SBJ 07-2012 by The Southern Illinoisan

JULY 2012

Directory of Advertisers

Inside J U LY 20 1 2

1st Bank & Trust of Murphysboro ..........7

INVESTMENTS

INDICATORS

Planning for the self-employed: There are many advantages to self-employment, but perhaps an even greater number of responsibilities. Those who are their own bosses also are ultimately responsible for their financial well-being in retirement. It’s important for the self-employed to be cognizant of the financial planning issues surrounding retirement and take some important steps before reaching retirement. Page 7

Employment trend positive: Recent news about the region’s loss of correctional jobs and dark positions at SIU are discouraging, but overall unemployment dropped across the region in April, the most recent month for which complete statistics are available. Joblessness dropped in all 18 of the southernmost counties in Illinois, with the biggest improvement, a 1.6 percent decrease, in Union County. Significant drops of 1.1 percent also were seen in Franklin, Johnson and Perry counties. Pages 12-13

ELDER LAW Putting seniors at risk: With a recent stroke of a pen, Gov. Pat Quinn put many of Illinois’ most vulnerable senior citizens at risk. Described as Medicaid reform, the changes approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by Quinn make significant and harsh changes to the Medicaid eligibility rules for seniors who need financial assistance to help pay for the high cost of nursing-home and other long-term care. Most of the changes in the Medicaid law became effective immediately. Page 11

ACHIEVEMENTS Who is in the news? Find out who has been hired, who has been promoted or who has received an award for efforts in business. Make sure you check out our newest ‘Faces in the News’ collection of business portraits and learn more of achievements and honors in regional businesses. If you know of a business or businessperson who deserves special recognition for advanced training, a unique honor or a business expansion, please let us know at sbj@thesouthern.com. Pages 16-18

Bill Ecker, State Farm Insurance ..........20

Datalock .......................................... 22

John A. Logan College ........................ 17

Modern Office Connections ................ 20

Occupational Performance and Rehab ....5

Oliver and Associates, Inc. ................ 10

Pepsi MidAmerica .......................... 5, 10

SIU Credit Union .................................. 8

SIU Small Business Development ..........3

Contact us 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

Southern Illinois Healthcare................ 15

Publisher: Bob Williams 618-351-5038

Southern Illinois University ................ 24 Editor: Gary Metro 618-351-5033

www.sbj.biz and via email at SBJ@thesouthern.com. The Journal is published 12 times per year monthly, and mailed to businesses, community development leaders, chambers of commerce members and other

Advertising: Mark Dynis 618-351-5815

Williamson County Airport....................20

Database Coordinator: Mark Doman 618-351-5042

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

JULY 2012

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Cover Story

ART SERVICES

For some business people, the best uses of smartphones are some of the simplest tools — things such as Internet access. Joe Helleny, owner of Moneta Enterprises of Marion, likes the iPhone because it gives him access to the Internet.

Smartphones revolutionizing the way people do business BY LES O’DELL SBJ CORRESPONDENT

“There’s an app for that.” What originally was a tag line to boost interest in Apple’s iPhone actually has become a mantra for the ways that people in Southern Illinois and around the globe do business. There are more than 100 million smartphone users in the U.S. — nearly half of all cellular phone users — and, according to comScore, a company that measures digital media behaviors, one-fourth of them have used a tablet, such as an iPad, within the last 90 days. Across the world and the region, these once gee-whiz products have become a staple of conducting business. “Smartphones have revolutionized the

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz. way people do business,” says Jessi Miller, manager of Cellular Connection, a Verizon wireless dealer in Herrin. “We’re no longer tied to the office; we’re completely mobile now. We can do anything from our phones or tablets that we can do from our desktop computers.” Just how are Southern Illinois business leaders and owners using this technology? With more than 250,000 applications available, there is one for almost any need. Miller says she does everything from handling her schedule to printing documents directly from one of her handheld devices. But, what about SEE COVER STORY / PAGE 4

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 2012

Cover Story those people who don’t work for technology companies? What devices are they utilizing, and what software and apps do business people consider musthaves? We asked local businessmen and women to tell us about their personal technology. Floyd Jerkins, owner and project director at Creative Consulting in Benton, uses both an iPhone and an iPad. “For me, it’s all about information containment,” he explains. “I love having the information I need at my fingertips.” A news hound, he says his favorite apps include SkyGrid, USA Today and Bloomberg. Mark Feldhake, vice president of Architechniques in Herrin, uses his HTC Incredible and a Droid-based tablet called an Asus for a number of workrelated activities. “On my phone, I’m mainly checking emails while I’m out of the office, as well as text messaging, maintaining contacts and synching my calendar,” he says. “I do have an app called PdaNet that lets me link to my home computer, laptop or tablet and lets me use my phone as a modem. Feldhake also uses some very specialized apps on his tablet. “There are some just for architectural drawings, and PocketCloud allows me to link back to my desktop computer and control it remotely,” he says. “Redstick Site CAD is an application specific for architecture that lets me do field measurements and import them into software on my computer.” Herrin Chamber of Commerce Director Liz Lynn says she uses the HeyTell application for her iPhone. “It’s an easy way to communicate. It makes your phone work like a walkietalkie, kind of like text messages, but with your voice,” she says. With children ages 2, 5 and 7, Lynn says she also has plenty of children’s activities on her iPad. “It’s a great way to keep their fingers and minds busy,” she adds. TJ Martin, owner of TJ’s Fine Jewelry in Carbondale, also is a fan of a business card reader, but it’s a different one than what Lynn recommends. He suggests CardMunch, as well as a number of jewelry industry-specific applications. He uses both an iPhone and iPad.

ART SERVICES

‘If I’m in front of a prospect or client, all of my paperwork and illustrations are on the iPad,’ says Bobby Diehl, financial representative at MassMutual Financial Group in Carbondale. ‘I use an app called SignMyPad, where I can have clients sign paperwork through it. Later, I can email it and it will be sent to the home office. Without it, it would be me with three brief cases and a bunch of paperwork.’

“In my vehicle or traveling, I have access to anything that I need. It’s like being in my office. If I need to look at inventory or see contacts or even do video conferencing, it’s all there. It’s like having a portable office,” he says. Jeff Speith, regional president at Old National Bank in Carbondale, uses both an iPhone and an iPad, but admits the tablet is more for recreation than work. On his phone, he uses the built-in calendar app more than any other, often setting reminders for himself. “It makes me more productive, and I think it melds your personal and business lives together in some ways. It’s all right there,” he explains. Michael Jessup, territory manager for EcoLab in Carterville, says his smartphone keeps him organized and allows him to do things that he couldn’t do with a regular cellular phone. “I love being able to schedule things any time and being able to put things together in a nice, easy package,” he says. “Plus, I can reach customers in ways that I wasn’t able to before. I haven’t really found a downside to technology that hinders what I do.” Financial representative at MassMutual Financial Group in

Carbondale, Bobby Diehl chooses either his iPhone or iPad, depending on the situation. He’s usually on the iPhone during the day, unless he is meeting with clients. “If I’m in front of a prospect or client, all of my paperwork and illustrations are on the iPad,” he says. “I use an app called SignMyPad, where I can have clients sign paperwork through it. Later, I can email it and it will be sent to the home office. Without it, it would be me with three brief cases and a bunch of paperwork. It’s compliant and safe, and I think it is the most efficient I can be.” Sometimes a business customer’s need can drive a leader’s need for a technology. Tracy Askari of SI Medical Weight Loss in Marion says one of the reasons she has a smartphone is because her clients have them. “It’s become a business necessity,” she says. “Our patients are using apps to track their food intake and using the web to evaluate nutrients. I needed to have the same access so that we could review and recommend things.” For some business people, the best uses of smartphones are some of the simplest tools — things like Internet access. Joe Helleny, owner of Moneta

Enterprises of Marion, likes the iPhone because it gives him access to the Internet. “It helps me do my work in a mobile environment,” he says. “I don’t have to carry a laptop or worry about any hardware. It gives me access wherever I am in the region.” Michael Crips, president and CEO of First Bank and Trust in Murphysboro, likes the convenience of smartphones. “I can conduct business at all hours of the day or night,” he says. “And, with text messages, I can get to it when I get to it. He adds, however, that there can be a downside to all of the technology. “You can get information overload pretty easy,” Crips says. “When you structure your life around these devices, and what you request is constantly being delivered to you, sometimes you can’t assimilate it all.” The answer, he says, is as simple as pushing the power button. “Sometimes you just have to take a vacation and turn the thing off.” LES O’DELL of Carbondale is a regular contributor to Southern Business Journal and The Southern Illinoisan.

Occupational Performan

ce & Rehab Staff

Industrial Rehab

Reduce Work Comp Claims & Cost

Ensure Employee Capabilities

Specializing In Industrial Rehab â&#x20AC;&#x153;Putting Workers Back To Work.â&#x20AC;?

Hot and Delicious

Pro oudlyy offfered throug ugho hout Southe ern n Illino ois.

Hand-sselec cte ed from the he fines estt Arabica c co off f ee bea ans in n the world d and then roasted to perfecttion n to delivver a tre emen ndo ous taste e you will savor cup p af after cup.

pepsimidamerica.com

1.800.827.7020

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 2012

Legal Matters The paperless chase: Legal firms embrace the digital age BY VICKI POHLMAN SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

The most paperladen movie just might be the 1973 iconic film, “The Paper Chase,” which chronicles the challenges of a first-year Harvard law student. Nearly 40 years later, the Pohlman legal profession’s paper deluge is unchanged. A survey by Arnold & Porter LLP reports the average attorney uses about 200 reams of paper, weighing two tons, every single year! Multiply that by office headcount, and suddenly costs mount. Critical information may be hard to find, and the entire judicial process is slowed by the manual transmission of paper. But, the digital age is catching up. Complex litigation often requires the frequent transfer of important documentation with great immediacy and security. Saving the industry from mountainous paper piles and clients from bills that are larger than they absolutely need to be are two rapidly developing technologies: customizable file servers and document production, storage and sharing sites. By enhancing communications between parties, these sites securely organize, manage and share confidential records in one centralized location, speeding the entire judicial process. The two services, accessible 24/7, work in the best interest of all parties because they are accessible by everyone involved in a case from any Internet connection.

Customizable file server The typical 9-to-5 business day no longer dictates when legal practitioners transfer and access crucial case information. A customizable file server (a networked server that stores and transfers documents between case

participants) allows users to: Upload and share case files. Store files in a document repository, accessible by all case parties. Download all case documents as portable document format (PDF) files. Receive summary reports on all case activity, emailed real time, daily or weekly. Communicate to all case participants, simply and securely, through one common email address, keeping case communiqués out of spam filters. Municipal court systems that use a customizable file server have additional capabilities, such as docket management and the ability to upload emergency cancellation of hearings and court memoranda. Court personnel also are able to review, accept/reject and manage documents. While many offices are equipped with internal file-sharing technology, today’s customizable file servers are accessible by all verified case parties from any online location. And, the technology is built to meet the exacting needs of law professionals.

Document production, storage and sharing site New to the market is a document production, storage and sharing site, which brings great organization to the discovery process of large litigation. Specifically designed to centralize information and make record-sharing fast, easy and secure, the service allows users to: Request, track, download and print records, such as medical records and more. Securely store and transfer files using the latest encryption technology. Share a one-time record procurement cost with other users. Communicate via an open forum that significantly reduces emails and phone calls between parties. By facilitating communication and

As law firms are tasked to deliver quality service with the greatest cost efficiency, customizable file servers and document production, storage and sharing sites are proven to produce meaningful cost savings to clients. Given that all case material is stored in a central location, no time is wasted searching for information. And, moving documents faster expedites the overall judicial process — a very important factor in cases that involve seriously ill or injured and/or end-of-life plaintiffs. securely managing and sharing case records in one location, document production, storage and sharing sites speed the judicial process. The service also joins all historical case material for easy future reference. And, the new service boasts the latest encryption technology to keep law firms transferring private health information in full compliance with the Health Information Portability & Accountability Act which requires: Only authorized persons may access electronic PHI. Systems that contain electronic PHI must record all access and activity. Electronic PHI may not be altered or destroyed. Technology must guard against unauthorized access. Document production, storage and sharing sites use advanced technology to meet each of HIPAA’s security requirements. Common file transfer methods NOT in compliance with HIPAA include Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure, File Transfer Protocol and email.

The value of technology As law firms are tasked to deliver quality service with the greatest cost efficiency, customizable file servers and document production, storage and sharing sites are proven to produce meaningful cost savings to clients. First, the technologies significantly

reduce man hours required to locate and accurately communicate case information and transfer records between multiple participants. On average, 10 hours are saved per case, per participating firm. The services also eliminate the cost of postage and/or potentially costly delays in the delivery of physical copies. Average cost savings exceed $3,600 per firm, per case. Given that all case material is stored in a central location, no time is wasted searching for information. And, moving documents faster expedites the overall judicial process — a very important factor in cases that involve seriously ill or injured and/or end-of-life plaintiffs. As large, complex litigation mandates the rapid and secure transfer of records with greater frequency, law practitioners can escape the paper chase and attain significant time- and cost-savings by turning to these two new high-tech litigation support technologies. The services are proving to make information-sharing fast, easy and secure. Plus, 24/7 communication capability keeps all participants organized, speeding the entire judicial process. It’s a win-win-win for law firms, their clients and the courts. VICKI POHLMAN is the founder and president of litigation support services firm PohlmanUSA Court Reporting in St. Louis. More information can be found at www.pohlmanusa.com.

JULY 2012

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Investments Financial planning for the self-employed BY MICHAEL P. TISON SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

Self-employed individuals have a lot of benefits. They get to be their own boss, often get to work in a field they enjoy, have more flexibility to see their kids’ important events Tison and get the profits of their labor. However, they often get to work 60 hours a week and retire without a pension. They are ultimately responsible for their financial wellbeing in retirement. Therefore, they need to be cognizant of the financial planning issues in retirement and some important steps that can be made.

Contribute 10 percent of income to a retirement plan. In the book “The Richest Man in Babylon,” the wise Arkad gives this advice: “A part of all you earn is yours to keep. It should not be less than a tenth no matter how little you earn. It can be as much more as you can afford.” There are many retirement plans available for the self-employed: IRAs, SEP plans, SIMPLE IRAs, and 401(k) plans and defined benefit plans for the highly compensated. Your choice of retirement plans depends on your income, number of employees and age. Invest what you save wisely. Follow an asset allocation model while accumulating money so your portfolio does not have too much risk or not have the ability to make enough. It is important to have a diversified portfolio to give you the potential rate of return and appropriate risk level you are

comfortable with. You certainly should never fall in love with any investments, but it is important to be a patient investor. Use a Variable Annuity with a living benefit. Most good quality variable annuities have good mutual fund choices to invest your money in. Now the benefit for someone retiring without pension plan is to have some guaranteed income in retirement. A good living benefit can work as a private pension plan for some of your money. In that VAs have higher imbedded fees, only a part of your investable assets for a selfemployed person should be in VA. However, if the market moves against you, it is nice to know what your minimum income is. Transfer all the risk you can. You need to make sure you have adequate Property & Casualty insurance and an umbrella

policy to protect your assets. You need to have adequate Health Insurance to make sure your family can be taken care of if anyone is not well. It is amazing how expensive health care is and you do not want all your hard work to be spent on illness. It is already not fun to be ill or have a loved one not well, but it is even worse if it breaks you. Lastly, you should consider long-term care insurance. This is sometimes the difference between competent care and really good care on your terms. It is also can be the difference between your heirs having an inheritance or not. These are four important issues for self-employed individuals. There are many others we are not mentioning but are also important, such as succession planning, titling assets correctly and SEE INVESTMENTS / PAGE 22

OPTICAL ILLUSION? . STARE AT THE DOT UNTIL IT TURNS GREEN. SOLUTION: the dot is not going to turn green no matter how long you stare at it! A business loan from First Bank and Trust could turn your expansion dreams into reality. Since 1889, sensible community banking services.

THE FIRST BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF MURPHYSBORO

1403 Walnut, Murphysboro 2471 West Main, West Park Plaza, Carbondale www.fb-t.com

JULY 2012

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Employment Law Businesses need to address withdrawal liability burdens BY DOUGLAS S. NEVILLE AND KRISTY J. WRIGLEY-DURER SBJ CONTRIBUTORS

Neville

Wrigley-Durer

In many ways, the Great Recession forced businesses to address issues that should have been dealt with years ago. For some, it was too late. For those who survived, there may have been missed opportunities in the partial recovery we have enjoyed. But, of all the lessons learned in the last several years, one seemingly remains lightly regarded: the potentially devastating consequences of multiemployer plan withdrawal liability. Multiemployer pension plans are common in many industries, covering union employees who may work for many different employers. Most employers who are parties to union collective bargaining agreements are obligated to contribute to multiemployer pension plans. Multiemployer plans are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Under ERISA rules, if an employer pulls out of a multiemployer pension plan (i.e., withdraws) — such as, by offering a different type of plan, closing its business, going non-union — the employer must pay a portion of any unfunded benefits the plan may have. The withdrawing employer’s portion of unfunded benefits is known as withdrawal liability. Withdrawal liability is often particularly painful to employers because it can be a very large dollar amount, even for a small number of employees. Also, the employer may be required to pay the withdrawal liability in a single payment within a very short

Planning for withdrawal liability is a lot easier before the full weight of the obligation hits than afterwards. Businesses should consider the following: The best advice is to avoid putting off the tough decisions. Pay close attention to the pension funding obligations in collective bargaining agreements. With savvy negotiation, an employer may be able to minimize, or even eliminate, the threat of withdrawal liability. Nonetheless, an employer may be faced with a ‘pay me now or pay me later’ decision that should be weighed carefully to avoid being unexpectedly burdened by a large withdrawal liability obligation. time, depending on the circumstances of the withdrawal. Pension plan trustees work with actuaries and other consultants to determine each employer’s obligation to fund the plan. But, most often this obligation is set through collective bargaining, and that’s where the process can break down. Collective bargaining typically involves compromise on both sides in work rules, wages and benefits. While a multiemployer pension plan may need $50 per employee each week to ensure that the plan is not underfunded, union negotiators may settle on $35 per employee in an effort to reach the best economic package possible for both sides. What many employers do not realize, however, is that this agreement to contribute a lesser amount does not reduce the employer’s overall liability to fund the plan. Employers can still be held liable for any underfunded amount that may exist. Businesses need to fully consider the potential long-term impact of multiemployer plan contribution requirements in collective bargaining agreements. Pension benefits are based on actuarial projections, which change constantly, depending on the

demographics of an employer’s workforce, market conditions and myriad other factors. Yet, collective bargaining agreements often lock in a set amount of contributions for several years. Unions and employers are extremely reluctant to open up hardfought contracts to adjust one component; so, the funding deficit can grow over time. Add to that a plummeting stock market (as in 2008) and wide variations in interest rates, and a plan’s underfunding problem can quickly go from bad to worse. When the full force of the recession hit, it accelerated the triggering of withdrawal liability as companies shut down or opted for a different business strategy that forced them out of collective bargaining agreements. What appeared to be a sound business strategy to survive the recession was blown up by a significant withdrawal liability. For multiemployer plans, as businesses went bankrupt and could not pay their withdrawal liability, the underfunding problem just got worse. The situation today has not improved much for many plans. Planning for withdrawal liability is a

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz. lot easier before the full weight of the obligation hits than afterwards. Businesses should consider the following: Under ERISA, some businesses may be eligible for a cap on withdrawal liability if the owner sells substantially all of the company’s assets. If the business is being sold, it may even be possible to structure the sale in a manner that shifts the withdrawal liability obligation to the purchaser. Businesses that are considering shutting down operations and starting up an entirely different line of service should examine potential withdrawal liability first. A more practical solution might be to keep the existing business open and gradually add the new line of service. There are several very nuanced exceptions to withdrawal liability. A business that is concerned about its potential withdrawal liability should discuss its options with its employee benefits attorney. In the end, the best advice is to avoid putting off the tough decisions. Pay close attention to the pension funding obligations in collective bargaining agreements. With savvy negotiation, an employer may be able to minimize, or even eliminate, the threat of withdrawal liability. Nonetheless, an employer may be faced with a “pay me now or pay me later” decision that should be weighed carefully to avoid being unexpectedly burdened by a large withdrawal liability obligation. DOUGLAS S. NEVILLE is an officer of the law firm Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. and manages its employee benefits practice group. KRISTY J. WRIGLEY-DURER is an associate with the firm’s employee benefits practice group.

JULY 2012

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Elder Law Governor’s pen puts seniors at risk BY RICHARD HABIGER SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

The Illinois General Assembly’s recent slash and burn “Medicaid reform” legislation teed-up Senate Bill 2840, the so-called SMART Act (Saving Medicaid Access and Resources Habiger Together), and, with the stroke of his pen, Gov. Pat Quinn put many of Illinois’ most vulnerable senior citizens at risk. The SMART Act makes significant and harsh changes to the Medicaid eligibility rules for seniors who need financial assistance to help pay for the high cost of nursing home and other long-term care. Most of the changes in the Medicaid law became effective immediately. Among the most draconian provisions are the following: The amount of assets the Community Spouse (the spouse who remains at-home and is not in a care facility) is allowed to keep was reduced from $113,640 to $109,560. Moreover, this sum is now fixed and will not rise in future years, as was the practice in earlier years. When one considers the fact that the Community Spouse (generally the wife) will lose the Social Security and pension income of her nursing home spouse when he dies (often the spouse who was the higher wage earner and thus the one with the higher Social Security income), the paltry sum of $109,560 may not be sufficient to prevent the now-widowed spouse from impoverishment and her own eventual dependence upon the Medicaid system for her Medical and long-term care needs. The monthly income allowance for the Community Spouse was reduced from $2,841 to $2,739. This sum is now fixed and will not be adjusted upward to keep pace with the cost of living as authorized by federal law. Persons older than 65 will no longer be able to participate in OBRA pooled trusts, unless they are a ward of the state

ART SERVICES

With the stroke of his pen, Gov. Pat Quinn put many of Illinois’ most vulnerable senior citizens at risk.

or county public guardian and “a court has found that any expenditures for the trust will maintain or enhance the person’s quality of life.” Before the enactment of the new law, these trusts enabled persons to set some money aside in the pooled trust without penalty so they could have assets available to cover things (like clothing, hair care, etc.) that Medicaid does not. This change will not allow these supplemental care trusts to be established once an applicant reaches the age of 65. If the elder does not use some other planning option, this will force the elder to spend down to become eligible for Medicaid-paid long-term care. Moreover, if the elder is to have any quality of life beyond that point, the elder’s family will have to pay for the “extras” (clothes, hair care, etc.) that Medicaid will not pay for. Homestead property held in a trust (even a revocable living trust) will no longer be considered exempt homestead property, even if the at-home spouse resides there. Thus, individuals who have a home in a revocable living trust as an estate planning measure (e.g., to avoid probate) may need to transfer the home out of trust in the event one spouse needs to apply for Medicaid to pay for care in a nursing home.

In addition, the new law makes other changes that will negatively impact seniors in need of Medicaid assistance for long-term care. The new law does away with the “spousal refusal rule.” Thus, Medicaid may now refuse to grant assistance to an applicant whose at-home spouse refuses to disclose his or her assets. Before the change, this rule allowed a stay at-home spouse to not disclose her assets and to keep her separate assets, regardless of the amount of those assets. As a consequence, many spouses may find they will need to consider a divorce or a legal separation to obtain the necessary financial benefits their spouse needs and also avoid their own impoverishment. Medicaid also will be able to pursue support payments from the at-home spouse. This “change” is not so much a true change, for Medicaid has always had the right to obtain support payments from the at-home spouse; rather, it is a legislative mandate for the Medicaid bureaucracy to actually go after the at-home spouse. The Home Equity Exemption was reduced from $750,000 to $500,000. As a result, many small-family farms in Southern Illinois may be at risk should a senior member of the family have an equity interest in the farm greater than

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz. $500,000 and need to apply for Medicaid to help pay for long-term care. Illinois Cares Rx is terminated. Previously, this program provided grants to senior citizens and persons with disabilities to help reduce the impact of the high cost of prescription medication. The program literally was a “life saver” for many. The bottom line for all seniors: it is extremely important to not wait for a crisis to develop, to not wait until you are on the door step of a nursing home. With pre-planning and pre-positioning of your assets, using the techniques and strategies that remain, i.e., that have not been closed off by the new law, you and your loved ones can still be protected ... provided you do not hesitate. RICHARD HABIGER is the author of the Illinois edition of How to Protect Your Family’s Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets and is an elder law attorney, who focuses on asset protection, Medicaid and VA benefits. You may contact him at 618-549-4529 or info@HabigerElderLaw.com.

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

YTD April 2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

33.3 23.1 167.3 10.5 14.8 30.8 60.4 48.2 3.7 195.6 22.9 149.8 35.9 28.4 10.8 20.1 35.0 10.5 24.2 33.3 $958.6 $45,088.2

119.1 86.4 593.5 42.0 55.7 113.5 214.0 154.0 11.4 686.9 84.4 533.6 135.2 110.3 42.3 74.7 128.2 40.1 88.3 122.5 $3,436.1 $154,650.6

120.9 69.5 598.0 42.2 55.3 77.1 195.0 153.4 11.8 683.1 82.0 507.0 130.6 96.6 38.5 75.2 128.5 39.9 87.8 112.4 $3,304.8 $147,232.0

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

N I L L I Chicago Fed Midwest % change 07-11 Manufacturing Index

6.1% 19.3% 2.3% 4.2% 7.7% 20.2% 23.3% 15.6% 0.9% 3.7% 5.8% 15.6% 42.5% 4.8% 18.2% 1.4% 1.0% 0.8% 6.6% 10.0% 8.2% 14.2%

Alexander Franklin Gallatin Hamilton Hardin Jackson Jefferson Johnson Massac Perry Pope Pulaski Randolph Saline Union Washington White Williamson .,REGION ILLINOIS U.S.

2,907 17,325 2,636 4,146 1,810 32,830 19,724 5,158 7,431 9,399 1,889 2,699 15,261 12,634 7,961 8,553 7,672 34,318 194,353 6,552,411 153,905,000

302 1,670 201 284 159 2,102 1,538 439 553 903 148 250 1,168 984 806 545 515 2,564 15,131 565,966 11,910,000

Apr 2012 10.4% 9.6% 7.6% 6.8% 8.8% 6.4% 7.8% 8.5% 7.4% 9.6% 7.8% 9.3% 7.7% 7.8% 10.1% 6.4% 6.7% 7.5% 8.1% 8.6% 7.7%

Mar 2012 11.0% 10.7% 8.6% 7.7% 9.5% 7.0% 8.5% 9.6% 7.8% 10.7% 8.4% 9.9% 8.4% 8.4% 11.7% 7.0% 7.4% 8.3% 8.9% 9.0% 8.4%

104 103 102

IPMFG April 12 95.7

100 98 94 90 88 86 84

81 80

Unemployment rates for Southern Illinois counties, state and nation Jobless

105

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

Labor force

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 2007. Starting in November 2005, the index excluded the electricity component.

Apr 2011 10.6% 10.5% 8.0% 7.8% 9.8% 6.6% 7.9% 9.0% 8.2% 9.8% 8.9% 9.5% 7.4% 8.3% 10.6% 6.4% 7.4% 7.9% 8.6% 9.2% 8.7%

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

Change month

0.6 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.7 1.1 0.4 1.1 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.6 1.6 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.4 0.7

Change year

76 74 72

CFMMI April 12 94.2

0.2 0.9 70 0.4 68 1.0 66 1.0 64 S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A ’10 ’11 ’12 0.2 0.1 SOURCE: FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF CHICAGO 0.5 0.8 0.2 1.1 0.2 Apr 12 Apr 11 Change 0.3 0.5 MONTHLY TOTALS 0.5 756 648 16.7% 0.0 YTD TOTALS 0.7 0.4 3,023 2,649 14.1% 0.5 2011 2010 Change 0.6 ANNUAL TOTALS 1.0 9,682 7,478 29.5%

Williamson County Regional Airport passengers

I S I N Consumer credit score

686

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 2012. SOURCE: EXPERIAN

693

Marion

Region

694

688

State

O R S U of I Flash Index

U. S.

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

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

Apr 12

Apr 11

11 100 18 30 14 127 95 28 30 46 10 15 68 98 52 39 53 174 1,008

12 83 17 23 10 92 93 28 29 55 7 10 93 83 29 29 32 199 924

Change

2011

8.3% 20.5% 5.9% 30.4% 40.0% 38.0% 2.2% 0.0% 3.4% 16.4% 42.9% 50.0% 26.9% 18.1% 79.3% 34.5% 65.6% 12.6% 9.1%

142 1,174 265 279 96 1,482 1,025 392 297 606 96 159 975 1,022 502 583 625 2,060 11,780

2010 126 965 222 236 97 1,320 848 327 269 558 73 129 844 793 486 446 571 1,796 10,097

Change

12.7% 21.7% 19.4% 20.8% 1.0% 12.3% 20.9% 19.9% 10.4% 8.6% 31.5% 23.2% 15.5% 28.9% 3.3% 30.7% 9.5% 14.7% 16.7%

Total units sold, including condominiums

Q1 12 Alexander Franklin Gallatin Hamilton Hardin Jackson Jefferson Johnson Massac Perry Pope Pulaski Randolph Saline Union Williamson ILLINOIS

1 67 2 2 3 58 57 10 25 21 1 2 31 34 15 109 23,112

Q1 11 6 54 2 3 4 58 45 16 15 19 1 0 19 28 26 83 19,081

SOURCE: ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Change 83.3% 24.1% 0.0% 33.3% 25.0% 0.0% 26.7% 37.5% 66.7% 10.5% 0.0% NA 63.2% 21.4% 42.3% 31.3% 21.1%

May 12 102.0

2011 16 283 12 6 14 325 258 66 82 86 10 11 117 148 89 539 103,294

2010 19 259 8 8 8 358 264 78 91 116 8 6 131 122 84 590 103,455

Change

15.8% 9.3% 50.0% 25.0% 75.0% 10.2% 2.3% 15.4% 9.9% 25.9% 20.0% 83.3% 10.7% 21.3 % 6.0% 8.6% 0.2%

’12

’11

’10

’09

SOURCE: INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Hotel/motel stats

Consumer Price Index

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

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.

March 12 March 11 MONTHLY TOTALS $645,672

Change

$635,004

1.7%

YTD TOTALS $1,651,833

$1,561,192

2010

5.8%

Change

$7,710,436 <0.01%

$25,000 $42,550 $18,250 $89,900 $50,000 $79,900 $70,000 $88,000 $80,000 $55,000 $38,000 $0 $74,500 $54,700 $110,000 $85,000 $130,000

226

224

U.S. city average May 12 229.8

222

MEDIAN SALES PRICE Q1 12 Q1 11 $17,500 $37,000 $79,375 $77,500 $18,000 $89,950 $75,000 $78,500 $55,000 $49,900 $279,000 $19,000 $65,000 $62,000 $68,200 $88,000 $125,000

230

228

2011 ANNUAL TOTALS $7,706,931

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

Home sales

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

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.

220

218

216

Change

30.0% 13.0% 334.9% 13.8% 64.0% 12.6% 7.1% 10.8% 31.3% 9.3% 634.2% NA 12.8% 13.3% 38.0% 3.5% 3.8%

214

Midwest urban May 12 219.1

212

210

208

A ’11

M ‘12

SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Prices at the pump Average price per gallon of regular, unleaded gas as of June 26 and May 23, 2012.

June 12 April 12 Metro East Springfield Illinois U.S. SOURCE: AAA

$3.36 $3.23 $3.57 $3.40

$3.74 $3.64 $3.90 $3.68

May 11 $3.65 $3.38 $3.79 $3.58

I S I N Consumer credit score

686

693

Marion

Region

694

688

State

O R S U of I Flash Index

U. S.

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

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

Apr 12

Apr 11

11 100 18 30 14 127 95 28 30 46 10 15 68 98 52 39 53 174 1,008

12 83 17 23 10 92 93 28 29 55 7 10 93 83 29 29 32 199 924

Change

2011

8.3% 20.5% 5.9% 30.4% 40.0% 38.0% 2.2% 0.0% 3.4% 16.4% 42.9% 50.0% 26.9% 18.1% 79.3% 34.5% 65.6% 12.6% 9.1%

142 1,174 265 279 96 1,482 1,025 392 297 606 96 159 975 1,022 502 583 625 2,060 11,780

2010 126 965 222 236 97 1,320 848 327 269 558 73 129 844 793 486 446 571 1,796 10,097

Change

12.7% 21.7% 19.4% 20.8% 1.0% 12.3% 20.9% 19.9% 10.4% 8.6% 31.5% 23.2% 15.5% 28.9% 3.3% 30.7% 9.5% 14.7% 16.7%

Total units sold, including condominiums

Q1 12 Alexander Franklin Gallatin Hamilton Hardin Jackson Jefferson Johnson Massac Perry Pope Pulaski Randolph Saline Union Williamson ILLINOIS

1 67 2 2 3 58 57 10 25 21 1 2 31 34 15 109 23,112

Q1 11 6 54 2 3 4 58 45 16 15 19 1 0 19 28 26 83 19,081

SOURCE: ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Change 83.3% 24.1% 0.0% 33.3% 25.0% 0.0% 26.7% 37.5% 66.7% 10.5% 0.0% NA 63.2% 21.4% 42.3% 31.3% 21.1%

May 12 102.0

2011 16 283 12 6 14 325 258 66 82 86 10 11 117 148 89 539 103,294

2010 19 259 8 8 8 358 264 78 91 116 8 6 131 122 84 590 103,455

Change

15.8% 9.3% 50.0% 25.0% 75.0% 10.2% 2.3% 15.4% 9.9% 25.9% 20.0% 83.3% 10.7% 21.3 % 6.0% 8.6% 0.2%

’12

’11

’10

’09

SOURCE: INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Hotel/motel stats

Consumer Price Index

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

March 12 March 11 MONTHLY TOTALS $645,672

Change

$635,004

1.7%

YTD TOTALS $1,651,833

$1,561,192

2010

5.8%

Change

$7,710,436 <0.01%

$25,000 $42,550 $18,250 $89,900 $50,000 $79,900 $70,000 $88,000 $80,000 $55,000 $38,000 $0 $74,500 $54,700 $110,000 $85,000 $130,000

226

224

U.S. city average May 12 229.8

222

MEDIAN SALES PRICE Q1 12 Q1 11 $17,500 $37,000 $79,375 $77,500 $18,000 $89,950 $75,000 $78,500 $55,000 $49,900 $279,000 $19,000 $65,000 $62,000 $68,200 $88,000 $125,000

230

228

2011 ANNUAL TOTALS $7,706,931

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

Home sales

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

220

218

216

Change

30.0% 13.0% 334.9% 13.8% 64.0% 12.6% 7.1% 10.8% 31.3% 9.3% 634.2% NA 12.8% 13.3% 38.0% 3.5% 3.8%

214

Midwest urban May 12 219.1

212

210

208

A ’11

M ‘12

SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Prices at the pump Average price per gallon of regular, unleaded gas as of June 26 and May 23, 2012.

June 12 April 12 Metro East Springfield Illinois U.S. SOURCE: AAA

$3.36 $3.23 $3.57 $3.40

$3.74 $3.64 $3.90 $3.68

May 11 $3.65 $3.38 $3.79 $3.58

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 2012

Entrepreneur’s Mailbag Learning to maneuver and market during an event BY CAVANAUGH L. GRAY SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

This past weekend I had the opportunity to trade the political hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C., for the familiar blue-collar grind of Chicago. Coming home is always fun, Gray but this trip was special as I was attending one of my favorite events, the 2012 Printer’s Row Literature Festival — one of the largest literary events in the country. As I strolled through the crowds, I was reminded of my childhood growing up in Chicago. As a kid, I worked a lot of the major fairs and neighborhood events in order to make a little extra spending money. However, my marketing efforts paled in comparison to what’s possible today. Today’s events are more sophisticated and entrepreneurs looking to effectively capitalize on events both large and small should plan accordingly.

What are your objectives? Initially my goal for the Lit Fest was to grab a booth, post myself in whatever location I was assigned and catch passerby’s to discuss the company. But several weeks before the event, I switched my strategy opting to give my assigned booth to someone else. My new strategy involved being mobile, giving me a greater opportunity to roam around connecting with the neverending groups of self publishers, independent bookstores and national publishers. My number one goal was to identify those individuals that could help our company more effectively advance its publishing efforts. With that in mind, make sure you go into any event with a plan of action for what you hope to accomplish.

Location, location, location Just as location is important for the success of any bricks and mortars operation, this applies to events as well.

PROVIDED

The 2012 Printer’s Row Literature Festival in Chicago is one of the largest literary events in the country. Entrepreneurs looking to effectively capitalize on events both large and small should plan accordingly.

If you wind up getting a booth at the far end of the event, then you run the risk of seeing marginal amounts of traffic. Try focusing on attending events that have the best attendance numbers and ones you could expect the greatest return from. It’s important to register quickly for your event in order to have a shot at the prime locations. If you want to increase your odds of being positioned near maximum floor traffic, try getting a copy of the event’s floor plan during the early registration process — then choose the best location available.

attendees often make the mistake of not bringing enough business cards, so be sure to stock up. People love filling their bags with information at these events, so be sure to go beyond the business cards and bring some extra marketing collateral about your company. One thing that an exhibitor can do to greatly improve their efforts is to better engage attendees. Instead of letting potential customers accidentally wander to your booth, try asking questions that start a conversation. Once that conversation has begun, it opens the door for more business.

Lure potential customers

Focus on partnering and promotion

If you were lucky enough to get the location you wanted, try investing in a table skirt that can make your booth more inviting. A plain skirt might be enough to make an impression, but some color — along with your name and logo — is the way to go. Exhibitors and

If the event permits, try getting away from the table in order to make some new friends. Locate some like-minded individuals that might be open to having some of your marketing materials at their table and be willing to reciprocate.

Many exhibitors attend the same events year after year, so if you find some good partners, it could pay off for many years to come. Start promoting early by letting past and potential customers know about the event well in advance. Also, try doing some live promotions at the event, such as entering attendees in a drawing for a free copy of your book or giving away an electronic reader, such as a Kindle or an iPad. Make every effort to sign up attendees for your newsletter so you can keep the conversation going after the event has concluded. CAVANAUGH L. GRAY (cgray@ecafellc.com) is the director of business development for The Entrepreneur Café LLC 877-511-4820. To learn more about marketing at an event or for more information on how to start, grow & succeed in small business log on to www.ecafellc.com or follow The Entrepreneur Café, LLC on Twitter @TheECafe and on Facebook.

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 2012

Achievements Fager is employed by Fager-McGee Commercial Construction in Murphysboro, a design-build construction firm since 1986.

Faces in the news

Chamber conducts ribbon-cuttings

Stein

Boswell

Tokarev

Almaroad

Marion Chamber of Commerce recently conducted ribbon cuttings and grand opening ceremonies at the following Marion businesses: Rides Mass Transit District, REDCO Industrial Park, 9250 Aisin Drive. Graham Family Medicine, 4501 W. DeYoung., Ste. 107B. La Dolce Vita Spa, 1108 N. Carbon, Ste. G. Five Brothers Lawn & Tractor, 1300 E. Main St.

Tokarev joins Northwood faculty Breeding

Wasson

Redfearn

Bertschman

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

Alexander D. Tokarev is among three new faculty members at Northwood University in Midland, Mich. He has been hired as an assistant professor of economics. Tokarev earned a Ph.D. in economics from SIU. His hometown is Carbondale.

BeeHive supporting childhood cancer research Hummel

Boswell, a 2009 graduate of SIU Carbondale, has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and works as a quality specialist for Advanced Technology Services, Inc. in Peoria.

The BeeHive Hair Studio and Fine Art Boutique, 205 1/2 E. Poplar St., in West Frankfort is donating 10 percent of the cost of all haircuts, between now and Aug. 11, to St. Baldrick’s Foundation. St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteerdriven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, will host one of its signature head-shaving events Aug. 11 at The Beehive Hair Studio, where supporters will shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer and raise money for children’s cancer research. For more information, call The BeeHive at 618-364-2770.

Fager earns top construction credential

Vaillancourt attends psychology conference

Brad Fager of Murphysboro recently completed the requirements to earn the designation of certified professional estimator. This is a prestigious, nationally recognized credential that provides an objective measure of an individual’s broad-based knowledge and competency in construction estimating.

Dr. Annette Vaillancourt, a Carbondale psychotherapist, attended the 14th annual International Association Comprehensive for Energy Psychology conference June 1 to 3 in San Diego. Energy psychology and energy medicine is a revolutionary approach to healing and mental illness.

Pettijohn

Faces in the news Have you been promoted? Send a photo. Has a colleague at work completed an intensive continuing education program? Send a photo. Others in the business community will want to know it, so please consider passing on your employment news and photos to the Southern Business Journal. Feel free to email the information to sbj@thesouthern.com.

Stein presented award for service Paula J. Stein of Murphysboro recently was presented with a plaque in honor of 20 years of dedicated service to Barnett & Levine LLP, Certified Public Accountants, in Carbondale.

Boswell earns quality auditor certification Haley Boswell, formerly of Herrin, recently earned her certified quality auditor certification. The exam is administered by the American Society of Quality, which is a global community of experts and a leading authority on quality in all fields, organizations and industries.

Carlson participates in financial advisors forum James R. Carlson of Pinckneyville, a Modern Woodmen representative, recently completed a five-day educational program at Modern Woodmen’s home office in Rock Island. The program focused on comprehensive financial services for families and small businesses. Using a computer software program, participants also studied the impact of social security benefits and inflation on a client’s financial plan.

Salon earns wave certification Cheveux Salon in Marion recently received certification on the American Wave. Owner Sherry Almaroad and stylists Katie Breeding, Rachel Wasson and Riki Redfearn all received certification. The salon is located at 1403 Joe Abbot Way.

SIU graduate selling portable Saluki grill Bernie DiMeo, a radio/television and journalism graduate from SIU Carbondale’s class of 1971, has launched a new business, Hot Sports Grills, Inc. His very first product, in honor of his alma mater, is a portable Saluki grill. Hot Sports Grills offers other products, including cooking aprons and baseball, soccer and golf ball shaped grills. Hot Sports Grills is also selling Fighting Illini Grills, and DiMeo has plans to add at least 10 more schools this year. “I did SIU first out of respect to my alma mater,” he said. For more information, go to www.hotsportsgrills.com or call 866-223-9985.

Middleton hosts kinesiology taping seminar Steve Middleton, certified athletic trainer at Woodard Wellness Group in Carbondale, recently hosted a seminar on kinesiology taping. Seminars were conducted in Philadelphia, Pa., and Cherry Hill, N.J. More than 100 clinicians, primarily physical and occupational therapists, were trained by Middleton on assessment for and application of kinesiology taping techniques for pain and dysfunction. SEE ACHIEVEMENTS / PAGE 18

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 2012

Achievements Ed Automate launches new web framework Ed Automate recently launched its new education mobile web framework for smart phones and tablets. Located in Marion, Ed Automate serves school districts throughout the U.S., delivering technology that allows schools to improve productivity and build capacity while providing reports and analytics for data-driven decisions. A Southern Illinois owned and operated enterprise, Ed Automate’s team has more than 16 years of solely focusing on the needs of school districts.

Council Fellow designation from The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa. Duffy became a financial representative with Country in 2001. During his career, he has been named an All American 10 times. This recognition is awarded annually for outstanding insurance sales and service. He serves clients from his Country office at 220 N. 10th St. in Murphysboro.

Service Award May 7 in Springfield by the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies. Pettijohn is executive director of Wabash Area Development, Inc, known locally as WADI. The not-for-profit agency has offices in Albion, Bridgeport, Carmi, Enfield, Fairfield, Harrisburg, McLeansboro, Mount Carmel and Shawneetown.

Hughes earns credentials in implant dentistry

Mandy’s salon hosts grand opening

After passing an exam on implant dentistry, Christopher H. Hughes, DMD joined 379 other dentists in the U.S. and Canada in becoming a Diplomate of the Mentors 4 Kids hires American Board of Oral Implantology/ one, promotes another Implant Dentistry, making Hughes one of Mentors 4 Kids, which is headquartered the nation’s leading experts in implant in Benton, has hired one and promoted another to accommodate the organization’s care. His practice is located at 504 Rushing expansion of services in Franklin, Gallatin, Drive in Herrin. Hamilton, Jefferson, Saline, White and Williamson counties. Bertschman named GM Kerry Kluzek of Logan has been hired as a new case manager, and Vickey Taake of Saluki Sports Properties of Marion has been promoted from office Learfield Sports recently appointed manager to program administrator. Ryan Bertschman general manager for its Saluki Sports Properties’ entity, the exclusive athletics multimedia rights Bacher donates $15K holder for SIU. for disaster relief Bertschman comes to Carbondale from J. Bacher Fine Jewelry Design at 301 N. Detroit, where he served as director of Commercial St. in Harrisburg recently group sales and premium events for Palace presented a $15,257 check to Mayor Eric Gregg. All proceeds will benefit Harrisburg Sports & Entertainment and NBA’s Detroit Pistons. He will work closely with SIU disaster relief. Athletics and assume primary duties in After the tornado hit Harrisburg and overseeing the Salukis’ rights relationship. Ridgway in February, the local business began raising money for disaster relief by purchasing gold and silver and accepting donations from the community.

Align Healthcare hosts ribbon-cutting Specializing in chiropractic services, massage therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy, Align Healthcare conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony recently at 1245 E. Walnut St. in Carbondale. Align Healthcare is owned by Dr. David Binversie and Dr. Tessa Binversie.

Duffy earns life underwriter designation Country Financial representative Matthew Duffy of Murphysboro has earned the Life Underwriter Training

Hummel named account manager Trent Hummel has been named the account manager for Jerkins Creative Consulting North American Peer Group program. Hummel joined JCC team in February of 2011 as a general account manager, but he has now been given additional responsibilities of overseeing the development of the peer group program. The North American Peer Group is a program that gives dealership owners and principles opportunities to work with each other to grow the strength of their operation.

Pettijohn receives MLK Public Service Award Ken Pettijohn of Carmi was presented with the Martin Luther King Jr. Public

Mandy’s Spoiled Rotten Salon recently hosted a grand opening at 212 W. Monroe St. in Herrin. The event featured discounted haircuts, and all proceeds were donated to Christian Social Services of Southern Illinois.

Scott named director of SIU Family Medicine Dr. Quincy Scott has been named director of Southern Illinois University Family Medicine in Carbondale. He succeeds Dr. Penny Tippy, who retired in April after 28 years as director of the program. Scott is a professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. He has been a faculty member at SIU School of Medicine and a family physician at Southern Illinois Family Medicine centers in Carbondale and West Frankfort since 1994.

MBI Worldwide director appointed to board Brian Chapman, director and CEO of MBI Worldwide in Herrin, was appointed as a board member to the Background Screeners Code of Conduct Board for the National Association of Professional Background Screeners. The board is designed to uphold principles and provisions, and impose sanctions upon violators within the background screening industry. MBI Worldwide, founded in 1998 by Kandi Chapman, meets the pre-employment and membership background needs of business and non-profit organizations.

Heartland Kids awarded NAC accreditation The National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC) has announced that Heartland Kids

Early Learning Center, Inc. in Marion has been awarded NAC accreditation. As a NAC accredited center, Heartland Kids Early Learning Center, Inc. has been recognized as an early care and education program that exemplifies excellence in the care of young children.

Align Healthcare making wishes come true Drs. David and Tessa Binversie of Carbondale recently opened a new chiropractic clinic, Align Healthcare, at 1245 E. Walnut St. in Carbondale. The clinic is currently raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Binversies hope to raise more than $10,000 by the end of the year. Align Healthcare will donate $35 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for every new patient seen at the clinic until the end of the year. The clinic also is donating $1 for every new like on its Facebook page and for every new follower on Twitter, @AlignHealthcare, until the end of the year. For more information, call the office at 618-519-9334.

Weight Watchers comes to Carbondale Weight Watchers opened a new facility last month in SIU Student Center, 1255 Lincoln Drive, in Carbondale. Weekly meetings are at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Visitor parking is available across the street. Mashama Coger will lead the Wednesday meetings. Like all of Weight Watchers’ leaders, Coger lost weight following the Weight Watchers program. For more information, visit www.weightwatchers.com or call 800-651-6000.

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

JULY 2012

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Workplace Your dress code: The headache that lasts all summer long BY ANGELA HOLMES-YOUNG SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

The summer months are the time I typically receive many calls from clients wanting to discuss their dress code, uniform policy or lack thereof. If they do not have one, they want to get Holmes-Young one right away. As the client soon finds out, a dress code is a very detailed policy that cannot be created in a hurry. Obviously, every industry and organization is different. Many industries have dress codes or specific uniforms because of safety requirements for specific jobs. If there is OSHA required PPE, you should know this already and must build your dress code around these requirements. Safety first. Beyond that, many other elements of dress codes are optional on the employer’s part. I will admit it. I find the whole idea of dress codes quite fascinating. I also find it interesting how some employees really do police other employees when it comes to what is worn in the workplace. It made me think about the original, historical reasons for uniforms in the workplace. In many organizations, uniforms are used one of two ways. Companies like Target use uniforms to give people feelings of inclusiveness and teamwork. We all know that anyone wearing a red shirt and khaki pants in a Target store most likely works there and can help us. Now, many other retailers, including Wal-Mart, are following their lead. Uniforms are also used by some to distinguish rank among members of the work groups like the military (badges, medals, etc.). Many companies do this by having those in a certain rank wear a certain color shirt or hat to further enforce and communicate the management hierarchy. It is very possible that you may not have a dress code and may not feel that you need one. If this works for you, I

understand. Truly, dress codes can either be seen by your employees as a positive or a negative. So, in other words, they see it as a benefit to them or a take-away. For example, if you provide uniforms for your employees to wear during each and every shift all year, they most likely would see this as a benefit. Certainly, the company paying for clothing for each person each shift is an employee benefit. Employees are benefiting by not having to purchase and ruin their own clothes during their shift. This is a benefit just like dental insurance or vision insurance. However, if you require employees to wear khaki pants and not jeans, but do not provide these khaki pants for the employees, this may be seen as a take-away. The employees may say that all they wear at home is jeans and that now they have to go out and purchase special pants for work. Many of us may consider this the cost of the job, but many employees would not. They would argue that they are not allowed to wear what they want. This all really boils down to the possibility of the dress code requirements affecting the morale of your workers. Maybe the employees used to be able to wear jeans, and now they cannot, and it is a constant point of contention for them. Maybe, then, it is worth changing back. Weigh your options and consider your morale. I have been in some organizations where everyone was impeccably dressed. I admit, it gave the impression of a well-oiled, yet possibly stuffy, machine. It was impressive to see. I have also experienced business casual organizations, where polo shirts and khaki pants ruled. Even there, people found ways to show their individualism without violating the dress code. Other places have no rules, and beer T-shirts and halter tops are commonplace. My point is, there is no right or wrong answer here. Also, your policy is only as strong as the enforcement of it. Have you ever heard of the saying, “Dress for the job you want?” Well, I think that you should challenge your organization to dress like the organization you are trying to be. Now, I don’t think requiring your minimum

ART SERVICES

Make the dress code something that is actually achievable, like any other company target, if it truly is important to you. If your customers came in to visit and saw your staff, would they be impressed? Would they leave with a good feeling? Maybe or maybe not.

wage workers to wear suits and a tie is quite fair, either. Make the dress code something that is actually achievable, like any other company target, if it truly is important to you. You may say that it really doesn’t matter. Would it matter to your customers? If your customers came in to visit and saw your staff, would they be impressed? Would they leave with a good feeling? Maybe or maybe not. Only you know the answer. If you are thinking about instituting a dress code, make sure to think it through. There are many other details to consider other than dress. Many employers want to control things like visible tattoos, piercings and jewelry. Some employees may dress appropriately for their culture or religion, but this may put them outside of the policy that you have set up. Of course, ensure that your attorney reviews your policy before implementing. Determine who and how the policy will be

enforced, as well. If it will not be enforced, why bother drafting and rolling it out? If you want a dress code, make it specific so it addresses the needs and concerns that you have. However, make sure your concerns are truly work-related. Dress like the organization you want to be. My favorite Kurt Vonnegut Jr. quote applies here: Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you pretend to be. ANGELA HOLMES-YOUNG is vice president of consulting and human resource services for Your Professional Partners, Inc. in Marion. She consults with clients of all sizes in a variety of human resource areas, while also offering executive coaching and public speaking. Angela can be reached at angela@yourprofessionalpartners.com, 618-969-8800 and on Twitter at A_Holmes_Young.

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 2012

Business Fine Print Building permits Marion Peebles Family Trust, Lee and Lear, $150,000 Ryan and Lisa Pinkston, 2004 Norman Road, $148,000 Brian Ziegler Engineering, 410 N. Cour t, $455,100 Toby and Donna Shadowens, 812 W. Chestnut, $6,000 Robert Waltemate, 2603 Old Creal Springs Road, $5,000 Robert Benak and Dustyn Taylor, 405 E. White, $12,000

Metropolis Larry and Kathy May, 1062 Cedar Lane, $2,000 Thomas Mittendorf, 6093 Midway Road, $2,500 James Phelps, 941 Country Club Road, $3,000 Wilbur Lindsey, 204 W. 21st St., $4,200 Todd Smith, 1780 Scott St., $2,500 Larry Ward, 2295 Belgrade Road, $1,200,000 Richard Hutchison, 3959 Mizell Lane, $51,000 James Burnett, 1908 Simmons St., $400 Larry Roberts, 713 Broadway St., $1,268,100

Mount Vernon

Copiers Printers Office Furniture Cash Registers P.O.S. Systems Office Supplies Shredders

SHOP our online

STORE

Laura Stroud, 1202 25th St., $0 Craig Milligan, 620 16th St., $600 Panda Express, 4201 Broadway, $20,000 Crossroads Hospital, 8 Doctors Park Road, $4,000 Keith Sheeler, 1106 24th St., $13,000 Keith Sheeler, 1106 24th St., $0 Terry Friedman, 301 Caborn, $795 Chris Braden, 3414 Nature Trail, $0 Eddy Merriman, 720 Airport Road, $3,000 Eddy Merriman, 720 Airport Road, $0 VFW, 110 8th St., $0 City of Mount Vernon, 313 10th St., $0

We are your LOCAL source for over 40,000 business products!

618.684.6550

Toll Free: 800.455.7262 Fax: 618.684.3312 2139 Walnut St., Murphysboro, IL

modernofficeconnections.com

Mike O’Dea, 903 18th St., $21,365 Brian Pate, 2221 Casey, $0 Crossroads Community Hospital, 8 Doctor’s Park Road, $0 Linda Smith, 912 25th St., $1,000 UPS – Ken Beasley, 4712 Broadway, $6,500 Brenda Heifner, 810 7th St., $5,000 Lea Dodson, 1113 Veterans Memorial Drive, $0 Harlow Moving and Storage, 2901 Benton Road, $13,000 Cadle, Ryan and Colette, 528 Meadowbrook, $11,000 GSRHC-MOB Build-out, 4003 Veteran’s Memorial Drive, $4,352,000 Dennis Hoffman, 418 20th St., $0 Sharon and Marvin Gill, 4348 Woodglenn, $12,500 Thelma Bullock, 304 3rd St., $0 Physicians Surgery Center LLC, 4901 Veterans Memorial, $2,150,000

Murphysboro Tina Shinskey, 404 N. 8th St., $1,000 Russ Wright, 2043 Elm St., $2,000 Angela Fisher, 2122 Spruce, $5,200 Frank Coniglio, 705 N. 7th St., $6,500 El Penn, 444 S. 15th St., $1,150 Larr y Reinhardt, 1604/1606 Shoemaker, $2,500 Susan Birkner, 420 Birkner Lane, $600 Darcia Garrett, 2009 Commercial, $3,100 Michael Bergant, 640 N. 11th St., $3,000 Lucy Achebo, 416 N. 16th St., $3,441

Bankruptcies Chapter 7 Matthew Richard and Phyllis Wanda Andrew, 3663 First St., Thompsonville

JULY 2012

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Business Fine Print Cleta R. Carter, 714 S. Duncan, Marion Monina A. Hooten, 1403 Posey St., Marion James D. Chrisley, 1615 Yost Ave., Apt. B, Marion Craig E. and Amber A. Williamson, 10584 Modesto Road, Carbondale Rebecca R. Etherton, 914 W. Maplewood, Marion Rickie L. Ellis, Route 2, Box 50, Cisne Thomas Paul Koch, P.O. Box 108, Bonnie Marcus D. and Brandie R. Coleman, 1509 E. Walnut St., Carbondale Sandra L. Gosa, P.O. Box 14, Pulaski Louis R. Davis, 32401 Main St., Tamms Leonard C. Jackson, 1101 Ohio St., Apt. 504, Cairo Loren T. and Michele L. Jackson, P.O. Box 325, Eldorado Michael D. Chandler, 1920 W. Tyler St., Herrin Matthew D. and Tiffany L. Vaughn, 805 Candy Lane, Marion Dennis L. and Maranda K. Rush Jr., 415 S. Wilson, Benton Bruce Dale and Linda Sue Williams, P.O. Box 112, Percy Dale E. and Bonnie J. Carrell, 1423 N. First St., Grayville Paula M. Trice, P.O. Box 703, Shawneetown Donald G. Stewar t, 15096 Laminack, Carterville James E. and Deanna C. Spencer, 601 Madison, P.O. Box 62, Dowell Jesni R. White, 1201 N. McLaren Apt. D, Marion Rebecca M. Marquis, 1005 Pace Ave., Mount Vernon Jay David Rossi, 163 Parkwood Road, Carbondale Dwaine and Roberta Hubbell, R.R. 1 Box 86, Golden Gate Lynsey M. Followell, 8804 Illinois 13, Marion Jean P. Dawson, 200 Bowling Alley Road, Benton Deborah L. Lund, 601 S. Mulberry St., West Frankfort Betty Marlene and Michael James Mezo, 500 N. Washington St., McLeansboro Tracy A. Robinson, P.O. Box 186, Murphysboro Cyrella F. Tyler, 16825 Pittsburg Road, Marion Robert M. and Carol N. Emery, 6331 Tyner Lane, Marion Stephen R. III and Ali S. Frattini, 402 Pine St., Waltonville David M. Jr. and Christina L. Lehman, 608 E. Broadway Blvd., Johnston City Michael and Vanessa Shaw, 9374 N. Monmouth Lane, Mount Vernon

April D. Richey, 1100 W. Goodall, Marion David A. and Nicole Dickinson, 385 Lingle Creek Road, Jonesboro Robert L. Day III, 173 Hickory St., New Haven Jimmy R. and Rachel M. Jordan, 508 E. McKinley, Herrin Basil R. Holmes, 1003 E. Jackson, Marion Rex E. and Regina D. Dungee, 613 Cypress Lane, Sparta Regina Marie Wilson, 1038 N. Robert Stalls Ave., Carbondale Rhonda Kay Graham, 308 W. Kaskaskia, Pinckneyville Richard Dean Hammond, 539 W. Park, Du Quoin Casey Lynn Hawkins, 401 W. Water, Pinckneyville Daniel Wayne and Dorothy May Hinton, 529 E. Keyes St., Du Quoin Russell John and Jill Ann Steiner, 351 E. South St., Du Quoin Violet Theola Van Hoorebeke, 2 S. Walnut, Du Quoin Tammala M. Kink, 14339 Illinois 14 East, Benton Jeffrey W. and Carrie L. Pate, 466 E. Park St., Du Quoin Larry D. Parsons II, 412 S. Stotlar St., Benton Kara Kaye Ford, 8592 No. 1900 Blvd., Mount Carmel Thomas Reinsager, 1000 N. 14th St., Herrin Alexandra M. Pokrzywinski, 4757 Rosa Ave., St. Louis Lacretia T. Turner, 2898 N. Main, Eldorado Lucile W. Warnhoff, 5785 N. Goshen Lane, Belle Rive Tracy L. Greene, 1416 Allendale St., Chester Deborah K. Lefler, 807 Michael Drive, Benton Cameron D. and Mylena G. Skidmore, 1249 Hallidayboro Road, Elkville Jared L. Brooks, 1704 Landon Lane, Murphysboro Arletta G. Jann, 1011 Murphy St., Eldorado Heather L. Petty Weston, 1210 W. Schwartz, Carbondale Shawnee Masonry and Restoration Inc., 2443 Dillinger Road, Carbondale Audrey M. Garrigus, 301 N. 14th St., Apt. 204, Herrin Michael D. and Kathleen A. Pritchett, 321 W. Collins St., Goreville Eddie and Dorothy M. Lewis, 408 E. Sycamore, Carbondale Paul L. Murray, P.O. Box 71, Herrin Sherri A. Murray, 113 S. 10th, Herrin Jason H. and Malinda S. Lewis, 2901 Crescent

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

Lane, Carterville Louis M. and Sarah A. Needham, 17 N. Illinois Ave., Du Quoin Joyce Marie Dye, P.O. Box 136, Brookport Curtis L. and Amber N. Woolever, R.R. 1, Box 163A, Wayne City Tex W. Halfacre, 3408 Veterans Memorial Drive, No. 602, Mount Vernon Jay B. and Christine R. Helton, 635 Lincoln Green Road, Cypress Rebecca A. and Jerry L. Rednour, 509 24th St., Cairo James Michael Phelps, 310 Edna Lane, Sparta Travis R. and Danielle C. Cox, 1508 W. Monroe, Herrin Amy L. Coyle, 221 Michigan St., Carterville Rachel E. Lipe, 2294 Truax Traer Road, Elkville Ronald W. Oakley, P.O. Box 934, Marion Kathryn D. McDonald, 1400 N. Illinois Ave., 469, Carbondale Ashley R. Gutherie, 14824 E. Clearview Road, Mount Vernon Danny F. Kelly, 817 Lamar Ave., Mount Vernon Kim and Joan Michele Keneipp, 519 Plum St., Mount Carmel David J. Pawloski, 300 Heritage Drive, De Soto Kenneth R. Beal, 1205 W. Fifth St., Bluford Gerald Dean Hoy, 207 Seventh St., Carmi Tomas L. Mills, 6 Neal Drive, Mount Vernon Jerry McDowell, 719 Main St., Apt. 3, Mount Vernon Gail Robert and Julia Elaine Heimgartner, 402 Walton St., Anna Kermit R. and Shelly L. Watkins, 110 Illinois 37, West Frankfort Heather Lynn Gower, 1502 Browns Lane, Marion

Chapter 13 Larry D. and Karen D. Bullock, 1625 Ozark Road, Ozark Lisa A. Dirks, 510 S. 22nd St., Herrin Scott Middendorf, 811 Windy Way, Steeleville Cher yl L. Brimberr y, 32 Geneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lane, Murphysboro Robin L. Goodwin, 1415 N. Lincoln Drive, Apt. 11, Benton Mary Elizabeth Westley, 307 Brichlane Drive, Carbondale Peggy S. Grant, 250 Lick Creek Road, Apt. E, Anna

Jason P. and Heather S. Russell, 1760 E. Grange Hall Road, Murphysboro Dennis D. Sullivan, P.O. Box 485, Carrier Mills Larry D. and Mary B. Baltzell, 402 21st St., Grand Tower William A. and Brittany J. Karnes, 15711 Thompsonville Road, Thompsonville Amy J. Treece, 5647 Silver Fox Drive, Carterville Roy E. and Carol M. Elledge, 818 N. First St., Vienna Jaime D. Childers, 32 Hardin St., Apt. 32, Rosiclare Christine K. Weldon, P.O. Box 232, Hurst Frank and Mary J. Marcan, 2335 Lake Shore Drive South, Goreville Jeffrey A. and Tammy L. Whitehead, 11582 Angleville Road, Pittsburg Linda S. Mays, No. One Court F, Herrin Phillip G. Dawson, 107 Boswell Road, Marion Clinton V. and Christa L. Henderson, 23565 Greg Hollow Road, Thebes Crystal L. Purdiman, P.O. Box 41, Mound City Kenneth R. Williams, 303 E. South Third St., Red Bud David A. Christ Sr., 955 Vines Road, Cobden Robin Marie Clark, P.O. Box 95, Cobden Joshua J. and Deaudra V. Roddy, 621 Railroad St., Ullin Janet C. DeFord, 825 Fairground Road, Pinckneyville Walter G. and Mildred E. Matthews Jr., P.O. Box 264, Anna Mark W. Brumfield, 406 Leafland Ave., Centralia Michael Scott and Sherri Lynn Phillips, 8367 Bluebird Road, Tamaroa Jane Ann Malone, 1318 W. Delaware, Fairfield Earl L. and Brenda L. Chamness, 804 Schorie Road, Marion Denver Bryan and Billie Jo Cox, 207 W. Main St., Ewing Shawn Avery and Montana Nicole Duty, 2430 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale Jeremy D. Miller, P.O. Box 43, Bonnie Christopher M. Hilker, 703 E. Elm St., West Frankfort Greg E. Tackett, P.O. Box 783, Golconda Shirley J. Dillon, 601 S. Logan, Creal Springs David Matthew and Jerri Lynn Pigg Shoemake, 304 W. Ninth, Johnston City Jesse L. and Angel D. Hall, P.O. Box 162, Stonefort Freddie L. Wilson, P.O. Box 592, Eldorado

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Calendar July 18 Starting a Business in Illinois: 1 to 3 p.m., room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale. Free. An optional business start-up kit is available for $15. Call 618-536-2424 or email sbdc@siu.edu. International Trade: Are You Ready to Export?: 3 to 4 p.m., room 150, DunnRichmond Economic Development Center, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale. Free. This seminar is for companies that want to begin exporting. Call 618-5362424 or email sbdc@siu.edu.

Aug. 15 Starting a Business in Illinois: 9 to 11 a.m., Man-Tra-Con, 3000 W. DeYoung St., Marion (Illinois Star Centre). Free. An optional business start-up kit is available for $15. Call 618-536-2424 or email sbdc@siu.edu.

Have old documents? Need them securely destroyed? You came to the right place. We provide fast, friendly, reliable paper shredding. It’s more than our business… it’s our mission to provide 100% satisfaction. Guaranteed.

PURGE: ONE CALL GETS RID OF IT ALL. Let DataLock shred onsite and haul off your unwanted, confidential information… anything from small storage areas to entire warehouses. Unwanted documentation takes up valuable and expensive space. Free up square footage and put it to better use! One call gets rid of it all. DataLock is certified by the National Association for Information Destruction for: Plant Based Document Destruction Mobile Document Destruction Micro-Media Destruction Hard-Drive Destruction

Call Vivian Taylor @ 888-533-1630 www.safedocuments.com

INVESTMENTS FROM PAGE 7 personal/business balance sheet management. If you are deliberate with all your dealings and get the advice of experts when you can, you can spend the time in your business doing what’s necessary to accomplish what you need. Owning your own small business is often considered the American dream. Do what you need to make sure it’s a dream that puts a smile on your face every day. MICHAEL P. TISON is an Investment Advisor 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@ raymond james.com.

JULY 2012

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Money Matters Parents, Alzheimer’s and money: Easing into a difficult conversation BY SCOTT MCCLATCHEY SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

Every eighth American age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease, and 43 percent of Americans 85 and older have it, according to the Alzheimer’s McClatchey Association. (And, on a personal note, my 84-yearold mother is one of those afflicted with the disease.) Consider those percentages in light of the Social Security Administration’s estimate that about 25 percent of today’s 65-year-olds will live past 90. These statistics have serious implications for family wealth. What are your options when it comes to helping a parent out with money management? Informally, you can lend a helping hand and check in with mom and dad to make sure that bills and premiums are paid and deadlines are met. But, if you elect to formally take the financial reins, you are looking at a two-phase process:

Power of attorney You can get a power of attorney and assume some of the financial responsibilities. A power of attorney is a detailed and strictly constructed legal document that gives you explicitly stated measures of financial authority. If you try to handle financial matters for your parent(s) without a valid power of attorney, the financial institution involved may reject your efforts. A durable power of attorney lets you handle the financial matters of another person immediately. The alternative, a springing power of attorney, takes effect only when a medical diagnosis confirms that person’s mental incompetence. Copies of the power of attorney should be sent to any financial institution at

which your parents have accounts or policies. It may be wise to get a durable power of attorney before your parent is unable to make financial decisions; many investment firms require the original account owner to sign a form to allow another party access to an account owner’s invested assets. You are going to have to hunt for information, such as: Where mom or dad’s income comes from (SSI, pensions, investments, etc.) Where the wills, deeds and trust documents are located. Who the designated beneficiaries are on insurance policies, IRAs, etc. Who the members of mom or dad’s financial team or circle are. You need to talk with them; they need to talk with you. The crucial numbers: checking and savings accounts, investment accounts, insurance policies, PIN numbers and, of course, Social Security numbers. It will also help to learn about their medical history and prescriptions.

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

Conservatorship If the disease progresses to the point where your mom or dad can’t make competent financial decisions, then you are looking at a conservatorship. You can act to become your mom or dad’s conservator. This means going to probate court. You or your parent can initiate a request for conservatorship with a family law attorney; if the need is more immediate, you or your family’s attorney may petition the court. In either case, you will need to show documentation that your parent is no longer financially competent. You must provide medical documentation of his or her dementia to the court, as well. The court will interview the involved parties, look at the documentation and perform a background check on the proposed conservator. This is all pursuant to a hearing at which the court presents its decision. If conservatorship is granted, the conservator assumes

ART SERVICES

What are your options when it comes to helping a parent out with money management? Informally, you can lend a helping hand and check in with Mom and Dad to make sure bills and premiums are paid and deadlines are met.

control of some or all of the protected party’s income and assets. How do conservatorships differ from guardianships? A guardianship gives a guardian control over many aspects of a protected person’s life. A conservatorship limits control to the management of the protected person’s assets and financial affairs. What if I don’t want to assume this kind of responsibility? Some wealth management firms offer daily money management as an option in a family office suite of services. The firms make home visits to help with bill paying, filing medical claims and other recurring

tasks; carefully scrutinize anyone offering this service. (Visit aadmm.com for the American Association of Daily Money Managers.) The other choice is to give a relative, a financial services professional, or a family lawyer durable or springing power of attorney or limited or full conservatorship. Such a decision must not be made lightly. Keep your parents away from unprincipled people. These steps may prove essential, yet they will not shield your family from scam artists. Be on the lookout for new friends and acquaintances. If your instincts tell you something is wrong, investigate. My mother recently fell for the “your grandson is in trouble and needs cash right now” scam that’s been operating from various foreign countries for several years. Fortunately for us and her, the two Western Union offices she visited wouldn’t wire the cash overseas without confirmation from a family member, which stopped the transfer in its tracks. Of course, she had already been warned (by yours truly) several times about this very scam, but when the phone call comes, it’s difficult for someone in her condition to refuse to help her grandson. Some of these scammers are ruthless and despicable and prey on society’s most vulnerable citizens. SCOTT MCCLATCHEY is a certified financial planner with Alliance Investment Planning Group, a Carbondale investment firm located at 115 S. Washington St. He can be reached at 618-519-9344 or scott@alliance investmentplanning.com. He also provides investment, retirement planning, and insurance services to SIU Credit Union members through the SIU Credit Union Investment Services partnership. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC.

It’s your great idea ! r e t t e b it e k a m lp e h n a c e w d n a Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center SUM MER & FALL 2012 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE STARTING A BUSINESS IN ILLINOIS This two-hour informational seminar covers the basic requirements of starting your own business including: legal structure, start-up requirements, finding financing and business planning basics. An optional business start-up kit is available for $15. Our Business Start-Up Kit, available in both print and electronic format, includes the following materials: a business start-up checklist, the presentation slides, financing questions and answers packet, a sample business plan, federal and state tax identification applications, and much more. JULY 18............................. WEDNESDAY ............1PM – 3PM .................... DUNN-RICHMOND, ROOM 150 AUGUST 15 ....................... WEDNESDAY ............9AM – 11AM .................. MARION, MAN-TRA-CON* (3000 W. DeYoung St., IL Centre Mall) SEPTEMBER 20 ................... THURSDAY ................9AM – 11AM ................. DUNN-RICHMOND, ROOM 150 OCTOBER 4 ....................... THURSDAY ................10AM – 12PM ................ CHESTER, RANDOLPH COUNTY COURTHOUSE** (1 Taylor Street) OCTOBER 16 ...................... TUESDAY .................5PM – 7PM .................... DUNN-RICHMOND, ROOM 150 NOVEMBER 12 .................. MONDAY ................1PM – 3PM .................... DUNN-RICHMOND, ROOM 150 DECEMBER 12 .................... WEDNESDAY ............1PM – 3PM .................... DUNN-RICHMOND, ROOM 150 JANUARY 8 ....................... TUESDAY .................5PM – 7PM .................... DUNN-RICHMOND, ROOM 150 *Co-sponsored by Man-Tra-Con.

**Co-sponsored by Randolph County Economic Development.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE: ARE YOU READY TO EXPORT? This brief workshop will help access the readiness of a small business to venture into the global marketplace. This seminar is for companies that want to begin exporting. JULY 18............................. WEDNESDAY ............3PM – 4PM .................... DUNN-RICHMOND, ROOM 150

NAVIGATING THE HIDDEN PERILS OF INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION The most common, and dangerous, mistake that anyone can make when dealing with international distributors is to treat the international relationship in the same manner as the domestic one. Since international issues and the accompanying distinctions are not always readily apparent, they can be difficult to spot and easily overlooked. Being unaware or otherwise turning a blind eye to these differences will only result in larger problems down the road. This seminar reviews the various pitfalls a U.S. based supplier can run across and provides guidance and tips to use when selling products and services internationally. Guest Speaker: Jennifer Schwesig, Armstrong Teasdale LLP, St. Louis.

Have a dream of starting a business? Tired of what you’re doing at your job and feel like you can do it better? Want to see if you have the entrepreneurial spirit? Attend one of our free classes and put it to the test. Our experienced counselors will be able to help you walk through your ideas to see if they can become reality. Give us a call today! TO REGISTER FOR THESE CLASSES OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.SIUSBDC.COM OR CALL 618-536-2424. Special Business Development Tools Now Available: Offering seminar participants and client Business Plan Pro software at a special price of $69.95. This software is rated the No. 1 Recommended Tool for Building a Great Business Plan. Also available is LivePlan, an easy, online, interactive business planning program. LivePlan sells through us at a special discount price of $10 per month for a 6-month subscription. Ask one of our counselors how you can get these tools!

SEPTEMBER 20 ................... TUESDAY .................9AM – 11AM .................. DUNN-RICHMOND, ROOM 150

FINDING FINANCING This informational seminar details how to put together funding for your small business as well as provides in-depth information on all the possible financing options currently available for small businesses. SEPTEMBER 20 ................... THURSDAY ................1PM – 3PM .................... DUNN-RICHMOND, ROOM 150

USING SOCIAL MEDIA IN BUSINESS This informational seminar covers the different types of social networking platforms that are available as well as the benefits of incorporating social networking into a business’s marketing plan. OCTOBER 10 ..................... WEDNESDAY ............1PM – 3PM .................... DUNN-RICHMOND, ROOM 150

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is supported and sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and is hosted by Southern Illinois University as a service to Illinois small businesses.