November Voice 2022

Navigating retail

Building a better customer experience

By Andrew Wright Director of Strategic Initiatives, Rockford Chamber of Commerce

When the seasons change and the holiday decorations come out, it’s easy to see that retail businesses have been working all year behind the scenes to prepare for the influx of shoppers.

But the past two years have been anything but predictable. Many businesses have weathered uncertain supply chains as they attempt to restock their stores to match pre-pandemic demands. However, rising interest rates, higher costs for utilities and gas, and other economic factors could make shoppers more cautious this holiday season.

Here’s how four Rockford business are building a better customer experience.

Benson Stone Company

Last year was a record year for Benson Stone Company, a brick, stone and masonry supplier and retailer of quality home furnishings.

“There was a huge amount of pentup demand, as everyone was sitting at home thinking on ways to improve their space,” said Andrew Benson, president of Benson Stone Company. “We’ve grown our staff since pre-pandemic. And we’re seeing supply chains getting better; costs and freight charges coming down.”

According to Benson, 2022 has been a good year as well. “We’re well over 2019 and 2018, but I think the home

improvement sector is lightening up a bit. However, we’re seeing gift items and café traffic improve [as the holidays near].”

Creating an inviting customer experience is evident at Benson Stone’s showroom in the restored the historic Rockford Standard Furniture factory in midtown—from the fresh-baked scents of the Hearth Rock Café to the giant stone fireplace that’s always lit during business hours.

But it’s not all retail glitz. They offer quality products for nearly any budget along with a low price guarantee. Other local retailers also are stepping up to improve the customer experience.

Women in leadership

Paying it forward to the next generation

By Andrew Wright Director of Strategic Initiatives, Rockford Chamber of Commerce

Women have made lasting and significant professional contributions to our city, from the women who worked in the manufacturing shops of the 1940s during World War II to the boardrooms of many of today’s largest professional institutions. And we can’t forget the history-making Rockford Peaches.

“I can say right now that I feel like there’s been an emergence of women leaders in our community,” said Martesha Brown, Northwest Illinois regional community development relationship manager for Midland States Bank in Rockford and a commissioner for the Rockford Park District. “We’re doing the work behind the scenes to make sure we’ve earned a seat at the table.”

A graduate of Auburn High School, Brown returned to Rockford after getting her bachelor’s at Southern Illinois University in mass communication. She pursued her MBA at Rockford University while working for the Rockford Park District.

Brown says she was fortunate to have several women in her life who set an example for her.

“My mom is one of my best mentors. She brought me up to be bold and confident and to be able to overcome barriers, whether it’s being a woman or minority in the community,” she said. “What she taught me growing up was essential to me in my grown life.”

“There are two other women that I think about that, as a young girl, inspires and embodies what you want to be. Mrs. Dimke was the principle at Macintosh Elementary School and I remember seeing her dressing professionally, carrying a briefcase, and I remember thinking that I wanted to be like her,” Brown continued. “And Mrs. Sams, my fourth grade teacher, was so caring, knowledgeable and beautiful. She carried herself with so much class, and that’s something that stuck with me my whole life. She’s now a retired entrepreneur, and I often think to myself, ‘Is this how Mrs. Sams would handle the situation?’ She’s that example for me.”

Brown’s work at Midland States Bank

BARBER-COLMAN CAMPUS TAKES SHAPE

In October 2021, the Rockford City Council approved the sale of the Barber-Colman Campus for $500,000 to J. Jeffers & Company. The parties are negotiating the terms of a redevelopment agreement, which is anticipated to be reached by December 1, 2022. The project was unanimously approved by the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals in October 2022.

At that meeting, the public was able to see the vision for the new Colman Yards—an ambitious, multi-year venture to create 964 living units and roughly 130,000 square feet of commercial space. Milwaukee-based J. Jeffers & Company specializes in the adaptive reuse of historical properties and intends to preserve the heritage of the campus.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 event schedule. Sponsorships are open to Chamber members and provide significant exposure to the business community and general public. With revamped programs and events, 2023 sponsorship opportunities truly provide something for all budgets. Special sponsorship opportunities for small businesses have been added to traditional offerings. For more information, visit www. rockfordchamber.com or email Caitlin Pusateri at cpusateri@ rockfordchamber.com.

of the rockford business community

CAITLIN PUSATERI Rockford Chamber President

Empowering women in the workforce

Three easy tips

My daughter is the first woman born on my husband’s side of the family in 103 years. When we found out we were having a girl, I was elated. I had always envisioned my life with a daughter, and I am honored to be raising a resilient, feisty daughter who negotiates better than anyone I’ve ever met and exhibits her leadership skills regularly. But, when thinking about how to raise her in today’s world, the responsibility feels especially daunting. (To be fair, raising my beloved son also feels daunting, just in different ways. Maybe raising kids is just, well, daunting … but I digress.)

As a female leader in the community, I feel a strong sense of responsibility both to Marin, my daughter, and my fellow women professionals. It should come as no surprise that women can sometimes be a bit, well, awful to other women. (You saw Mean Girls, right?). We aren’t known for intuitively lifting each other up or reaching down to pull up the next female leader as we climb the ladder.

Traditionally, women are known to

have a scarcity mindset when it comes to leadership and power. And there’s good reason for that. When you’ve been marginalized or disadvantaged, it can feel extremely vulnerable to be secure enough in your position or power to reach out and bring someone else along side you. It feels like you have to work harder, prove your worth above and beyond what’s called for and never let them see you sweat. It’s exhausting, and difficult, to reach your arms out when you are clinging to everything you’ve worked so hard for.

There is certainly a shift among women in our country and community. There’s female empowerment and mentorship programs focused specifically on women leaders, and plenty of ceiling-shattering women who extend hand after hand to women around them. But, there’s more work to be done.

Sometimes the lack of action comes from the lack of understanding what the problem is or where the barriers to entry lie. So, I thought it could be helpful to

outline three small (and free) ways in which you can empower women in the local workforce.

1. Examine your meeting times. Do your important, decision-making meetings (board, leadership, etc.) occur when all people are available without accommodation? If not, shift them to a time that’s within agreed upon working hours. In Rockford, we have a love affair with 7:30 a.m. meetings (my own board meeting included). While the practice harkens back to our manufacturing roots, that time of day unintentionally cuts working caregivers (who traditionally tend to be women) out of many important conversations, or it adds an undue level of stress to the prep time. Many working caregivers may not have adequate in-home care, daycare or before-school care that allows them the flexibility to come to meetings outside of normal work hours. Examining meeting times and shifting, often even just by 30 minutes or an hour, can eliminate barriers for a whole slew of people.

2. Help identify and reassign invisible labor. Think about your office kitchen … Who orders the coffee when it runs out? Who organizes staff birthday cards or retirement parties? Who takes notes during meetings? Those of you playing along at home likely answered

Let your Voice be

heard

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce welcomes and encourages member submissions for The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community.

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication date. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to:

The VOICE

Rockford Chamber of Commerce 308 W. State St., Ste. 350 Rockford, IL 61101

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

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

Periodicals postage paid at Rockford, Ill.

Greater Rockford Growth Partnership CEO retires Einar

Forsman retires end of year

The board of the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership (GRGP) announced the retirement of Einar Forsman, effective at the end of this year. Forsman contributed to Rockford’s community on a personal and professional level for several decades, helping grow business success and workforce development in the region.

Forsman led the GRGP as its CEO, working with its board and staff, over the last year to drive the GRGP’s mission to accelerate the region’s business growth, innovation and entrepreneurs toward economic prosperity. The GRGP formed as an umbrella organization for the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) and future partner organizations to align goals and initiatives centered around community image, attracting talent to the region and public policies affecting local businesses.

“Einar has been an incredible leader for decades through his work at the City of Rockford, Rock Valley College and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “His knowledge and experience have been critical in moving our

community forward, and his presence in the business community will be truly missed. I wish him and his wife the best in their new adventure.”

Since 1986, Forsman helped develop and grow Rockford on many fronts. Prior to joining the GRGP, Forsman served for 14 years as president and CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, served as director of economic and business outreach for Rock Valley College and was city administrator for the City of Rockford.

“When I came to Rockford, it was at the start of my professional career, and I expected to be here just few years. Now, here I am 36 years later with a

TOM MCNAMARA MAYOR OF ROCKFORD

community that embraced me personal and professionally,” Forsman said. “It has been my honor to support and advance the community in any way I was able to.”

Forsman also served on several volunteer, non-profit boards including the Workforce Connection, Lifescape Services, Community Kitchen, Inc., Rockford Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Rockford Health Council, Rockford Area Economic Development Corporation, and the YMCA of Rock River Valley.

Jeff Hultman, President and CEO of Illinois Bank and Trust and GRGP Board chairman, said, “Einar’s contributions to the Chamber and GRGP have been significant and

meaningful towards the development of Rockford. His extensive knowledge of the area, local leaders and community organizations helped move initiatives forward. He will be missed and I wish Einar and his wife well in retirement.”

The GRGP Board is beginning discussions regarding the search for a new leader.

THE GREATER ROCKFORD GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

The Greater Rockford Growth Partnership is a non-profit umbrella organization aimed at advancing the region’s economy under which the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and the Rockford Area Economic Development Council’s goals are aligned for greater impact on business growth in the region.

“Einar has been an incredible leader for decades through his work at the City of Rockford, Rock Valley College and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.”

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Greenlink Energy Solutions

Greenlink Energy Solutions helps businesses and homeowners in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin maximize their energy systems to improve health, comfort and efficiency. Headquartered in Rockford, the company has more than 50 employees and satellite locations in Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee.

“I felt a company that could offer energy-saving solutions to homeowners was not only viable, it was necessary,” said Austin Carr, owner and founder of Greenlink. “As it turns out, I was right. People are genuinely interested in addressing their homes’ energy issues.”

It runs in the family

Growing up in Rockford, Carr was introduced to energy efficiency, heating and cooling at a very early age. His dad owned Carr’s Refrigeration, and both his father and grandfather are experienced heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) contractors.

Carr founded Greenlink Energy Solutions in 2010 after serving at Fort Hood as a sergeant in the U.S. Army for four years, including a tour in Iraq. Trained and certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI), Carr and his team complete hundreds of energy assessments and solar installations each year.

Helping homeowners

Greenlink’s mission is to be a fiduciary for customers when it comes to all things energy related. For example, their first priority when taking on a client is to make energy-efficient repairs before proposing upgrades to renewable sources of energy.

“This helps achieve the greatest cost savings,” Carr said.

According to Greenlink’s website, about 90 percent of all houses don’t have enough insulation. Over time, insulation settles and becomes less effective. By adding insulation, Greenlink can quickly and cost-effectively make a home more energy efficient and comfortable. They even offer “green” insulation made out of recycled paper.

With so many people staying in and working from home, we saw comfort and air quality become more important than cost savings for homeowners seeking energy efficient upgrades.

“The biggest and most hidden problems in homes are found in the attic because people don’t see what’s up there and are unaware,” Carr said. “There can be inadequate insulation and ventilation problems that cause moisture and mold to collect. A lot of times, people don’t even realize they have a problem.”

During the pandemic, Greenlink saw demand for its services grow.

“We really didn’t anticipate an increase in business, but since 2020 we’ve helped a lot of people improve their indoor air quality and energy savings,” Carr said. “With so many people staying in and working from home, we saw comfort and air quality become more important than cost savings for homeowners seeking energy efficient upgrades.”

Going solar

Greenlink opened its solar division in 2018.

“As part of our 360° approach, we’re interested in more than just the energy you consume,” Carr said. “As a solar company, we offer services to help our customers produce power for themselves.”

According to Carr, demand for renewable energy has grown as tax rebates and other incentives have made the technology more affordable.

In addition to solar, other renewable energy sources include biomass, geothermal and wind systems.

For more information about Greenlink, visit https://usgreenlink.com/.

Carr and his team complete hundreds of energy assessments and solar installations each year.

VASILIKE SANDAS M.D. Encompass Health Van Matre

GUEST COLUMNIST

Dealing with long COVID

It may be problematic, but there’s help

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 13 adults in the U.S. have what’s referred to as “long COVID” symptoms three or more months after they first contracted the virus.

The symptoms range from general fatigue to respiratory, heart, and/or neurological issues. The severity varies from person to person, but data suggests long COVID is keeping 16 million or more individuals out of work and generally having a negative impact on quality of life. The good news is that there is help for people with long COVID that can get them back to work and doing the things they love to do.

Long COVID can affect anyone who was infected with the virus. However, those most likely to have long COVID are individuals who experienced severe illness from the virus (including hospitalization), those with underlying health conditions prior to getting COVID, those who didn’t receive the COVID vaccine, and those who experience multisystem inflammatory syndrome during or after COVID.

One of the challenges of identifying and addressing this syndrome is that some people who get it didn’t even know they had COVID in the first place, and there is no test to diagnose long COVID.

In general, a diagnosis is made based on a history that includes a positive COVID test or exposure to the virus, symptoms reported/experienced and a physical exam.

Long COVID symptoms may include:

■ Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life

■ Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and/or cough

■ Chest pain and/or pounding heart

■ Neurological issues such as difficulty thinking or concentrating, headache, sleep problems, dizziness, pins-and-needles feelings, and/or change in smell or taste

■ Diarrhea and/or stomach pain

■ Joint or muscle pain

■ Rash

Anyone who has any of these symptoms, even if they don’t think they

have had COVID, should report these to their physician or other practitioner. As unexplained symptoms may be misunderstood, so it’s important to seek guidance from practitioners who have experience working with COVID and understand the virus.

Professionals such as physiatrists — physicians who have completed training in the specialty field of physical medicine and rehabilitation — can diagnose long COVID, as well as design treatment protocols, prescribe medications and work with patients to minimize the impact of their symptoms and maximize their functioning and quality of life.

It is important to realize that there isn’t any one treatment for long COVID. The symptoms often involve several body systems at one time. Specialist such as physiatrists will develop customized treatment plans that address symptoms in all affected areas — including the nervous system, heart and lungs. They also can refer patients for psychological support to deal with mental health issues such as the

depression and anxiety of dealing with the negative lingering impact of COVID.

Recovery from long COVID takes time and effort. But having the support and guidance of dedicated, experienced practitioners can help get people back to work and life as soon as possible.

Vasilike Sandas, M.D., is medical director at Encompass Health Van Matre.

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

It is important to realize that there isn’t any one treatment for long COVID. The symptoms often involve several body systems at one time.

those questions with a feminine name. It isn’t intentional that women tend to get saddled with additional responsibilities that typically do not lead to promotions, but it happens all. the. time. When performance reviews come around, no one says, “Hey Sally, we’re going to promote you to manager because you really picked the perfect birthday card for all employees this year.” It’s work that takes time, mental energy, and effort … and it’s not related to promotion or performance. To combat this unintentional imbalance of responsibilities, chart out what invisible labor is important to your organization and assign the work more evenly to all employees. While male counterparts may first balk at the idea of grabbing birthday cards during a Target run, they’ll soon come to see that the greeting card section is truly a welcoming aisle that accepts all.

3. Prioritize understanding women’s professional goals. Have an up-andcomer on our team that happens to be

female? Take her to coffee and learn more about what her aspirations are. What does she hope to get out of her current job? Where does she see herself in five years? What projects would help her hone her skills, increase her knowledge or help her grow? Then, take that feedback and help design a plan for her to progress through her goals. This form of mentorship doesn’t have to take a large amount of time or a hefty financial commitment. But the act of

caring enough to help her plan—that’s impactful mentorship.

One day, I hope Marin looks back at her childhood and is flooded with memories of support, love and understanding. I hope she remembers her mom showing up for her, working to understand her specific wants and reaching down the professional ladder to bring her right on up beside me. I hope she remembers all of this while feeling fulfilled in her chosen career, supported by the leaders in her community and loved by family and friends.

LEADERSHIP

Continued from front page

puts her in a position to mentor the next generation, to pursue inclusion and seek out excellence among others making their way through the bank hierarchy.

“There’s something special about empowering one another and being a part of a group with this level of support,” she said.

Danielle DeDario, business banking relationship manager for US Bank also views her position as one of empowerment for local businesses.

“I love helping businesses become more effective with their money, increase their cash flow and become sustainable,” DeDario explains. “By helping businesses grow, I am opening doors. That becomes impactful for the community.”

DeDario has worked in banking for 20 years and manages teams in multiple locations throughout Northern Illinois. She is passionate about developing her team and encourages young women to pursue careers in finance.

“Prior to banking, I was an insurance rep. My mother and sister were both in banking, but I was resistant, she said. “One day, my friend Heather said ‘You gotta come work here, you should be a manager.’”

Women in the labor force

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 2021 report

In 2019, 57.4 percent of all women participated in the labor force. This was up from 57.1 percent who participated in 2018, but 2.6 percentage points below the peak of 60.0 percent in 1999. By comparison, the labor force participation rate for men was 69.2 percent in 2019, little changed from the previous year and 17.4 percentage points below its peak of 86.6 percent in 1948.

The rapid rise in women’s labor force participation was a major development in the labor market during the second half of the 20th century. Overall, women’s labor force participation increased dramatically from the 1960s through the 1980s, before slowing in the 1990s. With the dawn of the 21st century, labor force participation among women began a gradual decline, until the participation rate hit a recent low in 2015 of 56.7 percent.

Women’s involvement in the labor market has changed in several notable ways over the past several decades. For example, women became much more likely to pursue higher levels of education: from 1970 to 2019, the proportion of women ages 25 to 64 in the

labor force who held a college degree quadrupled, whereas the proportion of men with a college degree a little more than doubled over that time. Since 1970, women have become more likely to work full time and year round. Also, women with children have increased their participation in the labor force considerably. In addition, women’s earnings as a proportion of men’s earnings have grown over time: women working full time earned 62 percent of what men earned in 1979 and 82 percent in 2019. More recently, women in the baby-boom generation (defined as people born between 1946 and 1964) have begun to retire in large numbers, which has put downward pressure on their labor force participation rate over the past decade or so.

This report presents labor force and earnings data for women and men from the Current Population Survey (CPS), a national monthly survey of approximately 60,000 households conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unless otherwise noted, data are annual averages from the CPS.

DANIELLE DEDARIO

DeDario says most young people aren’t aware of the number of opportunities in the banking industry, including IT, HR, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, trusts, and operations.

“What I love most about banking is that you never know when or who you can help. Bankers experience what it’s like to change someone’s life,” she said.

Much like Brown and DeDario, Maryjo Pirages Reynolds did not start out on the path of her profession right away.

“I wanted to be a pediatrician growing up, but in high school I discovered that math and science weren’t my strengths but reading and writing were,” said Reynolds.

After working in her father’s law office as a receptionist, she developed an interest in the legal system. “I had the opportunity to shadow Judge Mary Linn Green, who was a nurse before she went to law school, and it was exciting to see her in action. She got to learn about science through a different lens, as it pertained to her case. She was learning about an injury and a patient’s experience and understanding the difference between what happened and what should have happened.”

“I think lawyers are very fortunate because they’re in a position because people look to them to be pillars in the community, to assume leadership roles, and work for the greater good.”

MARYJO PIRAGES REYNOLDS

Reynolds is now a partner Allen Galluzzo Hevrin Leake, LLC, specializing in labor and employment law.

She believes her role as a lawyer enables her to serve the Rockford community. “I think lawyers are very fortunate because people look to them to be pillars in the community, to assume leadership roles, and work for the greater good.”

This is true of her mentors—her father, attorney Jim Pirages, and attorney Bobbie Holzwarth. “I saw people like my dad serving as the president of the board of directors of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and Bobbie serving as the president of Transform Rockford and the RACVB [Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau]. And that was attractive to me. That’s what I aspire to be.”

Reynolds also sees a shifting tide in women in legal roles. “Presently, women are still in the minority among lawyers, but that’s changing. There are more women going to law school than men, and that’s going to change the composition of law firms.”

Reynolds believes women play a unique role in how law is practiced. “I think in terms of conflict resolution, women approach that differently. The law requires empathy and compassion, and women are stereotypically more at ease with those concepts.”

In offering advice to the next generation of lawyers, Reynolds suggests, “Be yourself. You don’t have to change to be successful, play to your strengths.”

“In Rockford, the law is a welcoming place for women. I’m thankful and proud of women in our profession who really support one another,” she said. v

“By helping businesses grow, I am opening doors. That becomes impactful for the community.”

New Chamber Board Members Slated

The Chamber’s nominating committee, led by former Rockford Chamber of Commerce Immediate Past Chair Michele Petrie, presented a slate of nominees for the Chamber Board of Directors at its October 24 meeting.

“With a maximum of eight open seats on the board and more than twice as many applicants, the nominating committee had a Herculean task in front of them,” said Rockford Chamber of Commerce President Caitlin Pusateri. “The outpouring of support and willingness to participate from the business community showcases the commitment our members have to the mission of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. It’s an exciting time and we thank all those who participated in the process.”

The new board members recommended to be nominated for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2023 are:

Dawna Menke, OSF Medical Group

Travis Anderson, UW Health Northern Illinois Region

Kelly Epperson, Rosecrance Health Network

Alexis Wright Conniff, Woodward

Jamar Luster, Ripe Life Juice

Ryan Snider, Rockford IceHogs

Troy Haggestad, WilliamsMcCarthy, LLP

Jakob (Jake) Loescher, Savant Wealth Management

For an additional three-year term, the following individuals are recommended:

Karl Swanson, Illinois Bank & Trust

Sam Castree, Staff Management, Inc.

John Schuster, JFS Services

Carly Lamonica, LaMonica Beverages, Inc.

Rob Young, Midwest Packaging and Container

To be elected as an officer for the coming two-year term, beginning January 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2024, the following are recommended:

Jean Crosby, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate, Chair

Lesly Couper, workplace staffing, Vice Chair

John Schuster, JFS Services, Treasurer

Michael Iasparro, Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP, will complete nine years of service on December 31, 2022.

Start-ups boom in the US

Female entrepreneurs lead the way

Women and entrepreneurs of color are leading a boom in new business creation in the U.S., a new survey has found.

Almost half of start-ups in 2021 were formed by women, according to human resources cloud software company, Gusto.

This is a dramatic increase from the 28% of women starting new businesses in 2019, the company says. Seizing a “pandemic related opportunity” was the biggest reason for women starting new businesses in 2021.

Three times more Black entrepreneurs also started businesses. This share has tripled from 3% in 2019 to 9% in 2021.

More than 5.4 million new businesses were created in 2021, setting a new record. It’s particularly impressive that this happened while the country was “in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic,” Gusto said in its 2022 survey of new business owners.

Responses from more than 2,600 new business owners were gathered for the survey.

Source: World Economic Forum, www.weforum.org

An abundance of talent makes for a rewarding experience

STROLL STATE on

The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to announce the 10th annual Stroll on State, presented by Illinois Bank & Trust, will take place Saturday, November 26, 2-9 p.m. in Downtown Rockford.

This year, the Stroll on State team, along with partners, volunteers and sponsors are planning to transform Downtown Rockford into a winter wonderland once again. During the event, there will be new enhancements, attractions, live entertainment, vendors and more for eventgoers to enjoy.

Stroll’s 10 new attractions for Year 10

1. Tree lighting

One of the event’s most popular moments—the lighting of the city Christmas tree—will take place at 6 p.m. at the Main Stage at Main and Elm streets. This year’s City of Rockford tree is sponsored by Northwestern Illinois Building Trades. The Main Stage, sponsored by Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 23, will feature music and other entertainment throughout the day.

2. Fireworks

Sky Lights Fireworks, presented by Pierce Distribution, will once again light up the skies of downtown Rockford. The fireworks will lauch from the Jefferson Street Bridge at 8:30 p.m. Viewers will see the skies burst with color from anywhere in the festival area that’s within sight of the Jefferson Street Bridge.

3. Ten big balloons

Stroll on State’s Holiday Parade, sponsored by The Power Connection— IBEW 364 & NECA steps off from S. Main and Chestnut Street at 2 p.m. The parade will move north to State Street, then east across the State Street Bridge, ending at Third Street. Parade onlookers are encouraged to find a spot along the route starting at 1 p.m. HolmstromKennedy PC and Mercyhealth are each sponsoring a holiday-themed balloon. Hard Rock Casino Rockford is sponsoring a total of six holiday-themed and two Rockfordthemed balloons, bringing the total

number of large balloons to 10 – a perfect number for the 10th anniversary.

JOIN THE PARADE

Local organizations and businesses are invited to participate in the parade. The deadline to register is November 11. For pricing options and information, contact Julie Huber at strollonstate@gorockford.com. Visit www.gorockford.com/ stroll-on-state/parade/ for rules, information and to download a registration form.

4. Blitzen’s Ball, a character dance party for kids

From princesses to heroes and everything in between, this dance party is hosted by Forest City Fairytale Company and will take place inside the four-story glass tower at Iconic Energy (formerly Rockford Register Star). The characters and music will perform throughout the event so be sure to stop by. This event is sponsored by OSF Medical Center.

5. Block 5 Party

Sponsored by COUNTRY Financial, this is a must-see, first-time event in the 500 block of East State Street. Warm up with the fire pits, experience the DJ battle, shop and dine at local establishments on the block and see the popular Fire & Ice show wow crowds as blocks of ice dissolve into beautiful bonfires creating an enchanting display.

6. Holiday Hot Rods Classic Car Show

Hosted by Cars & Coffee Rockford, classic and vintage cars decked out for the holidays will be on display in the parking lot behind CJ’s Bar & Grill at 115 N. Madison St. Prizes for best in class and best decorated vehicles. The deadline to register is November 23. Email carsandcoffeerockford@gmail. com to register. A limited number of cars will be selected.

7. Frozen in Time selfie stations Stop at any or all of the 10 selfie stations

What’s new at Stroll on State 10

things to see and do in 2022

SHOP SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Stroll on State takes place in conjunction with Small Business Saturday which is an annual holiday tradition that encourages people to support local shop owners. Locally owned businesses throughout the downtown River District will offer holiday specials and fun events. Be sure to visit the wide range of stores and restaurants, both during Stroll and throughout the holiday season.

available during at Stroll on State. Every photo posted on social media and tagged with #strollonstate10 will be entered into a drawing for a very special Stroll prize. The more you stop, the more chances you have to win! See the map for all 10 selfie stations.

8. Indoor and Outdoor Movie Land

See the return of the fan favorite Outdoor Movie Land sponsored by Xfinity in Lot 4 next to Jimmy Johns and across from Capri Restaurant, or experience the new Indoor Movie Land in Stewart Square. “The Grinch” will be shown at each location.

9. Ice Skating at BMO Center

Take a break from strolling the grounds and lace up some ice skates at the BMO Center, sponsored by the Rockford Park District and the Rockford IceHogs. Or take part in street hockey provided by the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation. Other family friendly activities, powered by the Rockford Park District, will be available in the lot outside Veterans Memorial Hall.

10. Dasher Dash 5k

Hosted by Rock River Multisport, this holiday-themed run/walk starts and finishes near Beattie Park (near 100 Park Avenue). Starting at noon, participants will travel across the beautiful Rock River and down decorated East State Street. Registration ends Nov. 24. No registration the day of the festival.

Classic Attractions

■ The main event grounds are along State Street in downtown Rockford bordered by Jefferson, Church, Chestnut and Third Streets.

■ Keep your eye open for Santa Claus. You may find him at a s’mores station,

taking care of his reindeer, at the tree lighting or grabbing a hot chocolate.

■ The popular Hot Chocolate Express will be at two locations—in the Veterans Memorial Hall parking lot and next to the Outdoor Movie Land.

■ Rudolph’s Reindeer Village, sponsored by Mercyhealth, is back and at Veterans Memorial Hall.

■ Your favorite group of elves will be back at Rockford City Hall to collect letters and give them to Santa. At Letters to Santa, Sponsored by FurstStaffing, kids are encouraged to write and decorate their letters to Santa then mail them on site to the North Pole.

Additional event favorites:

■ Three s’mores stations. These yummy, gooey snacks are made fresh to order by Stroll grill masters.

■ Horse & Wagon Rides, sponsored by Amazon. Pickup and drop off locations are near the corner of Wyman and Elm Streets.

■ Two Holiday Markets, sponsored by the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation. Shop local retail and food vendors.

■ Free performances of “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Rockford Dance Company and sponsored by William Charles Construction. Performances will take place all afternoon at The Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St.

■ Toy train display, sponsored by Accuride. On the main level and stage of Veterans Memorial Hall. Hosted by SOAR Assembly/SOAR Radio on the second floor.

■ A full listing of events and attractions is available at www.strollonstate.com.

NAVIGATING RETAIL

Continued from front page

Guler Appliance

Guler Appliance has been open for more than 86 years at 227 Seventh Street in Rockford. But for the last two years, they’ve been focused on their brand-new location at 4435 E. State Street, which opened in April of this year.

Like Benson Stone, the managers at Guler Appliance saw a huge spike in orders at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, and that created a demand their old location couldn’t handle.

“The warehouse space was maxed out, and we had spread out across three locations to handle deliveries. It was cumbersome, logistically,” explained Dale Johnson, president of Guler Appliance. “The amount of business we were seeing meant we were doing well enough to consolidate to one building, and that we could handle bigger showroom space.”

In 2020, Johnson and Andy Guler, vice president of Guler Appliance, visited the State Street location and fell in love.

“This building reflects what we want our message to be – clean, elegant, simple and refined,” Guler said.

The new space is open, with neutralcolored walls and high-end cabinets and countertops that keep the focus on the selection of brilliant white, onyx black, and stainless steel refrigerators, stoves and other appliances.

“We want our customers to know that we’re taking this seriously for them. We’re here to take their needs seriously and we want our messaging to reflect that,” Guler said.

Infinite Soul Vibrations

The customer experience matters to owners of smaller businesses as well.

When she opened Infinite Soul Vibrations in 2018, Tamika Brown wanted to create a healing space for her customers. Brown is a Reiki practitioner, energy healer and certified medical empath. At her shop on State Street, she’s created a haven of warm colors and positive messages.

Works from local and regional artists like Pinklomein, Shaniqwa Porter, Kayla Janae and Yaz look down on shelves of oils, books and holistic healing goods.

For Brown, Infinite Soul Vibrations is more than a shop, it’s an extension of her own health journey. “The most healing and restorative part of what I do is having the honor and privilege to help people heal and become more conscious beings.”

Brown discovered this profession through her own health struggles.

“There was a tumor on the front of my brain, and I suffered a heart attack shortly after that. Surgery was too high risk, and the medication I took for my tumor caused adverse reactions, so I needed to find other means [of healing],” she said. “I started using acupuncture and I studied natural healing. Soon I added

JARROD HENNIS

acupressure to other healing techniques.”

Now, when someone new walks into her shop, Brown can speak from personal experience about the healing benefits of her products and services.

Whether it’s a transient passer-by who wants someone to listen to their problems or a customer with an ache in their shoulder, Brown starts by listening intently as the first step in the healing process.

“I believe nothing is a coincidence. Sometimes people don’t know what brought them in, just that something doesn’t feel right,” Brown said. “I love people – that’s the biggest part of this.”

Rockford Art Deli

When Rockford Art Deli opened their retail shop in 2011, Jarrod Hennis had a vision—to create a cool community that people wanted to come to, move to and talk about.

“I’m trying to create a better community,” he said. “I’m using the Rockford Art Deli voice that the community helped to build to help Rockford grow.”

Walking into Rockford Art Deli is like walking into a Rockford booster club. Art and clothes all bear signs and symbols of Rockford pride, embracing the area code 815 and sharing the love of the things and places that make Rockford unique. Local artists are featured along the walls and the employees who make the products are front and center of the operation.

In a time when other retail outlets struggle to find staff, Hennis is confident in his team. “People want to work here. We have great benefits, good pay and a positive atmosphere at work.”

Hennis is also seeing growth in his business thanks to partnership with Schnucks that’s helping him expand to other cities.

“We’ve got five or six Peoria designs we’re getting Schnucks to carry, and we’re working on Beloit and Janesville as well,” he said.

But when it comes to Rockford, Hennis still sees opportunities for bigger things.

“People want to see positivity. We have the infrastructure to do so much stuff,” he said. “I want to see a new resurgence downtown. We have a great city and the structure for it, but we need to change our mindset. We could be a Milwaukee, Madison or whatever we want to be. In the end it’s about the community and attitude.” v

SARENE ALSHARIF Tad More Tailoring and Alterations

GUEST COLUMNIST

Sustainable gifts Nine

ideas for buying local

The best part of the holiday season is giving gifts to friends and family. Watching loved ones' faces light up as they open their presents is the pinnacle of the holidays. But as the wrapping paper hits the floor and the boxes are thrown aside, a tinge of guilt hits — what to do about all the waste.

It can be difficult to remain sustainable during the gift giving season. The most sustainable gifts are ones that use little to no new resources or use ecofriendly materials. When we focus less on physical, material items and more on the experience and meaning of a gift, we can create precious memories while minimizing waste.

Check out these sustainable gift ideas that will show your loved ones how much you care about them, local businesses and the environment.

1. Gift cards to get pampered

Everyone loves to get pampered and relax. Get your special someone a gift card for a message, a day at the spa or a visit to the salon. Or try a gift card to a tailor. Landfills are full of discarded clothing. Updating or resizing a wardrobe saves money and reduces waste, and it will make your loved one look good and feel good. We are lucky to have a lot of great local businesses to choose from in Rockford.

2. Tickets to events and concerts

Whether it’s a sporting event, a musical at a local theater, or tickets to their favorite band, your loved one will surely love spending some time with you just as much as the event itself. We have great theaters and events in Rockford that will make for romantic dates or family friendly outings.

3. Plant cuttings

Many houseplants, like pothos, snake plant, or succulents, are relatively easy to propagate. This means taking a cutting from the plant or splitting the plant’s roots to create a new plant from the original. And thrift stores have a variety of fun and interesting pots that will give your gift that extra personal touch.

4. Helping hands

Never underestimate the gift of babysitting, pet sitting or helping older loved ones with yard work. Gift certificates for house cleaning, tailoring, yardwork or car washes are also appreciated.

5. Pickled vegetables or local honey

Learning to pickle vegetables from your own garden is a great way to create sustainable and delicious gifts. If you

don’t trust your pickling skills, Rockford has an abundance of local markets and specialty food shops that offer sauces, jams, pickled vegetables and local honey for the perfect, healthy, sustainable, locally-sourced present.

6. Memberships

Gym memberships are great gift ideas. But don’t overlook other options like memberships to local museums, arboretums, aquariums and zoos. These are especially great gift idea for families with kids, and there are so many choices to love in Rockford.

7. Classes

Do you know someone who wants to learn a new skill or develop a talent? Rockford has numerous locally owned businesses that offer classes in photography, yoga, painting and pottery. Online courses are also great, because they are available on just about any topic you can think of.

8. Homemade food

Does your family have a special recipe that you love to share? Make a double or triple batch of your family’s signature soup, bread or cake and share it with your friends and family. Who doesn’t love homemade cookies? Creatively arrange them on that holiday platter you found at the thrift store, and you have a beautiful, inexpensive, delicious gift.

9. Donations

Nonprofits and charities are always in need of donations. Find one that’s important to your loved one and make a donation in their name. Along these same lines, there are organizations that plant trees, offer “adoptions” of endangered animals or donate farm animals, such as goats and chickens, to families in need around the world.

Contrary to what the retail culture would have you believe, gifts don’t have to be new, trendy and wasteful. In fact, gifts can benefit the environment if we choose well. Try out some of these sustainable gift ideas, and enjoy making memories, caring for the planet and supporting local businesses.

Sarene Alsharif, LDN, MPH is the CEO and Co-Founder of Tad More Tailoring and Alterations.

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

“People want to see positivity. We have the infrastructure to do so much stuff. I want to see a new resurgence downtown. We have a great city and the structure for it, but we need to change our mindset."

Convert one-time customers into repeat buyers

Five tips to bring them back

One of the best ways to grow your business and increase sales is to convert one-off customers into repeat customers. You can build solid relationships with your customers by providing high-quality products and services and offering unique content or experiences that make your customers want to return for more.

Repeat customers are the lifeblood of any business. So how do you get them? Here are five tips to turn one-time customers into repeat buyers.

Make your customer service experience great

Your customer service must be excellent.

You have to provide high-quality products and services and offer unique content or experiences so your customers will want to return for more. You can do this by:

■ Responding quickly and efficiently to customer inquiries.

■ Providing helpful advice and tutorials.

■ Responding to customer reviews.

When done correctly, customers are more likely to recommend your business to

their friends if they had a great experience dealing with you.

Offer unique products and services

Offering products and services unique to your business is more likely to create repeat customers. You must develop a unique selling proposition that is hard to find elsewhere. Create something that your customers will love, like a new flavor of ice cream.

Provide value at competitive rates

Your customers will return as long as they feel they received good value for their money. It can be challenging to find the balance between quality and affordability. If you can provide both, your customers will know they can rely on your business to meet their needs, often leading to more referrals.

Engage your audience

Keep your customers in the loop. Reach out to your customers regularly to provide them with updates and notifications. For example:

■ Notify them when new products or services are released.

■ Offer exclusive deals or discounts.

■ Offer to schedule quick discovery calls so they can learn more about your services.

This will help to engage your customers and develop brand recognition

Start your own loyalty program

Coupons and VIP discounts are effective tools when it comes to generating sales. Discounts give the customer the feeling that they are getting a bargain.

You can also introduce a loyalty program for your customers. Offer your customers access to an exclusive club that has access to special deals or promotions. Exclusive promotions help generate loyalty to your business as they look to gain more significant discounts and, in some cases, build in-store credit.

Successful retailers need an excellent customer experience to be successful. Create this experience by engaging with your customers and making them feel like they receive quality products and services at competitive rates. Generating brand recognition and loyalty is vital.

Repeat customers are the lifeblood of any business. So how do you get them?

EMILY KLONICKI Alignment Rockford

GUEST COLUMNIST Alignment Rockford’s Belonging Initiative

Linking student success with community engagement

JOHN GROH Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Dear Santa,

Successful communities invest in their students and strive to remove barriers to their growth and academic achievement. All too often, conversations about education focus solely on the role of the public school district. While a responsible community should expect excellence in education and hold its school district accountable, it also understands that student success (or failure) is tied to many aspects of community life.

Alignment Rockford was created in 2009 to bring together critical voices in education to raise the level of academic success in Rockford. Those voices include business, government, school district, nonprofit and higher education. We encourage every sector of the community to join us.

Last month, john a. powell (who spells his name in lowercase believing it signifies he is "part of the universe, not over it”) visited Rockford to speak and advise as part of our locallyled Belonging Initiative. He is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of civil rights, civil liberties, structural racism, housing, poverty and democracy, and director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley,

While in town, powell led a small group discussion about belonging in youth and education. In that discussion he pointed out that students who don’t feel safe or seen won’t — or can’t — be ready for academic rigor when they come to school.

A child facing insecurity in housing, food, primary relationships and safety won’t be ready to learn in the classroom, no matter how good the curriculum may be. As a community, we are tasked with investigating and responding to issues affecting our children as they grow up and are educated in our fold. Part of that responsibility lies in acknowledging and accepting that

these issues are much more complex than what happens during the school day — education is a system.

The district is one part of the system through which our students learn, but that system also includes transportation, housing, food and safety. Problems in education track back to weaknesses and fail points throughout this entire structure. As a community, we need to be looking at academic achievement through the full lens, examining the system of systems that surrounds our students throughout their academic lives.

In a complex system, no single entity, sector or person has a magic key to addressing problems—it takes a community. With no one person or entity to blame, stakeholders (all of us) can lay down grievances, defense, and contentions to come together with problem solving and productive system building as a shared goal and mission. We all have responsibility for the systems supporting our students and the agency to bring ideas, resources, and power to the solutionbuilding process.

As agents of change in education, Alignment Rockford believes our community’s success is inextricably linked to the success of our youth. We invite you to come to the table and engage around the big-picture problems facing students in Rockford — inside and outside the school walls.

For information about how you can become part of this conversation, visit www.alignmentrockford.com.

A Letter to Santa

See Santa in person at Stroll on State November 26

As we approach the 10th annual Stroll on State, Saturday, November 26, I’m writing to thank you for 10 glorious years of helping us celebrate Small Business Saturday and the kickoff the holiday season in downtown Rockford. Our Merry & Bright signature event wouldn’t be the same without you. We know it takes extra effort for you to be away from your workshop so close to your big night, and we appreciate that.

It’s not just the personal appearances you make all around the festival grounds that we adore. We also love that you individually respond to every letter written to you, and that you do all that you can to make our dreams come true.

That’s why I’m writing to you on the eve of Stroll on State, Santa, because I have a few dreams that I hope you can make come true.

First, I’m dreaming of a busy retail season through downtown and across our city. Some of our business owners are starting to feel the economy slow a little and many continue to struggle to find employees to take care of their customers. Perhaps you can inspire everyone to buy local and maybe even to pick up a part-time job over the holidays to bring in some extra cash.

Second, Santa, I’m dreaming of more volunteer elves to help the day of the event. There’s work to be done from sunup to well after the event ends to make the entire day merry and bright for all. We had fewer volunteers last year, so it would be great if you could inspire a few of those on your “nice” list to volunteer this year. Heck, we’ll take the naughty ones too. Just have them call 815-963-8111 to learn more.

And finally, I’m dreaming of a safe and secure Stroll. We’re expecting nearly 65,000 people to visit downtown Rockford on Saturday, November 26. Our friends at the Rockford Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments are part of our team and we’re ready to do all we can to ensure everyone has a fun and safe time. Perhaps you could sprinkle an extra layer of protection over us all.

I look forward to seeing you soon, Santa. I trust that Kristen Paul, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s director of destination development, has confirmed your itinerary and sent your VIP pass. If any of your friends want VIP access, please have them give me a call. Be sure to tell them that our family-friendly event is free and features a parade, fireworks, tree lightings, musical performances, a Dasher Dash 5K run (by the way, thanks for letting Dasher help!), amazing food and beverage vendors and so much more! Most of all, tell them that Stroll on State is about experiencing the awe and wonder of what a community can do together, year after year for ten years running.

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

Again, Santa, thank you for your continued support of Stroll on State. Without you and our more than 40 generous sponsors — especially Illinois Bank & Trust, our presenting sponsor – we wouldn’t be able to provide this free, inspiring holiday experience for all.

To learn more about Stroll on State and how to volunteer, visit www.gorockford.com and select Stroll on State from the drop-down menu of the Events tab at the top of the home page.

See you soon! See you soon!

Emily Klonicki is executive director of Alignment Rockford.

John Groh is president/CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The views expressed are those of Groh and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

As a community, we are tasked with investigating and responding to issues affecting our children as they grow up and are educated in our fold.

REBECCA FRANCIS Ignite Change Solutions

GUEST COLUMNIST

The why of DEIB

The business reasons behind the initiatives

By now, we all understand, at a base level, why diversity, equity, and inclusion and belonging (DEIB) are vital to organizations and the individuals within them — so that everyone can feel welcome, safe, heard, and given the space to be their true selves. Unfortunately, DEIB goals often fall flat because organizations have not committed to truly understanding why DEIB is so critical for their business and how to implement diversity and inclusion through an equity lens effectively.

Why is equity challenging?

Addressing equity can be difficult for organizations because it is a fluid concept that can change depending on context. What one individual needs to succeed can differ significantly from another. As a result, it can be extremely challenging for organizations to address inequity issues, often leading to attempts to create fairness that fail to reach the root of the problem. Without the proper foundation and understanding, actions associated

with DEIB opportunities often feel performative, increasing discomfort for those the efforts are meant to support.

Avoid lip service

Let's be honest: The only way DEIB goals can be achieved is through a genuine dedication to taking action, holding ourselves accountable, learning, and growing through the process. It's not meant to be something we put on display or a box from which we can check and move on. For example, lip service says that we're committed to diversity and inclusion without setting the foundation for proper growth. That development takes time and isn't achievable with a single action or going through the motions. Opening our minds and creating space for diversity and inclusion can be a deeply personal journey — one that begins and ends within ourselves — but to induce change within our communities and organizations, we must share that evolution through actions and continued growth.

Diversity of background thought, perception and interpretation often leads to more significant ideas, better decision-making, new revenue streams and surprising resolutions to complex challenges.

The business case for DEIB

We should all value DEIB as human beings, but there are also plenty of reasons for businesses to turn their focus to these initiatives — and plenty of solid data to back up those reasons.

A recent report by McKinsey, "Diversity Wins: How inclusion matters," found that organizations with high levels of gender diversity were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than their least-diverse peers. In comparison, those with high ethnic and cultural diversity were 36% more likely to outperform their peers. Profitability is not the only driver, however: Strong DEIB efforts also lead to happier employees, a better business reputation, and a company culture that fosters innovation. Diversity can mean many things — and that's good for business. Diversity of background thought, perception, and interpretation often leads to more significant ideas, better decision-making, new revenue streams, and surprising resolutions to complex challenges.

Ignite real change

While organizational DEIB initiatives are a driver, actual change begins on an individual level. The organization's responsibility is to support this change by assembling the right teams, delivering adequate resources, setting attainable goals, dedicating time and budget, creating and committing to a strategic plan, continually encouraging conversations, offering training, and finding resolutions the way. From there, we can become better versions of ourselves — together.

To learn more about how you can "Ignite" meaningful change, visit us at www.ignitechangesolution.com.

Rebecca Francis, MPA, is lead DEI consultant for Ignite Change Solutions, LLC, info@ignitechangessolutions.com.

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

economic development

DOD grant supports manufacturing in Illinois Manufacturing Consortium to create Center of Excellence

The Illinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium was awarded a fiveyear, $5 million grant through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program. The federal grant is supplemented by an additional $1.6 million in non-federal funds to support the project.

As a member organization, the Rockford Economic Development Council will help the consortium create a Center of Excellence model for casting, forging and energy storage manufacturers to enhance innovation, increase industrial capacity and build a talent pipeline targeting underrepresented populations.

“Over 75% of the state’s defense manufacturing is concentrated in the northern half of the state. This region ranks first in both employment and the number of forging and stamping businesses.” said Therese Thill, RAEDC president. “This grant allows RAEDC to support these companies, our region, and our partners through ongoing workforce development initiatives and by creating opportunities for innovation.”

To expand the skilled manufacturing

talent pipeline, the Illinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium will introduce manufacturing careers to high school students, promote employment in manufacturing for underrepresented communities and veterans, and facilitate retraining and employment of displaced workers.

Northern Illinois’ manufacturing sector has the highest number of companies with Department of Defense (DOD) contracts. In 2020, 8% of all regional manufacturing establishments had at least one DOD contract resulting in approximately $29 million worth of active defense prime contracts in the region.

The Illinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium is led by the Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement at the University of Illinois Chicago. Along with RAEDC, participants include the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development/Chicago Metro Metals Consortium, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Area Economic Development Council, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center.

Mark Denzler, president and CEO of Illinois Manufacturers’ Association underlines the importance of Illinois' manufacturing and its impact on the world.

New economic impact study

Manufacturing big driver in Winnebago County

A study conducted by independent economists at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina found that the total economic impact of manufacturing in Illinois is estimated to be between $580 billion and $611 billion every year — the largest share of any industry to the state’s gross domestic product.

Manufacturing directly employs 662,298 and generates up to $150 billion in labor income for Illinois residents annually. In all, it’s estimated that the manufacturing industry supports nearly 30% of all jobs in Illinois, making it among the state’s largest industry sectors.

The study’s findings were detailed during a manufacturing roundtable hosted by the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) at the Northern Illinois University Conference Center in Rockford.

“Manufacturing is a key pillar of our state economy. Illinois manufacturers feed the world, make life-saving products, power our homes and businesses, build our infrastructure, transport people and products around the globe and provide for our nation’s defense,” said Mark Denzler, president and CEO of Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA).

The study found the industry creates $11.2 billion in economic output each year in Winnebago County, supporting almost 35% of the county’s economy. This includes 40,133 jobs, generating $2.7 billion in salaries and benefits. In Ogle County, manufacturing creates an additional $2 billion in economic output each year, supports 5,125 jobs and generates $316.4 million in salaries and benefits.

The study also found that for every 10 jobs directly created by Illinois manufacturers, another 17 jobs are created elsewhere in Illinois.

“Manufacturing is at the heart of the massive economic and social vibrancy of our region,” said Thill. “Manufacturers are coming up with new ideas to increase production and reduce supply chain challenges while creating good paying jobs that allow workers and communities to thrive. With adequate government policy and regulatory support for manufacturers, especially around workforce skills development, the Rockford area will continue to be a powerful economic engine for growth.”

In the face of rapid technological development, trends suggest a shift toward a higher-skilled manufacturing workforce. This underscores the importance of expanding workforce training to better prepare Illinois residents to enter high-demand fields.

The study also found that for every 10 jobs directly created by Illinois manufacturers, another 17 jobs are created elsewhere in Illinois.

“Because this multiplier effect is significantly higher than other industries in Illinois, future expansions of manufacturing have the potential to generate relatively higher secondary employment impacts compared to similar expansions in other sectors,” said Joseph C. Von Nessen, Research Economist at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina.

ROCKFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Small Business DEVELOPMENT CENTER

This technology also allows “what-if” analysis to predict shortages and drive decisions internally.

AI in business

Making a robust supply chain

It seems artificial intelligence (AI) is turning up everywhere these days— sometimes where it is needed and sometimes not. But can AI help make a supply chain more robust in real and tangible ways?

AI is turning up everywhere

There are a number of growing ethical issues concerning the use and application of AI, such as biased-trained AI in healthcare or employment. Those are generally not a problem when AI is used for the management of materials and supplies. The problems most likely encountered are how to use this capability and is it appropriate for the task at-hand. Software using AI can identify and solve many

problems that are either not practical or not possible with conventional means. Although many common business and manufacturing processes function well without the use of AI, if properly applied, AI can be a competitive edge in business.

AI for supply chain and materials management

Most enterprise resource planning and material requirements planning (ERP/ MRP) systems are transaction and workflow based, as is the management of the supply chain for a business. Often, management capabilities are built into ERP/MRP systems for activities such as triggering orders, sending invoices, transferring inventory and maintaining inventory. This is a critical

part of an effective supply chain, and AI is able to help us beyond what a normal ERP/ MRS system is able to do.

An AI agent uses inputs to make decisions and create useful outputs. The agent is either embedded into the software or an external system. In manufacturing, the inputs might be inventory levels, orders, processing status, safety-stock levels, ship windows or material lead times. Outputs may be reports, triggered actions or notifications.

Smart management of risk, cost and uncertainty

The internal “brain” of the AI agent uses rules, facts and models to describe patterns in the inputs to look for and react to. This also may involve proactive behavior such as modifying how the reaction to events happens in real time. A manufacturer can harness this ability for activities such as automating restock orders and maintaining

critical parts. It can improve visibility within the business using enhanced monitoring and predictive analysis of all activities. AI can examine this information in complex ways for taking demand signals and orders into effective planning for sourcing and ordering materials. Everything effecting material and product flow can be examined. This technology also allows “what-if” analysis to predict shortages and drive decisions internally. Giving manufacturers better control over risk, cost and dealing with uncertainty.

It is clear AI is here to stay. And there soon will come a point when this capability will make the difference between being competitive and not. Is your business ready for this?

Michael Rogers is in charge of cyber security and new emerging technologies at Rockford SBDC.

MIKE ROGERS Illinois SBDC

GUEST COLUMNIST

Banish burnout and elevate engagement

Investing in your employees improves your bottom line

The financial cost of neglecting employee wellbeing has become glaringly apparent. A Gallup study found that burned out employees cost $3,400 out of every $10,000 in salary because of disengagement.

This is a BIG issue for employers,

and the monetary stakes are clearly high. Besides the cost of disengagement, replacing employees is expensive. According to Gallup, the average employee replacement cost can range from 50% to 200% of the annual salary for that position.

Take care not to overwhelm people with tasks or projects you know are not a good fit for them. Be realistic, as some projects take longer than expected.

This is why measures to support employee wellbeing have increasingly become a ‘must have’ for companies that want to hold on to their best people and attract qualified job seekers. Here are some tips on how to increase employee engagement as well as your bottom line:

■ Help employees better manage their workload. Set clear priorities and goals together at the start of the week. Schedule short check-ins to assess progress and to help prevent any hiccups. Take care not to overwhelm people with tasks or projects you know are not a good fit for them. Be realistic, as some projects take longer than expected. And know that it’s impossible for people to succeed at absolutely everything.

■ Outline exactly what’s expected of someone in their role and try to provide any additional training or support they need. As the old saying goes, give your people clear goals and then get out of their way. Allow them to decide the best way to complete their tasks. It’s important on several levels that people have the freedom to pursue their work in what they believe is the most effective manner, especially when they’re committed to producing meaningful results. Work together to find the sweet-spot between support and autonomy.

■ B esides paying people well, recognition is the best and most costeffective way to have a positive impact on performance. Employees need to be recognized for specific actions, results or behaviors, not just given feedback. Most importantly, express gratitude. Say it. Out loud. Daily, if need be. It sounds so simple, right? But when was the last time you verbally thanked your employees for their day-to-day work? Wouldn’t we all prefer to work in an environment where the leaders routinely said thank you?

■ B e objective about unfairness. Fairness communicates respect and helps to confirm people’s self-worth, which

is vital to building a shared sense of community. Unfairness in the workplace can occur when there is inequity, or perceived inequity, of workload or pay, poor handling of evaluations, promotions and grievances. Long gone are the days when unfair or unkind behavior can be dismissed with, “Well, that’s just how they are.” Proactively manage employee expectations by establishing clear rules for everyone and owning any previous missteps you may have had in handling situations unfairly. Being transparent and consistent in implementing rules will build trust. Make the effort to understand your employees’ expectations and focus on better processes and better outcomes for all.

When your employees are engaged and not burned-out, they have incredibly positive effects on your business. Organizations where employees were highly engaged had, on average, double the annual net profit, 2.5 times greater revenue growth than those in the bottom quartile and 12% higher customer advocacy. Those businesses also had 40% lower turnover than companies with low engagement and high burnout in their workforce. ¬

Employees may come on board for the pay and benefits, but they stay for meaningful work and an environment that fosters accomplishment, growth and a sense of purpose through values, mission, vision and clear goals.

Jeanine Woyner is senior vice president of human resources at Blackhawk Bank in Beloit

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

Statistics and sources: Gallup.com; Forbes. com; Workday.com

JEANINE WOYNER Blackhawk Bank, Beloit

JEN REISINGER Edward Jones

GUEST COLUMNIST

Financial moves for women business owners

Tips for safeguarding your business and money

If you’re a woman who owns a business, you may have some challenges not shared by your male peers, but you also have several opportunities to help improve your financial future.

Although you may already be taking many of the right steps, here are some ideas to consider and revisit as your business grows:

■ Refresh your network. Do you network with other women business owners? Many of them may have insights into the issues women face in the business world, as well as suggestions about lending programs and business-friendly banks. You may also enjoy passing along lessons you’ve learned.

■ Review your business structure. If you’re a sole proprietor, you have to report your business income on your personal income tax return. If you incorporate or form a limited liability company (LLC), you can protect your personal assets—such as your house and your investments— from creditors because these assets will be separated from your business assets and debts. You might also consider

other, more complex entities, known as C and S corporations. There’s no single “correct” business structure, and the most appropriate one for you may change over time. Consult your tax and legal advisors when choosing one that’s right for your needs.

■ Do an insurance checkup. To protect yourself and your business, you should review your insurance to make sure you have the right kinds and amount of coverage. General liability insurance is usually appropriate for sole proprietors if you’ve established an LLC or you’ve incorporated your business. If you provide some type of professional service (e.g. legal, accounting, engineering), you may need professional liability insurance. And no matter what business you own, you should carry disability insurance to replace some of the income you’d lose if you were injured or became ill.

■ Consider all your retirement options. If you’ve got your own business, you’re solely responsible for funding your retirement. Fortunately, as a business

owner, you’ve got several attractive options, including an owner-only 401(k), a SEP-IRA and a SIMPLE IRA. When deciding which plan is right for you, you’ll need to consider several factors, including the number of employees, if any, and the nature of your business. All these plans are relatively easy to set up and administer and offer potential tax benefits

And even though you’ve got plenty to do already, you should make the time to establish or review your own retirement plan, because, eventually, you’ll need all the resources you can accumulate to enjoy life as a former business owner.

You can find valuable information on programs for women business owners by visiting the Small Business Administration’s website at www.sba. gov and searching for “women-owned businesses.”

Running your own business can

be challenging, but by making some positive financial moves and getting the support you need, you can find business ownership to be highly rewarding, personally and professionally.

For more information, contact Jen Reisinger, AAMS™, CRPS™, financial advisor, Edward Jones at 815-397-5157 or email at jen.reisinger@edwardjones.com.

Jen Reisinger, AAMS™, CRPS™, is financial advisor for Edward Jones.

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.

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

If you’ve got your own business, you’re solely responsible for funding your retirement.

JEANINE FADNESS Rock Valley Credit Union

GUEST COLUMNIST

Building an employee-first workplace

The key to retaining and attracting employees

As the economy struggles to recover from the pandemic, businesses are evaluating ways to make themselves stand out as an employer of choice.

At Rock Valley Credit Union (RVCU), we are taking a people-first approach by actively creating a desirable work environment that considers and fulfills

the needs of our most important asset— our people.

A people-first approach is about business leaders caring for their team members first and foremost. This, in turn, boosts engagement, retention, productivity, and creativity.

Recruiting and hiring also benefit.

Creating a people-first culture shows you believe in your employees and want them to succeed.

When we show candidates that we put our people first, we can attract a more diverse pool of potential employees who bring a range of backgrounds, culture, experience, skills and perspectives.

Tips for building a people-first culture

■ Learn what employees want. While a large salary alone may have attracted candidates in the past, today’s job seekers are looking for a sense of purpose, shared values, opportunities for advancement and work-life balance. Developing a people-first mindset improves employee retention. Happy employees are less likely to look for opportunities elsewhere.

■ Be approachable. As a leader in your organization, let employees know you are willing to listen to them, to help solve problems and make the team better. Empathize with employees by putting yourself in their shoes. Don’t dismiss their concern or criticism. By listening to them and acting on the issues, employees in turn feel heard and valued.

■ Be transparent. The pandemic taught us that change is constant in the workplace. But employees can’t be expected to embrace change immediately. Be transparent and share the “what” and “why.” Invite employees to be a part of figuring out the “how.”

RVCU walks the talk

RVCU was recently recognized as a 2022 Best Credit Union to Work For by Credit Union Journal. As part of the nomination process, RVCU was asked to provide details on its employee engagement programs, succession planning, benefits and flexible work schedules. The final factor in the nomination process was an anonymous employee survey that each employee had the option to complete. Our employees went above and beyond by completing the survey and sharing the positive culture at RVCU. We are very proud of this recognition as it’s based on feedback directly from our employees.

Creating a people-first culture shows you believe in your employees and want them to succeed. It makes an organization more attractive to others who find the work you’re doing compelling and the culture both exciting and supportive.

Jeanine Fadness is the director of human resources at Rock Valley Credit Union. She is responsible for human resource initiatives including recruiting, benefits and employee relations.

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

on digital MEMBER EVENTS

V2 Marketing & Management hosted a ribbon cutting September 30, 2022, at 6845 Weaver Rd., Suite 300, Rockford.

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

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

Ad Vice Marketing celebrated the opening of their new office space called The Ad Lab October 20, 2022, at 7210 E. State St., Suite 104, Rockford.

Ceremonial ribbon donated by ServPro of Rockford

e Golden Apple Foundation hosted a ribbon cutting October 13, 2022, at their new office space located at 5301 E. State Street, Rockford.

Heritage Woods of Rockford hosted a ribbon cutting October 13, 2022, at 202 N. Show Place Dr., Rockford.

Boylan Catholic High School hosted a ribbon cutting October 20, 2022, at 4000 Saint Francis Dr., Rockford.

RAMP and Embassy Suites Project Search Agenda hosted a ribbon cutting October 25, 2022, at, 416 S. Main St., Rockford.

Ethnic Heritage Museum celebrated with a ribbon cutting October 26, 2022, at 1129 S. Main St., Rockford.

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

AWAKEN FOUNDATION L3C

Culinary Apprentice Program –Social Enterprise. Our apprenticeship programs are designed to develop experts in the modern workforce.

1657 N. Alpine Rd., 61107 Jurea Crudup - (815) 282-7860 www.awakenfoundationl3c.com

EIGERLAB CENTER FOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, INCUBATION, ACCELERATION, CO-WORKING SPACE

Serving the region with leading edge business and engineering support services targeting physical and digital product-based initiatives. 304 N. Main St. Ste. 115C, 61101 (815) 965-3522 www.eigerlab.org

MASSINO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

An independently-owned financial services firm dedicated to helping individuals and small business attain their investment goals.

7445 Newburg Rd. Ste. 101, 61108

Melissa Massino - (815) 332-6700 www.massinofinancial.com/

THE SIGNATURE IMAGE LLC

Working with clients to assess, redesign and align their personal and professional image with their goals.

1901 N. Roselle Rd. Ste. 800 Schaumburg, IL 60195

Yvonne Henderson Decker(224) 717-3271 www.thesignatureimage.net

NOVEMBER MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

50-YEAR MEMBERS

A.W. Anderson Agency, Inc. Powmet, Inc.

15-YEAR MEMBERS

Upper Iowa UniversityRockford Center

10-YEAR MEMBERS

Keller Williams Realty Signature Upper Cervical Care Center

5-YEAR MEMBER

Lowe's Distribution Center

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Alden Debes Rehabilitation and Health Care Center

Alden Park Strathmoor

Ambassador Homes, LLC

Auto Body Specialists Inc.

Benson Stone Company, Inc.

Bergstrom Inc.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate

Bobcat of Rockford

Burpee Museum of Natural History City of Rockford

Colorwave Graphics, LLC

Cremation Society of Illinois

Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary

Crystal Precision Drilling, Inc.

Culver’s Restaurant

Digital Hive Mind

Easterseals

Easterseals - The Autism Program

Easterseals Teen and Family Support

Entre Computer Solutions

First National Bank and Trust - Rockton

First National Bank and Trust - Roscoe

Forest City Diagnostic Imaging

Forest City Diagnostic ImagingSummit Location

Gordon Flesch Company, Inc.

GrahamSpencer Brand + Content Solutions

GreenFire Restaurant, Bar & Bakery

GSF - USA

Header Die & Tool, Inc.

Honquest Family Funeral Home With Crematory

(2) In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 2,994 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 2,969 (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS®:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A (4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail®):

Independence Village at Rockford

Keller Williams Realty Signature

Menta Academy Northwest

Morgan StanleyThe Custer/Meisch Group

MX3 Business Solutions

NLT Title, a division of Attorneys’

Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.

Nutrition Works, Inc.

Obsidian Manufacturing Industries, Inc.

Olson Enterprises LLC

Peterson Meadows

Powmet, Inc.

Project First Rate

QPS Employment Group

Rockford Association for Minority Management

Rockford Bell Credit Union

Rockford Toolcraft, Inc.

Roy Gayle Pony Baseball Softball

S. J. Carlson Fire Protection

Satori Pathway Network

Satori Pathway NetworkAnam Memory Care

ServiceMaster Restoration by DSI

SmithAmundsen LLC

Specialty Screw Corporation

State Farm InsuranceBrian Faulk, CLU, ChFC

The Alliance

The Anser Group

The Atrium Memory Care Community

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Title Underwriters Agency

Tree Care Enterprises Inc.

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 5,821

g. Copies not Distributed:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 151

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 179 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: 57.41%

Editor: N/A Managing Editor: Doug Hessong, same as above. 10. Owner: Rockford Chamber of Commerce Complete Mailing Address: 308W. State St., Ste. 350, Rockford, IL 61101-1104.

Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities. Full Name: N/A Complete Mailing Address: N/A 12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at special rates.) The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months.

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

14. Issue Date for Circulation Data: September 2022

15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Chamber members and distribution sites in the community.

a. Total Number Copies (Net Press Run):

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 6,000

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 6,000

b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail):

(1) Outside-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 364

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 367

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A c. Total Paid and/or Requested Distribution [Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)]:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 3,358 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 3,336 d. Nonrequested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail) (1) Outside County Nonrequested Copies Included on PS Form 3541:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A (2) In-County Nonrequested Copies Included on PS Form 3541:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: N/A No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: N/A (3) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail (e.g. First-Class Mail, nonrequestor copies mailed in excess of 10% limit mailed at Standard Mail® or Package Services rates):

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

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

4) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail (Include pickup stands, trade shows, showrooms, and other sources):

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 2,491

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 2,485

e. Total Nonrequested Distribution [Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3), and (4)]:

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 2,491

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 2,485

f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e):

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 5,849

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 57.31%

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: 3,358

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: 5,849

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 5,821

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: 57.41%

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 57.31%

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

17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requestor Publication is required and will be printed in the November 2022 issue of this publication.

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete.

I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties):

Signed: Doug Hessong, Dir. of Publications and Technology Date: Sept. 20, 2022

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

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

businessBUSINESS BRIEFS

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra (RSO) welcomes its new music director, Vlad Vizireanu, at a concert on Saturday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.

OSF HealthCare debuted digital nurse 24/7, a program that features a live nurse chat and phone line that easily connects patients to a skilled nurse to get medical advice and guidance to help find the right place to get care, when and where they need it. This service is available to all residents in the Rockford area, regardless of whether they have previously been a patient at OSF HealthCare. Area residents can simply chat with Clare, the OSF chatbot, or talk to an OSF on-call nurse to get the advice they need. To get started, visit osfoncall.org/ask and connect with Clare, or call 1-888-6ASK-OSF (1-888-627-5673), to connect to a nurse, check symptoms and more.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois received a $2,000 grant from Girl Scouts of the USA to help Girl Scouts prepare for and finance their travel experiences to destinations around the world.

Bear Family Restaurants has partnered with MobileServe, a volunteer app allowing community partners to join the Bear Family Restaurant profile to add any available volunteer opportunities for employees to take advantage of. Find more information here: info.mobileserve.com/ communitypartners.

The Rock River Valley Blood

Center announced the Food & Drug Administration has updated eligible donor guidelines allowing more people to donate blood and strengthen the nation’s blood supply during a critical time.

Donors who had been permanently deferred for Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) risk factors, are now eligible to donate blood and the permanent deferral has been removed.

Potential donors who have a geographic risk of possible exposure to bovine spongiform encephalopathy for time spent in the United Kingdom from 19801996 and for time spent in France and Ireland from 1980-2001, may begin donating again. Additionally, those who received a blood transfusion in the U.K., France and Ireland from 1980-present can also now donate blood with no deferrals.

community COMMUNITY EVENTS

NOVEMBER 2022

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Peppa Pig, Live!, 6 p.m., Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main Street, Rockford. Join Peppa Pig on an exciting camping trip in the woods with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Full Moon Hike, 7:30-9 p.m., Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Rd., Rockford. Watching a full moon rise is magical. Join us for an evening of nocturnal natural history as we walk the trails in anticipation of moonrise.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Staff Management 20th Annual HR Report, 7:30-10 a.m., Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. A review of this year’s key laws, regulatory developments and court cases

affecting HR and business responsibilities. Samuel J. Castree, Staff Management’s senior VP and general counsel, will lead a review. Roberta L. Holzwarth, partner at HolmstromKennedy PC, Attorneys at Law, will also speak. RSVP to  seminars@staffmgmt.com.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16

RAMP’s E3 Conference, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Egyptian Theater, 135 N. Second Street, DeKalb. The conference will educate, empower and elevate attendees by opening the discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion and how disabilities play a part in that equation. Register online at www.Give.classy.org/E3Conference

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Horticulture for the Holidays workshop, 9 a.m. to noon, Illinois Extension Office, 1040 N. Second Street, Rockford. Participants will complete a make-and-take

Mother Christmas Program is looking for help again this year to provide Christmas gifts for the members of the Goldie B. Floberg Center family. Beginning Tuesday, November 1, participants can contact Mother Christmas at 815-624-8431 or motherchristmas@goldiefloberg. com to be given a gift suggestion in the price range of $5-$30. Gifts should be delivered to the center or drop-off sites by December 12.

Chartwell Agency, recently developed and implemented a fully integrated marketing campaign for the Racine Unified School District to drive enrollment for its schools, raise awareness of its educational offerings and position it as the school of choice for Racine families.

The Rockford IceHogs, the BMO Center and BMO announced a

new, multi-year partnership for the downtown Rockford arena, unveiling a new arena name, the BMO Center, and new renovations. Among the many enhancements inside the arena are the BMO Suite Level, refreshed premium seating in the Club Boxes, Club Lounge, renovated Oink Outfitters team store, restrooms, wifi, auxiliary and star locker rooms, updated arena and concourse lighting, and an all-new, center-hung scoreboard and ribbon board that merges a traditional high-definition display with elements of modern technology and fan interaction.

Boylan Catholic High School unveiled its new, cutting-edge Vincent E. McGuire Performance Center. The athletic center is named after long-time teacher, coach and principal Vincent McGuire whose more than 40-year commitment to Boylan helped shape the school. The 21,642 square foot facility includes the largest school indoor, synthetic turf in the region at 8,700 square feet plus a 3,000 square foot weight and fitness room that include treadmills, bikes, ellipticals and 16 stations to support weight training. All Boylan students will be able to enjoy the performance center for PE classes and athletic programs.

OSF HealthCare has joined more than 170 other healthcare organizations representing thousands of hospitals and health systems in a nationwide public awareness and education campaign addressing gun safety among youth.

project—a Holiday Gnome! Program fee of $35 includes workshop materials and refreshments. To register, visit go.illinois.edu/ HortfortheHolidaysRockford or call the Winnebago County Extension Office at 815-986-4357.

Dancing with the Rockford Stars, 6-11:00p.m., Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Rd., Rockford. Six local celebrity couples are working hard to perfect their routines with partnering dance studios as they prepare to trip the light fantastic and take home one of the coveted Mirrored Ball Trophies—all while raising funds for Family Counseling Services. More information at familycounselingrockford.org/.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20

Light Up the Parks Holiday Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting, 4:45 p.m., starting at GE Aviation, 1354 Clifford Ave., Loves Park. The parade will conclude at the Machesney Park Town Center, 8750 N. Second St.

Following the parade, will be the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25

Festival of Lights Display, Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford. Drive through Sinnissippi Park and enjoy dozens of holiday light displays. Find more information at www.4thandlights.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Stroll on State, presented by Illinois Bank & Trust and hosted by the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2-9:00 p.m., Downtown Rockford. The free community event features a parade, fireworks, tree lighting, musical performances, surprise visits from Santa and much more.

All Aglow Holiday Display, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford. Lights are on from dusk to dawn. The park closes at 10 p.m.

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

Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center–Janesville has successfully performed its 100th WATCHMAN procedure. WATCHMAN offers an alternative to the lifelong use of a blood thinner for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem (also known as non-valvular AFib).

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

in the newsMEMBERS

IN THE NEWS

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Dr. Brant Hulsebus (1), Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic, was elected to the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association Board of Directors.

NEW HIRES,PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS

WATT Global Media announced the addition of Dirk Ebener and Marie Escobar (2) to its Petfood Forum events team, and Robbi Ott and Stacy Mullins (3) to its agrifood and corporate events team. The board of the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership (GRGP) announced the retirement of Einar Forsman, effective at the end of the year. Forsman contributed to Rockford’s community on a personal and professional level for several decades, helping grow business success and workforce development in the region.

Rockford Community Bank, a Wintrust Community Bank, has hired Jorge Herrera (4) as senior vice president.

OSF HealthCare welcomed primary care physician Dr. Dipti Sabharwal, DO, to the OSF Medical Group –Primary Care location at 1954 Gateway Center Drive, Belvidere.

Kyle York (5), was promoted to vice president, small business specialist at Illinois Bank & Trust.

Terry Voskuil (6), who previously served as Woodward’s president, Aircraft Turbine Systems, is now president of the Aerospace Segment.

Rosecrance is pleased to announce that Jason Relle (7), LCPC, was named director of crisis services. In this role, he oversees the Winnebago County Mobile Crisis Response and Crisis Co-responder teams.

Hana Hinkle (8), Ph.D., M.P.H., was named assistant dean for rural health professions and director of

aMBaSSaDOR SPOTLIGHT

the National Center for Rural Health Professions (NCRHP) at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford

The law firm WilliamsMcCarthy LLP announced the addition of Associate Brandon T. Klages (9). He focuses his practice on litigation, land use disputes, and employment agreements, policies, and procedures.

Alex Gary (10) joined Midway Village Museum as Fund Development manager.

Brian A. Reis has joined the Smeja Homestead Foundation as executive director. Reis previously served as executive director of the Ellwood House Museum in Dekalb, Illinois, for twelve years. Before that, he was curator of Special Collections for the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust in Oak Park, Illinois. The Foundation is the owner of the historic Indian Hill Manor & Farm located on the Kishwaukee River southwest of Rockford, Illinois.

Fehr Graham announced that Kirsten Kendell was hired as a Human Resources assistant in the Rockford, Illinois, office.

Spectrum Insurance Agency, Inc hired Paul Happach (11) as commercial insurance risk advisor.

Phil Whitehead, CPA, CFP, CExP™

Blackhawk Bank

Janesville Market President, completed the respected Graduate School of Banking (GSB) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Brant Hulsebus of Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic was awarded the Dr. Norris A. Erickson Beacon of Light Award by the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association.

Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus Medical Director Adrienne Adams, M.D. (12), recently received the Illinois Psychiatry Society’s 2022 Excellence in Community Service Award.  Rockford Mutual Insurance Company announced the following: Abby Doty (13) joined company as agency coordinator; Jill Pearson, executive assistant, celebrated 40 years; Cody Weber (14), field claims representative, celebrated five years; and Greta Knell (15), accounts payable coordinator, celebrates five years.

Chamber Ambassador Emily Burke works with Beth Thacker at Thacker Financial Group–Northwestern Mutual, helping businesses, individuals and families strengthen their financial security through strategic planning.

“We are holistic financial planners,” Emily said. “First, we address business and individual risk needs. Then we focus on the growth of their wealth and the long-term perspective of their wealth with tax diversification.”

The firm helps businesses set up employee benefits including health, life and disability insurance as well as retirement accounts such as 401k, 403B, Simple, SEP and 457 plans.

“We have over 20 years of experience in the financial services business and work to help everyone improve their relationship with money and plan for generational wealth,” Emily said.

When it comes to life outside the office, Emily loves to try out all the local restaurants in the Rockford area.

She also enjoys serving as an Ambassador for the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, “Becoming an Ambassador is a great way to make new connections while learning about the Rockford area at the same time.”

EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS

Barron’s ranked Savant Wealth Management 33rd in its list of the Top RIA Firms of 2022. Savant ranked 13th in Financial Planning’s RIA Leaders 2022. For the 14th consecutive year, Financial Advisor, a leading financial trade publication, recognized Savant in its annual RIA rankings in August, earning the 41st spot in the 2022 RIA ranking. In August, InvestmentNews recognized Savant in its list of Top Fee-only RIAs in 2022, earning the 22nd spot. For the 10th year in a row, Accounting Today recognized Savant in its annual Top Wealth Magnet list, which ranks by AUM 150 CPA financial planners throughout the nation. Savant earned the number two spot.

Mary Ann Laudicina (16), assistant vice president and financial advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. was awarded the Alumna of the Year Award for 2022 by Rockford University. The award honors an alumna and/or alumnus for invaluable service to the Alumni Association and Rockford University during the past year.

University of Illinois ExtensionWinnebago County announced Terre McGee (17) received the Individual Excellence in Outstanding Programming Award.

GENERAL NEWS

Judson University welcomed trustees, former faculty and volunteer service groups to the campus for the 60th annual Founders’ Day on October 21 to honor those who helped to establish Judson College in 1963.

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

1. Dr. Brant Hulsebus

2. Marie Escobar3. Stacy Mullins4. Jorge Herrera5. Kyle York6. Terry Voskuil7. Jason Relle8. Hana Hinkle

9. Brandon Klages 10. Alex Gary11. Paul Happach12. Dr. Adrienne Adams 13. Abby Doty14. Cody Weber15. Greta Knell16. Mary Ann Laudicina

17. Terre McGee

Emily Burke associate financial representative at Thacker Financial Group

CHaMBER CHAMBER EVENTS ADVERTISERS INDEX

NOVEMBER 2022

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Pow(H)er Conference, 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Hoffman House & Holiday Inn, 7550 E. State St., Rockford. A conference for all who support, believe in and champion the advancement of women.

Choose workshops from three tracks: Balance, Advancement, & Legacy. Sponsored by OSF Healthcare, Northwest Bank of Rockford, Thayer Lighting, Inc., Edward Jones – Erna Colborn, AAMS®, CRPS®, Financial Advisor, LaMonica Beverages, RSM US LLP, and Midwest Packaging & Container.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Speaker: Novo Nordisk on the topic of women’s health and obesity. Sponsored by Associated Bank.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16

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

IGNITE After 5, Greenfire Restaurant, Bar & Bakery, 6795 E. Riverside Blvd, Loves Park. Stop in any time between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Chamber Night at the IceHogs, BMO Center, 300 Elm St, Rockford. Join us for a great night of networking as we root on the home team — the Rockford IceHogs! Registration includes entry into the game, food, & great networking opportunities in Hog Heaven.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Community Priority Series: Conversation with the Chairman, 10 a.m., Facebook Livestream Features Winnebago County Chairman Joe Chiarelli.

Blackhawk Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Boylan Catholic High School . . . . 4

Edward Jones – Jen Reisinger 16

Goodwill 18

Illinois Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . . . 2

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) . . . 15

Judson University . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Leading Lawyers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

MercyCare Health Plans . . . . . . 13

VOICE

DECEMBER 2022

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14

Community Priority Series: The Future of Rockford, 10 a.m., Facebook Livestream Features Michael Dunn, Jr. – Region 1 Planning Council, John Groh –Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Therese Thill –Rockford Area Economic Development Council as they discuss where are we going, where can we grow, and what can we attract. Sponsored by BMO Harris Bank.

the

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100

Mercyhealth 5

Northern Public Radio . . . . . . . . . 8

OSF HealthCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Rockford Chamber of Commerce . . . . 11, 15-16, 18, 24

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

Thayer Energy Solutions . . . . . . . 7

United Way of Rock River Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Direct Line

Caitlin Pusateri, President 815-316-4337

Melissa Adams, Executive Assistant 815-316-4312

Jeff Bailey, Membership Development Executive 815-316-4336

Susan Contrady, Account Executive 815-316-4317

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

Carmen Kellerman, Events Manager 815-316-4302

Kristin Muehlfelder, Member Relations................................................815-316-4315

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

Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator 815-316-4320

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

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

DIRECTORS

LaVonne Brown Savant Wealth Management

Samuel J. Castree Staff Management, Inc.

Lesly Couper workplace

Doug Curry Stenstrom Construction Group Rebecca Epperson Chartwell Agency

Carol Friesen OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center

Eric Fulcomer, Ph.D. Rockford University Ira Grimmett Collins Aerospace

Tim Honquest Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory

Michael F. Iasparro Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Carly LaMonica LaMonica Beverages, Inc.

Kris L. Kieper Machajewski YWCA Northwestern Illinois

Denise Sasse RSM US LLP

Peter Schmeling Schmeling Construction Co.

Brent Scott Rockford Community Bank, A Wintrust Community Bank

Teresa Sharp

American Precision Supply, Inc.

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

Karl Swanson Illinois Bank & Trust

Christina Valdez CMM & Associates

Dustin Vock Meiborg, Inc.

Robert Young Midwest Packaging and Container

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS

Caitlin Pusateri President Rockford Chamber of Commerce

John Groh Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Therese Thill Rockford Area Economic Development Council

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