The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com

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

Questions? 815-987-8100

join the chamber’s linkedin group www.linkedin.com/e/gis/2544

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!Rockford Chamber

Golf ClassicMay 20

Forest Hills Country ClubFor more info, see page 30

May 2013 | Volume 26 | No. 5

afTEr ThE flood:rEsToraTion

PAGE 20

Eickman’s bringing homE ThE bacon for 60 yEars

PAGE 5

Enough is enough

winnEbago counTy launchEs EmPloyEE wEllnEss Program

Winnebago County announced in April the launch of a new health and wellness program for employees. The program will consist of three parts, including a focus on improving the health of selected employees with multiple/severe illnesses through diet, exercise, medical, nursing, fi nancial and logistical assistance, in partnership with OSF Health Management. The second part will consist of the establishment of an on-site health clinic for Winnebago County employees; staff ed by a nurse practitioner. The third part will focus on wellness, with the Winnebago County Wellness Committee taking the lead to issue updates and ongoing communication focused on employees’ health and wellness.

By Paul Anthony Arco

Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen usually spends his State of the County address highlighting past accomplishments and future goals and objectives.

Not this time. This year, Christiansen focused on

one issue -- unveiling a county-wide

collaborative crime initiative called “Knock Out Crime” during his annual luncheon hosted by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. The event on April 17 at the Radisson Hotel drew 375 business leaders.

“It’s an extremely serious situation,” said Christiansen of the local crime problem. “People don’t feel safe, and we need to change that fast. Drugs and gang activity is the crux of the problem. We’re seeing some type of activity daily. We have to get our arms around that and say ‘enough is enough.’ We want to go up and down any street in this area and not have to worry about our safety. We’re going to work together to knock out crime.”

In January, Christiansen gathered more than 100 law enforcement and government leaders at a crime summit. Offi cials discussed best practices, strategies and steps to reducing crime in the region.

Christiansen’s plan includes increasing

patrols, incorporating a 311 Center into the United Way 211 Call Center, launching a Text-a-Tip program, and expanding the number of neighborhood groups. The “Knock Out Crime” campaign includes a logo, bumper stickers and a website www.knockoutcrime.com.

“It’s important that the business community becomes engaged in this initiative,” said Christiansen. “We’re encouraging business leaders to talk to their employees, family and friends about crime. In order to help them expand jobs, we need to provide them the communication and material to fi ght crime.”

Crime’s Impact on Economic Development

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce is a sponsor of the new initiative. “We’re pleased to work with the Chairman to heighten the awareness of what people

more on page 3

By Barbara Connors

Long gone are the iconic hospital clipboards dangling from the ends of patient beds. With the passage of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, changes are occurring nationwide with the implementation of software for the confi dential and electronic exchange of patient health information.

Since October, 2012, when the fi rst federal regulations by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services became effective, phrases such as “meaningful use” (MU), “accountable care organizations” (ACOs) and “health information exchanges” (HIEs) have become buzzwords to describe the health care

industry’s transition to electronic health records. Overall, the goal has been to cut costs, reduce medical errors and improve the quality of care.

The Big BangFor OSF Saint Anthony Medical

Center in Rockford, the transition to system-wide electronic health records came in December, 2009, as a part of the Peoria-based OSF HealthCare

Next wave for health careArea providers digitize patient data for improved patient care

more on page 8

amErican flag madE from cannEd good donaTions

The Salvation Army of Winnebago County, Rockford

Lutheran Schools and CherryVale Mall launched for the fi rst time in Rockford, the Can-Struction project, “Wright Out of the Box.” In May, community members are asked to donate canned goods to build an Ameri-Can fl ag at the center court in CherryVale Mall. The food will be donated at the end of May to the Salvation Army Food Pantry.

Local architects will work with private and public school students and service groups to construct the Ameri-Can fl ag, May 8 to 10. Community volunteers are invited to help.

Donations can be taken to CherryVale Mall center court and placed in designated barrels, “Watch what we CAN do in the month of May” through May 7: Progresso Soups, 18.5 oz. cans; Chunk Light Tuna, 5 oz. cans; Swanson Chicken Breast, 4.5 oz. cans; Goya or La Costena vegetables, 11 oz. cans; La Costena whole pinto beans, 19.75 oz. cans. Call 815-316-0893 or gUscPs@comcast.net to volunteer.

is enough

collaborative crime initiative called patrols, incorporating a 311 Center into

Winnebago County Chairman Christiansen rolls out new initiative to fi ght crime

2 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

VIEWPOINTPresident’s Message

Einar k. forsmanRockford Chamber

of CommerceThe Rockford Chamber

of Commerce has committed considerable resources over the past four years to advocate for improved educational performance and for programs and curricula that addresses workforce needs. In May, Rock Valley College and Rockford Public Schools District 205 will welcome, thanks to area voters, two newly elected offi cials to each of the institution’s respective boards – all of whom were endorsed by the Rockford Chamber’s Political Action Committee (ROCPAC).

ROCPAC endorsed Frank Haney and Patrick Murphy, who will join Lynne Kearney in fi lling three open slots on the Rock Valley College’s Board of Trustees. The PAC also endorsed Michael Connor and Mike Harner, who will join the Rockford Public School Board.

While the Rockford Chamber long has been an advocate for public policy issues that are important to the region’s businesses, in late 2011,

it launched ROCPAC as part of a

broader strategy to directly engage

and support elected offi cials and

candidates whose views matched the

priorities of the business community.

To determine this, questionnaires

were sent to each individual running

for seats on the Rock Valley College

and Rockford Public School boards, and

endorsements issued after responses

were reviewed. In some cases, interviews

also were performed.

ROCPAC’s priorities for

considering candidates, committees

and initiatives included, but were not

limited to the following:

n Advancing the education system

n Responsible and appropriate

taxation

n Crime reduction and prevention

n Encouraging business policies that support the region

Specifi c topics included in the candidate questionnaire addressed board roles, relationship with admin- istration, workforce development and facility/infrastructure enhancements.

ROCPAC’s Goal: A Vibrant Business Climate

We are looking forward to working with the members of both boards as we address critical educational needs in our community. In particular, we are excited that the new board members will be joining a strong group of intelligent, community-minded individuals who are mindful of the needs of the business community.

ROCPAC

is funded by

contributions from individuals and

organizations and is registered with

the State of Illinois Board of Elections.

Rockford Chamber membership dues

are not used to support ROCPAC.

While the Rockford Chamber

regularly addresses issues of public

policy to support a strong and vibrant

business climate, ROCPAC serves to

directly engage with elected offi cials

and candidates running for offi ce, in

order to endorse those that support a

healthy business climate. Key issues

include education, crime, taxes, fi scal

responsibility and other areas vital to

the business community.

If you are interested in learning more about

ROCPAC or desire to make a contribution to

support its efforts, please feel free to contact

me at eforsman@rockfordchamber.com.

We are excited that the new board members will be joining a strong group of intelligent, community-minded individuals

who are mindful of the needs of the business community.

✔ Rockford Chamber PAC lands four education candidates into offi ce Work continues to further the needs of area businesses

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 3

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce welcomes and encourages submissions for The VOICE of the Rockford Business Community. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to:

The VOICERockford Chamber of Commerce308 W. State St., Ste. 190Rockford, IL 61101

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

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

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

Let your Voice be heard

can do,” said Einar Forsman, president & CEO. “We hear from our members that they’re concerned about crime and the negative impact it has on business. If people from outside the region feel we have a crime problem, they’re not going to come here and do business in our region. We have to get on top of it, develop a plan and let them know they can do business here. It’s an initiative that we’re going to be involved with for quite some time.”

Christiansen’s speech included a video of community leaders addressing the cause of crime and the impact crime has in the community, including how it affects economic development.

Local leaders appearing in the video included Janyce Fadden, outgoing RAEDC executive director; Paul Logli, president and CEO of United Way of Rock River Valley; Dominic Iasparro, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief; Donny Parham, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputy; and Richard Meyers, Winnebago County Sheriff.

“It’s encouraging to see comprehensive steps in place and barriers being broken between groups so they can work together,” Fadden said. “It will take more than law enforcement groups to reduce crime in this area. For him to reach out to schools, social agencies and religious groups, all those together can help reduce crime.”

Chief Judge Joseph McGraw was in attendance and said Christiansen’s program can make an impact. “When we see individuals who appear in front of us, the damage has usually been done,” he said. “Our range of options is usually limited. There’s the punitive component for those who need to be punished. But the vast majority of offenders are going to re-enter the community. If we have a healthy and intact community, it increases

the probability that those individuals can be reintegrated, which is our goal.”

Christiansen is planning future crime summits. In July, the initiative will center on preventing violence, and in October will focus on mental health and addiction.

“That shows me that the Chairman is committed long term to public safety and the improvement of the greater Winnebago County area,” McGraw said.

The presenting sponsor was BMO Harris Bank. Gold sponsors were Humana, SwedishAmerican Health System and AT&T. n

State of the CountyContinued from front page

Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen unveiled a county-wide collaborative crime initiative called “Knock Out Crime.”

Andrea Ward, Market President for BMO Harris Bank, the Chamber’s Luncheon Series’ Presenting Sponsor.

John Groh of the RACVB connects with Stacy Bernardi at the State of the County Luncheon.

4 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Business Crime Prevention Tips

n Make sure that security measures, such as lights, alarms, and security personnel, are not only in place but are clearly visible and activated.

n Keep all areas used by patrons well-lighted to deter criminal activity.

n Make sure that the main activities within your business can clearly be viewed from the street.

n Check the parking lot for good lighting and unobstructed views.

n Surveillance cameras can serve as a big deterrent to crime. Be sure they are activated and in plain view at all times.

n If you are ever the victim of a robbery, comply. Give up your money or your merchandise — don’t give up your life.

n Know what to do in case of an emergency. Fire exits and evacuation routes should be clearly marked. Fire extinguishers and medical kits should be well stocked and checked regularly.

Plan drills so that all employees know what to do in case of an emergency. Have diff erent emergency plans in place for diff erent types of emergencies.

n Get involved with the “Knock Out Crime” campaign and encourage other local businesses to do the same, www.knockoutcrime.com.

n Learn how to be a good witness. Take note of gender, ethnicity, age, height, weight, hair color and length, and description of clothes and shoes.

n Be sure to always report suspicious activity to local law enforcement offi cials and encourage your employees to do the same.

n Remember to change the computer security codes and door codes/combinations when an employee who had access to it no longer is employed by your business.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 5

By Paul Anthony Arco

Tom Eickman had a knife in his hand at age five. At eight, he was working the serving line, passing out roast beef at company picnics. Family vacations meant trips to Kansas City, Milwaukee or Minneapolis, to attend a national meat association convention, where young Tom listened to physicians make presentations about chronic wasting disease or protein extraction. He loved every minute of it and still does.

Tom, along with parents Lori and Mike Eickman, are owners of Eickman’s Processing Co., a meat processing plant located in Seward, Ill. They bought the business from Mike’s father, Merlyn, in 1999. In June, Eickman’s is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The company will host an open house that will include plant tours and a pig roast.

“I like everything about this business,” said Tom, who joined the family company in 1994 and now takes his three-year-old son, Ashton, to meat conventions. “I never know what each day is going to bring. I might be creating a new sausage, or chasing a lamb that’s escaped out the front door. The processing is fun, but it’s a lot of hard work.”

Family-Run ButcherMerlyn’s father, John, helped butcher

livestock on local farms. In 1943, he purchased a creamery building to use as a slaughter facility. Merlyn and his brother worked there, before Merlyn took a job in Rockford to run Farmer’s Feed & Locker Company, which he later moved to Pecatonica. In 1964, his son Mike joined the business to help run operations and three years later, they moved Eickman’s to Seward.

Each week, Eickman’s slaughters an average of 40 to 50 cattle, 60 to 70 hogs, and half a dozen lambs. In addition, the company handles bison, farmed-raised deer, elk, bear and llamas. All livestock is slaughtered under USDA or FDA inspection.

“We have an inspector at our facility 40 hours per week, and we can’t slaughter

without him,” said Tom. “We process the livestock and by the time it’s done, it’s consumer ready and out the door. We do custom processing for farmers, where they provide the animal and we process it and return it to their customers, or we buy it and use it for our own sales.”

Eickman’s, which has 30 employees, has seen significant growth over the years. The company has seven smokehouses and recently has expanded its facility to 20,000 square feet. It’s added catering, pig roasts, party trays, gift boxes and other products to its service line and cuts wholesale orders for local restaurants.

The business has won more than 400 state and national awards for its hams, bacon and national recognition for its dried beef. Merlyn, Mike and Tom have all served as president of the Illinois Association of Meat Processors. Merlyn and Mike have been president of the American Association of Meat Processors and are members of the Cured Meats Hall of Fame.

“What sets us apart is quality,” Tom said. “If I’m not going to eat it personally, I’m not going to send it to my customers. I want to be proud of what we put in our display case.”

Each year, between 50 and 75 school FFA and 4H groups tour the plant, observing everything from slaughter to sausage making. “The youth is where the next leaders will come from,” Tom said. “Educating future leaders about our industry is important to us.”

Now retired, Merlyn stops by to visit the family business. “He’s extremely proud,” said Tom. “He gets to watch over what he started and see the next generation hard at work. You can see the pride in his eyes.”

PROFILEMember Profile

Celebrating 60 years in business

Eickman’s Processing Company

Eickman’s ProcEssing co. Owners: Lori, Mike and Tom Eickman 3226 S. Pecatonica RoadSeward, IL 61077815-247-8451www.eickmans.com

Eickman’s has seven smokehouses and recently expanded its facility to 20,000 square feet.

Lori Eickman and customer Jon Lang, a hog farmer from South Beloit, chat at Eickman’s in Seward, Ill. The retail store is open to the public most days of the week.

6 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

By Sherry Pritz, EIGERlab

It’s hard to believe that this year’s event will be the seventh-annual Stateline FastPitch Competition! FastPitch will be held on Wednesday, June 19 at NIU-Rockford and will be open to the public at 5:30 p.m. Over the past six years, we’ve had an average of 48 people compete annually; totaling nearly 300 presenters.

With the addition of the

two Wisconsin events last

year, which we assisted in

facilitating, the competitions

have attracted more than

100 potential entrepreneurs

in the northern Illinois and

southern Wisconsin region.

If you’ve never attended

a FastPitch event, please

consider doing so. It’s

somewhat like watching

the television show “Shark

Tank,” only our judges are

much nicer!

The 2012 Stateline

FastPitch Competitions

consisted of an

interesting variety of

winners including:

MySecureDelivery, The

“RAT”, miPact, Ink Again,

Renwig Custom, MobCraft Beer,

Prescient Audio, Accelerated Fastening,

Novo Luggage and Environmental Health

Concepts. Although FastPitch comprises

companies at any stage, most of the 2012

winners were well beyond the “idea on a

napkin” stage -- some were already selling

products or delivering services.

Two National Product LaunchesEIGERlab is delighted to share that

two of the 2012 FastPitch presenters, NZ3 Inc., and Prescient Audio have national product launches slated within the next 90 days. This indeed is very exciting for our community and the region. NZ3 Inc.’s product is a revolutionary three-position nozzle, a stand-out hairstyling tool that gives ultimate control with the utmost comfort for the user. Prescient Audio’s disruptive technology includes the thinnest, coolest, lightest loudspeakers you’ve ever seen in three markets — mobile audio, home audio and pro audio.

It’s exhilarating to watch a client, who has used EIGERlab’s tools,

succeed. When entrepreneurs partner

with EIGERlab’s group of professionals

for both business and product

development, including integrating the

essential components of EIGERlab’s

Center for Product Development —

engineering, CAD drawings and 3D

printing — the results are stunning.

Many entrepreneurs find themselves

ready to go to market within an

amazingly short amount of time.

This year’s competitions once

again will be a regional effort: Racine/

Kenosha counties’ FastPitch event is

scheduled for Sept. 21 (UW-Parkside)

and Rock/Walworth counties’ event will

be in the fall. Let’s play ball!

Ed Whittington, vice president of Rescue Access Tool (RAT), demonstrates his product at the 2012 Stateline FastPitch Competition.

Batter up! 2013 Stateline FastPitch Competition

The Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) Leader- ship Council announced its investment of the 2013 Emerging Opportunities Fund in the Advancing Teaching & Learning — Building Education & Employer Partnerships project.

Brad Long, who is president of the Northwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council, serves on the Alignment Rockford High School Pathways committee and the RAEDC Leadership Council and is chairman of the RAEDC Education Committee, sponsored the proposed project. The project will:

1. Advance teaching and learning through teacher professional development, student development and curriculum design, and

2. Build effective partnerships between educators and employers in the Rockford region. “The Northwest Building Trades

Association is proud to be the proposal sponsor, working with the RAEDC Leadership Council, the Rockford School Board, administration and teachers, and the community, to improve career and college readiness for all Rockford public high school students,” Long said.

“Leadership Council has witnessed the successful efforts of implementing the High School Redesign in RPS 205,” said Steve Ward, chair of the RAEDC Leadership Council and president of Riverside Community Bank. “We know that continuing to support these efforts for an additional year will help move this project forward at the pace necessary to achieve success.”

About the FundThe Emerging Opportunities

Fund is designed for discretionary investment in mutually-agreed-upon, forward-thinking initiatives that will leverage positive change for economic development of the Rockford Region.

Possible investment strategies for the fund include: (1) projects to move and shape public opinion on sensitive issues relating to the region’s capacity to grow such as infrastructure, education funding or other public policy opportunities; (2) focused efforts to remove stubborn or difficult barriers to growth; and (3) large-scale projects that capture the community’s imagination and enhance quality of life for the entire region.

By Terrance Hall, RAEDC

It’s becoming very apparent that the advent of social media is more than merely a fad that soon will pass. Evidence of this can be found in the 2012 Social Media Marketing Industry Report, which states that 94 percent of businesses that have a marketing department now use social media as part of their marketing strategy. What’s not so apparent, however, is how to go about identifying a social media platform that is the best fit for your business (as it relates to industries served, target market and business model) and how to measure the return on time invested.

More insight regarding these and many more questions can be found in the full Social Media Marketing Industry Report at www.socialmediaexaminer.com/SocialMediaMarketingIndustry Report 2012.pdf.

Business Networking for Manufacturers

Occasionally, the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) gets requests from businesses looking to source services or products from within our region. For manufacturing services, it can prove very difficult to suggest a company that can supply a part to strict specifications, fabricate a specific material, or provide certain manufacturing services, because capabilities vary greatly from company to company, even when they have the means to perform the same processes. In addition to sifting through company names and trying to recall who has what capabilities, we would like to present

these opportunities directly to local manufacturers as they come.

The Rockford Area Manufacturers group (RAM) will provide the perfect platform to share these opportunities. RAM is a professional networking platform available through LinkedIn. It will allow the RAEDC to communicate directly with area manufacturers quickly and effectively, thereby streamlining access to opportunities and information. But the primary function of the group is to be a peer-to-peer channel, letting manufacturers exchange ideas, requests for services, industry reports, articles, recognitions, achievements and suggestions amongst themselves.

As a region, we share more than just the same location. We also share similar problems. Social media provides a unique platform to share solutions, ideas and knowledge as well. This will aid in creating a more robust business climate in our region.

Join the RAM GroupLinkedIn is the leading online

professional directory of companies and individuals. To join RAM, you first must be signed up to LinkedIn, which is free, and then:

n connect with me on LinkedIn, expressing interest through a message, or

n search for Rockford Area Manufacturers under “groups” and request to join.

Terrance Hall is business development specialist at the RAEDC.

Social media’s role in your business

2013 Emerging Opportunities Fund investment announced

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 7

Lean New Product Development — an innovative way to design, produceStep-by-step methodology for integrating lean tools with product development

amy fitzgeraldIMEC

Manufacturing Update is sponsored by IMEC

IMEC Success StoryWire manufacturer draws on technology to boost effi ciency company-wide

“We just couldn’t run the company on a napkin anymore.”

When the informal procedures that worked fi ne during his company’s early days began to prove ineffi cient, Drawing Technology President Chuck Schooley turned to an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to integrate and automate the fl ow of information — and with funding support from IMEC, quickly began to reap the benefi ts.

A manufacturer of machinery for wire goods, fasteners, bearings and other wire-based product industries (“Basically, anything that’s made out of wire goes through our machines,” Schooley explained), Drawing Technology got its start in 2000. Initially, the company’s customer base was located within 300 miles of its Rockford headquarters — but today, 60 percent of products are sold outside the United States, with some clients as far as 8,000 miles away. As the company grew, its operations became more and more complex.

“Sales, engineering, purchasing, accounting, manufacturing — they were all running their own individual systems,” Schooley said. “Orders had to be hand-carried from one department to another, creating lots of redundancy and ineffi ciency. We knew we needed to do something differently.”

After exploring various options, Schooley and his team landed on an ERP system from Global Shop Solutions, which was implemented company-wide in 2012. IMEC helped Drawing Technology secure the grant funding that paid for the critical training portion of the project.

“From a funding perspective, we were looking for any kind of help we could get,” Schooley said. “IMEC made it easy — we just had to fi ll out a few forms and document our progress.”

With the ERP system up and running and employees trained on its use, it didn’t take long for Drawing Technology to begin noticing signifi cant improvements.

“We revamped our shop fl oor at the same time we implemented the ERP system, and the combination of those two efforts has made us much more effi cient,” Schooley said. “We’ve seen a 10 to 15 percent reduction in overtime company-wide while still shipping the same amount of product. We’ve had on-time deliveries for the past three months, when they typically run two to three weeks behind in our industry.”

Schooley also expects bottom-line benefi ts to follow soon — particularly since the ERP system implementation should allow Drawing Technology to add sales with both existing and new customers.

“We knew there were more potential sales out there, but before implementing this system, we thought we were running at capacity,” he said. “Now we know we can do more. We’re aiming for a 30 percent increase in capacity, which is huge for our company.”

As his company continues to grow, Schooley plans to keep IMEC in his corner. “Having someone to support you in this kind of thing is great,” he said. “We’d do it again in a minute, and we’re keeping our eyes open for more opportunities.”

The ability to develop new proprietary products or quickly refi ne an existing portfolio can be the difference between market stagnation and capitalizing on new growth opportunities.

Many companies have the in-house capabilities to develop and commercialize new products, but often need strategic guidance to reduce manufacturing steps, develop prototypes, and ensure that the effort pays back with profi table sales.

Companies that utilize a structured approach to new product development have a 400 percent increased probability of success with new products, 25 percent increased probability of being fi rst to market, and a 66 percent reduction in time to market.

Generating ideas and processes for new products can be a challenge caused by a sporadic or chaotic innovation process, or non-value added engineering activities, both of which result in a less-than-fl uid process for creating fresh concepts or renewed designs.

Workshop for Going LeanIn an effort to help streamline

facility activities and optimize product and idea generation, IMEC offers Lean New Product Development via an introductory workshop for manufacturers.

The “quick start” Lean Product Development workshops provide a step-by-step methodology for integrating the powerful waste eliminating tools of lean product development into any product development process. And in the current economic climate, doing more with less

is a mandate for virtually any fi rm, particularly with respect to new product introductions.

The design methods and principles can help companies overcome challenges regarding time to market, portfolio management, design and development resources, and new product cost.

The workshops can expose a company to an ideal New Product Development Process that easily can be scaled to

their size and need, while providing insight and tools to begin the journey to transform their product design and development activity into a low waste, high value, lean process.

During the introductory workshop, IMEC manufacturing specialists present companies with an overview of the service, exploring methods and tools that can help with product development challenges.

More details can be found on the IMEC website, or by contacting your local IMEC representative at 888-806-4632. Exploration workshops in your manufacturing facility could unearth an amazing new journey in your products’ development! Contact us today.

Amy Fitzgerald is marketing manager at IMEC.

8M Straighten and Cut Machine

Generating ideas and processes for new products can be a challenge.

8 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

launch. With a full year in planning, the “big bang” to go live with Epic health care software came all at once, said project leader David Stenerson, vice president/chief financial officer. The ambulatory care side of the system already had been using Epic for a year.

“Electrifying” patients’ medical records at all levels of care, and the implementation of practices such as physician CPOE (computerized provider order entry), came as a big cultural change for everyone involved,” he said.

This year in April, Rockford Health System also completed a system-wide implementation of Epic. Phase one of this implementation already had taken place with Rockford Health Physicians two years ago.

The system-wide effort by Rockford Health System required a team of more than 450 IT, clinical and financial professionals, and the training of more than 2,000 health care professionals in its particular brand of patient care documentation. “It has taken a village to implement this system for sure,” said Dennis L’Heureux, senior vice president/chief information officer.

He said stabilizing the implementation process would take the rest of 2013.

L’Heureux brought the idea of Epic to the health system’s board of directors in April, 2010. He said Epic, headquartered in Verona, Wis., currently is drawing some of the brightest minds in the IT industry -- which underscores the importance of health IT in the world of software technology. Epic’s founder Judy Faulkner currently is #249 on the list of U.S. Forbes billionaires.

“We are part of an elite group, joining just 10 percent of hospitals in the nation with fully integrated electronic medical records throughout the entire health system,” said Gary Kaatz, Rockford Health System’s president and CEO. “Now, as patients

travel throughout the health system, their records follow them, providing medical staff easy access to their entire medical history.”

OSF also is in the top 10 percent of the nation’s hospitals in the rate of EMR adoption.

Employing the European ModelSwedishAmerican Health System

in Rockford has used a different strategy in implementing electronic health records system-wide, according to Phil Wasson, president & CEO of TriRivers Health Partners, a healthcare IT organization jointly sponsored by SwedishAmerican and FHN in Freeport.

“We decided, ‘let’s use the system and expertise we have and leverage the idea of the health information exchange (HIE).’” SwedishAmerican Health System uses Epic for outpatient records, and Meditech on its hospital side.

According to Wasson, 23 European Union countries have used HIEs successfully in their managed health care. In the latest stage, operational since 2012, health care providers that are part of European Patients Smart Open Services (epSOS) can share patient records across country borders in a concept called “cross-border interoperability.”

“The health information exchange piece is going to have to look like Europe’s in order to work,” Wasson said. “Europe has been able to control costs through this use of methods to manage health care costs, of which HIE is part of that process.” He gave the example of Germany, which has experienced health expenditures of 11.6 percent of GDP in 2010, compared to the United States’ 17.9 percent, according to the World Health Organization. Projections are that health expenditures in the United States will grow to 19.3 percent by the end of the decade.

Wasson is working on a similar model, which allows for health information exchange regardless of the underlying EMR software system used, for the region’s health care providers, including Crusader Community Health, Rockford Gastroenterology Associates, FHN, and other health care systems in northern Illinois and Wisconsin. He said patients will have the right to opt out of participation in the HIE, but ultimately that may impact the cost of care.

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and Rockford Health System both use an HIE feature of Epic called Care Everywhere, which allows for the transfer of patients’ records across other EPIC-based health providers. However both intend to supplement this function by participating in the regional HIE.

“The whole system will be designed to help providers make better decisions, using more information available at the point of care,” Wasson said. “It also will help in making better decisions on

Health CareContinued from front page

Meaningful use encourages the increasingly sophisticated use of EHRs, with criteria and timelines broken into three stages over five years. Health care providers must demonstrate specific meaningful use criteria to qualify for an incentive payment through the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.

OSF is addressing stage three criterion, “patient access to self management tools,” with the implementation of MyHealth, a password-protected portal that gives patients the ability to access their health information and schedule and manage appointments. “We’re working on engaging patients in their own care,” said Mika Doyle, OSF’s social media coordinator. Doyle also is developing social media tools as another means to provide patients with relevant health information.

Rockford Health System offers a similar patient portal with MyChart.

ThrEE sTagEs of mEaningful usE

n Data capture and sharing (2011-2012)

n Electronically capturing health information in a standardized format

n Using that information to track key clinical conditions

n Communicating that information for care coordination processes

n Initiating the reporting of clinical quality measures and public health information

n Using information to engage patients and their families in their care

n Advance clinical processes (2014)

n More rigorous health information exchange (HIE)

n Increased requirements for e-prescribing and incorporating lab results

n Electronic transmission of patient care summaries across multiple settings

n More patient-controlled data n Improved outcomes (2016) n Improving quality, safety, and

efficiency, leading to improved health outcomes

n Decision support for national high-priority conditions

n Patient access to self-management tools

n Access to comprehensive patient data through patient-centered HIE

n Improving population health

Source: healthit.gov

What’s This About ‘Meaningful Use?’

Rajbir Dhillon, M.D, and Bryan Tully, M.D., get electronic medical record training from Bryan West and Amy Hill at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Photo by David Friedrich.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 9

the use of health care resource on a regional and global level.”

Improving Best PracticesAccording to Stenerson, L’Heureux,

Wasson, and other leaders in the health IT industry, there are many advantages in the use of electronic health records (EHRs).

Long gone are the metal filling cabinets filled with paper charts. “Being electronic, the information is protected from loss from events such as flood, theft and fire,” Stenerson said. “With passwords, “we can ensure that this is protected health information that we guard tightly.”

EHRs have given medical providers the ability to improve care with regular updates on evidence-based best practices, and the ability to set up standardized, evidence-based order sets for a variety of critical medical conditions. This type of information traditionally has been culled from medical research journals, informal communications between practitioners, and medical conferences. Now physicians, nurses and other health care professionals receive best practices updates electronically, at the point of care.

EHRs also have allowed for the transmission of information such as diagnostic test results in nearly real time to practitioners, allowing them to make quicker diagnostic and treatment decisions.

With medication bar coding, similar to what is seen at grocery store checkout lines, the incidence of medication errors has been reduced and transcription costs lowered. Information loaded into the system has helped health care professionals in educating patients and preparing for discharge. Alerts pop up, reminding

care professionals of specific tasks that need to be performed, such as turning immobilized patients, in order to reduce their chances for developing conditions like decubitus ulcers (bedsores).

“I’m excited about the transition,” said Hugh McHugh, a physician with Rockford Health System. “There will be a learning curve in the beginning, but in the end it will be more efficient,

and will make rounding on patients easier because all of my information will be in one place.”

Quality Patient Care? Prove It“In addition to the ability to

exchange data, electronic health records have given us the ability to capture data,” TriRivers’ Wasson said. “We can produce reports that demonstrate that we are doing the right

thing for patients at the right time. The sharing of clinical information will greatly help improve the quality and cost of care.”

In 2012, OSF HealthCare became one of 32 Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), participating in the Pioneer ACO Model by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation. Centers that participate in the three-year pilot project must prove they are meeting preset clinical standards to be fully reimbursed by Medicare. To do this, centers must have a seamless way to capture quality patient care data.

The list of clinical standards is lengthy and includes initiatives such as reducing infections due to surgical procedures or ventilator use, reducing 30-day readmissions rates for specific heart/pulmonary patients, and minimizing emergency department wait times. Other initiatives touch on influenza immunizations, screening for fall risks, tobacco screening and cessation, body mass index screening and follow-up, and pneumonia vaccinations for patients 65 and older.

The use of EHRs has made it possible to report on quality patient care with specific data. “We would not be nearly as effective as an ACO without the EHR foundational building block,” Stenerson said. n

“The health information exchange piece is going to have to look like Europe’s in order to work.”

— Phil Wasson, president & CEO of TriRivers Health Partners.

“This project represents one of the last feathers in my professional cap,” says Rockford Health System’s Dennis L’Heureux, who in 2006 was named a Premier 100 IT Leader in Computerworld magazine.

illinois-basEd osf hEalThcarE joins mayo clinic carE nETwork

Mayo Clinic announced in April that OSF HealthCare and OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford will become the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Mayo launched the network in 2011 to help people gain the benefits of Mayo Clinic knowledge and expertise close to home, ensuring that patients travel for care only when necessary. It now has member organizations based

in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Puerto Rico.

OSF physicians now will be able to connect directly with Mayo Clinic specialists using an electronic consulting technique called eConsults and have access to the latest Mayo-vetted medical information through AskMayoExpert, an online database developed and used by Mayo Clinic physicians.

Dave Schertz, president and CEO of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, speaks with the media about OSF HealthCare becoming the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Photo by Michelle Schrieber

10 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

What do you want to contribute as part of the Chamber board?

I want to bring energy and momentum that will help move forward the many important issues the Rockford Chamber faces.

Why do you think the Chamber is important to business and the community?

It gives business people from all walks of life a chance to network, share ideas and work on community issues that need attention.

What is the name/purpose of your business?

BMO Harris Bank. We are here to help businesses and individuals achieve their goals in new and strategic ways.

What are your business background/responsibilities?

I am a graduate of Indiana University. I have lived and worked in several states in banking and consulting. I now am one of the three leaders of BMO Harris Bank in Rockford; leading the business banking team at our hub at 501 7th St. Andrea Ward leads retail banking, and Kathy Weber leads private banking.

What in your career has had the greatest impact on you?

I have grown and learned the most in diffi cult situations. By adapting and committing to making changes, my value to the organizations I have served has improved immensely.

What trend is most strongly impacting your industry?

Technology. Technology should improve the transactional part of

banking —

not replace

bankers and

the good advice

they provide.

My bank is working to make sure

our clients understand the difference

between a transaction and a value-based

relationship.

What recent technology innovation has the greatest impact on your life?

My smart phone, because it lets me be

fl exible. I can work, while balancing my

family life.

If you could be or do anything else — what?

A pilot. I love to travel and aviation is

fascinating to me.

What one word would you use to describe yourself?

Thoughtful.

What movie would you recommend right now and why?

I loved the movie “Zero Dark Thirty”

because it was action packed, suspenseful

and left me feeling good about my

country. I was born on an Army base

in Alabama, so I am a sucker for a good

military story.

What are you most proud of? My family. My husband, three

children, my English Mastiff, my mother,

brother, uncle, cousin and nieces and

nephews -- all of whom are here in

Rockford. I work hard never to take any

of our time together for granted.

PROFILEBoard Member Profi le

Positive changes, adaptability have added value to my work

michele PetrieBMO Harris Bank

It’s important for both individuals and businesses to make identity theft prevention a part of everyday life. Identity theft continues to be a growing crime in the United States. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), nearly 9 million adults in the United States are victims of some form of identity theft each year.

While this statistic is based upon a national fi gure, it does hit close to home. For 2008, Illinois was ranked 11th in the United States for number of identity theft victims (per 100,000 unit of population). The FTC also received reports of child identity theft cases.

Alpine Bank offers a number of identity theft and other important security tips for businesses and individuals on its website. For more information, visit www.bankalpine.com/security.

Identity Theft Prevention Tips Safeguard yourself and your family

with the following tips:

n Shred any papers with confi dential information before you throw them out, including junk mail. Anything with an account number can be used in identity theft. This includes prescreened credit card offers, receipts, canceled checks, bank statements, expired charge cards, doctors’ bills and insurance documents.

n Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifi er. Few institutions — businesses granting you credit, employers fi lling out tax forms for you, or government agencies — have any reasonable cause to know your Social Security number.

n Carry as few cards with identifi cation and personal information as possible. Many identity thefts are traced to having a purse or wallet stolen.

n Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through email or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with. Unless you initiated the contact with the business, don’t give out any confi dential information — such as your credit card number, Social Security number, bank account numbers, PIN, birth date, or even your mother’s maiden name.

n Check your banking and credit statements as soon as you receive them and make sure there is no unexplained activity.

n Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails. Instead, type in a web address you know. Use fi rewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect your

home computer. Keep them up-to-date.

n Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

n Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having work done in your house. Don’t keep Personal Identifi cation Numbers (PINs) near your checkbook, ATM card or debit card.

n Request a credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies every year.

Many people don’t realize they are victims of identity theft until long after the initial crime occurred. Identity thieves often try to hide the crimes for as long as possible, so that they can access more money. To stop the crimes as soon as possible, make sure you carefully check your credit reports regularly. Your credit reports are important tools for limiting the amount of damage a thief can cause. To request your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com. Visit www.ftc.gov/freereports to learn more about requesting your free credit report.

For more information about avoiding identity theft, visit:

n The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

n OnGuard Online - the Federal Trade Commission’s web site about Internet fraud and security tips

n Identity Theft Resource Center

n Illinois Attorney General’s Identity Theft Hotline

Steps for Victims of Identity TheftIf you believe you have been a victim

of identity theft, please follow these important steps.

n Report the fraud immediately to your creditors including your bank, credit card companies and mortgage company

n Place a fraud alert on your credit report. To do so, contact the three major credit bureaus:

n Equifax, 800-685-1111, www.equifax.com

n Experian, 888-397-3742, www.experian.com

n TransUnion, 800-888-4213, www.transunion.com

n Notify Social Security fraud hotline, 800-269-0271, www.ssa.gov

n File a police report

n Notify the Federal Trade Commission, 877-438-4338, www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

Avoid becoming a victim of identity theft

See Page 22 in this issue for more details!

theVoice rockfordchamber.com MAY 2013 focus on banking & financial sErVicEs 11

lisa berlageWipfli Hewins

INSIGHTGuest Perspective

Retiring with confidenceFinancial success comes with discipline

I’ve found that as I mature, I have really been trying to maximize my health, career, life experiences and especially my retirement savings. While I love what I do, I also want to be able to have a healthy, happy life after I retire. I read a startling statistic that women are 70 percent more likely to spend their retirement in poverty than men. This statistic has motivated me to write about the importance of financial awareness, especially in terms of retirement preparedness.

How can we become more aware of retirement savings? Take the first step by becoming more conscious of your future. It may seem like a long way off, but try preparing a budget for your future and setting clear rules for your finances now. For example, if you want to travel, own a Corvette or golf everyday when you retire, create a budget for it, but expect the unexpected and plan for emergencies.

Figuring How Much to Put Aside

After you’ve identified how much you need for your retirement, the next step is to save for it. How much should you be putting aside for retirement?

How much you set aside depends on your personal circumstances, but aiming for 12 to 15 percent of your annual pay (in addition to any employer 401(k) matching) may be a good place to start. Many experts say you’ll need roughly 70 to 80 percent of your current annual income to live comfortably in retirement. Keep in mind, this doesn’t account for inflation, family or healthcare issues or possible emergencies.

Saving for retirement can force you to face a really tough choice: save as much money as possible today and await your “retirement reward,” or give in to the urge to spend now and possibly end up sacrificing retiring with financial security.

The Marshmallow StudyHow can we incorporate patience

and discipline into our retirement savings plan, especially in a world compelling us to succumb to our spending urges? An interesting study was performed in the 1960s at Stanford University by psychology researcher, Walter Mischel, to test the benefits of delayed gratification. The study tested the willpower of a group of four-year-olds. Each child was given the choice to eat one marshmallow immediately or wait 15 to 20 minutes to get two marshmallows.

Can you guess how many kids were able to wait and receive the reward of a second marshmallow? Only 30 percent of the children were able to wait for their reward. How were 30 percent of them able to resist eating it immediately? The children who were able to wait didn’t totally remove the desire to consume the treat, but instead found ways to distract themselves from the temptation.

What does a marshmallow really have to do with financial success anyway? According to Mischel, the subjects that were able to wait for the greater reward of two marshmallows were more able to overcome adversity and had the persistence to tackle their goals as adults, which he claimed correlated with having higher salaries and being more satisfied professionally.

The marshmallow study is an example of the benefits of discipline – an important aspect of investing for retirement. Even as an adult, you may still find resisting sugary treats to be a challenge. However, trying to save and not spend money can be even tougher!

So we all have a choice, do we spend our earnings (eat that marshmallow now) or do we delay gratification (save and invest for retirement) and reap the rewards of compounding marshmallows, ahem, returns?

Lisa Berlage, MBA, CFP®, is senior associate consultant with Wipfli Hewins Investment Advisors, LLC. The views expressed are those of Berlage’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Hewins Financial Advisors, LLC and Wipfli Hewins Investment Advisors, LLC (together referred to as “Hewins”) are independent, fee-only investment advisers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The views expressed by the author are the author’s alone and do not necessarily represent the views of Hewins or its affiliates. The standard information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and should not be construed as, or used as a substitute for, financial, investment, or other professional advice. If you have questions regarding your financial situation you should consult your financial planner, investment advisor, attorney or other professional. Hewins is a proud affiliate of Wipfli LLP. A copy of Hewins’ current ADV Part 2A discussing Hewins’ investment advisory and financial planning services and fees is available for review upon request.

12 focus on banking & financial sErVicEs MAY 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

2.2.2.

3.3.3.3.3.3.

4.4.4.

5.5.5.

6.6.6.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com MAY 2013 focus on banking & financial sErVicEs 13

One of the challenges of investing during retirement is providing for annual income while balancing other considerations, such as liquidity, how long you need your funds to last, your risk tolerance, and anticipated rates of return for various types of investments. A well-thought-out asset allocation in retirement is essential. While income investments alone are unlikely to meet all your needs, it’s important to understand some of the most common investments that can provide income as part of your overall investment strategy.

Bonds: Retirement’s Traditional Backbone

A bond portfolio can help you address investment goals in multiple ways. Buying individual bonds (which essentially are IOUs) at their face values and holding them to maturity can provide a predictable income stream and the assurance that unless a bond issuer defaults, you’ll receive the principal when the bond matures. (Bear in mind that if a bond is callable, it may be redeemed early, and you would have to replace that income.) You also can buy bonds through mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Depending on your circumstances, funds may provide greater diversifi cation at a lower cost than individual bonds. However, a bond fund has no specifi c maturity date, and therefore behaves differently from an individual bond, though like an individual bond, its price typically moves in the opposite direction from interest rates.

Think About Bond MaturitiesBond prices can drop when interest

rates and/or infl ation rise, because their fi xed income will buy less over time.

Infl ation affects prices of long-term bonds the most. One way to keep a bond portfolio fl exible is to use so-called laddering: buying bonds with various maturities. As each matures, its proceeds can be reinvested. If bond yields are up, you benefi t from higher rates; if yields are down, you have the option of choosing a different maturity or investment.

Certifi cates of Deposit/Savings Accounts

Certifi cates of deposit (CDs), which offer a fi xed interest rate for a specifi c time period, usually pay higher interest than a regular savings account, and you typically can have interest paid at regularly scheduled intervals. A CD can be rolled over to a new CD or another investment when it matures, though you may not get the same interest rate, and you’ll pay a penalty if you cash it in early. A high-yield savings account also pays interest, and, like a CD, is FDIC-insured up to $250,000.

Stocks Offering DividendsDividend-paying stocks, as well as

mutual funds and ETFs that invest in them, also can provide income. Because dividends on common stock are subject to the company’s performance and a decision by its board of directors each quarter, they may not be as predictable as income from a bond. However, dividends on preferred stock are different. The rate is fi xed, and they’re paid before any dividend is available for common stockholders. That fi xed payment means that prices of preferred stocks tend to

behave somewhat like bonds. Preferred shares usually pay a higher

dividend rate than common shares, and though most preferred stockholders do not have voting rights, their claims on the company’s assets will be satisfi ed before those of common stockholders if the company has fi nancial diffi culties. However, a company often is permitted to call in preferred shares at a predetermined future date, and preferred stockholders do not participate in a company’s growth as fully as common shareholders would.

Pass-through Securities/REITsSome investments are designed to act

as a conduit for income from underlying assets. For example, mortgage-related securities represent an ownership interest in mortgage loans made by fi nancial institutions. The most basic of these, known as pass-throughs, represent a direct ownership interest in a trust that consists of a pool of mortgages. Examples of pass-throughs include securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the Federal National Mortgage Association.

Certain types of investment trusts -- for example, REITs that buy, develop, manage, or sell real estate – don’t owe taxes as long as they pay out at least 90 percent of their net income to investors. That payout has traditionally made them popular as an income vehicle and portfolio diversifi er (though diversifi cation alone does not guarantee a profi t or ensure against a loss). There are many types of REITs, so be sure you understand how

the one you choose functions before investing.

Annuities for Lifetime IncomeVariable annuities and Fixed-index

annuities (also referred to as equity-indexed annuities) can be useful options for retirement savings because interest earnings are tax-deferred until withdrawn. These annuities also can be converted to a stream of income payments that can last for the rest of your life (annuitization). However, annuitization generally requires that you exchange your annuity account balance for income payments.

Due to growing demand for additional income options, many issuers are offering a rider, called a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefi t (GLWB), to variable annuities and fi xed-index annuities that allows you to get lifetime income payments while continuing to have access to the annuity’s remaining cash value.

Today’s ChallengeTo meet today’s challenge of a

low-interest rate environment, using a combination of the above income generating investment alternatives is proving to be a way to meet income needs of retirees. New ways to help you translate savings into income constantly are being created. These are only a few of the many possibilities, and there’s more to understand about each.

Anthony J. Pozzi is a vice president at Rockford Bank & Trust and a fi nancial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., specializing in retirement income and distribution planning.

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

anthony j. PozziRockford Bank & Trust

INSIGHTGuest Perspective

The search for income todayUse a combination of investments to fund future retirement income needs

While income investments alone are unlikely to meet all your needs, it’s important to understand some of the most

common investments that can provide income. One of the challenges of investing

14 focus on banking & financial sErVicEs MAY 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Key LegislationFinancial/TaxesThe following is current Illinois legislation in financial services and taxes, and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s positions.

financial sErVicEsState Community Bank (HB0007)Establishes a state-run community bank of Illinois.Sponsor: Rep. Flowers (D-Chicago)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Oppose

IRA Program (HB2461)Establishes an automatic Individual Retirement Account program for employees of employers that have not offered a qualified retirement plan within the last two years.Sponsor: Rep. Mell (D-Chicago)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Oppose

TaXEs False Claims (HB0074)Prohibits any court jurisdiction over a civil action relating to a false claim regarding certain tax acts administered by the Department of Revenue, unless the action is brought by the Attorney General. Chamber Initiative.Sponsor: Rep. Zalewski (D-Riverside)Status: Referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Support

Cell Phone Commission Tax (HB0155/SB1743)In regards to cell phones, the “selling price” and “gross receipts” do not include consideration paid by a third-party cellular service provider. Prohibits a tax on the commission of cell phones at retail stores.Sponsor: Rep. Hays (R-Danville)/Sen. Rose (R-Campaign)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules Committee/Postponed in RevenueIllinois Chamber Position: Support

EDGE Tax Credit Refundable (HB0967)Any credit awarded under EDGE may exceed the tax liability for the year the credit is computed. Provides that

excess credit amounts may be carried forward and applied to the tax liability of the five taxable years following the excess credit year or refunded to the taxpayer.Sponsor: Rep. Beiser (D-Alton)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Support

Space Property Tax (HB1053)Taxes land not as open land, but at full cash value.Sponsor: Rep. Sullivan (R-Mundelein)Status: Placed on calendar second reading – short debateIllinois Chamber Position: Oppose

Income Tax Reduction (HB1064)Reduces the rate of tax to 3% for individuals, trusts and estates, and 4.8% for corporations.Sponsor: Rep. Moylan (D-Des Plaines)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Support

Training Expense Credit (HB1072)Reinstates the training expense credit for tax years. Increases the amount of the credit from 1.6% of training expenses to 2% of training expenses.Sponsor: Rep. Lang (D-Skokie)Status: Referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Support

R&D Tax Credit (HB1204)Makes R&D tax credit permanent.Sponsor: Rep. Sosnowski (R-Rockford)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Support

EDGE Credits (HB1336)Changes how the EDGE credit is administered by moving approval of EDGE credits to a new Economic Development Board appointed by the Governor, limiting the amount and duration of the credit, and capping the total amount of EDGE credits to be awarded in FY 2014 to $100 million.Sponsor: Rep. Franks (D-Woodstock)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Oppose

EDGE Tax Incentive Payments (HB1500)Makes R&D tax credit permanent.Sponsor: Rep. Kay (R-Edwardsville)

Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Support

Income Tax Carryover (HB1510)Provides that no net loss carryover deduction shall exceed $100,000 for any taxable year ending on or after Dec. 31, 2012 and prior to Dec. 31, 2013 (instead of Dec. 31, 2014).Sponsor: Rep. Wheeler (R-Fox Lake)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Support

Financial Transaction Tax (HB1554)Imposes a 1% tax on the value of all financial transactions at all the Chicago exchanges.Sponsor: Rep. Flowers (D-Chicago)Status: Placed on calendar order of first reading, April 10Illinois Chamber Position: Oppose

Petroleum Exemption (HB2499)Provides changes to petroleum products to allow exemptions to fuel and petroleum products sold to or used by an aircraft carrier.Sponsor: Rep. Currie (D-Chicago) and Rep. Harris (R-Mount Prospect)Status: Placed on calendar second reading – short debateIllinois Chamber Position: Support

Electric Utility Invested Capital Tax (HB2558)Would remove the (indexed) tax cap limiting the amount of invested capital tax paid by electric utilities. The cap was created in 1998 as part of electricity deregulation and was intended to prevent a large increase in taxes for electric providers. Amounts paid in over the cap amount currently are credited back to the utilities and consumers receive the benefit of the credit through the formula rate mechanism. Removing the cap will result in higher electrical costs to consumers.Sponsor: Rep. Bradley (D-Marion)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Oppose

Use Tax/OCC Electricity (HB2559)Amends the various sales tax acts to provide that electricity, natural or artificial gas, and water delivered through pipes, pipelines or mains are not tangible personal property subject to sales tax and the producers of electric, natural gas or water service are not manufacturers for purposes of the machinery and equipment exemption. This is a Department of Revenue initiative to limit the scope of the Illinois Supreme Court’s Exelon decision, which held that electricity was tangible personal property for certain income tax purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Bradley (D-Marion)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Oppose

Property Tax Recapture (HB2901)Protects refund monies due to commercial and industrial taxpayers who challenge property tax assessments they believe to be

inaccurate and gives new fiscal tools to local taxing districts faced with substantial refunds when a large commercial or industrial taxpayer successfully challenges their property tax assessment. Chamber initiative.Sponsor: Rep. Zalewski (D-Riverside)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Support

ROTA Sourcing (HB3249)Changes the way retailers source their sales for purposes of determining the appropriate local sales tax rate. In place of the current law, which simply looks to where the purchase order is accepted, HB 3249 would require retailers to implement a much more difficult method that requires analyzing 12 different criteria and considering the degree to which each activity occurs at a particular location — with no one activity being determinative — to determine in which municipality or county the sale takes place.Sponsor: Rep. Franks (D-Woodstock)Status: Rule 19(a)/Re-referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Oppose

Graduated Income Tax (HJRCA0002)Will result in a higher income tax for all employees.Sponsor: Rep. Jakobsson (D-Champaign)/Rep. Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora)Status: Referred to Rules CommitteeIllinois Chamber Position: Oppose

Tax Cap Amendment (SB0043)Provides that a new rate may not exceed the statutory ceiling above which the tax is not authorized to be increased applies only for levy years 2005 through 2012.Sponsor: Sen. Lightford (D-Maywood)Status: Postponed – RevenueIllinois Chamber Position: Oppose

Property Tax Objection (SB1403)States that if a taxpayer objects to all or any part of a property tax assessment, the taxpayer may choose to pay all of the tax due or pay the amount of tax due for the year minus the amount attributed to any portion of the amount of the reduction in assessed value. Amendment No. 1 provides that if the requested in assessed valuation is greater than 25%, the taxpayer shall pay at least 75% of the tax due.Sponsor: Sen. Noland (D-Elgin) and Sen Althoff (R-McHenry)Status: Placed on calendar order of second reading, March 21Illinois Chamber Position: Support

Social Security Number Protection (SB2243)Aims at eliminating the requirement in the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act (ROTA) that corporate officers must submit their personal Social Security number on the ROTA registration forms. Chamber Initiative.Sponsor: Sen. Holmes (D-Aurora)Status: Placed on calendar order of second reading, March 14Illinois Chamber Position: Support

LEGISLATIVE UPDATEIssues to Watch

theVoice rockfordchamber.com MAY 2013 focus on banking & financial sErVicEs 15

rick bastianBlackhawk Bank

INSIGHTGuest Perspective

Ticking time bomb A critical handoff in leadership

There is a ticking time bomb that could undermine economic development in our region. It is not foreign competition, the nearly $100 billion in unfunded Illinois pension debt or the inability of local employers to find qualified candidates for vacancies. Although economic development efforts concentrate on recruitment and retention, the ticking time bomb is a powerful force that could suck much needed jobs, civic leadership, wealth and philanthropy out of the community.

We could be stuck with another generation of empty buildings. The ticking time bomb is the fact that more than 60 percent of closely-held and family-owned businesses expect a change in leadership or ownership in the next 10 years as Baby Boomers retire.

The Amerocks, Textrons, Barber Colmans, and other global giants, long ago reduced or eliminated many of their operations in the Rockford area. Family- and closely-held businesses now comprise the backbone of our local economy. Nationally, more than 90 percent of all businesses are closely-held or family-owned, and a full 80 percent of those have 20 employees or less. Nearly 60 percent of the U.S. workforce is employed by these enterprises, and according to the Small Business Administration, three quarters of all new jobs are created by these small businesses. Our stake is obvious in having a robust and vibrant small business community.

Survival Through the GenerationsFamily-held businesses face a

demographic tsunami. The pace of retirement may accelerate as Boomers conclude they are ready to throw in the towel -- the Great Recession having left them tired and discouraged. The ability of these businesses to thrive or

die depends on how well they effectively and proactively have planned for the future.

There is ample evidence that many family business owners have spent precious little time preparing the next generation for management or ownership, or building long-term value in the business, should their exit strategy ultimately be the sale of the business. More than 80 percent of current owners believe their business still will be in family hands in five years. Statistics may tell another story. Twenty percent of the owners have no estate plan; 40 percent have no transition plan at all. It is no wonder that only 30 percent of family-owned businesses survive to the second generation; 12 percent last through the third, and three percent survive through the fourth and beyond.

The growth and profitability of a successful family-owned business often has been based on tactical excellence: purchasing, production and craftsmanship. These owners excel in their chosen fields, but they too often manage day by day, their skills honed at “firefighting.” Unfortunately, the long-term success and survival of their business through an ownership transition depends on retaining this tactical excellence, along with strategic excellence that

prepares their business and the family for the future.

The Successful Transition Plan To plan and execute a solid

transition may take five years or more. All too many family business owners wait until very late in their career to plan a transition, when the options become limited or there are no real options at all. Sale or liquidation is forced, and jobs often are lost forever.

The owners have been very good at the tactical, at the expense of all but ignoring the future. So what does it take to do an ownership transition right? Owners should invest their time, energy and money in preparing the next generation of leaders. They should develop a strategic plan with engagement from family and other owners to get collective agreement, as well as focus on the future success and long-term value of the business. They should establish a clear definition of roles, responsibilities and expectations for owners and family members inside and outside of the business. They should put conflict resolution measures in place, such as buy-sell agreements, shareholder agreements that require mandatory arbitration, family councils and advisory boards. They should put mechanisms in place for funding the purchase of shares of deceased or incapacitated owners. Lastly, they should define a long-term exit plan that is something more than dying at their desk, and make sure their estate plans are aligned with their exit plan and succession strategies.

The success of a transition requires a new paradigm. The owner’s relationships with his or her lawyer, accountant, investment advisor, banker and insurance agents usually are

separate and

often involve

conflicting

advice dealing with different goals over

different timeframes. For the long-term

success and vitality of a closely-held or

family-owned business, the efforts of

these professionals must be coordinated

in a much more organic kind of way.

Getting everyone on the same page,

preparing the businesses and owners

for the future, will not be easy, but it

must be done.

Whether the transition plan is

succession or sale, if the owner has

done it right, there are a number of

very tangible benefits. There is a good

chance, because of thoughtful and

proactive planning, that the value of the

business will increase. Family harmony

will be maintained, or at least, family

conflict minimized. Management will

be in place to lead the company to long-

term success, either under continued

family or new outside ownership. An

orderly transfer of ownership to the next

generation of family or new ownership

would minimize the disruption of the

business and maximize the benefit to

the selling owner. Lastly, and perhaps

most importantly, the owner would

leave a permanent legacy.

The position of the company as an

employer, providing leadership and

philanthropy to the community, would

have the best chance of being preserved.

For the sake of our community, and us

all, this is the reality we must create.

Rick Bastian is president of Blackhawk Bank.

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

Family-held businesses face a demographic tsunami. The ability of these businesses to thrive or die depends on how well they effectively and proactively have planned for the future.

16 focus on banking & financial sErVicEs MAY 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Over the past few years, attracting and retaining businesses has made major news in the Rock River Valley. The campaign to bring Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to Rockford brought many members of the community together for a common purpose and caused much fanfare. Woodward Governor’s decision to remain in the Rockford area generated great praise and excitement from community members.

While attracting and retaining businesses is a valuable mission, cultivating the entrepreneurial spirits of students can be just as valuable.

No matter what business concept comes to mind, it is guaranteed that it was originally established by an entrepreneur hoping to grow his or her own idea. While many people hope and dream to one day own their own business, statistically, very few actually do. This is due to several factors, such as lack of resources, time, knowledge or simply not knowing where even to begin.

Rockford College’s High School Entrepreneurship Day’s goal is to prevent the latter. By providing high school

students with the basic knowledge on how to formulate an idea for a business and piece together a business plan, Rockford College hopes to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in Rockford’s youth.

Developing the Next Big IdeaRockford College hosted High School

Entrepreneurship Day on April 11 for about 150 students from Belvidere North, Boylan, East, Guilford, Jefferson, South Beloit and Roosevelt High Schools in an effort to inform them on the basics of becoming an entrepreneur. The event contained three brief seminars given by professors of the college. Jeff Fahrenwald spoke on what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Clarence Harper presented on how to market your product. Steve Kadamian talked about business planning and strategy. Students were given time after each presentation to work in groups to develop a business plan for their ideas, with the top four teams winning prizes.

To cap off the event, a panel of five local entrepreneurs fielded questions from the students: Hanee Razick,

Michael Hopkins, Helen Hill, Andrea Gibbs and Edward Caceres. Hanee is what one could describe as a serial entrepreneur, someone who sees opportunity around every corner and acts on it. He started Rockford’s first Mediterranean restaurant, Sahara, owns a body shop and is working with an M.D., to develop a topical headache remedy. Michael Hopkins is owner of a Rockford-based web design and development firm Oblique Ideas, which has done work with many local businesses and is very invested in local community. Helen Hill runs a one-woman show and has been creating marketing solutions for some time in Rockford. Andrea Gibbs is owner of Act2 Strategists, a consulting firm that helps businesses with everything from strategic planning to leadership training. Edward Caceres is founder of Nazca Energy, a company focused on helping people and businesses optimize their energy use by implementing LED lighting solutions.

Students asked the panel questions such as, how were they able to fund their businesses, what advice would they give

to young entrepreneurs, and why they decided to start their own businesses. Each panel member had unique insights and experiences to share with the students.

High School Entrepreneurship Day provided local high school students with a small glimpse into what it means to be an entrepreneur and how to develop a basic business plan. While these high school students may not be ready to use these tools yet, the tools are valuable assets should they decide to start their own businesses in the future. Events such as this can make a profound impact on the Rockford community. One of these 150 students very well could be the founder of the next great Rockford business -- exactly what the community is searching for right now and in the future.

Chris Olson and Nic Krause are 2012 graduates of Rockford College and MBA students and graduate assistants for the MBA program.

PERSPECTIVERockford College

Fostering the next great business ownerRockford College hosts Entrepreneurship Day

nic krauseRockford College

chris olsonRockford College

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 17

They say: “Home is Where the Heart is.” When I moved to Rockford with my wife, we didn’t know anyone or anything about our new city. My heart longed for the friends, family and places I left behind. Determined to make this place our home, my wife and I took every opportunity we could find to get out and meet people.

Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy! That is, until we found IGNITE!

IGNITE’s social and professional networking events gave us the chance to make a real connection to people and places in the Rockford area. I soon got more involved in IGNITE through the REACH Team. The REACH Team, along with EDUCATE and INVOLVE, is a critical part of how IGNITE works to attract and retain young professionals in the Rockford region.

The REACH Team focuses on social and professional networking events that help members form a connection with the people and places that make Rockford a great place to live, work and play. It plans and coordinates four main events a year, along with the monthly After 5 series. These events include the IGNITE

Anniversary Bash, IGNITE Golf Outing, Roaring Rockford, and Holiday Party.

Many Chances to Get ConnectedThe Anniversary Bash takes place in

late spring and will focus on introducing IGNITE to area young professionals while showcasing how members, new and old, can get involved in IGNITE’s mission. The event will take place at the Radisson with IGNITE Leadership Team members on hand to tell why IGNITE, its mission and the Rockford region is so important to them, along with answering any questions.

Our IGNITE Golf Outing is new this year at The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club on Sept. 9. IGNITE will be partnering with Next Rockford to fill the field for this fun event. It will be a great chance for members to network and show off their skills on the links!

Dress the part and travel back to the early 20th century for our Roaring Rockford event. Members and supporters enjoy a fun evening of dinner, dancing and charity casino games. The night includes recognition of IGNITE members and supporters for their efforts

to further IGNITE’s mission to attract and retain young professionals in the Rockford region. A silent auction filled with great gift baskets, art, event tickets and more allows attendees to enjoy our great city while supporting IGNITE!

Get in the spirit of the season and rejoice for another year of great work with IGNITE at the Holiday Party. This annual party celebrates all of the hard work members have put in over the past year with plenty of food, drink and merriment. We participate in the RHS Ambassadors Toy Drive to make the spirit a little brighter in the community.

Our monthly After 5 series gives young professionals a casual, relaxing atmosphere to mingle and network. This popular series allows young professionals to network socially and professionally, forming those critical relationships that really connect them to the Rockford area. The added focus on showcasing locally owned and operated businesses as the event locations gives a local boost and shows young professionals what the area has to offer.

My heart found a home here in Rockford. Thanks to organizations, like

IGNITE, that believe in this community, its people and places, my wife and I have developed relationships we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. The REACH Team events allowed us to bridge the gap that really connected us to the Rockford region.

What made Rockford my home? The wonderful, dedicated, forward-looking people that see the greatness that Rockford has to offer and places and businesses that bring such character, culture and beauty to the area. Since writing this article, I have exciting, bittersweet news that my wife has accepted a wonderful new job in the Kalamazoo, Mich., area, and we will be moving in the coming months. I hope to find people and businesses with the same dedication and passion for my new city that I found here in Rockford. No matter where I end up, a piece of my heart will always remain in Rockford.

For more details on IGNITE, visit www.igniterockford.com.

Patrick youngIGNITE

IGNITEYoung Professionals

What makes a city a home? Forming lasting relationships

18 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

The next few months will be a time of transition for District 205. Early this summer, I will be stepping down from my position as Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent Ehren Jarrett will take over leading the Rockford School District. I wholeheartedly endorse this move. I’m certain Dr. Jarrett will do a great job of leading District 205 to a bright future.

Other changes are coming as well. April’s school board election brought two new school board members to District 205: Michael Connor and Michael Harner. They will join incumbent members Lisa Jackson, Jude Makulec, Laura Powers, Tim Rollins and Ken Scrivano. Former Board President Harmon Mitchell and board member Ronnell Moore did not seek re-election.

The new school board will go through a period of transition, as all boards do when they welcome new members. But I’m confident the transition will be a smooth one and that we have the members in place to continue to guide District 205 in a positive direction.

When asked about the district’s biggest goals and challenges, there was significant agreement on issues among the new board.

n “Finding ways to increase student achievement across the board while decreasing the achievement gap is a long term goal,” according to board member Tim Rollins.

n “Developing effective solutions to maintain and increase student achievement in light of even more possible funding reductions from the State of Illinois is a critical long term challenge,” pointed out board member Ken Scrivano.

n Newly elected board member Michael Connors agrees, “Setting a long-range plan for District 205 that

provides for student achievement and financial sustainability will be one of the most important long term goals for the Rockford School district.”

Another hot-button issue is making sure our Facilities Master Plan receives the proper oversight for planning and implementation to ensure dollars are well spent. The College and Career Academies, being piloted at Jefferson High School, is another top priority for the upcoming school year. Getting comfortable with new superintendent, Ehren Jarrett, and finding effective ways to communicate with each other were other goals addressed by board members.

Reason for Optimism for the FutureEach school year brings a unique set

of challenges. The new Rockford School Board brings a strong sense of optimism to meet those challenges, based on what we’ve accomplished already.

Several board members believe the increasing broad-based support of the Rockford community is a key reason for that optimism. Other reasons include an excellent teaching staff as well as a highly-energized administrative staff that are dedicated to their students and their professional calling. Another major asset is the newly emerging College and Career Academies, which will provide unique, 21st century skills to high school students. And let’s not forget our students, who continue to amaze me with their desire to learn, to improve their own lives, and to make a difference in the Rockford community.

It all adds up to an exciting year ahead for the members of the Rockford School Board. We will be counting on them to help establish the vision that allows District 205 to continue to move forward in a way the entire Rockford community can be proud of.

A new school board, a new superintendent, a new school year

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 19

sherry gaumondLarson & Darby Group

INSIGHTGuest Perspective

Inspired design leads to inspired employees, increased productivity Designing effective office space is

more than making sure the desks are near electrical outlets and that there are enough chairs and desks for all employees. Well-designed, inspired workspaces are an integral part of employee satisfaction, which can lead to improved productivity and overall success. How departments interact with each other; creating functional workspaces within a reduced footprint; designing a more open office space with fewer private offices; choosing colors, textures and lighting — these all are elements that must be considered when designing a solution that best fits the needs of the employer and the employees.

Current trends call for spaces designed for easy collaboration and flexibility, while still providing work spaces that allow employees the ability to do head’s-down work. More than just putting a pool table in an empty corner and expecting employee satisfaction to rise dramatically, business owners who want to increase employee satisfaction and productivity first must consider their goals.

Each client is unique, so the process begins with talking about project goals to determine what office design trends might work best. Consider the following

elements when designing an inspiring and productive office space.

Flexibility/MobilityToday’s workers seek more flexibility

and mobility in their workspace. In many office spaces, we’re incorporating designs that include “hoteling” workstations, where employees who typically work remotely during the week easily can find a spot to plug in their devices and start working. In addition to saving money on underutilized office space, this concept gives employees an opportunity to find a workspace within the office that best suits their work style.

Another benefit to planning highly flexible workspace is that an organization can quickly respond to the needs of project teams. Office furniture that uses mobile storage units and work surfaces can expand and contract to accommodate special projects, without requiring the downtime of a major office furniture reconfiguration.

Teamwork/Lounge SpacesCompanies are placing more emphasis

on team development, and effective office design solutions can help team members work better together. Working in close proximity to one another allows for more frequent communication and better access

to managers. One trend is to take the office cubicle and give it a makeover, lowering the walls to allow for easy interaction and greater access to natural light, while still providing seated privacy.

Another trend incorporated into clients’ designs is planned collaborative areas. These areas should be strategically located within the open office to increase the likelihood of “accidental” interaction between employees. They can be used by employees who may need to get away from their desks for inspiration, or can be a lounge space where employees come together for free flowing interaction and brainstorming sessions. The key to successful collaboration is that it is a part of the initial office design and not an afterthought. Simply placing a bistro table and some chairs in a leftover space will not encourage effective and productive collaboration and teamwork.

Privacy/Sound MaskingWhile offices designed in the open

plan concept can lead to increased job satisfaction, interaction and productivity, the downside can be a perceived lack of privacy. We like to include ‘phone booths,’ or small rooms with a table and a phone, for employees to use when they need to

make personal calls or just need a quiet space to work from time to time. This is an easy element to incorporate into an office space to accommodate multiple work styles and levels of privacy.

Incorporating sound masking systems is something done for many clients. It allows employees in an open office to speak freely without worrying about disturbing or being distracted by their neighbor in the next cubicle. I recommend this option for large office spaces with employees who are on the phone during a majority of their workday or where teaming environments are the norm.

Inspired office design doesn’t have to be expensive or expansive, but it should be well thought out and in line with corporate goals. An inspired office space design not only will inspire your employees, it will enhance your corporate culture and improve overall productivity.

Sherry Gaumond, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C, is director of interior design at Larson & Darby Group.

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

20 focus on rEsToraTion sErVicEs MAY 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

The Winnebago County Health Department offers some personal health and safety precautions in the days and weeks following the recent flooding.

Disease Prevention Precautions n Do not drink water from private wells

in the flooded areas. Contaminated flood waters can impact private water wells in flooded areas, and the drinking water may not be safe to drink.

n Do not eat or drink anything exposed to flood water, or that may have gone bad due to lack of power to your refrigerator. Remember, “When in doubt, toss it out.”

n Minimize skin contact with flood water, especially cuts and sores. Keep them clean and covered.

n No one should be in flood water; do not allow children to play in flood water. Even shallow, rapidly flowing flood water may sweep you off of your feet.

n Keep contaminated objects, water and hands away from your mouth, eyes and nose.

n Wash hands frequently with soap and clean water, especially after bathroom use, before eating and immediately following contact with flood water or contaminated objects or surfaces.

n If you have a private septic system, be aware that you may have trouble flushing your toilet if your yard is flooded. Depending on your specific septic system, the hydraulic pressure from the water in your yard may cause the toilet to back up into your house!

Injury Prevention Precautions n Do not walk or drive on flooded roads.

n Turn off main power switches if necessary. Air out and wipe dry all appliances and electrical outlets exposed to water before use.

n If you have fuel oil or gas systems, ensure tanks are secure and that all lines are free from breaks.

n Wear rubber boots, gloves and an N95 or HEPA respirator mask during removal and cleanup.

n Open windows if possible to ventilate and dry the area. Fans can be used to help with drying.

Mosquito Prevention n The large amount of pooled water that

remains after a flood provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

n Be sure doors and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair to keep mosquitoes out.

n Drain standing water in old tires, tin cans, birdbaths, clean clogged gutters and any other places where mosquitoes might breed.

Personal Health RemindersAlways wash your hands with soap

and warm water. If you receive a puncture wound or a wound contaminated with feces or saliva, have a doctor or the health department determine whether a tetanus booster is necessary based on individual records. A tetanus booster is indicated if you were in direct contact with flood waters and have not been vaccinated in the last five years.

General Cleaning Guidelines Discard any contaminated objects

that cannot be thoroughly washed or laundered. Wash contaminated surfaces and objects with warm, soapy water and disinfect with a bleach and water solution of no more than one cup of bleach per one gallon of water. For objects that would be damaged by bleach, use a home or laundry disinfectant. Do not use ammonia, or mix ammonia and bleach. The vapors are hazardous. Scrub and wash all objects in the affected area of your home, including clothes, exposed to flood waters. Use warm, not hot, tap water with soap.

Carpets and RugsCarpets and rugs that cannot be

thoroughly dried and cleaned should be discarded and replaced. If the damaged

area is small, you may be able to save the carpet by cleaning the area with a mild detergent. There also are professional home cleaning services that may be able to clean your carpets.

Floors, Drapes and FurnitureFloors and hard surfaces should be

cleaned with a bleach and water solution made of no more than one cup of bleach per one gallon of water, or use a household disinfectant. A professional cleaner may be able to clean furniture and drapes.

BasementSafety is the primary consideration.

Never enter a flooded basement unless the electrical power is turned off! Turn off gas at the meter also. Wait to pump until flood waters have receded below basement level. Pump out standing water and remove all debris. Allow debris to drain before disposal. Strain away all liquids from trash. After straining trash, wrap in newspaper and store in garbage cans with a tight lid until pick up.

Paneling and wallboard must be immediately cleaned and dried thoroughly. If the damage is severe, they should be removed and replaced.

Food and Water SafetyIf you are on private water well in

flooded areas, use only bottled water for drinking, cooking, tooth brushing and bathing until you are sure the water supply is safe. Discard food exposed to contaminated waters. If refrigerators or freezers have taken in water, discard food stored there. If no water entered these appliances, but power was lost long enough for foods to thaw, discard all partially thawed foods unless prepared immediately. Discard milk, cheeses and other foods prone to spoilage. Completely thawed meats and vegetables should be discarded without question. Discard all bulging or leaking canned food and any food stored in jars. Undented, intact cans can be cleaned with a bleach solution before use.

For flood-related questions, call Winnebago County Health Department Environmental Health, 815-720-4100, during normal business hours. After hours and weekends, call 815-720-4000. Also, visit www.wchd.org.

Health and safety precautions after a flood

Credit: U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior/USGSU, Photo by Don Becker, U.S. Geological Survey

theVoice rockfordchamber.com February 2013 focus on rEsToraTion sErVicEs 21

The Salvation Army is distributing clean-up kits at several area fire departments for those in Winnebago County affected by the recent flooding. Kits include a bucket, gloves, mask, mop, brooms, sponges, garbage bags, bleach and other cleaning agents.

n New Milford Fire Department, 2177 Will James Road, Rockford, 815-874-4880

n Roscoe/Harlem Fire Department, 10544 Main St., Roscoe, 815-623-2341

n Machesney Park Fire Department (behind Village Hall), 300 Roosevelt Road, Machesney ParkAs the waters recede, The Salvation Army recommends flood victims

heed the following safety measures to remain safe as they return to their homes:

n Return home only when officials have declared the area safe. n Stay out of any areas of the house that remain flooded.

Wet wiring is an electrocution hazard. Call the utility companies to have your power and gas turned off.

n During cleanup, wear protective clothing, such as rubber gloves, eye protection and rubber boots.

n Do not use water that might be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.

n Do not mix bleach with ammonia. This produces dangerous, toxic chlorine gas.The Salvation Army also will offer long-term flood relief efforts,

including emergency financial assistance of furniture, clothing, food, rent and utilities for those who qualify. Eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Call The Salvation Army help desk at 773-205-3520.

To support The Salvation Army’s Disaster Services in Winnebago County, call 815-962-7207 or visit www.salarmywinnebago.org.

Area Salvation Army offers flood clean-up kits

What to expect from flood restoration services

Restoration services are all about two goals: Making sure that the damage is contained, and then quickly removing high-risk elements that could cause further damage if given time. Containment is important, because moisture is capable of being carried throughout the home at a fairly rapid pace. Water can wick through walling material, reach electrical wiring, or generally create an environment where mildew can grow rapidly.

Extraction is also time sensitive. Depending on the extent of the flooding damage, this could take anywhere from several hours to a full day, but you can expect most flood restoration to be performed within at least 48 hours of the initial call. Within that time frame, your home will be the most vulnerable to all of the long-term damage that water exposure can cause.

Drying needs to be performed with precision, targeting areas that are at high risk. Debris will also need to be removed, and sanitation services may need to be

performed to remove any bacteria or mold that your home may have been exposed to due to flooding or overflow.

Flooded carpet can be a huge problem, and you may be considering a full replacement. With certain types of carpeting, a replacement might not be a bad idea; in particular, cheaper carpeting may be much more inexpensive to replace than other types. However, if your type of carpeting cost a considerable amount of money, or if you have simply grown attached to the style and color of it, then you also have the option of having it restored. A flood cleaning service may be able to offer water extraction and carpet restoration, which could bring your wet carpet back to life. Before you decide on a replacement, you should get an estimate from a flood cleaning service. Carpet restoration services can also remove any lingering odors from the room.

With the right contractors for the job, your home should be back to normal within a brief period of time.

22 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

By David J. Byrnes, Midway Village Museum

Midway Village Museum is embarking on something new. In the tradition of the Trask Bridge Picnic, it is inviting the whole community to a picnic on its grounds at 6799 Guilford Road in Rockford, on Sunday, June 23.

The Trask Bridge Picnic began as a little harvest picnic for farm families in 1911. Word spread around the county and soon the local Grange was holding the picnic on Trask Bridge Road to accommodate all visitors. There were food booths and carnival rides, and politicians giving long-winded speeches. At its height in the 1950s, some 50,000 to 60,000 people attended the picnic -- making it the largest community picnic in the country.

I do not expect quite so many people at Midway Village, but I do hope to capture the same community spirit. Rockford lacks a place or event where the entire community can gather. Facing many challenges, we need a forum where Rockford’s diverse elements can begin to know one another. It is the vision of Midway Village Museum that we can start that forum here.

Come One, Come AllCalled the CommUNITY Pick-nic,

admission will be free for this family-focused event. Entertainment will include acoustical guitar, bluegrass and golden oldies groups, as well as national and ethnic music and dancing. Admission for entertainment, the museum and some of the village buildings will be free. Inexpensive tickets will be available for food and games, including bingo.

As Rockford’s history is linked to the sock monkey doll, we thought it would be fun to see how many sock monkeys we can stuff into a Kia automobile. The public is invited to bring their sock monkey dolls to be a part of the official total! There will be a celebrity dunk tank, a community flea market and community organizations that will hand out information about their work.

The Midway Village Museum staff and board want this to be a true community event. We invite everyone, east side, west side, from all parts of Rockford, to come.

Why a Community Picnic?Why would Midway Village Museum

hold a community picnic? It is the best institution for collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of Rockford for the enjoyment and education of the public. We have a vision that the

museum will be a place where the whole community can come together to discuss our shared history and how it impacts the future.

Last year, we started installing our Many Faces, One Community exhibit, which traces the history of immigration to Rockford. As a community, Rockford has not been blessed with a deep harbor, or abundant natural resources to exploit. Rather, the key to Rockford’s past successes has been its people. In the last 160 years, people from all over the world have come to Rockford to call it home. It is their perseverance against adversity that made Rockford a growing, prosperous community, and it’s this diverse community of people who will make Rockford grow again.

The museum is expanding its interpretation of history to include everyone in Rockford. As an organization concerned with the community’s past, we must also be concerned with its present and future. The past is prologue to the future. It is hard to see where you are going if you do not know where you’ve been.

Community SupportThis is an audacious event. A small

museum like Midway Village Museum is not equipped financially to provide free events, so we are hoping to recruit financial sponsors who can support this new experiment. Thank you to the companies and organizations that already have signed up as sponsors (as of this writing): ComEd, Rockford Park District, MembersAlliance Credit Union, Midland Financial, Gambino Realtors, Beefaroo (which is also assisting with food preparation) and Savant. We also are grateful to Maverick Media, The Rockford Register Star, WREX-TV and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce for their efforts to publicize the picnic. We need more help, but I am excited about those who have stepped up and for the community organizations that have responded with offers to reach out to their constituents.

This is a bold move by a small museum to take a first step towards bringing our community together. By getting to know one another, we eventually can create the dialog necessary for a united effort to move Rockford forward. There should be a place where this can happen. With its open fields, historical collections, exhibits and historical village, Midway Village Museum will be that place.

David J. Byrnes is president of Midway Village Museum.

Midway Village hosts community-wide summer event Entertainment in the spirit of historic Trask Bridge Picnic

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 23

If you are self-employed, the IRS wants you to know about a tax deduction generally available to people who are self-employed.

The deduction is for medical, dental or long-term care insurance premiums that self-employed people often pay for themselves, their spouse and their dependents. The insurance can also cover your child who was under age 27 at the end of 2012, even if the child was not your dependent.

You may be able to take this deduction if one of the following applies to you:

n You had a net profit from self-employment. You would report this on a Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business, Schedule C-EZ, Net Profit From Business, or Schedule F, Profit or Loss From Farming.

n You had self-employment earnings as a partner reported to you on Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.

n You used an optional method to figure your net earnings from self-employment on Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax.

n You were paid wages reported on Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, as

a shareholder who owns more than two percent of the outstanding stock of an S corporation.

n There are also some rules that apply to how the insurance plan is established. Follow these guidelines to make sure the plan qualifies:

n If you’re self-employed and file Schedule C, C-EZ, or F, the policy can be in your name or in your business’ name.

n If you’re a partner, the policy can be in your name or the partnership’s name and either of you can pay the premiums. If the policy is in your name and you pay the premiums, the partnership must reimburse you and include the premiums as income on your Schedule K-1.

n If you’re an S corporation shareholder, the policy can be in your name or the S corporation’s name and either of you can pay the premiums. If the policy is in your name and you pay the premiums, the S corporation must reimburse you and include the premiums as wage income on your Form W-2.

For more information, see Publication 535, Business Expenses. It’s available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Don’t miss the health insurance deduction if you’re self-employed

24 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

Why vacations are important

Most people know that vacations are a good thing. You get away, relax and come back recharged with fresh energy and enthusiasm.

Now there is new research conducted by Harris Interactive for the U.S. Travel Association that confirms this and sheds light on the important “hidden” impacts of travel.

The study shows that traveling together as a family strengthens bonds and creates a lifetime of memories. As chamber members, we focus a lot on our work. But, we value our personal lives and want to have the highest quality time with our families and friends.

Remember, a “family” is more than two parents and children; it could be an aunt and her niece or a bunch of cousins, and can even extend to a close-knit group of friends.

Vacation Survey ResultsHere are some of the findings by

Harris Interactive.

n Adults say that family vacations are clearly remembered decades later. Of the adult surveyed, 62 percent said their earliest memories of family vacations were when they were between five and 10 years of age. Those vacation memories were stronger than memories of school events or birthday celebrations.

n Youth surveyed said their vacation memories will last a long time. A significant 64 percent said that they get to see and do things on vacation that they’ll remember a long time; 53 percent said vacations bring families closer together.

n Parents underestimate the value of including grandparents on family vacation.

n Children who traveled with their extended family reported that they spent quality time with their grandparents, 78 percent; felt closer to them, 60 percent; and liked to remember stories about what they did with their grandparents, 65 percent.

How to Plan a Family Vacation to Remember Forever

n Plan some activities to do as a family.

n Kids say vacations are a time when they get to spend quality time with their parents. Take advantage of this opportunity.

n Consider including the children’s grandparents.

n Well over half the children reported feeling closer to their grandparents when they vacationed together. That’s priceless.

n Focus first on vacation activities.

n More children said what they did, rather than where they stayed or where they went, was their favorite memory.

n Do something adventurous or try something new.

n More than two-thirds of the children believe that a family vacation is a chance to try things they cannot do at home. These activities can broaden your children’s horizons, bring your family closer and create lasting memories.www.traveleffect.com.

Local Culver’s Co-Owner’s Vacation Tips

Stephanie Koch, co-owner and marketing manager of five Culver’s in Rockford and Roscoe, said vacations are “absolutely important” to her family. She and her husband have three daughters. “Day-to-day life can be so fast paced that having a few days set aside to intentionally connect and relax with family definitely strengthens relationships.” Her tips for successful family vacations are to think through the dynamics and activities for all ages beforehand and have one person in charge of important documents and handling reservations.

As to the importance of visitors to Rockford, she said Culver’s “definitely benefit from the influx of visitors and special events that draw people to Rockford. We try to make sure they have a great experience, give them a little taste of Rockford, help them with directions, etc.

“Guests have even left our stores with a napkin-drawn map and our phone number in case they get lost. We are big fans of the event calendar that the visitors bureau puts together and use it when scheduling our stores to maximize those busy athletic weekend events.”

National Travel & Tourism Week, May 4 to 12

Each May we celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week. It’s one more chance to share these facts about our local visitor industry.

n Visitors add $311 million into our local economy

n That means $5.07 million in local tax revenue, thanks to visitors, and

n Visitors support 2,600 hospitality jobs in Winnebago County

Remember, it’s the vacation journey together as a family that can make a lifetime of memories. Plan your summer vacation now, and encourage your friends and families to spend their next family vacation in the Rockford Region!

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

john grohRockford Area Convention &

Visitors Bureau

MEMBERSHIPMembership: 101

Membership Enhancement PackageAs you may be aware, a few months ago the Chamber upgraded its

website. With the upgrade came some additional benefits to members

on the online directory, allowing for even greater visibility and customization of listings. If you currently have an Enhancement Package, are you fully utilizing it? If not, we suggest making your listing more robust to further increase your visibility on the directory.

If you don’t yet have an Enhancement Package, consider adding one to your existing membership and start taking advantage of the enhanced benefits today.

somE addiTional fEaTurEs: n Listing in up to five separate categories

n Inclusion of up to 250 words of business description. All verbiage in the description pulls as key words in a search, thus enhancing your listing displays.

n Separate listing of your products/services

n Inclusion of your logo

n Embedding a video in your listing

n Embedding a picture in your listing

n Including a discount/ecoupon offer in your listing

n And more!

For more information, contact Diane Navickis, dnavickis@rockfordchamber.com or www.rockfordchamber.com.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 25

MEMBERSNew Chamber Members

aEro ElEcTric & communicaTions co.A Private Electrical Contractor Company Founded in 19997407 Edward Dr., Ste. 5Loves Park, IL 61111Shawn Bibby815-633-5004

all abouT homE sErVicEsBuilding Honest Relationships, Providing Quality Service, and Offering Reasonable PricesDavid Dutcher779-348-6933www.allabouthomeservices.com

andErsonbrEconFeatures Extensive Commercial Packaging Services to Meet the Needs of Global Market4545 Assembly Dr., 61109Lisa Buck815-484-8910www.andersonbrecon.com

burkE consulTing grouPHuman Capital Related, Business Consulting; Succession Planning, Performace Management, Talent Assessment, Compensation, EquityP.O. Box 700Roscoe, IL 61073Lori Burke815-222-7014

caPri rEsTauranT, inc.Fine Authentic Italian Restaurant Specializing in Handmade Foods, Fresh Ingredients and Large Portion Meals313 E. State St., 61104Vito Grisanzio, Jr.815-965-6341www.caprirockford.com

ch3 graPhics llcSpecializing in Producing Large Format and Specialty Graphics for a Variety of Projects321 Park Ave., Unit BSycamore, IL 60178Michelle Andersen815-981-4062www.ch3graphics.com

clEanusaFull Service Cleaning & Restoration for Home & BusinessJeff Wilming815-739-3732www.cleanusa.com

discounT TirEAmerica’s Largest Independent Tire Dealer Since 19607051 Fincham Dr., 61108Tim Nall815-397-9772www.discounttire.com

ETrainErs.orgProvides Professional eLearning Services to Large and Small BusinessesCheri Thompson815-603-0806www.etrainers.org

firsT EVangElical frEE churchBringing People into a Life-Changing Relationship with Jesus Christ2223 N. Mulford Road, 61107Steve Ralph815-877-7046www.firstfreerockford.org

gold canyonGold Canyon is the Finest Fragrance in the World!Sue Peterson815-398-8397www.suepeterson.mygc.com

hunTingTon lEarning cEnTErOffering Programs in Reading, Math, Writing, Study Skills, Exam Prep and Subject Tutoring5301 E. State St., Ste. 104, 61108Paula Grady815-395-1011

TransformaTions PlasTic surgErySurgical Procedures that Involve the Reconstruction of Specific Areas of the Body that have the Effect on Both a Person’s Appearance and Ability to Function1639 N. Alpine Road, Ste. 400, 61107Landon Pryor, M.D.815-977-4403www.drpryor.com

ON DIGITALMembers Caught on Digital

Wild Wild Westmor Lanes Grill & Bar held a ribbon cutting on April 5 at 2407 N. Central Ave. Rockford.

Riverside Community Bank held an open house & ribbon cutting on April 24 at 6855 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford

Rasmussen College held a ribbon cutting for its new nursing degree program on April 25 at its Rockford campus, 6000 E. State St., 4th floor.

Ceremonial ribbon donated by SERVPRO of Rockford.

Get to Know Your AmbassadorsName: Erin Jahn

Company: Rock Hospitality

Position: Director of Sales; Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, The Baymont and The Staybridge

How long have you been an Ambassador? Three months

What do you like most about being an Ambassador? What I like most about being an Ambassador is the opportunity to represent

the Rockford Chamber, while networking with other professionals in the area. I like that the Rockford Chamber offers an opportunity to meet and communicate with new members to build a strong community.

26 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

THE ECONOMYRegional, National Indicators

The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) increased 0.8% in February, to a seasonally adjusted level of 96.3 (2007 = 100). Revised data show the index was up 0.4% in January. The Federal Reserve Board’s industrial production index for manufacturing (IPMFG) moved up 0.6% in February. Regional output rose 5.9% in February from a year earlier, and national output increased 2.4%.

Midwest Manufacturing Output Increased in February

Monthly Index % Change

Dec 12 Jan 13 Feb 13 Feb 12 - 13

Chicago Mfg. Index 95.1 95.5 96.3 p 5.9

CFMMI-Auto 97.3 99.1 99.0 p 12.4

CFMMI-Steel 91.5 91.2 92.7 p 3.8

CFMMI-Machinery 95.7 95.6 97.2 p 2.0

CFMMI-Resource 91.5 91.4 91.9 p 2.6

IPMFG 96.6 96.5 97.1 p 2.4 Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Updated April 8, 2013

Population Clock

As of April 17, 2013: U.S. 315,691,363 World 7,079,382,698Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Unemployment Rates—Region, State, Nation

Feb 2013 Jan 2013 Feb 2012 Change/Mo. Change/Yr.

Rockford 13.4 13.0 13.0 q 0.4 q 0.4

Chicago 10.3 9.8 9.1 q 0.5 q 1.2

Illinois 10.5 10.1 9.5 q 0.4 q 1.0

United States 8.1 8.5 8.7 q 0.4 q 0.6

Source: U.S. Department of Employment Security

March, 2013Consumer Price Index q 0.2 percent

Unemployment Rate 7.6 percent

Payroll Employment p 88,000

Average Hourly Earnings p $0.01

Producer Price Index p 0.6 percent

Employment Cost Index p 0.5 percent (fourth quarter, 2012)

Productivity q 1.9 percent (fourth quarter, 2012)

U.S. Import Price Index q 0.5 percent

U.S. Export Price Index q 0.4 percent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

U.S. Indicators

Do you have news to share?Send news releases and other items of interest to the business community to:

The VOICE, Rockford Chamber of Commerce308 W. State St., Ste. 190, Rockford, IL 61101.

Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 27

board aPPoinTmEnTs, rETirEmEnTsKris Kieper, YWCA of Rockford, was appointed to the inaugural YWCA USA CEO Advisory Council.

nEw hirEs, PromoTions, rETirEmEnTsThe Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau promoted Lindsay Arellano (1) to director of sales & service.

Natural Land Institute’s Board of Trustees hired Kerry Leigh, ASLA, as its new executive director.

SwedishAmerican Medical Group/Cardiothoracic Surgery welcomed Dr. David M. Cheng (2).

Jonathan Mays (3) joined Alpine Trust & Investment Group as a retirement plan administrator.

Riverside Community Bank promoted Josh Houghton (4) to business banker.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners hired Michael Holan as its new executive director to replace retired Tom Kalousek.

The Rockford Area Economic Development Council named Kelly Galluzzo as its business attraction coordinator.

PR Etc., hired Emily Hartzog (5) as senior account executive.

Larson & Darby Group appointed Richard S. McClelland (6), AIA, NCARB, HCC, LEED AP BD+C, as vice president of operations and principal-in-charge of health care and senior living.

Pro Com Systems Division of Ballard Companies, Inc., promoted Matt Anderson (7) to warehouse

clerk and Jason Smith (8) to project estimator.

Bonnie Arrington (9), Spectrum Insurance Agency, Inc., completed her commercial casualty exam, leading toward her CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) designation and Jennifer Halvorsen (10) obtained her life/health license.

Entré Computer Solutions, Machesney Park, hired Terry Gettle as a senior project manager responsible for Microsoft-based projects and Cisco-related technology implementations.

Cardiac surgeon Bryan Lee, M.D. (11), joined the Rockford Health System Heart and Vascular Center as chief of cardiothoracic surgery.

EmPloyEE/communiTy rEcogniTions, awardsCrystal Dinwiddie (12), assistant professor of sociology, was the 25th recipient of the Rock Valley College Faculty of the Year award.

Jacob T. Fitzgerald (13), CFP®, branch manager, financial advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Rockford, IL earned/renewed Certified Financial Planner™ and CFP® certifications.

Retiring Executive Director, Jerry Paulson (14), was honored at Natural Land Institute’s Annual Dinner in March.

Stillman Bank presented several of its mortgage lenders with Awards of Excellence for real estate lending performance in 2012: Kathy Yocum (15) (bronze achievement), Amy Larson (16) and Bryan Markham (17) (silver achievement), Michael Anders (18), Mary Ann De Arvil (19), David Gatz (20) and Jean

Hausvick (21) (gold achievement). New Business Development Awards for outstanding residential real estate sales performance in 2012 went to: Brad Currens (22), Mary Ann De Arvil and Amy Larson.

Kerry Schaible, financial representative, Northwestern Mutual, qualified for membership in the Million Dollar Roundtable for leading life insurance producers.

Larry McFall (23), plant operations manager, Rock River Water Reclamation District, received the Water Environment Federation’s Hatfield Award during a statewide conference in Springfield.

Rockford Christian Schools’ Middle School Robotic Team, The Royal Narwhals, was named one

of the top three finalists, out of 477 teams from 23 countries. It’s eligible for the Global Innovation Award for its patent-pending innovation, the Magnetic Plug Adapter (MPA). The team includes: Leah McInerney, David Gartner, Konnor Gottfred, Connor Ciembronoweiz, Dalton Morris, JJ Bergstedt and Grant Singer.

of gEnEral inTErEsTSteven Schou (24), CFP, CFO senior partner, investment advisor representative, Klaas Financial inc., attended an investment conference for Hines Securities Institute on the Current Economy and Interest Rate Environment and the Impact of Debt with Equity.

IN THE NEWSMembers in the News

1. Lindsay Arellano

2. Dr. David M. Cheng

3. Jonathan Mays

4. Josh Houghton

5. Emily Hartzog 6. Richard S. McClelland

7. Matt Anderson 8. Jason Smith

9. Bonnie Arrington

10. Jennifer Halvorsen

11. Dr. Bryan Lee 12. Crystal Dinwiddie

13. Jacob T. Fitzgerald

14. Jerry Paulson 15. Kathy Yocum 16. Amy Larson

17. Bryan Markham

18. Michael Anders

19. Mary Ann De Arvil

20. David Gatz 21.Jean Hausvick

22. Brad Currens 23. Larry McFall 24. Steven Schou

May 2013 Member AnniversariesThank you to the members who celebrate their anniversaries with the

Rockford Chamber in May 2013.

40-yEar mEmbErsBeefaroo, Inc.Golf Shack

35-yEar mEmbErsChem Processing, Inc.Gruno’s DiamondsService Machine Company, Inc.

30-yEar mEmbErRockford Urological Associates, Ltd.

25-yEar mEmbErShelter Care Ministries Employment Program

20-yEar mEmbErDiscovery Center Museum of Rockford

15-yEar mEmbErsForever Green, Inc.Stillman BancCorp N.A.

10-yEar mEmbErSwanson’s Discount Vacuum, Inc.

5-yEar mEmbErsATRONA Test Labs, Inc.Bridge MinistriesOur Children’s Homestead Der RathskellerSchafer Gear Works Rockford, LLCSpring Ridge Senior HousingVisions Lighting and Accessories

28 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

BUSINESS BRIEFSBusiness Briefs

The American Institute of Architects of Northern Illinois awarded Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects with five of the nine design awards given, including the prestigious Award of Excellence for its design of Rock Valley College Karl J. Jacobs Center for Science and Math.

Rock Valley College received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report.

The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hired PR Etc., to provide marketing, event planning and public relations services on an interim basis, and the YMCA of Rock River Valley for regional marketing activities. Harlem School District hired the firm to enhance its brand, create a communications plan and promote community engagement. PR Etc., oversaw the ribbon cutting activities for a new GFS Marketplace store in Lighthouse Point, Fla. It assisted in the opening of six new stores in 2012.

Children’s Home + Aid launched the Blue Bow Campaign to create awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, with various area organizations placing blue bows on the counters of their entrances.

The $31 million Price Credit Union, headquartered in Prentice, Wis., merged with Madison-based Heritage Credit Union, with a branch in Rockford, in April.

Brian Thomas Photography contributed corporate photography to Regal’s (formerly Regal-Beloit) annual report, available at www.regalbeloit.com.

EIGERlab held a press conference in April for the national product launch of client and FastPitch competition participant Adrian Vasquez’s new product – a three-way adjustable hair dryer nozzle.

Rockford Park District announced the opening of the driving range at Sinnissippi Golf Course, as well as Elliot Golf Course, Sandy Hollow Golf Course and Ingersoll Golf Course. Visit www.rockfordgolfs.org.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., a logistics company with more than 1,850 employees in 10 Illinois offices, was named a National Top Workplace.

Riverside Community Bank presented $1,600, raised in part by customers and staff, to Q98.5’s 21st annual St. Jude Radio-Thon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at CherryVale Mall.

The Rockford Park District Spring/Summer 2013 Youth and Adult Program Guide is available online at www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/guides.

The OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Foundation funded the purchase of 44 KingVISION video laryngoscopes for its Emergency Medical Services Department to share with 17 partner agencies in the region.

SwedishAmerican Medical Group announced the opening of its new primary care clinic at 380 IL Rte 38 East in Rochelle’s Caron Ridge Shopping Center.

Hundreds of area high school and middle school students competed in the Northern Illinois Regional Science Olympiad at Rock Valley College, with Harlem High School placing first. H.D. Jacobs, Rockford Auburn, Westminster Christian, Durand and Hononegah high schools placed second through sixth and all advanced to the state tournament at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana in April.

SwedishAmerican Hospital partnered with iTriage® – a one-stop smartphone healthcare app that lets consumers quickly and easily access information about symptoms, diseases and procedures, and alerts hospital staff of an impending arrival.

Savant Capital Management launched Savant Social, a section of its website with Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and video, market commentary, investment and financial tips, and links to suggested reading. Visit www.savantcapital.com/social.

Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital is one of nine in HealthSouth’s network of 100 rehabilitation hospitals to be recognized as a 2013 Stroke Center of Excellence.

The University of Illinois School of Architecture (Urbana), Rockford Housing Authority, Camiros LTD, along with Ellis Heights neighbors and community members, gathered on April 8 to review the Choice Neighborhoods second draft of the community concepts and visions. Final drawings for the Ellis Heights Neighborhood concepts are to be completed in May. For more information, call 815-489-8500.

Rockford Spine Center spine surgeons concluded a 10-year study, published in medical journal Spine, for applying a powder version of the antibiotic Vancomycin directly into the wound, rather than the intravenous route. This proved more effective at reducing infection rates. Other surgeons now are adopting the method and launching their own studies.

KMK Media Group, Inc., completed the design and production of the 2012 Community Benefit Report for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley, including highlights of its core values: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

HomeStart, a northern Illinois not-for-profit agency that helps consumers with home ownership issues, receives a $96,500 grant to strengthen neighborhoods through housing and community development initiatives.

The Winnebago County Health Department pollen count report will be listed Monday through Friday at www.wchd.org and 815-720-4140. As pollen counts increase, so do allergy symptoms in the allergic population.

The J.D. Power and Associates 2013 Financial Advisor Satisfaction Study ranked Edward Jones highest in employee advisor satisfaction among financial investment firms for the fifth time since 2007. It received the highest satisfaction ratings in eight of the nine study factors, which placed the firm 212 points ahead of the industry average.

Rockford Memorial Hospital received for the sixth time in seven years the Healthgrades® Patient Safety Excellence Award™, placing it within the top 10 percent of all hospitals

nationwide for safeguarding hospital patients from serious, potentially preventable complications. It’s the only hospital in Rockford ever to receive the award.

Rockford Park District’s Aldeen Golf Club offers businesses its Aldeen Advantage Program for entertaining vendors or clients, thanking customers and rewarding employees. Members receive a discount of up to 75 percent off normal rates; pre-printed tickets, and a deductible entertainment expense. Visit www.aldeengolfclub.com or call 815-282-GOLF (4653).

Pearson partnered with the Rockford Aviators, Rockford’s newly renamed baseball team, as presenting sponsor for the 2013 season.

On the second Saturday of each month, Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, will offer kid-themed activities.

Discovery Center Museum was named one of the “10 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S” by Family Vacation Critic. Visit www.familyvacationcritic.com. The museum served 265,000 people in 2012 — a new record.

Goodwill Industries International partnered with Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, who will help raise awareness about its mission of transforming lives through work. Beyoncé will promote donation drives at her North American concerts beginning on June 28. Goodwill will host mobile donation centers at 28 tour venues in 24 North American cities, collecting clothing, electronics and small household goods.

5 Star Quality Care named Crimson Pointe Assisted Living the Region 2 “Community of the Year for 2012”.

Descendants of Rosecrance founders, the family of Robert and Beverly Rosecrance of Rockford, received the Castle Award at the Rosecrance Foundation Benefit in April. The event drew 800 and raised a record $500,000 for the Kinley Charity Care Fund, which assists families without insurance or personal resources to pay for substance abuse or mental health treatment.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 29

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

Wednesday, May 1Rockford Public Library presents a Hire Me! Resume Workshop (two-part series), May 1 and 8, 6 to 8 p.m., main library second floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. Registration not required. Call 815-965-7606.

Go Global 2013 international trade conference, Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford. Features speaker Tim White, president, Electric Systems, Power, Controls & Sensing Systems, UTC Aerospace Systems. Register at www.goglobal-itc.com or 815-969-4267.

Illinois PTAC at Rock Valley College presents DBE Roundtable & Trucking, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at EIGERlab, 605 Fulton Ave, Rockford. Register at ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com or contact Ann Johns, 815-921-2091 or ptac@rockvalleycollege.edu.

Friday, May 3Winnebago County CASA hosts its 19th annual “Lift Up a Child’s Voice … A Child’s Life” Dinner & Auction with speaker Judge Mary Linn, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Social hour, silent auction and Chinese auction at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m. For tickets visit www.winnebagocountycasa.org or call 815-319-6880.

Healing Pathways Cancer Resource Center presents the Run for the Roses, 6 p.m., a Kentucky Derby-style event at Prairie Street Brewhouse, Rockford. Cocktails on the deck, dinner in the Brewhouse Barrel Room, “Over the Top - Derby Bonnet or Hat Competition,” “Chair”ity Auction. Place donation on your horse to win. Call 815-395-5649. Visit www.healingpathwayscrc.org.

Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, opens its Victorian Village with a Visitor Appreciation Weekend. May 3, Civil War Lamp Light Tour. May 4, Old River Tales historical performances, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. May 5, Circle the City: An Historical Bus Tour of Rockford, noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m., in partnership with Rockford Lutheran Academy. Call 815-397-9112 or visit www.midwayvillage.com.

Saturday, May 4Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful hosts its Metals & Electronics Drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Machesney Park Mall south parking lot; No TVs. Visit www.knib.org.

University of Illinois Extension hosts a Whimsical Fairy Gardening class, 10 a.m. to noon, Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden with master gardener Rachel Walters-Stefanini. Register at web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw or 815-986-4357.

The American Heart Association hosts the 2013 Northern Illinois Heart

Walk, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford. Opening ceremonies at 8 a.m.; walk at 9 a.m. Visit rockfordilheartwalk.org or call 815-262-1428.

Sunday, May 5Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, and the Northwest Illinois Farm Bureaus presents E-I-E-I-O, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org or call 815-963-6769.

Monday, May 6The Rock River Valley Blood Center and the Rockford Ravens Rugby Football Club host a Blood Drive, Blackhawk Park, 101 15th Ave., Rockford, 4 to 8 p.m. Call 877-RRVBC-99 or visit www.rrvbc.org for an appointment.

The Business & Professional Institute at Rock Valley College’s Woodward Technology Center, 3301 N. Mulford Road, hosts a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification course, May 6 to 8, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Testing for certification on final day. One year of Minitab Software included. Requires a laptop. Call Sharon Charles, 815-921-2071 or Dawn Ousley, 815-921-2066.

Tuesday, May 7The Literacy Council hosts free Tutor Workshops, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 982 N. Main St., Rockford, for future volunteers to teaching reading to adults. Visit www.theliteracycouncil.org or call 815-963-READ.

Wednesday, May 8Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence presents Begging for Change: Promoting Community Innovation to Find Fresh Solutions to Solvable Issues, a luncheon and dialogue session, Rockford College, 5050 E. State St. Keynote speaker is Robert Egger. Register asap with Karen Ream, 815-394-4384 or kream@rockford.edu.

Thursday, May 9Rockford MELD hosts Dream It, Believe It, Work It: Setting Goals to Get What You Want with Jill Blashack Strahan, founder and CEO of Tastefully Simple, 5:30 p.m., Giovanni’s. Call 815-633-6353 or visit www.rockfordmeld.org.

Rockford Public Library presents Finding Grants for a Non-Profit Organization, 2 to 3:30 p.m., main library second floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. Registration required at 815-965-7606.

Shelter Care Ministries’ Annual Spring Luncheon: Helping Hands … Caring Hearts, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tebala Shrine Temple, 7910 Newburg Road. For more information contact Carol West 815-708-2650 or cwest@shelter-care.org.

Friday, May 10Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden hosts its free Spring Plant Sale & Preview Night at 2715 S. Main St., Rockford. Preview Night is May 10, 5

to 8 p.m. Plant sale is May 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; May 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission May 11, 12. Visit www.klehm.org.

Barbara Olson Center of Hope presents its Celebrate HOPE! dinner-dance fundraiser at Giovanni’s in celebration of its 65th anniversary. Paul Logli emcees. Silent and live auctions. Guests will speak about how the Center of Hope serves the community through its innovative programs. Rockford’s own Clutch Cargo will perform. Register by May 2 at 815-964-9275, ext. 265, or www.b-olsoncenterofhope.org (Events).

Chick-fil-A® Leadercast®: a one-day leader development event broadcast on Friday, May 10 at 7 a.m., LIVE from Atlanta and hosted by First Free Rockford, 2223 N. Mulford Road. National speakers are Jack Welch, Mike Krzyzewski, Condolezza Rice and more. Tickets at www.chick-fil-a leadercast.com; PromoCode: Rockford Chamber for $10 off general admission.

Saturday, May 11Rockford Public Library presents Fresh and Local – Where to Get It, 2 to 4 p.m., East Branch Friends of RPL Community Room, 6685 E. State St. Registration required at 815-965-7606.

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful hosts its Clothing Drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at nine locations. Visit www.knib.org.

Tuesday, May 14University of Illinois Extension Winnebago County presents an Emerald Ash Borer Homeowner Management Workshop, 6 to 7 p.m., North Suburban Library, 6340 N. Second St., Loves Park. Register at web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw or call 815-986-4357.

Wednesday, May 15Illinois PTAC at Rock Valley College presents Documentation & Survey Techniques, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at EIGERlab, 605 Fulton Ave, Rockford. Register at ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com or contact Ann Johns, 815-921-2091 or ptac@rockvalleycollege.edu.

Thursday, May 16The Illinois PTAC of Rock Valley College presents Creating a Capability Statement Workshop, 9 to 11 a.m., EIGERlab, 605 Fulton Ave., Rockford. Free, but registration recommended at ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com. Click Training Events, keyword “capability.”

Saturday, May 18Rockford Park District presents its 10th annual Rockford Football Training Camp for boys and girls, 5 to 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Auburn High School stadium, 5110 Auburn St. Features Bears players Lance Briggs and Roberto Garza as guest speakers/instructors. Visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/youthsports or call 815-987-8800 or 815-962-7469.

Rockford Park District’s Atwood Center presents In the Outdoors,

7 to 9 p.m. Night hike and s’mores around the campfire, Seth B. Atwood Park, 2685 New Milford School Road, Rockford. Visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/atwood or call 815-987-8800.

Alpine Bank and Paper Recovery Service Corp., host their spring Community Shred Day, 9 a.m. to noon, East State Street Branch parking lot, 6838 E. State St., Rockford. Visit www.bankalpine.com or call 815-398-6500.

Applebee’s® Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m., Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 6845 E. State Street, Rockford, to benefit Rock House Kids. Pancakes, sausage and drink for $5. Includes perennial plant sale. Call 815-962-5067.

Tuesday, May 21University of Illinois Extension Winnebago County presents a workshop, Rain Barrels, 6 to 7 p.m., 1040 N. Second St., Rockford, with horticulture educator, Candice Miller. Register by May 15 at web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw or call 815-986-4357.

Wednesday, May 22Remedies Renewing Lives hosts its sixth-annual Golf Outing at Aldeen Golf Club. Free putting clinic with Duncan Geddes, PGA professional, 11 a.m.; lunch at noon; shotgun start at 1 p.m. Best ball format. Prizes at day end. www.remediesrenewinglives.org or contact Janet Johnson, 815-966-1285 or jjohnson@remediesrenewinglives.org.

Thursday, May 23Rockford Park District hosts Group Golf Lessons, adults ages 55 and up at Aldeen Practice Centre, 1901 Reid Farm Road, Rockford, Thursday afternoons, May 23 to June 20. Register a week in advance at www.rockfordgolfs.com/lessons.html or 815-987-8800.

Saturday, May 25Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., presents Treasure! Your Hunt Has Just Begun, a traveling exhibition through Sept. 2. Visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org or call 815-963-6769.

Wednesday, May 29Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Rockford College hosts a Leadership Café, “Is the relationship between your board and staff helping or hindering your organization’s success?” noon to 1 p.m., Burpee Center, Rockford College, 5050 E. State St. RSVP five days prior—call 815-394-4384 or email kream@rockford.edu.

Friday, May 31Klaas Financial hosts a Charity Golf Event to benefit Patriots’ Gateway Community Center at Aldeen Golf Course. Shotgun start at 8 a.m. Cart and green fees, buffet lunch and charity donation. Visit www.patriotsgateway.org. To register, call Jean Lopez, 815-877-8440.

COMMUNITYCommunity Events

30 May 2013 theVoice rockfordchamber.com

may, 2013

Friday, May 3Ribbon Cutting & Open House, Andy’s Professional Landscaping & Garden Center, 4035 S. Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, 9 to 11 a.m.

Tuesday, May 7Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Christina Valiquette, Valiquette Resource Group, presents “What’s Your Next Level of Achievement Personally and Professionally?” Sponsored by Siena on Brendenwood.

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Thomas Conwell, MSI Reverse, tconwell@msiloans.biz.

Wednesday, May 8Breakfast Buzz, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Rock Valley College Woodward Technology Center, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford. Janyce Fadden, Rockford Area Economic Development, presents “Leading with Kindness and Results.” Sponsored by McGladrey.

wednesday, may 8 noon - 1:00 pm rockford college 5100 bldg. 5050 E. state st., rockford

PYSK TALKSLoRayne Logan, workplace Staffing, is presents “Career Moves – Knowing and Spotlighting Your Strengths and Abilities.”

Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, Whitehead Inc., Realtors®, tlwatts@whiteheadcommercial.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Tiffany Staman, Carpenter’s Place, 815-964-4105, ext. 221, or tiffanys@carpentersplace.org.

Thursday, May 9Ambassador Lunch Meeting, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford. Thursday, may 9 11:30 am - 1:00 pm clock Tower resort 7801 E. state st., rockford

Celebration of Leadership Celebrate the graduation of the Rockford Chamber’s 58th leadership class. Mike Brown, president/CEO, YMCA of Rock River Valley, will share his experiences on leadership. Sponsor: PNC Bank (presenting); OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, McGladrey, Savant Capital Managment (supporting)

Friday, May 10Government Affairs Council, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420

Charles St., Rockford. To join call Heidi Garner at 815-316-4312.

2013 Tri State Alliance Summit, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., The Eclipse Center, 100 Eclipse Center, Beloit, Wis. Features Mark Gottlieb and Ann Schneider, Wisconsin and Illinois transportation secretaries; Kelly O’Brien, Chicagoland Chamber, on the “Chicago Regional Competitive Analysis and the Role for Alliance and Regional Development.” Panel discussion on the changing use of river corridors for economic development, with representatives from Dubuque, Janesville, Beloit and Rockford.

Tuesday, May 14Chamber 101 with Speed Networking, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., Benson Stone Company, Inc., 1100 11th St., Rockford. Sponsored by MembersAlliance Credit Union.

wednesday, may 15 noon - 1:00 pm rockford college 5100 bldg. 5050 E. state st., rockford

PYSK TALKSBill LaFever, Bill Doran Company, is presenter.

Wednesday, May 15Ribbon Cutting, Huntington Learning Center, 10 to 11 a.m., 5301 E. State St., Ste. 104, Rockford.

monday, may 20 start: 11:00 am forest hills country club 5135 forest hills rd., rockford

Rockford Chamber Golf Classic 11 a.m. registration/lunch; noon shotgun start

Sponsors: SwedishAmerican Health System (presenting); Comcast Business Services (gold); OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (photo); The Alliance (green)

Tuesday, May 21Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Thomas Conwell, MSI Reverse, tconwell@msiloans.biz.

wednesday, may 22 noon - 1:00 pm rockford college 5100 bldg. 5050 E. state st., rockford

PYSK TALKSDan Cataldi, Rock Valley College/EIGERlab, presents “3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing and How It could Impact Rockford.”

Wednesday, May 22Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, Whitehead Inc., Realtors®, tlwatts@whiteheadcommercial.com.

EVENTSUpcoming Chamber EventsMembership Renewals Thank you to members who renewed with the

Rockford Chamber in March, 2013.

Ahern Fire ProtectionAkerman ShoesAmerican Driveway Maintenance, Inc.Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.Associated BankAstro-Physics, Inc.Barbara Olson Center of HopeBehr Iron & MetalBell Harbour Condo AssociationBMO Harris BankBoone and Winnebago Counties Workforce Investment BoardButitta Brothers AutomotiveCampos Construction, Inc.Carpenter’s Local 792Coca-Cola RefreshmentsCOMTECH CorporationCRASH1 Off AlpineCricket CommunicationsDeSoto House HotelDHS Division of Rehabilitation ServicesDickerson & Nieman RealtorsEnders FlowersESCO Grinding & Supply CompanyFisher’s Ethan AllenFour Corners Wellness CenterFridh Construction ServicesFurst SearchGauerke Electric CompanyGemini Computer Systems, Inc.General Mitchell International AirportGiordano’sGitz-Meier Remodeling/RestorxGuyer & Enichen, PCH. C. Anderson Roofing Co. Inc.Hanson Professional Services Inc.Harlem Community CenterHolmstrom & Kennedy, P.C.Hooters of RockfordHurd Properties II, LLCIntegra Business Systems, Inc.Interstate GraphicsJ.J. Paris, Inc.J.L.Clark, A CLARCOR CompanyJPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.Kent Feeds, Inc.Klaas Financial, inc., Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC, Registered Investment Advisor, A Reg. Inv. Advisory FirmKnopp Construction Inc.Lamar Outdoor Advertising of RockfordLaMonica Beverages, Inc.Larson & Darby GroupLeading Edge HydraulicsLindstrom TravelLSP Industries, Inc.Mack Paper Company, Inc.Macktown, A Living History Education CenterMarch of DimesMark Pack Inc.McGladrey LLPMegaFabMeridian PromotionsMondelez InternationalMutual Management ServicesNorthern Illinois Building Contractors AssociationNorthpoint Benefit Group Inc.Northwest Community CenterNorthwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades CouncilNorthwestern Mutual Financial Network/M. Beth ThackerOliver Close, LLCOlsson Roofing Company, Inc.

Ongena DentalPaper Recovery Services Corp.Pepper Creek/Fourth Street GreenhousePepsi-Cola of RockfordPerryville CRASH1Phantom RegimentPoliceman’s Benevolent & Protective Association Unit 6 - RockfordPreservation Pointe Condo AssociationPumilia Family Dental GroupRed Roof InnRobert W. Baird & Co. IncorporatedRock River Training Corp.Rock Valley Packaging, Inc.Rockford Area Crime Stoppers, Inc.Rockford Area SHRM (Society for Human Resources Management)Rockford Career CollegeRockford Charter CoachRockford Data ManagementRockford FirstRockford Gastroenterology Associates, Ltd.Rockford Health SystemRockford Mass Transit DistrictRockford Mass Transit District/ParatransitRockford Mercantile Agency, Inc.Rockford Register StarSam’s Club, A Division of Wal-Mart StoresSandray Precision Grinding, Inc.Schmeling Construction Co.Schneider ElectricSelect Telecom & Technologies dba Hughes BusinessShogun Japanese Restaurant Izakoya 88Sjostrom & Sons, Inc.Sound, Inc.Specialty Screw CorporationSprinkmann Sons CorporationState Farm Insurance – David ZierkeState Farm Insurance – Julie WeaverStaybridge SuitesStenstrom CompaniesStifel, Nicolaus & Company, IncorporatedSuperior Joining Technologies, Inc.SwedishAmerican Health SystemTDSThe ObserverThe Oliver Group Inc.The Testor CorporationTinker Swiss Cottage MuseumTriangle Metals, Inc.University of Illinois Extension Winnebago CountyVan Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation HospitalVillage of Machesney ParkVoss Metals Company, Inc.Willett Hofmann & Associates, Inc.Williams-Manny, Inc.Winnebago County Medical SocietyWipfli LLPWomen of Today’s Manufacturing (WOTM)WQRF-TV/WTVO-TVYoungberg Industries, Inc.Zuba and Associates, P.C.

theVoice rockfordchamber.com May 2013 31

ADVERTISERSAdvertisers Index

The Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25Alpine Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2, 11Brian Thomas Photography. . . . . . . .4Broadmoor Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Comcast Business Services . . . . . .32EdwardJones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14First National Bank and Trust Company . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . .12IMEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Lydia Urban Academy . . . . . . . . . . .22MassMutual Financial Group . . . . . .15McGladrey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3MembersAlliance Credit Union . . . .11Midland States Bank . . . . . . . . . . . .15Midway Village Museum . . . . . . . . .10OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Riverside Community Bank . . . . . . .13

Rockford Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . .16Rockford Bell Credit Union . . . . . . .14Rockford Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . 4, 5,18, 22, 23, 26 Rockford Health System . . . . . . . . .17Rockford Tech-Systems Inc. . . . . . .12Savant Capital Management . . . . . .16Servpro of Rockford . . . . . . . . . . . .20Sikich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Stanley Steemer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Stillman Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12SwedishAmerican Health System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Thayer Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3TLC Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Upstream Investments Partners . . .18Vacations by Veronika . . . . . . . . . . .24Van Galder Bus Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Chamber Staff / Call 815-987-8100 ............................................. Direct LineEinar K. Forsman, President & CEO .........................................815-316-4304Heidi M. Garner, Executive Assistant to the President ...................815-316-4312Doug Hessong, Director of Publications & Technology ..................815-316-4338Lynette Jacques, Advertising and Sponsorship Executive ..............815-316-4317Vee Jevremovic, Manager of Education Programs and Events .........815-316-4337Cyndie Landis, Financial Assistant ...........................................815-316-4300Joy Moriarty, V.P. Finance ......................................................815-316-4316Stacy Mullins, Director of Events .............................................815-316-4302Diane Navickis, Membership Development Manager ....................815-316-4315Joan Sundvall, Membership Contact Coordinator ........................815-316-4320

EXEcuTiVE commiTTEE

Chairman of the BoardRichard WalshSwedishAmerican Health System

Vice ChairPatti ThayerThayer Lighting, Inc.

Vice ChairRichard ZumwaltOSF Saint Anthony Medical Center

TreasurerLarry BridgelandMid-City Offi ce Products

Immediate Past ChairmanMike BroskiEntré ComputerSolutions

dirEcTors

Romero BennettBlue Sky Insurance Agency, Inc.Andrew BensonBenson Stone Company, Inc.Ryan BraunsRockford Consulting & BrokeragePaul CallighanComEd, An Exelon CompanyJoe CastrogiovanniGiovanni’s, Inc.J ChapmanMaverick Media of Rockford LLCRena CotsonesNorthern Illinois UniversityDarlene FurstFurst Staffi ngJeff HultmanRiverside Community Bank

Penelope LechtenbergHinshaw & Culbertson LLPMichael MastroianniRock Valley CollegePaul McCannStanley SteemerPat MorrowAlpine BankAmy OttChicago Rockford International AirportMark PetersonCBL Associates Cherry ValeMichele PetrieBMO Harris BankTimothy RollinsWilliamsMcCarthyDaniel SaavedraSaavedra Gehlhausen ArchitectsHenry SeyboldRockford Health System

Pat ShawMcGladrey LLP

Somchan ThatsanaphonK-I Machine Tool & Production Inc.

Tim WhiteUTC Aerospace Systems

Jennifer WoodSikich LLP

EX-officio dirEcTors

Janyce FaddenRockford Area Economic Development Council

Einar K. ForsmanPresident & CEO, Rockford Chamber of Commerce

John GrohRockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Chamber Board of Directors & Offi cers

EVENTSUpcoming Chamber Events

june 2013 special sections

advertising/marketingrecreation/golfTravel/cooking

for information on

advertising, call 815 987-8100

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Tiff any Staman, Carpenter’s Place, 815-964-4105, ext. 221, or tiff anys@carpentersplace.org.

wednesday, may 29noon - 1:00 pmrockford college 5100 bldg.5050 E. state st., rockford

PYSK TALKSDavid Klintworth, McGladrey LLP, is presenter.

junE, 2013

Tuesday, June 4Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Vicki Toepfer, Above and Beyond Associates, presents “Loyal Customers — Develop and Keep Them.” Sponsored by Siena on Brendenwood.

wednesday, june 5noon - 1:00 pmrockford college 5100 bldg.5050 E. state st., rockford

PYSK TALKSRebecca Epperson, PR Etc., is presenter.

Wednesday, June 5Ribbon Cutting, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 4 to 5 p.m., 7479 Walton St., Ste. 4, Rockford.

Ribbon Cutting, Rockford Supportive Living, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., 2114 Kishwaukee St., Rockford. Celebrates opening of new secured unit for the Alzheimer’s/dementia care.

Tuesday, June 11Lead 360 June Breakfast, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford. Includes presentation for Lead 360 members. Rockford Park District (presenting); OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (keynote)

Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Thomas Conwell, MSI Reverse, tconwell@msiloans.biz.

wednesday, june 12noon - 1:00 pmrockford college 5100 bldg.5050 E. state st., rockford

PYSK TALKSBob Guirl, UTC Aerospace Systems, presents “Realigning Products to Meet Market Demads.”

Wednesday, June 12Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts,

Whitehead Inc., Realtors®, tlwatts@whiteheadcommercial.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Tiff any Staman, Carpenter’s Place, 815-964-4105, ext. 221, or tiff anys@carpentersplace.org.

Friday, June 14Government Aff airs Council, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. To join call Heidi Garner at 815-316-4312.

wednesday, june 19noon - 1:00 pmrockford college 5100 bldg.5050 E. state st., rockford

PYSK TALKSSam Schmitz, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, is presenter.

Wednesday, June 19Ribbon Cutting, Superior Environmental Corp, 9 to 10 a.m., 4799 Colt Road, Rockford.

Thursday, june 2010:00 am - 1:00 pmcliffbreakers riverside resort700 w. riverside blvd, rockford

Women in Business Expo and Luncheon Speaker Martha Mertz, founder of ATHENA International, will share eight principles on “Becoming Athena.” Announcement of 2013 Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow, Woman Manager of the Year, Woman Business Owner of the Year and the Athena Powerlink Awards. Sponsors: The Women’s Center at Rockford Health System (presenting); OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (gold); Humana (Women-in-Business Awards)

Tuesday, June 25Advantage Club – Superstars, noon to 1 p.m., Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Contact Thomas Conwell, MSI Reverse, tconwell@msiloans.biz.

wednesday, june 26noon - 1:00 pmrockford college 5100 bldg.5050 E. state st., rockford

PYSK TALKSJeffrey Layng, JPMorgan Chase Bank, is presenter.

Wednesday, June 26Advantage Power Network Club, 11:45 a.m., Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford. Contact Teri Watts, Whitehead Inc., Realtors®, tlwatts@whiteheadcommercial.com.

Advantage Club – Originals, 11:45 a.m., various locations. Contact Tiff any Staman, Carpenter’s Place, 815-964-4105, ext. 221, or tiff anys@carpentersplace.org.

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