September Voice 2019 by Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce

AETNA PLYWOOD BUILDING SOLUTIONS FOR 80 YEARS

the September 2019 | Volume 32 | No. 9

of the rockford business community

SEAMLESS CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE PAGE 10

PAGE 5

MANUFACTURERS: SOME PURCHASES NOW EXEMPT PER ILLINOIS LAW CHANGE

HOLDING THE LINE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT Relief for the taxpayers “I appreciate the support of the taxing bodies committed to keeping more money in the hands of our property owners.” MAYOR TOM MCNAMARA

Mayor Tom McNamara and Rockford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett joined four other Rockford taxing authorities at Guilford High School on Friday, August 23, announcing they will keep their property tax levies flat over the next taxing year. This would continue a trend of seeing the combined overall taxing burden drop for property owners in Rockford. Representatives from the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and the Rockford Area Realtors also spoke at the news conference about the importance to the business community and real estate market of lowering property taxes. A City of Rockford property owner

pays taxes to 11 taxing authorities. RPS 205 is about 52 percent of the total bill, followed by the City of Rockford at 22 percent, the Rockford Park District at 8 percent and Winnebago County at 7 percent. The latter two authorities have not announced whether they will keep their rates flat in the coming taxing year. “I appreciate the support of the taxing bodies committed to keeping more money in the hands of our property owners,” said Mayor McNamara. “At the City, we’ve worked diligently since I took office to reduce the property tax burden on our property owners while still delivering value in the programs and services we provide.” Continued on page 3

On July 1 of this year, the State of Illinois passed Public Act 1010009, which expands the definition of the machinery and equipment exemption for manufacturers. Purchases of consumable supplies used in the manufacturing process on or after July 1, 2019 are now sales tax exempt. The provision is intended to ameliorate the effects of the prior repeal of the Illinois Manufacturer’s Purchase Credit. Tax exempt personal property now includes fuels, coolants, solvents, oils, lubricants, adhesives, hand tools, protective apparel, and fire and safety equipment primarily used or consumed within a manufacturing facility in a manufacturing process. To claim, you must provide your vendor with Form ST-587.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

THE EXPOSITION THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 CLIFFBREAKERS For more information, see pages 14-15 SPONSORED BY

You’re invited: Diversity Vendor Networking Fair Doing business with NIU, other agencies

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Companies looking to do business with Northern Illinois University are invited to attend a Diversity Vendor Networking Fair, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom on the DeKalb campus. Like other agencies in the state, NIU has the goal of directing at least 20 percent of its spending to companies owned and operated by minorities, persons with disabilities, women and veterans. However, this event is an opportunity for any company to learn how to do business with NIU. According to Antoinette Bridges, director of procurement and strategic sourcing, NIU spends close to $100 million a year on food, equipment, furniture and construction work. “That creates hundreds of opportunities for companies around the region to do business with NIU, and we are eager to expand our portfolio of business partners.” There also will be opportunities to meet with representatives of its prime vendors, the large companies that sometimes seek out subcontractors to help facilitate business with the university, as well as buyers from other universities and community colleges.

Workshops to Expand Your Business ■ Learn about the state’s Business Enterprise Program (BEP Act) certification process, which places certified businesses on an approved list of companies owned and operated by minorities, persons with disabilities, women and veterans that can do business with Illinois state universities and other state agencies. ■ Small businesses looking to enter the world of government contracting can learn how to work with Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. ■ Learn how to work with the Illinois Public Higher Education Cooperative, which coordinates high volume purchasing for items commonly used at universities across the state. Companies that wish to display information about their offerings will be provided a table and two chairs, as well as a box lunch, free parking and a wireless internet connection – all free of charge. Admission is free to all attendees. Register at go.niu.edu/34wslq or contact Karen Baker, 815-753-6017. v

EVENT CELEBRATES WOMEN’S BASEBALL HISTORY IN ROCKFORD The International Women’s Baseball Center will host a Penny Marshall Celebration, Sept. 13 and 14, as a posthumous tribute to the director/producer/actress for lifting the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League - and Rockford’s own Peaches - out of a dusty corner of baseball history. “Play Ball for Penny” takes place on Friday, Sept. 13, at Indoor City Market, 116 N. Madison St., Rockford. Saturday is the unveiling of a replica of the ﬁrst of nine large commemorative signs to honor individuals or groups important in women’s baseball history. It will be at the future International Women’s Baseball Center museum site, across the street from historic Beyer Stadium, 245 15th Ave., Rockford. Visit internationalwomens baseballcenter.org/iwbc-events/ penny-marshall-celebration.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

CHAIRMAN’S PERSPECTIVE

The act of doing MICHELE PETRIE Rockford Chamber Board Chairman

Progress is a powerful drive

Hello Membership. It’s been a great summer seeing so many people and families out having fun and participating in community events! This month my article is focused on DOING. Why do some people DO and some people watch? I think it stems from how you think and feel. Researchers have found that people who tend to DO spend twice as much time as an average person reflecting on: 1. what they have already accomplished 2. the feeling that the task is doable 3. the belief they are capable of doing it

and come up with a different idea to meet the need of that person/company. Similar to the story of Thomas Edison trying 1,000 times before he developed the light bulb, he told himself along the way “I now know 950 ways how NOT to make a light bulb.” If you can change your thoughts and see that failures can be lessons (with a positive ending), your future DOING will be much less stressful and more rewarding. ■ There are systems all over our world that operate to channel work for the greater good. When these systems work it’s obvious, you can easily see and feel

If your fear is failure, try and change your view to see failure as an opportunity to grow (where something good happens).

it. Sometimes these systems don’t work and need to be changed. For those who don’t think systems can change, consider this: we can only change what we can control (and because change is constant we can control very little). If our leaders and citizens work together to continually make small improvements

People who reflect on their DOING feel successful, confident, and tend to do more. Feelings are powerful motivators. People rarely act if they don’t feel and it’s very hard to resist acting on things we do feel. It’s how our brains are structured. Sometimes that feeling is fear and it becomes an obstacle. The belief that the “system” can’t be changed is another big barrier to taking action. Let’s take a look at both: ■ Although fear can be a very powerful emotion, it is at its core a belief that something bad will happen. If your fear is failure, try and change your view to see failure as an opportunity to grow (where something good happens). In my career of meeting people and their businesses, I’ve learned (over time – this wasn’t necessarily natural) that a “No” is an opportunity for me to listen better

to a system, making the process a journey not a perfect end solution, isn’t that a success? I was raised by a former Army Military Policeman so living in systems were natural to me but I learned over time how to succeed in the long run with an accountable, continuous improvement mentality. I believe we can have that culture in our systems and community in Rockford if we are ok with small wins and embrace a continuous improvement way of life. I celebrate/cheerlead every chance I get because progress is powerful. I ask you to encourage people to reflect on how far they’ve come and the good work they’ve done. Use stories to share wins and convey ideas in an engaging way. Let’s get as many people as we can supercharging their DOING …

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.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

LOCAL TAX RELIEF Continued from front page

In the fall of 2018, the Rockford School Board adopted a flat tax levy for the seventh consecutive year. The School Board voted to hold the line on tax collections by levying well below its allowable rate. The district’s tax rate peaked at $7.93 in 2015 and dropped to $7.80 in 2016, then $7.65 in 2017. The RPS 205 administration and School Board have a shared goal to lower the tax rate to $7 as soon as possible. “Keeping our tax levy flat is a big commitment for our School Board and our district,” said Dr. Ehren Jarret, RPS 205 Superintendent, “But we know that commitment to provide taxpayer relief is essential to growing our tax base and to achieving our vision of being the first choice for families.” Michele Petrie, Chair of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors offered, “Today is a good day for business owners and citizens in our area. Today, we are connecting the dots on two important developments 1) Growth in Equalized Assessed Values (the value of properties in our community) and 2) we have several taxing bodies here today proactively coming forward to say they are either holding firm or reducing their levies.” Petrie further added, “Any reduction in the tax burden helps with economic development in the attraction and expansion of businesses and in attracting new jobs and residents to our region. “We are at a pivotal moment in our real estate market,” said Conor Brown, CEO for Rockford Area REALTORS, “The average home sale price is $147,000 — a number we have not seen since 2006. If we are going to drive this high tax rate down, it will take all of our local taxing bodies — big and small — to keep their levies flat or reduce them.” Brown further added, “I applaud the leadership of those taxing bodies that already have stepped forward to take this important pledge. We know it is tough, but the property tax relief is sorely needed.” At the City, beginning in May 2017, staff leaders engaged both local experts and an outside group that works with municipalities to seek ways to improve the City’s finances. The City’s property tax rate has dropped from 3.36 in 2015 to 3.11 in the 2018 tax year. “Both our citizen-led Finance Task Force and our partners at the National Resource Network helped us take a deep dive into operations,” said McNamara. We examined multiple ways to streamline our processes and improve our efficiencies. I’m encouraged by this work and the results we’re seeing.” v

September 2019

Real or counterfeit? After receiving thousands of consumer complaints, the Better Business Bureau released the results of an in-depth investigative study; finding that fraudulent consumer goods sold online are ubiquitous and difficult to differentiate from legitimate products. Counterfeits are supported by a large network of organized criminals and some credit card processing mechanisms.

Losing More than Money The Government Accountability Office attests that many counterfeit items pose potential health or safety risks, such as contact lenses, perfume, cosmetics, hair removal devices, condoms and skin cleaning products. The Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement suggests that as few as three percent of websites selling medicine online represent legitimate pharmacies. Counterfeit drugs may contain none, too much or not enough of the active ingredient. Some contain Fentanyl, highly addictive, or other harmful substances. Unlike drugs manufactured in the United States, the labs are not supervised or tested by the FDA. The Food and Drug

In December 2015, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 1,378 counterfeit lithium batteries for hoverboards that carried a serious risk of bursting into ﬂame. Administration issued a warning about buying online, noting that even if the seller claims to be in Canada, that does not mean that they really are.

credit card and request a refund. Don’t delay as there is limited time to try a chargeback on a credit card. Report counterfeit goods.

Spotting Counterfeits

■ National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. www. iprcenter.gov/referral/view.

Although difficult, the BBB offers tips to help identify suspicious websites and goods. Know who you’re buying from. Check the website with the BBB or do an internet search of the URL. Look in the “About” section for typos, grammatical errors and information about the business or website location. Fraudulent sites often do not provide physical addresses. No phone number often is another red flag. Watch for quality issues. Items sold without packaging or with blurry images are red flags. Watch out for fake reviews.

What Should You Do? Ask for a refund. Call the customer service number on the back of your

■ Better Business Bureau. www.bbb. org/scamtracker/us. ■ Online markets. eBay, Amazon, Facebook, Instagram or other online marketplaces. Amazon has a guarantee for goods sold by third parties; victims can seek a refund here. ■ Internet Fraud Complaint Center. www.ic3.gov/complaint. ■ Federal Trade Commission. 877-FTC-Help or www. ftccomplaintassistant.gov. Source: Steve Baker, International Investigations Specialist, BBB. Access the full report at www.bbb.org (Click News & Events).

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

 Destination

“Advertising is pretty much

ILLINOIS, USA

like running a furnace.

ADDING WEALTH TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY BY GROWING TOURISM

JOHN GROH Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Good news for Rockford in attracting tourism

We’ll keep stoking the ﬁres of the regional economy

William Wrigley Jr., a Chicago marketing genius of the early 20th century, once was asked why he persisted in aggressively advertising his chewing gum when everyone in America surely already knew about his ubiquitous product. “Advertising is pretty much like running a furnace,” he replied. “You’ve got to keep on shoveling coal. Once you stop stoking, the fire goes out.” Like our colleagues in Chicago whose job it is to promote that great Illinois city, we at RACVB spend our days shoveling proverbial coal to fuel interest in local attractions, businesses and events and to help create new ones. About this time of year, we get numbers that reflect how well we’re doing locally – and how the rest of the state is performing – to keep those economic fires aglow. The numbers reflect the huge economic impact of visitor spending statewide and locally. We have good news to report again this year. The local numbers echo the upward trend that has been consistent across the state for several years.

We look to the U.S. Travel Association and the Illinois Office of Tourism for our stats. The big picture for Illinois in 2018: ■ Over the past decade, the number of domestic visitors increased by 26 million, bringing the total to 114.6 million in 2018. Of those visitors, 84 percent traveled here for leisure purposes. Illinois welcomed an additional 2.3 million international visitors last year. ■ Visitor spending supported 342,300 jobs across the state, an increase of 6,200 over 2017. ■ Visitor spending overall grew to $41.7 billion in 2018, up $2 billion from 2017, generating $3.3 billion in tax revenue (a 7 percent increase) for the state and local communities. Winnebago County mirrors Illinois’ positive trajectory: ■ Visitor spending here reached almost $392 million, up more than two percent from 2017. ■ More than 3,000 local folks go to work every day supported by visitor spending,

with payroll increasing 1.3 percent to almost $95 million. ■ Tax receipts rose in accordance with the increased spending, bringing in more than $23 million for the state and almost $7 million for local coffers.

Old and New Favorites RACVB does its part to keep the furnace of economic impact glowing by creating and promoting new initiatives, while also marketing established events, businesses and activities. Examples include Stroll on State, which continues to expand with new attractions each year; Forest City Beautiful initiatives, including this year’s CRE8IV Mural Festival, which drew thousands of visitors to downtown Rockford; Davis Park revitalization efforts; and the popular Fred VanVleet events, including Jurassic Park RKFD, FanFest and Camp and Sport Stories, which is part of RACVB’s Bring Your Game 2 Rockford campaign. Additionally, we partnered with Visit Beloit to host the National Softball

You’ve got to keep on shoveling coal. Once you stop stoking, the ﬁre goes out.” Association Girls Fast Pitch Tournament earlier this summer, which boasted 85 teams in competition and resulted in an estimated $1.1 million economic impact to the region. And we worked with the Jehovah’s Witness organization to bring a regional convention to the BMO Harris Bank Center that resulted in 20,000 visitors over four consecutive weekends this summer. The estimated economic impact of the convention is estimated at about $800,000. It’s been a busy year, and there’s more to come. The numbers look great, for sure, but none of us at RACVB are resting on our laurels – or leaning on our shovels, so to speak. Like Mr. Wrigley, we like fire in the furnace. John Groh is president/CEO of Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and also serves as chair of the Davis Park Taskforce. www. gorockford.com The views expressed are Groh’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

proﬁle

MEMBER PROFILE

Aetna Plywood, Inc.

BUILDING SOLUTIONS FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS

Aetna Plywood, Inc. By Paul Anthony Arco Jon Minnaert has seen it all in his time with Aetna Plywood, Inc., one of the largest wholesale distributors of wood, laminate, solid surface, quartz, hardware and other industrial products in the country. Minnaert’s experienced good times and endured challenging times, like the recession in 2008. But Aetna hung on and eventually overcame those dark days. Today, Aetna is thriving in its five locations – Rockford, Cicero, Ill., Indianapolis, White Bear Lake, Minn., and its headquarters in Maywood, Ill. “We serve several markets including commercial case goods, residential cabinets, countertops, store fixtures, closets, point of purchase, architectural millwork and office furniture,” said Minnaert, who succeeded retiring president Larry Rassin nine months ago. The company has 25 trucks that make deliveries between Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and parts of Iowa, Kentucky and Ohio. Aetna owns or operate nearly 500,000 square feet of warehouse. Customers range from Fortune 500 companies to small specialty shops. Local clients include Belvidere Company, Pierce Laminated Products, ONSITE Woodwork

Corp., and Greenberg Casework Company in South Beloit. The company was founded in 1937 by Arthur Schwanke and Don Davis, Sr. “They saw a need to purchase materials from manufactures, warehouse it and deliver product on trucks,” Minnaert said. “That was about the time plywood was being introduced.”

Serving Rockford Since 1950s Aetna started in Chicago and then branched out across the Midwest. “We had as many as 11 locations, but tough times hit and several locations were either sold off or closed,” Minnaert said. The first distribution center in Rockford opened in the early 1950s, and was located at Camp Grant, on the grounds of the Chicago Rockford International Airport. Aetna moved to its current location on 11th Street in the mid-1960s. Rockford has always been an important market for Aetna. “It was a strong furniture market that served many customers,” said Minnaert. “We served local lumber yards back then with construction plywood. But knowing the Rockford market was not a growth market like Indianapolis, Chicago, Minnesota, we had to shift our focus and

Jon Minnaert succeeded retiring president Larry Rassin nine months ago. add a central warehouse for other products like quartz, hardware, acrylic solid surface and light manufacturing.” Aetna has 130 employees companywide, including 25 in Rockford. Many of the employees have been with the company for 15-20 years. The company has invested heavily in training and technology, which has also helped in retaining employees. “Good employees mean everything,” Minnaert said “We’re a service-oriented business. We have a lot of competition with similar products; the only way to differentiate ourselves is service and quality people.” Aetna plans to move towards more centralized purchasing and call centers. “We’re always looking for new products, but they have to fit within our core,” Minnaert said. “We look for the right acquisitions

within our geography. Our footprint is in the Midwest.” Aetna also makes community support a priority. Among the organizations it helps are the Boys and Girls Club, Northern Illinois Hospice and Special Olympics. After 33 years of service to the company, Minnaert remains committed to making sure Aetna succeeds. “I have the passion to build a great organization,” he said. “There are always new challenges and opportunities that create new excitement. My goal is to build a better Aetna.”

AETNA PLYWOOD

President: Jon Minnaert 2112 12 St., Rockford 815-968-0921 www.aetnaplywood.com

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

IGNITE: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Why Rockford? CARMEN BRENZ IGNITE ROCKFORD

A native takes a second look at her hometown

Going to college here in Rockford, I encountered a large group of people from other states such as California, Florida, Arizona, etc. When I had heard where they were from, I always questioned “Why Rockford?” which was usually accompanied with my confused look. Before starting my position at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, I could not understand why a young individual would leave those states to come to Rockford. It didn’t add up in my mind. What made Rockford so great that they wanted to come here?

More Than Meets the Eye I was always told that downtown Rockford was a place I should avoid. I never questioned why, and with that mindset of “downtown is bad,” I avoided it at all costs. I didn’t think I was missing out on anything. Boy was I wrong! Downtown is full of local shops and restaurants perfect for the millennials in our community. I

never knew the possibilities that existed because I always saw it as the “bad and unsafe” place, and I hadn’t even given downtown a chance. My fiancé and I are finding new favorite spots every time we visit downtown. We cannot wait to try places like Capri, or shop at Rockford Art Deli. If I had looked past what I was always told and actually saw downtown for what it truly has to offer, I think I might have understood why those college individuals moved to Rockford.

Why I Chose Rockford I have had people ask me “Why Rockford?” before, and I usually would shrug my shoulders and say, “I don’t know. It’s the only place I have known” or “I honestly don’t know why I stay.” When I started at the Chamber, I was asked “Why Rockford?” I had to pause before I gave my answer because it wasn’t a question I had put much thought into, and I knew my usual answer was not how I really felt.

After some thought, I answered with: “I have family here, friends here, and it is my home.” However, I still felt as if there was more to my answer and more keeping me here. Then it hit me. I really want to be a part of the change here in Rockford. I do not want to be one of those people who runs from the “struggle” and comes back when the “mess” is cleaned up and claim I have Rockford pride. I want to be on the team that helps clean up the “mess,” and I want to have true, genuine Rockford pride.

Falling in Love with my Hometown I am a Rockford-bred girl. I have always had this pull at my heart strings to stay in Rockford. However, I never knew why. I finally realized the reason why I felt the need to stay: I had to fall in love with my hometown. I went to elementary and middle school in Belvidere, and I went to high school and college in Rockford. Looking back, a lot of my memories of growing up are in Belvidere. Now I have this desire to create new ones in Rockford. I want to take walks by the river. I want to support the local businesses and volunteer my time to the community. I want to finally go to City Market and Dinner on the Dock. I want to enjoy all the events that Rockford has to

offer. I want to love my hometown, so that when people ask me, “Why Rockford?” I feel confident in my answer and have valid reasons as to why I stayed. I want an answer that will make them want to see all the potential Rockford could offer to them.

Why Not Rockford? After a long, hard look at Rockford and my mindset towards Rockford, I can see why so many young individuals, especially young professionals, choose to stay or move to Rockford. As a community, we are working together to make our city better. It may not be instant results. For some that isn’t good enough, and they choose to leave Rockford. For others, they do not mind working with Rockford to get results, even if that means taking baby steps. These individuals are the ones you see opening their businesses in downtown, the ones you see participating in Rockford events, or volunteering their time to the community they love. So the next time someone asks you “Why Rockford?” tell them about Rockford and then ask them: “Why Not?” Carmen Brenz is event & program coordinator at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and helps run IGNITE Rockford.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

DR. EHREN JARRETT Superintendent RPS 205

September 2019

We’ve held the line on taxes

Doing right by students AND taxpayers

With continued growth in the local economy, our goal is to bring down the tax rate even more. We hope to eventually return to pre-recession, 2011 levels, when our tax rate was $6.56. The best educational systems lift up a community. And they do that, not only in the classroom, but by creating the conditions for civic growth. In our community, a big part of revitalization involves property tax relief. The Rockford Public Schools is committed to supporting taxpayers by holding the line on our budgets. This isn’t a new push for us. From 2012 to 2018, we have reduced our tax levy by a cumulative $101 million. We are on track for a property tax rate in the 2019 levy year of $7. That compares to $7.35 in 2018, and it’s down from a peak of $7.93. We have kept our tax levy flat since 2011 despite a steep drop in estimated assessed value in our community, which began in 2009 and just started to recover two years ago. With continued growth in the local economy, our goal is to bring down the tax rate even more. We hope to eventually return to pre-recession, 2011 levels, when our tax rate was $6.56. Our school board deserves the lion’s share of the credit. The board’s commitment to tax relief has been remarkable and commendable, especially while the district’s health care and personnel costs continue to increase. Even with these financial pressures, we’ve asked for fewer local dollars. We levied $170 million in local money in 2011. For the next seven tax cycles, we asked for less local money, ranging from $154 to $157 million. We have also not taken money we were allowed to take, such as increments equal to the increase in the Consumer Price Index. By the time our next tax levy is approved, we expect to save taxpayers a cumulative $114 million.

Illinois. The Evidence-Based Funding

Asking More from Taxing Bodies

exciting march toward a transformed

What’s more, as I said, we are not done. We joined with the City of Rockford, the airport, the library, Rockford Township and Rock Valley College last month to hold a news conference. We made a public pledge to continue tax relief. We appealed to other taxing bodies to follow our lead. The school district can hold the line in large part thanks to the State of

formula to determine state allocations to school districts has helped drive additional dollars to Illinois’ neediest communities,

such

Rockford.

For the upcoming school year, that translates into $11.7 million more for RPS 205. Thanks to our local legislators for being such loyal advocates for the additional funding. This year, about $4 million of new money will go toward site-based school budgets. This is a smart investment that gives our educators the flexibility and support they need to improve student achievement, using the strategies they know work in their own buildings. We’ll pair it with the accountability that comes via our School Scorecard. With all this talk of responsible financial stewardship and tax relief, I don’t want you to lose sight of the district’s core “business.” We exist to help students grow and achieve. Students are our most valuable asset, and our most precious capital. But we believe the district teaches something incredibly valuable, too, by focusing on the role we can play in the community beyond the classroom doors. Author Jim Collins has referred to the genius of “AND thinking” — and, conversely, the tyranny of “OR thinking.” It’s not about supporting students or supporting taxpayers. It’s about recognizing the “AND” in that equation — achieving the synergy that must exist between the two goals so that Rockford can continue its community. We’re at the intersection of RPS 205 Proud and 815 Strong, and we’re glad to be there. 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.

September 2019 SPECIAL SECTION: Backing Budding Businesses

September 2019

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

Chamber’s Job Bank helps Employers, Job Seekers Connect Since opening its Job Bank on the Chamber website three months ago, the site has been actively consulted by both employers and job seekers. With a link directly on the Chamber’s home page at www.rockfordchamber. com, Chamber member employers can post jobs on the site. Similarly, those seeking out careers can review available jobs and apply to the jobs they have interest in via the website.

For Employers Is your company looking for good, local employees? The Rockford Chamber of Commerce is committed to developing local talent through our programs and training; advocacy work; and opportunities for members. Rockford Chamber of Commerce members may post jobs at NO CHARGE. We invite you to see how easy it is to post jobs online today! Rockford Chamber of Commerce members need their Login and Password to submit jobs to the Job Bank or to view resumes. There is a link on the Job Bank home page for employers to get this information.

For Job Seekers Looking to enter the workforce or continue to climb the ladder? The Rockford region has outstanding opportunities to develop and grow your career. Local employers have opportunities for talent in various positions. Find a position that matches your skill set today. “We, as a Chamber, know that finding good talent takes many different efforts by employers, we believe having a Job Bank to connect via the Chamber’s network will be of great value to both employers and job seekers,” said Einar Forsman, President and CEO For more information contact: info@rockfordchamber.com

PHOTO BY THOUGHTCATALOG

Nonemployer businesses increasing Rideshares, electronic shopping see biggest growth The number of nonemployer businesses — establishments without paid employees — grew 3.6 percent in 2017, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics. Receipts for these businesses increased 5.6 percent.

Transportation Leads the Pack The Transportation and Warehousing sector saw the largest nonemployer establishment growth, increasing by 18.3 percent and 14.4 percent growth in receipts. The Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation subsector led the growth with an increase of 26.5 percent, including rideshares, taxi and limousine services, chartered buses, school buses and special needs transportation. Rideshares

grew by the most number of establishments. The top three states by nonemployer establishment percent growth belong to Florida (9.3 percent), Texas (6.5 percent) and Massachusetts (5.7 percent), with the greatest increase in Massachusetts in Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses. A nonemployer business is deﬁned as one that has no paid employees, has annual business receipts of $1,000 or more ($1 or more in the construction industries), and is subject to federal income taxes. Most nonemployers are selfemployed individuals operating very small unincorporated businesses, which may or may not be the owner’s principal source of income. Source: www.census.gov

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

GUEST COLUMNIST

Trademarks 101 JOEL HUOTARI WilliamsMcCarthy LLP

Diﬀerentiating trademarks from patents from copyrights

Trademarks are an essential part of any business. They represent your goodwill, your reputation and help people tell the difference between the products and services your business offers and the products and services of others. Here are a few things every business owner should know about trademarks.

equal a trademark registration. A domain name may function as a trademark, so long as it is used in a way that it identifies the source of particular goods and services. For example, AMAZON.COM is used as a web address, and it is also registered as a mark for an online retail store.

Are Registered Business Names Trademarks? A trademark can be a word, slogan,

What is a Trademark?

symbol, design or combination of these things, as well as a sound (think of the MGM lion’s roar), a color (think UPS brown), or even a smell (like PLAY-DOH’s scent). Pretty much anything can be a trademark or service mark, so long as it identifies the source of goods and services and distinguishes them from the goods and services of others.

How is a Trademark Diﬀerent from a Patent or a Copyright? A trademark is a brand for goods and services. A patent protects inventions. A copyright protects original artistic and literary works, like songs and movies and books. To illustrate the differences, let’s say you invented a new appliance. You might apply for a patent for the invention itself. You might also apply for a trademark for the brand name used on the appliance. Finally, you might want to register a copyright for the TV commercial or catchy jingle used to market the product.

Are Domain Names (Web Addresses) Trademarks? A web address (like www.wilmac. com for example) is called a domain name. Having a registered domain name for your company’s website does not necessarily mean you have trademark rights on that web address. In fact, if you register a domain name that includes the trademark of another party, you may have to surrender that domain name. So, a domain name registration does not

A business name is simply the name under which you do business in a particular state or jurisdiction. A business name registration with your state does not grant you trademark rights. It merely means that a particular state allows you to do business under that name. Of course, a business name can be a trademark if it is used to identify the source of your goods and services and distinguish them from the goods and services of another.

How Do I Protect My Trademark? To enjoy the nationwide rights offered by a federal trademark registration, you must file an application and receive a registration from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Individual states also offer to register trademarks, but any protection granted is limited to that state. Picking a trademark and registering it can be a daunting task. While plenty of companies and individuals register their own trademarks, working with an attorney to guide you through the process is highly recommended. Simple registrations with the USPTO typically run from around $1,000 and up, inclusive of USPTO and attorney’s fees. Joel Huotari is a partner with WilliamsMcCarthy LLP. His practice includes trademark and copyright registration and litigation. Contact him at jhuotari@wilmac.com or 815-987-8982. The views expressed are those of Huotari’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

SPECIAL SECTION: Backing Budding Businesses

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September 2019

GUEST COLUMNIST

Creating a delightful, seamless experience for your customers STACY WALLACE V2 Marketing Communications

Using consistency to shine in a competitive market

The customer experience is every interaction a person has throughout their entire relationship with your business: The first time they visit your website, see ads on Facebook or Instagram, any social media interactions and even customer service after the purchase. They are evaluating the ease in layout of your website, the interactions they have with your employees, whether your values have been communicated, how problems are resolved and on-line and off-line shopping experiences.

Ways to Create a Seamless Customer Experience ■ Establish the process your customers go through to become aware, consider and evaluate, and then ultimately decide to purchase a new product or service. This is called the buyer’s journey and can help build your on-going, integrated marketing strategy. Create compelling messaging for different points in the journey to draw customers in, and inform them during the process. ■ Build a strategy to delight customers throughout the entire customer journey. Look for areas of improvement, potential problems and how to resolve them. Start at the beginning — look at your website — how user friendly is it? Are customers able to navigate quickly and easily to the information they are looking for on your site? Creating a user-friendly experience out of the gate will encourage customers to continue engaging with your brand. ■ Work on developing authentic relationships with your customers. Understand your core values and communicate them. Use consistency in your messaging and personalize as much as possible across all channels. This leads to trust and understanding. Being open and transparent will go a long way to help you connect with your audience. ■ Engage in conversation instead of just broadcasting your message. Give your attention to your followers, prospects, customers and clients. Interact with them on social media, share knowledge with them in an email newsletter, listen to them if they call with issues and be willing to share your knowledge and experience with them — sometimes for free. ■ Deal with problems at a personal level. Be accountable in your mistakes and communicate with honesty to resolve issues. Customers do not expect perfection 100 percent of the time, but what they do expect is someone to address and correct problems during their journey. Previously, if a customer had a bad experience, they told five people. In today’s digital age, if a customer has a bad experience, it is just as

easy for them to tell 1,000 people. The post-sale is almost as important as the initial sale. Understand and communicate the post-sales expectations with your customers and make sure you follow through with what you promise. Be accessible and available if/when needed. Establishing yourself as a trusted and valued partner will make a repeat customer easier to secure. Nurturing and developing an existing customer is the key to ongoing success.

Consistent Messaging Across Channels Creating a seamless experience for consumers to interact with a brand requires a combination of advertising, sales promotion, PR, direct marketing, social media and customer service. Along with these traditional tactics, consistent messaging should be delivered across multiple channels and throughout the customer experience. There is power in reminding customers about your brand, even if they already know it exists. This can be achieved through: Paid: offline advertising, direct marketing, online display and programmatic ads; Earned: organic search resulting from content creation, PR and any online influence; Owned: social media, customer service, direct marketing through email or mobile advertising. The use of digital media creates an opportunity to share via social media and create immersive experiences on websites and mobile apps like never before. According to research by Zendesk, 87 percent of customers believe brands need to put more effort into providing a more seamless and consistent experience across all channels. Creating a seamless customer experience is not a one-and-done process, but rather an on-going commitment to improving your relationships with your clients and customers. Creating and sticking to a long-term plan will help you stand out in today’s crowded, competitive marketplace. Need help figuring out how to start – don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional with the expertise in creating and sustaining integrated marketing plans to help you achieve that seamless customer experience. Good luck, and happy connecting! Stacy Wallace is an account manager/media analyst for V2 Marketing Communications. Stacy@marketingv2.com. The views expressed are those of Wallace’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

EMPLOYERS TAKE NOTE

Amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act soon to take eﬀect The Illinois 101st General Assembly has been busy passing bills, and Gov. Pritzker busy signing them into law. Many affect duties and obligations in the workplace. Most amendments take effect Jan. 1, 2020. Some address a number of sexual harassment-related issues.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Harassment protections will be extended to non-employees of an employer, such as contractors and consultants. Employers with employees in Illinois will need to provide sexual harassment prevention training at least annually. The Department of Human Rights will be charged with developing model training that employers may use, or employers may develop or supplement training on their own. Starting July 1, 2020, employers will need to disclose to the Department of Human Rights any final adverse judicial or administrative judgment involving sexual harassment or discrimination under Illinois, federal or local law. The disclosure requirement includes total number of adverse judgments, whether equitable relief was ordered and a break-down of the number of such judgments by protected class (e.g., sex, race, color, age, etc.). If the Department of Human Rights investigates a charge of discrimination, it may also require disclosure of the total number of settlement agreements involving claims of sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination under the Human Rights Act. Restaurants and bars will have obligations specific to their industries, including a written sexual harassment policy. In addition to the required sexual harassment training, they must also provide supplemental training aimed at the restaurant and bar industry, which will be developed by the Department of Human Rights.

Workplace Transparency Act The Workplace Transparency Act would place restrictions on the certain conditions of employment and on the terms of any settlement or termination agreement between an employer and an employee. The act prohibits any contract or agreement from prohibiting or restricting an employee, prospective employee or former employee “from reporting any allegations of unlawful conduct to federal, state, or local authorities for investigation” of criminal conduct or unlawful employment practices. The law will also declare void any waiver of an employee’s right to testify in an administrative, judicial or legislative proceeding. Restrictions are also placed on certain so-called “unilateral conditions of employment, a non-negotiable term of employment required by an employer. A “mutual condition of employment,” on the

other hand, is an agreement negotiated by employer and employee in good faith in order to obtain or retain employment. A unilateral condition of employment that requires an employee or prospective employee “to waive, arbitrate, or otherwise diminish any existing or future claim, right, or benefit related to an unlawful employment practice to which the employee or prospective employee would otherwise be entitled under any provision of State or federal law” is void as against public policy. A mutual condition of employment, however, may contain such provisions if it is in writing and demonstrates actual bargained for consideration from both parties. In addition, the mutual conditions must acknowledge the right of an employee to: (1) report any good faith allegation of unlawful employment practices to any appropriate federal, State, or local government agency enforcing discrimination laws; (2) report any good faith allegation of criminal conduct to any appropriate federal, State, or local official; (3) participate in a proceeding with any appropriate federal, State, or local government agency enforcing discrimination laws; (4) make any truthful statements or disclosures required by law, regulation, or legal process; and (5) request or receive confidential legal advice. Settlement or Termination Agreement. These provisions of the Workplace Transparency Act are similar to requirements employers may be familiar with under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act amendments to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Victims Economic Security and Safety Act VESSA has or many years been akin to an FMLA for victims of domestic and sexual violence. The bill extends VESSA protections to “gender” violence.

Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act The Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act will require hotels and casinos to provide employees assigned to work in guest rooms, restrooms or a casino floor, with a safety or notification device in case of crime, sexual harassment, sexual assault or other emergency. Hotel and casino employers also will have specific sexual harassment policy requirements. Taken from information provided by Samuel J. Castree, Jr., senior vice-president & general counsel, Staff Management, Inc. STAFF MANAGEMENT, Inc., presents materials for informational purposes only and addresses topics in a general manner that may not apply to individual circumstances. Consult your human resource or legal advisors for advice pertaining to your specific situation.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

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manufacturing news Manufacturing is going to get smaller CHRIS FOX MakingChips

Rockford is the perfect environment for real growth

The world of manufacturing is going to shrink. But not in the way you might think! Manufacturing has often been connected with massive corporations that crank out thousands, if not millions of parts. These are 100-million dollar plus businesses. They are major employers and a major component of local and national economies. While these major organizations have been the leaders of manufacturing, there is a quiet giant that I believe will overtake those major companies. Small manufacturers. In fact, they’ve already taken over! 98.6 percent of manufacturers are considered small businesses. To be considered a small business, they have to have less than 500 employees, which in my humble opinion,

is still pretty big. But of that group, 75.3 percent have fewer than 20 employees. What are they making, if not millions of parts? Unique, high-touch, low-volume parts.

Small … and Agile Small businesses provide great value to customers that need a manufacturer that can pivot and adjust. Something that the giant manufacturers simply can’t do. That’s why towns like Rockford, which is chock full of small manufacturing businesses, are so valuable. The Rockford area creates a prime environment for small manufacturing businesses to grow, with a workforce and history of manufacturing flowing in the streets. The perfect example is a company

like Advanced Machine and Engineering (AME). While they are approaching the small business threshold with just over 200 employees, they exemplify how small manufacturing businesses are thriving in the Rockford area. AME’s business is B2B (business to business), which means they are a manufacturer that is helping manufacturers. On the smaller end of small businesses in the area are shops like Superior Joining Technologies, who have 37 employees. They show how larger

manufacturers need smaller shops so they can be more agile because they are more technologically specialized. Every corner of this town has a machine shop or a manufacturing business connected to machine shops. It’s because of these small business connections that Rockford has real opportunity to grow as manufacturing businesses (especially small manufacturers) grow. Chris Fox is creative director for MakingChips.

Manufacturing Day approaches October 10, 2019

Creating exposure to exciting career paths

Manufacturing Day helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders. Back in 2012, when Manufacturing Day began, we put forth the ambitious goal of affecting the public’s perception of manufacturing with the goal of inspiring more people to pursue manufacturing careers. We wanted to correct the idea that manufacturing involved repetitive, unskilled tasks that happened in dark, dirty factories — a ridiculous idea to anyone who has actually worked in manufacturing — and show people what manufacturing really looks like.

The fact is, today’s manufacturing jobs are highly skilled. Not only that, but they take place in some of the most exciting, innovative work environments anywhere. The thought behind MFG DAY was therefore: Bring the public to real manufacturing environments and let them see for themselves. What better way to overcome any lingering negative stereotypes than to expose them for the misrepresentations that they are? According to Deloitte’s 2015 survey, 81 percent of students who attended MFG DAY events emerged “more convinced that manufacturing provides careers that are interesting and rewarding.” This percentage rose to 84 percent in

2016. Projections indicate that roughly 600,000 people attended MFG DAY events in 2016 and that 267,000 of them were students. That means that nearly 225,000 students walked away from their MFG DAY 2016 event with a more positive perception of manufacturing, according to Deloitte’s findings. Not only that, but Deloitte’s survey shows that 71 percent of student attendees both years said that they “were more likely to tell friends, family, parents, or colleagues about manufacturing after attending an event,” meaning that they were not just convinced — they were inspired. This year the Rockford Region’s Manufacturing Day will be hosted

on Thursday, October 10th. As in recent past, area manufacturer’s open their doors to students to tour their facility and learn more about careers in manufacturing. In 2018, twelve area high schools with 400 students participated in the program and a similar number is expected this year. Following the tours, all students will convene at Radisson Hotel and Conference center for a lunch and dialogue with roundtable manufacturing representatives, as well as visit an expo of local manufacturers. Donations are needed to help pay for lunch for the students, the community’s help would be appreciated. For more information, contact Einar Forsman at eforsman@ rockfordchamber.com. Manufacturing news sponsored by AME

September 2019

connect the dots at

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the exposition: A hub for networking, exposure, and connections. Exhibitors and attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet and create mutually-beneficial relationships!

sept 26 • 1–5p

Cliffbreakers Event & Conference Center 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford

networking • exposure • relationships • connections • growth

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

special presentation by Art Sobczak

KEYNOTE SPONSORED BY

“How to successfully prospect for new business — without “cold-calling” or “rejection” thursday, sept 26 • 11a – 12:45p Cliffbreakers Event & Conference Center Every business needs new business, but very few people like to cold-call, and no one likes to feel rejected. In this fast-moving workshop, Art Sobczak, internationally-known speaker, trainer, and award-winning author of Smart Calling — Eliminate the Fear, Failure, and Rejection from Cold Calling, provides a proven process for calling for new business—without the “cold.” You will leave with word-for-word messaging that you can use right after the program, to conﬁdently call prospects and engage them in a meaningful conversation—without sounding like the typical salesperson. And, even when you don’t get the appointment or move the sales process forward, you will not experience the rejection that devastates so many salespeople.

register your sales team today at rockfordchamber.com Registration includes the workshop, a boxed lunch, and a copy of Sobczak’s book, How to Place the Successful Sales and Prospecting Call.

sponsored by

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

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Small Business Enterprise The hiring challenge Creating a template of your ideal candidate

Making a wrong decision can be costly, but if the tools described are used properly, they can save you time and help you select the candidate that will work best for you.

MIKE MASTROIANNI SBDC

At some point in time in the evolution of a small business, employees need to be hired. Perhaps the entrepreneur has been working alone, and now needs support to carry out their mission. The challenges we often hear from hiring managers include: ■ There are not a lot of qualified applicants. ■ Of the applicants interviewed, a selection is made; then the applicant doesn’t remain on the job for long. ■ The applicants provided information about their skills, but they “over sold” and didn’t quite have the expertise they said they possessed. ■ People won’t work the hours scheduled even if they said they could. There are many services that can provide lists of applicants to the hiring manager, but many times, they are not screened for both the skills and potential of being a fit into the culture of your organization. The screening is up to the hiring manager.

How can we combat these challenges?

Considerations That Could Help 1. Create a template of what you are looking for in the ideal candidate. Include both technical and interpersonal skills. Make sure what you want is job related. Use that template as you review the qualifications of every candidate you interview. In this way, you are not “changing your needs” with each applicant that comes to interview with you. 2. Get some training on interview techniques. Many times, a hiring manager will ask a couple of yes or no questions, and then spend the little time they have with the candidate talking about the company. In this way, they learn very little about the candidate. Techniques to determine how they will perform include the use of verbal support and making the candidate comfortable in the interview, and then having a conversation about

the candidate’s strengths and growth potential, and what they know. 3. Design questions that will provide you with information about the candidate, to determine if they have the skills and personality you identified as important in the template. Those questions can be phrased in a yes or no manner, or could be more open-ended or behavioralbased. Behavioral-based questions ask about past performance as a predictor of future success. 4. Avoid asking illegal questions. Know your laws. There are federal and state laws offering protection to various groups of employees. Asking questions to determine if someone is a member of one of those groups and then using that to determine if the candidate gets the job is never a good idea. In general, questions should be job related. 5. Compare each candidate to the requirements in the template. To keep the questions job-related, keep referring to the template.

6. Check references. Someone said that you can’t learn a lot from references, but references can tell you a lot about past performance and whether or not a person is eligible for rehire. Making a wrong decision can be costly, but if the tools described are used properly, they can save you time and help you select the candidate that will work best for you. One of the services we provide to either a startup or existing client in need of hiring is interviewing and hiring support. We can help in the six areas listed above, and with no cost to our SBDC clients. Our costs are covered through the SBA and the Chamber of Commerce and companies that support us through match dollars. We do not offer recruitment services and leave those services to our member organizations that do a wonderful job in that arena. Mike Mastroianni is SBDC director, Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

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CENTER FOR

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Leadership Development

Find your opportunity CAITLIN PUSATERI Rockford Chamber

We know leadership

As a Chamber, we are extremely proud of the leadership development programs and trainings we offer our members and our community. We are committed to developing leaders, filling leadership gaps, supporting leaders, and identifying new leaders to bring to the table. Our leadership programs are leaps and bounds beyond many of our Chamber counterpoints and rival many well-known leadership programs hosted by leadership development professionals around the country. We know leadership – we believe in leadership – we support leadership.

We are committed to developing leaders, ﬁlling leadership gaps, supporting leaders, and identifying new

Center for Leadership Development Programs RLA (200-300 participants)

Lead 360 (60-70 participants)

Who is best suited to participate? C-Suites

Who is best suited to participate? Executive

(CEO, CFO, COO, etc.), high- & mid-level managers,

level women leaders. C-Suites (CEO, CFO, COO,

high potential leaders

etc.), Executive Directors, Senior VPs. Highest level

Program Timeline: Keynote opening session

woman in an organization. This group typically is

featuring a nationally-known business leader

invite-only, but applications/recommendations for

followed by 6 half-day facilitated workshops.

membership are welcome. Program Timeline: Membership & program

October – April Program Content: Each year, RLA focuses on a

year is March-February. Invitations for membership

diﬀerent leadership theme/topic. 2017: Trust; 2018:

are typically sent during the fourth quarter.

Organization Health; 2019: Crucial Accountability;

Membership restrictions apply and are not

2020: Engaging Teams

transferrable.

Words of Wisdom: This program is intense

Program Content: Regional & national speakers

but provides participants with a roadmap for

on topics important and relevant to supporting

action upon completion. Builds outstanding

and promoting executive level women.

connections across industry. Topics are not

Words of Wisdom: Membership requirements

repeated allowing participants to engage in

for this group are in place to ensure a space for

But! For as good as we are at developing leaders, we weren’t exactly creative in the naming of our programs. If anything, we may have utilized names that were a little too similar for the average person to quickly keep them straight. So! I’ve developed a quick at-a-glance breakdown of the programs within our Center for Leadership Development. For more detailed information on each program, or to register for a program, please visit our website (www.rockfordchamber.com) or email me (cpusateri@rockfordchamber.com). We have something for everyone – find where you best fit.

years that target their needs. Programming is not

women to connect with women facing similar

continuous, but skills learned from one year can

professional opportunities and obstacles. For

be built upon in the next.

those not yet at the C-Suite level, Business Women’s

What is the Center for Leadership Development?

leaders to bring to the table.

The Center for Leadership Development is an umbrella term for the Chamber’s Leadership Programs. The Center was created as part of the Chamber’s commitment to leadership and workforce development. The Center is run by the Vice President, Leadership Development and currently houses four leadership programs: Rockford Leadership Alliance (RLA), Leadership Rockford, IGNITE and Lead 360.

Leadership Rockford (40-50 participants)

Council is a great opportunity!

IGNITE (900+ participants)

Who is best suited to participate? Any

Who is best suited to participate? Young

business professional looking to increase their

professionals (ages 21-40ish) living, working,

engagement in and knowledge of the community.

learning or playing in the Rockford region.

All organizational levels/ages, all industries. Great

Participants do not have to be Chamber members.

for people new to the community or new to

Program Timeline: Open enrollment – YPs

management roles.

are welcome to become members at any time.

Program Timeline: Meets from 8:30-11:30am

Programming is continual. IGNITE Cup, the group’s

every other Friday (with some exceptions) from

signature event, takes place over the summer

October-April.

months.

Program Content: Panels of local leaders

Program Content: Programs aimed to attract

in varying industries. Gives participants a real

and retain young professionals to the Rockford

understanding of varying industries in the Rockford

region. Range of social & professional opportunities. Words of Wisdom: Young professionals are an

region. Words of Wisdom: Since its inception in 1967, we

important part of the workforce but can often feel

have graduated 1,851 participants. This program

disconnected – especially if they are new to the

requires a signiﬁcant commitment but oﬀers an

community. IGNITE helps YPs make connections

opportunity to make meaningful connections that

– personally and professionally – which leads to a

last well beyond the program.

deeper sense of belonging and purpose.

For more detailed information on each program, or to register for a program, please visit our website (www.rockfordchamber.com) or email Caitlin at cpusateri@rockfordchamber.com

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

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economic development Future tense

How artiﬁcial intelligence, next-gen workforce and the global economy will shape Rockford’s future

Meridian Direct kicks oﬀ construction to accommodate expansion Meridian Direct held a groundbreaking event on Aug. 28 for its expansion at 4805 Interstate Blvd., Loves Park. The new 50,000-sq.-ft. office, warehouse and manufacturing space will bring three of its Rockford area locations into one and house more than 100 employees, with room for a 40,000-sq.-ft. expansion in the future. The company ranks as one of Promo magazine’s Fastest Growing Companies and appears on PSDA’s Fastest Growing Distributors list. To keep up with customer demand and industry trends, the company has expanded its traditional print services to include promotional merchandise,

Fourteen years ago, Rebecca Ryan, futurist, spoke at our annual meeting and shared predictions for the future. We’ll revisit those predictions and identify where she was right, where she was wrong, and where our region EXCEEDED forecasts. Ryan also will make a set of new forecasts: about how artificial intelligence, workforce trends and the global economy will shape the Rockford Region for the next decade. Join the RAEDC’s Board of Directors and staff on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 5 to 8 p.m., at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, where we welcome Rebecca Ryan as keynote speaker. Throughout the year, the RAEDC works closely with stakeholders and industry partners to cultivate opportunities for primary job growth,

which increases the economic wellbeing of our region. The annual meeting provides investors and guests with the opportunity to receive updates on the goals outlined in the Rockforward20/20 strategic plan regarding new or retained jobs, capital investment, and new or renovated space. This is also a great time to connect with our region’s leaders. To learn more about the RAEDC’s Annual Meeting, visit RockfordIL.com/ events.

About Rebecca Ryan Rebecca Ryan is trained as a futurist and an economist. She helps clients see what’s coming – as a keynote speaker, a Futures Lab facilitator, an author of books, blogs and articles, a client advisor, and the founder of Futurist Camp.

branded apparel, commercial signage and displays. “Bob and Bruce were smart enough to keep up with what was selling,” said Pete Olsen, one of the first employees of the 40-year-plus Rockford area company. According to owner Bob Chanson, “81 percent of the products we sold 20 years ago do not exist or are a very small segment of our offering. It’s all gone to digital and wide format printing as well as branded merchandise and apparel.” Costs for the new construction will reach approximately $6 million. Completion is projected for spring, 2020.

GRATITUDE: An investor event With summer coming to an end and fall right around the corner, we want to gather with you and thank you for your time, support and connect, and to learn what your company has been up to and what is coming up.

The impact of trade wars

Throughout the year, the RAEDC likes to connect with investors on both an

Join the discussion on Sept. 10

individual level through CORE conversations or at larger gatherings such as the annual meeting or events like Gratitude: An Investor Event. Join the RAEDC staﬀ and board of directors, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., on Sept. 19 at 4949 Harrison Ave., Rockford, for a couple hours of relaxed mingling.

Sign up for RAEDC Connects Keep up to date on the news, events and strategies the RAEDC is undertaking to perform the daily work that is economic development. These monthly newsletters include information impacting the region and our ability to cultivate opportunities for primary job growth that increase the economic well-being of our region. Visit RockfordIL.com to sign-up.

Northern Illinois businesses will be significantly influenced by the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (Brexit) and the trade wars between U.S.-China and Korea-Japan. To better understand the impact of international trade troubles on our region, manufacturers, farmers/agribusinesses, financial/service providers, investors, retailers and consumers are invited to join the Institute of World Affairs and Trade at Rockford University, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce

and the Rockford Area Economic Development Council in an informative discussion, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. The event will be moderated by Don Manzullo. Featured trade experts will include Mark Tokola, Korea Economic Institute of America and former U.S. Senior Foreign Service Officer, and Roxana Idu, Ph.D., Puri School of Business.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

PHOTO FROM ROCK RIVER TIMES

September 2019

State releases $14.7 million owed to Rockford airport State Sen. Steve Stadelman announced the release of the $14.7 million that has been held up for years for improvements at the Rockford airport. The funding was promised for the airport’s Maintenance, Repair

and Overhaul facility, but never materialized. The airport took out commercial loans to ﬁnish construction of the MRO at a cost of up to $100,000 in monthly interest payments.

Money designated for Passenger Rail With Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature on House Bill 62, a $45 billion comprehensive construction program aimed in part at ﬁxing the state’s crumbling roads and bridges includes $275 million to restore passenger rail service from Rockford to Chicago. Funding comes as a part of “Rebuild Illinois,” a comprehensive, multi-year capital plan not seen in the state since 2009. Projections are for the program to generate 540,000 new jobs statewide and $33.2 billion to repair the state’s aging transportation system. Illinois infrastructure recently received a C-rating from the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a D-grade from the

American Automobile Association. Funding, as detailed in the Rebuild Illinois plan and Senate Bill 1939, comes in part from the July 1 doubling of the motor fuel tax to 38 cents per gallon for gas and diesel. Beginning in 2021, annual vehicle registration fees will increase from $101 to $151. Other funding as detailed in Senate Bill 690 includes a six percent tax on daily and hourly garage parking, a nine percent tax on monthly and annual garage parking, eﬀective Jan. 1, 2020, and the $1 per pack increase on cigarettes started in July.

Sources: Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan; Senator Stadelman’s Weekly Bulletin

A closer look at another type of student debt Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law House Bill 1581, which creates the College Student Credit Card Marketing and Debt Task Force. Representatives from credit unions, banks and state universities will be tasked with submitting a report by Dec. 14 to the Illinois General Assembly on how credit cards are marketed to

students, among other issues. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, 41 percent of students graduated with credit card debt averaging $3,000 in 2016.

Source: Senator Stadelman’s Weekly Bulletin

‘Texting while driving’ law goes into eﬀect on July 1 The stakes were raised on texting while driving with the implementation of House Bill 4846 on July 1. First-time incidences of driving while operating a handheld mobile device now are considered a “moving violation.” The operator using a handheld device while a car is in drive could face a $75 ﬁne, unless using a

cell phone to report an emergency, in hands-free or voice-operated modes or while parked on the shoulder of a roadway. Three moving violations in a year could result in a suspended license in Illinois.

Source: Senator Syverson’s Senate Week in Review

Compiled by Barbara Connors, editor of The VOICE.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

business

BUSINESS BRIEFS

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

Heritage Credit Union received a Top Workplaces 2019 honor by The Wisconsin State Journal based on employee feedback on workplace culture gathered through a thirdparty survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC.

Therapy, expanded its Midwest footprint with the acquisition of Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Institute (OSTI). Rockford Art Museum released its free mobile app for Apple and Android users with gallery walks, interactive tours and behind-thescenes information. Apple users can download Version 1.1 on the App Store; Android users can visit app.cuseum.com/rockford-artmuseum.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced 42 new badges exclusively for girls in grades K-12: Nine cybersecurity, three space science, 12 outdoor high adventure and 18 coding for good badges. Chartwell Agency completed a strategic planning facilitation for Quad City Bank & Trust. The firm created the Keith Country Day School marketing campaign Beyond College Prep: Continuous Learning, Community Collaboration, and Creativity. It conducted a six-month digital marketing campaign for Baton Rouge Cardiology Center. Results included an increase in website traffic by nearly 18 percent. It completed a website enhancement for Ingenium Aerospace LLC. YMCA of Rock River Valley received a $10,800 grant from Arby’s Foundation Make a Difference campaign towards the Tween Scene programming, a space dedicated to kids, seven to 12, at the downtown location. KMK Media Group launched websites for Zoomerz and Rocky Top brand stores, with 50 locations across Tennessee, to support their customer loyalty programs. It was hired by the Oregon Community Unit School District for public relations and external communications for the seventh consecutive year. Prairie State Legal Services and SwedishAmerican announced a new Medical Legal Partnership thanks to funding by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ Community Grants Program. Eligible SwedishAmerican patients can access no-cost civil legal services. Rockford Public Library partnered with New Genres Art Space to open its inaugural exhibition, Third Space, on the second floor of the Nordlof Center through Sept. 6. Savant Capital Management ranked #48 in Financial Advisor magazine’s 2019 list of top RIA firms, among nearly 700 Registered Investment Advisors nationwide. Financial Times and InvestmentNews also recognized the firm as a leading RIA and by Accounting Today as one of the nation’s leading CPA firms by assets under management. University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy at Rockford

OSF HealthCare holds a special blessing ceremony for its new, state-of-the-art mobile health care simulator at the OSF Northern Region EMS West State Training Facility. hosted the Summer Pharmacy Institute in July; welcoming top college students for a weeklong exploration of the ﬁeld. The program is funded by the Community Grants Program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois with support from the Dr. Louis and Violet Rubin Foundation. The laboratory at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center was named one of the 41 longest accredited laboratories in the United States, according to the College of American Pathologists. SwedishAmerican opened the new Winnebago County Employee and Family Wellness Center at 526 W. State St., Rockford. Operating since 2013, the center reopened as a SwedishAmerican facility and is its third employer-sponsored health care facility to open in three years. Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomed the annual Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses for a fourth consecutive year in July and August at BMO Harris Bank Center. Estimates are that the conference generated $786,000 in economic impact with roughly 20,000 attendees from Milwaukee, Madison, Dubuque, Davenport, Kenosha, Racine and Chicago area over four weekends. Rockford Park District’s Therapeutic Recreation Fall 2019 Program Guide is available for free at www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/tr. More than 15 Collins Aerospace employees helped raise money for Rockford Park District’s Help Me Play with its Race to the Parks event on July 27. Beginning at the Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, they went to as many parks as possible; posting on social media at each location to encourage donations. DepositAccounts.com, a subsidiary of LendingTree, named Heritage Credit Union in its list of the 2019

Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in America based on factors such as capitalization, deposit growth and loan-to-reserve ratios. Digital Hive Mind did a complete overhaul of Rockford Specialties’ website at rswire.com. Wipfli ranked #5 on Construction Executive magazine’s list of The Top 50 Construction Accounting Firms™. V2 Marketing Communications organized, promoted and facilitated an eight-day 107th Summer Dance Workshop and banquet event for Chicago National Association of Dance Masters at the Doubletree Chicago-Oak Brook. It completed a website design for Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation at awe-foundation.org. Ignition Studio helped packaging companies EasyPak, TrayPak and Nuconic Packaging combine into one entity with logo and messaging with legacy elements from each brand. It launched EasyPak’s new website and identity with employee apparel, building signage, social media channels and product catalog. OSF HealthCare Healing Pathways Cancer Resource Center relocated in August to the Patricia D. Pepe Center for Cancer Care, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center. Guests now can access programs and services on the first floor or use the valet service. VIQTORY named SupplyCore on its list of 290 2020 Military Friendly® Employers for best opportunities for veterans and spouses. Rockford Systems launched Gen II of its Detect-A-Finger® drop-probe device to help operators avoid finger and hand injuries when using small machines, such as riveters, eyeletters, stakers, staplers, crimpers and fastening machines. CORA Health Services, Inc., doing business as CORA Physical

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced seven 2019 Business is Blooming program winners in different categories: 5 Forks Market (small business), Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital - Riverside (big business), Franchesco’s Ristorante and The Olympic Tavern (restaurant outdoor dining), The Standard (best of State Street), UIC Health Sciences Campus - Rockford (returning champion) and City Body Shop (hidden gem). Two special recognition winners: Rockford Veteran’s Circle (biggest blooms) and Deli Italia (unique blooms). Rock House Kids received a donation through the Ford Drive 4 UR Community program, which partnered with local dealerships to donate $20 per test drive of a Ford vehicle. Illinois Bank & Trust and Rockford Bank and Trust Company announced that they have entered into a purchase and assumption agreement. IBT will acquire substantially all of the assets and assume substantially all of the deposits and certain other liabilities of RB&T. The combination will create Heartland Financial USA, Inc.’s fifth largest bank subsidiary, with assets of approximately $1.3 billion and 10 banking centers. It will operate under the Illinois Bank & Trust brand. The Community Foundation for McHenry County gave two grants to Rosecrance to support the Therapeutic Recreation Program for youth with behavior disorders in McHenry County and the TRACTION Program, communitybased therapy in McHenry County for youth and families. Two theFranaGroup clients: Interior Community Health Center, Fairbanks, Ala., and Packard Health, Ann Arbor, Mich., received $167,000 each towards high quality, integrated behavioral health services for mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. Rockford-based creative agency Trekk won a Communicator Award of Excellence for its augmented reality Accent TV campaign for International Paper — Accent TV’s fifth major award in 2019.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

business on digital BUSINESS BRIEFS

Rockford Systems announced the expansion of its RS360™ workplace safety portfolio with a new emergency response service. Customers can schedule a remote or onsite assessment appointment the same or next business day following an unplanned downtime incident or employee accident.

Natural Land Institute and the Illinois Environmental Council hosted a tour and lunch for legislators and local elected officials at Nygren Wetland Preserve, with discussion on the need for passing a capital budget that invests in open space acquisition for Illinois’ future. Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic-Riverside received certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest level stroke certification level. OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center is the first hospital in Rockford to offer the SmartCurve breast stabilization system for a more comfortable mammogram experience. Inc. magazine revealed that SupplyCore Inc., ranked #4228 on its 38th annual Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Keith Country Day School ranked #1 among private schools in Winnebago County in: private K-12 school, private high school, collegeprep private high school and high school for STEM. Among private schools in the state, it ranked 12th best private K-12 school, 24th best private high school, 31st best college prep private high school and 78th best school for STEM.

Team members from the ﬁve branches of Northwest Bank wore 815 t-shirts by Rockford Art Deli and jeans for Rockford Day; earning money for PAWS Humane Society.

SwedishAmerican School of Radiography is moving to a new location on the second ﬂoor of the hospital in the medical imaging department. Working with University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill., students receive a baccalaureate of science degree from University of St. Francis and a certiﬁcate from SwedishAmerican.

MEMBER PICS

Ceremonial ribbon donated by SERVPRO of Rockford.

Rockford Ball Screw held a ribbon cutting and open house at 940 Southrock Dr., on June 27, celebrating its 30,000-sq.-ft. expansion and creation of 25 more jobs.

OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center received the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. Designated a Comprehensive Stroke Center, it also received the StrokeSM Elite Plus award. Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced an $392 million economic impact to Rockford and Winnebago County from travel in 2018, which supported the livelihood of 3,039 area residents. Visitor spending reached an all-time high, up 2.1 percent from $384 million in 2017, which generated $30 million in state and local taxes. Skills on Point, LLC, launched its philanthropic arm, Mission Skills, Inc, a 501(c)(3) public charity with a goal to fund medical care-based mission trips that help prepare licensed healthcare participants with hands-on skills in third world counties.

Tower Loan of Illinois, LLC, held a ribbon cutting on July 11 at 304 N. Alpine Road, Rockford.

Northern Illinois Hospice held a ribbon cutting on July 16 at 4751 Harrison Ave., Rockford.

aMBaSSaDOR DOR SPOTLIGHT Why Jan Hagenlocher has been a Rockford Chamber ambassador “When a new business opens, we have the opportunity to welcome them to Rockford and to the chamber,” said Jan Hagenlocher, an ambassador with the Rockford Chamber for almost 25

Skills On Point, LLC and AED Essentials, Inc., held a ribbon cutting and open house on July 25 at 6775 Fincham Dr., Ste. 3, Rockford.

years. An added bonus: “Ambassadors are a fun and dedicated group of people.” “Volunteering in the community has always been a big part of my life since high school,” Hagenlocher said. She credited her mother who was still volunteering at age 90. As director of public relations for 35 years at SwedishAmerican, Hagenlocher participated in and sponsored many community events. “It was just natural to continue doing that after retiring, when I had a little more time to do so. Volunteering not only makes you feel good, but you get to meet so many great people, help an organization with their goals, and you learn a lot about your community.”

Rockford Mass Transit District held a ribbon cutting and open house on Aug. 21 at the newly renovated downtown terminal at 501 W. State St., Rockford.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

community COMMUNITY EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 2019

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Rockford Park District presents The Learn to Skate and Jr. IceHogs/ Learn to Play Hockey programs for people of all ages and abilities once a week at Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park. Visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/skating or call 815-969-4069.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Highland Community College Agriculture and the University of Illinois Extension present a free Crop Research Field Day 2019, 9 to 11 a.m., at Highland agriculture’s research plot, 3472 W. Loras Dr., Freeport. Register at go.illinois.edu/ HighlandResearchDemo or 815-235-4125.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter presents The Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 8:30 a.m., at SportsCore One, 1288 Elmwood Road, Rockford. Registration free. All welcome, including dogs. Visit alz. org/illinois or call Danica at 815-9779125.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Rockford Area Arts Council presents the Beattie Is Arts Festival, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Rockford City Market grounds at the corner of Water and Market streets in downtown Rockford. More than 50 artist booths, street performers, interactive arts. Call 815-963-6765. I Bike Rockford presents its secondannual Cycle on 2nd biking event, 8 to 10 a.m., on the southbound lanes of North 2nd Street. Kicks oﬀ in front of Rockford City Hall at State and North 2nd Street. Vendors will be at

the Rockford Park District Trolley Station (Madison Street near the Jeﬀerson Street underpass), 8 to 11 a.m., for food and games. Visit ibikerockford.com/cycleon2nd.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford hosts its 9th annual “No Bull” Golf Outing, 10:30 a.m., at Aldeen Golf Club, 1900 Reid Farm Road, Rockford. Includes 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch by Jimmy Johns and steak dinner. Register at gigisplayhouse.org/ rockford/golf or 815-654-7529.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10

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

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Rockford Area SHRM presents a Half-Day Conference, 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at NIU Rockford, 8500 E. State St. Topics: “Identify Theft,” “Turn This Squish Thing Called “Culture” into Results,” and “Active Shooter.” Register at rockford.shrm.org. U of I Extension presents Are You Eating to Enjoy Retirement, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau, 1925 S. Meridian Road, Rockford. Register at 815-986-4357 or web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw by Sept. 9.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

2HB Human Resources and Beneﬁt Solutions Group presents a Seminar, 8 a.m. to noon, at Radisson Convention Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Features keynote speakers Donna Morales and Frederick Jones, U.S. Army Recruiting Command; Beth Mead, CEANCI; Kelly Dinsmore, and Laurie S. Miller, 2HB. RSVP by Sept. 6 to William Duval, 815-977-3496, ext. 211, or wduval@2HBSolutions.com.

First Northern Credit Union presents Digital Financial Services, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at 104 N. Show Place Dr., Rockford. Register at www.fncu. org/seminars.

NIU EIGERlab presents the Innovation Tuesday Meetup, “Advanced Ways to Predict Sales and Measure Market Performance,” 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at NIU-Rockford, 8500 E. State St. Register at Meetup, Eventbrite or call 815-753-2192.

Northern Illinois University Art Museum, Altgeld Hall 116, 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Ill., hosts a Public Reception on its exhibition, “Exploring Aspects of War In and Through the Visual Arts,” 5 to 8 p.m. Informal artists’ gallery talks begin at 6:30 p.m. Visit niu.edu/artmuseum.

The Institute of World Aﬀairs and Trade at Rockford University, Rockford Chamber of Commerce and Rockford Area Economic Development Council host an Informative Discussion, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St. Moderated by Don Manzullo. Features Mark Tokola, Korea Economic Institute of America and former U.S. Senior Foreign Service Oﬃcer, and Roxana Idu, Ph.D., Puri School of Business.

Center for Sight & Hearing hosts a Vision Clinic Grand Opening for patients, donors, volunteers and the public, 2:30 to 6 p.m., at 8038 MacIntosh Lane, Rockford. Visit www.cshni.org or call 815-332-6800.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 The International Women’s Baseball Center presents the Penny Marshall Celebration, with multiple events on Sept. 13 and 14 to honor her, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and the Rockford Peaches. Visit internationalwomens baseballcenter. org/iwbc-events/penny-marshallcelebration.

Rockford Art Museum’s 71st Greenwich Village Art Fair takes place 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Sunday at 711 N. Main St. Call 815-968-2787 or visit www.rockfordartmuseum.org.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Rockford Park District presents a free Family Golf Day, 2 to 4:30 p.m., at Aldeen Practice Centre, 1902 Reid Farm Road. Visit www.golfrockford. org or call 815-987-8800.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Rockford Park District hosts Couples Night Out at Aldeen Golf Club & Practice Centre, 1902 Reid Farm Road. Golf game for all skill levels at 5:30 p.m.; dinner by Graystone Grill at 7:30 p.m. Register with Duncan Geddes, duncan geddes@rockfordparkdistrict.org or 815-987-1673. SwedishAmerican hosts a Mended Hearts Chapter 317 Meeting, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at SwedishAmerican Hospital, 1401 E. State St., Rockford, featuring a roundtable discussion with President and CEO Dr. Michael Born. Meetings are the third Monday of every month. Contact Jim Blank at jrx40@aol.com.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Northern Illinois University Career Services’ hosts the IT/STEM Fair campus recruiting event, 4 to 6 p.m. Email careerservices@niu.edu or visit www.niu.edu/CareerServices.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 First Free Rockford hosts Financial Peace University, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sept. 18 to Nov. 13, on Wednesday evenings.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

COMMUNITY EVENTS MEMBER PICS community on digital

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Rockford Park District presents the second Glow in the Garden Festival, 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 20 and 21, at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St. Visit www. nicholasconservatory.com/glow-inthe-garden or call 815-987-8858.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Rockford Park District presents It’s Un-Be-Leaf-Able! 1 to 3 p.m., at Atwood Center, Seth B. Atwood Park, 2685 New Milford School Road. Visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/ atwood or call 815-987-8800.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 AAA Travel presents Discover Alaska, 6:30 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Space is limited. Register online at AAA.com/ Events or call 815-636-9050. United Way of Rock River Valley kicks oﬀ its annual Community Campaign luncheon at the Rockford Bank & Trust Pavilion at Aldeen Golf Club & Practice Centre, 1902 Reid Farm Road. Information on Move the Middle, Now, a middle school success initiative. Register at unitdwayrrv.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Rockford Speedway hosts a Joe Gibbs Speaking Event, 7:30 to 9 a.m., at Forest Hills Lodge, 9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park. Each attendee gets a free book and picture with Coach Gibbs, winner of three Super Bowls and four Nascar championships, and author of “Game Plan for Life.” Includes breakfast. Contact Bob.bleser@gmail.com or 708-269-2190.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Rock House Kids presents its Streets and Sweets fundraiser, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Hors d’oeuvres and desserts, silent auction and performances of Mime, Praise Dance and Puppets by Rock House Kids. Visit rockhousekids.org.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Natural Land Institute hosts the sixth-annual Nature Poetry & Prose event, 6:30 p.m., at 306 Dickop St., South Beloit. Several writers featured in NLI’s anthology, NATURAL VOICES, will read. Light snacks and beverages. Register by Sept. 26 at www.NaturalLand.org.

OCTOBER 2019 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 Barbara Olson Center of Hope presents its HarvestFest 2019 fundraiser, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford. Includes hearty appetizers, entertainment, wine and beer pulls, cash bar,

raﬄes and more. Visit www.b-olsoncenterofhope.org.

Ceremonial ribbon donated by SERVPRO of Rockford.

Kids Around the World 25th Annual Celebration Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Giovanni’s, Rockford. Join us for a special night of generosity and hope. Your presence will make an impact on children globally. Questions, call 815-229-8731.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 The 2019 ITTF North American Olympic Table Tennis Trials take place at 3 p.m., at the BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford. It will feature men’s and women’s teams representing Team USA and Team Canada. Winners will qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Visit RockfordOlympicTrials.com.

Family Counseling Services of Northern Illinois held a ribbon cutting and open house on Aug. 20 at 631 N. Longwood St., Ste. 103, Rockford.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 First Northern Credit Union presents Using Home Equity, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at 104 N. Show Place Dr., Rockford. Register at www.fncu.org/seminars.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 Alden Park Strathmoor presents an Octoberfest celebration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to beneﬁt the Leukemia Research Foundation. Includes a chili cook-oﬀ and community garage sale. Register by Sept. 27 for a garage sale space at 815-901-1590.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 NIU presents an All-Majors Internship & Job Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. Contact 815-753-1641 or CareerServices@niu.edu.

Xfinity Store by Comcast held a ribbon cutting and open house on Aug. 21 at 6244 Mulford Village Dr., Rockford.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 Northern Illinois University College of Engineering and Engineering Technology hosts the 2019 Fall Job and Internship Fair, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Holmes Student Center, 340 Carroll Ave., DeKalb. Open to NIU students. Visit go.niu.edu/ FallJobFair2019, 815-753-9961 or ssamuels@niu.edu.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19

SwedishAmerican Creekside Medical Center held a ribbon cutting on Aug. 22 at 3505 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Rockford Park District presents Tree Trunk-or-Treat, 7 to 9 p.m., at Atwood Center, Seth B. Atwood Park, 2685 New Milford School Road. Come in costume and collect candy in the woods. Visit www. rockfordpark district.org/atwood or call 815-987-8800.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21 Rockford Park District hosts Couples Night Out at Aldeen Golf Club & Practice Centre, 1902 Reid Farm Road. Golf game for all skill levels at 5:30 p.m.; dinner by Graystone Grill at 7:30 p.m. Register with Duncan Geddes, duncangeddes@rockfordparkdistrict. org or 815-987-1673.

Costco held a ribbon cutting on Aug. 23 at 5000 Stadium Dr., Loves Park.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

September 2019

in the news MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

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

1. John Morrissey

2. Charles “Chuck” Kullberg

3. Jon Reidy

4. George Stevens

5. Nicole Morig

6. Heather Kelley

7. John Kim

8. J. Earl Wilsey

9. Brad Zimmerman

10. Dr. Brant Hulsebus

11. Sarah Champion

12. Dr. Yasmin Farouk Tootla

13. Trisha Tousant

14. Luke Schwartz

15. Daniel Reece

16. Dr. Rosalba Ramirez

17. Shannon Vokac

18. Dr. Nishant Sadana

19. Laura Penwarden

20. George Pleshkewych

21. Jamie Hibbard

22. Robin Chandler

23. Dena Hobbs

24. Jason Clancy

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

John Morrissey (1) replaced Charles “Chuck” Kullberg (2) as chairman of the board of Northwest Bank. Jon Reidy (3) is a new director. Former Rockford School Board member George Stevens (4) was elected to the Smeja Homestead Foundation board, the private foundation for Indian Hill Manor & Farm Historic Site. Nicole Morig (5), assistant vice president and private banker, Illinois Bank & Trust, joined the GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford board. The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau board and RACVB Charitable Foundation Board of Directors elected the following oﬃcers for one-year terms: Jennifer Furst, chair; Todd Cagnoni, vice chair; Tim Myers, treasurer, and Einar Forsman, secretary. The following joined the board for three-year terms: Mike Nelson, Noel Nickel, John Penney,

Carol Schuster and Darrell Snorek. Heather Kelley (6), V2 Marketing Communications, was elected to serve as governor-elect of the American Advertising Federation District 6. John Kim (7) and J. Earl Wilsey (8) joined the Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford board. Brad Zimmerman (9) replaced Pam Keeling, and Rohini Gupta replaced Mark Luthin as Golden Academy representative. Dr. Brant Hulsebus (10), Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic, was named chairman of the Medicare Committee and Legislative Committee for the International Chiropractic Association.

physicians at OSF Surgical Group – Rockford. Maureen H. Richards, Ph.D., was named assistant dean for medical education and evaluation for the Doctor of Medicine Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford. YMCA of Rock River Valley promoted Trisha Tousant (13) to chief operations oﬃcer. Rockford Public Library hired Mary Pat Muzzarelli as business manager at the RPL Nordlof Center. Gary W. Anderson Architects hired Luke Schwartz (14) as architectural designer. Raymond James and Associates

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, hired Daniel Reece (15) as a RETIREMENTS ﬁnancial advisor.

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center promoted Sarah Champion (11) to Advance Rockford Eye Care laboratory manager. Dr. Yasmin welcomed Dr. Rosalba Ramirez Farouk Tootla (12) joined the trauma (16).

Mercyhealth welcomed Shannon Vokac (17), AuD, FAAA, to its audiology staff at Mercyhealth Barrington and Mercyhealth Crystal Lake East. It hired David Gascoigne as system-wide director of sourcing and purchasing and welcomed Dr. Nishant Sadana (18), anesthesiologist, to Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside and Rockton. CoyleKiley hired Laura Penwarden (19) as an employee benefits account manager. First Community Credit Union welcomed George Pleshkewych (20) to the mortgage team. First National Bank and Trust promoted Jamie Hibbard (21) to branch manager and officer at the Elkhorn (Wis.) branch. Cain & Company hired Robin Chandler (22) as marketing coordinator and copywriter.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

in the news MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

25. Bob Opperman

26. Joshua Houghton

September 2019

27. Brian Lyons

28. Pamela Thompson

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

29. Antwon Harris

30. Cassi Steurer

31. Jodi Snively

32. Chelsea Bullen

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION FORMED

33. Dr. Mathew T. Mathew

34. Dr. Divya Bijukumar

Forest City Diagnostic Imaging hired Dena Hobbs (23) as director of physician relations & business development. Entré Computer Solutions hired Jason Clancy (24) for its technical support team. Midland States Bank promoted Bob Opperman (25) to market president and hired Joshua Houghton (26) and Brian Lyons (27) for its commercial banking team, serving Winnebago and Boone counties. Pamela Thompson (28) joined the United Way of Rock River Valley as community investment manager, Antwon Harris (29) as Neighborhood House coordinator and Cassi Steurer (30) as marketing & communications director. Nurse practitioner Christine Krause joined SwedishAmerican as one of the ﬁrst providers at the newly opened Creekside Clinic.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Jodi Snively (31), vice president and BSA oﬃcer, First National Bank and Trust, received the Certiﬁed AML and Fraud

35. Scott C. Sullivan

36. Abbey Greenﬁeld

Professional certiﬁcation from the American Bankers Association. Chelsea Bullen (32), municipal/ water & wastewater engineer, McMAHON, now is a registered Professional Engineer in Illinois. Rockford Spine Center physicians Michael Roh, M.D., Christopher Sliva, M.D., Fred Sweet, M.D., and Marie Walker, M.D., were recognized by Vitals with the prestigious Patient’s Choice A ward for 2019 for the ninth consecutive year. Mathew T. Mathew, Ph.D. (33), and Divya Bijukumar, Ph.D. (34), researchers at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, received a two-year, $159,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health on how joint replacements break down in the body after years of wear and corrosion. Jakob Loescher, ﬁnancial advisor, Savant Capital Management, ranked #20 in the nation and #3 in Illinois on Forbes’ list of America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors. Nick Povalitis, director of sports development, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau,

37. Jane Hendrickson

38. Dr. Nate Hays

received the Certiﬁed Destination Management Executive designation by the Destination Internationals Association. Scott C. Sullivan (35), partner, WilliamsMcCarthy LLP, was selected by his peers for inclusion in 26th edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in commercial litigation. This is the sixth straight year. Meridian named John Hedin, shipping and warehouse department, as its July Employee of the Month.

OF GENERAL INTEREST

Abbey Greenﬁeld (36) and Jane Hendrickson (37) have moved 14 individuals with disabilities out of institutions and back into their own homes as a part of RAMP’s Community Reintegration Program. They have a long list of those waiting on housing or funding, to move out shortly. Dr. Brant Hulsebus and Dr. Nate Hays (38), Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic, attended the Professional Hockey Chiropractic Society’s annual workshop in Nashville. They begin their 15th year as team chiropractors for the Rockford IceHogs.

At the end of July, the City Council approved 11 Rockford residents to form the new Community Relations Commission, an advisory board to the mayor and council focused on community engagement. These commissioners will act as ambassadors for the city, provide feedback to the council, provide forums for community debate, help hold contractors accountable and mediate in claims of discrimination, recommend best practices and hold trainings engaging minorityand women-owned businesses. Commissioners for one-year terms: Eric Brown, Erin Hannigan, Nikki Lynch and Jay Ware. Commissioners for two-year terms: Jurea Crudup, Victoria De La Rosa, William Martin and Charles Prorok. Commissioners for three-year terms: Todd Burton, Anqunette Parham and Ricardo Montoya Picazo.

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

September 2019

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS BURCH DENTAL

At Burch Dental, we ensure patient loyalty through patient satisfaction. 3914 N. Main St., 61103 Kellie Black 815-968-2008 www.burchdental.com

CASEY’S GENERAL STORE Oﬀering self-service gasoline, a wide selection of grocery items and an array of freshly prepared food items. 5965 Columbia Pkwy., 61108 Nubia Bohms www.caseys.com

EDGEBROOK DERMATOLOGY: MEDICAL, AESTHETIC & LASER CENTER MARIA AL-BASHA, MD

Voted Rockford’s #1 dermatologist: 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018! 1639 N. Alpine Road, Suite 360, 61107 815-229-9333 www.edgebrookdermatology.com

HF APPRAISAL LTD.

Real estate appraising, commercial real estate, tax appeal appraisal, divorce appraisals 1111 S. Alpine Road, Ste. 700, 61108 Pat Felvey, ASA, IFA 815-977-3264

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

KOLDAN AND ASSOCIATES Helping shape and improve how our clients structure and manage their business to take their business to the next level. Ken Koldan 512-962-5555 www.koldanassociates.com

RICHARDS BUILDING SUPPLY Outdoor building supplies 2730 Eastrock Dr., 61109 Dan Heimert 815-708-7257 www.richards-supply.com

ROCKFORD COSMOPOLITAN CLUB

Raising funds each year to ﬁght diabetes and support local nonproﬁts in need. 420 Financial Court, Ste. 124, 61107 Francesco Collura 815-596-0757 www.rfdcosmo.org

STIFEL - THE LUEDKE INVESTMENT GROUP

Using the 3D River Process to help a select group of pre-retirees and retirees put together the pieces of their ﬁnancial puzzle together. 6952 Rote Road, Ste. 100, 61107 Jeﬀ Luedke 815-654-5500 www.theluedkeinvestmentgroup.com

Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in July, 2019 American Red Cross, Northwest Illinois Chapter Arachnid 360, LLC Auto Body Specialist Inc. Bill Doran Company Black & Jones Attorneys at Law Blake Oil Company Cash Store Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Comprehensive Community Solutions Corporate Services, Inc Custom Training Resources Dale Carnegie Training of Greater Illinois, Inc. Discount Med Direct

Montessori Private Academy, Inc. Motivate Personal Physical Rehabilitation Mr. Goodwater, Inc. NIU EIGERlab Center for Product Development Natural Land Institute Northern Illinois Hospice Northern Illinois University Northern Public Radio (WNIU/ WNIJ/NIRIS) Northwest Bank of Rockford NTS Technical Systems NyClo Screw Machine Products Radisson Hotel & Conference Center

Discount Tire

RAMP

Estwing Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Rasmussen College

Event Floral

Reno & Zahm LLP RJ Link International, Inc.

First Northern Credit Union Focus Financial Advisors, Inc. Forest City Gear Co. Fridh Corporation Gommel Design Gordon Flesch Company, Inc. Harlem Community Center Heinzeroth Marketing Group Helen Hill Communication Honest Pest Control Inc.

RK Dixon Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association Rockford Association for Minority Management Rockford Electric Equipment Company Rockford Structures Construction Company Rockform Carbide Manufacturing

Howe Freightways, Inc.

Servpro of Rockford

Ignition Studio, Inc.

Sinnissippi Apartments Inc.

Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC)

SPXFLOW Hydraulic Technologies

Illinois State Credit Union Illumination.io Ingenium Aerospace LLC JC Milling Co., Inc. K&J Finishing, Inc. Kelce & Company Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden Konica Minolta Business Solutions MainStreet Financial Group

Staﬀ On Site Midwest Inc. Stateline Youth for Christ Stockholm Inn StraightLine Moving Inc. The Insurance Guy, LLC The UPS Store Ticomix, Inc. Tovar Snow Professionals Transform Rockford Westminster Presbyterian Church

Midland States Bank

William Charles Construction

Midwest Mailworks, Inc.

Wired Café

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

30-YEAR MEMBER

Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA)

20-YEAR MEMBER

United Association of Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Local Union 23

10-YEAR MEMBERS Culver’s Restaurant Maciano’s Pizza Columbia Parkway

5-YEAR MEMBERS The Music Academy Project First Rate Tavern on Clark Transform Rockford

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

chamber

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS

SEPTEMBER, 2019 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

IGNITE Lunch with a Leader with Dr. Eric Fulcomer, Rockford University, noon to 1 p.m., at Rockford UniversityPURI School of Business, 5050 E. State St., room 124. Sponsored by Wintrust Commercial Banking & Mortgage.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Advantage Club Originals Super TP Bowl 2019, 5 to 7 p.m., at Hoﬀman House, 7550 E. State St., Rockford. Join the tailgate fun! Food and beverages, games and prizes. Stay for the game and cheer your team to victory. Admission price is a package of toilet paper. Beneﬁts: Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care, Carpenter’s Place, Gigi’s Playhouse, The Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford, Remedies Renewing Lives and Rockford Rescue Mission.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Breakfast Buzz, 7:30 to 9 a.m., at Rockford University-PURI School of Business, 5050 E. State St., room 124. Sarah Ramsden, Meridian, presents “Trade Show Dos and Don’ts – Impact & Increase ROI.” Sponsored by RSM US LLP.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Education Outlook Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Giovanni’s, Inc., 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Sponsored by BMO Harris Bank (presenting), Rockford University and SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health (gold) and Comcast Business (silver). Center for Sight & Hearing hosts a Ribbon Cutting celebrating its Vision Clinic expansion, 2:30 p.m., at 8038 MacIntosh Lane, Rockford.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Government Aﬀairs Council, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., at Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Rockford City Administrator Todd Cagnoni and John Phelps, Rockford Local Development Corporation, provide an update on Barber Colman and the Advanced Technology Center.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Ribbon Cutting, 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful Recycling Center, 4665 Hydraulic Rd Rockford.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., at Byron Forest Preserve District’s Jarrett Prairie Center and Prairie View Golf Course, 7993 N. River Road, Byron.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 IGNITE Lunch with a Leader, noon to 1 p.m., at Rockford University-PURI School of Business, room 124, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. Features City of Rockford Chief of Staﬀ Wester Wuori.

September 2019

Sponsored by Wintrust Commercial Banking & Mortgage.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Forest City Diagnostic Imaging hosts a Ribbon Cutting, 4:30 p.m., at 735 N. Perryville Road, Ste. 2, Rockford.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 The Exposition, 1 to 5 p.m., at Cliﬀbreakers Event & Conference Center, 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford. Sponsored by The Morrissey Family Businesses (presenting), Comcast Business (keynote), Thayer Lighting, Inc. (silver) and Meridian (bronze).

ADVERTISERS INDEX Advanced Machine & Engineering Company. . . . . . . . . . .12

Midland States Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

The Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Northern Illinois University. . . . . . . . . .8

Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care . . . .2 Blackhawk Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Brian Thomas Photography. . . . . . . .19 Comcast Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Construction Business Development Center (CBDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Entré Computer Solutions . . . . . . . . . .9 The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) . . . . . .16

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 Breakfast Buzz, 7:30 to 9 a.m., at Rockford University-PURI School of Business, room 124, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. Features Emily Hartzog, Chartwell Agency, on “Presentation Skills.” Sponsored by RSM US LLP.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 Build An “A-Team,” 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford. Kick-oﬀ for Rockford Leadership Alliance. Workshop features keynote speaker, Whitney Johnson, author of “Build an A-Team: Play to their Strengths & Lead Them Up The Learning Curve.”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 Government Aﬀairs Council, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., at Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15 Chamber 101 with Speed Networking, 4 to 5:30 p.m., at RMTD East Side Transfer Center, 725 N. Lyford Road, Rockford. This orientation offers new members an opportunity to introduce themselves and their businesses to other chamber members and chamber staff, while finding out how to get results from their membership. Sponsored by MembersAlliance Credit Union.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 The Heartbeat of Healthcare, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Sponsored by BMO Harris Bank (presenting), Humana, Rosecrance and SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health (gold), Comcast Business, Quartz, and Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital (silver), Wipﬂi LLP (bronze).

OrthoIllinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 OSF HealthCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Rockford Bank & Trust Co. . . . . . . . . .6 Rockford Chamber of Commerce . . . . . 10, 14-15, 22, 24, 26 Rockford University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Thayer Lighting, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

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

V2 Marketing Communications . . . . .11

VOICE

IGNITE Lunch with a Leader, noon to 1 p.m., at Rockford University-PURI School of Business, room 124, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. Features Judge Lisa Fabiano and Judge Gwyn Gulley, Winnebago Court System. Sponsored by Wintrust Commercial Banking & Mortgage.

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

MercyCare Health Plans . . . . . . . . . . .4

the

OCTOBER, 2019

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1

NIU EIGERlab Fastpitch . . . . . . . . . . .8

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

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board Michele Petrie Wintrust Commercial Banking & Mortgage Chair-Elect Dan Ross Fehr Graham Vice Chair Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Treasurer Amy Ott Boylan Catholic High School Immediate Past Chair Richard Zumwalt Z Resource

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

Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

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

Jeﬀ Hultman Illinois Bank & Trust

Karl Swanson Rockford Bank & Trust Co

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

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

Jon Thompson Butitta Brothers Automotive Terry Voskuil Woodward

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

OCTOBER VOICE SPECIAL SECTIONS Workplace Wellness (Healthcare, Fitness & Employee Benefits)

Powerful Living (Senior Living, Retirement & Care Communities, Home Healthcare) For information on advertising, call 815

987-8100

September Voice 2019

Articles inside

IGNITE September 2019