Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Act On Energy® has expanded its offer and now ALL Ameren Illinois electric customers can receive up to six CFLs   Free.   Also, the current offer which reduces already significantly discounted products an additional 50% has been extended until May 15, 2011. All Ameren electric customers can log onto Act On Energy's  Online Store  and select between two options for their FREE CFLs.  The first option is a 15/20/25w 3-pack and the other option is a 25w 3-pack.  If you’ve already ordered a FREE CFL three-pack, don’t worry, you can log on and still order another 3-pack for your business.  Act On Energy will even pay for the shipping. While you’re ordering your FREE CFLs don’t forget to pick up additional products from Act On Energy's store which will help you save energy and money.  Products on the store include:   CFLs starting at $0.50 (regular price starting at $2.25)                  * Customers can save an average of $17 annually in energy costs for each CFL that repl

Pekin Area Network has partnered with Infinite Success (IS) and a new group is being created in Pekin! What is Infinite Success? IS is a fresh, new way of connecting and growing your business. We’ve done away with old formats of networking and have created a group that uses education and coaching, along with networking and “hot” referrals, to help you tap into the success that is already yours. More and more people are embracing the science of success, so come to our Kick-off Event on April 15th to find out what all the excitement is about! Change your view, change your life. Get ready for your best year yet! When: Friday, April 15th from 7:30 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. Where: Pekin Library

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce has chosen Staples Advantage as their preferred office supply vendor for all of their members to take advantage of.  This is an exclusive offer available only to chamber members!  Staples Advantage is a business to business program different from Staples.com or the Staples retail division.  The website, StaplesLink.com, is Staples' business-to-business Internet ordering solution. With StaplesLink.com, you can order supplies electronically from your computer anytime. The site provides immediate access to over 30,000 products including office essentials, paper, ink/toner and cleaning supplies, etc. If you have already registered with StaplesLink.com and have received your logon information, you can go directly to the StaplesLink.com login page and begin ordering. If you have not registered with StaplesLink.com or have not received your logon information, please register by going to:  http://linkregistration.stapleslink.com/c/s?RegFormId=860738 .  

The Central Illinois Regional Chambers Legislative Effort (CIRCLE) took over 100 business leaders from 16 Chambers of Commerce to Springfield today. In total, the group represented over 8,000 chamber members from throughout Central Illinois.  Their message was a common agenda, with recommendations to improve Illinois’ business climate. The business and communities leaders shared their stories and concerns with legislators, and discussed the need to reform education, pensions, the states finances, and workers compensation.  Several legislators were present at the four sessions, including Senator Koehler, Senator LaHood, Representative Unes, and Representative Sommer.  During lunch the group heard from Senate President John Cullerton and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, as well as Doug Whitley, the President of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. The 16 chambers involved in CIRCLE are from: East Peoria; Peoria; McLean County; Canton; Chillicothe; Jacksonville; Lincoln; Log

The Tazewell County Jaycees will be hosting their monthly trivia night on Thursday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. at EP’s TimeOut located at 1011 East Washington St. in East Peoria. Teams consisting of two to ten players will compete against wits in order to receive a coveted prize as well as the honor of decorating the Tazewell Trivia Traveling Trophy. The night also features door prizes as well as the opportunity to enter in a 50-50 drawing. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from EP’s TimeOut. Proceeds from this month’s Trivia Night will benefit House of Hope, Tazewell County's shelter for victims of domestic violence and abuse. The cost is $10 per person, $5 per Jaycee member. Seating is limited, Please email tazcojaycees@yahoo.com today to reserve your team’s spot! The Tazewell County Jaycees is a social and service organization for individuals 18-40, dedicated to individual and community development. For more information visit www.tazcojaycees.com .

On Sunday, April 10th from 2:00 to 4:30, TCGHS is hosting our 2nd annual "We Can Help" event in conjunction with the NBC/Ancestry.com series "Who Do You Think You Are?" Last year TCGHS had over 60 attendees and were able to help nearly everyone. The event is free and open to the public.  Our library is located at 719 N 11th St., Pekin. Contact TCGHS Phone: 309-477-3044 Website: www.tcghs.org Email : tcghs@tcghs.org

Dennis & Kathy Overstreet of Morton will be the speakers at the April 12th meeting of the Tazewell County Genealogical and Historical Society. They will present a program about the historical background of the banjo. There will also be a performance by the Central Illinois Banjo Club. The club includes many different types of instruments. The meeting, open to the general public, will be held on Tuesday, April 12th at the society's Erlicher Research Library, located at 719 N 11th St., Pekin, IL. The program will begin at 7:00 PM with a business meeting immediately following the program. Contact TCGHS Phone: 309-477-3044 Website: www.tcghs.org Email : tcghs@tcghs.org

The YWCA of Pekin is accepting nominations for outstanding leadership and achievement awards to be presented at its 30 th Annual Women’s Recognition Day luncheon on Thursday, May 12 th at the Pekin Country Club.  Nominations to honor outstanding accomplishments and contributions of women in their careers and community service are being accepted at the YWCA office through April 12.  Luncheon reservations are open to the public and must be made by Thursday, May 5 th .  Nomination and luncheon reservation forms are available at the YWCA during regular business hours or on the YWCA website at:  http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=agLJKXNLE&b=488381  For more information, call the YWCA at 347-2104.

Each year the Pekin Marigold Festival Committee recognizes a local resident (or couple) who has given freely to the betterment of our community. The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for Grand Marshal of the 2011 Pekin Marigold Festival. This chosen nominee(s) will be asked to serve as the 2011 Grand Marshal. The Marigold Festival Committee is seeking nominees who have demonstrated their passion and dedication by giving generously of their time and talent to a variety of charitable and community organizations and activities. The nomination deadline is May 3, 2011. Nomination forms are available at the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, 402 Court Street or can be downloaded at www.pekin.net/2011/11Marshal.pdf    1973                                    Mrs. Luella Dirksen 1974                                   Mrs. Luella Dirksen 1975                                   Mr. David Burpee 1976                                   Mrs. Luella Dirksen 1977                    

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announces that work on a portion of IL 9 just west of Mackinaw will begin Monday, March 28 th . Traffic will be reduced to one lane for the duration of this bridge removal and replacement project. Flaggers will initially control traffic until a temporary barrier wall is installed. The project is expected to be completed by mid-August. Please slow down and use extreme caution while driving through all work zones.

Welcome to another new member of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: TimbukTech Inc. is located on 486 N. Main Street in Canton. Phone: 309-647-7269; fax: 309-740-7320; website: http://www.timbuktech.com/ ; Robert Walker, Executive Account Manager; Scott Brown, Owner; Matt Roe, Owner; Office hours: 8:30 am- 6pm  Mon- Thurs, 8:30 am -5 pm Fri, 10 am- 2pm Sat. TimbukTech is an affordable option to maintaining networks and workstations for businesses. TimbukTech becomes your IT team. They specialize in network development, remote back-up, anti-virus protection, hosting, VOIP telephones, DVR security systems, and Lenovo computers, software, and hardware. Lenovo authorized.

                The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a graduation dinner on March 24th to recognize the twenty-four students who just completed the R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy.  Sixty people attended the dinner, and the audience included family and co-workers of the graduates, alumni of the academy, and chamber staff, officers, and directors.                 This is the 13th year the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce has organized a leadership academy.  A total of 240 individuals have now completed the program.                  The featured speaker at the dinner was Reverend Lloyd Brock, Pastor of Pekin First Church of the Nazarene, and a 2010 graduate of the academy.  Reverend Brock challenged the graduates to “embrace the community.”  He also noted that “leaders are servers, and not the other way around.”                 In March of 2009 the chamber’s board of directors voted to change the name of the academy, adding R. David Tebben to the title as a way to recogni

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors invites you to attend their annual meeting and reception. "Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Working its Magic" will be held Monday, April 25, 2011 at the Pekin Country Club. The cost is $25 per person and it includes hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Tables of eight are available, and there will be a drawing to win 2 round trip tickets with Allegiant Air. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and introductions will begin at 5:45 p.m. There will also be entertainment by Stephen Bargatze at 6:00 p.m. 

Bard Optical owner, Diana Hall was interviewed for an article in Vision Monday in March, 2011. Vision Monday is the leading trade magazine for the optical industry. In the “Cover Topic” section of the magazine, is the article, “Defining Leadership”. The article is comprised of opinions expressed by CEOs and Presidents of Eye Care Providers from across the U.S. Read “Defining Leadership” online at: http://www.visionmonday.com/ViewContent/tabid/211/content_id/27243/catId/183/Default.aspx Bard Optical has 18 locations in Illinois. Log onto www.bardoptical.com to find the location nearest you and schedule an appointment today.

 The next First Tuesdays will be held on Tuesday, April 5 , from 5 to 7 pm at Re-in the metro center, 4700 N. University, Peoria, IL.   The Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois invites area women to a monthly networking opportunity for Peoria-area women. Celebrate Spring and the spirit of giving by meeting other dynamic women who are passionate about empowering the women and children in our communities.  Become part of a national movement towards Women’s Philanthropy.   To automatically receive First Tuesdays’ invitations, call The Women's Fund at the Community Foundation of Central Illinois at 309 674-8730 or email kristan@communityfoundationci.org and ask to receive the ‘E-vite’, an online invitation, for First Tuesdays. Appetizers and beverages will be served and door prizes awarded. Donations will be accepted to further the work of the Women’s Fund. Contact: Kristan Creek, Program Manager: Community Foundation of Central Illinois: 674-8730 or krista

AAIM Employers’ Association is pleased to announce the “Benefits Boot Camp” conference will be held in three locations.   Rockford, IL: Tuesday, May 10, 2011, NIU—Rockford, 8500 E State Street East Peoria, IL: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, Par-A-Dice Hotel, 21 Blackjack Blvd Maryland Heights, MO: Tuesday, May 24, 2011, Doubletree Hotel - Westport Plaza, 1973 Craigshire Rd Time: 8:00 am – 2:45 pm Registration Fee: $179 AAIMEA Member/$225Non-member Reservations/Information: 1-800-948-5700   Get the latest information on EVERYTHING BENEFITS! Benefits Boot Camp is a one-day seminar that will provide participants with tangible tools and information to apply to real business needs. Sponsorships are available for the event. Sessions include: Legislative Update What Can Small Businesses Do to Control Rising Healthcare Costs? Addressing the Challenge of Healthcare Reform—What Must I Do Today & What Should I Do Tomorrow? State of Healthcare Reform—The Employer Perspective Employee Wellness &

Apr 5 Ambassador Meeting                             Apr 12 Breakfast 2.0:   Time Mgmt Apr 6 New Board Member Orientation           Apr 13 Transportation Committee Apr 6 Executive Board Meeting                      Apr 14 Tech ‘n Tell Apr 7 Pekin 1st Committee                             Apr 20 Marigold Festival Committee   Apr 7 Business After Hours                            Apr 25 Chamber Annual Meeting Apr 8 Puttin on Pekin Breakfast                     Apr 26 Business Advocacy Committee     You’ll find additional member events by visiting our calendar online . Do you have an event coming up, that you would like to add to our calendar? Contact us to find out how.   This is just another benefit of your membership

Thank you to the following chamber members who have recently renewed their investment in the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Avon Independent Representative, Teresa Ann Tucker Carl & Nichols Shell ~ Dr. Anthony DeMonte, DDS Edward Jones / Drew Eilts ~ Excalibur Seasoning Company ~ FCI Pekin Great Clips for Hair ~ Greg's Garage Door Service Griffin-Rahn Insurance ~ Illinois American Water ~ Charlotte Jibben   Kouri's Pub ~ Linde Group ~ MJ's Windshield Repair & Window Tinting Pekin Area Network ~ Pekin Trophy House & Engraved Gifts Sam Leman Auto Stop ~ Sound Choice Hearing Clinic Sprint / Wireless Express ~ St. Paul Wonderland ~ Subway ~ Super 8 Tebben Insurance Services, Inc. ~ WTVP TV ~ X Waste Disposal

Breakfast 2.0 will be held Tuesday, April 12, at 7:30 am at the Avanti's Dome Events & Sports Center of Pekin. The cost is $20 and includes a full breakfast and program.  Please RSVP to the Chamber at 346-2106. Employees often report their inability to manage their time is the biggest problem they face professionally. Time management is a skill few people master, but it is one that most people need. We live in a world of competing priorities, customers, supervisors, supervisees and organizational goals. Since we often cannot control these priorities we must learn the skills necessary to self-manage. To provide participants with skills necessary to manage themselves and their time; participants will: ·         Gain insight into their ineffective and sabotaging behaviors ·         Identify techniques that can be used to manage their interactions ·         Develop a plan to improve self-management The presenter will be Marvis Meyers with AAIM Employers Association in St. Louis.

Bring your favorite app, widget, website, software tip, tech tip, blog, tech gadget or hardware and tell everyone how it makes you more productive. Or j ust come and learn about the latest technologies and how others are using them to be more efficient and productive. Tech and Tell will be held Thursday, April 14 th , 7:30 a.m. at the Avanti’s Dome Events & Sports Center of Pekin. No reservation is needed, but feel free to call and let us know what you’re bringing!

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported nonfarm payroll employment increased nationally by 192,000 in February, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 8.9 percent.  Job gains occurred in manufacturing, construction, professional and business services, health care, and transportation and warehousing.  Locally, the unemployment stood at 9.6% in Illinois and 10.6% in Pekin at the end of January according to figures released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The Illinois Department of Revenue reports sales tax disbursements to the City of Pekin were up 8.1% in February, compared to February of 2010.  February payments generally represent the sales tax collected in December.  For the first quarter of 2011, sales tax disbursements to the City of Pekin are 4.6% ahead of the first three months of 2010.  The numbers of homes sold in Pekin during the first two months of 2011 are up 12.5% over the same first two months in 2010.  A similar trend can be found in other Ta

Only nine members attended the Chamber’s first “Tech and Tell” on March 10th at the Avanti’s Dome.   However, based on their enthusiastic feedback, other should make plans to attend future Tech and Tell events.   The format of the program was very informal, with an around-the-table presentation and discussion of various technologies.   Participants were encouraged to bring their latest gadget, software tip, smart phone, or other technology tools that make them more efficient at work, and then tell the rest of the group about them.   The informal format allowed participants to come and go as their schedule allowed.   A few participants were there just to learn, and did not bring anything specific to show the group.   There were no IT people in attendance.   Most were business people who would rate their technical knowledge as average or even below average. What were some of the discussions and presentations?   Well, someone brought their brand new Motorola Xoom tablet and gave us a d

Dear Friend, Last fall I had one of the best experiences of my life when I entered and then won Pekin’s Miss Marigold Pageant. It was the first time I had entered a pageant and from the first contestant meeting on, I have had the opportunity to meet new people and experience new things I never imagined. One of those opportunities that have now come my way is the chance to compete at this summer’s Miss Illinois Scholarship Association Pageant as Miss Pekin. The pageant will be held June 28- July 2 in Marion, IL. The ISA is part of the Miss America organization and awards thousands of dollars in scholarship money each year. The pageant follows the same structure as the Miss America system and I will be competing in Interview, Talent, Swimsuit, and Evening Gown competitions. Although it has been several years now since Pekin sent a representative to the Miss Illinois pageant, we do have a strong history of success (including three former Miss Illinois Queens!) and I am so excited to ge

John M. Evans Supportive Living Community will be hosting a Health Fair and Open House on March 31 at 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. on 1320 Executive Court in Pekin. There will be vendors, door prizes, giveaways, and free food. Please call (309)447-8800 for more information.

Savant Capital Management, a fee-only wealth management firm headquartered in Rockford with offices in Geneva, Peoria, Hoffman Estates, Chicago, Freeport and Madison announces the addition of a new division of its company – Savant Portfolios . Savant Partners Thomas Muldowney, Brent Brodeski and Richard Bennett launched Savant Portfolios to accommodate investors that have traditionally been ignored by big brokers and banks because they were considered "too small." Whether they have just begun to accumulate wealth or are moving into retirement, all investors have a definite need for an advisor who can help them navigate to their goals. Savant Portfolios clients who own $50 thousand or more in financial assets will receive the same disciplined, tax-efficient and proven successful investment strategies as existing Savant Wealth Management clients. Additionally, they will benefit from the trusted expertise a relationship with a Savant advisor brings. However, Savant Portfolio

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announces that work is underway on US 24 near Cameron Lane.  The project includes replacement of the bridge carrying US 24 over Lamarsh Creek, construction of a right turn lane to Cameron Ln. and construction of a left turn lane to Wheeler Rd. Lane closures will be in effect in each direction while median crossovers are constructed. Traffic will remain one lane in each direction during the first stage, with southbound traffic being shifted across the median onto the northbound side. Stage 2 is scheduled to begin this summer. The project is scheduled to be completed by early November. Motorists should be alert for flaggers and expect delays in this area while the project is underway. Please slow down and use extreme caution while driving through all work zones.

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) is currently accepting applications for the following scholarships until April 1 and April 15.  Please see the CFCI website: www.communityfoundationci.org for more information and for applications: Bleeding and Clotting Disorder’s Scholarship: Applications due April 15 Dr. Valentine Jobst III Educational Fund Scholarship: Applications due April 1 Epilepsy Scholarship Fund: Applications: Due April 1 Illinois Mutual Employees Children Scholarship: Please contact Illinois Mutual for application packet. Applications due April 1. MidAmerica National Banks Employee’s Children Scholarship: Applications due April 1 Women in Leadership Scholarship Applications: due April 1 Women’s Lifestyle Educational Fund Scholarship: Applications due April 1 The Vietnam Veteran’s Moving Wall Scholarship: Applications due April 1 CFCI’s Mission: The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) is a philanthropic resource committed to Conn