SBJ 08-01-10 by The Southern Illinoisan

AUGUST 2010

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Architechniques, Ltd .......................... 17

COVER STORY

MONEY MATTERS

Tourism in Southern Illinois: When it comes to tourism and the hospitality industry, summer is the most critical of our four seasons – regardless of the geographical location. There were concerns going into the season that excessively hot weather and the slumping economy might have a bad impact on Southern Illinois, but the mid-season report from correspondent Les O’Dell paints a different picture. Tourism appears to be doing better in Southern Illinois than in many other statewide locations. Apparently, the word is spreading about our great prices, the wide variety of attractions and the natural beauties of two mighty rivers, the Shawnee National Forest and the Illinois Ozarks. Pages 3-4

Learn how to protect your assets: Many people will need long-term care before their book of life draws to a close. But the costs are formidable, and long-term care insurance is an important consideration in the financial strategies of an aging population. Financial adviser Scott McClatchey reports on compelling reasons to get an LTC policy after turning 50. Page 10

EMPLOYMENT LAW When to proceed with caution: What do you do as an employer who was faced with two doctors who said two injured employees could not return to work and two doctors who said they could? It might be tempting to rely solely on the opinion that the employees could return to work, but the legal consequences could be expensive and time consuming. Attorney Ed Renshaw provides an interesting case study and the bottom line: If an employee’s own doctor says he can’t return to work because of a work-related injury and you disagree, only the Workers’ Compensation Commission can decide who’s right. Page 6

INDICATORS Good news on the jobless front: Unemployment decreased in 17 of the state’s southernmost counties from April to May of 2010, the most recent month for which complete statistics are available. Alexander County was the only location to report an increase, a modest 0.1 percent. Unemployment dropped 2.1 percent in Franklin County and 2.0 percent in Washington County. For the region, the jobless rate fell by 1.3 percent; the state, 0.7 percent; and the nation, 0.6 percent. We also have the latest on the indicators for hotel/motel stays, air passenger traffic and gas prices. Pages 12-13

ACHIEVEMENTS Catch up: Find out who has been hired, who has been promoted or who has received an award for their efforts in business. If you know of a business or business person who deserves special recognition for advanced training, a unique honor or an expansion of business, please let us know at sbj@thesouthern.com. Pages 19

Dutch Guttering .................................. 7 Feirich, Mager, Green & Ryan.............. 17 Glass Haunt ........................................ 7 Graphics Galore .................................. 6 Hyannis Air Service ............................ 10 Jim’s Mobile Offices and Homes .......... 6 John A. Logan College ........................ 15 Midwest Backgrounds, Inc. ................ 22 Milwood Executive Suites .................. 14 Oliver and Associates, Inc. ................ 22 Pepsi MidAmerica ................................ 5 Property with TLC, LLC .......................... 9

Contact us SIU Credit Union ................................ 24 The Southern Business Journal is a publication of The Southern Illinoisan. Contact us via mail at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL, 62901, or at P. O. Box 2108, Carbondale, IL, 62903. Also reach us on the Web at www.sbj.biz and via e-mail at SBJ@thesouthern.com. The Journal is published 12 times per year monthly, and

Publisher: Bob Williams n 618-351-5038 Editor: Gary Metro n 618-351-5033

Southern Illinois Healthcare.................. 8

Advertising: Abby Hatfield n 618-351-5024

Southern Illinois University ................ 20

Circulation: Trisha Woodside n 618-351-5035

University Mall .................................. 13

Database Coordinator: Mark Doman n 618-351-5042

Your Jeweler ........................................ 9

mailed to businesses, community development leaders, chambers of commerce members and other professionals in Southern Illinois. Copyright 2010 by The Southern Illinoisan, all rights reserved. A subscription may be obtained by calling 618-529-5454 or 618-997-3356, or by visiting our Web site.

AUGUST 2010

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Cover Story Tourism in Southern Illinois: It’s crunch time BY LES O’DELL SBJ CORRESPONDENT

Every industry has its crunch time, the periods that can make or break an entire year. For accountants, that time of year is spring. Retailers count on the weeks following Thanksgiving, and florists look forward to Valentine’s Day. For the owners of businesses serving visitors and tourists, summer is perhaps the most important time of year. So, how is the summer of 2010 stacking up for tourism in Southern Illinois? The owners and managers of many of the region’s travel and destination businesses say, so far, this year has been pleasantly surprising. “I’d say our business is up, especially over last year,” says Keith Mann, owner of Double M Campgrounds near Junction. “Things are going really well. I’d probably give this season a seven or eight on a 10-point scale.” Mann says he thinks his perception holds for tourism across the area because campers are always looking for other things to do while they visit the area. “We go through a lot of tourism guides,” he explains. “People are looking for what to do and how to get there. They like to do a little bit of everything from visit restaurants and shops, the wine trails and checking out some of the natural sites like Garden of the Gods.” Russ Ward, director of Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office, says Mann’s take on the overall status of tourism in the region is accurate. “Overall, from the people I’ve talked to, I’d say most are encouraged by the numbers,” Ward says. “It’s good news, generally. We’re probably looking at a slightly better year than last year.” Ward’s office publishes an annual guide to tourist attractions and special

ALAN ROGERS AND STEVE JAHNKE / SBJ

Above: Anthony Dust (right) and other cyclists compete in the Pros category July 11 during the second day of the Great Egyptian Omnium in Marion. Left: Mark Hochstettler (left) and Stacy Hauser, both of Carbondale, share a bottle of red wine while relaxing on the back patio Monday afternoon at the Von Jakob Vineyard complex on Illinois 127 near Alto Pass. Far left: The Ohio River in Elizabethtown.

Find more tourism news at www.thesouthern.com/adventure2010.

events every year. He says interest in the 2010 guide has increased. “We printed 10,000 more guides this year than we did last year,” he says, “and we’re way ahead of our distribution goals.” He adds that the slightly stronger tourism industry in Southern Illinois is bucking a statewide trend.

“The projection for the state was that travel would be down this year, but we in Southern Illinois tend to not track like the rest of the state does,” Ward explains. “Of course, they consider Chicago, and we’re definitely not Chicago.” The distinction bodes well for attractions that take advantage of the natural resources and beauty of the

region. Southern Illinois’ growing reputation as a mecca of sorts for wine enthusiasts also is paying dividends. “We have definitely seen an increase in traffic this year,” says Rhoda Jacobs, coowner of Von Jakob Vineyard in Pomona. “Even with an increase in wineries, we’re SEE COVER / PAGE 4

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

AUGUST 2010

COVER: How is the summer of 2010 stacking up for tourism in Southern Illinois? FROM PAGE 3 still seeing more people.” She adds that more visitors also mean more overnight guests. “Our bed and breakfasts have been booked every weekend. Things have looked really good this weekend,” Jacobs says. Many visitors are choosing to stay in rental cabins — an option that was not available just a decade ago. Providing these accommodations has become sort of a cottage industry in Southern Illinois, and one that is taking off. Visitors today can choose from a variety of cabins ranging from primitive to luxury throughout the region. “We’re having a great year,” says Dixie Dart, owner of Rim Rock’s Dogwood Cabins near Elizabethtown. “We’ve had the biggest July we’ve ever had — more than 90 percent booked. It’s been phenomenal.” Providers of lodging of all types, from campgrounds and cabins to hotels, are benefitting from additional summertime guests. “As new attractions and the wine trails continue to develop, they’re bringing new people here and those people are staying all over Southern Illinois,” adds George Trammel, president of Marion Chamber of Commerce. “I think we’re

ahead of last year because of the new things we’re adding.” Trammel says the local tourism industry has gotten a boost this year from two unique events: the first Great Egyptian Omnium bicycle race and the Frontier League All-Star Game, hosted by Southern Illinois Miners baseball team in Marion. “The game was a real bonus to us, and that filled up the restaurants and hotels,” Trammel says. “It gave us a really good four days.” Miners home games continue to be a big draw, he says. “They are one of the teams leading the league in attendance,” he adds. League expansion also helped the area, Trammel says. Fans of new franchises, such as the one in Bloomington-Normal, are coming for series against the Miners. “It’s not too far for people to come and spend a few days,” he points out. Amy Mills-Tunnicliffe says many restaurants also are seeing an increase in visitors. As marketing director for 17th Street Bar & Grill in Marion and Murphysboro, she carefully watches tourist traffic. “There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t have someone in from out of town,” she says. “It seems to be up from previous years.” Mills-Tunnicliffe says she thinks the

‘I think instead of taking trips to Mexico or overseas, people are finding things to do in their own backyards, so to speak. Most of our guests are from Chicago, St. Louis or the neighboring states. They come here and then they find great things to do.’ DIXIE DART OWNER OF RIM ROCK’S DOGWOOD CABINS

region is benefitting from a shift in travel patterns. “I think people are doing more car trips this summer,” she says. “People just seem to be ‘out’ this year.” Dart says she’s noticed a difference among the guests at her cabins also. “I think instead of taking trips to Mexico or overseas, people are finding things to do in their own backyards, so to speak,” she says. “Most of our guests are from Chicago, St. Louis or the neighboring states. They come here and then they find great things to do.” She says the key to continuing the growth of tourism in the area is to make sure that the guests have a great time on their visit. “I really feel that we have to give them a good product. In our case, that’s a nice place to stay,” Dart explains. “If we are able to do that, they will come back.

We’ve had some guests come back 10 or 11 times.” It’s something that Trammel also stresses. “As people come that are new to the area, we want to make sure that they’re having a good experience,” he says. “We have to welcome them to Southern Illinois and encourage them to come back.” Ward says that the diversity of attractions in the area, along with a focus on attracting visitors and treating them right when they do visit, will continue to make the summer months prosperous for the area’s tourism sector. “There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll continue to see an increase in tourism in Southern Illinois,” he says. LES O’DELL of Carbondale is a regular contributor to Southern Business Journal.

Entrepreneur’s Mailbag Youth entrepreneurship is alive and well in Southern Illinois BY CAVANAUGH L. GRAY SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with a group of enterprising young men and women at the 2010 Educate, Lead, Inspire Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs (ELITE) Youth Gray Entrepreneurship Camp. The program is the brainchild of

several women who have shown a longstanding commitment to advancing entrepreneurship in Southern Illinois. Donna Raynalds is executive director of Southern Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone (SIDEZ), Norma Turok is a business educator and former member of the University of Illinois Extension office in Carbondale, and Candy Eastwood oversees the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Shawnee Community College. The weeklong training camp helped students gain a greater knowledge of their own business personalities and

understand the basics of business planning, while meeting successful entrepreneurs. Despite the obvious attractiveness of small business for our young people (money), there are other reasons to support youth entrepreneurship.

Benefits for our youth In my 16-year involvement in youth entrepreneurship, I have noticed the following long-term benefits. Some of the great inventions of our day have come from progressive thinkers whose dreams

materialized once they took the leap of faith. Entrepreneurship allows young people to envision a future they may not have thought possible. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grew out of the couple’s success at Microsoft, and it has allowed them to not only change lives in communities around Redmond, Wash., but also in communities throughout the world. Entrepreneurship allows successful young people a greater opportunity to contribute to the revitalization of their communities. Lastly, entrepreneurship SEE ENTREPRENEURSHIP / PAGE 23

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AUGUST 2010

Employment Law R ESU LTS

R ESU LTS

Proceed with caution when an employee’s injury evokes conflicting opinions BY ED RENSHAW SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

A fairly recent decision by the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, offers some guidance for a situation which employers sometimes face. The case was Grabs v. Renshaw Safeway Inc., and it provides a cautionary tale to employers who dispute whether an employee has a valid work-related injury. In the Grabs case, two employees were injured and claimed the injuries happened at work so that workers’ compensation benefits should be provided. The employer was not so sure about both the seriousness of the injuries and whether they really were work-related. So, the attorney for the workers and the attorney for the employer fought over those two issues before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. The doctors for both employees had determined that their injuries prevented them from returning to work. The employer didn’t believe the doctors’ recommendations and had both

employees undergo an independent medical examination by other doctors. In both cases, the doctor conducting the IME concluded that the employee’s injury was not work-related and that the employee was physically able to return to work. So, the employer was faced with two doctors who said the employees could not return to work and two doctors who said they could. Who do you think the employer chose to believe? That’s right. Based on the IMEs, the employer considered the employees to be off work for injuries not related to work. Under the employer’s attendance policy for injuries not related to work, employees had to call in each day they did not come to work. If an employee did not call in for three consecutive days, the employee would be terminated for “job abandonment.” Both employees were terminated for failing to call in for three consecutive days. Both employees filed lawsuits in the circuit court against the employer, claiming they were fired in retaliation for filing workers’ compensation claims for their injuries, which is illegal. The employer maintained that they were not fired for filing claims, but because they had failed to call in their absences — a policy that applied to all employees.

Meanwhile, their workers’ compensation claims continued to move through the Workers’ Compensation Commission process. Eventually, the commission issued a decision that agreed with the opinions of the employees’ treating doctors; the employees were not physically able to return to work at the time they were fired. The commission also decided that the injuries were work-related. Back in the circuit court, based on the commission’s decision, the judge decided, without a trial, that the employer was liable to the employees for retaliatory discharge. The judge decided that the employees had a right to rely on their own doctors’ opinions and not the opinions of the IME doctors. He also decided that where doctors disagree about an employee’s ability to return to work, the employer must wait for the commission to decide who is right and cannot fire the employee for violating an attendance policy. The employer appealed the circuit court’s decision to the appellate court. The appellate court was asked to decide whether the judge was right in deciding that only the Workers’ Compensation Commission can resolve conflicting medical opinions about an employee’s ability to return to work and whether an

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employer can fire an employee for failing to return to work before the commission decides which doctor is right. The appellate court decided that the circuit court was mostly right, but partly wrong. The judge was right when he decided that the employer could not fire the employees for violating the attendance policy when there was a disagreement about whether the employees’ injuries prevented them from returning to work. The employer could not simply listen to its own IME doctors and ignore the employees’ doctors. The appellate court also said that only the Workers’ Compensation Commission can determine which doctors are correct. Until that happens, an employer takes a great risk if it fires the employees for their absences from work. However, the appellate court decided that the judge was wrong when he decided, without a trial, that the employer was liable to the employees for retaliatory discharge. The court said that just because the employees had workers’ SEE EMPLOYMENT / PAGE 14

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AUGUST 2010

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Workplace Social differences contribute to communication confusion BY JANE SANDERS SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

Last month I discussed a few biological differences between men and women that impact our communication styles. Along a similar vein, communication Sanders differences also stem from social conditioning. It’s the nurture aspect compared to last month’s nature element. For example, social characteristics commonly attributed to men include strength and aggressiveness, competition and superiority, independence, hiding or denying emotions, and being very brief and focused. Social characteristics in women include a stronger desire for monogamous relationships, consensus, harmony, conflict avoidance, attention to detail, strong verbal and social skills, and highly developed intuitive and people-reading skills. (Keep in mind, however, that these are generalities. There will always be exceptions.) Throughout the centuries, genderbased responsibilities helped us evolve

socially with characteristics necessary to adequately handle such duties. For example, if men were responsible for hunting, building and protecting, doesn’t it make sense that they would be socially wired for strength, aggressiveness, competition and superiority more so than women? This specific socialization was for survival, a matter of life or death. To keep himself, his family and the species alive and protected from harsh weather, enemies and predatory animals, a man needed to feel superior and be highly competitive. He also needed these characteristics for dominance, control and victory over other tribes to ensure the growth and longevity of his own group. If he went on month-long hunting or manhood trips, independence would be very important, wouldn’t it? Or, if he stood in front of an enemy and burst into tears, that wouldn’t bode him very well, would it? He would likely be killed on the spot because of perceived weakness. So hiding or denying emotions became a way of life, literally one tool to stay alive. Also, men were responsible for keeping their tribe alive. They were brief and focused. They didn’t have time for details. Because of other survival issues and responsibilities, women were programmed differently. For example, as

much as women hate to admit it now, for a long period of human’s history, they needed men’s protection to survive. If an enemy or a saber-toothed tiger killed a man, or if another woman stole him away to replace her previous partner, his female partner and her children would likely die. So, women are socially wired for monogamous relationships, much more so than men, possibly because it meant life or death to them. Social wiring is deep and enduring, also in many cases subconscious. This survival instinct is thousands of years old; it is solid and it is ingrained. Men, on the other hand, were socially and biologically wired to procreate and keep the species alive, to strengthen their tribes through sheer number. Gentlemen, this is no longer necessary. (Sounds funny, but I’m serious.) There are plenty of human beings on the planet now. This is one of those tendencies that has been, for the most part, adapted to fit current social norms and needs. (Many styles and behaviors evolve as their ramifications and benefits change.) So here we have deeply ingrained gender-based differences for life-anddeath survival issues, resulting in a totally contradictory approach to relationships. This is one key reason why there is conflict between men and women.

Because women’s responsibilities included raising children, women are wired to a greater degree for consensus, harmony, connection and conflict avoidance. Raising children and gathering fine seeds and grains also gave women a greater attention to detail. Strong verbal and social skills and highly developed intuitive and peoplereading skills manifested in women due to their responsibilities for relationships and child rearing. It has been said by some experts that men offer friendliness, whereas women offer friendship. A subtle, yet profound difference. One expert stated, “Friendliness comes and goes as needed to get something done. Friendship is a relationship that overrides the project.” Men grew up playing on teams with boys they didn’t necessarily like, and learned to pull together anyway. Women grew up with more choice and control over who they socialized with, so liking someone became crucial to their ability to create a relationship. One result of this socialization is that men are more goal oriented, and women are relationship or process oriented. By the way, this does not mean that men don’t develop and desire friendships. What I’m referring to are generalities, key motivators. SEE WORKPLACE / PAGE 16

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SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Investments R ESU LTS

R ESU LTS

Is a Master Limited Partnership right for you? BY MICHAEL P. TISON SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

A Master Limited Partnership (MLP) is a publicly traded partnership, a public security that is exchange traded just like other publicly traded stocks. In most ways, MLPs are similar to stocks that Tison trade on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ. Most pay a quarterly dividend payment, and the income they generate is a reason that many investors find them attractive. Many have yields between 6 percent and 8 1/2 percent.

The major difference between publicly traded stock and MLPs are how they are taxed. Most publicly traded corporations pay a corporate tax. MLPs do not pay a corporate tax. Instead, all tax items pass through to the partners. This leaves more of the MLP earnings free to pass on to investors; moreover, for most, the time you hold your MLP units, you will not have to pay tax on the distributions the way you do on corporate dividends. They are considered a tax-deferred return of capital, that is, payback on your investment. They reduce the basis of your partnership units, but are not taxed as current income. On the other hand, you will be responsible for paying tax on your share of the partnership’s taxable income. However, most MLPs pay cash

distributions that are well in excess on any tax owed. One limiting factor of MLPs is the ability to own them in an IRA. You can hold them in IRAs, but there are some important limitations. Partnership income allocated to a tax-exempt organization or a trust such as an IRA may be considered unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) subject to the unrelated business income tax (UBIT). However, it will not be taxed as long as this income does not exceed $1,000 in any year. Note that it is the IRA’s share of the partnership’s income and not the cash distributions it receives that is subject to UBIT. Most MLPs are in the energy business. Additionally, they make up different sectors within the energy industry. An investor might find a particular sector

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more appealing. First would be the exploration and production. These are energy companies that are either trying to find oil, own oil wells or a combination of both. The more they are searching for oil as opposed to owning producing wells, the more likely the dividend will be lower. There would be more upside if they find oil and more downside if their exploration attempts fail. Another major energy sector is called mid-stream suppliers. One example of a mid-stream supplier is an oil pipeline. The pipeline is like a toll road; it charges to move oil or natural gas. The pipeline’s income statement is not as affected by changes in oil prices and actually prefers stable to lower oil prices because oil demand and, therefore, pipeline traffic is higher. As you can imagine, there are not a lot of new pipelines going in at this time. Because of the barrier to entry, these companies often have stable profits and solid dividends. Other mid-stream suppliers would be natural gas companies from whom you buy your home heating gas or oil storage facilities. Investing in MLPs have both market risk, commodity pricing risk and company risk like any other publicly traded company. All companies have their own individual management risk. I have always thought that when you invest in a company, you are investing in the management of the business. If you think oil demand is going to fall and supply is going to increase, then this might not be the investment for you. However, if you think oil demand is going to stay strong, that the supply is not endless, and you would like an above average dividend, then you should talk with your financial advisor on whether investing a portion of your investable assets in a MLP would be suitable for you. MICHAEL P. TISON is an investment adviser and registered principal with Raymond James Financial Services Inc., with offices in Harrisburg and Marion. He can be reached at 618-253-4444 or michael.tison@raymondjames.com.

Hours: Mon-Fri 9-6 • Sat 9-4 Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

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AUGUST 2010

Money Matters I N SU R A N C E

| TAXES

Long-term care insurance can help protect your assets BY SCOTT McCLATCHEY SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

How will you pay for long-term care? The sad fact is that most people don’t know the answer to that question. But a solution is available. As Baby Boomers leave their careers behind, long-term McClatchey care insurance will become very important in their financial strategies. The reasons to get an LTC policy after turning 50 are very compelling. Your premium payments buy you access

to a large pool of money which can be used to pay for long-term care costs. By paying for LTC out of that pool of money, you can preserve your retirement savings and income. The cost of assisted living or nursing home care alone could motivate you to pay the premiums. Genworth Financial conducts a respected annual Cost of Care Survey to gauge the price of long-term care in the U.S. The 2010 report found the following: l In 2010, the median annual cost of a private room in a nursing home is $75,190 or $206 per day — $14,965 more than it was in 2005. l A private one-bedroom unit in an assisted living facility has a median cost of $3,185 a month, which is 12 percent higher

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz. than it was in 2009. l The median payment to a nonMedicare certified, state-licensed home health aide is $19 — up 2.7 percent from 2009. Can you imagine spending an extra $30,000 to $80,000 out of your retirement savings in a year? What if you had to do it for more than one year? AARP notes that approximately 60 percent of people older than 65 will require some kind of long-term care during their lifetimes. Why procrastinate? The earlier you opt for LTC coverage, the cheaper the

premiums. This is why many people purchase it before they retire. Those in poor health or older than 80 are frequently ineligible for coverage. What it pays for. Some people think LTC coverage just pays for nursing home care. That’s inaccurate. It can pay for a wide variety of nursing, social and rehabilitative services, at home and away from home, for people with a chronic illness or disability or people who just need assistance bathing, eating or dressing. Choosing a DBA. That stands for Daily SEE MONEY MATTERS / PAGE 22

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SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

State Focus L EGA L |

G OV E R N M E N T | TA X ES

State education aid: Follow the money BY J. FRED GIERTZ SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

The state of Illinois provided modest increases in state aid to public elementary and secondary (K-12) education throughout the last decade. A recent report suggests that Giertz a large portion of the increases in general state aid has found its way to the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Ted Dabrowski provided a great service in his investigative study for the Taxpayers’ Federation of Illinois (Tax Facts, June 2010) that revealed this information — facts that have been systematically hidden from taxpayers and likely many members of the General Assembly because of the intricacies of the state budget. The first decade of the 20th century was a trying time for state and local governments in Illinois. However, K-12 education in Illinois fared relatively well during this period of austerity. Overall, real per pupil spending (adjusted for inflation) rose by a modest 2.8 percent for 2000 to 2009 period. In most periods, this would be considered a meager result, but compared to most other governmental functions in the state (for example, higher education), staying ahead of inflation can be considered a victory in this environment. K-12 education is financed by the combined efforts of local school districts through the property tax and aid from the state of Illinois and the federal government. Total spending for K-12 education in the state increased from $16.8 billion to $26.1 billion during this period (2000-2009) with most of the increase ($5.6 billion) coming from local property taxes. The state did, however, provide $1.6 billion extra support in 2009 through the general state aid (GSA) formula compared to 2000 — a 4.9 percent

annual rate of increase. The GSA was originally intended to reduce expenditure disparities among school districts in the state by directing resources to districts with lower local capacity (smaller amounts of property tax wealth per student). While the GSA fell well short of equalizing expenditures among districts, it was the major engine used by the state in its attempt to increase expenditure levels for poorer districts to adequate levels. In the last 10 years, GSA funds have been channeled in different directions — for property tax relief and for aid to districts with high levels of poverty, both of which disproportionally rewarded the city of Chicago. In the early 1990s, the state of Illinois attempted to slow the growth of property taxes with tax cap legislation known as the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL). It originally applied to the collar counties around Cook County and then to Cook itself. Finally, downstate counties were given the option of imposing caps on themselves through a referendum process. Caps have been approved in more than 30 downstate counties. PTELL limits property tax extension increases for non-home rule districts (which includes all school districts) to the lesser of 5 percent or the rate of inflation. This cap can be overridden by the voters through the referendum process. The intention of PTELL was to slow the growth of local property taxes resulting from rapidly rising property values. However, PTELL was not intended to replace property taxes with increased state aid; that is, state aid did not replace the loss in access to the property tax by local districts because of PTELL. This changed in 2000 when the General Assembly allowed state aid from the GSA to compensate districts constrained by PTELL. As it turns out, the Chicago Public Schools were a major beneficiary of this change because of rapidly rising property values in the city. In effect, the state began replacing the funds lost to the Chicago Public Schools because of

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K-12 education is financed by the combined efforts of local school districts through the property tax and aid from the state of Illinois and the federal government.

PTELL from GSA funds. In 2009, the Chicago Public Schools received $505 million (64 percent) of the total of $789 in PTELL replacement funds. For reference, the Chicago Public Schools have 19 percent of the students in the state. In 1999, another modification occurred in the state aid process through a change in the Poverty Grant program financed from GSA. This also resulted in substantial increases in aid for the Chicago Public Schools where more than 80 percent of the students are now considered poor. Fifty-two percent of Poverty Grants found their way to the Chicago. The combined impact of these two changes has resulted in a major alteration in the function of GSA. Dabrowski found that had the PTELL replacement not been implemented, the foundation level (the guaranteed per pupil level of support) would average $719 more per pupil today, and disparities among districts would be substantially reduced. People may agree or disagree about

the redirection of GSA to Chicago. However, the change occurred with no debate or discussion. The change was almost completely hidden from taxpayers with the results embedded within the GSA totals that made them inaccessible. While many citizens believed that K-12 education was being protected from the budget austerity occurring in other areas of the state budget, the vast majority of school districts in the state received no such help. This may not be all that surprising. It often has been said that Chicago is losing its clout with the population shift to the suburbs. However, the focus of political power remains squarely in the city of Chicago, where both leaders in the General Assembly and all of the state’s constitutional officers reside. J. FRED GIERTZ is a professor of economics within the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs. He can be reached at 217-244-4822 or jgiertz@ad.uiuc.edu.

Retail sales for Southern Illinois cities City Anna Benton Carbondale Carterville Chester Du Quoin Harrisburg Herrin Jonesboro Marion Metropolis Mount Vernon Murphysboro Nashville Pinckneyville Red Bud Sparta Vienna West City West Frankfort REGION ILLINOIS

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2006

2005

41.9 23.2 203.5 13.3 16.7 35.6 66.9 53.8 4.0 222.9 25.6 168.8 43.1 30.3 9.7 23.7 41.1 12.6 29.3 38.8 $1,104.8 $47,226.5

114.5 69.4 565.5 39.9 52.9 100.8 191.9 147.2 12.5 676.0 77.1 476.7 129.1 107.9 37.2 70.1 126.4 37.1 91.9 111.4 $3,235.5 $139,593.2

113.3 71.4 587.7 40.1 51.5 91.9 179.3 135.9 12.4 673.4 75.9 482.8 117.1 101.8 39.0 77.7 130.5 40.5 89.6 111.2 $3,223.0 $237,438.0

112.3 72.4 607.4 40.3 51.7 94.4 173.6 134.4 11.3 662.4 79.8 461.5 94.9 105.2 35.8 73.7 129.5 39.8 82.8 111.4 $3,174.7 $180,162.7

111.7 75.0 610.4 39.9 54.0 103.1 168.5 137.5 11.5 592.7 74.8 501.0 93.0 105.7 41.7 82.5 133.1 36.9 77.7 106.8 $3,157.6 $173,362.8

109.7 70.4 579.4 32.7 51.1 95.0 164.9 127.9 11.5 545.9 69.4 475.3 94.6 101.1 38.0 82.5 127.7 32.7 70.8 102.3 $2,983.0 $167,459.0

N I L L I Chicago Fed Midwest % change 05-09 Manufacturing Index

p q q p p p p p p p p p p p q q q p p p p q

4.4% 1.4% 2.4% 22.0% 3.5% 6.1% 16.4% 15.1% 8.7% 23.8% 11.1% 0.3% 53.4% 6.7% 2.1% 15.0% 1.0% 13.5% 29.8% 8.9% 8.5% 16.6%

SOURCE: LATEST STATISTICS AVAILABLE FROM THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE. FIGURES ARE IN MILLIONS.

The CFMMI is a monthly estimate by major industry of manufacturing output in the Seventh Federal Reserve District states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. It is a composite index of 15 manufacturing industries, including auto and steel, that uses electrical power and hours worked data to measure monthly changes in regional activity. It is compared here to the national Industrial Production index for Manufacturing (IPMFG). Base year is 2002. Starting in November 2005, the index excluded the electricity component. 115 114 113 112

IPMFG May 10 103.8

111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 100 98 94

Unemployment rates for Southern Illinois counties, state and nation Alexander Franklin Gallatin Hamilton Hardin Jackson Jefferson Johnson Massac Perry Pope Pulaski Randolph Saline Union Washington White Williamson .,REGION ILLINOIS U.S.

Labor force

Jobless

May 2010

Apr 2010

May 2009

3,088 17,962 2,735 4,116 1,816 32,853 20,585 5,167 7,350 9,463 1,914 2,966 15,559 12,937 8,087 8,300 7,526 34,573 196,997 6,645,041 153,866,000

308 1,978 252 327 195 2,228 1,767 493 657 1,058 185 315 1,252 1,159 892 586 578 2,951 17,181 665,023 14,369,000

10.0% 11.0% 9.2% 7.9% 10.7% 6.8% 8.6% 9.5% 8.9% 11.2% 9.7% 10.6% 8.0% 9.0% 11.0% 7.1% 7.7% 8.5% 8.7% 10.0% 9.3%

9.9% 13.1% 10.4% 9.6% 11.5% 7.6% 10.0% 10.9% 9.0% 12.6% 10.4% 12.0% 9.3% 10.2% 13.0% 8.4% 9.1% 9.9% 10.0% 10.7% 9.9%

10.4% 10.9% 9.6% 8.2% 9.9% 6.3% 8.5% 9.8% 8.7% 11.2% 9.2% 9.9% 8.5% 8.7% 9.5% 7.2% 8.1% 8.3% 9.1% 9.8% 9.4%

SOURCE: ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. FIGURES ARE NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED.

SAVE

THE DATE!

Change month p q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q

0.1 2.1 1.2 1.7 0.8 0.8 1.4 1.4 0.1 1.4 0.7 1.4 1.3 1.2 2.0 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.3 0.7 0.6

90 88

Change year q p q q p p p q p

p p q p p q q p q p q

CFMMI May 10

84 82

0.4 81 86.7 0.1 80 0.4 0.3 78 0.8 76O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M 0.8 0.1 SOURCE: FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF CHICAGO 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.7 June 10 June 09 Change 0.5 0.3 MONTHLY TOTALS 1.5 661 164 p303.1% 0.1 YTD TOTALS 0.4 0.2 3,354 1,168 p 187.2% 0.4 2009 2008 Change 0.2 ANNUAL TOTALS 0.1 2,750 2,636 p 4.3% ’08

’09

’10

Williamson County Regional Airport passengers

Community Leaders’ Breakfast Topic: Impact of Marion STAR bonds/destination development on the region

Wednesday, September 8 | 7-9 AM | John A. Logan College

I S I N Consumer credit score

Credit scores are numeric reflections of financial behavior and credit worthiness and they are based on information included in a credit report. Ranging from 330 to 830, a higher score means a lower credit risk. Scores are from June 2010.

698

Jonesboro

Region

699

692

State

U. S.

O R S U of I Flash Index

Total cars, trucks sold based on title applications filed. Excludes motorcycles, trailers.

New vehicle sales May 10 May 09 10 81 17 13 6 102 62 33 17 51 4 7 60 65 41 39 52 141 801

694

SOURCE: EXPERIAN

Alexander Franklin Gallatin Hamilton Hardin Jackson Jefferson Johnson Massac Perry Pope Pulaski Randolph Saline Union Washington White Williamson REGION

q q p q q q q p q p q q q p p p p q q

24 88 14 21 7 112 80 30 28 48 10 13 67 64 36 31 36 156 865

Change

2009

58.3% 8.0% 21.4% 38.1% 14.3% 9.0% 22.5% 10.0% 39.3% 5.2% 60.0% 46.2% 10.4% 1.2% 13.9% 25.8% 44.4% 9.6% 7.4%

137 989 184 224 94 1,348 842 353 278 565 85 124 936 719 447 515 471 1,868 10,179

2008 169 1,341 294 287 109 1,969 1,270 481 422 689 123 221 1,208 1,064 596 621 721 2,515 14,100

q p p p q p p p p p p p p p p p p p p

Change 13.3% 7.5% 30.7% 10.4% 19.3% 21.4% 14.9% 14.8% 3.7% 8.0% 10.8% 11.1% 7.3% 15.7% 11.6% 4.4% 8.6% 9.7% 11.1%

108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 D

June 10 91.3

Q1 10 Alexander Franklin Gallatin Hamilton Hardin Jackson Jefferson Johnson Massac Perry Pope Pulaski Randolph Saline Union Williamson ILLINOIS

4 58 1 0 3 67 45 16 21 28 3 1 30 28 17 121 21,242

Q1 09 2 59 0 3 2 58 51 14 21 30 2 2 22 22 14 122 17,194

SOURCE: ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Change

p 100.0% q 1.7% NA q 100.0% p 50.0% p 15.5% q 11.8% p 14.3% 0.0% q 6.7% p 50.0% q 50.0% p 36.4% p 27.3% p 21.4% q 0.8% p 23.5%

2008 17 276 NA 7 0 383 332 78 112 126 10 13 149 80 101 639 107,075

2007 32 332 NA 8 0 467 381 92 128 149 9 4 136 78 91 705 140,378

q q

q q q q q p p p p p q q

’10

Hotel/motel stats

Consumer Price Index The CPI measures average price changes of goods and services over time, with a reference base of 100 in 1982-84.To put into context, a current CPI of 194.5 means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100 in 1982-84 now costs $194.50.

Mar 10 Mar 09 MONTHLY TOTALS YTD TOTALS $1,551,848

Change

$588,283 p

$634,575

$1,616,593 q

2009 ANNUAL TOTALS

2008

7.9%

220

U.S. city average May 10 218.2

218

4.0%

Change

$7,520,856 p

Change

MEDIAN SALES PRICE Q1 10 Q2 09

46.9% 16.9% NA 12.5% 0% 18.0% 12.9% 15.2% 12.5% 15.4% 11.1% 225.0% 9.6% 2.6% 11.0% 9.4% 23.7%

$24,500 $51,250 $25,000 $0 $146,000 $108,000 $60,000 $91,500 $59,900 $56,000 $30,000 $74,000 $65,950 $43,500 $58,000 $160,000 $144,600

Total units sold, including condominiums

Total amount of revenue generated in Carbondale by hotels and motels for room rentals only.

216

214

212

2.7% 210

Home sales

’09 ’07 INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT ’08 SOURCE: AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

$7,725,727

SOURCE: ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE. LATEST DATA AVAILABLE.

The Flash Index is an early indicator of the Illinois economy’s expected performance. It is a weighted average of growth rates in corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income. An index above 100 indicates expected growth; an index below 100 indicates the economy is contracting.

$8,500 $38,400 $0 $27,500 $52,000 $73,200 $55,000 $105,000 $85,000 $44,500 $19,500 $15,000 $83,500 $70,250 $67,500 $180,000 $145,000

Midwest urban May 10 208.0

208

Change

p 188.2% p 33.5% NA q 100.0% p 180.8% p 47.5% p 9.1% q 12.9% q 29.5% p 25.8% p 53.8% p 393.3% q 21.0% q 38.1% q 14.1% q 11.1% q 0.3%

206

204

200 M

A ’09

M ‘10

SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Prices at the pump Average price per gallon of regular, unleaded gas as of July 21 and June 8, 2010.

July 10 June 10 July 09 Metro East Springfield Illinois U.S. SOURCE: AAA

$2.74 $2.71 $2.81 $2.72

$2.85 $2.65 $2.83 $2.72

$2.40 $2.37 $2.54 $2.46

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

AUGUST 2010

Your Business Injury prevention in the aging workforce BY GINGER HILLIARD SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

The workforce is aging. During the period 2006-2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 36.5 percent increase in the number of workers between 55 and 64. That figure is Hilliard predicted to soar by more than 80 percent for workers 65 to 74 and those 75 and up. The statistics are the result of the 76 million Baby Boomers steadily moving through our workforce with graying hair and associated physical changes. Older workers are valuable in that they have experience and are good at their jobs. Younger workers have more injuries, but those injuries are substantially less costly than those that involve the older worker. Three of the top four injuries to older workers include soft tissue injuries to the shoulder, neck and lower back. The common progression or onset of arthritis, degenerative disc disease, low back pain and shoulder impingement syndromes are conditions we all get eventually, but these become more of an issue in physically demanding occupations or jobs that aggravate the aging conditions. Physical changes can also include

decrease in strength and flexibility. In fact, a 15 to 20 percent decrease in strength by age 60 is typical. Balance, vision and hearing may also change with age. For example, a 60-year-old worker generally requires eight times the amount of light to see as clearly as a 20-year-old. The impact on the employer is simple: Address the aging workforce proactively or pay for increased workers compensation claims on an array of musculo-skeletal injuries. Employers are addressing the aging issue in a variety of ways. Below are proven methods to help reduce injuries among the aging workforce: l Incorporate stretching programs as a part of safety meetings and at key times, such as beginning of shifts and during break times. Stretching breaks are to promote increased circulation to fatigued muscles, not to make us flexible like a gymnast. Stretching programs carried out consistently have been shown to reduce injuries and cumulative trauma claims. They are practical and inexpensive to implement. l Job tasks should not require that employees work at their maximum power repeatedly or for extended periods of time; this can lead to injury to a worker of any age. Altering job tasks and processes and providing assistive devices such as hand trucks, dollies and hoists can reduce worker effort on the job. Also, consider moving experienced older workers into supervisory positions for

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The impact on the employer is simple: Address the aging workforce proactively or pay for increased workers compensation claims on an array of injuries. Find more business news at www.sbj.biz. their knowledge and expertise. l Ensure the work environment is hazard-free through regular facility audits and maintenance. Improve lighting and provide non-skid floors to reduce slips, trips and falls. Make sure that clerical workers have access to head sets and other ergonomic office equipment to reduce strain from prolonged keyboarding and data entry. For example, Herrin Hospital recently implemented a program called Safety Pays, where employees submit ideas on facility safety in their department. These ideas could ultimately be incorporated throughout the hospital as well. There have been many submissions with great ideas to improve safety. By having every employee look for ways to improve, it is changing the environment and reducing injuries. l A job safety analysis can be conducted on virtually any job function. Ergonomic assessments are performed to

fit the work environment to the worker. Many times, the worker is forced to adapt to the current work environment as his/her body changes, which may lead to injury. Ergonomic assessments should not be limited to office workstations; they can be used for any function, including maintenance work on buildings or landscaping work. l Outline benefits of health maintenance in everyday life. Lifestyle risk factors (smoking, obesity, inactivity, poor diet, etc) increase the cost of treating medical conditions, increase recovery time from injury and increase days away from work. Adding simple wellness programs to encourage walking and smoking cessation assistance and making changes in the vending machine choices in your facility are a good start to promoting a healthier workforce. Provide recognition to employees who make healthy lifestyle changes. For example, highlight the number of days an employee has stopped smoking. There is not a perfect solution or a one-size-fits-all approach to managing the challenge of injury prevention in the aging workforce. I hope these suggestions help provoke some thought to keep your employees injury-free. GINGER HILLIARD is occupational health coordinator for Southern Illinois Healthcare’s WorkCare. She can be reached at 618-993-3817 or ginger. hilliard@sih.networkcare@sih.net.

EMPLOYMENT: Proceed with caution FROM PAGE 6 compensation claims and were fired improperly does not automatically mean the employer was retaliating against them for having the claims. There may have been some other valid reason for the terminations and the employer should have a chance to prove this. Remember, if an employee’s own doctor says he can’t return to work because of a work-related injury and you disagree, only the Workers’ Compensation Commission can decide who’s right.

If you fire the employee for failing to return to work, you will likely have a lawsuit on your hands. Before you act, you may want to talk to an attorney. EDWARD RENSHAW is a partner with the Carbondale law firm of Feirich/Mager/ Green/Ryan. F/M/G/R is a general practice law firm offering a full range of legal services, including labor and employment law, commercial transactions, banking, real estate, workers’ compensation, municipal law and estate planning.

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

AUGUST 2010

Elder Law New law threatens seniors BY RICHARD HABIGER SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

The longanticipated implementation in Illinois of a 2006 federal law will soon devastate many seniors and their loved ones. That federal law and the new Illinois rules Habiger will lawfully rob many of their life savings, legally steal the homes and farms of many others, prevent untold numbers from qualifying for governmental benefits, wreak untold suffering on thousands and impose tremendous havoc on the medical and long-term care delivery systems in Southern Illinois. That federal law is called the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA). Readers of this column got a huge heads-up last month when I scrapped what I had planned to write about and, instead, exposed the contents of a memorandum that I obtained from a confidential source. That memo disclosed Illinois’ plans to finally implement the DRA. Unfortunately, we learned that the current plan is to implement the new rules retroactively to Feb. 8, 2006. Those who missed last month’s column can view it online at http://www.sbj.biz, page 17. The effects of the new DRA rules are best understood by comparing the new rules with the old rules. Under the old rules, a gift or transfer for less than fair market value within a three-year lookback period caused a penalty period equal to the actual cost of care. Under the new rules, the look-back period is extended to five years and the penalty period for an

uncompensated gift or transfer is calculated in the same manner. Thus, for example, if Sue gave Sara $30,000 and later entered a nursing home where the monthly cost was $3,000, the penalty period would be 10 months under both the old and new rules. If the gift was made more than 10 months before Sue making an application for benefits, under the old rules the penalty period will have expired. However, the new rules impose a far different method of calculating the penalty period. In short, penalty periods do not expire under the new rules. ART SERVICES This is the key difference The challenge for nearly all seniors will be how to pay for care, once a penalty period is triggered, if there is between the old rules and the no money in the senior’s name. The challenge for nursing homes will be how to have their bills paid for if the new rules, the one that will senior has no money and is unable to qualify for government benefits because of a penalty period. cause the most damage to seniors and their loved ones, and to the health care system: will work, an elder law attorney who has qualify for government benefits because l Under the old rules, the penalty years of experience helping families of a penalty period. period started when the gift or transfer protect themselves. While the DRA closed For example, in March 2010, Mary was made. some planning options for seniors, it transferred $30,000 to son Bill. In June l Under the new rules, the penalty 2010, Mary enters a nursing home, costing opened up other planning options. Work period does not begin until the senior is in with a knowledgeable elder law attorney $3,000 per month. In January 2011, Mary a nursing home or otherwise receiving a and you will be able to protect your home, runs out of money. Because Illinois plans nursing home level of care; and has spent your farm and your life savings. to implement the new rules retroactively down to the asset limit for nursing home The important thing is to begin now. to Feb. 8, 2006, Mary will not qualify for eligibility ($2,000 in Illinois); and is Don’t delay. Every day of delay could cost benefits until April 2012 — 10 months otherwise eligible for benefits, but for the you and your loved ones dearly. after she has run out of money and 13 penalty period. months after the penalty period would The challenge for nearly all seniors will RICHARD HABIGER is an elder law attorney have expired under the old rules. be how to pay for care, once a penalty who focuses on asset protection, Medicaid If the foregoing were not enough, there period is triggered, if there is no money in and VA benefits, Alzheimer’s and life care is more to be disclosed, which will be the senior’s name. The challenge for planning, all in collaboration with a multicovered in coming months. nursing homes and other care facilities disciplinary staff. You may contact him at In the meantime, it is critically will be how to have their bills paid for if important that you work with an elder law 618-549-4529 or info@habiger the senior has no money and is unable to elderlaw.com. attorney who knows how the new rules

WORKPLACE: Social differences contribute to communication confusion FROM PAGE 7 We are different. As you can see, men and women are very different, both biologically and socially, and that’s good. We are different from the moment of biological

conception, and those differences are reinforced socially. It’s nature and nurture combined. Think how boring life would be if we were all the same. The key to successful communication is to be aware of our differences and understand how to work with them.

JANE SANDERS is a speaker, trainer and facilitator in the areas of gender communication, strategic business or work/life planning, presentation skills, authentic leadership confidence, recruiting and retention of women and selling to women. She also facilitates

brainstorming, best practice and strategic planning sessions and retreats. She can be reached toll free at 877-3432150, jane@janesanders.com or www.janesanders.com.

AUGUST 2010

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Mark Your Calendar EV E N TS

M E E T I N G S

Aug. 2

Aug. 10

Aug. 17

Beginning Excel 2007: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Beginning Access 2003: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Intermediate Excel 2007: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Aug. 3

Aug. 11

Aug. 18

Beginning Excel 2003: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu. Starting a Small Business Workshop: 1 to 3 p.m., Founder’s Room, Shawnee Community College, 8364 Shawnee College Road, Ullin. Free. Call 618-6343254 or e-mail gabrielef@shawneecc.edu.

Intermediate Access 2007: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu. Time & Stress Management: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F109, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $90. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Intermediate Excel 2003: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Aug. 4 Beginning Access 2007: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Aug. 5 Beginning QuickBooks 2009: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Aug. 12 Intermediate Word 2007: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room H125, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu. Intermediate QuickBooks 2009: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Aug. 13 Aug. 6 Microsoft Excel 2007 (Level 2): 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Room K1134A, Shawnee Community College, 8364 Shawnee College Road, Ullin. Cost is $55. Deadline to sign up is July 30. Lunch is provided. Call 618-634-3254 or e-mail gabrielef@shawneecc.edu.

Microsoft Word 2007 (Level 2): 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Room K1134A, Shawnee Community College, 8364 Shawnee College Road, Ullin. Cost is $55. Deadline to sign up is Aug. 6. Lunch is provided. Call 618-634-3254 or e-mail gabrielef@shawneecc.edu.

Aug. 19 Advanced QuickBooks 2009: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Aug. 20 Food Sanitation Refresher Course: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Shawnee Community College Anna Extension Center, 1150 E. Vienna St., Anna. Cost is $45. Call 618-634-3254 or e-mail gabrielef@shawneecc.edu.

Aug. 24 Advanced Excel 2007: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu. Seminar on Starting a Business in Illinois: 9 to 11 a.m., Room 150, DunnRichmond Economic Development Center, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale. An optional business start-up kit is

available for $15. Call 618-536-2424 or e-mail sbdc@siu.edu.

Aug. 24 and 26 Microsoft Excel 2007 (Level 1): 6 to 9 p.m., Room K1134A, Shawnee Community College, 8364 Shawnee College Road, Ullin. Cost is $55. Deadline to sign up is Aug. 17. Call 618-634-3254 or e-mail gabrielef@shawneecc.edu.

Aug. 25 Intermediate Access 2003: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Aug. 26 Visio 2007: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-9852828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu. Starting a Small Business Workshop: 9 to 11 a.m., U of I Extension, 208 E. Main St., Vienna. Free. Call 618-6343254 or e-mail gabrielef@shawneecc.edu.

Aug. 31 Advanced Access 2007: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan College Center for Business & Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is $55. Call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu.

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

F M G R Feirich / Mager / Green / Ryan

Attorneys at Law Providing Business and Personal Legal Services to the Midwest Commercial Transactions Workers’ Compensation Labor Negotiations Employment Matters Municipal Law

Administrative Law Banking Law Real Estate Transactions Probate and Estate Planning Business Organization

Located in the Westown Centre • 2001 West Main, Carbondale • (618) 529-3000

Visit our web site at www.fmgr.com

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

AUGUST 2010

Personnel PROFILES | PREVIEWS | HUMAN RESOURCES

Background checks and diploma mills BY BRIAN D. CHAPMAN SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

A background check or background investigation is the process of looking up and compiling criminal records, commercial records and financial records. Background checks are often requested by employers on job candidates, especially on candidates seeking a position that requires high security or a position of trust, such as in a school, hospital, financial institution, airport and government. These checks are traditionally administered by private companies, sometimes for as low as $8 a hire. Results of a background check typically include past education and employment verification, criminal history and drug screening. A recent concern in hiring is the nationwide trend in the use of diploma mills. A diploma mill is a fictitious educational institution. It is a company set up to appear as an educational institution. For a nominal fee, an individual can purchase an educational degree or certificate and receive it within two weeks. We have seen certified nursing degrees, bachelor degrees, master degrees and other occupational certificates. The following are high profile examples: l In 2006, RadioShack was publicly embarrassed after it was revealed that the company’s newly appointed CEO David Edmondson had not earned the educational credentials he claimed. l In 2002, Bausch & Lomb discovered that its then CEO Ronald Zarrella did not complete the degree he claimed from New York University’s Stern School of Business. l In 2002, it was revealed that Kenneth Lonchar, then CFO of Veritas Software, had not earned degrees he claimed, including an MBA from Stanford University. l In 2003, the Department of Homeland Security discovered that the résumé of Laura Callahan, associate deputy of the Chief Information Office,

ART SERVICES

Background checks are often requested by employers on job candidates, especially on candidates seeking a position that requires high security or a position of trust, such as in a school, hospital, financial institution, airport and government.

listed questionable degrees — a bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. from the bogus Hamilton University. l In 2006, George Deutsch, a NASA public affairs officer appointed by President George W. Bush, resigned when it was discovered he had not completed the bachelor’s degree he claimed. This trend is growing and is something the National Association of Public Background Screeners and the Society for Human Resource Management are working diligently to combat and shut down with criminal proceedings. Diploma mills starting popping up in the early 1990s. But, within the last five years, they have become a rising obstruction when verifying educational degrees and certificates. Ensure that your current background vendor is aware of this issue and is effective in their due diligence. If you are conducting education verifications in-house, make sure the institution is part of the network of certified schools. Your background vendor should have an updated list. With some research, you can find a list of known diploma mills with which

verification should be compared. However, be careful with legitimate non-certified schools. Some schools may not be certified, but are legitimate educational institutions; many bible schools are perfect examples. Carefully review the degrees, the schools (websites and research blogs) and dates of the degrees. Here are some signs of educational fraud: l Degrees can be earned in an unusually short time (e.g., a bachelor’s degree in a few months). l Accreditations are not recognized by reputable organizations. l An unusually strong emphasis is placed on earning credit for life or realworld experience. l Tuition is charged on a per degree basis as opposed to credit hour, course or semester. l Discounts are offered for enrolling in multiple programs. l Little or no admission criteria (such as academic records) are required other than a valid credit card. l Names are deceptively similar to legitimate, and often prestigious, educational institutions.

l Box numbers or suite addresses are used instead of physical addresses. l A sports program probably will not exist. I received this spam e-mail recently. It’s as easy as responding to an email. To: bchapman@mbiworldwide.com. BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT! Is your lack of a degree holding you back from career advancement? Are you having difficulty finding employment in your field of interest because you don’t have the paper to back it up – even though you are qualified? If you are looking for a fast and effective solution, we can help! Call us right now for your customized diploma. If you are responsible for hiring, be aware and diligent. The safety of your staff and customers depend on it. BRIAN D. CHAPMAN is the executive director of mbiworldwide.com of Herrin and Atlanta. He is a founding member of the National Association of Professional Background Services. Mbiworldwide.com was voted “Best Customer Service” by the St. Louis Small Business Monthly in October 2009.

AUGUST 2010

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Achievements AWA R DS

Continental Tire receives safety award

Davis elected vice chairman of IBA

P RO M OT I O N S

R E T I R E M E N T

representatives market Vector’s product, CUTCO Cutlery, through in-home presentations and use the sales office as Continental Tire in Mount Vernon has Marty Davis has been elected vice home base. received the Rubber Manufacturers chairman of the Illinois Bankers For more information, visit Association Safety Improvement Award Association for 2010-11. Davis is www.vectormarketing.com or call for 2010. The award is designated for president and CEO of Murphy-Wall State manufacturing plants in the U.S. that Bank & Trust Company in Pinckneyville. 877-888-0314. achieve an incidence rate that is both 10 Davis was elected at IBA’s 119th annual WTAO recognized percent better than its rate in the Conference and Trade Show. previous year, and the same or better He has 25 years of banking experience by Illinois Army National Guard than the RMA average incidence rate. and has been with Murphy-Wall State A Withers Broadcasting Active Rock More than 100 plants from 28 RMA Bank for 13 years. Radio Station, 92.7 WTAO, was honored member companies supplied data for the by the Illinois Army National Guard at annual survey to determine the extent of Illinois State Police the 2010 Illinois Broadcasters workplace safety improvements. Association Silver Dome Awards on receive three awards Continental Tire in Mount Vernon was The Illinois State Police received three June 16 in Normal. one of six tire sector companies to receive WTAO was awarded an Illinois awards during the 2010 Uniformed this safety award. National Guard minuteman statue for its Safety Education Officer Workshop contributions in a medium market. The recently in St Louis. minuteman statue is a symbol of the Campbell receives The workshop originally formed to National Guard soldier’s commitment to CLF designation share programs that each agency had answer the nation’s call on a moment’s developed and used to help educate the Country Financial Agency Manager notice. public in traffic safety matters. The Richard Campbell of Carterville has In addition to WTAO being honored, topics vary from bicycle safety to DUI earned the Chartered Leadership Fellow Withers Broadcasting Company was and all things in between. designation from The American College recognized as the Illinois National Guard Trooper Marla Tolliver from District in Bryn Mawr, Pa. Company of the Year for its support. The CLF program provides financial 12 and Trooper David Sneed from services leaders with the knowledge and District 13 represented the state of tools needed to recruit and retain top Illinois this year. Sneed said the McBride named Correctional performers, develop effective business experience was informative. Officer of the Year plans and set performance goals for their Carol McBride recently was named employees. Carbondale attorney Correctional Officer of the Year at Campbell serves clients from his office receives Navy award Pinckneyville Correctional Center. at 2702 17th St. in Marion. McBride has been employed with the Lt. Commander Jonathan A. Mitchell, Department of Corrections since 1998 at a Carbondale attorney, was awarded the WVZA named Radio the Pinckneyville facility. Rear Admiral Hugh H. Howell Jr. Award Station of the Year of Excellence recently in San Diego, Calif. This award is presented annually to the Withers Broadcasting radio station, Healthy Woman program two most outstanding junior officers in 105.1 WVZA, received top honors at the adds online benefit the Navy JAG Reserves. 2010 Illinois Broadcasters Association The Healthy Woman program at Mitchell is an associate with the Silver Dome Awards on June 16 in Crossroads Community Hospital in Carbondale law firm of Feirich/ Normal. Mount Vernon has moved to a new online Mager/Green/Ryan. IBA acknowledged WVZA as Radio platform. At www.healthywoman Station of the Year in the medium market online.com, new and existing members size at its annual convention and awards Vector Marketing opens can register for upcoming events, read ceremony. WVZA consists of an adult Carbondale office timely health articles and exchange contemporary format and is the flagship messages with like-minded Healthy Vector Marketing recently has opened station for the Saluki Sports Network. Woman friends. a new sales office at 206 W. College St., The station was recognized for its Members also will have access to an community and client support in the past Suite 4, in Carbondale. Dalton Riggins is award-winning online health library that branch manager. year. includes 12,000 adult and pediatric The Carbondale office will be used for In addition to being named station of topics in both English and Spanish. the recruitment and training of new sales the year, Withers Broadcasting All members receive “Healthy Woman representatives as well as for team Production Director Matt Linsin earned Today,” a complimentary, monthly meetings, where additional training and both first and second place in the e-mail health newsletter. Anyone mentorship is provided. Sales humorous commercial category.

interested in remaining or becoming a free Healthy Woman member will need to sign up for new membership and create an account at www.healthywomanonline.com. For more information, call 618-2418510.

Herrin neurologist presents Virtual Grand Rounds Dr. Lori M. Guyton, a Herrin neurologist, recently was selected to present Virtual Grand Rounds at GlaxoSmithKline headquarters’ NeuroScience Training Center at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. The Grand Rounds is one of the vehicles used to educate representatives regarding epilepsy throughout the country.

ACS recognizes Country Financial Country Financial has been recognized as a participant in the American Cancer Society’s 2010 Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program. Country Financial joins less than 50 other corporations and their half-million employees, who have raised nearly $19 million through this program. The company is a corporate sponsor of teams throughout Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

Let the region know Have you been promoted? Has a colleague at work completed an intensive continuing education program? Others in the business community will want to know it, so please consider passing on your milestone employment news to the Southern Business Journal. Feel free to email the information to sbj@thesouthern.com or fax a written update to 618-457-2935.

ENHANCING GROWTH & BUILDING PROSPERITY

The Southern Illinois University Carbondale Economic Development team is committed to our mission in southern Illinois focusing on three key areas:

• Innovation • Community Engagement • Entrepreneurship SIUC is highly committed to accelerating research and supporting innovation in the region through our Small Business Incubator program and our Southern Illinois Research Park. Technical assistance programs like Operation Mousetrap, business and information systems class projects, and the new Green Meetings Initiative reach businesses throughout southern Illinois. SIUC is also dedicated to advancing healthcare through our Center for Rural Health and Community Development Programs - assisting southern Illinoisans throughout the region to be healthier and have greater access to new technology and broadband connectivity. SIUC further supports the region’s entrepreneurs through the Illinois Small Business Development Center, Operation Bootstrap training, the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center, and CampCEO youth program.

WWW .GROW SI. COM

618.453.5047

AUGUST 2010

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Business Fine Print PERMITS | BANKRUPTCIES

Building permits Carbondale Harbaugh’s Restaurant, 901 S. Illinois Ave., $18,000 Home Rentals, 310 E. College St., $10,000 Tim Parsons, 2012 Creekwood Drive, $90,000 Greggory Karayiann’s, 624 E. Campus Drive, $35,000 Rolando Bravo, 220 S. Violet Lane, $5,000 Susan Banning, 405 E. Emerald Lane, $16,000 Scott Comparato, 48 Hillcrest Drive, $40,000 Norman Boettcher, 308 E. College St., $500 Linda Basler, 709 W. Pecan St., $500 Edward Brunner, 1010 S. Oakland Ave., $28,000 P. Vaught/O. Davis, 1130 N. New Era Road, $4,500 William Eaton, 506 W. Sycamore St., $5,000 Patricia Diggle, 602 N. Bridge St., $4,000 Saidath Alabi, 3003 W. Kent Drive, $24,000 George Schlenk, 802 W. Schwartz St., $250 David Brunaugh, 307 E. Chestnut St., $250 James Greer, 805 N. Marion St., $500 David Klaproth, 2902 W. Kent Drive, $250 Gerald Compton, 2101 W. Meadow Lane, $2,500 Lasser Sorensen, 303 W. Willow St., $20,000 Gary May, 1020 N. Oakland Ave., $22,000 Prime Manor LLC, 26 Pine Lake Drive, $20,000 Megan Garry, 808 W. Walnut St., $12,000 William McCutchen, 1039 N. Wall St., $2,500 Timothy Connet, 705 S. Taylor Drive, $250 Lance Forsberg, 202 S. Brook Lane, $500

Herrin Fredilu Toms, 909 N. 12th St., $2,600 Kennan Adams, 816 Stoneybrook St., $10,000 Southside Lumber, 1300 S. Park Ave., $50,000 Adam Falknor, 211 Newman Drive, $13,000

Marion Williamson County Board of Commissioners, 404 N. Van Buren St., $18,124,000 Charles Joms, 1705 N. Fair St., $2,000 Dan Reid, 108 S. Carbon St., $325,000 Ray and Kristen Bayer, 1911 Julianne Drive, $20,000 Tim Barnett, 812 W. Prairie St., $130,000 Wanda Shelton, 703 N. Hartkoph St., $2,500

Mount Vernon Brent Felty, 2102 College St., $0 SMGSH, 4001 Veterans Memorial Drive, $110,000,000 Applebee’s Restaurant, 4 Potomac Blvd., $0 Tammy Murphy, 326 Caborn St., $4,000 Nave Fireworks Inc., 401 10th St., $0

Security Finance, 4805 Broadway St., $4,440 Title Cash, 4115 Broadway St., $4,473 DMDC, 809 Main St., $0 Greenwalt and Sons Construction, 909 Water Tower Circle, $499,000 Mark and Pam Flota, 1024 Birdie Drive, $170,000 Mark Morgan, 224 Casey Ave., $0 Central Christian Church, 1126 North St., $0 Amanda Crider, 601 Park Ave., $56,800 Jeff. Co. Extension, 4618 Broadway St., $2,000 Oak Grove Village, 26 Cottonwood St., $6,700 Oak Grove Village, 16 Cottonwood St., $6,700 Brady Moore, 611 13th St., $0 Allen Barnard, 122 Rufus St., $6,000 Jeff and Judy Osborn, 19192 Miller Lake Lane, $174,000 Mike Ellis, 2943 Brownsville Road, $0 Meadowbrook Christian Church, 840 Meadowbrook Road, $13,000 Beverly and Roy Pickett, 912 13th St., $0 David P. Rakey, 14 Fairway Drive, $13,000 Belton, 4121 Watertower Road, $4,500 Sylvia Howard, 319 14th St., $0

Murphysboro Marion Eye Center, 1934 Walnut St., $4,800 St. Andrews, 724 Mulberry St., $6,000 Gerald Hartline, 1821 Division St., $3,000 St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, 2 S. Hospital Drive, $1,440,028 Paul Rozelle, 1511 Roberta Drive, $1,300 Wal-Mart, 6495 Country Club Road, $32,000 Keith Roberts, 1021 N. 14th St., $800 Charles and Patricia Georgeff, 2115 Wall St., $2,000 Chancey Hickman, 18 Suburban Drive, $3,500 Jeff Keener, 2107 Dewey St., $850 Donald E. Grammer, 1014 N. 16th St., $3,500 Gay Bachmann, 432 Winters Lane, $3,000 Donald J. Keipp, 1925 Hortense St., $2,062 Frank Coniglio, 708 North St., $3,000 Jan Draper, 1519 Pine St., $18,000 Debra Tindall, 1106 Steven Lane, $85,000 Janice Hampton, 2036 Dewey St., $9,200 Whistle Clean Car Wash, 1830 Walnut St., $9,000 Harry Raines, 429 N. 12th St., $12,000 Peter or Lisa Bernhardt, 2116 Walnut St., $9,000 Star Enterprises, 807 Illinois Ave., $3,200 Star Enterprises, 2004 Walnut St., $12,000

West Frankfort T.A. Pollack, 200 S. Taft, $39,500 Barney Mack, 704 E. 8th St., $23,190 Terry Williams, 1806 E. Garland, $4,000 LaFiesta Restaurant, 1402 W. Main, $8,500

Bankruptcies Chapter 7 Robert Forbes and Teresa Forbes, 1301 W. Maple St., Herrin Merri Crespi, 7767 Parrish Circle, West Frankfort Harr y Melvin and Holly Melvin, 3208 W. Lakeview St., Marion Carolyn Smith, P.O. Box 18, Goreville Keith Adams, 606 N. Line St., Creal Springs Lisa Taylor, 1305 A. Karris Lane, Marion Michael Ford, 10890 Lick Creek Road, Buncombe Janice Lestz, P.O. Box 88, Dowell Barbara Fetch, 435 W. Allen Drive, Bonnie Matthew Roberts and Carmela Roberts, 14860 Old Frankfort Road, Marion Garrett Harriman, 1103 Bryan St., P.O. Box 201, Tilden Jason Via, 166 Quiet Lane, Carbondale Shawn Conner, 124 Walnut St., Carterville Ruth Carpenter, 1904 Edith St., Murphysboro Carole Frassato, 1005 Cedar Lane, Marion Michael Perry, 1400 Monroe, Apt. A, Johnston City Jeffrey Kell and Tracey Kell, 7036 N. 1250 Blvd., Mount Carmel Teresa Hobbs, R. R. 1, Box 238A, Golconda Gregory Tindall and Vevia Tindall, 1005 Election Circle, Benton Susan Burkhart, 2802 Mannen St., Mount Vernon Steven Apgar and Rebecca Apgar, 17248 Idlewood Road, Mount Vernon Rickie Campbell, 10611 Bessie Road, Benton Cathi Van Brakle, 200 S. Locust St., McLeansboro PS and GR LLC, 5 Pine Place, Philadelphia Glassy Junction Inc., 5 Pine Place West, Philadelphia Cheryl Pelker, 8056 Steven Lane, Du Quoin Gary Phelps, 407 E. Lincoln St., Apt 3, De Soto Timothy Weiss and Pamela Weiss, 13181 N. 2250 Blvd., Allendale Robert Shaw, 10900 Village Grove Road, St. Louis Kay Rader, 620 Van Zant St., Chester Craig McCarthy and Carolyn McCarthy, 511 Steven Drive, Red Bud Giovani Delgado, 207 S. Hewitt St., Carbondale Richard Hanks, 521 S. Fly Ave., Goreville Gregory Brown and Alicia Brown, 315 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon Paul Weinhold, 731 Bakersfield Road, Carbondale Jason Nodeen, 150 Max Creek Lane, Vienna

Alfred Franklin and Evelyn Franklin, P.O. Box 142, Buckner Rachel Waldron, 1016 S. 12th St., Herrin Edward Bergeson, P.O. Box 2323, Mount Vernon Scott Moles and Laura Moles, Route 5, Box 281, John Stelle Road, McLeansboro Nicholas Coffey and Alicia Coffey, 211 N. Mulberry St., McLeansboro Lillie Hobbs, P.O. Box 753, Murphysboro Mark Farthing and Kelly Farthing, 800 S. 22nd St., Mount Vernon Sarah Caldwell, P.O. Box 289, Creal Springs Phillip Little and Shawna Little, P.O. Box 206, Creal Springs Jack Huff and Billie Huff, 14596 Allen Road, Herrin Donald Frassato, P.O. Box 155, Marion Joseph Miller and Patricia Miller, 714 S. Webster St., Harrisburg Steven Heine and Kimberly Heine, 1206 Coral St., Red Bud Dustin Kolweier and Amanda Kolweier, 7170 Kalmer Lane, Red Bud James Treece, 104 Holly Terrace, Anna Jessica Rios, 805 S. Division St., Carterville Amber Rankin, R.R. 3, Box 433, Fairfield Michael Trotter and Elizabeth Trotter, 14741 E. Bakerville Road, Mount Vernon Kenneth Davis and Mary Davis, P.O. Box 281, Tamms Warren White and Elizabeth White, 1514 Davis Ave., Johnston City Rickey Mason and Nancy Mason, 308 W. Fifth St., Bluford Betty Hoadley, P.O. Box 353, Carrier Mills Glenda Eubanks, 16972 E. Payton Road, Opdyke James Capps and Amy Capps, 20090 N. Stratford Lane, Mount Vernon Mark Drennan and Susan Drennan, 7940 E. Boyd Road, Woodlawn John Mahon, 518 N. Main St., Grayville Donald Person, P.O. Box 241, Ina Eric Butz, 9621 Houston Road, Sparta Akiya Harris, 723 W. Park St., Du Quoin Robert Messer and Sherry Messer, 309 N. Sycamore St., Elkville Robert Rady and Vicki Rady, 107 S. Spillerton Road, Marion Carol Mueller, 141 Pyatt Cutler Road, Percy Genevieve Patton, 141 Pyatt Cutler Road, Percy Kevin Young, 524 W. Holmes St., Chester Randall Stephenson, 1101 W. Main St., Marion Ryan Vallett, 6588 Meadow Lake Drive, Steeleville Robert Meyer, 1006 N. Highland Ave., Marion SEE FINE PRINT / PAGE 23

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

AUGUST 2010

MONEY MATTERS: Long-term care FROM PAGE 10 Benefit Amount — the maximum amount that your LTC plan will pay per day for care in a nursing home facility. You can choose a DBA when you pay for your LTC coverage, and you can also choose the length of time that you may receive the full DBA on a daily basis. The DBA typically ranges from a few dozen dollars to hundreds of dollars. Some of these plans offer you inflation protection at enrollment, meaning that every few years, you will have the chance to buy additional coverage and get compounding so your pool of money can grow. The Medicare misconception. Too many people think Medicare will pick up the cost of long-term care. Medicare is not long-term care insurance. Medicare will only pay for the first 100 days of nursing home care, and only if you are getting skilled care and you go into the nursing home right after a hospital stay of at least three days. Medicare also covers limited home visits for skilled care and some hospice services for the terminally ill. That’s all.

Now, Medicaid can actually pay for long-term care — if you are destitute. Are you willing to wait until you are broke for a way to fund long-term care? Of course not. LTC insurance provides a way to do it. Why not look into this? You may have heard that LTC insurance is expensive compared with some other forms of policies. But the annual premiums (about as much as you’d spend on a used car from the late 1990s) are nothing compared to real-world LTC costs. Ask your insurance advisor or financial advisor about some of the LTC choices you can explore. While many Americans have life, health and disability insurance, that’s not the same thing as long-term care coverage. SCOTT MCCLATCHEY is a founder and LPL Financial Advisor with Alliance Investment Planning Group, a Carbondale-based investment firm at 115 S. Washington St. He can be reached at 618-519-9344 or scott@alliance investmentplanning.com. Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

AUGUST 2010

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Business Fine Print PERMITS | BANKRUPTCIES Delora Bell, 207 S. Canterbur y Drive, Carbondale Mona Marks, 302 Sterling St., Creal Springs Kathr yn Easton, 16989 Illinois 149, Murphysboro Terri Fisher, 226 High St., Du Quoin Michaella Campbell, P.O. Box 115, Anna Ernest Bulin and Jennifer Bulin, 8363 N. 900 Blvd., Mount Carmel Justin Leffler, 14897 E. Loyola Road, Mount Vernon Jo Ann Hathaway, R. R. 2, Box 37B, Elizabethtown James Bailey and Vickie Bailey, 527 Ash St., Mount Carmel Olivia Dalmasso, 1014 Pace Ave., Mount Vernon Melissa Johns, 611 E. Browning St., Marion Janet Wolff, P.O. Box 93, Evansville Adam Burk and Susan Burk, 729 Meadowbrook Road, Mount Vernon Brian Jones, 604 Third St., Carmi Carlos Del Rio, 20 Applecrest Drive, Carbondale Billy Colson, 12451 Saraville Road, Marion Kenneth Mays and Linda Mays, 504 W. Monroe St., Herrin

Chapter 13 Billy Colson, 12451 Saraville Road, Marion Kenneth Mays and Linda Mays, 504 W. Monroe St., Herrin Donald Basenberg and Chelsea Basenberg, P.O. Box 216, Sesser Louis Davis, 716 W. Fifth St., Johnston City James Daily, 1117 Garfield St., Eldorado Corey Hunt, 6448 Minier Road, Benton

Bryan Klein and Tina Klein, P.O. Box 1035, Mount Vernon Kimberly Rainbolt, P.O. Box 1237, Vienna Gary Segretario and Barbara Segretario, 1400 Nagel Drive, Marion Clinton Alton and Diana Alton, 2204 E. Elm St., West Frankfort Susan Roper, P.O. Box 49, Harrisburg Tina Pennington, 1203 Durham Drive, Johnston City Jeffrey Allen, 6102 Saline River Road, Marion Lucy Drew, 7891 Drew Drive, Carbondale Joel Heath, 2135 New Hope Road, Buncombe Herber t Arnold, 25232 Goldenrod Road, Tamms Judith Maloney, 624 S. Ledford St., Harrisburg David Clardy, 11511 Freedom Road, Marion Jake Essen and Barbara Essen, 266 S. Hoffman St., Nashville William Endsley and Jane Endsley, P.O. Box 345, Harrisburg Gerald Craig and Vicki Craig, 19279 Galatia Post Road, Marion Daniel Showalter and Cheri Showalter, 40 Kentucky St., Pinckneyville Charles Juenger and Joyce Juenger, 4943 Kimmel Bridge Road, Murphysboro Timothy Crecelius, P.O. Box 171, Ullin Julia Hines, 310 Lynda Drive, Carbondale Frank Henr y and Bonnie Henr y, 602 S. Wedgewood Lane, Carbondale Brandon Hale, 626 N. 15th St., Murphysboro Carl Fritz, P.O. Box 35, Pulaski Carlton Mathews and Neala Mathews, 800 W. Blue Ave., Creal Springs Rhonda Showmaker, 310 Poplar St., Mound City

Cindy Peters, 303 Meadow St., Royalton Montgomery Bishop and Patsy Bishop, 85 Cedar Lane, Tunnel Hill Elizabeth Bebout, 301 Country Club Lane, Harrisburg William Dixon and Patricia Dixon, 217 S. 20th St., Murphysboro Lee Teel and Evelyn Teel, 318 N. Line St., Du Quoin Mar y Cauper t, 2408 Perkins Ave., Mount Vernon Deborah Davis, 698 N. Blanche St., Mounds Tonita Brown, P.O. Box 762, Cairo John Ditterline, 809 W. Pine St., Harrisburg Keith Francis and Joey Francis, 780 Harpertown Lane, Ozark Michael Thomas and Mary Thomas, 201 S. Olive St., Carterville Sheri Jones, 2111 Waltonville Road, Mount Vernon Sheryl Maguin, 208 W. Lincoln St., Dix Theresa Lowery, 15400 N. Heron Lane, Bluford James Hodge, 205 Hibiscus Road, Coulterville Philip Daniels and Lisa Daniels, 207 E. Yung St., Sesser Robert Sams and Cindy Sams, 23131 Pigeon Roast Road, Thebes David Goins and Alice Goins, 910 Catherine St., Metropolis Robert Collins, 5522 Stotlar Road, Carterville Laura Irvin, 507 S. Aikman St., Marion Beverly Cooper, P.O. Box 56, Coulterville Alonzo King, 1109 N. Seventh St., Murphysboro James Knope and Amy Knope, 912 W. Stotlar St., Herrin Douglas Harrel and Hollie Harrel, 2085 Birdwell Road, Creal Springs

James Menckowski and Theresa Menckowski, 3386 Sandpiper Road, Mulkeytown Mark Elston, 1516 W. Monroe St., Herrin James Beppler and Janet Beppler, 1810 S. Ninth St., Mount Vernon Lee Lyell, 2050 Goreville Road, Goreville Kerry Halterman, 101 U.S. 45, Cisne Jeremy Dixon and Elizabeth Dixon, 217 S. 20th St., Murphysboro Trevor Quick, 408 Pine St., Waltonville John Robey, P.O. Box 1394, Benton Floyd Danner and Linda Danner, 11 E. South St., Du Quoin Vanessa Fortman, P.O. Box 107, Orient Daniel Allen and Vicki Allen, 14899 N. 1900 Blvd., Allendale Karla Mohr, 1127 Blakely St., Benton Robert Clinton and Margaretanne Clinton, 301 S. Grant St., Pinckneyville Ashley Wade, P.O. Box 434, Irvington Rachel Abrams, 425 Robinson Circle, Carbondale Jason Eddy, 126000 Nixville Road, Carrier Mills Barney Mitchell and Erin Mitchell, 89 S. Main St., Raleigh Edward Richardson and Jeanette Richardson, 1104 Poplar St., P.O. Box 287, Willisville William Tate, 203 Gore Place, Benton Tina Tate, 1413 N. Franklin Drive, Benton Kelli Hall, 1026 Hunters Circle, Benton Michael Wurl and Lauren Wurl, P.O. Box 76, Hurst

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Is alive and well in Southern Illinois FROM PAGE 4 provides young people with alternatives to unemployment, low-paying jobs and destructive life choices.

They’re perfect for it Take a close look at some of the world’s top entrepreneurs and you will find that today’s young people have a lot of the same characteristics. Spend more than a couple of minutes with our young people and you will see that they are overflowing with creativity. What these young creative

minds dream up is their reality. Young people are often brimming with confidence and believe that they can do anything because they have yet to be limited by our adult constraints. Today’s youth also have amazing vision and can tell you (in detail) all about their goals, aspirations and what they believe their futures will look like — all of this while many of us might be trying to figure out what we will be doing next week.

Creating a different future I often wonder how different things

would be if Bill Gates Sr. had discouraged his technology-driven son when he and friends started their first company, Traf-O-Data (a first attempt at writing software for computer hardware). Teaching our young people about entrepreneurship represents the gift that keeps on giving and will provide them with a skill that they can use for a lifetime. Chinese philosopher Confucius said, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” Now is the time to support youth entrepreneurship because the latent talents of today could pay big

business dividends for the region in the future. CAVANAUGH L. GRAY is director of business development for The Entrepreneur Café, L.L.C. in Carbondale. He can be contacted at cgray@ ecafell.com or 618-206-7013. For more information on how you or your organization can get involved with youth entrepreneurship or for ideas on how to start, grow and succeed in small business, be sure to follow The Entrepreneur Café L.L.C. on Twitter, www.twitter.com/ TheECafe, or at www.ecafellc.com.