November Voice 2021 by Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce

the

TOVAR IS IN THE SNOW

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November 2021 | Volume 34 | No. 11

of the rockford business community

PHOTOS BY MINDY JOY PHOTOGRAPHY

A hopeful message

from Mayor McNamara We’re stronger and more resilient

On Thursday, Oct. 7, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara addressed the business community for the fifth time since his election in 2017.

A receptive audience mingled beforehand at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center.

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When he became mayor, McNamara outlined four top priorities for his time in office – jobs, public safety, neighborhoods and education. While the landscape since his initial election has certainly changed, his commitment to those priorities and to the wellbeing of Rockford and her citizens has not. Mayor McNamara began his address highlighting job wins for the business community. Hard Rock Casino: While six casinos were approved in the 2019 expansion bill, Rockford is the first of the six to pass each and every step of the process. It’s both a boon for the tourism industry as well as for local residents, with a vast number of employment opportunities. Amazon Fulfillment Center: Filling a vacant building in Rockford’s Northwest side, the Amazon Fulfillment Center will provide 800 jobs for area residents. Chicago Rockford International

Airport: The airport remains the fastestgrowing cargo airport in the world with record expansion. United Boeing 737 Maintenance Hub: The airport and AAR signed a multi-year agreement with United Airlines to use the Rockford facility as a maintenance hub for United’s Boeing 737 fleet and other aircrafts. BMO Harris Bank Center: The City of Rockford, Chicago Blackhawks, RAVE board and the state of Illinois announced $23 million in a multi-year capital project to revitalize the BMO Harris Bank Center. With the sale of the Rockford IceHogs to the Chicago Blackhawks, the team was solidified as the Blackhawks AHL affiliate while also committing the team to Rockford through 2036. The team, as well as the BMO Harris Bank Center, serves as an economic driver for the community. (continued on page 4)

FORMER CONGRESSMEN TO HOLD DIALOG ON HEALING DEEP DIVISION Residents are invited to a free Town Hall Meeting, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 3, at Fisher Chapel at Rockford University. “Congress at Loggerheads: Hope for the Future” is an open-formal dialog with former Congressmen Dave Loebsack and Reid Ribble on the role of Congress at a time of deep division in America. Is Congress merely a reﬂection of this division? How can Congress help resolve this problem? What role can citizens play? Former Congressman Don Manzullo and Catherine Forslund, Ph.D., chair of the Institute of World Affairs and Trade at Rockford University, will moderate. Cong. Dave Loebsack, Ph.D. (D-Iowa), a former political science professor at Cornell College in Iowa, served on the committees on Armed Forces (subcommittees: Personnel and Readiness), and Education. He is professor emeritus at Cornell College and lectures and writes. Cong. Reid Ribble (R-Wis), who ran a roofing business, served on the committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs (subcommittees: Emerging Threats and Terrorism and Nonproliferation). He is president of the National Roofing Contractors Association and teaches leadership to officers from all military branches at annual conferences at the Army War College.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

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Connector to Perryville Path marked at Midway Village

On Oct. 18, the Rockford Park District held a long overdue celebration of the completion of the 1,300-foot connector recreation path along Guilford Road near Midway Village Museum, in partnership with Winnebago County, in 2019. Leaders in the creation of the Perryville Path Trail System, Jim Keeling and Sunil Puri, also were honored. A new bench and sign were unveiled

EDUCATION OUTLOOK

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 11:30 AM Tebala Event Center For more information, see page 23

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“Keeling and Puri championed the project since 1990,” said Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine at an Oct. 18 event for the Midway Village connector to the Perryville Path. to mark the connector recreation path linking the 1.4-mile loop at Midway Village Museum to the Perryville Path. A respite area includes a drinking fountain and charging station, and path users that wish can go on to the Perryville Path, a 15-mile trail that follows Perryville Road north past Spring Creek Road, Riverside Boulevard and Harlem Road. v

LEGAL ADVICE AVAILABLE AT PUBLIC LIBRARY Rockford Public Library and Prairie State Legal Services Inc., have partnered to provide oneon-one legal advice for Rockford residents at the library. Prairie State lawyers can help in civil legal matters such as divorce, orders of protection, evictions, housing denials and discrimination, guardianship, problems with SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, criminal record expungement and sealing, tax problems, bankruptcy and school suspensions or expulsions. Schedule at 815-965-2902. Walk-ins will be seen on a first-come, firstserved basis.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

EXECUTIVE’S PERSPECTIVE

CAITLIN PUSATERI Rockford Chamber Executive VP

The early worm gets the chicken

I have a dry-erase calendar in my kitchen. I fill it with personal life obligations — the dog’s groomer appointment, my daughter’s tumbling, a doctor’s appointment for my son. Sometimes fun things make the calendar (an apple orchard with friends!) but life’s never-ending to-do list tends to be scrawled up on the board more often. It looks at me while I eat dinner with my family — reminding me just how quickly the time goes and just how busy, busy, busy we really are. One day, while updating the calendar for a new month, I realized that looking back at me was less scribbled and more white space. More numbers, less letters. More unscheduled time than reminders. I don’t recall what month during the pandemic it struck me, but it turns out, I really enjoy the lightness of an emptier calendar. I vowed to use this moment as a lesson and calm down on my planning once the opportunity to plan anything arose again. Days were filled with more imaginative family time, lazy afternoons on the couch watching endless amounts

of Cocomelon, or naps that involved more than just a toddler or baby, but adults, too. Turns out, we could all use the sleep. As we’ve spent the last six months or so peeking out from behind our little homes like the munchkins in The Wizard of Oz responding to the beckoning call of Glinda the Good Witch, I’ve noticed the calendar has begun to fill up again. Appointments have been rescheduled. Extracurriculars have resumed with extra precautions. Gatherings, with a bit of foresight, have felt attainable again. However, after a year+ of “wait and see,” everything on the calendar feels more like a suggestion than a commitment. Sure, we may grab dinner with friends on Saturday night … if no one has a fever. Right — we might go to that fun outdoor community event if rain doesn’t push it inside. Of course we will be at the doctor’s appointment … unless we know we can’t pass the screening questions. Then we’ll reschedule. In a world of possibilities, everything feels a bit more airy and a lot less concrete.

Please, Register Early Unfortunately, the world of events, for those planning them, feels a lot more concrete than airy. Staffing shortages and supply chain problems, both related outcomes to the pandemic, have required event venues to push up their timelines and harden their limits around guest numbers. While an event pre-COVID could handle a large onslaught of last minute (less than seven days before the event) registrations, an event now can maybe accommodate a swing of 10. I’m not blaming anyone here. Our local hospitality and event partners are doing great work — especially given that they were, and are, disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Issues surrounding the need for more concrete responses from attendees are largely out of local control — and will, at some point in the future, right themselves. But while we wait, we must once again shift the way we do things. Gone are the days of walk-in registrations. While we will do our best, any reservations that come in for an event or program within seven days of the event date may very well not be accepted and admitted to the event. Event cancellations are on the rise as event guests’ RSVP timelines are blurry, at best. Without a clear picture of who is attending what, we simply have to make as educated of a guess as possible while blindfolded and in the dark. It’s a sticky situation that we simply are going to have to feel and work through, but we need your help.

When registering for Chamber (or community!) events, I implore you to submit your registration at least one week prior to the event date. I get it — things may change; kids may get sick; mandates may force us to shift. But the good news is we’ve proven we can think outside the box and problem solve. And we’ll continue to do that. Should your event needs or availability change, simply reach out to the coordinator for next steps based on your individual situation. Personalization is king amid the pandemic. And we are here to serve. So, for the love of all event planners and leaders everywhere, please reserve your space at events in advance. Your dry erase calendars can handle it, and your chicken dinner is waiting.

Let your Voice be heard The Rockford Chamber of Commerce welcomes and encourages member submissions for The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication date. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to: The VOICE Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190 Rockford, IL 61101 For information about advertising contact Customer Service at 815-987-8100. The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community (USPS 784-120). ISSN number 1086-0630, is published monthly by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, Illinois 61101. Periodicals postage paid at Rockford, Ill. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community, 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

proﬁle

MEMBER PROFILE

Tovar Snow Professionals

PREPARING YEAR ROUND FOR EMERGENCY-STYLE SERVICE By Paul Anthony Arco Some people dread the arrival of winter and the mounds of snow that come with it. Not the folks at Tovar Snow Professionals. They live for it. Tovar is a commercial snow removal company based in Dundee, Ill., with an office in Machesney Park that serves clients from southern Wisconsin to DeKalb. Tovar Snow Professionals was founded in Elgin by Jeff Tovar in 1990. “Jeff first started a landscaping business and added the snowplowing business four years later,” said Tim Cassell, regional director of business development. “He eventually decided to pick one direction in order to better serve his clients, so in 2000 he sold off the landscaping business. Snow service is intensely involved, and you need a tremendous amount of preparation to provide emergency-style service. That’s what drove him.” Tovar specializes in providing snowplowing services for more than 3,000 clients including healthcare, retail, financial institutions and corporate offices. It operates 11 offices in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa. UPS and Amazon are two of the company’s largest clients. In 2020, Tovar merged with Aero

Snow, a provider of municipal and facility maintenance services based in Westbury, N.Y. Aero Snow is known for serving some of the country’s largest airports. Thanks to the merger, the company now has 44 locations across the country. “Jeff wanted to grow to a larger company, while maintaining the same core values,” Cassell said. “This merger is a stepping stone into different markets while maintaining our brand at the same time.”

Competitive Market There is no shortage of competition in the snow removal business, which makes finding resources a challenge. “A salt shortage has impacted everyone,” he said. “We now purchase a large portion of chemical from Egypt and ship it here to the U.S. We still use local suppliers, but our goal is to have two seasons of chemical on the ground as part of our process.” Tovar has 1,800 employees, including four full-time and approximately 140 seasonal employees in the Rockford area. The team includes human resources, administration and operational staff as well as seasonal laborers, managers, drivers and equipment operators. “They are the backbone of our organization,” Cassell said. “We would

not be where we are today without our employees. We have a very diverse group of employees with a core that’s been with us for more than 15 years.”

This Year Looking Up Last year was a tremendous challenge for Tovar. The pandemic put a big strain on its labor force. Many of its clients switched to working remotely. While some companies remained at 100 percent capacity, other clients worked remotely, which meant not all parking lots needed to be salted and plowed at full capacity. Cassell sees a drastic difference this year, which has been evident in the seasonal hiring process. “We hired about 80 percent of our seasonal staff in October already. From a hiring standpoint, we are farther along than we have been in the past,” he said. Tovar uses a variety of equipment including a large variety of salting capabilities, heavy equipment, snow meltors and specialized sidewalk equipment. “Big to small, we have it all,” said Cassell. The company manufacturers liquid out of its Elgin office and has snow melting capabilities as well. Tovar specializes in a treatment called Zero Tolerance™ a specialized service used by crews to pre-treat and maintain sites prior,

National company, Tovar, with an office in Machesney Park, serves more than 3,000 clients including healthcare, retail, financial institutions and corporate offices. during and after the start of a snow fall. Cassell, who’s been with the company since 2007, predicts Tovar will continue to expand its footprint in the next several years, and he’s excited about the future. “It’s about the people,” he said. “Tovar is like a second family to me. I’ve built strong relationships both internally and externally over the past 14 years. The intensity and preparation the winter brings, keeps my life full of excitement.”

TOVAR SNOW PROFESSIONALS Tim Cassell, regional director of business development 10428 Product Dr., Machesney Park 847-695-0080 www.tovarsnow.com

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

MAYOR MESSAGE Continued from front page

Some Tough Issues But Mayor McNamara did not shy away from the tough issues facing the community. His focus shifted to the violent crime currently amuck in our city. Encouraging a comprehensive approach that holds offenders accountable while, simultaneously, working to help prevent and intervene to stop crime before it happens by working with youth at risk, Mayor McNamara outlined a host of programs, initiatives and collaborative efforts aimed at providing real, longterm solutions to crime. Focusing on short-term solutions as well, the Mayor applauded the Rockford Police Department, congratulated Chief Carla Redd, and provided information on improvement designed to increase safety and decrease crime. After outlining the ways in which residents and businesses could look forward to new economic developments and employment opportunities in a safer Rockford, McNamara turned his focus to our neighborhoods and education. Collaboration and partnerships were key to both the recent successes in our community as well as future plans; from reducing property taxes or keeping the levy flat throughout his administration, to highlighting the work of Rockford Promise, to high-speed fiber optic internet,

Congratulations to 2021 Citizen of the Year, Rhonda Greer Robinson! Rhonda Greer Robinson is a Rockford native who has dedicated her life to acknowledging and fighting for equality and in service to others. She believes in doing what is right — regardless of status or recognition — and focuses her work on the “why” or the driving force behind her mission. The lasting impact and importance of her work throughout the community is worthy of recognition as Citizen of the Year. By day, Robinson is changing

to Head Start programs. The work being done throughout the community to improve our neighborhoods and continue to improve our educational system was heartening to be lead through. While there is much work to be done, the groundwork for success has been laid. It is now the opportunity of the residents and business community to pick up the gauntlet and continue the work.

lives as a teacher at Rockford Public School’s Ellis Elementary. Outside of the classroom, she is actively engaged in work combating social injustices, as well as advocating for women and children’s rights. Our community and its future are positively impacted, molded and shaped by her leadership and work — both professionally and as a volunteer. Robinson works with the League of Women Voters, Women’s March

The second in our 2021 Community Priority Series, the Mayor’s Business Address again provided Rockford Chamber members with an in-person opportunity for connection. Chamber members enjoyed seeing faces, albeit masked, while learning about their community and the great work being done during a global pandemic. The Community Priority Series is

Rockford and Moms Demand Actions Against Gun Violence. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, at the Booker Washington Center and was recently appointed to the Winnebago County Housing Board. Most notably, she serves as the president of the Rockford NAACP and the Education Chair of Illinois State NAACP. Congratulations, Rhonda! Special thanks to our Citizen of the Year Sponsor, Woodward.

presented by BMO Harris Bank. The Series Silver Sponsor is Comcast Business. The Mayor’s Business Address also was proudly sponsored by AT&T (Gold); UW Health (Silver); Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital (Bronze), and Mindy Joy Photography (Event Photography). v

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

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Several years ago, the City of Woodstock (Ill.), coming to the realization that nearly half of its adults would be over age 55 in the next 10 years, formed a vision for an age-friendly future. Through a City Council resolution and funding from a Community Foundation for McHenry County Transformational Grant, it developed the Woodstock Age-Friendly Livable Community Action Plan to guide it on becoming an AARP-designated AgeFriendly Community and a sought-after place to live, visit and invest. The plan, completed in April, won the 2021 Best Practice Award from the American Planning Association-Illinois Chapter. Northern Illinois University’s Center for Governmental Studies led in the development of the plan through research, stakeholder input and multiple work sessions with a local Woodstock advisory group. Goals, strategies and implementation plans were devised for housing, facilities, services and activities to serve an aging community, with many projects already underway.

NIU Center for Governmental Studies leads award-winning city plan City of Woodstock develops strategies to better serve an aging community

older residents who might live in one of these units and from younger residents who might host an older family member in their home or on their property. ■ Just over half were unsure if the services they needed or anticipated needing were available.

Woodstock residents noted their reasons for considering staying or leaving their city.

Age-Friendly is Friendly for All “Communities that are designated ‘age-friendly’ are also often called ‘livable communities’ because they provide a healthy and positive environment for all people, including safe and affordable housing, quality healthcare, transportation, outdoor space, environmental quality, and chances to socialize and get involved in public life,” said Miriam “Mim” Evans, senior research associate at the NIU Center for Governmental Studies. Woodstock needed to be attractive to younger families, too. One major consideration for

older adults staying, was living near their children and grandchildren. All Woodstock residents were invited to participate in a resident survey, and 251 responded. This was not considered to be a representative sample, but useful for ideas on residents’ thoughts. ■ Among those age 55+, the top reason to leave their present home was to downsize (32.7 percent) followed by desiring a home that better met the needs of an older person (20.5 percent). ■ Approximately one-third were interested in an accessory dwelling unit or in-law suite. This interest came from

■ Approximately half were dissatisfied with public transit or had no opinion. ■ There was general satisfaction with public services, with some exceptions. ■ There was interest in leisure and social activities as well as living near to downtown. ■ Interest in age-friendly modifications to housing and on-call assistance was high. ■ Respondents were actively engaged in local civic, professional and recreational activities. The Woodstock plan was created with the city’s specific needs in mind, but aims to serve as an example of age-friendly planning for other communities in Illinois. View it at go.niu.edu/WoodstockPlan.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

IGNITE: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

KATELYN GRAY IGNITE ROCKFORD

Rewire your brain for self-compassion

Let your creative mind loose to transform where you live As leaders, we get negative feedback, face criticism and experience failure. Intellectually, we know the path to success in any field — be it entrepreneurship or corporate leadership — is littered with setbacks like these. But they still feel rotten. As a recovering perfectionist and people-pleaser, I know how awful it feels when things go wrong. I used to beat myself up for making mistakes, missing the mark or disappointing someone. My inner monologue was vicious. Why can’t you get this right? I can’t believe you messed that up! You should have known better.

Why It Happens

passed, I listed all the ways that my default thought might’ve been wrong. I didn’t have to be sure the thought wasn’t true; I just needed to cast a shadow of a doubt. I asked myself how the statement, “I never get it right,” can be false. Am I really wrong all the time? Have I never gotten anything right in my life? I looked for evidence to prove this notion wrong. I mean, even a broken clock is right twice a day!

Step 3: Possibility By now, you’ve probably recognized that my brain’s negative default thought was not rooted entirely in fact. Even

What we say to ourselves in response to negative feedback, criticism or failure reflects our most practiced thought. The brain loves repetition because it doesn’t require critical thinking. The brain doesn’t have to work to challenge assumptions. Instead, it gets to rely on default settings, conserving its energy for something else. Because I’d been hard on myself for making mistakes in the past, my brain’s default setting was to keep being hard on me. I knew this setting needed to change. This habit loop would continue unless I actively worked to break it. Here’s how I did that.

though it felt real to me, I began to poke

Breaking the Loop

Step 4: Pathway

Ending the cycle of negative self-talk meant recognizing my predominant thoughts, challenging them, entertaining possibilities for new thoughts and installing new ones. Let’s break that down.

Step 1: Recognize The next time I faced criticism, negative feedback or failure, I paid close attention to which thought my brain offered up. I formed the thought into a complete sentence and wrote it down. I got specific with my words. I read them out loud. Was it fun? No. Was it a necessary step in recalibrating my inner monologue? Yes. To illustrate how this process worked, let’s say my knee-jerk reaction to criticism was the thought, “I never get it right.” Instead of accepting that notion, I pressed my brain for details. How exactly was I wrong? What would have been the right thing to do or say?

Step 2: Challenge After the initial rush of feelings had

holes in the argument by challenging its truthfulness. From this vantage point, I could begin to plant the seeds of more productive, compassionate thoughts. But rather than staring in the mirror shouting positive affirmations at myself (which many people, including me, find ineffective), I used It’s Possible statements instead. In this step, the thought “I never get it right” became “It’s possible that I made the best choice I could with the tools I had at the time.”

Once I’d practiced those “It’s possible” statements for a while, my brain began to relax. With its armor down, I could start paving the way for genuinely productive thoughts to become my brain’s new default response to criticism. When I mess up, I want to give myself grace. I want to show myself compassion. I want to learn from my mistakes. Ultimately, I replaced “I never get it right” with “I get it wrong sometimes, and that’s okay. I’m human.” Practicing thought work has brought me peace and self-compassion. If your inner monologue is hard on you, I invite you to try this method yourself. Katelyn Gray is a life + business coach in Rockford and a member of IGNITE Rockford. The views expressed are those of Gray’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

 Destination

ILLINOIS, USA

ADDING WEALTH TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY BY GROWING TOURISM

JOHN GROH Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Together, again.

Let it Stroll! Let it Stroll! Let it Stroll!

We are quickly approaching one of the most magical days of the year, and our volunteers, sponsors and RACVB employees are hustling and bustling to stage our most spectacular festival yet! Stroll on State, in its ninth year, once again promises to create Merry & Bright excitement for locals and visitors, from the kick-off Dasher Dash 5K race through downtown, to the finale fireworks. Each and every memorable moment on Saturday, Nov. 27 will come to life through the generosity of our volunteers and sponsors, making Stroll on State a true wonder of what a community can achieve together. Now in its seventh year as presenting sponsor, Illinois Bank & Trust exemplifies partnership by coming alongside RACVB and supporting our region’s kick-off to the holiday season. Their investment in Stroll on State and our region shines well beyond local banking and financial services with a track record that demonstrates a commitment in making Rockford a rock-solid community for families and business to live and flourish. Thank you, Illinois Bank & Trust for seven Strolls, side by side! And a very, very merry thank you to our entire – and still growing – family of 2021 Stroll on State sponsors: ■ IL Bank & Trust – Presenting ■ IBEW/NECA Local 264 – Parade ■ OSF Healthcare – Fire & Ice Sculptures ■ Northwestern Illinois Building Trades Unions – City Tree ■ UW Health (formerly Swedish American) – Davis Park Decorations ■ PCI Pharma Services – Bell Stage ■ Pierce Distribution – Fireworks ■ LaMonica Beverages – Beverage ■ SMART Local 219 – Dasher Dash Lead Presenting & Decorations ■ T-Mobile – Holiday Market ■ Chicago Blackhawks Foundation – Holiday Market ■ Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 23 – Main Stage ■ Xfinity – Movieland ■ Furst Staffing & Furst Professionals – Letters to Santa ■ ComEd – Decorations

of time and other festival essentials from Stroll on State partner organizations including City of Rockford, Rockford Park District, Rockford Sharefest, BMO Harris Bank Center, Forest City Church and Rockford Mass Transit District. In addition, we are ever grateful for donations from the Friends of Stroll on State, including Stenstrom, Tree Care Enterprises, Event Floral, Lino’s, Howe Freightways, SVL Productions, Luxe Productions, Sugar Britches, Two Men and a Truck, and Montel Technologies. Our Television Production Partner, WREX, is key to spreading the joy to viewers throughout the stateline area, and we thank them for sharing their expertise and airwaves to the benefit of Stroll on State. As I acknowledge each of these contributors, I am struck by the awe and wonder of community support and all that we have and will continue to achieve together. Even as we go to press, more community members are saying “yes” to supporting Stroll on State, so be sure to visit gorockford.com for the most complete list of our sponsors. And if you want to make sure your name is among these esteemed supporters, give us a call at 815-489-1655 and ask for Martesha Brown. She’ll be happy to bring you into our sponsor family. Thanks to these sponsors, Stroll on State continues to create a feeling of positivity throughout the region. Every year, both residents and visitors embrace the joy that emanates from this annual holiday event. Because of Stroll, local residents and visitors are exposed to downtown retailers and restaurants, generating both day-of activity and repeat business throughout the year. Strengthening our central city helps build downtown as “everyone’s neighborhood” and brings the entire community together in a day of celebration and unity. Stroll on State is more than a day of celebrating the holidays. Our hometown festival brings us together in real-time and in spirit, fostering cohesion at a time when we need it most. Community gatherings are about tradition, shared experience and unity. And for all of that, I say, “Let it Stroll! Let it Stroll! Let it Stroll!”

■ Project First Rate – StrollonState.com

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

■ Pearson Plumbing & Heating – Beverage Cups The contributions of these top sponsors are further supported by gifts

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

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

R O C K F O R D

C H A M B E R

O F

C O M M E R C E

Small Business Enterprise The income statement What is it; Why should I care?

ALLEN J. GODIN, MBA SBDC

PHOTO BY CHRIS ZUEGER, UNSPLASH.COM

There’s an old saying that goes: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” One way to find a road that will take your business to the most desirable place financially is to use what is called the income statement. The income statement tells you where you are, where you are going and helps create a map to get there. The income statement is a very important tool in your business’ tool box, because aside from telling you how much money you have made, or lost, over a period of time, it contains useful information to help you manage your business. I have highlighted three useful calculations that will help you better understand your business and manage for sustained profitability not just survivability. 1. Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). This is an often-misunderstood part of the income statement because it’s confusing as to what to include. COGS are the variable costs associated with making a sale. It is most often the raw material costs when a sale is made. For example, in the case of a restaurant, the COGS will be the actual

costs of the food served. This does not include the cup, plate, silverware, or even the cost of labor making the food; it is just the cost of the food itself. A helpful tip is to think of it as the cost of what is being sold, incurred only when you sell it. It is commonly represented by a dollar amount and as a percentage of sales. 2. Gross Margin (GM). The gross margin is a measurement that will tell you how much, or what percent, of total sales is used to cover fixed expenses. “Fixed” are expenses incurred regardless of whether something is sold. Marketing, insurance and payroll are common fixed expenses. The GM also can be referred to as the operating income. The GM is calculated by subtracting COGS from total revenue. Using the restaurant example, if the COGS was 30 percent of revenue, then the GM will be 70 percent of revenue. For every dollar of sales you generate, you will have $.70 of cash to cover your fixed expenses like payroll, marketing and insurance. 3. Breakeven Calculation. The breakeven calculation uses the COGS and GM to indicate how much in sales you will need in order to pay for all your fixed costs and breakeven. This is an important calculation because it can help business

owners understand how much in sales they need to generate before the business starts making money. While the goal of a business may be to go above and beyond breaking even, using the Breakeven Calculation will provide a clear and tangible goal to reach before a business can start making a profit. The magic number is calculated by dividing total fixed costs by the GM percentage. To continue with the example of owning a restaurant, let’s say that total fixed cost in the first quarter was $10,000. Simply divide $10,000 by 70 percent (or .70). This calculation equals $14,286. This means the business has to generate $14,286 of sales, assuming $10,000 of fixed costs, at a COGS of 30 percent and a GM of 70 percent to breakeven. This calculation can be done at any point throughout the life of a business and can be used as a hypothetical to test changes in your fixed costs. An understanding of these principles will help you manage your business instead of your business managing you. Allen Godin is business banking consultant at the Illinois SBDC at Rockford Chamber.

SPECIAL SECTION Legal Roundup

November 2021

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

GUEST COLUMNIST

Amended Illinois Human Rights Act JARED ARTHUR CLAY Reno & Zahm LLP

Restrictions on employers’ use of criminal background checks

Effective March 23, 2021, Illinois employers must now comply with the amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act, which restricts employers’ rights to consider criminal history information for employees and job applicants within the state of Illinois. Prohibition on use of “arrest records.” Under the new law, it is a civil rights violation to use an “arrest record” as a basis to refuse to hire an applicant or to take adverse employment action against a current employee. An “arrest record” is defined as (1) an arrest not leading to a conviction; (2) a juvenile record; or (3) criminal history record information ordered expunged, sealed, or impounded. The only exception to this prohibition is where another law authorizes an employer to obtain an arrest record. Prohibition (with exceptions) on use of “conviction records.” It is also a civil rights violation to use a “conviction record” to refuse to hire an applicant or to take adverse employment

action against a current employee. A “conviction record” is defined as information indicating that a person has been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or other criminal offense, placed on probation, fined, imprisoned, or paroled pursuant to any law enforcement or military authority. There are three exceptions to this prohibition: The first exception is where another law authorizes an employer to obtain such conviction records. The second exception is where there is a “substantial relationship” between one or more of the previous criminal offenses and the employment sought or held. The third exception is where the granting or continuation of the employment would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public. The term “substantial relationship” means a consideration of whether the employment position offers the opportunity for the same or a similar offense to occur and whether the

circumstances leading to the conduct for which the person was convicted will recur in the employment position. Importantly, employers must consider the following factors when determining whether to take adverse action against an employee and/or applicant based upon “substantial relationship” or “unreasonable risk to property or safety”: 1. the length of time since the conviction; 2. the number of convictions that appear on the conviction record; 3. the nature and severity of the conviction and its relationship to the safety and security of others; 4. the facts or circumstances surrounding the conviction; 5. the age of the employee at the time of the conviction; and 6. evidence of rehabilitation efforts. Pre-Decision Notification. If, after considering the factors above, the employer makes a preliminary decision that the conviction record disqualifies the applicant/employee from employment, the employer must give a pre-decision notice in writing to the applicant/ employee containing the conviction record and providing information to the applicant/employee about their rights. 5-Day Response Period for Employee.

The employer must give the employee/ applicant five days to respond to the pre-decision notification and must consider any information provided by the employee/applicant. Final Decision Notification. If the employer still decides to disqualify the employee/applicant or take adverse action, the employer must notify the employee/applicant in writing of the decision and provide specific information regarding the employee/ applicant’s rights. Remedies for Violations. Employers who violate the new law risk exposure to liability in the form of cease-and-desist orders, actual damages to compensate the employee/applicant, and the employee/applicant’s attorney’s fees and costs. Employers who wish to use conviction records in the employment process should contact qualified and experienced counsel to ensure compliance with the new law. Jared Arthur Clay, Esq., is a partner at Reno & Zahm LLP. Email jac@renozahm.com. The views expressed are those of Clay’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

SPECIAL SECTION Legal Roundup

November 2021

legislative LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

GUEST COLUMNIST

DL MORRISS Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

New Illinois Laws

Shooting for stars: How to build relationships

The following are some Illinois laws passed related to business, taxes and law and order.

BUSINESS Already Effective SB 687. Requires CMS to report on veteran-owned certifications and conduct outreach to veteran-owned small businesses, among other veteran-focused requirements.

Some ask how to replicate a career such as mine (thus far), and it occurs to me that hard work alone has not been the key. Recently, I returned home from work to find a gift from my grandmother sitting on my home office chair. It was a plaque containing a quote by an unknown author stating: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” When it comes to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce, I sometimes wonder if the legal and other industries more often hit the stars than the moon. Indeed, while diversity efforts in the legal industry have long sought to create parity amongst partner ranks of women and attorneys of color, national statistics still show only an average 25.1 percent of women partners and 10.2 percent of attorneys of color partners. The numbers dim further at the equity partner level. Law firms and corporate legal departments devote hundreds of thousands of dollars to advance diversity efforts. Countless galas and diversity awards are conducted every year for being “the best” in diversity. Yet, if our results are so far removed from the diversity goals we say we are committed to, have we settled for the stars? I came to the law with the idea that hard work alone begets opportunity. My high score in a law school torts class resulted in my law professor’s recommendation for a 1L legal job that later supported a 2L diversity scholarship and summer internship with my current firm. Navigating the law firm landscape as an associate was fraught with the curse of many minorities before me whose departures seemed to haunt the hallways. Ascending to partnership was a combination of my work ethic and also the many attorneys who invested in my development. Being skilled as an attorney then led to opportunities with internal committees and external civic organizations. Some ask how to replicate a career such as mine (thus far), and it occurs to me that hard work alone has not been the key. It is relationships that foster the three key components that make the

difference in retaining and advancing diverse talent, described as follows: 1.

Honest

Conversations.

These are never truly comfortable, but the ability to walk into a senior attorneys’ office and discuss the microaggressions I incurred in the office, in court and with opposing counsel built a level of trust that felt like the firm was “in my corner,” which boosted my confidence. 2.

Constructive

Feedback.

Countless drafts of my briefs were returned with redlining, yet this was not used to stigmatize me, but to teach me how to improve. It is a gift to appreciate the lesson of endless learning. 3.

Community.

Having

relationships with coworkers beyond simply transactional activities created friendships. It was the firm basketball team (a very height-challenged but hard-working

group),

unofficial

whiskey clubs, lunch invites, and even last-minute sporting events, that allowed both my coworkers and me to see more of what we had in common, than what was different between us. The year 2021 is ending and variants of the COVID pandemic rage on. In recent times, we have questioned

the

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

wisdom

our

communal gatherings, been tied to televised images of unrest over racial injustice, and unsettled with the level of political polarization in our nation like never before. In every sense it would be easy to settle for the stars and accept our awards for best efforts. However, walking the moon is where household names are made and where we can make the greatest gains in diversity, equity and inclusion, if we only keep striving. DL Morriss is commercial litigator and diversity, equity and inclusion partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. The views expressed are those of Morriss’ and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

HB 713. Prohibits the sale of a device to a radon contractor for use in licensed activities without prior approval of the device from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. SB 116. Allows boards of directors to have shareholder meetings remotely. SB 214. Creates the Landscape Architecture Registration Act which will provide a standard definition and licensing process for landscape architects. SB 653. Updates and clarifies how financial institutions may become approved state depositories and enter into agreements with the treasurer’s office. SB 669. Expands the attorney general’s authority to provide for additional oversight of the student loan servicer industry in Illinois. HB 1855. Creates the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to foster research and development in key industry clusters, leading to developing new products and services that Illinois businesses can market. SB 2312. Makes a violation of the federal Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018 a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practice Act. SB 1905. Creates the Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act to ensure consumers are aware of their available coverage. SB 2531. Allows partners and S corporation shareholders to avoid the $10,000 cap on SALT deduction under federal law. SB 294. Requires clear and conspicuous labeling “Do Not Flush” on nonwoven disposable wipes. Effective July 1, 2022. HB 1711. Bans the use of “puppy mills” by registered pet stores. Effective 180 days after becoming law (Aug. 27, 2021).

Effective Jan. 1, 2022 HB 588. Requires that certain businesses and establishments post the notice required by the Human Trafficking Resource

Notice Act in all restrooms open to the public. SB 548. Allows registered employers in the Private Detective industry to provide online-based training courses to applicants and makes administrative technical fixes. SB 1780. Requires a mobile park owner to provide water to each household for three days, instead of five, if a water supply is disrupted. Does not apply if the disruption of water service originates from factors that are outside the control of the mobile home park. SB 636. Allows condominium associations to update their bylaws to ensure the association board includes a simple majority of unit owners that occupy the unit as their primary residence and ensure proper upkeeping of the properties. SB 640. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code to prohibit contracts of more than $1 million from vendors involved with a nonmarket economy. HB 665. Creates Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers, subject to appropriation to issue grants for non-profits, and community organizations, and provide career training to dislocated workers. SB 1690. Creates the Illinois Small Business Fund and requires that DCEO use the fund to manage proceeds that came from investments that DCEO has taken from its Venture Capital Investment Program. HB 2435. Ensures a manufacturer cannot require a vehicle dealer to offer a secondary product or prohibit a vehicle dealer from offering a secondary product. HB 2529. Requires automotive parts recyclers and scrap processors to submit a Junk Vehicle Notification to the Secretary of State. HB 2620. Expands privileges to Craft Brewers, Winery and Spirits, including the creation of new licenses, the establishment of annual gallonage, the legalization of mead and the creation of a new delinquency list. Effective immediately, except for provisions concerning a written list of delinquent retail licensees that shall be developed, administered and maintained by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Continued on page 14

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

GUEST COLUMNIST

NOEL W. STERETT Dalton & Tomich, PLC

Employer vaccine mandates, religious exemption requests

Employers and employees alike are struggling with vaccine mandates and religious exemption requests. Many employers are looking for a way to find and keep employees while also trying to implement COVID policies and vaccination requirements. A significant number of employees are submitting religious exemption requests in hopes of keeping their jobs and their conscience. And an ever-changing legal landscape coupled with a great deal of misinformation have only made things more difficult for everyone involved. As a lawyer who has spent 14 years litigating religious liberty and right of conscience cases on one hand and advising businesses and not-for-profit organizations on the other, I understand both sides. In my experience, employees can have an inflated view of their rights, while employers can underestimate the scope of their liability and fail to handle religious exemption requests properly. Based on the numerous calls I have received on this specific issue, below are five observations: 1. Contrary to what some on Facebook may say, employees do not have an automatic, constitutionally guaranteed right to a religious exemption from an employer’s vaccination requirements. The Constitution only limits government entities and action — not private entities and their actions. Unless an employer is a government entity or acting under color of law, employees cannot assert a constitutional right against their employer’s vaccination requirements. 2. Even if an employer is a government entity, the Free Exercise Clause of the Constitution does not require the employer to provide a religious exemption if the policy is otherwise generally applicable and religiously neutral. Government entities get in trouble when their requirements are not generally applicable but allow for discretionary

and individualized exemptions. When an employee is denied a religious exemption, courts will look to see if the employer has provided any non-religious exemptions which may undermine the employer’s claimed interest in requiring proof of vaccination. So far, most vaccine mandate challenges have gone in favor of the government employers, and that trend is unlikely to change. Government employers must still be careful and stay informed on how the courts are handling these issues. New decisions are coming down all the time, and the Supreme Court’s own interpretation of the Free Exercise Clause remains in flux. 3. Private employers enjoy greater leeway to impose vaccination requirements. They are not limited by the Constitution and can usually avoid liability under Title VII of the Civil Rights if they can show that providing an employee with a religious accommodation would cause an undue hardship to their business. Even so, many employers are doing their best to offer religious exemptions as they cannot afford to lose employees at this time. 4. Employers and employees also need to know that an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs do not need to be supported by a mainline denomination or a letter from a religious leader. Religious beliefs and conscientious objections must be sincere and personal. They do not need to be sanctioned by a broader group, long-standing, or even rational. Insincere claims will increase public and judicial skepticism of religious exemption claims in general and may come back to bite the employees who make them — especially if they are asked to attest to their beliefs under oath and penalty of perjury. 5. Employers in Illinois must pay particular attention to the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act. It is the gold standard in statutory conscience protections and has significant teeth.

SPECIAL SECTION Legal Roundup

Small businesses show increasing caution With new variants causing a rise in COVID-19 cases, the latest MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index finds that small businesses are showing increasing caution about the current and future economic climate. The survey, based on telephone interviews conducted July 16 to 30, shows signs that small business staffing and investments (both current and future) may be hitting a plateau. Participants’ overall views of their own business’ health and cash flow remain stable this quarter.

Index Highlights The MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index score for Q3 2021 is 56.6. The Index score for Q2 2021 was 60.0. In Q2 2020, it reached an all-time low of 39.5. Fewer small businesses plan to increase investment. Compared with the past year, fewer businesses (29 percent) report plans to increase investment in their business (35 percent in Q1). Half of small businesses report problems finding staff. Half (50 percent) of small businesses say it is difficult to recruit and hire enough employees to fill open positions and to compete for talent with other small (52 percent) and large (57 percent) businesses in their area. Most small businesses plan to keep staffing levels the same. Around three in five (68 percent) small businesses say There are only a handful of cases interpreting it, and none apply the Act in the context of vaccination requirements. While the Act was primarily put in place to protect the right of health care professionals to refrain from participating in abortion-related services, several provisions of the Act are written in much broader terms. If employers are not properly advised, they could wind up facing a lawsuit from an employee seeking three times their actual damages (including lost wages and pain and suffering) as well as their attorney’s fees. Given the uncertainty surrounding this law, the Governor is considering ways

they have retained the same size staff over the past year. Small businesses see modest improvements to the economy. Around one in three (34 percent) small business owners say the U.S. economy is in good health: higher than any point since the pandemic began. Small businesses see mixed local economy. Thirty one percent of small businesses surveyed see an average local economy, 14 percent say their local economy is “very good,” but 26 percent say the local economy is poor. Overall business health and cash flow remain unchanged More than half (55 percent) of small business owners believe the health of their business is good and two-thirds (66 percent) believe their cash flow situation is good. The vast majority of small businesses are finding it difficult to manage inflation. Seventy two percent of small businesses say they find it difficult to manage higher costs due to inflation as they work to recover from the pandemic. Small businesses see lack of revenue as biggest post-pandemic challenge. Fifty eight percent of small businesses expect their revenue to increase next year, but 34 percent of small business owners believe that revenue is the biggest challenge they face coming out of the pandemic. to amend it, but as of now, there is no proposed amendment. Hopefully, employers and employees can find workable solutions in these tense and volatile times. Understanding your rights and obligations under the law is the first step. But ultimately, good employeremployee relationships cannot be built on a battle of rights and often require a level of mutual sacrifice and understanding. Noel W. Sterett is partner at Dalton & Tomich, PLC. The views expressed are those of Sterett’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

SPECIAL SECTION Finance: What’s Ahead for 2022?

GUEST COLUMNIST

November 2021

legislative LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

(continued from page 12)

TOM BUDD Illinois Bank & Trust

Growing pains from supply chains

Nobody likes to find an item or brand they want is out of stock, but as any retailer knows, it’s happening more frequently. And, it’s becoming more clear that businesses will likely face supply chain constrictions for some time. Shipping delays and cost increases are expected to continue. In September, four records were set in three weeks for the number of cargo ships waiting to unload off the California coast. Some analysts suggest that supply chains will be tight well into 2022 and maybe even beyond. As Bloomberg News reports, “The system underpinning globalization — production on one side of the planet, connected to consumers on the other by trucks, ships, planes, cranes and forklifts — is too rigid to absorb today’s rolling tremors from Covid-19 or to recover quickly from the jolts to consumer demand or the labor force.” According to Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist at the National Federation of Independent Business: “As the economy moves into the fourth quarter, small business owners are losing confidence in the strength of future business conditions. The biggest problems facing small employers right now is finding enough labor to meet their demand and for many, managing supply chain disruptions.” Considering these challenges, how can businesses keep growing as demand increases and supply chain issues persist? Business will need to get creative.

Some Considerations It’s time to reassess supply-chain design and ordering practices. Diversify suppliers. Depending on your business, you may be able to order from other vendors or even share inventory. Companies in similar businesses or in different geographies may have different demand patterns and items you need but they don’t.

Manage inventory more tightly. In some cases, you may want to overstock. Another supply solution may be to reduce the number of choices available. Stocking fewer types or brands of some items can be a way to simplify and strengthen your supply chain while reducing overall inventory carrying costs. You might be able to offer alternative products or suggest customers pre-order standard purchases. Raise prices. Few company owners like to take those measures, but many are. If you need to take this step, consider giving your customers advance notice. Explain that the decision is driven by increased material, shipping and general operating costs. Communicate. Regular updates help. Even if you have no news on a longdelayed custom order, customers are more understanding if they know what’s going on or see that you’re aware of the situation. Invest in automation. Now might be the time to consider investing in technologies that can build resilience by reducing labor costs and mitigating exposure to labor shortages, especially collaborative automation focused on simple processes like packaging and administrative processes like accounts payable automation. Supply chain, ordering and inventory practices will not return to auto-pilot in the near future. As a result, ordering will need to be continually reassessed and finetuned for the foreseeable future. Building optionality into supply chains is essential in a world where the pace of change is relentless. Companies that look for new ways of working and find new options for customers are the ones that will thrive. Tom Budd is president of Illinois Bank & Trust. The views expressed are those of Budd’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

HB 3955. Adds consumer protections to the Automatic Contract Renewal Act. HB 2412. Expands language accessibility by requiring published newspapers to issue notices in the official language of the minority group’s country of origin in areas with 45 percent of a single minority group’s population. HB 3598. Requires companies that issue group accident and health insurance to offer such insurance policies to local chambers of commerce.

TAXES Already Effective HB 3289. Allows each chief county assessment officer to approve a homestead exemption for the 2021 taxable year, without application, for any property that was approved for the exemption for the 2020 taxable year where certain requirements are met. SB 2244. Increases opportunities for tax relief to senior citizens by allowing them to defer all or part of their property tax and special assessment payments.

LAW & ORDER Already Effective SB 765. Allows the program administrator of the First Time Weapon Offender Program to be appointed by the Chief Judge of each Judicial Circuit. SB 1056. Makes numerous technical changes to the Illinois Pension Code. Effective Jan. 1, 2022. Certain changes to the Illinois Pension Code and the changes to the State Mandates Act are effective immediately. HB 1831. Allows attorney’s fees and costs to be awarded to a private detective, private security, fingerprint vendor, locksmith licensee, interested party, or person injured if they successfully obtain injunctive relief, whether by consent or otherwise. HB 2427. Creates a task force to investigate ways to better assist public defenders in managing their caseload. HB 3678. Amends and modernizes the oath taken by the foreman of a Grand Jury. SB 2567. Increases the offense class for aggravated criminal sexual abuse under subsection (f) from a Class 2 felony to a Class 1 felony and clarifies the definitions surrounding the concept of consent.

SB 2136. Allows for the expungement of criminal records for felony prostitution convictions.

Effective Jan. 1, 2022 SB 595. Requires plaintiffs or their attorney, rather than the clerk of the court, to send a copy of the publication to each defendant in mortgage foreclosure actions. HB 734. Allows a civil no contact order to become permanent at the request of a victim, if there is a conviction for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse or aggravated criminal sexual abuse. HB 842. Clarifies the assessment of fees under the Adult Guardianship Article of the Probate Act. HB 3882. Expands the definition of police vehicle to include watercraft, recreational off-highway vehicle, all-terrain vehicle and aircraft. HB 1838. Expands unlawful discrimination in the IL Human Rights Act to include discrimination against an individual because of their association with a person with a disability. SB 1976. Requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to place a sign at every visiting waiting area containing information regarding a point of contact person for all suggestions, complaints or other requests. SB 2204. Amends the definition of “stalking” to include knowingly making threats on two or more occasions, when the individual is aware of the threatening nature of the speech. HB 3895. Requires the Departments of Juvenile Justice and Corrections to implement wellness programs for all employees and staff to help address personal and professional mental health concerns. SB 2249. Clarifies that the Department of Corrections cannot fire an employee solely because the employee had their FOID card revoked due to the employee being enrolled at a mental health facility. SB 2340. Restricts the disclosure of the identity of an adult victim of criminal sexual assault.

BUSINESS Effective Jan 1, 2022 HB 633. Allows Illinois residents to maintain a vegetable garden on private property.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

GUEST COLUMNIST

ROB MORRISON Savant Wealth Management

To solve the labor shortage, get creative

This spring, Savant Wealth Management partnered with Absolute Engagement to study how investor perceptions of retirement are evolving. We learned that the textbook definition of “retirement” (working full time and then stopping work completely) doesn’t fully represent how many people would like to spend their time. In our survey of 750 investors, respondents told us they would like to continue to work – either full time, part time or as a volunteer – before stopping work altogether, and many also expressed a desire to try something new instead of working at their current jobs.

Respondents told us they would like to continue to work — either full time, part time or as a volunteer — before stopping work altogether. In fact, even after retiring, some people still can’t separate themselves from the idea of work. Our research found that nearly 20 percent of people who had already retired found themselves returning to the workforce. And, their retreat from a “false start” retirement wasn’t about the money: More than a third of our respondents said they were financially ready, but not personally ready, while another third said they just couldn’t move on from working full time. In addition to retirees, our entire workforce seems to be reckoning with their desire to experience life on their terms. An April story in the Washington Post, for example, refuted the idea that a labor shortage exists. Instead, the Post called it a “great reassessment of work in America.” The story cited growing evidence that people want to do something different with their lives than they did before the pandemic, including a Pew Research Center survey that found 66 percent of unemployed people had “seriously considered” changing their field of work – a percentage far greater than during the Great Recession. That means, to attract and retain employees, businesses – both large and small – need to rethink traditional employment practices.

Getting Creative While competitive salaries and excellent benefits are often central to a worker’s decision to join or leave

a company, small businesses often don’t have the deep pockets of a large corporation, and they may struggle to attract and retain certain kinds of employees as a result. Service industries, like restaurants and retail stores, are also likely to suffer as more workers opt for jobs that enable them to work remotely. So, how can employers think more creatively to hire and keep top talent without breaking the bank? One option may be to think differently about the available pool of workers. In 2015, Hollywood explored the idea of non-traditional employment with The Intern, starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. De Niro plays a 70-year-old widower who becomes an intern at an online fashion website after deciding retirement was too boring for him. De Niro’s character eventually becomes a trusted advisor to the website’s young entrepreneurial founder, and both benefit from the relationship. The movie is a simple example of the value a seasoned worker with different experience could bring to an employer who thinks beyond the traditional characteristics of an ideal employee. This type of thinking could also extend to the job structure itself. To provide employees with more flexibility, could a job-sharing arrangement work for your company? If you can’t allow employees to work from home, could you experiment with four-day work weeks instead? While good salaries and robust benefits packages will likely still carry the greatest influence on whether a job candidate accepts an offer, small businesses can also explore less costly perks, such as a gym membership allowance, paid membership to a wholesale club, or discounts on other services that may be valuable to workers and their overall wellbeing. It’s time to start thinking outside the proverbial box when it comes to creating meaningful jobs and maximizing workforce potential. If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that what we recognize as “business as usual” can change at any time. How we adapt will make all the difference. Rob Morrison, CFP®, is chief strategy and innovation officer at Savant Wealth Management and co-author of Victory Lap Retirement, second edition. The views expressed are those of Morrison’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

SPECIAL SECTION Finance: What’s Ahead for 2022?

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

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

economic development Don Daniels named interim RAEDC president

Cybersecurity Month brought resources to businesses Cybersecurity is the state of being protected against the criminal or unauthorized use of electronic data, or the measures taken to achieve this. This past month, the RAEDC has shared resources that are available to companies. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework consists of maturity processes and best practices from multiple cybersecurity standards, frameworks and other references as well as the Defense Industrial Base and Dept. of Defense (DoD) stakeholders. The Defense Department will require at least some companies bidding on defense contracts to certify that they meet at least a basic level of cybersecurity standards when responding to a request for proposals. The five levels outlined by the CMMC gives the DoD a framework to identify the readiness of a company and label prime suppliers. Level 1: Basic Cyber Protection. This includes incorporating and keeping anti-virus software up-to-date and changing passwords regularly. Level 2: Processes and Procedures. Documenting, establishing processes

and procedures, managing, reviewing and optimizing these practices. Level

Protection.

Protect

controlled unclassified information. Level 4 & 5: Protect and Reduce. Reduce the risk of persistent threats and continue to protect the controlled

The RAEDC is pleased to announce the addition of Don Daniels as the interim president of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. In this role, Don will use his operational skillset to help the RAEDC accomplish the goals established as a component of the Rockforward strategic plan. He also will work on connecting the dots between our business community’s needs and solutions that will ensure sustainable growth. Prior to joining the RAEDC, Don was the executive vice president and chief operating officer at SwedishAmerican Health System (a Division of UW Health). “We are excited to welcome Don to the RAEDC team,” said Einar Forsman, CEO of the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership. “His extensive leadership background will assist the organization through core initiatives and building and strengthening connections with our community.” Eric Cunningham, RAEDC board chair stated, “Don will be a valued addition to the organization and is eager

to engage. His experience in leading a regional healthcare institution puts him in a position to understand the needs of a larger organization as well as an industry that is critical to the success of our region.” The RAEDC continues the daily work of economic development. The role of president is critical to ensuring the region continues to be an opportunity region for businesses located here and companies that are considering a relocation into the region. Don moved into the region in 1995 and is committed to its success. When not working, Don is a huge sports fan, and while he may not be great at it, loves to play golf. He also is a history buff, especially American history. Welcome Don Daniels to the RAEDC team, as he begins his journey with the organization by emailing him at President@RockfordIL.com.

unclassified information. Companies that are cybersecure actively take a role in protecting against criminal or unauthorized use of electronic data. NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology) has outlined five foundational pillars of

Midwest Aerospace Conference ensures quality connections

cybersecurity which include: ■ Identify ■ Protect ■ Detect ■ Respond ■ Recover Beginning in 2020, CMMC started to be phased in, and continues through 2025. Companies that want to be eligible for Department of Defense contracts or as subcontractors will be required to have a plan and a path forward for

MAC2022 creates connections, discusses innovation, and strengthens supply chains and opportunities for attendees and exhibitors. One of the primary functions of MAC2022 is matchmaking and networking. The event features Dr. Ronald Sega as the keynote speaker and Dr. Kevin Michaels with an aerospace industry update, provide matchmaking opportunities, and continue the discussion about innovation, cybersecurity, and emerging technology. Registration to attend is open now or to become an exhibitor at MidwestAerospaceConference.com. We can’t wait to see you on March 10, 2022!

being a cybersecure company.

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November 2021

It is up to us to create the long-term conditions in

DR. EHREN JARRETT Superintendent RPS 205

Investments in our organization have paid off

Delivering a world-class education to our young people

The Rockford Public Schools has had a 10-year strategy of sharply reducing the district’s tax rate while protecting and growing our investments. Investing in students and staff is most important, but investing in high-quality buildings is also critical. The financial stewardship of successive School Boards speaks for itself. The district is projecting a tax rate in the 2022 levy year of below $6. That’s down from $7.93 as recently as the 2015 levy year. Together with taxing bodies like the City of Rockford, the district has been able to lessen the burden on local taxpayers by holding the line on tax levies and lowering tax rates. This sustained effort and shared commitment speaks to a truth we all know. No one has to live in Rockford. It is up to us to create the long-term conditions in which the community can attract and retain workers. Holding down tax rates is key to that effort. It’s an investment in our future.

Facilities Plan Completed While we were making that investment in holding down tax rates, we were making an investment of another kind. We completed a 10-year, $279 million facilities master plan that built two new schools and 21 additions, remodeled 39 schools and demolished nine schools that were no longer compatible with modern learning. We will forever be thankful to Rockford voters for twice approving referendums to allow this important work. We’ve had help along the way from the State of Illinois and the federal government. The Evidence-Based Funding method of financing schools has brought millions more to RPS 205 so we can give our students the support they need and gradually work toward parity with more affluent districts. Money from the American Rescue Plan-Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund gave us the latitude to remain a constant in students’ and families’ lives while the pandemic raged

on. We were among the earliest districts to open our doors to safe, in-person learning while offering families a choice of in-person or remote. Thanks to the additional support, we will be able to proceed with a $157 million air quality plan that includes air conditioning the remainder of our school buildings. We made progress toward that goal in the facilities master plan, but the additional federal help will get us over the finish line. It’s not just a matter of comfort for our students and staff; it’s a matter of health, safety and better learning conditions. I don’t have to tell anyone in this region how tough the last 10 years have been. The equalized assessed value in Winnebago County dropped more than 30 percent and has just recently recovered. The steep drop made the district’s work of holding the line so much harder, because as the EAV goes down, the tax rate goes up. In the midst of it, successive School Boards provided relief to struggling taxpayers by first

which the community can attract and retain workers. Holding down tax rates is key to that eﬀort. lowering the tax levy and then keeping it flat, year after year. We didn’t just accept federal and state help, we leveraged it. Instead of squeezing every penny, we’ve managed to lower the tax rate and make good investments in our organization -including investing in our infrastructure. We are not done, I assure you. We will continue with efforts to raise student achievement and provide young people with the world-class education our mission promises. We will continue to invest -- and protect the investment in -- our $1.7 billion infrastructure. And we will continue the work providing the relief our taxpayers so richly deserve. 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.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

in the news

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

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

1. Lesly Couper

2. Lori Lyons

3. Tiffany Nieman

4. Dr. Doris Kim

5. Craig Stallings

6. Monique M. Langrehr

7. Gabrielle Sims

8. Victoria (Markin) France

9. Shannon Kelly

10. Drexel P. McCalvin

11. Joseph Chan

12. Lauren Kolasinski

13. Linda Theus

14. Jennifer Smith

15. David Ruffin

16. Tammy Zurﬂuh

BOARD APPOINTMENTS YWCA Northwestern Illinois welcomed three new members its board: Lesly Couper, workplace (1); Lori Lyons (2), Village of Hampshire, and Tiffany Nieman (3), OSF HealthCare, for three-year terms. Alpine Kiwanis Club installed the following to its board: Jody Schumacher, president; Patrick Yarbrough, president elect; Dave Bennett, vice president; Pat Kasmar, club secretary; Kathy Vigna, membership secretary; Jim Coffey, treasurer, and Bill Osborne, immediate past president. New board members: Julie Johnson, Pam Osborne, Michele Yates and Linda Wennmacher.

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS

Riya Karne (17), Keith Country Day School, was named a commended student in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Joseph Chan (11), Rockford Christian Schools, was named a commended student in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. Lauren Kolasinski (12), Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, was named a member of the inaugural class of Gold Award - the highest achievement a girl scout can earn. She received a $2,000 national scholarship from Girl Scouts of the USA.

17. Riya Karne

18. Dr. Hannah Orem

Whitehead, Gilbert, Ariz.; Ashley Gutteridge, Chicago; Jeanene Canul, Belize, Calif., and Hallie Tucker, Rockford Park District announced that Bolivar, Mo. Ledius Felipe, 11, finished first in the Boylan Catholic High School named boys 10-11 age division in the Drive, Mark Larson, Genevieve Ryan and Chip, and Putt Regional Qualifier at Joseph Thomas as commended Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Ill. students in the 2022 National Merit NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, He’s the first local junior golfer to make Scholarship Program. RETIREMENTS it this far in the competition. Jennifer Smith (14), engagement OSF HealthCare welcomed Dr. Doris Rockford Art Museum announced the director, Community Foundation of Kim, M.D. (4), to OSF Medical Group, winners of the 73rd Greenwich Village Northern Illinois, was honored as one specializing in foregut surgery. Art Fair: Dan Brinkmeier, Mount Carroll, of the 2021 Crusader Community Ill. (Best of Show); Melinda Cook, Craig Stallings (5), regional vice Health Foundation Spirit of Caring Freeport; Dick Dahlstrom, Rockford; president of operations, is leading the award recipients. Norm Knott, Rockford; Katie and Chris Rosecrance Ware Center. Robleski, Milwaukee, and Samuel Yao, David Ruffin (15) received the Judson University welcomed eight Association of Midwest Museums Ann Arbor, Mich. (Judge’s Choice); faculty members to campus for the 2021 Distinguished Volunteer Award Claudia Darak, Schererville, Ind.; Joy 2021-2022 academic year: Dan for 25 years volunteering at Ethnic Griffis, Rockford; Kelly James, Hussey, architecture; Dr. Andressa Rockford; Anne Morris, Rock Island, Ill.; Heritage Museum/Graham-Ginestra Martinez, architecture; Tim May, music; House. Dr. Luis Fernando Nunez, architecture; Peter Swanson, Rockford (Honorable Mention), and Kyle Kufrin (Emerging Tammy Zurfluh (16), SVP Mortgage Dr. Edgardo Perez-Maldonado, Artist). Banking, Blackhawk Bank, was architecture; Roderick (Roger) Simmons, diversity and spiritual named the 2021 Affiliate of the Year by Jakob C. Loescher, financial advisor/ development; Dr. Solomon (Sean) the Rock-Green Realtors Association. team lead, Savant Wealth Wang, psychology, and Dr. Amy Management, ranked 38th in Forbes list Warfel, education. of the top 500 Next-Gen Wealth WilliamsMcCarthy LLP hired Monique Advisors nationally and third among 26 Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors in Illinois. M. Langrehr (6) as associate with a

Dr. Hannah Orem (18) celebrates eight years at Upper Cervical Care Center - Rockford. She’s the only woman in Illinois to be a level three candidate in the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association. Lakayla Toole-Floyd, Weichert, Realtors® - Tovar Properties, completed the Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. Fast Track training program. Savant Wealth Management staff achieved: Drake Grindle, financial advisor, the Certified Exit Planning Advisor credential; Stacy Roggensack, compliance specialist and document imaging supervisor, the investment adviser certified compliance professional certification; Casey Christianson, financial advisor, the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor distinction; Martin Perdoux, financial advisor, and Paulina Ksiazek, financial advisor, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification; Dan Crowley, investment research analyst, the Chartered Financial Analyst designation; and Laura Daly, client services supervisor, and Missy Howard, client services representative, the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ designation.

aMBaSSaDOR DOR SPOTLIGHT

focus on family law and civil litigation.

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois hired Gabrielle Sims (7) as scholarship associate. Victoria (Markin) France (8) was promoted to mortgage planner serving all Blackhawk Bank clients. Geronimo Hospitality Group hired Shannon Kelly (9) as public relations specialist. Rockford Mass Transit District hired Drexel P. McCalvin (10) as safety and training manager.

Linda Theus (13), janitor, Rockford Housing Authority, won the August Director’s Spotlight.

Judson University named incoming freshmen as 2021-22 Judson Roeser Scholars: Chase Ashcraft, Gosport, Ind.; Haven Beyer, Middleville, Mich.; Kayleigh Mackintosh, Sterling, Colo.; Katherine Breinig, Chicago; Zaria Boozer, Indian Land, S.C.; Brenna McGuire, Geneseo, Ill.; Jackson Fry, Martinsville, Ind.; Delia Tacheny, Hugo, Minn.; Rayna Mall, Cherry Hill, N.J.; Sydnie Elder, Belvidere, Ill.; Lillie

Karen Smith-Stietz,

Northern Illinois Health Plan (NIHP) NIHP is a TPA (Third Party Administrator) of self-funded employee benefit plans. We administer medical, dental, vision, H.S.A, HRA and FSA plans, as well as COBRA. We are known for our high level of personalized customer service with employers, consultants, providers and members. Being an Ambassador is a great way to meet other professionals, learn about other local businesses and have other businesses learn about you, and your business. Ribbon cuttings give you an opportunity to see newly opening businesses, and Chamber events are great networking opportunities. I live in a really small town, so I enjoy shopping in Rockford!

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

business

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Rockford Park District’s Therapeutic Recreation Fall 2021 Program Guide is available at rockfordparkdistrict.org/ therapeutic. Registration is open. Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Rockford Park District welcomed the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association Opening Weekend Tournament, Aug. 20 to 22. Teams came from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Florida and Texas; filling about 240 hotel room nights for an estimated economic impact of $135,000. Family Counseling Services offers a series of webinars on mental health and well-being topics, initially created for the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois’ Flourish initiative and funded by the SwedishAmerican Foundation. Visit www. familycounselingrockford.org. Rockford Mutual Insurance Company was named in the annual “Best Places to Work in Insurance” program by Business Insurance and Best Companies Group. Savant Wealth Management was named one of the Top 12 Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Firms in Chicago for 2020-2021 by AdvisoryHQ. It was on Barron’s list of 2021 Top 100 RIA firms. State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, presented a check on Sept. 24 to Rockford Rescue Mission from his recent Kids’ Bike and Fitness Day. One Body Collaboratives, in partnership with Bergstrom Inc., and workplace, graduated its first class of participants in the 10-session curriculum, “Getting Ahead in the Workplace,” which helps entry level workers build resources and stability. Rockford Park District and Rockford Public Library partnered to launch a RPL Storybook Walk at Sinnissippi Gardens, in the rose garden near Nicholas Conservatory. The featured book is “The Thing About Bees” by Shabazz Larkin. Visit www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org. Digital Hive Mind celebrates 10 years in business. The advertising and creative agency founded by Jason Farris and Erin Salisbury in September 2011 moved to its current location at the former National Lock building, 1922 7th St., in 2015.

through round two of its COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Mercyhealth’s Accountable Care Organization saved Medicare $15.6 million in 2020 while maintaining a quality score of 100 percent by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Its participation in the federal Medicare Shared Savings Program focused on improving Medicare beneficiaries’ health outcomes while maintaining costeffectiveness. Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomed the 2021 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Women’s Golf Championship, Oct. 1 to 3. Approximately 200 golfers, coaches/ administrators and fans attended at Aldeen Golf Club for an estimated $97,300 economic impact. Discovery Center Museum is commemorating 40 years with special events, membership giveaways and social media posts featuring photos and testimonials from members and guests over the years. Junior League of Rockford and Rockford Area Arts Council helped make the museum a reality. It’s served more than 4.5 million people onsite and almost 6 million through its outreach programs and now has 300 permanent exhibits. The Woodward, Inc., board declared a cash dividend of $0.1625 per share for the quarter, payable on Nov. 29, 2021 for stockholders of record as of Nov. 15, 2021. First National Bank and Trust joined the American Bankers Association and banks across the nation on the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign on the persistent threat of phishing scams. The FTC estimates that consumers lost $3.3 billion to phishing schemes and other fraud in 2020, nearly double the losses in 2019. Visit www.banksneveraskthat.com for a quiz to test your ability to spot a scam and learn tips to protect your accounts. Rockford Art Museum opened its new art exhibition, “My Way: African American Art from the Black South,” in October inside the Riverfront Museum Park building. Remains open Thursdays to Sundays through Jan. 23, 2022. General admission is free thanks to a sponsorship from Janella and Matthew Herbig.

Rosecrance Griffin Williamson campus opened an assessment unit for admitted adolescents to spend their first five days. Participants receive evaluations on understanding their needs and strengths and work on emotional regulation, communication and problem-solving skills in order to fully engage in the evidence-based treatment.

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services announced that the State of Illinois received a 2021 Historic Preservation Award by the City of Springfield’s Historic Sites Commission for its efforts to preserve historical buildings in downtown Springfield, including the Illinois State Armory, Old State Capitol dome, former State Journal Register building and the Chase/Marine building.

The Federal Communications Commission awarded OSF HealthCare with a $943,644 grant

RAMP received a $3,640 grant from the Freeport Community Foundation towards an electronic door opener

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

with a push plate, for greater accessibility for consumers and visitors at the building at 2155 W. Galena Ave., Freeport.

Uniformed Service Personnel offers residential and outpatient services for firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement officers and the military.

The WATT Global Media Petfood Forum, for the first time in more than two years, gathered live, Sept. 22 to 24, in Kansas City, Mo. The sold-out exhibit hall featured more than 300 of the pet food industry’s top supplier companies and more than 40 globally recognized presenters. Petfood Forum 2022 will take place again in Kansas, May 2 to 4.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois received a $1,800 sponsorship from the Center for Financial Literacy at North Central College on May 5 towards empowering local Girl Scouts in virtual entrepreneurship experiences.

Rockford Park District thanked local organizations and individuals for financial support in keeping Riverview Ice House open. Roughly $6 million is needed for renovations and replacements of the mechanical/ refrigeration system, hockey boards and glass. Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman helped secure a $2.5 million Illinois Capital Grant towards almost half the renovation costs, and Heather and Peter Provenzano gave $100,000 per year over 10 years to help offset the tax subsidy to run the ice house. Others mentioned were: the Koch family, the Save Riverview Ice House group, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, Rockford IceHogs, Rockford Hockey Club and Rockford Skating Club. Rockford Housing Authority announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determined that there is no costeffective modification program for the Fairgrounds Valley Apartments, and the early first phase of the decommissioning process will take place. Residents will be relocated through the RHA’s non-profit, Bridge Rockford, which will acquire and rehabilitate distressed, foreclosed single-family homes in high opportunity areas within Winnebago County. RAMP received $1,000 from Farmers Insurance to fund Youth Education Advocacy services in Stephenson County: educational rights training, self-advocacy skills training, information and referral, peer support, independent living skills training, transition planning guidance, educational workshops, assistance with letter writing and attendance at IEP or 504. KMK Media Group was hired by the International Women’s Baseball Center board to design a marketing brochure to support fundraising for a museum and activity center to be built at Beyer Stadium, home of the Rockford Peaches. Joe’s Kwik Marts hired KMK to develop a new website promoting its 40 locations throughout the east coast at joeskwikmart.com. A study by the Ruderman Family Foundation noted that first responders are about five times more likely than others to experience depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Rosecrance’s Florian Program for

Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence received a $250,000 state grant to continue its 81Thrive initiative, credited with stabilizing seven local philanthropic organizations jeopardized by the global pandemic including Winnebago County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Northwest Community Center and Jeremiah Development. This included diversity, equity and inclusion training for hundreds of nonprofit leaders and employees. NICNE currently is a community navigator for the state’s Back 2 Business economic stimulus program for eligible nonprofits. NIU, a founding member of The Esports Collegiate Conference, added new teams, new games and a new partnership with eFuse, an esports platform that will produce, stream and showcase ESC tournaments and events throughout the 2021-22 season. Visit go.niu.edu/esports. OSF HealthCare now is offering the Invenia ABUS 2.0 (Automated Breast Ultrasound System), approved by the Food and Drug Administration for breast cancer screening as an adjunct to mammography for women with dense breast tissue. First National Bank and Trust Company bank customer Belinda S. was the August winner of a $1,000 prepaid card from Mastercard® as a part of its participation in Mastercard’s Priceless Surprises sweepstakes. Customers automatically receive an entry into the sweepstakes each time they use their FNBT debit Mastercard to make signature-based purchases through Dec. 31, 2021. Volleyball, basketball and pickleball enthusiasts can rent a court at the Rockford Park District’s UW Health Sports Factory. Visit uwhealthsportsfactory.com/rentals. The Rockford IceHogs announced the radio and audio streaming broadcast schedule for the 2021-22 season. Mid-West Family Broadcasting and the IceHogs will showcase the future of the Chicago Blackhawks and stream every audio broadcast at local stations: 104.9 The X, B103, 95.3 The Bull and Rockford Greatest Hits 100.5. It also will be featured on Rock River Current and live broadcasts and on-demand audio streams for every game available at IceHogs.com and the IceHogs app.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

on digital

MEMBER PICS

LADIWORKZ holds a ribbon cutting on Oct. 1 to celebrate its grand reopening at 730 N. Church St., Ste. 101, 102, 103, Rockford.

FurstStafﬁng holds a ribbon cutting and open house on Oct. 15 for 50 years in business and its new location at 120 W. State St., Ste. 100 in downtown Rockford (first ﬂoor of the former PNC bank building, corner of West State and Wyman streets).

IN MEMORIAM Rockford resident Charles (Chuck) Freeman Thomas, 87, cofounder of the law firm that eventually became Hinshaw & Culbertson, passed away peacefully on Oct. 8, 2021. After briefly considering becoming a Catholic priest, the West High School graduate instead pursued a law career, receiving his Juris Doctorate at Georgetown University. With his father, Charles A. Thomas, he formed Thomas & Thomas Law Firm, in 1967, which grew and eventually became Thomas, Keeling & Moore before merging with Chicago-based Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. He once argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the city of Rockford, and served on many boards, including the OSF board for 50 years, and was legal counsel for the Rockford Catholic Diocese for more than 40 years. Chuck married Mary Suzanne Johnson, on Oct. 4, 1958. They recently celebrated their 63-year anniversary. He was the first person to bring hot air ballooning to Rockford and was the first American to fly a hot air balloon over the Great Wall of China. He participated in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., representing Finland, and became so competent in flying

Charles (Chuck) Freeman Thomas powered parachutes, he was asked to teach JFK, Jr., how to fly them. His pride and joy was his 1942 Stearman World War II bi-wing airplane. He competed in four marathons and more than 150 triathlons well into his 80s. At age 18, he held the record for swimming the length of Lake Geneva and was on the first search and rescue dive team for the Lake Geneva Water Safety Patrol. Chuck loved weekends spent on his family farm, Kings Acres, often playing polo, flying one of his aircraft or harvesting his home-grown honey, “Glory Bee.” He brought polo and fox hunts to Rockford. He will be remembered by his beloved wife, Sue, his six children, Kellee, Kim, Chuck, Mike, Debbie and Susie, his 16 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Denise and son-in-law, Rick.

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

40-YEAR MEMBER Rockford Toolcraft, Inc.

35-YEAR MEMBERS GrahamSpencer Brand + Content Solutions

Independence Village at Rockford

15-YEAR MEMBERS Anchor Wealth Management holds a ribbon cutting and open house on Oct. 21 at 4949 Harrison Ave., Ste. 110 for the opening of its second office, the operations center, in its building.

Edward Jones - Erna Colborn, AAMS®, CRPS®, Financial Advisor hosts a ribbon cutting on Oct. 26 at 483 N. Mulford Road, Ste. 103, Rockford for the opening of the new office.

Professional Graphics Inc. City of Rockford

Saint Anthony College of Nursing Summit Radiology

10-YEAR MEMBERS Atlas Components

Cross Creek Condominium Association

Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Community Housing

Restore Counseling & Recovery holds a ribbon cutting on Oct. 27 at 7399 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park for the opening of its new office.

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

community

COMMUNITY EVENTS & WEBINARS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7

NOVEMBER 2021 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Actor and comedian Kevin James performs live, 7:30 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at ticketmaster.com or 815-968-5222.

Discovery Center Museum presents Smashing Pumpkins, 9:30 to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Outdoor activities, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Used jack-o-lanterns will become parking lot projectiles! Advance reservations required atwww. discoverycentermuseum.org.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Rockford City Market hosts Winter Markets starting today, 4 to 8 p.m. Takes place the first Friday of the month and features local producers, artists, makers and vintage. Admission free. Visit www.rockfordcitymarket.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Rockford Park District hosts Rockin’ Rocky’s Family Skate sessions, Saturdays and Sundays through April 24, 2022, at Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road. Visit rockfordparkdistrict.org/publicskate. Rockford IceHogs’ 23rd season kicks off locally with Healthcare Workers Appreciation Weekend and Opening Night, Nov. 6, 6 p.m., vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, and Nov. 7, 4 p.m., vs. Manitoba at BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. Visit icehogs.com/tickets.

WOTM Member Appreciation Dinner, 5 p.m., at Lino’s, 5611 E. State St., Rockford. RSVP to wotmrkfd@gmail. com by Nov. 5.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12 The Rockford branch of the NAACP teams up for an event with GreenTown Rockford, Sustain Rockford and other cosponsors, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Embassy Suites, Rockford. Topics range from water to economic development to the outdoors. Young people are especially invited to attend. Register at www.greentownconference. com. Rockford Area Arts Council’s deadline is today for 2022 Community Arts Access Grants. Up to $2,500 awarded to individual artists partnering with a 501c3, arts organizations and non-profit organizations in Boone, DeKalb, Ogle and Winnebago counties.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Area Erectors, Inc. Axberg, a Division of Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc. Benson Stone Company, Inc. Bergstrom Inc. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate City of Rockford Colorwave Graphics, LLC Crimson Ridge Estates Condominium - South Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary Custom Training Resources Digital Hive Mind

Dry Otter Basement Water Proofing/Foundation Repair Ebiss USA Entré Computer Solutions Estate Law Partners, LLC Fehr Graham Global Display Solutions, Inc. Gordon Flesch Company, Inc. GrahamSpencer Brand + Content Solutions GSF - USA Header Die & Tool, Inc. Keller Williams Realty Signature Laurent House Foundation, Inc.

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

Grants applications at artsforeveryone. com/access-grants or contact Beth at info@artsforeveryone.com or 815-9636765.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Midway Village Museum hosts a Harvest Tea, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., in the Chamberlain Hotel in Victorian Village, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford. Hot tea and three-course luncheon. Make a tea cup candle to take home. Reserve at 815-397-9112, ext. 106, caitlin.treece@midwayvillage.com or www.midwayvillage.com by Nov. 10. Gary LeVox performs, 8 p.m., at Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, his hits from Rascal Flatts and his original music. Tickets at ticketmaster.com or 815968-5222.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20 Rockford Park District presents Leafy Masterpieces, noon to 2 p.m., at Atwood Center, Seth B. Atwood Park, 2685 New Milford School Road. Register at www.atwoodpark.org/ programs. Pro Legal Care LLC presents Dancing with the Rockford Stars 2021, 6 to 11 p.m., at the Tabala Events Center, 7910 Newburg Road, to

benefit Family Counseling Services of Northern Illinois. Visit one.bidpal. net/dwtrs2021/ticketing.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Multi-platinum-selling recording artist Josh Turner performs his Christmas Tour Holiday & The Hits, 7:30 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at ticketmaster.com or 815968-5222.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Country music superstar Martina McBride performs her Joy of Christmas Tour, 7:30 p.m., at Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets at ticketmaster.com or 815-968-5222.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27 Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosts Dasher Dash 5K, noon, on the day of Stroll on State. Register by Nov. 25 at www.strollonstate.com. Rockford City Market hosts a Holiday Market indoors at 116 N. Madison St., 2 to 9 p.m., during Stroll on State. Goods from local jewelry makers, soap makers, farmers, crafters and vintage sellers. Admission free. Visit www. rockfordcitymarket.com.

Thank you to members who renewed with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in September 2021 Lifescape Community Services/Community Kitchen, Inc. Lowe’s Distribution Center Midwest Roofing Supply Movement Fitness NLT Title, a division of Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. Northern Illinois Institute for the Healing of Racism, Inc. - ComeTogether Rockford (NIIHR, Inc.) Northwestern Mutual Nutrition Works, Inc.

Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd./Fred C. Olson Chapel Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd./North Main Chapel & Care Center Project First Rate QPS Employment Group Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center Rockford Art Deli Rockford Auto Glass and More Rockford Bell Credit Union Rockford Cosmopolitan Club Rockford Housing Authority Rockford OMS

Rockford Register Star Rockford Systems, LLC Rockford Toolcraft, Inc. S. J. Carlson Fire Protection ServiceMaster Restoration by DSI Smeja Homestead Foundation SmithAmundsen LLC Spider Company Inc. Ticomix, Inc. Tree Care Enterprises Inc. Weichert Realtors Tovar Properties Wesley Willows Winnebago County Bar Association

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

November 2021

Are you a Member with News to Share?

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION 1. Publication Title: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community

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(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):

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The VOICE, Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101

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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

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Managing Editor: Doug Hessong, same as above.

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: 2,609 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 2,630

10. Owner: Rockford Chamber of Commerce

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Complete Mailing Address: 308W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101-1104.

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 2,609

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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.

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 5,966

13. Publication Title: The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 34

14. Issue Date for Circulation Data: September 2021 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: 5,966 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: 332 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 358 (2) In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 3,015 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 2,978 (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS®:

g. Copies not Distributed: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 44 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: 56.20% No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 55.92% 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: 3,347 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 3,336 c. Total Requested Copy Distribution (Line 15f) + Requested/ Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a):

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 5,956

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 5,966

(4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail®):

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: N/A

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 56.20%

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 55.92%

c. Total Paid and/or Requested Distribution [Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)]:

I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are legitimate requests or paid copies.

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 3,347

17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requestor Publication is required and will be printed in the November 2021 issue of this publication.

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 3,336

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A

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):

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Signed: Doug Hessong, Dir. of Publications and Technology Date: Oct. 4, 2021

d. Nonrequested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail) (1) Outside County Nonrequested Copies Included on PS Form 3541:

(2) In-County Nonrequested Copies Included on PS Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A

THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com

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CHAMBER EVENTS & WEBINARS

NOVEMBER, 2021

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront & Rockford Conference Center, 416 S. Main St., Rockford. Features internationally recognized mental strength expert and bestselling author, Amy Morin. Sponsored by Rosecrance Health Network (presenting).

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5 IGNITE Lunch with a Leader, noon to 1 p.m., PURI School of Business, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Features Beth Thacker, wealth management advisor at Northwestern Mutual.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Government Affairs Council, RESCHEDULED FOR DEC. 8

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Breakfast Buzz, 8 to 9:30 a.m., PURI School of Business, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Emily Selck, director of cyber liability at M3 Insurance, presents “Cyber Risk: What Executives & Business Owners Need to Know.” Sponsored by RSM US LLP. Nominations Due for Manufacturers of the Year and Individual Business Catalyst of the Year. Go to rockfordchamber.com to nominate!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Education Outlook, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford. Brief update by Superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett, followed by a panel on the future of Rockford’s workforce. Sponsored by BMO Harris Bank (community series presenting), Humana and Rockford University (gold) and Comcast Business (community series silver).

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Crusader Community Health is a not-for-proﬁt community health center providing access to quality primary health care on an aﬀordable, sliding fee basis. 1215 N. Alpine Road, 61107 Samuel Miller 815-490-1600 www.crusaderhealth.org

JOSEF’S

Fine dining restaurant 6860 Spring Creek Road, 61114 Laura Renner 779-770-3834 www.josefs.us

ROCKFORD ENGINEERED COMPONENTS LLC

Manufacturer’s rep agency specializing in power transmission components for OEM and aftermarket. 3750 Foxborough Lane, 61114 Bradley Wilfong 779-423-1889 www.rockfordec.com

Allen Galluzzo Hevrin Leake, LLC. . . . . 13

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

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

Northern Public Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

BMO Harris Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Northwestern Mutual / M. Beth Thacker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Boylan Catholic High School . . . . . . . . . 6 Edward Jones / Erna Colborn . . . . . . .14 Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP . . . . . . . . . .11 Illinois Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) . . . . . . . . . 8 Leading Lawyers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

VOICE

DECEMBER, 2021 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8 Government Affairs Council, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. Sponsored by AT&T. Breakfast Buzz, 8 to 9:30 a.m., PURI School of Business, 5100 E. State St., Rockford. Sponsored by RSM US LLP.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16 Celebration of Manufacturing Expo & Dinner, 4 to 8 p.m., Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront & Rockford Conference Center 416 S Main St,Rockford. Sponsored by Illinois Bank & Trust (presenting), Comcast Business and RSM US LLP (gold), and Thayer Energy Solutions (silver).

TAD MORE TAILORING

Alternations/tailoring 6116 Mulford Village Dr., Ste. 15, 61107 Rockford, IL 61107 Sarene Alsharif 779-423-7234 www.tmtailor.com

WAL-MART STORES, INC. #1490 Discount department store 7219 Walton St., 61108 Amra Huskic 815-399-7143 www.walmart.com

WAL-MART STORES, INC. #1955

OSF HealthCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C. . . . .10 Rockford Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15, 17, 22, 24 Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Thayer Energy Solutions . . . . . . . . . .7, 15

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

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

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS CRUSADER COMMUNITY HEALTH - ALPINE

November 2021

the

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100 ...........................................Direct Line Caitlin Pusateri, Executive Vice President ...............................................815-316-4337 Heidi M. Garner, Chief Operating Officer ..................................... 815-316-4312 Lynette Jacques, Vice President, Member Investment ..................... 815-316-4317 Jeff Bailey, Membership Development Executive ...................................815-316-4336 Olivia Guzman, Administrative Assistant/Customer Service Rep...........815-987-8100 Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology .................... 815-316-4338 Carmen Kellerman, Program & Event Coordinator .............................. 815-316-4302 Kristin Muehlfelder, Member Relations....................................................815-316-4315 Doug Rand, Accounting Manager/Controller ................................ 815-316-4316 Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator .......................... 815-316-4320 Einar K. Forsman, President & CEO ........................................... 815-987-8100 Edward Caceres, Director, Small Business Development Center ....................................................815-987-8100

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

DIRECTORS

Chair of the Board Dan Ross Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Vice Chair Jean Crosby Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Vice Chair Don Daniels Treasurer Amy Ott Boylan Catholic High School

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

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

Carly LaMonica LaMonica Beverages, Inc. Kris L. Kieper Machajewski YWCA Northwestern Illinois Mike Paterson Mid-West Family Broadcasting Joel A. Prah Mercyhealth Denise Sasse RSM US LLP John Schuster Rosecrance Health Network

Alex Stagnaro-Green, MD, MHPE, MHA Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford Karl Swanson Illinois Bank & Trust Robert Young Midwest Packaging and Container

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

Teresa Sharp American Precision Supply, Inc.

DECEMBER VOICE SPECIAL SECTIONS

Smart Technology

Discount department store 3849 Northridge Dr., 61114 Stephanie Nelson 815-636-0101 www.wal-mart.com

(Doing Business in a Tech World)

WAL-MART STORES, INC. #5398

(The Importance of Giving Back)

Discount chain, vision center, tire lube, PCA portrait studio, pharmacy, bank 3902 W. Riverside Blvd., 61101 Fabian Lehaney 815-962-4071 www.wal-mart.com

Nonproﬁt Matters For information on advertising, call 815

987-8100

November Voice 2021

Articles inside

MEMBER PROFILE - Tovar Snow Professionals

Executive's Perspective - November 2021

Small Business Enterprise - SBDC November 2021

IGNITE November 2021