Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Over the next two months the Ameren Illinois ActOnEnergy ® program will be offering FREE online training events that customers can access from the comfort of their desks. These training events are designed to help businesses become more knowledgeable about energy efficiency. For more information on all ActOnEnergy training events, go to ActOnEnergy.com/Education . Please see below for monthly online training options. June Online Training Events Topic: Shed Light on Energy Efficiency Savings:  Lighting Options Speaker: Chad Whitehead, Energy Advisor, GDS Associates, Inc., an ActOnEnergy Partner Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Earn 1.0 CE Hour The free, one-hour webinar will cover the following topics: Best practices in lighting equipment and application How to get started on your energy-efficient lighting project Lighting incentives available through ActOnEnergy The ActOnEnergy Onl...

14th Street Hardware ~ Adams Outdoor Advertising ~ Artistic Community Theatre Best Western Ashland House & Conference Center ~ Brad Campbell Memorial Fund Carl & Nichols Shell ~ City of Pekin ~ Davison-Fulton-Woolsey Funeral Home Debbie Fornoff Interior Designs & Draperies ~ Farden Pest Control   ~ JPG Commercial Real Estate LLC   Laserpro of Peoria, Inc. ~ Let It Shine, LLC ~ Mackinaw Valley Vineyard   Pekin-Peoria Yellow Checker Cab ~ Pekin Paintball Park ~ Pekin Prescription Laboratory, Inc. Roy L. King Post 1232 VFW ~ Steve Saal ~ Simmons Sanitations Service Southside Business Association ~ St. Joseph Catholic Church ~ St. Jude Pekin to Peoria Run St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Development/Run Office ~ Wireless Express

Another Strong Month for the Pekin-Area Economy Pekin’s sales tax disbursement received from the state in May was 11.5% greater than the May 2011 payment.   This generally represents tax collected on sales in February. Pekin’s sales tax disbursements received from the state in the last 3 months are 7.7% greater than the same period in 2011. East Peoria’s sales tax disbursement received from the state for the last 12 months is 10.5% greater than the previous 12-month period. For the 12 months ending in May, Pekin (+2.4%), Morton (4.2%), and Washington (3.4%) also saw increases over the previous year’s tax disbursements received from the state. The number of residential units sold in the 61554 zip code in the first three months of 2012 is up 17.8% over the same period in 2011.   The average sales price of a residential unit in Pekin in the first three...

June 8 th      Knights of Columbus Hall 715 N. 11th St., Pekin 6:45 – 8:00 am RSVP to 346-2106 or e-mail us at info@pekinchamber.com Cost is just $10 for reservations made by June 6.   After that the cost is $15 Additional features of the breakfast include: ·    Program by Pekin’s Ambucs, Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary Clubs ·    Door prize drawings provided by local businesses  One minute reminders “Meet the new Chamber Member”  Bring your flyers and handouts

June 7 th       200 Block Historic District Reservations Appreciated 346-2106 or email us at info@pekinchamber.com   As the 200 block stabilization project nears completion, the owners of project invite you to an open house at the project site in the 200 block of Court Street.   Don't miss this opportunity to network with fellow chamber members and community leaders. You'll also enjoy refreshments, door prizes and receive tours and information from our hosts .  

June 6 – Pekin 1 st Committee                 June 7 – Business After Hours June 8 – Puttin’ On Pekin Breakfast June 13 – Member Promotions Committee June 13 – Transportation Committee June 13 – Executive Board Meeting         June 13 – Board of Directors Meeting June 20 – Ambassadors Meeting June 20 – Marigold Festival Committee June 26 – Business Advocacy Committee

Are you a current U.S. Cellular® Customer?  How about earning some money off of your bill! Every time you refer a business who becomes a customer, you'll both get a $50 credit per line! How it works: Your referral will receive an e-mail notification that you've recommended them to sign up for U.S. Cellular ® service. For each business you refer who opens a new account and registers on My Account with U.S. Cellular, both you and your referral will automatically earn $50 credit per line. Credit is issued to both parties after the referee activates and has paid their first bill. Both will effectively receive the credit around 60 days after activation or about the 2nd or 3rd billing cycle. Please stop in or call today and join the happiest customers in wireless U.S. Cellular,  3552 Court Street, Pekin, IL  309-353-7964

This summer, Pekin Main Street is presenting a county wide talent competition that will determine who has the most talent! Modeled after the popular TV show, American’s Got Talent, this competition will have three phases. First, there will be an open audition for all interested parties on Thursday, June 7, 2012 from 5:45-7:45 at the Pekin Public Library. From this audition, the field will be narrowed down to the top 20 acts and those acts will perform live at Pekin Main Street’s Annual Cruise In on Saturday, July 28 th in downtown Pekin. The field will then be narrowed down to the top 10 acts and those top 10 acts will compete at Friday Night Family Fest to kick off Marigold Festival Weekend on September 7, 2012 for cash prizes and winner of Pekin’s Got Talent. This year, there will be two categories – Kids (0-15 years) and Adult (16 years and up) – a winner will be selected from each division. Lip Sync acts, instrumentalists and other variety acts are encouraged to apply. ...

South Side Trust & Savings Bank is pleased to announce Emma Vandeveer, Vice President of Marketing and Sales, has been awarded the Women in Leadership of Central Illinois “Woman of the Year” Award for 2012.   The Woman of the Year Award provides recognition to a Women In Leadership member who is outstanding in her business profession, in her community service and in her leadership and participation as a Women In Leadership member.   Ms. Vandeveer was introduced with the following quote, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.   This quote by our 6 th President, John Quincy Adams, describes this year’s winner to a T.”   Vandeveer has over 30 years of professional banking experience and is a board member and participant in many civic organizations throughout the Peoria area. South Side Trust & Savings Bank, a locally owned financial institution since 1922, has $677 million in assets and ser...

Walgreens , 1400 Broadway and 2020 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554; phone: (309) 346-7880; fax: (309) 346-1349; email: mgr.11493@store.walgreens.com ; Jeremy Bieneman, Store Manager. Business hours: Broadway 7am - 10pm, Court 24 hours. Walgreens is a complete health care provider. They offer everything from prescriptions to health testing and a variety of immunizations. Walgreens also sells a variety of products that promote healthy lifestyles and necessities for daily living.

Totally You Salon and Spa , 1310 Derby Street, Pekin, IL 61554; phone: (309) 620-8536; fax: (309) 349-3372; email: totallyyou1@yahoo.com ; Tonya, Owner. Business hours: M-W-F 10am - 6pm, T-T 10am - 8pm, Sat 10am - 3pm. Totally You Salon and Spa is a full service Salon & Spa offering hair, nails, massage, and skin care.

Heartland Bank and Trust Company is pleased to announce that Paul Scherer has been named Vice President of Mortgage Lending for the local market, and is located at Heartland Bank’s 3501 W. War Memorial Dr. office in Peoria. He is responsible for developing new residential loan relationships and will manage the bank’s local residential lending team. Scherer most recently served as Assistant Vice President for the bank in Pekin and, in addition to lending responsibilities, oversaw both Heartland Bank branch locations in that community. Having joined Heartland Bank in 2008, Scherer has 15 years of experience in lending. He attended school locally, graduating from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. After college, he worked as a collections specialist then moved into retail banking as a Branch Manager and Mortgage Loan Originator.   Scherer currently serves on the Board of Directors and as Ambassador for the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. ...

One hundred thirteen Pekin Hospital and ProHealth Inc. employees were recently honored at the 53rd   Annual Service Awards Dinner held at the Pekin Moose Lodge on April 19.   Employees honored have more than 1,245 years total service to Pekin Hospital and ProHealth Inc. Employees and their years of service are as follows: Thirty-five Years:     Patty Berry, Kathy Collins, Jim LaFary, Jill Wagner, Robin West. Thirty Years:     Rob Hancock. Twenty-five Years:   Tom Coogan, Sally Shallenberger. Twenty Years:   Mendy Hart, Mary Haynes, Sharon Hopper, Susan Jaynes, Rhonda Kaminski, Margaret Koch, Beth Neubauer, Kay Schimmelpfenig, Edie Taylor, Vicki Volker, Lisa Watkins, Patty Weber, Mona Williams. Fifteen Years:   Melinda Ball, Kim Benassi, Valerie Buck, Melissa Dean, Karen Demarini, Kim Dowell, Karen Forbes, Tammi Howell, Debra Martin, Michelle Martin, Gail Miller, Angie Rutledge, Gale Seelye, Sherry Taylor, Beth...

Goodwill has expanded its services to veterans in other areas of our territory. Any veteran with any type of military discharge other than dishonorable is eligible for services to include: Case Management, Job Readiness, and Job Placement. In Pekin: Where: Goodwill Store 3245 Court St. When: Tuesday Morning or Afternoon Contact: Johanna Wagner (309) 339-7326

Goodwill’s youth mentoring program, GoodGuides ® is planning a summer full of activities and fun for youth enrolled in the program.   Activities include:    Employment workshop   Field trip to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield     Hiking     Tours of local businesses    Creative arts workshops    A special You Tube project   Elizabeth McCombs, Program Manager for GoodGuides®, says, "We need more youth and mentors!"  If you know of a youth who could benefit from the positive guidance of a mentor, and is between the ages of 12-17 or if you are interested in becoming a mentor to help at-risk youth make positive life choices, please contact Elizabeth at (309) 369-9884 to find out more information about the program.

Goodwill of Central Illinois has named Bob Parkhurst as Vice President of Administrative Services. Parkhurst is a Peoria native and a graduate of Illinois State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a certified public accountant. He began his career at Price Waterhouse and most recently held the position of Chief Financial Officer at the Wyman Group. Parkhurst currently serves on the Peoria Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and is involved in production and performance with Corn Stock Theater. “Goodwill is continuously expanding its services and serving more people, Bob’s proven record of leadership and creative thinking will help us expand even further,” said Patty Fuchs, Goodwill President and CEO. “Bob brings with him 25 years of finance and executive management experience. He understands people and knows how to foster a team environment. Bob will be a great asset to Goodwill’s future.” Goodwill of Central Illinois is a non-profit organiz...

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White was in Pekin today to honor Pekin Hospital for dedication to organ/tissue donation.   An unveiling ceremony in honor of donor families and recipients was held near the hospital's main entrance. Secretary White showed the Secretary of State’s organ and tissue donation commercial, highlighting Vikki Tulcus, a long-time advocate of the organ/tissue donor program, who now finds herself in need of a kidney. Nationally, more than 113,000 people are currently waiting for organ and tissue donations. In Illinois, more than five million people have signed up for the registry, but 300 people die each year waiting for a transplant.  Locally, Pekin Hospital has been a leader in ongoing dedication and commitment to organ and tissue donation.

After nearly a year of surveys, research and discussions, the Board of Directors approved a new strategic plan for the organization.  The board and executive committee first considered the following information:  Environmental Scan – We’re Not Your Father’s Chamber In a few areas our chamber still operates like it is 1971. But the world, our community, and the economy have changed drastically in the past 40 years. In fact, they’ve changed drastically in the last 10 years. Here are six areas where the change has been significant and why we can’t be your father’s chamber anymore.   Time For a variety of reasons, people have less time to serve on boards or committees, or to attend events Value expectations Few businesses join the chamber because “it’s the right thing to do” Marketplace structure Our economy is significantly different  There are fewer businesses located in Pekin  Businesses have fewer resources available to support chamber...

Pekin Marathons , 2102 Broadway Street and 1303 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554; phone: 309-347-2070, 309-620-9010; fax: 866-305-5436; Nik, Director. Business Hours: Monday - Thursday 5am - 10pm, Friday 5am - 11pm, Saturday 6am - 11pm, Sunday 7am - 10pm. Pekin Marathons are family owned, locally managed gas stations with stores.

Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce joined Mary Haynes, the owner of Kountry Nook Gift & Craft, for a ribbon cutting on May 8th.  Family members also joined in the chamber welcoming ceremony.  The Kountry Nook Gift & Craft store is located at 212 N. Capitol in Pekin.  They are open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 5pm.  Kountry Nook has over 50 talented crafters/ vendors. They also have unique one-of-a-kind gifts and needful items, a boutique room, and girlie stuff.

A representative from Congressman Aaron Schock’s office and an elder care attorney will address individual concerns about Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security at a special program hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association on Saturday, May 19th. Entitled, Uncle Sam and Alzheimer’s Care: So You Think You Know Everything About Federal and State Benefits?, the program will be held from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Alzheimer's Association, 606 W. Glen Avenue, Peoria. Guest Speakers and Topics: What You Need to Know About Medicare and Social Security Bryan Rudolph, Constituent Services Specialist, Congressman Aaron Schock’s Office, 18 th Congressional District. Update on Medicaid Planning, the Imminent New Rules Susan Dawson-Tibbits, Elder Care Attorney Individuals and family members will be able to meet for personal care consultations with Helpline Coordinator Herminia Christy, MSW, a licensed social worker. Christy can assi...

On May 7-9, The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Weight of the Nation Conference was held with an agenda that included ways communities, educators, health care providers, workplaces, and states themselves can be involved to improve the eating habits and increase the active living for all Americans, especially our young people. Let’s hope they do something about these facts: • Nearly one-third of our elementary schools do NOT schedule recess on a regular basis • In grades 9 through 12 (high school), only about half of the students have one or more physical education classes during the week • Almost one out of every four children do NOT participate in any free-time activity That’s pitiful! Pathetic! Embarrassing! In the past thirty years, childhood obesity has tripled nationally. Here in Illinois, our youth  sits at 20.7%, one of the “fattest” states in the country. Just for good measure--- 25 percent of Illinois adults are obese and 37 p...