 p.m., at 2601 Reid Farm Road, Ste. A, Rockford. Ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 27 1-5 pm UW Health Sports Factory 305 S. Madison St., Rockford

Tuesday, August 14

Experience Rockford’s vibrant and unique business community at The Exposition.

The prime place for connecting, exhibitors and attendees alike can expect an energizing day of opportunity & exposure.

Thursday, August 23

Ribbon Cutting and Open House, 1 to 3 p.m., at Ring Container Technologies, 4689 Assembly Dr., Rockford.

Ribbon Cutting & Open House, 4 to 6 p.m., Edward Jones - Trina Bankord, Financial Advisor, 109 N. Show Place Dr., Ste. 1, Rockford.

SEPTEMBER, 2018 Thursday, September 6 11:30 am - 1:15 pm Radisson Conference Center 200 S. Bell School Rd., Rockford

Sponsored by Comcast Business and Mercyhealth (gold), Thayer Lighting Inc. and Vixen Productions (silver) and Meridian (bronze).

Thursday, September 27

Using LinkedIn to Generate a Steady Stream of Sales Prospects with LinkedIn expert Wayne Breitbarth, 3 to 4 p.m., at UW Health Sports Factory, 305 S. Madison St., Rockford. Includes a copy of Breitbarth’s book, The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success: Kick-start Your Business, Brand & Job Search (3rd edition).

LUNCHEON

Sponsored by BMO Harris Bank (presenting); Humana, Rockford University and SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health (gold).

Brian Thomas Photography. . . . . . . .18 Broadmoor Agency, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . .6

Rockford Leadership Alliance . . . . . .12 Rockford Systems, LLC . . . . . . . . . . .8

The Global Leadership Summit . . . . .19

Rockford University . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Rock Valley College . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Illinois Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Illinois Small Business Development Center . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Mercyhealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Midland States Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Northern Public Radio . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Saint Anthony College of Nursing . . . .5 Savant Capital Management . . . . . . . .7 Schmeling Construction Co. . . . . . . . .8 Severson Dells Nature Center . . . . . .14 Spectrum Progressive School . . . . . .15 Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Quartz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Thayer Lighting, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Rockford Bank & Trust Co. . . . . . . . . .8

Upper Iowa University . . . . . . . . . . . .14

of the Rockford Business Community

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100 ...............................................Direct Line Harold “Bo” Boger, IL Small Business Development Center Director ...............................................................815-316-4301 Cori Currey, Membership Development Executive ................................815-316-4336 Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO .......................................... 815-316-4304 Heidi M. Garner, Chief Operating Officer .................................... 815-316-4312 Olivia Guzman, Administrative Assistant/Customer Service Rep..........815-987-8100 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology ................... 815-316-4338 Lynette Jacques, Vice President, Member Investment .................... 815-316-4317 Phoebe Morris, Program & Event Coordinator.............................. 815-316-4302 Kristin Muehlfelder, Member Relations...................................................815-316-4315 Caitlin Pusateri, Vice President, Leadership Development ....................815-316-4337 Doug Rand, Accounting Manager/Controller ............................... 815-316-4316 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator ......................... 815-316-4320

Chamber Board of Directors & Officers EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman of the Board Richard Zumwalt Z Resource Chair-Elect Michele Petrie Wintrust Commercial Banking & Mortgage Vice Chair Dan Ross Gallagher Williams-Manny Treasurer Amy Ott Boylan Catholic High School Immediate Past Chair Patti Thayer Thayer Lighting, Inc.

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

Sue Schrieber Don Daniels SwedishAmerican, A Mercyhealth Division of UW Health John Schuster Rebecca Epperson Rosecrance Health Chartwell Agency Network Ira Grimmett UTC Aerospace Systems

Karl Swanson Rockford Bank & Trust Co

Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

Udaya Talwar Woodward

Jeff Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Elizabeth Lee Greenlee Textron

Kris L. Kieper Jean Crosby Machajewski Berkshire Hathaway YWCA Northwestern HomeServices Crosby Illinois Starck Real Estate Mike Paterson Doug Curry Mid-West Family Stenstrom Excavation Broadcasting and Blacktop Group Mark Peterson CBL Associates Cherry Vale

Jon Thompson Butitta Brothers Automotive

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

SEPTEMBER VOICE SPECIAL SECTIONS

EDUCATION OUTLOOK

In the Education Outlook luncheon, RPS 205 Superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett outlines the district’s progress and opportunities in making the region a top community.

BMO Harris Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Rockford Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . 16, 23, 25-26, 28

Wednesday, September 19

Friday, August 10

IGNITE Adulting 101- City Council, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Aero Ale House, 6164 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park.

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

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

THE EXPOSITION

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

Advertisers Index advertisers

Current Events Stay on top of events coming up — and you can plan accordingly!

Visit rockfordchamber.com and click on “Events” link.

Balancing the Books (Accounting) and Small Giants: Our Small Business Spotlight For information on advertising, call 815

987-8100