October Voice 2022

the rockford business community

Disruptive Economics

Dealing with an ever-changing supply chain

By Andrew Wright, Rockford Chamber of Commerce

While the big talk about the economy right now is inflation, anyone who remembers the classic film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” may recall Ben Stein talking about the Laffer Curve. While Stein bored his class to sleep with his talk of “voodoo economics,” the idea that supply and demand affect inflation is a concept we’re all learning about in real time once again.

Between the COVID-19 pandemic, a spike in fuel costs, a global economy and a changing workforce, the demand for consumer goods is outstripping the ability of companies to meet that demand.

According to FTI Consulting (fti consulting.com), The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported all-time highs in the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index, with spikes in early 2020 and again through late 2021. This is representative of all-time high global shipping costs, a global spike in the price of food and construction materials.

And think about the built-up demand for production as economies return to pre-COVID activities. After months of staying put in homes, consumers have spotted every issue they have with their kitchen; they’ve repurposed spare rooms into offices; and they’ve been keeping building contractors busy. How are those contractors keeping up with demand?

Tied to housing market

According to Jon Minnaert, president, Aetna Building Solutions in Rockford, Illinois, about 20% of the economy is tied to the demand in the housing market.

At one point, materials for kitchen cabinets were projected to take up to 20 weeks for delivery. Delays were related to demands on domestic trucking and rail, unreliable overseas suppliers and other COVID-related factors.

“While we’ve been meeting the needs of our regular customers, we’ve had to say no more in the last 24 months than any time we can remember. And we

FALL ON THE FARM AT LOCKWOOD PARK

Rockford Park District’s scenic Lockwood Park will host “Fall on the Farm,” October 8, 15, 22, and 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, at 5201 Safford Rd, Rockford, IL.

Visitors can pick their own pumpkins, visit the petting zoo, ride a pony, paint a pumpkin, play games, explore a corn maze, enjoy concessions and many other activities. Kids will love interacting with the horses and animals on the working farm. Admission to enter the park is free, but there may be a charge for certain activities.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! BUILDING A CULTURE OF BELONGING IN THE WORKPLACE

TUESDAY,

For more information, see page 23 (continued on page 6)

2023 GOLDEN APPLE TEACHER AWARD NOMINATIONS

Voting—It’s the American way

By Claire Flynn McIntyre, co-president, League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford and member of Go Vote 815

November 8 is the next opportunity for citizens to weigh in on the future of democracy. Voters will have the chance to make their preference known as to which candidates running for Congress, Illinois Statehouse and local offices will guide local communities and the nation.

Surprisingly, few citizens take the time to participate in this most fundamental of American exercises. Elections, particularly the mid-term and spring consolidated elections, are often decided by an extremely low number of votes.

Should the Greater Rockford Area be concerned about low voter turnout?

In a word, yes. In the June primary, only 17.3% of Rockford’s registered voters participated, while a mere 22.5% of Winnebago County voters turned out. Boone County had slightly more with 26% of its voters going to the polls. Some Rockford precincts had less than 10% voter participation. While those areas are of particular concern, a turnout of 17% shows the problem is area wide.

What impact does low voter turnout have on our political landscape?

According to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, a nonprofit law and public policy institute, low turnout isn’t just a problem of fewer people exercising their right to participate in democracy. Low turnout can skew the electorate, making it older, richer and, with the exception of recent presidential elections, whiter than America as a whole.

Are you willing to let others make important decisions for you?

To address low turnout, the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford, in cooperation with more than 20 local, nonpartisan organizations, has mounted a

Nominations are now open for the 2023 Golden Apple Teacher Award. Anyone can nominate a teacher who is currently teaching pre-K through fifth grade at a public or private school in Winnebago or Boone County. Deadline is Oct. 13, 2022. Nomination forms at goldenappleofrockford.com.

SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL DINNER

On September 15, the Rockford Chamber welcomed 430 guests to Tebala Event Center for an evening of wonder, presented by OSF Healthcare. Harris, III delighted guests with his illusions and inspired them to reignite wonder in their work. Guests enjoyed a fabulous meal catered by Greenfire Restaurant. Our Citizen of the Year, Jennifer Furst, FurstStaffing, was honored with a standing ovation. We thanked our outgoing board chair, Dan Ross, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, and welcomed our new chair, Jean Crosby, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Crosby Starck Real Estate. Pictures of the event taken by Mindy Joy Photography are on page 18. Thanks to all who attended.

CLAIRE FLYNN MCINTYRE

DAN ROSS Rockford Chamber Board Chairman

A job well done

A special thank you to sponsors, board members and staff

First, I want to say thank you to the hundreds of people that filled the Tebala Event Center to capacity for the Chamber Annual Dinner. It was fantastic to look out and see so many business leaders in one place after such a long hiatus. I felt like I could have used three more hours of networking time just to catch up with all my colleagues I had not seen since the pandemic.

I hope you found the whole event as fun and impactful as I did. Harris III used the term “childlike wonder” to describe the way we feel when we watch someone perform an illusion. That certainly describes how I felt when he made it snow on stage. My hope is that I can take some of that feeling back to work and dream a bit more about where we go from here. I’m anxious to focus more on the wow and not just the how.

Second, I must thank Caitlin and the entire Chamber staff for the hard work and planning they put into the event. You all made it look easy, but I know that was far from the case. Caitlin, thank you also for your energetic and forward-

looking message. I’m eager to see all that lies in front of us. Thanks also to the folks at Tebala, Greenfire and SVL Productions, for making sure we were comfortable, well fed and able to fully enjoy the entertainment.

Third, I offer my thanks to all the sponsors of the evening, especially our presenting sponsor, OSF St. Anthony’s Medical Center. I know you have many choices when allocating your hardearned sponsorship and advertising dollars, and I am sincerely grateful that you saw the value in sponsoring this event. Not only did your dollars support the event, but they also play a critical role in supporting the important work the Chamber does in leading business growth.

Thanks also to the many sponsors who support the other events and programs we do throughout the year.

Fourth, and I don’t say this often enough, thank you to the full Chamber board. These have been trying times dealing with the pandemic, changing business needs in our community,

uncertain financial times and many other items that have kept us hopping for the past several years.

In particular, thanks again to Michael Iasparro who completes his final term with the Chamber board at the end of this year. Michael’s counsel and leadership have been truly instrumental in moving the Chamber forward.

Finally, thanks again to Einar for his years of service at the helm of the Chamber. His hard work and dedication to the Chamber and this community have paved the way for all that lies in front of us. I’m grateful we still have your counsel as CEO of the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership, and I look forward to all that we can accomplish together.

As you will see in this issue of The Voice, we are actively working to fill a number of vacancies on the Chamber board for next year. We have an amazing slate of candidates who have stepped up to offer their time and talent to make this an even stronger Chamber. I’m confident that, under the leadership of my successor Jean Crosby and with Caitlin

at the helm as president, the Chamber will be poised to grow and do even more to help businesses in our region achieve their goals.

Dan Ross is chair of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and president of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.

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. 350 Rockford, IL 61101

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

The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community (USPS 784-120). ISSN number 1086-0630, is published monthly by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 350, Rockford, Illinois 61101. Periodicals postage paid at Rockford, Ill.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community, 308 W. State St., Ste. 350, Rockford, IL 61101.

CAITLIN PUSATERI Rockford Chamber President

Holding the line on taxes

Chamber board urges local taxing bodies to hold levies flat

At its September 27 meeting, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Board passed a resolution strongly encouraging local taxing bodies in Winnebago County to work together to reduce or hold their levies flat to help reduce the overall property tax rate.

The resolution came before the board as a recommendation from the Chamber’s Government Affairs Council, after hearing from City of Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara at the council’s September meeting. The full resolution is available at www.rockfordchamber.com.

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to lead business growth, and we believe keeping tax levies flat will benefit our community in the following ways:

■ Protect our talent pipeline. Higher taxes chase away potential employees considering relocation.

■ Increase disposable income. Lower taxes let taxpayers keep more of their money to spend in our local economy.

■ Give business owners—who have

endured supply chain disruptions, COVID lockdowns and labor shortages— some much-needed relief.

What to know

Illinois has 9,000 units of local government (the most in the nation), which contribute to property tax rates that are among the highest in the U.S. As recently as 2019, Illinois had the second highest real estate tax rate in the country. Winnebago County has one of the highest average property taxes in the country, ranking 151 out of 3,143 counties, according to Tax-Rates.org.

While the bottom line is lower taxes are good for business, there are some technicalities that deserve explanation.

The tax levy is the total amount of money a local body of government can request from its taxpayers. Think of it as the big, final number (in dollars). For example, a taxing body could request a total of $1 million from its taxpayers. It’s the amount of dollars sought that determines the tax rate, not the other way around, which is a common misconception.

The tax base is the total equalized assessed value (EAV), minus certain homestead exemptions and tax incentive programs, plus the value of any stateassessed property. Each property has an assessed value, as determined by the township assessor and certified to the supervisor of assessments. That assessed value then has a multiplier, or an equalization factor, applied to it. This ensures that assessment levels are similar among townships and counties. The total tax base within a taxing body’s taxable area is the additional factor to determine the necessary tax rate to generate the desired tax dollars sought.

By dividing the tax levy by the tax base, you get the tax rate.

The tax rate is the number that, when multiplied by the tax base, will produce the levy amount.

To reduce the amount of money each homeowner/property owner pays in taxes, one of two things has to happen: hold or decrease the tax levy (the amount of money asked for by taxing bodies) or increase the tax base. But,

remember, the countywide EAV plays a role in the tax base.

What it means for taxpayers

This year marks the quadrennial reassessment that may lead to higher individual property values. Even if taxing bodies hold the levy flat, you may still see an increase in your taxes if your property value rises.

Taxing bodies asking for more money (levy) combined with an increase in property values (EAV), will result in the highest possible tax on property owners. Holding the levy will help ease the tax burden, a relief the Chamber Board of Directors firmly supports.

The board understands keeping the levy flat will not be feasible forever and may require difficult decisions. While not unsympathetic to the taxing bodies, for the greater good, the business community is strongly urging all taxing bodies to hold levies flat this year.

Instability is a measure of diversity in your workforce. Low-wage workers can experience personal instability that leads to absenteeism, health problems, and violations of workplace expectations.

GUEST COLUMNIST

Understanding workplace instability Program addresses needs of employers and employees

The behaviors, habits and patters of low-wage and entry-level employees often leave business owners and managers scratching their heads. Maybe you have an employee who suddenly stopped coming into work or started arriving late every day. Or perhaps you promoted someone and were confused by their behavior after the promotion.

There’s no question that increased worker stability boosts productivity, retention and morale, which leads to greater profitability. But how should employers respond when an employee’s personal instability affects the workplace?

The Bridges Out of Poverty Workplace Stability program is for businesses facing challenges with turnover, absenteeism, low productivity and motivation, language barriers and discipline. These problems are most common among entry-level, lowerwage employees dealing with personal instability outside of work.

About the program

The Workforce Stability program has three primary goals:

■ Reduce turnover and increase productivity

■ Improve employee relationships

■ Increase stability for the employee and the employer

The program explores the sources of instability and how the environments we grow up in can create barriers to our success at work.

It helps managers gain insight into the complexities of poverty and gives struggling employees the tools they need to cope with instability in their personal lives.

The Workforce Stability program

begins with a one-hour Bridges Out of Poverty training session at your workplace. This training helps all levels of your staff understand the dynamics of economic class in the workplace.

Next is Getting Ahead in the Workplace. This 10-session curriculum helps under-resourced individuals understand:

■ How conditions at home/work/ community impact stability.

■ The hidden rules and special language of getting ahead in the workplace.

■ How to build resources and relationships that open doors and help keep them open.

■ Practical skills for dealing with change and creating stability at work and at home.

This training is ideal for employers— manufacturers, health systems, hospitality industry, call centers—who have a high volume of entry-level, lowwage workers who need more stability in their lives to help them success in the workplace.

For more information about this program, please email Mary.Cacioppi@ OneBodyCollaboratives.org.

Mary Cacioppi is program director at Bridges Out of Poverty Rockford Region.

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

MARY CACIOPPI Bridges Out of Poverty Rockford Region

JENNIFER FURST Furst Staffing

Recession and restructuring

Easing the pain of downsizing

Looking at the job numbers alone, one might not think the U.S. is in a recession. August showed 315,000 new jobs in the U.S. economy, with all industry sectors adding jobs. Average earnings decelerated, while the labor participation level went from 62.1% to 62.4%, but still lower than pre-pandemic numbers. There were 11.2 million job openings, with 5.7 million unemployed looking for work.

But some Fortune 500 companies are talking about layoffs. In 2021, companies may have over-hired, and in 2022 their focus has shifted to more strategic or disciplined hiring.

If predictions from some come true, there may be economic pain on the horizon, including slow or negative job growth. Do you know what will happen to the people who have made a commitment to your company if your business slows? Will you be forced to downsize?

The decision to downsize means having tough conversations and

understanding the impact on everyone in the company—those who leave and those who remain. Career transitioning due to downsizing or restructuring is never easy for employees or companies and can create a sense of loss and grief.

The impact can be devastating for employees.

However, you can ease the stress and lessen the negative impact for affected employees while maintaining, or even improving, morale among remaining employees. Supporting employees through this transition means helping laid off employee finding work quickly.

It’s important to make the experience as positive as possible by assisting workers with the next chapter of their career and helping foster hope for new possibilities.

Many companies offer group or individual workshops by H.R. professionals, either in-person or virtually, to assist those in career transition. These workshops help individuals assess their skills, determine professional and personal priorities, and

You can ease the stress and lessen the negative impact for affected employees while maintaining, or even improving, morale among remaining employees.

gain insight into the workings of the current job market. H.R. professionals may also provide tips for resumé building, assist in developing a professional online profile, teach job hunting best practices, and share tips on interviewing (faceto-face and virtual). With assistance, individuals can move from job loss to career gain.

Whether we are in a recession or not, everything comes down to people. Remember, we live in a small world, and how we treat separated employees can have an impact on the reputation of the leader and the company for a long time to come.

Tips:

■ Honest communication minimizes

rumors. Ensure everyone hears the same message at the same time.

■ Speak face to face. If your company is using H.R. professionals for career transitioning, have them available immediately.

■ Show a measure of grace, dignity and empathy during this time.

■ Secure your computer system before announcement. Arrange for I.T. to assist with any personal files.

■ Provide career transitioning services and, if possible, a severance.

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

DISRUPTIVE

don’t like saying no to anyone,” Minnaert said. “Savvy customers are open to using alternative products. When what you use normally may not be available for a while, keeping an open mind to new products can help you achieve your project’s goals.”

Learning to cope

Homeowners and contractors aren’t the only ones learning to cope with an unreliable supply chain. Local manufacturers like JC Precision Milling are finding ways to manage material sourcing and customer expectations.

“We’ve had to expand our vendor base, expanding beyond Rockford, going to Chicago and Wisconsin,” said Rob Crowell, president and owner of JC Milling.

Now we’re seeing the labor market becoming more normal, while raw materials, logistics and fuel charges have taken on a bigger proportion of our struggles.

“I feel that this is a Rockford market issue. The big issue being that it’s tough to get good employees that stay,” said Amy Thompson, Demand Chain manager at JC Precision Milling. “And because demand for certain materials is lower locally than elsewhere, the specialized material I need has to be ordered outside Rockford and is three weeks out.”

“[Last year’s] struggle was labor. The first half of 2022 was a combination of labor and material shortage,” Crowell said. “But now we’re seeing the labor market becoming more normal, while raw materials, logistics and fuel charges have taken on a bigger proportion of our struggles. And that affects everyone, not just Rockford.”

Like Aetna, JC Precision Milling is focusing on retaining good business relationships with their existing customers. “Repeat customers get priority,” Crowell said. “Because there’s so much pain in the system, we want to help them maintain their sanity.”

This has led to a shift in the production on the floor at JC Precision Milling. “About two-thirds of our work is [regularly scheduled] production. It’s more efficient and helps us with forecasting our needs. It’s consistent, and manufacturing doesn’t run well if there isn’t some consistency,” Crowell explained. “In volatile times, you must go for opportunities that smooth out the ups and downs.”

Alternate avenues using technology

Small businesses are finding other ways to cope with inconsistencies. Edward

Caceres, business consultant for the Small Business Development Center at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, works with entrepreneurs who have found innovative ways to replace poorquality imported parts.

“A local entrepreneur was trying to import supplies from China but was having quality issues,” Caceres said.

“She attended a class offered by SBDC on 3D printers, and found she could buy one for around $400 and print the parts she needed at home with a higher consistency and on demand.”

Caceres explained how this technology is greener as well. “In just one tray, [our client] could produce four to six parts in less than an hour, which helped not only increase quality and productivity, but it decreased waste.”

Another SBDC client was having difficulty finding discontinued car parts.

“We recommended a phone app that allows him to use his phone to take pictures of a part, scan it, upload it to his 3D printer and get a ready-to-paint replacement part,” Caceres said.

And 3D print technology has advanced significantly from just a few years ago. Some new 3D printers are going beyond resin and printing objects with metal filament.

But embracing new technology can be difficult for legacy companies.

“We had a robotics expo last year that was well attended and supported by CEOs from local banks, but some of our manufacturers were resistant to embracing new technology,” Caceres said. “If they don’t modernize, they’re going to lose competitive advantage.”

Now is the time to be competitive

“In the long term, there’s a healthy manufacturing base in Rockford that’s a strength. We should be investing in that,” Crowell said. “Reshoring is going to have a positive impact across the U.S., and that’s an area that Rockford should leverage, because we have such a strong skilled labor pool. But we have to maintain it.”

Education is one of those areas of investment.

“My son went through the high school platinum program with Woodward and Rock Valley College. He’s been a CNC machinist for nine years,” Thompson said. “I feel that Rockford benefits best by partnering with high-school students, teaching them these skills, and showing them the sort of career they could have.” v

InterActive Safety Solutions

Brent Bryden, CEO of InterActive Safety Solutions, knows firsthand how a safer company makes for happier and more productive employees. That’s why he created InterActive Safety Solutions, offering hands-on, OSHA approved training for manufacturing, construction and other trade services in the Rockford area.

“Regulations can be difficult to interpret and implement,” Bryden said. “We help companies navigate the complex rules of OSHA compliance. “

Born from Bryden’s 37-year career in safety training, the company brings together experts and partners to help employers build and manage effective environment, health and safety (EHS) programs.

“When workers know that they’ll go home the same way they came to work— except a little dirtier and sweatier, and with little more money in their pockets— those employees will help your company be more productive and efficient,” said Gene Barney, lead instructor.

Bryden started the business out of his basement in 2013 after working for Barber Colman and its successors. For years, he carried bins of safety equipment and instruction manuals to do on-site training for area companies.

By 2018, InterActive Safety Solutions had outgrown the basement and opened a new location at 577 Grable Street in Rockford. Today the company offers

VOTE

Continued from front page

focused get out the vote effort—Go Vote 815.

Go Vote 815’s goal is to put tools in the hands of the voters that will increase the likelihood of them using their right to vote. This effort includes:

■ Voter registration targeted at low turnout areas and populations that are less likely to vote.

■ Candidate information through streamed and in-person forums and meet and greets.

■ IllinoisVoterGuide.org, a virtual hub for all voting needs.

The IllinoisVoterGuide.org was developed by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Illinois and allows voters to register online at the Illinois Board of Election voter registration site, check their registrations for accuracy, find their polling place, access their ballot information, learn how to vote by mail, and explore candidate profiles provided by the candidates themselves. All materials are available in Spanish and English.

OSHA approved training programs on-site or at their facility in southeast Rockford.

“When you have the familiar shop tools in front of the student, abstract safety concepts are easier to understand,” said Bryden. “Now we don’t have to wait for one of our large corporate customers to have five or more employees in need of training—we can serve a variety of businesses in an inviting and comfortable learning environment.”

“Our mission is to help businesses identify, predict, decide and execute safety solutions,” Bryden said. “Because we all have someone who wants us to come home safe.”

More information about InterActive Safety Solutions can be found at interactivesafetysolutionsinc.com.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY SOLUTIONS, INC. PROVIDES:

How you can help

■ Make a plan to vote.

■ Urge employees, friends, family and colleagues to make a plan to vote.

■ Advertise the Go Vote 815 information and the IllinoisVoterGuide.org website.

■ Share Go Vote 815 on your social media and webpage. Put the Go Vote 815 logo on your materials to show your business is committed to democracy and the community.

■ Advertise the upcoming candidate forums and candidate meet and greets.

Go Vote 815 has posters to display in your businesses, yard signs and t-shirts we can make available to you to help us get the word out.

Please contact us through our website www.govote815.org or through Facebook, Go Vote 815. Let’s make this a banner election for voter participation. v

Claire Flynn McIntyre is co-president, League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford and member of Go Vote 815.

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

GUEST COLUMNIST

Funding our promise

Making college a reality for Rockford students

When it began in 2012, the Rockford Promise helped 49 students with small, one-time college scholarships. But we realized a bigger commitment was necessary to truly make a difference in the lives of the students we support and the community we champion.

Several years ago, the board members of Rockford Promise set their sights on becoming a fully-funded program. Thanks to the board’s hard work and the generosity of passionate donors who believe in our vision, we’ve made amazing strides.

Our most effective and costefficient route to address the business community’s needs is to nurture the talent in our community.

Real results

For the 2016-2017 school year, Rockford Promise raised enough money to offer full two-year and four-year scholarships for outstanding students to attend Rock Valley College or Rockford University.

One of the scholarship recipients that year was Alondra Torres, a Jefferson graduate who became a Rockford University Regent.

In June, Alondra, who earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 2020 with a 3.63 GPA, joined Rockford Promise as an executive and mentoring assistant, supporting our core programming initiatives. She works for us part time while she pursues a master’s degree at the University of IllinoisChicago.

Alondra is just one of a growing number of success stories. Since 2016, 50 Rockford Promise scholars have earned two-year degrees from RVC, six have earned professional certificates, eight have earned four-year degrees from RU, and three have completed four-year degrees at other universities.

Expanding our reach

Today, Rockford Promise is changing more lives than we could have imagined. In 2020, the City of Rockford approved an annual contribution to Rockford Promise that allowed us to add Northern Illinois University as one of our educational partners.

Last year, Rockford Promise supported 98 students at NIU, 67 at RVC and 24 at RU. With the addition of 166 students this year, Rockford Promise currently

supports more than 300 students—both new and returning Promise scholars— for the 2022-2023 academic year.

With those numbers, there’s reason to celebrate. However, we know there’s still a lot of work to be done to realize the vision of becoming a fully funded Promise Program.

Investing in our economic future

A contribution from Rockford Public Schools, a significant state grant and a private charitable donation help us hire more staff to meet the growing needs of our scholars. But to be successful, Rockford Promise needs critical support from the Rockford business community.

Study after study points to the need for talent as the biggest challenge facing companies nationally and in Rockford. Finding skilled workers is timeconsuming and expensive, and importing talent from other communities is even more so.

Our most effective and costefficient route to address the business community’s needs is to nurture the talent in our community. That’s the mission of Rockford Promise—to support RPS graduates as they pursue higher education. When those students return to Rockford, which we know many like Alondra will, they’ll be able to put those skills to work in our community.

More work to do

This year, we received a record number of applications for scholarships and turned away dozens of students due to lack of funding. We want every qualified Rockford Public School graduate to reach their full educational potential. Financial support from the community is essential to fund these scholarships.

Rockford Promise is committed to helping our community fill the skills pipeline that local companies need to succeed. We ask you to make 2022 and 2023 the year that you meet with a Rockford Promise staff or board member to see how you can help build Rockford’s economic future.

Kaylene Groh is interim executive director at Rockford Promise.

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

KAYLENE

Rock Valley opens new technology center Training the Manufacturing Workforce

Rock Valley College (RVC) officially opened its Advanced Technology Center (ATC) at a ribboncutting on March 30, 2022. The new 77,000-square-foot facility is located off Business 20 in Belvidere, Illinois and houses many of RVC’s manufacturing, technology and industrial-based programs.

Programs offered at ATC

The ATC offers credit and noncredit programs, including certificate programs and stackable credential models, to help students advance faster.

CNC machining

This program delivers a customized, 32-week curriculum to prepare students for a career in advanced manufacturing. They learn the skills necessary to enter the manufacturing environment at an entry-level position with a solid foundation of shop math, blueprint interpretation, metrology and CNC setup/operation skills. This program provides an entry path to a CNC career and a foundation for anyone interested in pursuing a CNC certificate for college credits. Students earn National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certificate upon completion of the program.

Mechatronics

Mechatronics is an emerging field that blends skills in mechanical, electrical and computer systems. Mechatronics technicians and engineering technologists use a combination of mechanical, electrical, computer and software skills to work with smart technologies, such as robots, automated guided systems and computer-integrated manufacturing equipment.

Welding

RVC’s welding program is one of the most comprehensive in the area. Students are given the opportunity to develop skills using common manual and semi-automatic welding processes. Training in industrial safety, blueprint reading, basic metal fabrication and welding prepare students for entry level positions in

welding, construction, manufacturing and fabrication industries. Certificates offered include Advanced Welder and Industrial Welder.

Truck driver training

Currently at the RVC Stenstrom Center for Career Education, this 200-hour training program combines classroom presentation with handson experience that leads to a Class A commercial driver’s license. The course teaches the basic skills to become a safe, professional truck driver. Upon successful completion, students are qualified for most entry-level positions in the trucking industry.

Free tuition available

RVC is offering free tuition for new, returning and continuing indistrict students enrolling at the ATC. Programs eligible are those offered at the ATC. Free tuition is limited to the course and program enrollment capacity.

“Rock Valley College is committed to providing accessible, exceptional educational and training opportunities to a diverse student body and community, and this ATC free tuition initiative will help us do just that,” said RVC President Dr. Howard Spearman.

Tours for organizations, groups, or individuals are available by contacting Bea Miller at 815-921-4297. Several organizations are planning to hold meetings at ATC, including the RVC Board of Trustees.

Bob Trojan is president of Rockford Linear Actuation, Inc. and Rock Valley College trustee.

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

JEFFREY AHRSTROM, PH.D Ingersoll Machine Tools

GUEST COLUMNIST

Manufacturing for the new space economy

Envisioning a future outside the confines of earth

I started my manufacturing career in 1985, and the shop was quite different from today. I’m in continual awe of what our industry accomplishes each year in terms of safety, speed, efficiency, and capability improvements. Manufacturing is no longer the noisy, oily environment of last century.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, manufacturing employment in 1986 neared 18 million. Today it’s just under 13 million. While our cadre is smaller, we are no longer an industry in decline. Manufacturing is more productive, efficient, diverse and future looking than ever.

Beyond the confines of Earth

Manufacturers play an important role in humankind’s foray into deeper space. But it requires rapid conceptualization, design, development and execution, which, in turn, requires investment in people, capital and advancing technologies.

The Space Foundation and Citibank reported that commercial space activities generated $424 billion in 2020—a 70% increase compared to 2010. Morgan Stanley and others expect this industry to achieve $1 trillion in revenue by 2040. What share of the new space economy will you take?

Government programs seed technological development, but business owners, engineers, and the shop floor must execute within these new technologies and manufacturing methods to further the endeavor.

Space Capital reported that space infrastructure firms received $14.5 billion of private capital in 2021 with expectations for continued growth. The future of space is commercial and manufacturers are well advised to focus on adapting the technologies necessary to participate in this growing segment.

Ingersoll reaches for the stars

Ingersoll Machine Tools is focused on the future of manufacturing today. We recently 3D printed a habitat designed for the first adventurers that will live on Mars. The Giant Magellan Telescope—currently being manufactured and assembled in Rockford by Ingersoll—will allow scientists to look back into time farther than ever. And space explorers will one day operate 3D printing/ manufacturing systems on the surface of Mars from the relative comfort of an orbiting Orion crew capsule (also machined at Ingersoll).

Ingersoll is also building the world’s largest hybrid 3D metal printing and milling machines for the U.S. Army. Imaging printing—not casting, welding or fabricating, a component, but an entire tank hull. Imagine the infrastructure, energy, time and space saved with this technology. It is real and occurring in Rockford.

Focusing on the future

The future for humanity is extraterrestrial. It’s a future focused on creating instead of removing by traditional methods. A future focused on applying additive technologies within environmentally-conscious, rapidresponse, R&D/test, low-volume and space applications.

“I don’t see traditional manufacturing being replaced by additive methods; aside from specific use cases, traditional manufacturing is faster and less expensive,” said MIT Sloan senior lecturer Thomas Roemer.

But this is precisely what moves us to consider additive solutions for extraterrestrial manufacturing and reexamine our traditional manufacturing methods.

Professors Fino and Aversa commented in a 2020 article, Materials Development by Additive Manufacturing Techniques, that additive manufacturing offers the opportunity to build complex shapes, customized parts and lightweight components. Space explorers can’t bring everything necessary to colonize space, so this demands that we develop a space focused manufacturing economy.

Luckily, we’ve recognized this need long ago and have successfully manufactured structures, tools, circuit boards, pharmaceuticals, materials, genetic material and other items in space. A technology platform flown on the International Space Station demonstrated a 3D printer/material recycler for closed-loop reprocessing of waste material into components used for space, medical and food applications. This technology is crucial for space but near equally important for Earth and a better environment. NASA’s In-Space Manufacturing initiative takes highly advanced terrestrial manufacturing technologies and adapts them for use in a space environment.

Inspiring the next generation

The Illinois Association of Manufacturers reports that, in Illinois alone, metals fabrication accounts for $135 billion in economic impact. There are nearly 400,000 employed in the segment with $28 billion in wages, and 800,000 open manufacturing jobs.

How do we engage and inspire a new generation that may not understand the industry? Engage them in shop visits. Show them the shop floor and programming room. Let them talk to engineers. Visit the local high school or, even better, the middle school. National Manufacturing Day is approaching, and this is a wonderful opportunity to engage the next generation of manufacturers and tell them about our future in space.

Jeffrey Ahrstrom, Ph.D., is CEO at Ingersoll Machine Tools.

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

Mechatronics is an emerging field that blends skills in mechanical, electrical and computer systems.

GUEST COLUMNIST

The value of apprenticeships

Building employee loyalty through education

The wonder of the three Ms—mortgage, maternity and marriage. These life events motivate employees to think about their future and the stability and sustainability of their career. That can be good news for the manufacturer who needs a consistent and reliable workforce to grow business.

An apprenticeship program rewards sponsoring employers with more knowledgeable employees.

But how do you keep them motivated and out of the hands of your competitors?

Competitive pay only works until someone offers them more money. Giving them more paid time off may exacerbate your already stressed backlog.

Opportunities for growth and advancement can help build a loyal and motivated workforce. And apprenticeships offer employees job-related, collegecredited hours that can lead to pay increases as they progress through their on-the-job training.

An apprenticeship program rewards sponsoring employers with more knowledgeable employees. Apprenticeships give employees the foundation they need to grasp basic principles and more readily apply on-the-job training. It also improves quality, efficiencies and problem-solving capabilities within the company.

Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association apprenticeship program

The RRVTMA recognizes the necessity of a workforce that possesses a sound understanding of manufacturing principles such as print reading, metrology,

materials, cutting tools, CNC, CAM, and CAD. Its apprenticeship program provides broad exposure to manufacturing-related courses at Rock Valley College along with a recommended on-the-job training program relevant to the sponsoring company’s needs.

RRVTMA offers apprentice programs in:

■ Tool and die maker

CNC precision machinist

Gear cutting machinist

Machine tool building

Mold maker

To achieve the Journeyman Certificate, each apprentice must complete the following:

■ On-the-job training

■ 10,000 hours for tool and die maker or mold maker

■ 8,000 hours for CNC precision machinist or gear cutting machinist

■ Related technical training

■ 640 classroom hours

■ 10 courses over four years

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, all apprentices receive a recognized journeyman credential from the RRVTMA. If the sponsoring company is registered with the Department of Labor, a nationally recognized journeyman credential is also issued.

Dutch Hinck is Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association apprenticeship administrator and Jefferson High School industrial arts instructor.

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

JENNIFER AUSTIN

Creating informed healthcare consumers

How employers can help

According to a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, three out of four patients leave the doctor’s office confused, and end up doing more research on their own. So, how can employers help their employees become better healthcare consumers?

In an era where consumers can search for all the information they need to buy a new appliance—product reviews, howto videos, price comparisons—how can employers help their employees do the same when it comes to healthcare? By giving them the same kind of tools they use for other purchases and teaching them how to use them. Making informed choices based on cost, quality and reviews is what we call healcare consumerism.

Go digital

The future of healthcare consumerism needs to start with digital solutions to help support patients in their journey. A good provider directory is key to ensuring patients know which doctors and hospitals are in-network and which aren’t. That helps patients avoid surprise

bills, which happen to more than half of U.S. consumers, and helps keep plan costs down.

In addition to provider directories, information on cost and quality, where it is available, is helpful. While the recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Price Transparency Rule states that hospitals operating in the U.S. must provide clear, accessible pricing information online, hospital compliance is less than stellar at around 14%. This assumes patients will go to individual hospital websites to compare prices, which can be a lot of work.

That’s why The Alliance developed Smarter Care AdvisorSM to help employers, employees and families. While it is just a starting point, this new tool is designed to help patients make smarter healthcare decisions that save them, and their employer, money. They can sort surgeries and other procedures by network, cost-range estimate (based on The Alliance’s claims data) and location.

Employers may be worried employees will assume that low-cost providers and hospitals provide lower quality. But, according to RAND corporation’s Hospital Price Transparency study, that isn’t true. More than 60% of mediumpriced hospitals received four or five stars, giving employees lower cost options without sacrificing quality.

Offer incentives

Often, patients rely on their doctors, or friends and family to provide recommendations on where to go. While anecdotal information is nice, incenting employees to go where care is good and costs are low is critical. Here are a few examples of how this can be done while still allowing employees and their families the flexibility to go where they want:

■ Employers can pay employees to go to a particular provider for shoppable procedures. For example, using a low cost imaging center for a CT scan rather than a hospital often saves money that employers can pass along to employees in their paycheck.

■ Employers can provide employees with no-cost care, like an independent primary care facility.

■ Employers can design their benefits to tier different providers, directing employees to the best cost options.

Communicate, communicate, communicate

Finally, to encourage healthcare consumerism, employers must

communicate regularly and through various channels. Employees aren’t good shoppers until they need the services, so making sure they know where and how to find the information when it’s needed is key. Employers should consider:

■ Newsletters or emails with regular updates about benefits and providers.

■ A subject matter expert within the organization who can provide confidential consultations to employees.

■ An intranet or other online hub with employee resources, links to vendor sites and other tools.

■ A care navigation partner or direct primary care clinic (if budget allows) to communicate with patients when it’s most relevant, directing employees to high-value care.

Work with your partners

If all this seems overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. Remember to work with your health benefits partners to implement the above strategies. If you’re a client of The Alliance, you have access to your data to assist you in making decisions. We also have a variety of educational employee materials for our clients. Want to learn more? Contact us.

Jennifer Austin is director of marketing at The Alliance.

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

The pros and cons of breast implants

Potential risks and their treatments

When people consider cosmetic surgery to boost their self-esteem, the most commonly performed surgery in the field is breast augmentation. Studies have shown that patients seek out this surgery because they’re looking to enhance disproportionately small breasts, to help achieve weight loss goals, to overcome post-pregnancy changes to their body, or to help cancer patients feel more like themselves after a mastectomy. As we enter Breast Cancer Awareness month, October is a good time to review the positives and negatives of breast augmentation.

Cost

Plastic surgeons charge anywhere from $2,000 and up to $6,000 for their services on a normal breast augmentation procedure.

Other factors that affect cost are:

■ the surgeon’s level of expertise

■ facility charges

■ type and size of the implant

■ demand for the procedure

■ where the surgeon’s practice is located

Benefits

There are physical and emotional benefits from breast augmentation including boosting

of self-esteem, enhanced body image, improved posture, and less fatigue secondary to increased physical activity.

Risks

Despite these positive benefits, this procedure has risks including rupture, breast implant illness and breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). The incidence of breast implant rupture depends on the type of implant, original reason for the procedure, length implant has been in place and trauma to the patient’s chest wall.

When a saline implant ruptures or its valve fails, the saline leaks out quickly— typically over the course of a few days—and the breast appears somewhat deflated. The salt water is absorbed by the body.

When a silicone implant ruptures, the gel leaks out more slowly because it is thicker, so it may take longer to realize that the implant has ruptured. Signs that the silicone implant has ruptured can include changes in breast shape and size, increasing pain, firmness and swelling over a period of weeks. Rupture can also cause capsular contracture. The FDA recommends that people with silicone breast

implants receive MRI screening for “silent rupture” three years after the initial implant surgery and every two years after that.

Breast Implant Illness (BII)

Another serious risk of breast implants is breast implant illness (BII). Breast implant illness is a serious health crisis marked by a myriad of symptoms including but not limited to, connective tissue disorders, trouble breathing, brain fog, random swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, rashes, joint pain and stiffness, vision changes and premature aging.

BII isn’t new. In fact, advocates have been lobbying the government and FDA to get the word out about this highly toxic and harmful diagnosis for years. A few women that I have treated have actually stated that their symptoms were so bad that they have wanted to end their life. BII is thought to be a systemic proinflammatory process that triggers a cascade of physical reactions within the body. This process is considered to be infectious in nature, triggered by a biofilm that is produced by bacteria and mold species that auto-inoculate a foreign body, or in this case, the implant. This creates a nidus of infection that triggers the immune system’s proinflammatory cascade similar to chronic inflammatory response syndrome or CIRS.

Diagnosing BII

To properly diagnose BII, a doctor will:

■ review the patient’s medical history

perform a physical exam to determine if the implant has ruptured

do blood work to rule out other causes

order a breast MRI thermography

After a thorough workup has been performed, and the implants have been deemed to be the culprit, removal of the implants is usually recommended.

While a woman is waiting to have her implants removed, it is important to implement strategies to help improve the patient’s immune system. In my personal experience IV therapy with high dose vitamin C, IV nutraceuticals, hyperbaric oxygen, whole body detox and antifungals have shown to help alleviate symptoms. These treatments target the infectious process and help treat the biofilm to curtail the systemic infectious course.

Removal of the breast implant doesn’t guarantee that a woman will get better, especially if the implants are not the cause of her illness. That’s why it’s very important to rule out other causes before removal. If indeed implants are the cause, an en bloc resection, which includes removing the implants with the capsule intact, is the procedure of choice. This can be done in conjunction with breast augmentation to improve postoperative cosmetic outcomes.

Dr. Elisha Robinson, board certified general surgeon and natural health and holistic nutrition practitioner, is owner of Integrated Healing Center, LLC.

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

Healthy children make healthy communities

Why the wellbeing of our youngest residents matters

The health of a community can be measured by the wellbeing of its youngest and most vulnerable residents. A community with healthy families and a strong support system around parents and caregivers of young children is a community that develops its own leaders, attracts outside talent and inspires innovation. It retains its highest achievers who go on to strengthen the local economy, improve public safety and create a community that’s a great place to live and work.

A community with healthy families and a strong support system around parents and caregivers of young children is a community that develops its own leaders, attracts outside talent and inspires innovation.

The first five years of a child’s development are critical to his or her future wellbeing and academic achievement. Research shows that the experiences a child has from birth to age five directly influence his or her ability to learn and succeed over their lifetime. A child who enters kindergarten without the right tools is at a disadvantage and faces challenges that can multiply over time.

Although we know the first years are a critical time in human development, there is a huge social disparity in institutionalized support for families of children in this age group. The Rockford-based, State of Illinoisrecognized Ready to Learn Movement, led by Alignment Rockford, was created to address that disparity. In 2019, in partnership with Rockford Public School District 205 and Chicago’s Erikson Institute, the Ready to Learn team introduced the Early Development Instrument (EDI) to Rockford.

The EDI is a validated, populationbased measure of early child development across five key domains: physical health, emotional maturity, social competence, language and cognitive skills, and communication skills and general knowledge.

The resulting data produces a valid and reliable, citywide and neighborhood-level representation of our youngest children’s health and development. The data is then used

by local agencies and organizations to better understand the wellbeing of children in that area. With it, Rockford area organizations have been able to provide solutions that are responsive, aligned and non-redundant, while helping our region secure millions of dollars in funding to support early learning and care.

New data about our children

This year, Alignment Rockford and RPS 205—along with new partners Harlem School District 122 and UCLA’s Center for Healthier Children, Families, and Communities— conducted a second wave of the EDI data collection.

The 2022 Rockford and Loves Park data is now live and available to the public. Two community events will be hosted in October to review the data with the public and discuss early childhood learning and care in the Rockford region:

Tuesday, October 25, noon

Alignment Rockford and Rockford Public Library will host a film screening of “No Small Matter” followed by a panel discussion at the Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., at noon. The documentary highlights the critical importance of early childhood education to the success of our country. Thursday, October 27, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Alignment Rockford’s Ready to Learn team will host a luncheon presentation of the 2022 EDI data and its importance to our community. Held at Rockford University’s Regents Hall, 5050 E. State Street, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the interactive session will feature speakers from Alignment Rockford, RPS 205, the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, UCLA’s Center for Healthier Children, and other local and regional community leaders.

For more information about these events and the critical role that the EDI is playing in our community, visit www.alignmentrockford.org/events.

Emily Klonicki is executive director of Alignment Rockford.

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

Your business fuels you

So why are you so tired?

Business leaders, owners and engaged managers know what overworked feels like. It’s not uncommon for dedicated professionals to throw themselves into promoting their businesses and building a base of loyal customers. So it’s no surprise when they end up exhausted.

That tired feeling weighing you down can come from several sources. Once you understand why you and your coworkers are so tired, you can make changes that will give you the energy you need for continued professional and personal success. Here are some of the most common sources of exhaustion as well as some tips to help boost your energy.

Root causes

Being honest with yourself is essential to identifying sources of exhaustion. Generally, that overwhelming fatigue boils down to three main reasons.

1. Neglecting yourself

When was the last time you took stock of how you’re eating, sleeping or recharging? If you constantly find yourself serving others, you may have a hard time answering that question. But the answers can have a profound effect on energy levels.

Coffee and work go together like peanut butter and jelly. But if you’re drinking more than four cups a day—that's the equivalent of two energy drinks—the crash when the caffeine wears off can be exhausting.

And free donuts might be giving your team a much-needed moral boost, but you don’t want your people relying on the sugar high to keep going.

What about sleep habits? Are you and other leaders in your organization spending precious sleep time scrolling through social media, answering emails or checking just one more report? How often are you going to bed an hour (or two… or three…) later than originally intended? Without good sleep hygiene, you can't expect to start your day with the energy you truly need.

2. Stress

It’s long been a badge of honor to work long hours. Many consider it a virtue to be the last one in the office or the one answering emails on weekends and off hours. A culture that rewards those behaviors could be a detriment to productivity and energy.

More hours don’t necessarily equal greater productivity. When the human body isn’t given sufficient time to unwind, it forgets how to relax. This cycle frequently results in restless nights spent staring at the ceiling in an unending cycle of stress.

Stress can also cause a hormonal imbalance. When stressed, the body produces cortisol, often known as the stress hormone. Its presence in the body’s system keeps a person awake, which makes them

more exhausted, which makes them more stressed—and the vicious cycle continues.

Of course, the workplace isn't the only source of stress. If your personal relationships or home life are under stress, you may find yourself surrounded by negative emotions in all directions.

3. Physical ailments

We’ve already mentioned cortisol, but there are other hormonal imbalances that can make a person fatigued and irritable. Estrogen, progesterone, melatonin and thyroid imbalances may cause many of the same symptoms as stress induced imbalances. Various auto-immune diseases, such as lupus, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, can affect energy levels. If lifestyle changes don’t help alleviate your persistent feelings of exhaustion, you should consult a physician for further diagnosis.

Energy boosters

There are proactive steps you can take to lessen fatigue and restore energy.

■ Unwind before bedtime. Turn off screens—TV, computer, smartphone— at least two hours before going to bed. Consider instituting a workplace policy that discourages checking and sending emails during off hours. Stop expecting and rewarding “all access all the time.”

■ Take breaks during the workday. Many people find that taking just a few minutes for deep breathing, meditation or a quick cat nap helps refocus their mind and their energy.

■ Clean up your sleep hygiene. Turn off the coffee pot after lunch to discourage caffeine consumption late in the day. Turn your bedroom into a haven, with blackout curtains and a white noise machine if needed. Provide employees with resources on good sleep hygiene.

■ Encourage delegation. If you are working 60 to 80 hours a week, evaluate how much of that time is spent doing things only you can do. Delegating routine tasks or re-assigning projects can help decrease the potential for burnout.

■ Get some exercise. Exercise releases good chemicals that boost mood and energy. Encourage employees to climb the stairs or park as far from the front door as possible. Start a walking group that meets during lunch. Host walking or standing meetings rather than sit-down marathons.

■ Get outdoors. Sometimes staring at the same four walls can be exhausting, even if you have a window. Make sure employees have the option to take breaks outside during the day.

Retirement patterns during the pandemic

The results may surprise you

By Daniel Thompson, survey statistician, U.S. Census Bureau

COVID-19’s disruption of labor markets was massive, but it had only a modest impact on peoples’ retirement timing, according to recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).

The SIPP collected data on respondents’ labor force status in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. These data show modest pandemic-related effects on retirement. The share of respondents ages 55-70 who said they were retired dipped slightly from January to December that year.

When asked how the pandemic affected the timing of their retirement, 2.9% of adults ages 55-70 employed in January 2020 said they retired early or planned to retire early due to the pandemic, while 2.3% said they either delayed or planned to delay retirement for the same reason.

Retirement trends were remarkably stable during a period of upheaval in the labor market overall.

Because of workplace shutdowns and demand shifts during the pandemic, unemployment increased from 3.5% in February 2020 to a peak of 14.7% in April 2020. Given the pandemic’s differential health effects by age, many speculated that the pandemic would also lead to mass retirement.

Retirement Patterns

The 2021 SIPP asked respondents

about their employment and labor force participation during the 2020 calendar year. In contrast to other household surveys (which either collect annual data or whose sample composition varies throughout the year), SIPP collects monthly information about the same sample for the entire year.

The share of respondents ages 55-70 who reported retirement as their reason for not holding a job fell modestly from 29.4% in January to 28.2% by December.

There was no discernible change from January through the first several months of the pandemic.

Age, health and retirement

After the pandemic began, the Census Bureau added new questions to the 2021 SIPP that asked respondents how the pandemic affected them.

One question asked respondents ages 55 and older specifically how the coronavirus pandemic affected their retirement timing, or for those respondents who had not yet retired, their expected retirement timing. According to these reports, the changes were modest.

Among those employed in January 2020, the impact differed by age. Adults 62-65 years old reported the most changes, with 4.6% saying they had retired early or planned to retire early and 2.9% saying they had delayed or planned to delay their retirement.

SIPP asked respondents to rate their health on a five-point scale: excellent, very good, good, fair and poor. Changes to retirement timing in response to

About SIPP and its COVID content

The COVID-19 retirement questions were added late in the development of the 2021 SIPP survey and therefore did not undergo as rigorous development and testing as other SIPP content. However, question nonresponse rates and field notes from interviewers suggest less than half a percent of unweighted respondents were confused by the questions or did not know how to respond.

Other Census Bureau research has documented that survey response rates and other aspects of data collection were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic's effects appear to have been strongest during surveys conducted in spring 2020. The 2021 SIPP was conducted in spring 2021 and asked respondents about their experiences during the previous calendar year.

The Survey of Income and Program Participation is a nationally representative, longitudinal survey administered by the Census Bureau that provides comprehensive information on the dynamics of income, employment, household composition and government program participation.

The SIPP webpage and the SIPP Technical Documentation webpage provide more information about SIPP data quality and technical documentation. The estimates presented here are subject to sampling and nonsampling error.

Retirement trends were remarkably stable during a period of upheaval in the labor market overall.

COVID-19 varied by the health rating respondents reported.

Those reporting poor health skewed toward early retirement—5.6% reported that they had retired early or planned to retire early due to COVID-19 and 0.6% reported that they had delayed or planned to delay retirement.

Retirement timing differences for other values of self-reported health were not statistically significant.

The pandemic had a major impact on jobs that require face-to-face interaction or cannot be performed remotely.

Retirement timing by industry

The pandemic had a major impact on jobs that require face-to-face interaction or cannot be performed remotely. It also contributed to considerable supply and demand shifts that affected employment patterns.

COVID-19’s impact on retirement timing by industry showed modest changes as well.

Given the relatively small age group examined and the fact that some industries employ relatively few older people, it was necessary to collapse industry categories to a greater extent in this than in many other Census Bureau

data products. Respondents can report multiple jobs in SIPP; the figure uses the first reported job for January 2020.

Among the findings:

■ Workers in education jobs more often retired or planned to retire earlier (4.3%) rather than delayed or planned to delay retirement (2.1%).

■ Workers in hospitality and other services were also more likely to move up than delay their retirement—3.6% reported they had retired early or planned to retire early, while 1.7% reported they had delayed or planned to delay retirement.

Differences between early and delayed retirement were not statistically significant for other industry groups.

Earnings and retirement timing

Retirement responses to the COVID-19 pandemic varied somewhat by earnings, based on monthly earnings from wages, salary, tips and self-employment in January 2020. SIPP respondents who earned the least were more likely to say that they moved up their retirement or planned retirement than that they delayed retirement.

Among the first quintile (the lowest earners), 3.4% said they planned to retire early compared to 1.8% who said they would delay retiring. In the second quintile, the difference was 3.7% and 0.9%, respectively.

Differences among higher earners (the third, fourth and fifth quintile) were not statistically significant.

economic development

News from RAEDC

Workforce development, cyber security and site selection

To get the pulse of local business needs, the Rockford Area Economic Development Council meets face-toface with a variety of local businesses. A common theme in these discussions is how to recruit and keep workers. Fortunately, as our region's need for a skilled and educated workforce has evolved, so has our ability to train these workers through new and innovative programs. RAEDC helps connect employers with organizations that specialize in creating a skilled workforce. These organizations also have access to grants and other funding sources, which help alleviate employer costs associated with continuing education and training.

Workforce development resources

1. The Workforce Connections (TWC) is a partnership of state and federally funded employment and training programs committed to providing a workforce that meets the business community's needs. TWC is our region’s designated American Job Center, funded by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act dollars to provide comprehensive workforce programming and on-the-job training. Learn more at www.TheWorkforceConnection.org.

2. Comprehensive Community Solutions: This organization works to transform neighborhoods and communities through development programs that lead to sustainable wages, community engagement and affordable housing. Learn more at www. ComprehensiveCommunitySolutions. org.

3. Get Connected services meet the needs of those impacted by incarceration through one-on-one assistance to help individuals sift through resources that align with their re-entry plan. Learn more at wwww.GetConnectedToo815. org.

4. The Jobs Plus Initiative from the Rockford Housing Authority helps residents earn more money without having their rent increased. The goal is to help people reach a self-sufficient living wage. The initiative provides an employment specialist that works oneon-one with individuals to achieve these employment goals. Learn more at www. LaunchMyFuture.com/rha-residentservices/jobs-plus-initiative.

For additional information about these resources or to schedule a business retention visit, contact Alex Keedi, RAEDC business development manager at AKeddi@RockfordIL.com or Therese Thill, RAEDC president at TThill@ RockfordIL.com.

October is Cybersecurity Month

Cyberattacks are constantly in the news. Even large, well-funded corporations aren’t immune to these attacks designed to access/change/destroy sensitive information, extort money from users or interrupt normal business processes.

Being cybersecure requires all levels of a company—from the board of directors to the support staff—to be involved.

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA.gov) has an online catalog of resources and information to help organizations mitigate their cybersecurity risk. The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC.org) also offers information and advice to manufacturers in Illinois.

8 Top Strategies for Cybersecurity Risk Mitigation from cybersecurityscorecard.com

Conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment

Establish network access controls

Implement firewalls and antivirus software

Create a patch management schedule

Continuously monitor network traffic

Build an incident response plan

Examine the physical security of your business

your attack surface

Illinois Investment Guide

The 2022 Illinois Investment Guide from Site Selection Magazine is now available. This annual publication features data and stories on Illinois’ unique position as a diverse and thriving global business destination. It explores Illinois’ unique regions and prominent industries, including agribusiness, energy, manufacturing, life sciences, transportation and logistics, and technology.

The guide is used by businesses considering destinations for expansion or relocation.

Here are some highlights from this year’s guide:

■ Illinois is home to the largest tech talent labor pool in North America.

■ Illinois graduates more engineers annually than MIT, Stanford, and Caltech combined.

■ The Chicago Rockford International Airport is one of busiest cargo airports in the nation and moved 3.4 billion pounds of landed cargo in 2021, an increase of 25% over 2020.

For more info, visit https://siteselection.com/cc/illinois/2022/digital.html

Small Business

Marketing tips for small businesses

Even the little guys can stand out from the crowd

As of 2022, there are over 1.2 million small businesses, making up 99.6% of all businesses in Illinois. In addition to creating and providing a great product or service, business owners must ensure they stand from their competitors.

Here are five tips for marketing your small business:

Know your audience

Most small businesses benefit from creating a niche marketing strategy that is aimed at a small, specific and welldefined portion of the population. This is often referred to as concentrated or focused marketing and is tailored to a specific segment’s habits and preferences. By acknowledging a consumer’s pains, problems, triggering events and priorities, you can better understand what drives them to make a purchasing decision.

Emphasize your value proposition

This concept stresses the importance of articulating why someone would want to buy from your company instead of a competitor. In other words, what is your core competitive advantage and what do you do better than everyone else in the market?

It’s important to note that a value proposition is different from a mission statement. A value proposition is product or service oriented, concentrating on what you offer and why consumers should choose you. A mission statement is goal oriented and highlights details on your objective as a business or organization. Both are important and should provide customers with clarifying information.

Stay focused

Clearly stating your singular goals and objectives helps you identify where your biggest impact will be. Start this process by pinpointing where your biggest blind spot is and what is prohibiting your growth. Once this has been identified, create an action plan and set a performance goal around this one key area.

Understand the power of existing customers

It’s no secret that obtaining a new customer is more difficult than keeping a current one. On average, it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than to close an existing one. With that being said, it’s important to identify your opportunities for repeat purchasing, upselling and cross-selling. Establishing a valuable relationship with a consumer

ensures they will likely choose you in the future again.

Promote yourself on social media

The power of social media is unlike anything else. As a small business, you should create content to promote your products and services, build a community with your target audience, and drive traffic to increase your revenue. Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube or Tik Tok, creating unique and engaging content will only benefit your business as a whole.

The key to success is to create a marketing plan suited for your business and to make it a priority.

Shelby Flores is business planning & community outreach specialist at Illinois Small Business Development Center Network.

Clearly stating your singular goals and objectives helps you identify where your biggest impact will be.

IGNITE: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IGNITE

Who we are and what we do

IGNITE is a young professionals group affiliated with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce (RCC). Our mission is to attract and retain young professionals to the Rockford region through leadership opportunities, professional and personal development, and volunteerism.

IGNITE is open to everyone, but our programs are specifically designed for young professionals 21-40 years old from all backgrounds and careers. Our group is full of diversity and we’d love to keep it that way.

IGNITE members don’t have to be a part of the chamber to join but are always welcome to learn more RCC membership.

IGNITE’s offerings

IGNITE focuses on professional development, volunteerism, community service and networking.

Professional development

A commitment to personal and professional development early in your career is critical to your longterm success. At IGNITE, we provide opportunities to meet business and community leaders through our Lunch with a Leader series. And our leadership team is always happy to help you make connections that lead to employment, board seats, business opportunities and more.

Volunteerism

As young professionals, it’s important that we give back to the communities where we live, work, learn and play. Not only does this make our communities stronger and healthier, but it helps young professionals expand their networks, learn about non-profits and build their resumes. Our Meet the Nonprofit series showcases the different organizations in our community.

Community

We are constantly looking for new ways to keep young professionals engaged in the community. IGNITE encourages members to engage with their local community through:

■ Attending city council meetings.

■ Becoming a mentor for seniors through Alignment Rockford.

■ Writing an article for the Rockford Chamber’s newspaper, The Voice.

■ Getting involved with Transform Rockford.

Our community is constantly

changing and so is our involvement, but our commitment to Rockford always remains 100%.

Social/Networking

Oct. 19, IGNITE After 5 at Hidden Creek Estates

Join IGNITE at our October After 5 event at Hidden Creek Estates, 13276 Whiteschool Rd., Roscoe. Get to know other local young professionals in a social setting while sampling some of this venue's delicious wine. Stop in any time between 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Oct 20, IGNITE Meets A Nonprofit—Secondary Success and Beyond

Hear from representatives of Secondary Success and Beyond, 5:30-6:30 p.m., NorthWest Illinois Alliance of Realtors, 1161 Tebala Blvd., Rockford.

Nov. 8, IGNITE Meets A Nonprofit—Rockford Rescue Mission

Learn about Rockford Rescue Mission, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W State St, Rockford.

Nov. 16 IGNITE After 5 at Greenfire

Join our After 5 event at Greenfire Restaurant Bar & Bakery, 6795 E Riverside Blvd, Rockford. Get to know other local young professionals in a social setting while enjoying some delicious food and drinks. Stop in any time between 5:30-7:30pm!

To learn more about IGNITE, check out our Facebook at IGNITE Rockford or our Instagram @igniterockfordyp. For more information, contact Carmen Kellerman, IGNITE coordinator, at ckellerman@rockfordchamber.com.

Carmen Kellerman is events manager for the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and IGNITE.

JOHN GROH Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

A vibrant downtown Rockford

Everybody has a role to play

A vibrant downtown is a gathering place where people from all communities can do business, share meals, showcase culture, discover art and celebrate life. In the words of Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”

A good start

I’ve been having a lot of conversations about downtown Rockford lately, conversations that lead me to believe the health and vibrancy of our downtown is at a critical point in its lifecycle. I’ve uncovered a common sentiment—to continue the positive momentum, we’ll need to return to a focused, cohesive, collaborative effort or risk sliding backward.

Over the past two decades, many individuals and groups have worked diligently to attract new businesses, beautify streetscapes, expand pedestrian walkways, address parking and improve safety. Downtown has experienced significant growth in new restaurants, boutiques and other small businesses.

This growth has been anchored by several dedicated business owners and large-scale developments like the UW Health Sports Factory, Burnham Lofts (one of many residential projects) and Embassy Suites by Hilton. Our downtown mix of businesses, attractions and entertainment venues is complimented by the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (RACVB) beautification efforts such as landscape plantings, holiday decorating and public art installations.

We’ve checked a lot of the boxes that define a healthy downtown including employment opportunities, one-of-a-kind shops, unique restaurants and nightlife, diverse mixed-use developments, creative public spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, safety amenities and green spaces. With

this foundation, we can amplify these elements to new heights and create a truly distinctive sense of space that attracts diverse visitors and residents.

But that’s not enough.

Being a part of the “everybody”

In returning to a focused, collaborative effort, we need the creativity of everybody. As we embark on the redevelopment of Davis Park, I feel we have a catalyst that will boost a post-pandemic focus on downtown. Our organization has been instrumental in the Davis Park project from the start and is committed to supporting the effort through the celebration of its completion.

RACVB has a vested interest in downtown. Our offices have been downtown since we were formed in 1984. Downtown is the home of Stroll on State, now in its tenth year. An active downtown is vital to our reputation as a visitor destination and critical to the quality of life for our residents. We’re ready to be part of the “everybody.”

If you haven’t visited downtown Rockford in a while, consider holiday shopping at the many boutiques along State and Main streets, visiting Tinker Cottage and Riverfront Museum Park with your family, taking in a show at Coronado or buying tickets to an Ice Hogs game. All these activities pair well with lunch or dinner at one of the more than two dozen restaurants in the downtown area.

Let’s all be part of the “everybody” creating an increasingly vibrant downtown Rockford.

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

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

Our mission is to attract and retain young professionals to the Rockford region through leadership opportunities, professional and personal development, and volunteerism.

in the news

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS

Rockford Mass Transit District hired Orlando Toatley (1) as the new marketing and communications specialist; replacing Lisa Brown who retired on Sept. 1 after 25 years.

Rockford Area Arts Council hired Aria Childers as program coordinator, and Rhiannon Yandell as office manager.  Mercyhealth hired Amy Whitaker (2), RN, BSN, as vice president of supply chain.

First National Bank and Trust created a new Project Management Office; staffed by Laura Pomerene (3), senior vice president (SVP), PMO director; Geoff Roemerman (4), process improvement, and Kristen Jacobsen (5), data & project analyst.

A.L. Diaz and Eric C. Blum joined theFranaGroup as fiscal associates.

Rachel Robinson (6) joined the YMCA of Rock River Valley as executive director of the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA. Forest City Gear promoted Kent Blatchford to gear hobbing specialist.

RAMP hired Kimberly Reese (7), office assistant, Stephenson

County; Janet Vrtol (8), youth education advocate; Teddy Paruzynski (9), office assistant, Winnebago County; and Hannah Carter (10), marketing assistant. Liz Moshure (11) is now program assistant.

KMK Media Group Inc. hired Hannah Schmidt as a communications specialist.  OSF HealthCare added a new primary care physician, Dr. Nandini Chattopadhyay, MD (12), to its staff at the OSF Medical Group – Primary Care location at 698 Featherstone Road, Suite 250, Rockford.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS

Scott C. Sullivan (13) and Marc C. Gravino, (14) partners at WilliamsMcCarthy LLP, were selected by peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America© Daniel A. Huntley (15) and Tyler B. Slack

(16), partners, were recognized as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ for lawyers in practice less than 10 years.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Rosecrance welcomed four new board members:

Sara E. Hagarty, M.D. (17), plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon, joined The Rosecrance Foundation Rockford board.

Tom Matus (18), strategic growth manager of the Helm Group, joined The Rosecrance Foundation Chicago board.

Stephanie A. Van Vlerah (19), founder and CEO of Financial Illumination Advisors, LLC, joined The Rosecrance Health Network board.

Peggy Shiels, M.D., internal medicine physician in Rockford, joined the Rosecrance, Inc. board.

GENERAL NEWS

Dr. Brant Hulsebus (20) gave a presentation in August, “The Power of Chiropractic,” to individuals considering a career in chiropractics at his alma mater, Palmer College of Chiropractic. As the Illinois representative to the International Chiropractors Association, was featured on Sept. 29 during Student Philosophy Night at the Current Hotel in Davenport, Iowa.

The University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford started a Headache Medicine Fellowship Program, and Sarah E. Robertson, MD (21), is the first fellow. Jeffrey Royce, MD, FAAFP, FAHS (22), a clinical assistant professor in the UICOMR Department of Family and Community Medicine, is the fellowship program’s director.

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

1. Orlando Toatley 2. Amy Whitaker 3. Laura Pomerene

4. Geoff Roemerman 5. Kristen Jacobsen

6. Rachel Robinson 7. Kimberly Reese 8. Janet Vrtol

9. Teddy Parauzynski

10. Hannah Carter 11. Liz Moshure 12. Dr. Nandini Chattopadhyay

13. Scott C. Sullivan 14. Marc C. Gravino

15. Daniel A. Huntley 16. Tyler B. Slack

20. Dr. Brant Hulsebus 21. Dr. Sarah Robertson 22. Dr. Jeffery Royce

17. Dr. Sara E. Hagarty 18. Tom Matus 19. Stephanie A. Van Vlerah

on

on digital MEMBER

on

Ceremonial ribbon donated by ServPro of Rockford

The Chartwell Agency hosted a ribbon cutting September 8, 2022, at 120 W. State Street, Ste 205, Rockford.

Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute hosted a ribbon cutting September 20, 2022, at 950 S. Mulford Road, Rockford.

business

The Rockford City Market is soliciting community feedback. Help shape the future of the Rockford City Market by completing this five-minute survey: https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/SD3T85C

The Coronado Performing Arts Center and Hard Rock Casino Rockford announced a new partnership that expands Hard Rock’s commitment to the arts and entertainment in the Rockford region. The partnership includes a guaranteed block of seats to all events, Hard Rock’s sponsorship of renovated opera boxes providing some of the best seats in the theatre, and exclusive use of the newly restored Club ’27 (formerly the Owner’s Apartment) to use as a hospitality suite.

Mercyhealth was recognized by Humana and its Stars Patient Experience program team with the 2021 Gold Patient Experience Award of Excellence. The award acknowledges Mercyhealth’s status as a leader in the health care industry and is a testament to exceptional service and care to the community.

During its third annual Portraits in the Gardens, Anderson Japanese Gardens will waive the special use garden rental fee for individual, small group and special occasion photography. Special use dates and hours will be Wednesdays, Oct. 5-12, 3-6 p.m., and Oct 19, 3-5 p.m. These limited dates and hours for Portraits in the Gardens lets photographers take advantage of the vibrant fall foliage while still preserving the tranquility and views of the gardens for guests who attend during regular business hours.

Rockford Area Arts Council Action Grants are available now. The Action Grants Program

BUSINESS BRIEFS

The League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford will celebrate National Voter Registration Day by hosting voter registration opportunities throughout the community:

Oct. 1 & 2 – Fiesta Market, 400 W. Chrysler Dr., Belvidere, 9 a.m.-2 p.mm

Oct. 1 – Countryside Market, 413 Southtowne Dr., Belvidere, 9 a.m.-noon

Oct. 5 – Rockford University, Burpee Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Oct.15 – Lutheran Church of Good Shepherd, 1829 N Rockton Ave, Rockford, 4:30-6 p.m.

League deputy registrars will be available to provide information about voting, check registration status and register eligible citizens to vote. To register to vote, a person needs two forms of identification—both must show their current name and one must show their current address.

supports artists and advocacy organizations by awarding microgrants of up to $500 for creative endeavors throughout the region. Preference will be given to first-time applicants and/or unique projects. Grant application deadline is Oct. 31.

Barbara Olson Center of Hope received a $9,000 grant from the William S. Howard Charitable Trust for its Bridges to the Future transitions program. Bridges to the Future provides student transition services (support, education, resources, etc.) to individuals, their families, and professionals in Winnebago County.

River Bluff Health & Rehabilitation is requesting candy donations for its “Trick or Treat at the Bluff” event, Oct. 31, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the facility’s parking lot. Checks can be mailed (made out to River Bluff Activity Fund) or candy donations can be dropped off at River Bluff’s receptionist /desk at 4401 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103 seven days a week until October 28.

First National Bank and

Trust was recognized by the Web Marketing Association as a winner of its global 2022 WebAward Competition for Best Bank Website in the “A Better Digital User Experience” category.

Anderson Japanese Gardens Curator Tim Gruner will present for the Taliesin Preservation Speaker Salon series, Oct. 21. Gruner’s presentation highlighting fundamental concepts of the Japanese garden is part of a speaker series partnership between Anderson Japanese Gardens and Taliesin Preservation.

theFranaGroup announced that their client, LifeSpring Health Systems, was awarded $1 million by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). LifeSpring Health Systems located in Jeffersonville, Indiana, is one of 56 organizations to receive the SAMHSA Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic award.

OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony

Medical Center earned national recognition for its efforts to increase organ, eye, and tissue donor registrations across the state through the Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL) Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. OSF Saint Anthony conducted awareness and registry activities between October 2021 and April 2022, registering five new donors. They were also recognized for continuing to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while navigating the challenges it presents within their hospital and community.

V2 Marketing & Management rolled out a new website and updated corporate branding (www.V2-MM). The new site features a modern look with easy access to information about the company’s services. It showcases the agency’s updated business model expanding association management services, along with traditional marketing and communications services.

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. 350 Rockford, IL 61101

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication

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

ABSOLUTE GRINDING & MANUFACTURING, INC.

Specialists in centerless precision & production grinding.

2400 11th St., 61104

Michael P. Dixon - (815) 964-1999 www.absolute-grinding.com

COMPARION INSURANCE AGENCY, A LIBERTY MUTUAL COMPANYASHLEY SPIELMANN

Insurance

2815 Forbs Ave., Ste. 100

Hoffman Estates IL 60192

Ashley Spielmann - (815) 2389779

ELEVATED HEALTH ESSENTIALS

A multifaceted approach to optimum health.

7210 E. State St., Ste. 2, 61108

Elizabeth Sahli - (815) 200-3612 www.elevatedhealth essentials.com

EVENTS ENKAPSULATED

An expansive event management company that specializes in event rental & design.

1643 N. Alpine Rd., Ste. 104, 61107

Tara Dickson - (815) 200-9664 www.eventsek.com

FITZGERALD EQUIPMENT CO., INC.

Materials handling products & services.

4650 Boeing Dr., 61109

Eric Fitzgerald - (815) 397-7050 www.fitzgeraldequipment.com

GREENLINK ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.

A local, family and veteran-owned energy efficiency, solar, and insulation contractor.

3020 Forest View Rd., 61109

Austin Carr - (779) 774-3378 www.usgreenlink.com

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS (LSSI)

LSSI-Rockford is a not-for-profit social services agency serving people of all faiths and all walks of life, including children, families, and adults.

308 W. State St., Ste. 250, 61104

Lisa Seymour - (815) 969-8836 www.lssi.org/

REEL NUTRITION

We serve healthy meal replacement shakes, energy teas, protein cookie dough, protein iced coffees and more.

109 N. Show Place Dr., Ste. 109, 61107

Angela Adams - (815) 580-8146 www.reelnutritionrockford.com/

WOOD CPA’S LTD

Accounting and tax services.

303 Amphitheater Dr., 61107 Jennifer Wood, CPA - (815) 978-3922 www.woodcpasltd.com

OCTOBER MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

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

50-YEAR MEMBER

Bergstrom, Inc.

30-YEAR MEMBERS

Entré Computer

LeLand L. Freburg,

25-YEAR MEMBERS

Creative Crane & Rigging Inc.

Physicians

20-YEAR MEMBER

15-YEAR MEMBERS

Comprehensive Community Solutions

Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary

Rockford Cemetery Association, Greenwood Cemetery & Crematory

S. J. Carlson Fire Protection

10-YEAR MEMBERS

BelRock Asphalt Paving Inc. GreenFire Restaurant, Bar & Grill Honquest Family Funeral

Panino’s RestaurantEast State Street

Panino’s RestaurantNorth Main Street Roy Gayle Pony Baseball Softball

5 YEAR MEMBER

Pines Edge Apartments LLC

RENEWALS

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

A-1 Dry Cleaners & Laundry

Alpine Body Shop, Inc.

American Roofing Supply

Ascension Living Saint Anne Place

Baymont by Wyndham Rockford

Beefaroo, Inc.

Bluebird Network LLC

Cedar Hill Condominium Association

Cellusuede Products, Inc.

Chartwell Agency

Cherry Valley Fire Protection District

Custom Training Resources

Fiberglass Innovations LLC

Focus Financial Advisors

Gallagher

Gleason Cutting Tools Corporation

Goldie B. Floberg Center

Holiday Inn Express

HUB-REMSEN Print Group

Humana Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC)

Illinois State Credit Union

IP Communications, Inc.

Jersey Mike’s Subs

Kiwanis Club of Rockford Nelson Fire Protection Pepper Creek/Fourth Street Greenhouse

RBG Janitorial

Rockford Board of Election Commissioners

Rockford Carpetland USA, Inc.

Rockford Cemetery Association, Greenwood Cemetery & Crematorium

Rockford Cosmopolitan Club

Rockford EndodonticsAlex C. Moore, DMD, PC

Rockford Generation

Rockford OMS

Rockford Systems, LLC

Security First Title Company

Springfield Electric Supply Company

State Farm Insurance -

Leslie West Agency

StraightLine Moving Inc.

Studio GWA

Tavern on Clark

The Insurance Guy, LLC

The Pension Specialists, Ltd.

The UPS Store

Tovar Snow Professionals

Transform Rockford

United Association of Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Local Union 23 Vixen Productions

WATT Global Media

aMBaSSaDOR

community

OCTOBER 2022

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3

Full Moon Hike at Severson Dells is an evening of nocturnal natural history and a walk of the trails in anticipation of moonrise. For ages 8+, $3 for members, $5 general admission. Severson Dells, 8786 Montague Rd. Rockford, IL 61102.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6

Barbara Olson Center of Hope is hosting HarvestFest 2022 from 5:30-8 p.m. at Prairie Street Brewing Company. Tickets available at https://b-olson centerofhope.org.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 9

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden is hosting its annual free fall community event, Autumn at the Arboretum. Visitors are encouraged to participate in several self-guided activities as well as Saturday’s free presentation on defining and creating a spectacular fall garden. Sunday’s activities include family fun.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

Spoken Word Artists from all over the country will participate in the Gods & Goddesses Poetry Slam II from 5-9 p.m. at the Rockford Public Library’s Nordlof Center,

EVENTS

J. R. Sullivan Theater. Visit rockfordpubliclibrary.org to register.

First National Bank & Trust hosts a free Shred Day with Paper Recovery Services Corp., 9 a.m.noon at 300 E. Main St., Rockton. For more info, visit www.bank atfirstnational.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12

River Bluff Health and Rehabilitation will host a free seminar titled Medicare: Where to Start. The free lunch and learn is 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at River Bluff’s facility, 4401 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Rockford Public Schools hosts the 2022 Academy Expo, 8 a.m.-3:15 p.m., Indoor Sports Center, MercyHealth Sportscore 2, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park. Local professionals will showcase their careers with hands-on activities to help RPS 205 freshmen make an informed decision about their College and Career Academy selection for their sophomore school year. For more info, visit rps205.com/community/volunteer/ academy-expo.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

In-person trick-or-treating is back

at Midway Village Museum’s All Hallows’ Eve from noon to 6 p.m. Enjoy trick-or-treating and other family-friendly activities in the historic village among the beautiful fall colors.

The Rockford IceHogs and the Hard Rock Casino – Rockford, celebrate The IceHogs Opening Act of the 2022-23 season with a block party on Saturday, Oct. 22, 4:30-6:30 p.m. outside the BMO Harris Bank Center. The party, sponsored by Hard Rock CasinoRockford, will feature Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts, local food trucks, drink specials, giveaways and more. The IceHogs will take on the Chicago Wolves inside the BMO at 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25

Alignment Rockford and Rockford Public Library will host a film screening of “No Small Matter” at the Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., at noon. Immediately following, a panel discussion, moderated by Rev. Matthew Johnson, will feature one of the filmmakers, RPS 205 Executive Director of Early Childhood Kim Nelson and Illinois State Deputy Director of Ready Nation Katherine Buchanan. For more info, visit www. alignmentrockford.org/events

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

The Alignment Rockford Ready to Learn team will present the 2022 Early Development Instrument data and discuss why it’s important to community planning and improvement— Rockford University Regents Hall, 5050 E. State Street, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. A luncheon roundtable discussion will follow the keynote. Registration at www.alignmentrockford.org/ events.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

Midway Village Museum’s Evening of Illumination, 7-9 p.m., explores the darker side of Victorian life. Visitors will discover the shadowy mysteries of the lantern-lit village, meet some of the more macabre characters of the late 1800s and learn about odd traditions and practices of that time period.

NOVEMBER 2022

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Emmy award-winning ultimate Beatles tribute, The Fab Four, performs 8 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com, the box office or 815-968-5222.

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

CHaMBER

OCTOBER 2022

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11

Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Rebecca Francis of Ignite Change Solutions, presents “Inspiring Allies. The Secret Sauce to Gender Equality.” Sponsored by Associated Bank.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

Government Affairs Council Meeting, 7:30-9 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Sponsored by AT&T.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Community Priority Series: Mayor’s Business Address, 10 a.m., Facebook Livestream. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara will highlight successes from the past year, look at areas of continued growth and discuss what the business community can expect from the City of Rockford and its mayor in 2023 and beyond. Sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, Comcast Business and Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute.

IGNITE After 5-Hidden Creek Estates, 13276 White School Road, Roscoe. Stop in anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

NOVEMBER 2022

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Pow(H)er Conference, 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Hoffman House & Holiday Inn, 7550 E. State St., Rockford. A conference for all who support, believe in and champion the advancement of women. Choose workshops from four tracks: Balance, Advancement, Legacy and Ally. Sponsored by OSF Healthcare, Northwest Bank of Rockford, Thayer Lighting, Inc., and Edward Jones-Erna Colborn, AAMS®, CRPS®, Financial Advisor.

The Alliance 11

Blackhawk Bank 7

Boylan Catholic High School 4

Ege WorkSmart Solutions 9

Illinois Bank & Trust 2

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 15

LaLaoggia Investment Group 13

Larson & Darby Group 9

VOICE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m., at Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Sponsored by Associated Bank.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Community Priority Series: Mayor’s Business Address, 10 a.m., Facebook Livestream Features Superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett in his ninth year leading the Rockford Public Schools. Sponsored by Comcast Business and Van Matre.

IGNITE After 5-GreenFire Restaurant, Bar & Bakery, 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford. Stop in anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

The Rockford Chamber is always on the look out for educational speakers for our events. Want to share all you know about a particular topic? Reach out to discuss potential speaking opportunities at an upcoming event.

Be the Voice of expertise

Send your idea to ckellerman@ rockfordchamber.com.

the

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100

Mercyhealth 3

Northern Public Radio 20

OSF HealthCare 5

Rockford Chamber of Commerce 9, 10, 17, 18, 22-24

Stillman Bank 4

Thayer Energy Solutions 7

Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute 10

Direct Line

Caitlin Pusateri, President 815-316-4337

Melissa Adams, Executive Assistant 815-316-4312

Jeff Bailey, Membership Development Executive 815-316-4336

Susan Contrady, Account Executive 815-316-4317

Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology 815-316-4338

Carmen Kellerman, Events Manager 815-316-4302

Kristin Muehlfelder, Member Relations 815-316-4315

Doug Rand, Accounting Manager/Controller 815-316-4316

Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator 815-316-4320

Andrew Wright, Director of Strategic Initiatives 815-987-8100

Edward Caceres, Director, Small Business Development Center 815-987-8100

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chair of the Board

Dan Ross Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Vice Chair

Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Vice Chair Don Daniels Treasurer John Schuster JFS Services

DIRECTORS

LaVonne Brown Savant Wealth Management

Samuel J. Castree Staff Management, Inc.

Lesly Couper workplace

Doug Curry Stenstrom Construction Group

Rebecca Epperson Chartwell Agency

Carol Friesen

OSF HealthCare

Saint Anthony Medical Center

Eric Fulcomer, Ph.D. Rockford University

Ira Grimmett Collins Aerospace Tim Honquest

Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

Michael F. Iasparro

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Carly LaMonica LaMonica Beverages, Inc.

Kris L. Kieper Machajewski YWCA Northwestern Illinois

Denise Sasse RSM US LLP

Peter Schmeling Schmeling Construction Co.

Brent Scott Rockford Community Bank, A Wintrust Community Bank

Teresa Sharp American Precision Supply, Inc.

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

Karl Swanson Illinois Bank & Trust

Christina Valdez CMM & Associates

Dustin Vock Meiborg, Inc.

Robert Young Midwest Packaging and Container

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS

Caitlin Pusateri

President

Rockford Chamber of Commerce

John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Therese Thill Rockford Area Economic Development Council