Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

January 1 – New Year’s Day (Chamber Closed) January 2 – Executive Board Meeting January 9 – Member Promotions Committee Meeting January 9 – Transportation Committee January 9 – Board of Directors Meeting January 10 – Business After Hours January 16 – Ambassadors Meeting January 29 – Business Advocacy Committee

Amanda's Closet ~ American Cancer Society/Relay for Life ~ Avanti’s Ristorante ~ Bagley & Miller Attorneys ~ Bard Optical ~ George Beres Brewers Distributing Company ~ Champion Fitness Physical Therapy ~ CJ's Café ~ Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell ~ Dr. Michael Danner D.D.S. ~ Dreamscapes Landscaping ~ Enviro-Dry Clean Carpets ~ Fred Lawrence and Sons Fire Equipment ~ Glesne Family Dentistry ~ Going Green Computers ~ Golf Green Lawn Care ~ Harbor Light Hospice ~ Heartland Chiropractic Center ~ Herget Bank ~ Illinois Collections Unlimited ~ J & J Consulting Firm ~ Jim Maloof Realtor ~ Johnson Mechanical Service Inc. ~ McDaniels Marketing Communications ~ Miller, Hall, & Triggs ~ Moehle, Swearingen & Umholtz, Ltd. ~ Monge, Crouch & Mahoney ~ Neal Chiropractic Clinic ~ Otto Baum Co., Inc. ~ Pekin Animal Hospital ~ Pekin Park District ~ Pekin Riding Club ~ Leslie Pulfer ~ Redbrand Credit Union ~ Glen Rittenhouse ~ Sonic A...

Pekin’s sales tax disbursement received from the state in December was 19.9 % more than December of 2011.  December disbursements typically represent sales taxes collected by merchants in October. Pekin’s sales tax disbursements received from the state for the last 3 months were 10.6% greater than the same three months in 2011. The other three large communities on the east side of the Illinois River showed mixed results in sales tax disbursements received in December, compared to December of 2011:  Morton (+2.8%), East Peoria (-20.5%), and Washington (-0.8%) For the 12-months ending in December, all four communities showed an increase in sales tax receipts from the state, compared to the same 12-months a year ago:  East Peoria (+7.7%), Pekin (+7.3%), Morton (+4.1%), and Washington (+2.5%) The number of residential units sold in the 61554 zip code in the first 11 months of 2012 was 5.0% great than the same period...

The Alzheimer’s Association-Central Illinois Chapter is proud to welcome Joseph Leman, M.S., to the organization. Leman will serve as an education specialist for the Chapter and is based in the Peoria office. Among his job duties are presenting family education programs and assisting callers on the Chapter’s toll-free Helpline. "Connecting knowledge and need has always been fulfilling to me, so I'm excited to bring the best information and support to those touched by this disease,” Leman said. “My hope is that as we deepen our understanding we will be better equipped to meet the challenges of Alzheimer's." Leman, of Eureka, holds a master’s degree in psychology from Villanova University and a master’s degree in biological sciences from Illinois State University. Leman can be reached at jleman@alz.org or by calling the Chapter at 800.272.3900.

Pekin Main Street has taken great interest in is the preservation and restoration of Pekin's West Campus. It has fallen into a deplorable state over the past several years. Pekin Main Street is excited for the new opportunities that exist for new ownership as well as the preservation of this piece of Pekin's pride. Fundraising efforts are now up and running through the “Etched in Stone” brick fundraiser. By purchasing a brick, individuals and businesses can have their own contribution "etched in stone" while helping to raise monies necessary to save the West Campus property. What a great way to have a place to remember loved ones, students, teachers, and supporters of West Campus. The bricks purchased will be used in a walk way or courtyard area on the site in a manner that honors their donation. Bricks start at $100. While it will no longer serve as a school, our goal for this building is that it will once again serve our community for many generations to com...

Pekin Hospital is pleased to offer an adult diabetes education workshop on January 21, 22, and 23. The series of three classes will be held from 2 – 5 p.m. in the 4 South Education Classroom at Pekin Hospital. The classes are designed to provide information on managing adult diabetes and are designed to help diabetics learn and develop the skills of self-management of diabetes therapy. Topics covered in the sessions will include:  the importance of diabetes control and the factors that influence this control   how to plan meals according to food selections and serving size   the possible complications associated with diabetes   why exercise will benefit your health and make you feel good  Workshop speakers will include a Certified Diabetes Educator, Registered Dietitian, Registered Nurse, Registered Pharmacist, and Registered Medical Technician. Class fees are $70 per person (one guest may accompany the registrant at no extra cost). The $...

Virginia Mock, 84, of Macomb has been named the Alzheimer’s Association-Central Illinois Chapter’s new Ambassador for the 18th Congressional District. In this volunteer position, she will act as a constituent leader on Alzheimer’s disease and will cultivate a working relationship with Congressman Aaron Schock. She’ll meet with Schock four times a year and participate in monthly teleconferences with Association staff and fellow ambassadors across the country. “In just the last couple of months, I have found myself again,” Virginia explained as to why she wanted to serve. “I have just come to the conclusion I have to have my own life, some job to do. For me, it’s being part of the outside world. And this is something I care about.” The former teacher is now a full-time caregiver for her husband, Gordon, a retired Western Illinois University math professor. He has had dementia for nearly 20 years, she said. Virginia, a feisty woman who still goes to the Y to work out three times a w...

Goodwill of Central Illinois congratulates Illinois Valley Central High School for winning the 2012 “Recycle Your Style” contest. IVC and its supporters donated more than 5,500 pounds of clothing and took home the top prize of a SMART Board, donated by Bradfield’s Computer Supply. High schools within Goodwill of Central Illinois’ territory were asked to donate clothing so it could be “recycled” and worn by someone else. “This is the fourth year for the contest and the participation is still great” said Bob Parkhurst, Goodwill Vice President. “Community pride plays a part in the contest, but in the end it is Central Illinois’ generosity that really makes this contest successful, plus, having a SMART Board as the first prize provides great incentive for the schools. We are grateful to Bradfield’s Computer Supply for their donation each year.” Peoria Notre Dame came in second place and Stark County High School ranked third in pounds donated. An award ceremony will take place at IVC High S...

The Good Shepherd Lutheran School 7th & 8th Grade Chime Choir entertained over 100 chamber members and guests at the December Puttin' on Pekin breakfast. Mitch O'Shaughnessy from Dreamscapes Landscaping was presented with the Blue Ribbon Award. Jeff Brooks accepted the Sunshine Award on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Pekin and their efforts to clean Parkway Drive. Drs. Timm Schwartz and Cindy Miller accepted the Spotlight on Business Award for Schwartz & Miller Family Dentistry. The December breakfast also features the big year end door prize drawing.

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and their spouses, along with some past presidents and their spouses, enjoyed a Christmas dinner together. They also donated new stuffed animals that will be given to the Tazewell County Childrens Advocacy Center.

CenturyLink, Inc. recently announced that Ben Teabout has joined the company as the business account manager. Teabout will be responsible for facilitating the sales of CenturyLink business products and services. This will include conducting on-site customer presentations in the Pekin, Galesburg, and Dixon markets. Teabout previously worked at Carolina Telecom where he was responsible for managing the Durham, Wake Forest, and Raleigh territories. Ben has eleven years in the telecommunications industry where he has held a variety of positions including multi-unit management, team development and sales leadership. Teabout has a BA degree in Marketing from The University of Louisiana at Monroe. Teabout will relocate from Durham, NC to the Pekin area. Contact Ben for all your business needs at 309-477-0209. About CenturyLink CenturyLink is the third largest telecommunications company in the United States and is recognized as a leader in the network services market by technology industry ana...

Today's deal for the Peoria Rivermen 12 Days of Christmas is 30% off pro-rated season tickets for the 2012-13 season. Do you have a friend or relative that has a new found interest in Rivermen hockey? Surprise them with the best Christmas present possible: a ticket to every game for the rest of the 2012-13 season to watch the Rivermen make their second half run. This offer is valid throughout the weekend and can be purchased by calling the Rivermen at 309-676-1040.   

 CEFCU’s Board Of Directors is pleased to announce that a record extraordinary dividend of $9 million has been distributed to CEFCU member/owners. This dividend was based on members’ savings and loan activity during the year 2012, with $4.5 million going to borrowers and $4.5 million going to savers. The amount each member received was determined by dividends earned and interest paid during the first 11 months of the year, as of November 30, 2012. On December 11, dividends will be deposited to members’ Savings accounts. Over the last 13 years, CEFCU has returned $63 million in extraordinary dividends to members. CEFCU Board Chairman, Patricia Hampton, stated, “I am so pleased that, because of the loyalty of CEFCU’s members, the Credit Union is once again returning a year-end dividend to members. Due to the Credit Union’s strong financial results, this dividend is the largest ever extended to those who save and borrow with CEFCU. Credit Unions exist for members, no...

The Grand Victorian hosted the December Business After Hours on Thursday, December 6th. Chamber members and their guests were treated to a candy buffet, popcorn, and plenty of other food. There were also door prizes, tours, and a chance to meet the new director, Angela Bruder.  You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber  

Got an artificial Christmas tree that you don't know what to do with? Bring it into The HOPE Chest on Derby! For a limited time, The HOPE Chest is offering a $5 gift card when you donate a new or used Christmas tree. The HOPE Chest is a family friendly, not for profit thrift store located at 1106 Derby Street. They are open Monday through Sunday from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. For more information, call 620-9043

Order a cookie tray for the office, for the mailman or for your own Christmas party during the Alzheimer’s Association-Central Illinois Chapter’s holiday bake sale on Friday, Dec. 14. The bake sale starts at 10 a.m. at the office, 606 W. Glen Ave., and goes until every last pie, cookie, coffee cake, piece of fudge and mint chocolate Oreo ball is gone. (We had you at mint chocolate Oreo ball, didn't we?) Each large cookie tray is just $10. Other items are priced individually. Many of the goodies are made by Chapter staff; the rest of the items are donated by area bakeries and grocery stores. To place an order, call the office at 681.1100 or toll free at 800.272.3900. All proceeds benefit the Chapter’s programs and services for families.

The Gateway Foundation, located at 11 South Capitol in Pekin, celebrated their recent opening and chamber membership with a ribbon cutting on December 5th. Gateway Foundation is the largest provider of drug rehab and alcohol treatment in Illinois. The dedicated staff, led locally clinical supervisor Drey Church, will be with you throughout drug rehab and treatment. You and your family will receive the guidance and support necessary for lasting recovery. More information is available at www.recovergateway.org or (309) 346-7800.

Small businesses across the country got their holiday season off to a strong start as millions of U.S. consumers “shopped small” on Small Business Saturday and made a big impact on local communities. According to the second installment of the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, released today by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express, consumer awareness of Small Business Saturday jumped to 67 percent from 34 percent just two weeks ago.   Of those aware, nearly half (47%) shopped on Small Business Saturday.  The increased awareness translated into higher spending.    Those U.S. consumers who were aware of Small Business Saturday spent a total of $5.5 billion with independent merchants. Pre-holiday surveys estimated that U.S. consumers would spend $5.3 billion.  Separately, American Express said Cardmember transactions at small business merchants rose approximately 2 1 percent compared to last year’s Sm...

Congresswoman-Elect Cheri Bustos was in the office of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce today. Executive Director Bill Fleming invited her to stop by and get acquainted. Bustos defeated Congressman Bobby Schilling just four weeks earlier and will be sworn in to represent the 17th Illinois Congressional District in four weeks. Chamber President Drew Leman, Rich Kriegsman, Dennis Kief and Carol Shields also attended. The group heard about Bustos' plans and goals and also provided her updates on several local issues and projects, most notably Veterans Drive.

The IRS has issued the 2013 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.  Beginning January 1, 2013, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 56.5 cents per mile for business miles driven 24 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations. The rate for business miles driven during 2013 increases one cent from the 2012 rate. The medical and moving rate is also up one cent per mile from the 2012 rate.   The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.   Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage...

Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director John Kim, and Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) Executive Director Chris Meister today announced that the first loan of the governor’s Illinois Clean Water Initiative would be awarded to the city of Pekin to improve a wastewater treatment plant. As part of the governor’s $1 billion water infrastructure initiative, the city completed the necessary application and meets the eligibility criteria to qualify for a long-term, low-interest $4.8 million loan, which is being jointly administered by IEPA and the IFA. This project will create or support nearly 400 jobs by improving local water infrastructure.   “Just as Illinois was defined by its waterways, so too was Pekin,” Governor Quinn said. “Built by skilled laborers, this new wastewater treatment facility will protect the health of Pekin’s residents and its waterways. The project is a prime example of how the Illinois Clean Water Initiative is an iinvestm...

Goodwill of Central Illinois is offering another chance to receive Bergner’s coupons for clothing donations. The coupons will allow a 25% discount on items such as jewelry, fragrances and apparel. A Stuff the Truck event takes place on Thursday, December 6 at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie in Peoria. The donation drive and Bergner’s sale runs December 6 through December 11, 2012. “Our 'Stuff the Truck' event and subsequent Bergner’s sale takes place twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall,” says Bob Parkhurst, Goodwill Vice President. “This year Bergner’s is offering an additional sale, just in time for the holidays. Plus, these coupons offer a 25% discount, as opposed to the usual 20%.” Donors receive one 25% off Bergner’s coupon for every item donated. Coupons are available at any Goodwill store or donation center and at Bergner’s. The sale of donated items fund Goodwill’s free programs and services for the people of Central Illinois. Goodwill of Central Illinois ...

This week Mediabase, the music industry’s primary service that monitors radio station airplay, announced that WWCT will immediately join the panel of stations nationwide that helps create the Adult Album Alternative (AAA) chart they create through their monitoring system. WWCT achieved this recognition due to its leadership role in the AAA format nationally in addition to meeting the requirements of having spent at least one year in the format and maintaining a minimum number of listeners. There are now only 26 stations nationally with this standing. “This new status as a reporter on the AAA panel affords us tremendous opportunities to deliver more local concerts and will allow our listeners even greater access to incredible artists, both around the Midwest and beyond,” explains Operations Manager Scott Hecathorn. “Knowing that our station has an impact on the national charts, bands and record companies are now more anxious than ever to interact with our audience.” Mediabase publishes ...