November Voice 2018

LEGACY OF D&S MARINE

MFG DAY EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

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PICS PG 2-3

TAXING INDEX 2019 PAGE 10

ARTICLE PG 19 THE VOICE IS ONLINE AT ROCKFORDCHAMBER.COM

FUNDING FOR NEW MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAIL

of the Rockford Business Community

NOVEMber 2018 | Volume 31 | No. 11

College of Medicine Rockford:

Those in the audience were asked to answer some questions about mystery research topics and were often surprised to learn about the cutting-edge research being conducted right here in Rockford on those topics.

For example, the dean asked them to identify a rash, which turned out to be shingles, which is characterized by painful lesions caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. How does that tie into what’s happing at the College of Medicine in Rockford? The new vaccine for shingles called Shingrix, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for all adults over age 50, was developed by Dr. Abbas Vafai while he was working at the College of Medicine Rockford and UIC is part of its patent.

Another area of research where College of Medicine Rockford scientists are making great strides is in the development of a vaccine for the second leading cause of physical disability in the world: lymphatic filariasis. More than 120 million people are affected and 1.4 billion people across the globe are at risk for this disfiguring mosquito-transmitted disease that is also referred to as elephantiasis because those who have it

PHOTOS BY BRIAN THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Alex Stagnaro-Green, dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, challenged attendees at the Heartbeat of Health Care talk on October 18 to try their hand at medical school as part of a demonstration of how the college impacts the world.

While many in the audience didn’t become proficient in medicine in their hour-long mini-medical school, they were educated on the impact the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford is making not just locally, but around the world through its research mission.

The Heartbeat of Healthcare

Dr. Alex Stagnaro-Green enlightened the audience as to the impact the College of Medicine Rockford has on disease research. develop elephant-like swollen limbs. Dr. Ramaswamy Kalyanasundaram and his team in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the College of Medicine Rockford have developed LFgaurdTM, a vaccine for prevention of lymphatic filariasis in adults and children that is awaiting FDA approval that could prevent millions of people from getting this parasitic infection.

The dean presented information on his own area of research, which is thyroid disease in pregnancy. Dr. Stagnaro-Green is an internationally recognized expert in the field of thyroid disease in pregnancy.

Continued on page 3

Rockford Park District received a $104,000 Illinois’ RTP program grant to develop a 1.2-mile year-round “gateway” beginner level mountain biking trail at Alpine Hills Adventure Park. The grant program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The Illinois Greenways and Trails Council recommends projects for funding.

SIX FLAGS TO OPERATE MAGIC WATERS WATERPARK Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced plans to operate Magic Waters Waterpark, with the approval of a lease agreement by the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners, starting next spring. Six Flags Gold Season Passes and Memberships would include admission to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Magic Waters and any other Six Flags theme park, as well as free parking and special admission offers.

At a later date, the park district board and other taxing authorities will be asked to vote on a property tax abatement to make this opportunity official.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

MAYOR’S

Business Address LUNCHEON

NOV. 15 • giovanni’s For more info, see page 27 SPONSORED BY

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

Questions? 815-987-8100

Join the Chamber’s LinkedIn Group

Rockford named one of the ‘15 Best Places to Move to in the U.S.’ Rockford was the only Illinois city to be named one of the “15 best places to move in the U.S.,” according to Reader’s Digest magazine. The article highlighted small cities and big towns flying under the radar; calling them “perfect destinations to set-up house and put down roots.”

Other prominent cities included Salt Lake City, Utah; Reno, Nev.; Kansas City, Kan., and Burlington, Vt. The article said visiting Rockford was an “off-the-beaten-path experience” with small-town charm; unsuspecting,

HONORING OUR VETERANS

cultural, culinary and outdoor spaces; dozens of museums; cable-run wake park; one of North America’s top Japanese gardens, and more than 10,000 acres of natural land for outdoor enthusiasts. theVoice

Illinois residents are invited to submit a tribute and photo of their loved ones who served our country in the Armed Forces, to be displayed on our Veterans Day “Wall of Honor” in the Illinois Capitol, Nov. 5 to 16. Photos and written stories (max: 250 words) should include: name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan, Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, Peacetime, other). Military photos are preferred but not necessary.

Email submissions to veteransday@sgop.ilga.gov by Nov. 5 or mail to Veterans Day Wall, 309 G Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706.

For questions call 217-782-1650.

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October 11th was the Rockford Regional Manufacturing Day. More than 400 students from 12 area high schools toured one of 14 participating manufacturing facilities and then convened at Giovanni’s for a program and manufacturing expo.

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

theVoice

november 2018

Healthcare Heartbeat (continued from front page)

He discussed how women with thyroid antibodies, which includes 10 to 20 percent of all pregnant women, have twice the risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss. Ongoing trials worldwide are exploring therapies to decrease the miscarriage rate in women with thyroid antibodies.

Other research in the college’s Regenerative Medicine and Disability Laboratory under the direction of Dr. Xue-Jun Li is giving hope to infants and toddlers with spinal muscular atrophy, a leading genetic cause of death in that age group. Through the use of innovative stem cell technology,

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potential treatments and a cure for this and other diseases are possible.

While some actual medical students in attendance may have helped tutor some of their tablemates as they answered questions, attendees had a sense of the important research work the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford is conducting that is giving hope for a healthier future for people around the world.

Sponsors BMO

for

Harris

the Bank

event

were

(Presenting);

SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health, Humana, Rosecrance (Gold); Quartz,

Van

Matre

HealthSouth

Rehabilitation Hospital (Silver); and, Wipfli LLP (Bronze).

theVoice

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

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

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

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

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

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theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

PROFILE Member Profile

D&S Marine, Inc. Carrying on a legacy

By Paul Anthony Arco Winter used to be the time boat owners put their prized possessions away for the year and not give them another thought until the following summer.

Not anymore.

After a long summer of boating fun, now’s the time to get those boats in for restoration and repairs. That also makes it a busy time for D&S Marine, Inc., a familyowned business located in Roscoe.

The company handles aluminum, fiberglass and wood boat repair and restoration, as well as RV repairs. “We are basically a body shop for boats,” said Bob Shuga Jr, who co-owns the business with his brother, Jeff Shuga. “We do everything from minor cosmetics to major structural repairs, including interior work such as

carpeting and upholstery, electronics and audio installation, wiring and exterior gel or paint refinishing; just about everything other than severe motor repair.”

D&S Marine was formed in 1970 by original partners, Bob Shuga Sr. and friend, Pat Dodge. The name D&S came from the first initial of the partners’ last names. They began working out of Bob’s garage, and the business set sail from there. “Our dad was a machinist who did this part time,” said Bob Jr. “He had always been around boats, but this was a new venture.” The partnership dissolved in the mid-1970s and Bob Sr. decided to go fulltime in 1978 in a facility provided

by Anderson Marine. In 1988 the current building was constructed.

Bob Jr. joined his father’s business in 1979. He was working at Rockford Can

The D&S Marine crew are all in the family with co-owners and brothers Bob Jr., and Jeff; brother Joe; Bob Jr.’s sons Shane and Shelby, and Jeff’s son Jordan.

Products when he decided to join the company. “It was just a job at that point,” he said. Jeff was working in the engineering department at Camcar when he got the call in 1985. “They needed help so I made the jump,” he said. “I looked at it as a longterm move from the onset.” The brothers took ownership of the business when Bob Sr. retired in 2001.

D&S Marine is all about family. In addition to Bob Jr., the oldest of five brothers, and Jeff, the youngest, the rest of the crew includes brother Joe; Bob Jr.’s sons Shane and Shelby and Jeff’s son Jordan. Everyone chips in where needed.

“We try to teach our sons the same way our dad taught us,” said Jeff.

Like any family business, disagreements crop up from time to time. “No one is on the same path 100 percent of the time,” said

Bob Jr. Jeff adds: “When conflict arises, we work through them and move on.”

D&S Marine has a regional client base, drawing mostly private boat owners around a 160-mile radius from Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. They also do warranty and insurance work and are currently booked into December.

The Shugas designed and constructed their own boat from scratch called the Legacy, which is used primarily by ski teams in the area, including the Rock Aqua Jays of Janesville and Cypress Gardens, Fl., among others. “It’s bigger and more robust than other boats,” said Jeff. It was a Legacy boat that set a Guinness world record pulling 80 skiers during an event in Janesville.

It’s been 17 years since Bob Sr. retired, but he does stop in for an occasional visit.

His sons are proud of their success, given that many private businesses never make it to a third generation.

“We think about our dad every day,” Bob Jr. said. “It’s his name that’s attached to this business. That makes what we do pretty special.”

D&S MARINE, INC. Owners: Bob Jr. and Jeff Shuga 5350 Edith Lane, Roscoe 815-623-6846 www.dsmarineinc.com

theVoice

november 2018

 Destination

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ILLINOIS, USA

ADDING WEALTH TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY BY GROWING TOURISM

Downtown holiday festivities return

Family fun, from morning to night

Rockford area businesses already are making plans for Nov. 24, a day that promises to deliver a double dose of seasonal joy for the bottom line through Shop Small Saturday and the sixth-annual Stroll on State.

Some downtown Rockford shopkeepers and restaurateurs tell me that the first Saturday after Thanksgiving is their favorite business day of the year, on top of being one of the most fun days for them personally.

Credit card giant American Express launched Small Business Saturday and the Shop Small movement in 2010 to encourage people to patronize local brick-and-mortar businesses.

The movement caught on, and it becomes more relevant every year to Rockford’s downtown, as the number and variety of businesses keeps growing.

Meanwhile, Stroll on State – produced by RACVB and presented by Illinois Bank & Trust – gets better each year, and 2018 is no exception. Last year, residents and visitors came to the city center to shop, play and eat. Beyond the fun and excitement of the holiday activities, the day-long celebration is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year to long-established businesses and new ones alike. Two businesses in the 300 block of East State Street illustrate the point.

At Capri Restaurant, a Grisanzio family business for more than five decades, events such as Stroll on State and City Market have proven to be a bonanza in new customers.

“We’re lucky to have a loyal customer base and these events help us build on that,” says Vita Grisanzio Jr., who manages the business with brother Mike for their parents, owners Janette and Vito. “The old perception was that downtown was so far out of the way for a lot of people, but these events have made it the place to go.”

He welcomes competition from newer restaurants nearby, because, he says, “The more options people have, the more willing they are to come downtown. It’s better for everybody.”

Alicia and Eric Neubauer opened Ground Floor Skateboards a few buildings away less than two years ago, and they’re already feeling the impact of Stroll and other special events.

“Stroll doesn’t necessarily bring in more business right away – it might take three or four visits – but people are out and about, and it gives them a

John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

chance to discover us,” Alicia says.

The store offers skateboards from 30 companies around the world and everything else a person needs to start enjoying the sport. When Alicia talks about the persistence of skateboarders, her description seems applicable to the determination I’ve seen among successful businesses downtown.

She says: “Skateboarding really encourages perseverance and not giving up. You’re going to fall down, and you’re going to get scraped up. You have to get back up on the board again to get that feeling of exhilaration.”

Stroll on State: The Details Nothing defines that thrill for downtown businesses like Stroll on State, as they play host to tens of thousands of holiday revelers and potential customers. The fun starts at 8 a.m., with the Dasher Dash, a holidaythemed 5K through historic parts of downtown Rockford. Registration is required by Nov. 20 at www.runsignup. com.

The festivities continue throughout the day (starting at 2 p.m.) with an afternoon parade at 3 p.m., featuring five large character inflatables – up from three in 2017 – and additional floats and entertainment. Of course, there will be horse and wagon rides, hot chocolate and s’mores stations, ice sculpting, fabulous decorations and the tree-lighting ceremony. Santa and his reindeer will be on hand to hear children’s Christmas wishes.

We’re seeking volunteers to make the event run smoothly. Extra hands are needed for a variety of tasks, from decorating in advance to working on Stroll day to cleaning up after the event.

Your company could get in on the fun by sending a group of volunteers to help make the magic happen. Learn more at: www.strollonstate.com and look for the volunteer tab. See you at Stroll!

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

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theVoice

Guest Perspective insight

Solutions for businesses dealing with the skills gap I am eager and enthusiastic to begin my first term as the new chair of The Workforce Connection Board serving Boone, Stephenson and Winnebago counties. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, passed overwhelmingly

by Congress in 2014, requires each area of the state set up a local board, led by representatives of the business community, to engage with employers and oversee local workforce activities that meet the needs of employers and support economic growth in the region. We are the lead workforce agency in our three counties, and we take this responsibility very seriously.

We currently have a regional workforce plan with goals that have been embedded into our committee structure. Our top three priorities are: Implementation of the Regional Workforce Plan; Employer Engagement; Aligning Career Pathways.

Our communities face both challenges and opportunities when it comes to helping employers attract, prepare and retain a skilled workforce. Our recent annual meeting included a review of the most recent workforce data, showing: ■■ Declining unemployment; ■■ Fewer workers of prime working age; ■■ A large pool of workers with limited education, and ■■ An aging labor force This data should come as no surprise to businesses trying to hire skilled workers.

We offer The Workforce Connection as the solution. We are emphasizing work-based learning to help the many employers in our region who are having a difficult time hiring the skilled workers they need to expand and grow. The available training dollars can be used for on-the-job training and creating apprenticeships for new workers, training to provide new skills to existing workers or customized training for special skills.

Funding is also available to provide work experience opportunities for young adults

and others with limited work histories.

Frank Rotello The Workforce Connection

Help for Local Companies

In the last year, more than 50 employers in Winnebago, Boone and Stephenson counties made use of available funding for job training.

Among them were SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health, which needed to train all of its employees on a new records system; Magna Exteriors, one of the Chrysler suppliers in Belvidere, which used short-term classroom and hands-on training to fill 100 forklift positions; Leading Edge Hydraulics; Imperial Punch, CoreFX, which used available on-the-job training dollars to increase the skill levels of newly hired workers, and Brightside Adult Daycare, which provided much-needed work experience for one of the young students in our Elevate youth program.

The Workforce Connection is a valuable regional asset available to both job seekers and employers to get connected to address both short-term and long-term strategic workforce opportunities. The success of the business services team over the last year is a result of embracing an entrepreneurial culture by listening to employer needs and leveraging team resources to implement innovative solutions to meet the workforce needs of employers in our region.

Information about the services available to employers, our annual report and additional labor market information and other workforce data are available on our website at www. theworkforceconnection.org.

Frank Rotello, CEO of Alpha Controls and Services LLC, Rockford, is chair of The Workforce Connection board.

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

IGNITE BUSINESS NETWORKING GROUP This business networking group is an industry specific group of young professionals (45 and under) looking to grow their business. Each person locks down their industry and is the only person that represents that industry in the group. The group gets together every two weeks for lunch where we network and share news in our industry with the group. Our group consists of 18 members currently and each member has already seen the benefits of working together to grow in business together. Each member is giving and/or receiving on average 3 referrals per month. The annual dues are just $45 and as a group we have decided to use the funds for two scholarships for RPS 205 students to help fuel the potential of up and coming young professionals in our community. For more information or to see about openings in the group, email bng@igniterockford.com or feel free to reach out to Eric at eric.magnuson@usbank.com.

theVoice

november 2018

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A FEW WORDS FROM RPS 205 SUPERINTENDENT

Millions more in state funding to the district

Off to a good start using our resources The state’s new model for funding schools has been a vast improvement over the old way. We’re reversing the pattern of inequities in education funding and placing too much of the burden on local property taxpayers.

I thank our legislators for this huge step, and I thank all the advocates who fought passionately and loudly for the switch to Evidence-Based Funding.

Because of it, Rockford Public Schools will realize $17.5 million in additional funding over the next two years.

The money does two things: It allows us to make and sustain investments in our schools to support students, to raise student achievement and be transparent via our new School Scorecard. It also allows us to continue to hold the line on our tax levy. Even though we lost $563 million in property value from 2011-15, we’ve been able to lower our levy and return $103 million to the taxpayers.

Because of the additional state funding, we’ve also been able to establish our School Scorecard, which all 44 of our schools are living in right now. The scorecard is an accountability tool providing a comprehensive picture of growth and achievement for each school. It gives schools a chance to set targets and realize in real time whether they are meeting them, rather than having to wait for state test scores to be released in the next school year. Schools that are already meeting or exceeding state standards will set goals to challenge their students even more. Schools that are falling short of standards will have a plan to bring their students to gradelevel work and beyond.

The scorecard is our primary way to bring a flashlight focus to our system — to align goals and resources, to clearly define success and priorities, to make sure we’re synching up students with teachers, with teams of teachers, with schools, all the way to the district office.

We’re making sure we’re looking at the same data at the same time in the same way for monitoring progress over time.

The new state money also helped us launch the scorecard, allowing us to hire strategic process auditors to assure the information we’re gathering is accurate and up-to-date.

More with the Money We’ve added seven assistant principals at the elementary level to make sure the right support is offered to students as early as they need it.

Dr. Ehren Jarrett Superintendent RPS 205

Early intervention

is also the goal of our award-winning Early Childhood program. The new state funding allows us to sustain a $2.6 million local investment in four EC centers. These centers are a prototype in the state and have won the Gold Circle of Quality from ExceleRate Illinois.

Our decision to make a long-term investment in early childhood is paying off: The most recent Kindergarten Individual Development Survey showed the district’s Kindergartners outpacing state averages on math and social and emotional benchmarks.

We’ve been able to add instructional coaches in our system to guide teachers in creating their own flashlight focus and setting short-cycle goals that are attainable and meaningful for their students.

The extra state investment has also allowed us to be proactive in addressing one of the greatest challenges facing education: the teacher shortage. In 2017, only 13,535 people took teacher certification tests in Illinois, less than a third the number just four years before.

Our

Education

Pathway

program offers scholarships to RPS 205 students to attend Rockford University at steeply discounted rates and return to a guaranteed teaching job in the district. We’re privileged to invest in our own talent, and we’re privileged to have additional state money to help it happen.

These are innovations that wouldn’t have happened — or programs that would be on the chopping block — if it weren’t for Evidence-Based Funding.

Yet, we’re still only at 61 percent of adequacy, by state standards.

Getting to full funding will be a 10year process, but we’re grateful to have a good start to help our students reach their full potential.

Dr. Ehren Jarrett is superintendent of Rockford Public Schools.

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

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theVoice

From 38 presenters, five were chosen winners of this year’s FastPitch Competition.

NIU EIGERlab’s FastPitch Competition

By Sherry Pritz Enderle, NIU EIGERlab An innovative new tooth brush.

Customized, locally manufactured footwear. Colorful signage to help students and visitors find their way around schools.

These were the top winners in NIU EIGERlab’s 12th annual FastPitch.

Entrepreneurs from around the region gathered at NIU-Rockford on Oct. 3 to showcase their products and share projections before a panel of judges similar to ABC’s “Shark Tank.” From the 38 eager presenters who so passionately shared their pitches, cash prizes totaling $7,500 dollars, along with additional services, were awarded to an outstanding group of five entrepreneurs.

FastPitch has experienced an impressive run with more than 500 presenters sharing their “ideas on a napkin” -- products, services, apps, etc.

Toothbrushes, Shoes, Distillery … and More Rachel Lolling was recruited at a local Facebook event for this year’s event; taking home the $5,000 first prize for her FitsBrush toothbrush. With 20 years of experience in the dental field, she is on a mission to ensure that people are brushing correctly and practicing proper oral hygiene. When she’s not working fulltime in the Rockford Public Schools, she’s in one of the nine local stores that carry her toothbrush; educating people on different products, proper brushing and flossing techniques, disease awareness, and dental treatment and procedures. FitsBrush is currently sold to dental offices, online, in local stores, and can also be used as a fundraiser for schools, clubs and organizations to promote good oral hygiene.

Annie Mohaupt took second place with Mohop, an on-demand, custom footwear designer and maker. Mohop combines cutting-edge digital fabrication with traditional artisanal techniques to make beautiful, comfortable shoes that reflect your style. Good news for the region: The Mohaputs have just purchased a 10,000-sq.ft. building in Rockford to manufacture Mohop products! We welcome these artistic entrepreneurs, along with their distinctive line of products.

AnnDee Nimmer took third place with her product, RoomTagz. RoomTagz visually enhances schools throughout the nation and Canada; helping visitors, parents and first responders easily navigate school hallways. As a former teacher, she understands the importance of signage that is easily changed for employee updates and a welcoming and safe environment.

Entrepreneur Addie Ford took home the Dale Falconer Spirit of Entrepreneurship award for her pitch on the Grant View Distillery. She won a six-month complimentary coworking membership at NIU EIGERlab’s coworking space at NIURockford with her distillery, where she will have access to counseling and other services.

Grant View Distillery is set on 22 acres, complete with a craft-size vineyard and orchard -- the first distillery in the Rockford area since The Prohibition. It includes a tasting room, slated to open in 2019.

Joseph Scheidt, a senior at University of Chicago, was named best student innovator for Avior Analytics. His online tool assists with keeping both patients and physical therapists actively engaged long-term in the physical rehabilitation process. He was injured during his stint in college sports, so he spoke from experience when he shared that many people do not follow through with their therapy, often to their detriment.

FastPitch’s 2017 winner, Dr. Trevor Gibbs of Naperville, gave the event’s keynote address. His product, Anestand, which provides a space for anesthesiologists’ tools in the operating room, was created with the assistance of NIU EIGERlab’s Center for Product Development.

Anestand is set to hit the marketplace this year. He delivered a thought-provoking keynote speech and shared his enthusiasm from being energized by all of the talented, passion-filled FastPitch presenters.

For the complete list of 2018 presenters’ information, visit www/eigerlab.org/ fastpitch.

Sherry Pritz Enderle is marketing & events coordinator/business development at NIU EIGERlab Innovation Network. Contact 815753-2192.

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

10 | in the black: financial Game Plans

november 2018 • theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

Tax Foundation releases its 2019 Index States ranked on their business tax climates The Department of Labor reports that most mass job relocations are from one U.S. state to another.

Calling to mind even in our global economy that states’ stiffest competition often comes from other states, the non-partisan Tax Foundation released the 2019 State Business Tax Climate Index. Illinois ranked 36th among 50 states for overall business tax climate.

Drilling down, it ranked 39th in corporate taxes, 45th in property taxes and 42nd in unemployment insurance taxes.

The Department of Labor reports that most mass job relocations are from one U.S. state to another, rather than to a foreign location. According to the Tax Foundation, while state lawmakers are right to be concerned about how their states rank in the global competition for jobs and capital, they should be concerned with companies moving from Detroit to Dayton, Ohio, rather than Detroit to New Delhi, India.

The foundation cites anecdotes such as California-based Intel, which decided in 2005 to build a multibilliondollar chip-making facility in Arizona due to its favorable corporate income tax system. In 2015, General Electric and Aetna threatened to decamp from Connecticut if the governor signed a budget that would increase corporate tax burdens. General Electric did so.

The temptation often is to lure businesses with lucrative tax incentives and subsidies, rather than broad-based tax reform. The Tax Foundation cites the case of Dell Computers. To lure Dell, North Carolina agreed to $240 million worth of incentives, including state and local tax credits. Dell came, then announced in 2009 it would be closing the plant after four years of operations.

10 BEST STATES IN THE 2019 INDEX 1. Wyoming 2. Alaska 3. South Dakota 4. Florida

state, but several states did without one

tax; and New Hampshire, Montana

or more of the major taxes: corporate

and Oregon had no sales tax.

income tax, individual income tax or

This does not mean, however, that

sales tax. Wyoming, Nevada and South

a state cannot rank in the top 10 while

Dakota had no corporate or individual

still levying all the major taxes. Indiana

income tax (though Nevada imposes

and Utah levied all of the major tax

gross receipts taxes); Alaska had no

types, but did so with low rates on

5. Montana

individual income or state-level sales

broad bases.

6. New Hampshire

tax; Florida had no individual income

Source: taxfoundation.org

7. Oregon 8. Utah 9. Nevada 10. Indiana Among the top 10 states, the Tax Foundation noted the absence of a major tax as a common factor.

Property taxes and unemployment insurance taxes are levied in every

Best Illinois cities for jobs LOVES PARK TOPS LIST FOR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE Now that the Illinois state budget in June 2018 is approved, Illinois workers can feel a little more confident, especially if they work for the state.

The signed plan includes wage increases for state workers.

According to data from WalletHub, despite its difficulties, Illinois shines in some key financial areas. It boasts the fifth-largest state economy by GDP. While the public sector is hurting, the private sector is accelerating. In 2018, 37 Illinois companies made the Fortune 500 list and far more graced the most recent Inc. 5000 ranking.

But not all Illinois local job markets are the same. WalletHub ranked the job-seeker-friendliness of more than 120 Illinois cities based on 16 key indicators of labor-market health, ranging from “employment growth” to “median monthly starting salary” to “unemployment rate.”

Loves Park tied for first along with Pekin, Normal, Charleston, Bloomington and Darien, Ill., for “Lowest Unemployment Rate for Residents with at Least a Bachelor’s Degree.”

Best Illinois Cities Overall for Jobs out of 121 cities: St. Charles Geneva Grayslake Libertyville Schaumburg Vernon Hills Northbrook

South Elgin Roselle Batavia ______________________________ 68. Belvidere 69. Machesney Park 78. Loves Park 99. Rockford (1=Best) Source: wallethub.com

rockfordchamber.com • theVoice • novemBER 2018

in the black: financial Game Plans |

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Guest Perspective insight

Robots versus humans The battle for the future of investing In the Terminator movies, Arnold Schwarzenegger does not play a robot.

He plays a terminator, which is something different.

“I’m a cybernetic organism. Living tissue over a metal endoskeleton” If you are not familiar with the Terminator movies, they take place in a dystopian world where an artificial intelligence called Skynet has decided to eliminate humans from the planet. The stubborn humans were finding ways to detect and defend against the machines that Skynet threw at them, so it created the terminators in order to blend in and get around those defenses.

In the first movie, the Arnold terminator is the bad guy. He is sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor before she can give birth to the eventual savior of the human resistance, John Connor. The second and third movies, however, Arnold becomes the good guy. He is a terminator who has been reprogrammed to fight for the humans.

How Does the Terminator Relate to Investing?

In 2013 the “robo-advisor” model was offered as an automated investment solution. Since it was not spending money on expensive things, like people, it claimed to offer a top-notch investment solution for much cheaper than traditional advisors. All you do is log on, answer a questionnaire, and your money gets automatically invested into a diversified portfolio of assets. As a cheap and easy solution, it initially attracted large amounts of assets.

Some human advisors began to worry that machines were coming to take their jobs! Investment conferences hosted sessions with ominous titles like “the threat of robo-advisors” and “the death of the traditional advisory business.”

Who Will Win the War for Investor Dollars?

Similar to the Terminator movies, both sides have adapted and will continue

to do so.

The robo-advisors have hired -- get this -- humans to help advise some of their clients. It turns out that a very large number of people would like a human perspective on how they should allocate their resources. So now you can call an 800-number to speak with a qualified human about investment decisions.

The human advisors have invested in -- ready for this one? ... you guessed it -- technology, to help make their services more streamlined and efficient. Some of the basic analysis that was done by humans is now being done by software systems.

So Which Solution is the Best?

“Come with me if you want to live” The Terminator movies and the financial advisory business agree: the answer is both. And, we see the same phenomenon across many different disciplines.

Garry Kasperov is a chess GrandMaster, and the former World Chess Champion. He is most famous for losing to Deep Blue, IBM’s chess supercomputer. He has since done extensive work in the field of artificial intelligence. In a 2010 article for the New York Review of Books he discussed a “freestyle” chess tournament where any computer, human or team can enter.

What happened there is enlightening.

“The teams of human plus machine dominated even the strongest computers.

The chess machine Hydra, which is a chess-specific supercomputer like Deep Blue, was no match for a strong human player using a relatively weak laptop.

Human strategic guidance combined with the tactical acuity of a computer was overwhelming.”

Just as the robo-advisors are recruiting humans to help provide the emotional intelligence that is so important in an advisory relationship, traditional advisors are investing in technology to perform data analysis. It is the combination of man and machine that gets the optimal results.

What Does the Future Hold?

to

“I’ll be back” The future of investing will see continued merging of man and machine, however, the human driven firms will win the day. That is because for all the advances in technology, financial services is still very much a relationship business.

The interfacing of a computer screen may be cheap and efficient, but when you have a serious nuanced question about your situation, the computer screen does not care. The advisors they have hired to answer your phone call may care, but they lack the context that an ongoing relationship provides. A trusted human advisor who knows you and your situation will be in the best position

address

your

needs.

They will just increasingly be

supported

Keith J. Akre Stillman Bank

by technology behind them.

Successful advisors of the future will look a lot like the terminator -- human on the outside with machine learning programs underneath. The ultimate winners in this world are the consumers.

Keith J. Akre, CFA, is trust officer at Stillman Bank.

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

SAVE THE DATE ANNUAL DINNER PRESENTED BY

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24

5:00-8:00PM • GIOVANNI’S

Hear from Curt Steinhorst on “Thriving in the Age of Distraction.”

Register online at www.rockfordchamber.com today!

12 | in the black: financial Game Plans

november 2018 • theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Changes to deductions for business expenses IRS has issued guidance on business expense deductions for meals and entertainment based on the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The act eliminated the deduction for any expenses related to activities generally considered entertainment, amusement or recreation.

Taxpayers may continue to deduct 50 percent of the cost of business meals if the taxpayer (or an employee of the taxpayer) is present, and the food or beverages are not considered lavish or extravagant. Meals may be provided to a current or potential business customer, client, consultant or similar business contact. Food and beverages provided during entertainment events will not be considered entertainment if purchased separately from the event.

Prior to 2018, a business could deduct up to 50 percent of entertainment expenses directly related to the active conduct of a trade or business or, if incurred immediately before or after a bona fide business discussion, associated with the active conduct of a trade or business.

Deductions for Qualified Business Income The Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations for a new provision allowing many owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, trusts and S corporations to deduct 20 percent of their qualified business income The new deduction -- referred to as the Section 199A deduction or the deduction for qualified business income -- was created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Eligible taxpayers can claim it for the first time on the 2018 federal income tax return they file next year.

The deduction generally is available to eligible taxpayers whose 2018 taxable incomes fall below $315,000 for joint returns; $157,500 for other taxpayers. It’s generally equal to the lesser of 20 percent of their qualified business income plus 20 percent of their qualified real estate investment trust dividends and qualified publicly traded partnership income or 20 percent of taxable income minus net capital gains.

Deductions for taxpayers above the $157,500/$315,000 taxable income thresholds may be limited.

Qualified business income includes domestic income from a trade or business.

Employee wages, capital gain, interest and dividend income are excluded.

Changes to Fringe Benefit Deductions ■■ Transportation fringe benefits. The new law disallows deductions for expenses associated with qualified transportation

fringe benefits or expenses incurred providing transportation for commuting (except as necessary for employee safety).

■■ Bicycle commuting reimbursements.

Under the new tax law, employers can deduct qualified bicycle commuting reimbursements as a business expense for 2018 through 2025. The new tax law suspends the exclusion of qualified bicycle commuting reimbursements from an employee’s income for 2018 through 2025. Employers must now include these reimbursements in the employee’s wages.

■■ Moving expenses.

Employers must now include moving expense reimbursements in employees’ wages.

The new tax law suspends the former exclusion for qualified moving expense reimbursements. One exception: Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces can still exclude moving expenses from their income. Notice 2018-75 provides guidance on 2018 reimbursements for employees’ 2017 moves. Generally, reimbursements in this situation are not taxed.

■■ Achievement awards.

Special rules allow an employee to exclude achievement awards from wages if the awards are tangible personal property.

An employer also may deduct awards that are tangible personal property, subject to certain deduction limits.

The new law clarifies the definition of tangible personal property.

See the Employer Update on IRS.gov for more details.

Business Taxpayers Should ReEstimate Estimated Tax Payments The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed the way tax is calculated for most taxpayers, including those with substantial income not subject to withholding, such as small business owners and self-employed individuals.

Among other reforms, the new law changed the tax rates and brackets, revised business expense deductions, increased the standard deduction, removed personal exemptions, increased the child tax credit and limited or discontinued certain deductions. As a result, many taxpayers may need to raise or lower the amount of tax they pay each quarter through the estimated tax system.

Because of the far-reaching tax changes taking effect this year, the IRS urges all employees, including those with other sources of income, to perform a Paycheck Checkup now. Doing so now will help avoid an unexpected year-end tax bill and possibly a penalty.

Use the Withholding Calculator at IRS.gov.

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

NOVEMber 2018

|

13

Leadership in the Age of Distraction Caitlin Pusateri

When my alarm goes off in the morning, my first reach is for my contact case. I sit up, throw my pair of contacts in, probably yawn – maybe stretch, and grab my phone. If I’m being honest, I’ll also let you know that my bedtime routine is pretty much the opposite – set alarm, check phone, take out contacts. This bookending of my day by my phone, and probably more specifically, social media, is an unhealthy and ridiculous habit. But it’s one that isn’t unique to me. Across the nation, Americans are obsessed with their smart phones.

When I first Googled to find out just how often we were grabbing our phones, a Time.com article mentioned 46 times per day. While the number was high, I wasn’t exactly surprised. What was more shocking was realizing that the data was old … it was from December 15, 2015. Coming up on three years, I knew the data had to be out of date and

sadly, I was right. According to a more recent New York Post article (November 8, 2017), the amount of times we reach for our phone has jumped to 80 times per day or roughly once every 12 minutes or so.

There are plenty of factors that drive our need to be connected. Our phones are actually programmed to keep us addicted. Marketing pros, tech giants and app creators have figured out the best way to reach our brains in ways that are almost impossible to say no to, especially once we’re hooked. We’re constantly distracted and overrun by small devices designed to fit in the palm of our hand.

But, the reality is, smartphones aren’t our only problem. Our lives are full of distraction. The truth is smartphones are just easy to blame. We’ve spent years creating this environment we now surround ourselves in. There are countless factors that led us to where

Rockford Chamber’s Board Nominations The Chamber’s nominating committee, headed by board member Patti Thayer presented a slate of nominees for the Chamber Board of Directors at its October 23 meeting. In announcing the slate of candidates, Chamber President Einar Forsman noted that there were many qualified candidates for each position on the board. “We’re confident those members nominated will represent the Rockford area business community with distinction.”

New Board members recommended to be nominated for a three-year term to begin January 1, 2019 are: ■■ Denise Sasse, RSM US LLP ■■ Dr. Alex Stagnaro-Green, University of Illinois College of Medicine ■■ Teri Sharp, American Precision Supply, Inc. For an additional three-year terms, the following individuals are recommended for reappointment under our bylaws: ■■ Jean Crosby, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate ■■ Don Daniels, SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health

■■ Kris L. Kieper Machajewski, YWCA Northwestern Illinois ■■ Jeff Hultman, Illinois Bank & Trust ■■ Amy Ott, Boylan Catholic High School ■■ Michele Petrie, Wintrust Commercial Banking & Mortgage To be elected as an officer for the coming 2-year term, to begin January 1, 2019 and expire December 31, 2020: ■■ Vice Chair: Jean Crosby, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate ■■ Treasurer: Amy Ott, Boylan Catholic High School Joe Castrogiovanni, Giovanni’s Inc.; Patti Thayer, Thayer Lighting, Inc. will complete nine years of service on the board on December 31, 2018, the maximum permitted under the current Chamber bylaws.

The Board will vote on the nominating committee’s recommendations at its November 27, 2018 meeting. For more information about the board nomination process, contact Einar Forsman at 815.316.4304.

we are today, but we can’t go back and change them. We are where we are — for good or for ill. And it truly is a mix of both — good and ill.

But we still have an obligation to be leaders, no matter how distracting the world gets. We still work in teams of people with real emotions, fears, dreams and hearts. We still have to wade through the messiness that is the human experience. We just now have added layers to muddle through.

Leadership has never been easy. It has always been a challenging game that requires a high level of self-awareness and a humble spirit. It forces us to make hard decisions, admit when we are wrong, and learn from our successes

Rockford Chamber and our failures. No one ever masters leadership – we just get a clearer idea of how to best connect with people that graciously follow us.

As we forge ahead into what I can only imagine will become more of what we are currently experiencing, we must remember that the best leadership skills are usually found in the basics. Listen to people, Connect authentically. Lean in to the hard conversations. Perhaps we can put our phones down a bit more often and look into the eyes of someone we are lucky enough to lead. Leadership in the age of distraction may be our biggest leadership challenge yet.

14

| legal counsel

novemBER 2018 • theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

Guest Perspective insight

Protect employees from third-party harassment Most employers understand that harassment by a supervisor or co-worker in the workplace is unlawful. However, a lesser-known situation arises when your employee is harassed by a third party who is not your staff member, such as an onsite vendor or customer. The law is clear that employers have a legal duty to protect their employees from harassment, even if the harasser is employed by someone else.

Following are two examples of recent federal court cases that help illustrate the unlawfulness of third-party harassment.

In Nischan v. Stratosphere, Michele Nischan was employed by Stratosphere, which provided quality control services to car makers, including Chrysler. Nischan’s work required her to frequently work at Chrysler’s facilities, where she had to interact with a Chrysler employee. Nischan claimed that the employee relentlessly harassed and propositioned her. Nischan never complained about the harassment to Stratosphere’s human resources department, nor to her supervisor.

Nischan sued Stratosphere for failing to protect her from the harassment.

Despite Nischan’s failure to report the harassment, there was evidence that at least two Stratosphere supervisors were aware of it. The court therefore held that Stratosphere had constructive notice of

the harassment, which meant it had a legal obligation to investigate and take remedial measures to protect its employee.

In EEOC v. Cromer Food Services, Homer Howard was employed by the Cromer Food Services to deliver food to various businesses. One of his assignments was to refill a hospital’s vending machines. At the hospital, several hospital employees frequently teased him and accused him of being a homosexual. Howard repeatedly asked these individuals to stop making the comments, but to no avail.

Howard reported the behavior to several direct supervisors and requested that his route be changed. His employer initially refused to change his route, but after several months of continued complaints, Howard was offered a route that was undesirable and inconvenient for him.

The court held that Howard’s employer was liable for the hospital employees’ harassment of Howard because it knew about the continued harassment and the remedial measures offered were inadequate. The employer made no effort to address the hospital employees’ conduct or otherwise attempt to correct the problem. Cromer Food Services’ actions in assigning him a less desirable route was also unlawful, as it amounted to retaliation

against Howard for complaining about the harassment.

Take Proactive Measures To prevent legal actions arising from third-party harassment, it’s important to: Educate: If one of your customers often flirts inappropriately with your employee when he/she visits your business, educate your employees so they are aware that this is third-party harassment, unlawful and must be reported.

Establish Policies: Third-party harassment should be included in your employee handbooks, and employees should be trained to understand the policy.

Communicate: If your employees work offsite, ensure they know to report harassment that occurs offsite, and to whom they should report.

Investigate: Any allegations of harassment by your employees must be investigated.

What if the Harassment Took Place?

■■ Demand that the harasser’s employer terminate or discipline the harasser – although you cannot force them to do so.

■■ Bar the harasser from your premises.

■■ You may end up with no other alternative than to sever the business

relationship with your customer, regardless of the monetary impact of that decision.

Troy Haggestad WilliamsMcCarthy LLP

■■ The remedial action should focus on the harasser and his employer, not on the victim of the harassment.

■■ Communicate with your employee what remedial action you took to stop the harassment, then remind your employee of your anti-harassment policy to ensure that if there is another incident your employee will report it to you.

Learn from these two recent cases, educate your team members, put policies in place and maintain an open line of communication, and you will better protect your employees from third-party harassment.

Troy Haggestad is a partner at WilliamsMcCarthy LLP with extensive experience representing business clients in employment/labor law matters and commercial litigation.

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

16

| legal counsel

legislative

novemBER 2018 • theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

Healthcare Legislation

Illinois Laws that took effect in 2018 The Illinois legislature passed these laws effective Jan. 1, 2018. Visit www.ilga.gov DOC Video Visitation HB 2989/PA 100-0142 States the Department of Corrections may not restrict or limit in-person visits due to the availability of interactive video conferences.

12-Month Semi-Truck Safety Test HB 3172/PA 100-0160 Provides that semi-trucks be subject to a safety test at an official testing station at least every 12 months (rather than six months as provided by current law).

Feminine Hygiene Product Availability HB 3215/PA 100-0163 Requires a school district to make feminine hygiene products available, at no cost to students, in the bathrooms of school buildings. This requirement also applies to charter schools and Chicago Public Schools.

Entrepreneurial Skills HB 3368/PA 100-0174 Provides that the Illinois State Board of Education must post resources regarding teaching entrepreneurial skills in secondary schools. States that the ISBE shall gather input from universities and business groups when developing the list of resources.

Foster Children’s Rights HB 3542/PA 100-0189 Adds to a list of rights provided to every child in foster care that children shall have the right to be placed in the least restrictive and most family-like setting available and in close proximity to his or her parents’ home, consistent with his or her health, safety, best interests and special needs.

Food Handling Regulations and Enforcement HB 3684/PA 100-0194 Provides any individual who has completed a minimum of eight hours of Department of Public Healthapproved training shall be considered a certified food sanitation manager or certified food sanitation manger instructor.

Removes provisions allowing DPH to charge a $35 fee for a certificate.

Removes provisions regarding recertification, reciprocity and revocation of a certification.

Educational Credit for Military Act HB 3701/PA 100-0195 Creates the Educational Credit for Military Experience Act, which requires public universities and community colleges to establish a policy to award academic credits for corresponding military training.

Vehicle Insurance Requirement HB 3874/PA 100-0202 Reinforces that no person can operate, register or maintain registration of a motor vehicle in Illinois unless the motor vehicle is covered by a liability insurance policy.

Low-Speed Electric Bicycles SB 396/PA 100-0209 Creates a three-tier system that defines low-speed electric bicycles based on motor capabilities.

Removes low-speed electric bicycles from the section defining low-speed gas bicycles. Requires manufacturers and distributors to affix a label including classification, speed and wattage information.

Adds the regulation of low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed gas bicycles to the powers of local authorities.

School Employee Investigation HB 3394/PA 100-0176 Authorizes DCFS to recommend that a school district remove a school employee who is the subject of an investigation.

Child Placement SB 931/PA 100-0229 Clarifies that a shelter placement is meant to be an emergency temporary placement for a minor.

Requires the public agency that is the guardian of the child to file a written report to the court when a shelter placement lasts beyond 30 days, a psychiatric hospital admission lasts beyond medical necessity or a child remains in a detention center because placement cannot be found.

Consumer Statements Protection SB 1898/PA 100-0240 Provides that it is an unlawful

business practice to include in a contract, proposed contract for the sale or lease of consumer goods or services (retail level transactions), any provision requiring the consumer to waive his or her right to make any statement regarding the consumer’s experience with the business. Seeks to protect consumers from unknowingly giving up their freedom to speak freely about their online retail experiences, and prevent them from being intimidated or penalized for doing so.

Abused Child Reporting HB 3615/PA 100-0191 Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and removes a section that permits teachers under investigation to confront their accuser. The current statute is in conflict with current case law, rule and best practices for protecting the interests of the child.

Crisis Intervention Team Training HB 375/PA 100-0247 Requires the Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to create an introductory course to provide all police with an awareness of mental illness issues. This would include history of mental health systems, types of the illness including systems, medications, and the potential interactions law enforcement officers may have with sufferers and their families. Adds mental health awareness and response to minimum in-service training requirements.

Hate Crimes HB 2390/PA 100-0260 Removes the cap on restitution for a hate crime committed in or causing damage to a place of worship. Requires offenders to perform at least 200 hours of public or community service plus enroll in an educational program discouraging hate crimes as a condition of probation or conditional discharge for a hate crime.

Credit for Prior Learning HB 2404/PA 100-0261 Requires each public university and community college shall submit its policies and procedures for students to earn credit for prior learning to the Board of Higher Education for review and approval.

Residential HB 2965/PA 100-0268 States that when a mortgagor is in arrears for more than one month, a mortgagee can’t refuse whole month payments by the mortgagor. These payments will be applied to the unpaid balance. This doesn’t prevent the mortgagee from exercising its rights under the mortgage or to change the obligations of the mortgagor.

Part-Time Government Officials HB 3122/PA 100-0274 Provides that a person who holds part-time elected or appointed office as a member of a governing body is not a participating employee in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund unless they were elected to office before the effective date of the act and chose to become a contributor.

Also, provides that an office as a member of a governing body shall be deemed to be part-time if the performance of their duty takes less than 1,000 hours per year.

Participation in Gang Activity HB 3803/PA 100-0279 Changes the offense of unlawful contact with street gang members to unlawful participation in street gangrelated activity. Requires that a parolee be engaged in a crime or other street gang-related activity before they can be arrested and prosecuted for unlawful contact with street gang members.

Juvenile Expungement Expansion HB 3817/PA 100-0285 Automatically expunges records related to juvenile delinquency findings two years after the case is closed. Excludes homicides, felony sex offenses, certain bodily harm offenses, forcible felonies other than burglary and weapons offenses.

Applies to burglary, misdemeanor sex offenses, felony and misdemeanor drug offenses and misdemeanor domestic battery.

States that juvenile adjudications (convictions) that are not eligible for the expanded automatic expungement can now be expunged sooner by petitioning the court two years (rather than five years) after the case is closed; first-degree murder or sex offenses requiring registration are excluded.

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

november 2018 | 17

R O C K F O R D

C H A M B E R

O F

C O M M E R C E

Small Business Enterprise What does your Small Business Development Center do?

Frequently, we are asked what our mission and general direction are with The Small Business Development Center.

It is an honest and sincere question that needs a little development in response.

The short answer to the question is, we help people who hope to launch a new business through business planning, marketing research, market planning, business entity identification (although accountants and lawyers are the selection professionals), and preparing these folks for their time with bankers and grant funders. We also have the inhouse capability to assist with website development and social media marketing avenues — not maintenance, just the initial development.

All that at no cost — your tax dollars at work.

We also assist existing businesses in expanding and growing through planning and market development. So, in short, we assist entrepreneurs launch and existing business grow.

Additionally, we have expertise throughout Illinois and other parts of the country when situations and/ or circumstances determine industry and markets require knowledge outside ABOUT THE SBDC The Illinois SBDC at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce offers services free of charge to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Rockford area, both chamber members and non-members.

As a partnership between the Rockford Chamber and the Illinois DCEO, it operates out of NIU EIGERlab, NIURockford, 8500 E. State St., and maintains an office at the chamber’s downtown location. For questions, contact Bo Boger, SBDC director, at 815316-4301.

A FEW OTHER AREAS OF MEASUREMENT:

Accomplished Goal

Dollar Amount Debt financing

1.575K

Business Expansions Clients advised

Total Client Hours

Long Term Clients

Average Hours/Client Advised

ordinary cases. We can and will use our network throughout the United States to help a client when that is needed. That includes not only the SBDC, but the SCORE group specific to the industry and organization.

The funding apparatus is a bit complex.

It involves the SBA on the federal level and SBDC in Springfield, then centers across the state and host organizations. Our hosts are the Rockford Chamber of Commerce with the gracious space assistance of NIU, and thank goodness, we would not be here without them.

SBDC by the Numbers Occasionally, individuals will ask: How are you measured? Who says you are doing good work or not so good work?

I love that question because Edward Caceres and I are working diligently to direct our attention toward those launching or growing existing businesses, and we are exceeding our goals. We have 16 metrics provided by the state coordinators and the state director that determine our performance. Of those 16, we are meeting or exceeding 13 metrics. We are over 100 percent metric in 11 of the 16 categories, and the average of those eleven is 160 percent.

Allow me a boasting moment. In the

3

3

118

98

864 56

7.14

1.400K 1,100 (to date) 14

7.0

category of “jobs created,” our goal is 14 for the year. We are at 31 in the early part of October. In the category of “jobs retained,” our goal is 20. We are at 26.

For “business starts,” the goal is eight for the year. We have helped create nine businesses.

It would be almost impossible to achieve these excellent numbers of metric without the assistance of Edward Caceres.

We are a solid and emerging team. He has strengths that I do not have, and the reverse is also true. There is a great compliment of skills and approaches to our clients, right now it is working — but we can improve in many areas.

I am very appreciative that our client base is straightforward, dedicated and hardworking people who actually want our guidance and listen to our suggestions, conversely, we listen closely to their dreams, hopes, business challenges and personal challenges. We get connected to the whole person, we coach and encourage human beings. They attack these daunting tasks with steely perseverance and zeal — many times we are inspired by their resolve to accomplish the goals they have set as life-determining.

Honestly, this overall perspective of the SBDC is long overdue, we apologize for not providing more input and information

about our efforts, challenges and achievements.

I hope you will give us some leeway regarding these faux pas. We appreciate your Bo Boger SBDC support, SBDC our efforts, time and continual challenges describing SBDC mission dedication and achievement devotion in the Rockford area.

In summary, we assist launching or emerging businesses to create their enterprise from origination to full development, and existing businesses to grow and develop new markets for expansion. We have a broad scope of processes to establish those launching or developing directions.

WE stand ready to serve, listen, in-take and develop. We enjoy our work. Yes, it is difficult at times, and we do not always accomplish our goal to assist as quickly as we would like; however, we persist, preserve and step-by-step press forward to meet the goals of our clients.

Once again, we appreciate your patience, community support and faith in our processes. We thank the community of Rockford, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, NIU-EIGERlab and the Rockford Public Library. Currently, the SBDC is developing a partnership with the public library; assisting our potential and current clients with “maker space,” video education and general business acumen developing subject matter.

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

18

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november 2018

theVoicE • rockfordchamber.com

Company finds they were ingenious to locate in Rockford

Speed to market successes through build to suit Look around at the developments happening lately; from medical clinics to advanced manufacturing facilities, our region is booming with construction.

In 2018 alone, our region has expedited more than 1.2M square feet of build-to-suit solutions, resulting in more than $170M in capital investment.

Compare that to the Cushman & Wakefield Q2 Chicago Area Industrial Build-to-Suit & Speculative Construction analysis of the 19 sub-markets of the Chicagoland area during 2018, which added a total of 634,000 square feet of build-to-suit solutions. The Rockford Region is outpacing these markets by more than two times when it comes to building custom solutions.

“There’s no need for a company to settle for a spec-building that will need modification anyway when they could have a custom solution in a few months more, and it will suit their needs perfectly,” said Nathan Bryant, president and CEO of RAEDC.

Sending Passengers to Space

products with expertise that spans commercial and defense markets for space, air, land and sea. Ingenium’s team is comprised of highly experienced professionals with tremendous hands-on experience and a history of developing innovative technology. Many of the team members have more than 30 years of experience and have been involved in the design and certification of hundreds of unique motors, sensors, rotating components as well as linear and rotary motion control components and systems from five watts to 50 horsepower.

Ingenium Aerospace conducts all design, engineering, sub-assembly, final assembly, test and aftermarket support activities in its 20,000-sq.-ft. facility located on five acres in Rockford. The facility is AS9100D compliant and maintains a FAA Repair Station License.

Serving customers in the aerospace field has resulted in Ingenium’s products being included in some very leading edge and exciting projects, including selling products and services to The Spaceship Company (TSC) and Virgin Galactic. Those companies are owned

by Richard Branson, an international icon in the future of space tourism. The company has booked more than 700 high profile passengers deemed “future astronauts” that want to fly into space on TSC’s SpaceShipTwo (SS2) vehicle, and predictions are that passenger flights will begin soon. Ingenium has several flight controls currently in-flight test for this project.

Ingenium Aerospace can lead, partner, collaborate, integrate, private label or even co-develop projects and

Read the complete article at RockfordIL.com/ Ingeniumaerospace.

Ingenium Aerospace LLC was established in early 2006 after listening to the collective voices of the aerospace, military and defense marketplaces.

Darrin Kopala came from the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, where he had worked for MPC Products Corp, also in the aerospace and defense industry.

During his 21 years with MPC, the company had grown from 78 employees and $17 million in sales to 1,200 people and $250 million in sales, before selling its business to then Woodward Governor.

He said at the time he created Ingenium Aerospace, “the company was just a concept, and the company’s beginnings were simply a blank sheet of paper on which we laid out the business plan.”

Darrin later teamed up with Steve Carter, who had retired as CFO several years earlier from Woodward, and together they are the current owners of the company.

Steve is president and CFO. Darrin is vice president and general manager. Darrin says their skills are complementary, and he notes Steve’s motivations include providing good wages and highly skilled jobs in Rockford, where he has lived his entire life.

Ingenium Aerospace now has 25 associates on the team.

Darrin knew the market and capitalized on the desire of customers for an industry partner focused on lowto mid-volume production of highly engineered custom motion control products.

RAEDC’s Annual Meeting discusses collaboration and leadership Don Harkey, keynote speaker for the RAEDC’s Annual Meeting, challenges us to think and act as collaborative leaders. Harkey will walk through the concept of how to shift from a community of cooperation to one of collaboration.

The connection between leadership and collaboration directly applies to our community’s success.

We own our story and no single organization or person can be the voice alone. We must collaborate to shape the future of our region as well as share our story.

BE THE CHANGE – THE VOICE – A LEADER. For information, visit RockfordIL.com/annualmeeting.

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

november 2018

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19

National Manufacturing Day: Strengthening Manufacturing’s Future

National Manufacturing Day brings manufacturers together to strengthen the future of manufacturing by showing future generations the opportunity, creativity, possibility and accomplishment that comes with a career in the industry.

— Meaghan Ziemba, content marketing manager, AME the next generation of manufacturing because they provide hands-on experience with the actual product being produced.

Parents, students, educators, media and policymakers get an up-close, personal view of the amazing work manufacturers do on a daily basis.

They get to experience the company culture, work environment and history of the brand. They get to speak to current employees and ask them questions on what they like most about the industry.

More importantly, they get to witness how ■■ Change the public perception that integral manufacturing is to the local, manufacturing is dirty, dark, dull and national, and global economy. dangerous.

This past October was not just about cooler weather, Halloween and pumpkinflavored everything. It also hosted National Manufacturing Day -- an annual event that occurs the first Friday of October and plays a vital role in powering the next chapter of modern American production and innovation.

The event began in 2011 and involved several thousand plant tours across the United States and Canada. To this day, it allows manufacturers to open their doors to their local communities in a collective effort to achieve the following goals:

■■ Inspire our young people to pursue careers in modern manufacturing and engineering.

Strengthening the Workforce of Tomorrow by Closing the Skills Gap

The personal experiences of today’s ■■ Strengthen the future of manufacturing engineers and manufacturers are what by avoiding the talent shortage on the will truly inspire the industry’s workforce horizon. of tomorrow, so it is crucial that we work together towards the same goal. To close Changing the Public Perception It is no secret that over the next decade, the skills gap, we need to grab the attention 3.5 million manufacturing job openings of younger generations and National will be left unfilled due to the growing skill Manufacturing Day is one way. shortage. The general misconception that Once we gain their attention, we need to manufacturing is dirty, dark, dangerous provide learning and work opportunities that and dull is discouraging younger provide them with the basic skills necessary generations from pursuing careers related for success. Most companies provide “get to the field. paid to learn” opportunities through National Manufacturing Day provides apprenticeships. The apprenticeships companies a chance to change the attitudes combine class learning with hands-on and opinions of the public by offering facility tours. The tours allow parents and experience, so the students are ready to students to see, first-hand, the opportunity, work the shop floor once they graduate.

Companies that participate in creativity, possibility and accomplishment Manufacturing Day are helping to build that comes with a career in the industry.

According to a survey done by Deloitte a steady pipeline of qualified workers the in 2015, 81 percent of students who industry needs to thrive. They are also attended MFG Day events emerged “more helping to re-establish the United States as convinced that manufacturing provides a global leader of manufacturing education careers that are interesting and rewarding.” that will continue to strengthen the future This percentage rose to 84 percent in 2016. of the industry. The fate of manufacturing is contingent on future generations, so it is Inspiring Younger Generations to Pursue Manufacturing Careers up to us to make sure they succeed.

Facility tours are crucial to inspiring Source: https://www.mfgday.com blog This page is sponsored by AME

AME Marketing Director, Nick Goellner, talks with Auburn high school students about his experiences with manufacturing. Photo Credit: Ian Storck

AME Manufacturing Engineer/Programmer, Slavisa Djukic, shows Auburn high school students how he designs workholding tombstones using CAD software. Photo Credit: Ian Storck

AME Chief Improvement Officer, Brad Patterson, shows Auburn high school students a carbide sawing machine during a facility tour. Photo Credit: Ian Stork

Rockford Mayor, Tom McNamara, welcomes students to a Rockford Chamber event for National Manufacturing Day. Photo Credit: Meaghan Ziemba

Hennig, Inc. VP of Global Sales, Noah Goellner, participates in a panel discussion to help attract younger generations to manufacturing. Photo Credit: Meaghan Ziemba

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theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

Results from all of that work in visioning sessions Stay tuned for more on how to get involved Transformation is happening, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. But the road to becoming “Top 25 by 2025” won’t just happen on its own.

“What exactly is Transform Rockford doing?” is the most common question I have received over the last 90 days. From association meetings to coffee conversations, I have heard the excitement and frustration people have with our community and Transform Rockford. It has given me an opportunity to share with people the mission of Transform Rockford, progress to date and the journey ahead.

Transformation Mission and Journey The best way to describe the community’s top 25 vision is like deciding to climb a mountain. Top 25 by 2025 is our region’s summit experience. It’s a journey that requires constant taking in of new information, adjusting course, pausing to reflect, refuel and head to the next stage to get the summit (mountaintop).

Transform Rockford, the organization, works to understand what residents and community stakeholders want for the Rockford Region. Then we collaborate on ways to make their vision a reality.

From the 42 visioning sessions and the work of the 14 spoke teams and staff, we developed the Transformation Plan.

In 2013 when we first all gathered in the Coronado, we outlined a six-step process of transformation

starting with an analysis and case for change. Currently we are in the early execution phase of Step 5: implement projects and measure. Foundational projects have been launched by teams of volunteers who are passionate about their area of transformation.

And I am proud to say that more than 250 volunteers and stakeholders are engaged to this date, working on strategic implementation of projects and programs that align with our plan to move Rockford forward.

As you know, it takes intentionality to make things happen, so we want to say thank you to all volunteers and stakeholders who have generously gave their time and money so that projects like Great Neighborhoods, Family Justice Center and NIU/RVC Engineering Program can advance.

Great Neighborhoods During our visioning sessions, the community shared the idea of providing neighborhoods access to resources and amenities that promote a positive community environment.

That’s when the Great Neighborhoods project formed. The group developed a system to map all neighborhood assets and create plans and standards so that neighborhoods can thrive and ensure access to amenities and resources for all.

A Great Neighborhoods website was created (greatneighborhoods. info), the project team conducted asset mapping with 15 local neighborhood organizations and so far three neighborhood summits have been executed, which brought-in local residents sharing best practices on a variety of neighborhood topics. More summits are in the works and the group has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

Family Justice Center According to the Rockford Police Department, domestic violence accounts for a third of violence crimes in the city.

Because of these stats, the community envisioned building a Family Justice Center, and today that vision is coming to reality. Thanks to the Mayor’s Office of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Prevention, particularly Jennifer Cacciapaglia, they are owning the initiative with a goal of building a Family Justice Center in Rockford -- a single, one-stop-shop facility that will support victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. Stay tuned for more details and ways you can get involved.

NIU/RVC Engineering Program Rockford is a thriving hub for the engineering and technology, aerospace and manufacturing fields. So the community thought: Why not partner with a top-notch university located just 30 miles down the road and provide local students and residents the opportunity to complete their engineering degree closer to home?

That’s exactly what the Northern Illinois University and Rock Valley College engineering program partnership is doing. And because these two institutions believed in partnering for success, Rockford-area companies have put their support behind this innovative program and looks forward to building the workforce and engineering Rockford’s future.

The list truly goes on and on, and that’s thanks to all of YOU! Your visions and ideas to help Transform Rockford are taking shape!

Now, we look forward to moving even more initiatives along. A few that come to the forefront is reconvening

the network David Sidney Transform Rockford around Healthy Lifestyles, diving deeper into our Arts and Recreation spoke, particularly the Culture Plan Strategy, and lastly building a strong Regional Brand committee to continue to show all of us what a great city we live, work and play in.

In addition, I am grateful for the recently formed Strategic Support Team, comprised of local leaders, to help us in the areas of engagement, alignment, project support and scorecard and metrics. Lastly, your feedback has been helpful in shaping how we engage and communicate in 2019. We are actively redesigning our online presence and print media so the plan is clear, concise and easily understood by you. The countless hours over the last six months by the Scorecard & Metrics team will help our community see progress to date in real time.

Transformation is happening, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. But the road to becoming “Top 25 by 2025” won’t just happen on its own. It takes an entire community, and we invite you to join us on this journey up a mountain – whether that’s engaging in a particular project, volunteering on a team, attending a community session or simply sharing positive Rockford news via your social media outlets.

So, stay tuned. More exciting news and ways you can get involved is coming soon!

David Sidney is executive director of Transform Rockford.

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

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

november 2018

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on digital

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

Rockford OMS held a ribbon cutting on Oct. 5 at 449 Roxbury Road.

Christina Rae Salon Spa Ltd., held a ribbon cutting on Oct. 1 at 109 N. Showplace Dr., Ste. 113, Rockford.

Empowering Word Christian Center held a ribbon cutting on Oct. 12 at 4010 E. State St., Rockford.

Getz Fire Equipment held a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Oct. 10 at 2420 Harrison Ave., Rockford.

Siena on Brendenwood held an open house and ribbon cutting on Oct. 17 at 4444 Brendenwood Road, Rockford.

Security First Title Company held a ribbon cutting and open house on Oct. 18 at 3963 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford.

Infinite Soul Vibrations held a ribbon cutting on Oct. 24 at 333 E. State St., Ste. 108, Rockford.

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| november 2018

business

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

Business Briefs

Rockford Systems, LLC, participated in the international National Safety Council Congress & Expo at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston in October, presenting on safety breakthroughs to protect workers operating machinery from serious and life-threating injuries. It offers seminars to complete training requirements before year end: Machine Safeguarding Seminar, OSHA-10 General Industry and OSHA-30 General Industry.

Digital Hive Mind completed more than 230 hours in pro bono marketing services to Remedies Renewing Lives during its 2018 fiscal year. Since the start of Remedies’ $2 million capital campaign in 2015, it has provided more than 600 hours overall. Digital Hive Mind received a 2018 Health & Wellness Design Award from Graphic Design USA for design of an e-postcard and poster to promote Swedish American Hospital’s BetterLife Wellness initiative. theFranaGroup clients in 16 states served more than 673,600 unduplicated patients. Federally Qualified Health Centers now represent the largest primary practice in the United States; serving more than 25.8 million patients, including more than 300,000 U.S. Veterans, in 2017.

Six theFranaGroup clients received $1,625,000 in funding by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, with $285,000 in grants each.

These Federally Qualified Health Center clinics are tasked with increasing access to substance use disorder and mental health services and to fund a Rural Communities Opioid Response Program to address the opioid epidemic in six states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, California, Alaska and Tennessee.

For the fifth year in a row, J.L. Clark employees in Rockford donated school supplies to Kishwaukee Elementary School with the goal to supply enough for an entire year. Many students at the school live in poverty and almost 33 percent of families are refugees.

RU Recovery Ministries hosted a car wash fundraiser at three locations to raise awareness for faith-based recovery and the RU Recovery Program.

Rockford Mutual Insurance Company donated $425 and various items for day-to-day operations to Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, Inc. KMK Media Group designed several items for I Bike Rockford, including a canvas tent and pull up banner for promotion at bicycling events such as Cycle on 2nd. It was hired by New Vision in Rockford for social media marketing, and completed a new brand identity and website for the Rockford Woman’s Club at www. rockfordwomansclub.com.

The Woodward, Inc. board declared a cash dividend of $0.1425 per share for the quarter, payable on Nov. 27, 2018, for stockholders of record as of Nov. 13, 2018.

V2 Marketing completed a website for Goldie B. Floberg Center at goldiebfloberg.org with a mobilefriendly responsive design that adapts to desktops, smartphones and tablets.

Chartwell Agency completed a new website for Baton Rouge Cardiology Center, and a brand update and new website for Gilvydis Vein Clinic, based in Geneva and Sycamore, Ill. OSF HealthCare developed a new careers site at osfcareers.org that makes applying for a job online easier through a smartphone, laptop or desktop computer. There is no log in or profile to set up. Users can upload their resumes online or link directly to their social media accounts and apply in as little as five minutes.

J.L. Clark collaborated with the Rockford IceHogs on a collectable tin for season ticket holders to commemorate the 2018-2019 season.

The fans picked up their tickets and tins and met with IceHogs players for autographs at a pick up party in September at BMO Harris Bank Center.

Rockford Art Museum opened a new art exhibition, Dwellings, with paintings, photography, sculptures and installations by Jacqueline Moses, Juan Fernandez, Joe Cassan, Shana McCaw and Brent Budsberg; on view through Jan. 27, 2019.

The 2018 season of Rockford City Market, managed by Rock River Development Partnership, drew 78 vendors, 41 musical performances and 99,775 visitors over 20 Fridays.

With roughly 90 of 418 units uninhabitable and a 42 percent occupancy rate, Rockford Housing Authority received approval from HUD for the demolition of Brewington Oaks Apartments’ two aging structures near downtown Rockford. Every individual or family will be relocated as part of the HUD disposition policy, Section 18.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois launched the Born, Built, Grown patch honoring the Illinois Bicentennial. It was officially endorsed by the Illinois Bicentennial, Office of the Governor, and created by Girl Scout Troop 570, Bartlett, Ill., after troop co-leader, Andrea Kohl, attended a bicentennial event, where the Governor challenged community groups to show pride in the state through #IllinoisProud.

Rockford Roasting Company celebrated its fourth year of business as the only coffee roaster and brewhouse in downtown Rockford.

Festivities ran through the weekend of Oct. 5 and 6, when State Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) honored it

as a Top 8 Coffee Shop, as named by Food Network’s Alton Brown.

Savant Capital Management merged with Chicago-based D3 Financial Counselors, a $290 million Registered Investment Advisor; increasing its assets to $1.4 billion in the Chicago area and $6.3 billion overall. This is Savant’s fourth Chicagoland merger since 2014, and D3 founder, Donald Duncan, became an owner/employee of Savant.

Goldie B. Floberg Center will participate in the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ Carroll Starr Endowment Challenge, a two-year fundraiser that matches $1 for every $3 contributed towards the endowment. The goal is to raise $150,000 to be matched at the maximum allotment of $50,000 to support the organization’s mission into perpetuity.

RAMP is offering disability awareness trainings for businesses and organizations in Boone, DeKalb, Stephenson and Winnebago counties.

Topics include: RAMP services, ADA laws and regulations, disability etiquette, accessibility guidelines and service dogs.

After 65+ years in the marketplace as Barber-Colman Company, and 15+ years as Alpha Controls & Services, the company announced its expansion into Wisconsin through the purchase of Controls Solutions Inc., of Belleville.

Alpha Controls now has employees in four offices across Illinois and Wisconsin. Corporate offices remains in Rockford.

Rockford Public Library hosts the “Fall in Love With Reading” challenge, October, November and December.

Participants log in 20-minute reading sessions. Reaching 1,000 minutes, participants earn a badge for a free book at any Rockford Public Library location and eligibility for a drawing for prizes such as movie tickets and restaurant gift cards. Register at www. rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Rock House Kids, a safe house for kids ages 6 to 18, launched “Angels of Love,” a new sponsorship program.

Cost to sponsor a child is $43.50 per month or $522 per year for curriculum and a take home bag of food.

Rockford Park District’s Atwood Center at Seth B. Atwood Park, 2685 New Milford School Road, is open every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for free self-guided hikes and a view of feeding time for the resident birds of prey at 1 p.m.

Rockford Public Library unveiled new virtual welding offerings at the Maker Lab in the Hart Interim Library. Visitors can hold a model welding nozzle to a simulated work piece and view their virtual weld on an adjacent screen to gain an understanding of physical

aspects of welding: speed, angle of approach and distance from work piece.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois received a more than $160,000 Corporation for National and Community Service federal grant for Project Opportunity, a GSNI AmeriCorps program for youth development and education program that has benefitted more than 1,000 underserved girls in nine communities across northern Illinois in the first two years. GSNI will provide a substantial program match with private and in-kind funds.

Forest City Diagnostic Imaging met the high quality standards required to offer CT and MRI scans through the QualityPath® program, effective Jan. 1, 2019. QualityPath was developed by The Alliance, a cooperative of 240 employers with self-funded health benefit plans for employees and family members.

Rockford IceHogs, in partnership with BMO Harris Bank, again will feature a dedicated entryway to BMO Harris Bank customers alongside the Main Street entrance to the BMO Harris Bank Center. Show a BMO Harris Bank credit or debit card to gain access.

Center for Sight & Hearing, in partnership with the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation, hosted a free hearing screening event to provide amplified and captioned phones to people with hearing loss. On Oct. 14, 1962, it opened its doors as the Rockford Blind Center and has evolved into a dualspecialty clinic to support people with vision and hearing needs in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Rockford-based creative agency Trekk rebranded Accent Opaque, a premium paper line from International Paper, with new collateral, event traffic drivers, content marketing, lead nurturing campaigns and website.

Illinois Bank & Trust donated $10,000 as a part of its Take a Swipe at Breast Cancer debit card program. A portion of each customer debit transaction went to the Women’s Health Program at Crusader Community Health for diagnostic and treatment options for women who otherwise could not afford them.

Forest City Gear now is using the Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XRF Analyzer to verify metal alloys used in barstock and/or near net shape blanks received from outside suppliers to make sure they meet specifications before gears are produced. It also verifies the plating thickness over metal and confirms that the chemical composition of metal alloys after heat treat meets requirements.

Savant Capital Management was ranked by Barron’s in its list of Top 40 Registered Investment Advisory firms.

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

november 2018

community

Thursday, November 1

Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter presents Caregiver Stress: Relief, Acceptance and Empowerment, noon to 1 p.m., at Winn Prairie, 1545 Forest Road, Freeport. To register call 815-484-1300.

Rockford Park District invites softball players, ages 18 and older, to sign up for men’s and co-rec Indoor Softball Leagues by Nov. 1. Season is 5:30 to 11 p.m., Nov. 7 to Dec. 12 on the enlarged turf fields at the Indoor Sports Center, Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, Loves Park. Register at www. rockfordparkdistrict.org.

Friday, November 2

Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford, presents Day of the Dead in the Hispanic Gallery, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Story telling with local historian Elias Soria. Memorabilia at the altar. Face painting. Refreshments. Call 815-962-7402 or www. ethnicheritagemuseum.org.

Sunday, November 4

Discovery Center Museum presents Smashing Pumpkins, 1 to 4 p.m., at 711 N. Main St., Rockford. Call 815-963-6769 or visit www. discoverycentermuseum.org.

Wednesday, November 7

Northern Illinois University will host Fall Information Sessions for prospective students and parents on NIU Engineering @ RVC, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Woodward Technology Center on RVC campus, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Students can earn an ABETaccredited Northern Illinois University bachelor’s degree at Rock Valley College for less than $40,000. Register

at go.niu.edu/niuatrvcattend or contact akopecky@niu.edu or 815-753-8788.

Saturday, November 10

Mercyhealth Development Foundation presents its premier fundraiser, 2018 Mercyhealth Gala, 5:30 p.m., at the new Mercyhealth Riverside Campus in Rockford. Guests can tour the hospital and clinic to officially open on Jan. 5.

For tickets call 815-971-4141 or visit MercyhealthGala.org.

Sunday, November 11

Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford, presents WWI Story for Veterans Day, 2:15 p.m.

Lynell Cannell will tell of Harry Morris, a Rockford man killed in action in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Honors 100th anniversary of the Armistice of World War I. Call 815-962-7402 or www.ethnicheritagemuseum.org.

Monday, November 12

Discovery Center Museum presents Crazy About Chemistry, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 711 N. Main St., Rockford. Call 815-963-6769 or visit www. discoverycentermuseum.org.

Tuesday, November 13

Mercyhealth Rockford Memorial Auxiliary hosts its third-annual Holiday Market, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Nov. 13 and 14; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Nov. 15 inside Café 2400, Javon Bea Hospital, 2400 Rockton Ave. Proceeds support scholarships, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, medical equipment and patient care items. Call 815-971-6284.

Wednesday, November 14

Center for Sight & Hearing hosts its annual Holiday Luncheon for the deaf and blind clients and support groups at 8038 MacIntosh Lane, Rockford. Visit www.cshni.org.

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

Community Events

NOVEMBER 2018

|

Sunday, November 18

Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford, presents its Holiday Traditions Opening, 2 to 4 p.m. Exhibit runs through December.

Holiday traditions in six galleries and Graham-Ginestra House.

Call 815-962-7402 or www. ethnicheritagemuseum.org.

Tuesday, November 20

NIU Center for Burma Studies hosts Alexandra Green, Henry Ginsburg Curator for Southeast Asia, British Museum, on Image as Information: Materializing the Buddha in Late Burmese Art,” 5 p.m., at Jack Arends Hall, 330 Gilbert Dr., DeKalb, Ill. For questions call 815-753-1474.

Thursday, November 22

Saturday, November 24

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Fleet Feet Sports Rockford, presents the 2nd annual Dasher Dash 5K, 8 a.m., at UW Health Sports Factory, 305 S. Madison St. Moves through historic parts of downtown and southwest Rockford.

Register at www.strollonstate.com or Fleet Feet, 1653 N. Alpine Road, Rockford.

Tuesday, November 27

Barbara Olson Center of Hope for 24 hours will take online donations at www.b-olsoncenterofhope.org for #Giving Tuesday. Any donations of $175 or more will be matched at $175 by the Coleman Foundation of Chicago. Call 815-964-9275.

Court Street United Methodist Church hosts its annual, free Thanksgiving Dinner, 11 a.m., at 215 N. Court St., in downtown Rockford.

Celebrated by more than 600 local residents. Call 815-962-6061.

Friday, November 30

Friday, November 23

Rockford Dance Company and Rockford Symphony Orchestra offer a one-hour educational program on The Nutcracker, 10 a.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center. Visit www.rockfordsymphony.com/ nutcracker-school-performance.

Discovery Center Museum presents Grinchy Green Science, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 711 N. Main St., Rockford, on Nov. 23 and 24. Call 815-9636769 or visit www. discoverycentermuseum.org.

Fairhaven Christian Retirement present its annual Hollyberry 2018 Holiday Bazaar, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Crafts, vendors and homemade BBQ lunch for $4. Call 815-877-1441.

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theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

in the news

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

Members in the News

1. Benjamin Bernsten

2. Daniel G. Saavedra

3. Nathan Bevineau

4. Danielle Tumilowicz

5. Jack Croffoot

6. Dennis Roop

7. Angie Riggle

8. Geoff Oman

9. David Sidney

10. Jason Holcomb

11. Katryna Kirby

12. Diane Zammuto

13. Mary Breeden

14. Rhonda Sunden

15. Patrick Morrow

16. Aimee Floto

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

as a project administrator.

American Advertising Federation Northern Illinois announced its board for 2018-2019: Erin Salisbury, Digital Hive Mind, Inc., president; Melissa Westphal, Chartwell Agency, secretary; Stacy Wallace, V2 Marketing Communications, treasurer, and Chris Kelley, V2 Marketing Communications, immediate past president. Additional board members: Sherry Pritz, NIU/ EIGERLab, Lonna Converso, Midway Village Museum, and Lindsey Oswald, Meridian.

Geoff Oman (8) joined the Rockford Park District as sales and corporate partnership manager.

Transform Rockford elected two new members to its steering committee: Benjamin Bernsten (1), Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, and Daniel G. Saavedra (2), Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects.

Mercyhealth hired Jeanna Babcock as manager of the adult critical care and step-down ICU units at Rockton Avenue Campus.

Transform Rockford announced its new team: David Sidney (9), executive director; Jason Holcomb (10), program development manager; Katryna Kirby (11), strategy & communications manager, and Diane Zammuto (12), operations coordinator.

Plastic surgeon, Dr. Turkia Abbed (19), joined Transformations Plastic Surgery & MedSpa.

director for an economic development organization near San Antonio, Texas.

Rosecrance named Colleen Fry (20) as alumni coordinator.

Rockford Public Library hired Aaron Carlin and Emily Klonicki as assistant directors.

The Honorable Mary Linn Green swore in seven new Winnebago County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program volunteers: Tara Whitecotton, Emma Shackleton, Allen Duerksen, David Krizka, Dianna Gonzalez, Steven Builta and Summer Rachas.

Gary L. Anderson, M.D. (21), University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, an associate professor of clinical pathology and chair of the Department of Pathology, will retire after 35 years.

River District Association welcomed Nathan Bevineau (3) and Danielle Tumilowicz (4) to its board.

Rockford Bank & Trust hired Mary Breeden (13) as vice president, treasury management; Rhonda Sunden (14) as senior vice president, commercial banking, and Patrick Morrow (15) as senior vice president, commercial banking.

Wesley Willows welcomed Jack Croffoot (5) and Dennis Roop (6) to its board.

Rockford Art Museum named Aimee Floto (16) as executive director.

Tariq A. Gheith, M.D. (23), specializing in epilepsy and general neurology, joined OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute.

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS

Mercyhealth welcomed gastroenterologists Dr. Jonathan Foster (17) and Dr. Nicole Gentile (18) at Rockton Avenue, building 1.

Jimsi Kuborn, VP of investor relations, is leaving the Rockford Area Economic Development Council to become executive

Fehr Graham hired Angie Riggle (7)

CYRS Wealth Advisors, LLC, hired Suzanne Roberts (22) as administrative services associate.

Carz R’ Us General Automotive Repair & Tire hired Melvin Deering (24), technician, and Lewis Peterson (25), office overlord.

Associated Bank hired Private Client and Institutional Services team members: Marifran Georgis (26), wealth advisor and senior trust administrator; Robin Chambers (27), senior fiduciary assistant; Mindy Lucchesi (28), vice president, wealth advisor and senior trust administrator, and Michael St. John (29), retirement plan consultant. The bank hired Virgie Taylor (30) as portfolio manager, Private Client Services.

Northern Illinois Vein Clinic hired Nurse Practitioner Hallie Konieczki (31) to its team in Rockford.

Amy Henderson (32), PA-C, joined OSF HealthCare, focusing on family medicine at Rock Cut Primary Care.

Continued on page 25

17. Dr. Jonathan Foster

18. Dr. Nicole Gentile

19. Dr. Turkia Abbed

20. Colleen Fry

21. Dr. Gary L. Anderson

22. Suzanne Roberts

23. Dr. Tariq A. Gheith

24. Melvin Deering

25. Lewis Peterson

26. Marifran Georgis

27. Robin Chambers

28. Mindy Lucchesi

29. Michael St. John

30. Virgie Taylor

31. Hallie Konieczki

32. Amy Henderson

theVoice

november 2018

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25

in the news Members in the News

National Indicators theRegional, economy U.S. Indicators September 2018



Consumer Price Index Unemployment Rate

3.7 percent

      

Payroll Employment Average Hourly Earnings 33. Scot C. Sullivan

34. Valeri DeCastris

35. Dr. Thomas Wright

36. Ava Peterson

0.1 percent

Producer Price Index Employment Cost Index Productivity U.S. Import Price Index U.S. Export Price Index

134,000 $0.08 0.2 percent 0.6 percent (second quarter, 2018) 2.9 percent (second quarter, 2018) 0.5 percent 0.1 percent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 37. Zack Oakley

38. Pambi Camacho

(continued from page 24)

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS Scott C. Sullivan (33), partner, WilliamsMcCarthy LLP, was selected for the fifth straight year by peers for inclusion in the 25th edition of The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 for commercial litigation.

Rosemary Gaziano Zammuto (posthumously) and Valeri DeCastris (34) were inducted into the Italian Hall of Fame by the Greater Rockford Italian American Association at its annual Italian Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Award Banquet in October.

Dr. Thomas Wright (35), chief medical officer and senior vice president of medical affairs, Rosecrance, passed his combined maintenance of certification examination in psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. Rockford Symphony Orchestra announced Ava Peterson (36), harpist, high school junior from Freeport and member of Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra, as the 2018 winner of the Isadore Olson Scholarship Fund.

Paul Lundeen, Paul Lundeen Merchant Services Inc., was named Central Payment’s agent of the month for August.

Beth Thacker, financial advisor, Northwestern Mutual Wealth

39. Brent Brodeski

Management Company, earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) professional designation from the American College of Financial Services, Bryn Mawr, Pa. Zack Oakley (37), deputy director, Chicago Rockford International Airport, was named to Airport Business’ “Top 40 Under 40” list.

Meridian named Pambi Camacho (38) as its employee of the month for September.

Barron’s named Brent Brodeski (39), CEO, Savant Capital Management, as one of America’s top wealth advisors

OF GENERAL INTEREST Cheryl DeMars, president and CEO, Alliance, testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Sept. 27 on “Reducing Health Care Costs: Improving Affordability Through Innovation.”

Dr. Philip Schalow and Dr. Hannah Orem, Upper Cervical Care Center, Rockford, presented for chiropractic students at Palmer College of Chiropractic in August and September and an educational office workshop for future chiropractors in September.

Dr. Thomas Wright, medical officer, Rosecrance, presented at the 21st annual Clinical Aspects of Medical Psychiatry Conference at Forest Hills Country Club in Rockford in October.

Are you a Member with News to Share?

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

DEADLINE IS THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING ­PUBLICATION

Unemployment Rates Region / State / Nation June 2018

July 2018

Aug 2018

Sept 2018

Rockford

5.2

5.0

5.3

---

Chicago

4.3

4.1

3.8

3.6

Illinois

4.3

4.2

4.1

4.1

United States

4.0

3.9

3.9

3.7

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

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

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION 1. Publication Title: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community 2. Publication Number: 784-120 3. Filing Date: 09/25/2018 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 12 6. Annual Subscription Price: $25 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101-1104 Winnebago County.

8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: Same as above.

9.

Publisher: Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101-1104.

Editor: N/A Managing Editor: Doug Hessong, same as above.

10. Owner: Rockford Chamber of Commerce Complete Mailing Address: 308W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101-1104.

11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities.

Full Name: N/A Complete Mailing Address: N/A 12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at special rates.)

The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months.

13. Publication Title: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data: September 2017 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Chamber members and distribution sites in the community. a. Total Number Copies (Net Press Run): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 6,000 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 6,000 b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Outside-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 281 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 295 (2) In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 3,148 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 3,177 (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS® : Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A (4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail®): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A c. Total Paid and/or Requested Distribution [Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)]: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 3,430 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 3,372 d. Nonrequested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail) (1) Outside County Nonrequested Copies Included on PS Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A (2) In-County Nonrequested Copies Included on PS Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12

Months: N/A No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A (3) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail (e.g. First-Class Mail, nonrequestor copies mailed in excess of 10% limit mailed at Standard Mail® or Package Services rates): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A 4) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail (Include pickup stands, trade shows, showrooms, and other sources): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 2,075 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 2,270 e. Total Nonrequested Distribution [Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3), and (4)]: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 2,075 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 2,270 f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 5,505 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 5,742 g. Copies not Distributed: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 495 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 258 h. Total (Sum of 15f and g): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 6,000 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 6,000 i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c divided by 15f times 100): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 62.3% No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 58.7% 16. Electronic Copy Circulation a. Requested and Paid Electronic Copies: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A b. Total Requested and Paid Print Copies (Line 15c) + Requested/Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 3,430 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 3,372 c. Total Requested Copy Distribution (Line 15f) + Requested/Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 5,505 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 5,742 d. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Both Print & Electronic Copies) (16b divided by 16c times 100): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 62.3% No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 58.7% I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are legitimate requests or paid copies.

17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requestor Publication is required and will be printed in the November 2018 issue of this publication.

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties): Signed: Doug Hessong, Dir. of Publications and Technology Date: Sept. 25, 2018

A-1 Dry Cleaners & Laundry Acti-Labs LLC Advanced Rockford Eye Care Ambassador Homes, LLC Amberwood Care Centre Auto Clinic of Rockford Inc. Benson Stone Company, Inc. Berg Industries, Inc. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Briargate Management, LLC Children’s Home & Aid City of Rockford CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Colorwave Graphics, LLC ComElec-East, Inc. Comprehensive Community Solutions Cream City Scale LLC Cremation Society of Illinois Cross Creek Condominium Association Crusader Community Health On West State Street, Woodward Campus for Community Health Care Crusader Community Health Auburn Campus Crusader Community Health Loves Park Crusader Community Health Belvidere Crusader Community Health on Broadway, Uram Building Dale Carnegie Training of Greater Illinois, Inc. Digital Hive Mind First National Bank and Trust Rockton First National Bank and Trust Roscoe Gary W. Anderson Architects GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford GreenFire Restaurant, Bar & Bakery Header Die & Tool, Inc. Healthcare Plus Holiday Inn Express JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Keller Williams Realty Signature KFACT Inc. Lifescape Community Services/ Community Kitchen, Inc.

Lowes Distribution Center Minuteman Press NAACP (National Association For the Advancement of Colored People) Natural Land Institute Orangetheory Fitness PACCAR Parts, A Division of PACCAR Pathfinder Wealth Management, Inc. Pines Edge Apartments LLC Presence Cor Mariae Center Presence Saint Anne Center Progressive Steel Treating QPS Employment Group R. J. Bowers Distributors, Inc. Rasmussen College Rock River Water Reclamation District Rockford Bank & Trust Co. Guilford Road Rockford Bank & Trust Co. Stewart Square Rockford Fastener Inc. Rockford Generation Rockford Housing Authority Rockford Promise Rockford Register Star Rockford Toolcraft, Inc. Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects Skandia, Inc. Spider Company Inc. Staff On Site Midwest Inc. State Farm Insurance - Brian Faulk The Alliance The Harvard State Bank The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) The Olive Garden Rockford The Pension Specialists, Ltd. The Ridge Condominium Association Title Underwriters Agency United Association of Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Local Union 23 Wesley Willows Winnebago County Bar Association Winnebago County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Wired Café

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

70-YEAR MEMBER Atmosphere Commercial Interiors

40-YEAR MEMBER Olson Enterprises LLC

35-YEAR MEMBERS Crusader Community Health on West State Street, Woodward Campus for Community Health Care Crusader Community Health Auburn Campus Crusader Community Health Belvidere

Crusader Community Health on Broadway, Uram Building Crusader Community Health Loves Park Title Underwriters Agency

20-YEAR MEMBER D & S Marine Inc.

5-YEAR MEMBERS Heartland Hospice Lenox Healthcare for Women Rockford Fastener Inc.

theVoice • rockfordchamber.com

november 2018

chamber

Upcoming Chamber Events

NOVEMBER, 2018 Thursday, November 1

IGNITE Lunch with a Leader, noon to 1 p.m., Region 1 Planning Council, 313 N. Main St., Rockford. Features Dr. Mike Born, president and CEO of SwedishAmerican, A Division of UW Health.

Thursday, November 1 5 - 7:00 pm Teballa Event Center 7910 Newburg Rd., Rockford

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW RECEPTION Meet the 2018 class of twenty dynamic business professionals, artisans and leaders who are moving the Rockford areas’ economy, culture and technology forward.

Sponsored by workplace (presenting).

Tuesday, November 6

Business Women’s Council, 11:30am-1:00pm, Mary’s Market, 4431 E. State St., Rockford. Laura Bennett presents on Marketing Technology: What’s Hot for 2019 Sponsored by Associated Bank.

Thursday, November 8

Ambassador Lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Features Dr. Ehren Jarrett, superintendent, Rockford Public Schools.

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

Friday, November 9

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

Tuesday, November 13

Ribbon Cutting at Heartland Hospice, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., 6000 E. State St., Ste. 100, Rockford.

Hoffman House-Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., at 7550 E. State St., Rockford.

Wednesday, November 14

Breakfast Buzz, 7:30 to 9 a.m., at Puri School of Business, 5050 E. State St., room 124, Rockford. Jeff Fahrenwald presents Strategic Improvising: Creating a Culture for Successful Strategy Execution.

Sponsored by RSM US LLP. Ribbon Cutting at Porter Pipe and Supply Company, 11 a.m., 2844 Eastrock Dr., Rockford.

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Advertisers Index advertisers Advanced Machine & Engineering Co./Hennig, Inc. . . . . . . 19 Blackhawk Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 BMO Harris Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Boylan Catholic High School. . . . . . . . 8 Brian Thomas Photography. . . . . . . .12 Edward Jones - Jen Reisinger . . . . . 11 Gallagher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Illinois Bank & Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Illinois Small Business Development Center. . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Midland States Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Northern Public Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Northwestern Mutual. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 OSF HealthCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Rockford Bank & Trust Co.. . . . . . . . . 5 Rockford Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . . 11, 13, 23, 25, 28 Savant Capital Management. . . . . . . . 9

Leading Lawyers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Mercyhealth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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

Thursday, November 15 11:30 am - 1:15 pm Giovanni’s Convention Center 610 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford

MAYOR’S BUSINESS ADDRESS LUNCHEON

Join Rockford’s 41st Mayor, Tom McNamara, in his second address to the business community. Register online at rockfordchamber.com.

Sponsored by BMO Harris Bank (presenting), Hinshaw (gold), and AT&T and Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital (bronze).

Wednesday, November 28

Ribbon Cutting at New Horizons Coaching Corp., 4 to 5 p.m., 309 Mulberry St Ste C, Rockford.

DECEMBER, 2018 Tuesday, December 4

Business Women’s Council, 11:30am-1:00pm, Mary’s Market, 4431 E. State St., Rockford.

Sponsored by Associated Bank.

Wednesday, December 12

Breakfast Buzz, 7:30 to 9 a.m., at Puri School of Business, 5050 E. State St., room 124, Rockford. Greg Watt, President/CEO, WATT Global Media; Julie Bosma, Executive Director, RAMP; and Rebecca Epperson, President & Founder, Chartwell Agency present “Results Only Work Environment (ROWE).”

Sponsored by RSM US LLP.

of the Rockford Business Community

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

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

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

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

Karl Swanson Rockford Bank & Trust Co

Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

Udaya Talwar Woodward

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

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

Jon Thompson Butitta Brothers Automotive

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

DECEMBER VOICE SPECIAL SECTIONS Cross-sector Collaborations (Optimizing Business & Non-profit Partnerships) For information on advertising, call 815

987-8100