Our Vision: To be the trusted partner for the Pekin business community. Our Mission: To foster and promote a vibrant business environment for the benefit of our members.
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Monday, December 17, 2018
Illinois Central College Launches Online Tools for Financial Aid Questions
Illinois Central College is partnering with Financial Aid TV (FATV) to offer
students new resources for getting their financial aid questions answered. FATV
includes an online video library of more than 2,000 searchable videos students
and parents can view to find information about personal finance, the financial
aid process, and types of financial aid available at the College. Enrollment is
now open for spring and summer 2019 semesters. The spring semester begins on
Mon., Jan. 14.
ICC also will launch an online virtual assistant or chatbot, named “Cosmo” on
Dec. 17. This virtual assistant will interact through an online “chat” system
and will access a vast knowledge base to customize its responses. If the
chatbot is unable to answer a question, a transcript of the inquiry is sent by
email with the student’s contact information to a financial aid office staff
member for follow up. Both resources also are mobile-friendly, accessibility
compliant, and available on ICC’s financial aid web page, icc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/
“We are excited to offer these new resources, especially during this busy
enrollment period. We hope these options promote student self-service and
reduce in-person wait times,” said Dean of Enrollment Management Beth McClain.
“The online portal and chatbot are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
year-round, so students and parents can use the tools at their convenience – at
any time of day or night. Of course, the Financial Aid offices are also
available for those who want or need to talk to a live person.”
Hours for the financial aid offices on the East Peoria and Peoria Campuses are
listed on the ICC Financial Aid web page at icc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/.
For questions, please contact ICC Financial Aid Office at (309) 694-5311.
Friday, December 14, 2018
December Puttin' On Pekin Recap
About 90 chamber members and guests attended the December 14 Puttin' On Pekin Breakfast held at the Avanti's Dome. Dave Osborn won the early prize (again) and Eva Silva won the late prize. Christmas entertainment was provided by Friends in Harmony - an amazing show for so early in the morning. In addition to the regular door prize drawings, thirteen lucky people won year-end grand prizes. Each were valued at over $300 and contained prizes donated by chamber members. Winners had to be present to win, but the drawing included entries from all of the 2018 breakfast drawings. The audience congratulated the winners, but had just as much fun when a name was drawn and the person wasn't present. You can see more pictures, including all of the winners, at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/oHo65t6nCZDEWd5U8
Chamber Board Christmas Dinner
The Board of Directors of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual Christmas dinner on December 13. This year's event was held at Sangalli's Italian Steakhouse. Twenty-eight attended including past presidents, chamber staff, spouses and guests. In the spirit of Christmas, the group brought non-perishable food items that were donated to the Salvation Army Food Pantry. Musical entertainment was provided by Ms. Sarah Robinson. More pictures from this event are at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VbF2ZXtdmRxqmnh6A
Thursday, December 13, 2018
New Restaurant Now Hiring
Venezia Italian Bistro, 901 Chateau Drive, will be opening soon. They are currently accepting applications for hostess, waitress, bartender, and kitchen positions. Apply in person between 11am and 4pm. Call the restaurant at 583-0237 with questions or Antonio at 469-363-0761
Gateway: Know the Consequences
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Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Amazon vs. Shopping Locally
Amazon is rapidly expanding its online empire, but behind the conveniences that the company offers are a lot of hidden costs. We put together an infographic to see how shopping at Amazon compares with shopping at local businesses in its impact on jobs, taxes, the local economy, and community. Before you click, here’s why your choice matters:
Jobs: Amazon creates less than half as many jobs as local brick-and-mortar stores do. This means the more Amazon grows and crowds out other businesses, the fewer jobs available.
Taxes: In most communities, Amazon has no facilities and therefore pays no property taxes. In about half the states, it does not collect state and local sales taxes. Property and sales taxes are the main source of funds for our schools and public services. If local businesses are squeezed out by Amazon, households will have to shoulder a higher tax burden.
Local Economy: While local retailers are engines of economic activity, spending their revenue at a wide variety of other businesses in the community, Amazon merely extracts money, leaving little behind.
#ShopLocal365
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Illinois Central College Offers “QuickStart” Events in January for Spring and Summer 2019 Enrollment
Illinois
Central College once again is offering an expedited way for potential students
to get through the steps of enrolling all in one day with its QuickStart
program. QuickStart events are scheduled for Mon., Jan. 7 from 8 am to 8 pm on
the Peoria Campus and on Tues., Jan. 8 from 8 am to 8 pm on the East Peoria
Campus. No appointment is necessary. Free parking is available on both
campuses.
Advising is available for students on a walk-in basis January 2 through January 15. Advisors are available to help students who wish to enroll, but additional follow-up may be required for select programs. Some programs are restricted enrollment and only general education or pre-requisite courses may be scheduled in those cases.
For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (309) 694-5200, email admissions@icc.edu, or visit icc.edu/QuickStart.
During QuickStart, participants can complete an ICC application and have it
processed immediately, take placement testing, fill out financial aid
paperwork, set up a payment plan, and enroll for classes. Enrollment for
returning students is now available online for the spring and summer 2019
semesters at MyMobile.icc.edu.
The spring semester begins on Mon., Jan. 14.
QuickStart participants are assisted on a first-come, first-served basis. To
ensure enough time to complete the steps to enrollment, ICC suggests arriving
early in the day. Advising is available for students on a walk-in basis January 2 through January 15. Advisors are available to help students who wish to enroll, but additional follow-up may be required for select programs. Some programs are restricted enrollment and only general education or pre-requisite courses may be scheduled in those cases.
Applicants also should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov/ prior to
coming to campus. Please list ICC on the form in order to be fully considered
for federal student aid opportunities at the College.
To complete all the steps of admission and enrollment, participants should
bring:
·
A valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport, military ID, or other
government-issued ID).
·
Checkbook or credit card to set up a payment plan.
·
Social security card.
Extended Saturday hours also will be available on January 5 and January 12,
from 9 am to 1 pm on the East Peoria Campus. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (309) 694-5200, email admissions@icc.edu, or visit icc.edu/QuickStart.
Business Input Needed
The Illinois Workforce Innovation Board works to ensure education and workforce development programs meet the needs of businesses, students and jobseekers. The Board strongly believes in workforce development solutions created jointly with business. Illinois workforce and education agencies are researching strategies for overcoming key challenges employers’ face as it relates to securing and retaining qualified talent. These approaches include establishing and maintaining dialogues and partnerships that ensure the education and workforce systems are responsive to your evolving talent needs and are providing services that improve your access to skilled workers. Our findings will shape the services the State of Illinois provides to businesses and our strategies for improving communication between the private sector and those in public education and workforce development.
They need the perspectives from businesses to make their research and the subsequent solutions impactful. Please take a few moments to answer the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2C8GM6R.
Please complete the survey no later than January 31st, 2019. Contact Thom Pennell, Thomas.pennell@illinois.gov with questions.
ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE OFFERS INFORMATIONAL AND TESTING SESSIONS FOR THE HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION CAREERS TRAINING PROGRAM
Illinois Central College will hold several
informational sessions for its Highway Construction Careers Training Program,
with program applications and TABE testing available at each session. There is no registration or fees required for
these sessions.
The Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP) at
Illinois Central College is a grant-funded program sponsored by the Illinois
Department of Transportation. The goal
of the Highway Construction Careers Training Program is to increase the number of
minorities, women and disadvantaged individuals working in the construction
trades. The program is a 12-week free training course that focuses on preparing
individuals for a successful building trade application process by increasing
math skills, job readiness, and technical skills. Training also includes OSHA 10-hour
certification, Forklift and Aerial Lift certification, and First Aid/CPR
certification. Upon successful
completion of the program, students will have the skills necessary to seek
careers as laborers, cement masons, operating engineers, electricians,
ironworkers, sheet metal workers, carpenters, bricklayers, and other union
construction trades.
To qualify for
the program a candidate must be 18 years old, have a valid Illinois
driver’s license, have a high school diploma or GED, and consent to random drug
screening.
Informational and
testing sessions will be held:
- Tuesday, January 22,
2019, at 9 am
Hickory Hall, Room 101, ICC Peoria Campus
5407 N. University Street, Peoria
- Wednesday, January 23,
2019, at 1 pm
Goodwill Industries
2319 E. War Memorial Drive, Peoria
- Thursday, January 24,
2019, at 1 pm
Tri-County Peoria Urban League
317 S. MacArthur Highway, Peoria
- Thursday, January 24,
2019, at 5:30 pm
Hickory Hall, Room 101, ICC Peoria Campus
5407 N. University Street, Peoria
- Friday, January 25,
2019, at 9 am
Hickory Hall, Room 101, ICC Peoria Campus
5407 N. University Street, Peoria
For more information about the program,
please contact Monica Arbuckle at (309) 690-6912, monica.arbuckle@icc.edu,
or Ellen George at (309) 690-6909, egeorge@icc.edu.
Monday, December 10, 2018
Minor Hawks Learn to Play Hockey Program
Attention Hockey Fans
Minor Hawks is a Learn-to-Play Hockey
program sponsored by the Chicago Blackhawks and offered through Pekin Park
District. This low-cost program is for boys and girls age 5-8 years old who are
new to hockey and want to "suit up" in full gear and try this great
game! It is specifically designed to teach NEW hockey players how to skate.
All
equipment, jersey and stick are provided. Players will meet once a
week to work on basic fundamentals.
Dates:
January 12th 10am
January
19th 10am
January
26th 10am
February
2nd 4:15pm
February
9th 10am
February
16th scrimmage game 10am
Cost of
the program: $50 residents and $53 for non-residents.
For more
information call DeDe @ 201-4007
SCORE: Small Business, Big Impact Award
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Pekin Lion's Club 72nd Christmas Basket Distribution
December 22, 2018 will mark the Pekin Lions Club’s 72nd
Christmas Basket Distribution. Each year
the Pekin Lions have solicited funds from the Pekin community in order to
purchase both perishable and non-perishable items for food baskets to be distributed
to the needy in the community. The needy
are identified through nomination forms made available in the Pekin Daily
Times, on our website and on our Facebook page in the month of November. This year, due to shortfalls in giving we are
able to provide only 250 needy families with food baskets. We understand this time of year there are
many organizations requesting donations in order to help the needy, but the
Pekin Lions are a volunteer organization so 100% of funds donated go to the
food basket project. Our goal this year
was set at $17,000 and thus far we have received a little less than $5,000
toward that goal. If you would like to
donate, your donations may be sent to Pekin Lions Club, Attn: Christmas Basket
Project, P.O. Box 751, Pekin, IL 61555-0751.
Donations may also be made through our website, pekinlions.org, or our
facebook page.
Gateway Foundation's 50th Anniversary
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Friday, December 7, 2018
The Digital Store Opens in Pekin
The Digital Store recently opened a Pekin location at 425 Ann Eliza, 885-4600. Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pekin were on hand to welcome them to Pekin with a ribbon cutting. President Scott Sylvester, Vice President Stephanie Hampton, and Store Manager Neil Ice were joined by the rest of the staff for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Digital Store is the locally owned destination for Verizon Services. They provide solutions for smart phones, basic phones, tablets, jetpack connected devices and rate plan analysis. The Digital Store has 11 other locations in the area, and have proudly served Central Illinois since 2001. They are open 7 days a week and look forward to bringing their level of Verizon customer service to Pekin.
You can see more pictures from this event at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/HiUGhuGJvEryC62i7
Sprint After Hours
Sprint Wireless Express hosted the December 7th Business After Hours. Chamber members and guests enjoyed holiday refreshments, great conversations and door prizes. Sprint Wireless Express is located at 3506 Court Street, in East Court Village. You can see more pictures from this event at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/b7ak9ZUyNn7uzM6t9
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Gateway Foundation: Know The Signs of Substance Use
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