Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

In recognition of National Cancer Survivors Day, the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will be hosting free STAR cancer rehabilitation screenings at three of their outpatient sites on Monday, June 3 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Visit 6501 N Sheridan Rd in Peoria, 209 N Cummings Ln in Washington, or 2359 Broadway in Pekin to participate. Cancer survivors and family members are encouraged to attend and learn more about IPMR’s STAR program and how it addresses the physical and emotional difficulties faced by survivors during and after cancer treatment. Light refreshments will be served at the individual question and answer sessions. Debilitating fatigue, pain, cognitive problems, depression, neuropathy, lymphedema, nausea and loss of strength and range of motion are all common problems cancer survivors face. “Cancer survivors should not be forced to accept a new normal”, said IPMR therapy director Sue Paul. “IPMR is excited to offer this compassionate, personalized program to...

CDS Office Technologies , today announced it has achieved a Gold OEM competency and the Silver Mid-Market Solution Provider/Small Business Specialist, Devices and Deployment, Hosting, Identity and Access and Server Platform competencies in the Microsoft Partner Network, demonstrating its ability to meet Microsoft customers’ evolving needs in today’s dynamic business environment.   To earn Microsoft gold and silver competencies, organizations must complete a rigorous set of tests to prove their level of technology expertise, submit customer references and demonstrate their commitment to customer satisfaction by participating in an annual survey. CDS Office Technologies is a locally owned value-added reseller (VAR) serving Illinois and Missouri for over 40 years. CDS has seven locations with 115 employees specializing in information technology products and services, public safety equipment, office communications and wireless networks, multi-function copiers/printers, video confere...

Bednar Chiropractic 1113 Court St., Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 349-3746 www.bednarchiropractic.com Terri Bednar, D.C P.C.P , Chiropractor Bednar Chiropractic is a full service chiropractor featuring vitamins and supplements, corrective exercises, and life-style coaching. Amongst their therapeutic options are spinal decompression, massage, and traditional chiropractic therapies.

The Partnership for a Healthy Community, a group of local agencies including the Tazewell County Health Department, is collaborating with Quality Quest to promote worksite wellness to area businesses.  Local businesses are encouraged to visit the link below and complete the survey.  This survey will provide valuable information to assist in developing and/or improving the worksite wellness programs. Worksite wellness programs provide many benefits to our local business community.  Enhancing worksite wellness programs will increase productivity, improve job satisfaction, improve recruitment and retention rates, decrease absenteeism, minimize workers compensation and disability claims, and lead to overall improved management of health care costs. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CTGWWsurvey

The Board of Directors of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce created a 2013 Legislative Agenda which includes five agenda items at the state level and 3 items at the local level. The agenda also includes background information on the issues and contact information for city, county, state and federal legislators. There is a 4-page version and a 2-page summary version available for download.

Volunteers are needed to help perform practice employment interviews to federal inmates. While experience in interviewing is helpful, it is not required. Upon arrival at the institution, we will help prepare you for the day. In the past, most employers have found this to be a very rewarding experience. Dates are June 14 and September 20. Please download the registration form and return it to FCI-Pekin.

The Board of Directors of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce adopted our current strategic plan in May of 2012.   Download a review of the first year of this plan to see the activities and actions taken, and the accomplishments and disappointments. You can also see an plan for the period of April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 on our website at: http://www.pekinchamber.com/chambermission.html .

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 6, 2013 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 27th 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 6, 2013 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. The talent co...

The Alzheimer’s Association-Central Illinois Chapter offers around-the-clock support for area residents with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias as well as their family members and caregivers. “While we offer a variety of scheduled educational programs, we also have several services that be accessed at your convenience, such as our Helpline and our website. Both are amazing resources for the families we serve,” said Angela Green, director of public relations for the Central Illinois Chapter. Trained professionals, including Central Illinois Chapter staff, man the Association’s toll-free, 24/7 Helpline, 800.272.3900. They provide a listening ear and can answer any questions regarding Alzheimer’s disease. One of the Helpline’s most important duties is assisting callers in answering, “Where do I go from here?” The Helpline also provides basic information about the disease, referrals, special facility information, local resources, and care consultations. The Central Illinois Chapter’s...

Pekin Hospital will celebrate its 100th anniversary and raise funds for improvements in its Obstetrical Unit at the Centennial Ball to be held on June 1, at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria. The community is invited to attend, and tickets, which are $150 per person, can be purchased by visiting www.pekinhospital.org/2013centennialball or by calling (309) 353-0559. The evening, which commences at 6 p.m., will include dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions featuring auction items generously donated by local businesses and donors. Entertainment will be provided by The Ralph Butler Band. Attire is semi-formal. Net proceeds from the event will help fund a fetal monitoring system for the Obstetrics Unit. Some of this year’s silent auction items include a variety of getaways, wine tastings, electronics, and home décor items. Live auction items include: a sports fan getaway, New Orleans jazz and dining experience, Costa Rica five-night trip, Scottsdale four-night golf trip, ...

Pekin Ob/Gyn physician Eric V. Reinertson, M.D., has joined ProHealth Medical Group and is accepting patients at his new practice, Premier Obstetrics and Gynecology, located at 2401 Broadway, Lower Level in Pekin. Dr. Reinertson will continue to offer state-of-the-art, personalized healthcare to women of all stages of life, including low and high-risk pregnancy care and minimally invasive surgery. Same day appointments are available. Board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Reinertson’s areas of interest include:  outpatient laparoscopic hysterectomies   pelvic reconstruction   prolapsed uterus and bladder repair   Essure surgery-free permanent birth control   hormone replacement therapy   3D/4D fetus ultrasound photos and videos  Dr. Reinertson completed an Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program at Washington University/Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a member of the American College...

Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Pekin and Pekin Hospital helped Lora Jacobs cut the ribbon at the new location of Pekin Hospital Home Health Care.  Lora is the director of Home Health Care Services.  They are located in Sunset Plaza at 2934 Court and can be reached at 353-0371.  You can see more pictures from this event at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

END OF YEAR TEXTBOOK RECYCLING!!! No need to remove covers Keeps more materials out of the landfill SOFTBACK BOOKS HARDBACK BOOKS SPIRAL BOUND BOOKS Call to schedule pick up! RIKKI WALLACE 309-353-333 rikki.wallace@midlanddavis.com

I am so overwhelmed with the support and love expressed yesterday during our open house. I cannot thank everyone enough or even begin to express my gratitude for all of those that took time out of their very busy schedules to stop by and show support for the HHC department. A special acknowledgement for Jo Ellen, Sherry, Steve, Dan and Bill Bishop for the countless hours and e-mails spent making this move happen. I could not have done this without their support. Sincerely grateful, Lora S Jacobs RN Director HHC Services Pekin Hospital HHC (309) 353-0371 phone (309) 347-1194 fax

The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that a traffic staging shift on eastbound I-74 from I-474 to I-155 will take place Monday, May 20 th at 5:30 p.m. Work to complete this traffic shift is expected to continue overnight until Tuesday, May 21 st at 6:30 a.m. Traffic on eastbound I-74 will be reduced to one lane while crews remove pavement markings. Eastbound I-474 traffic will be required to merge into the one open lane of I-74 during this time and significant traffic congestion is expected. When this work is completed, two lanes of eastbound I-74 will be open to traffic at this location. The overall project is the complete reconstruction of I-74 from Pleasant Hill Road to Morton Avenue in Tazewell County, including construction of additional through lanes on I-74; reconstruction of the I-155 interchange into a new configuration; ramp improvements at the Morton Avenue interchange; removal of eight existing structures on I-74 with replacement of six of those stru...

Checkout the Spring-Summer edition of Champion Fitness' 2013 Quarterly On-line newsletter. A couple of "feel good stories" - one from Tuscola and another involving some of their staff members. Plus, they take a look at golf and dancing, give you a healthy recipe, and their owner reveals some scholarship winning students!  http://www.champfit.com/wp-content/uploads/billboards/May2013-web..pdf

Please join us...                                                             Doing Business with the Guard: Where do you fit in?  Wednesday, June 12 - 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Embassy Suites Hotel  100 Conference Center Drive - East Peoria, IL 61611 The Illinois Chamber has partnered with   the U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer for Illinois   to assist businesses in gaining access to the purchasing power   of the Illinois National Guard. You are invited   to find out where you fit in this process. Click on the link below to find out more, including a listing of products and service lines. Registration is FREE! L...

The cost of living in Greater Peoria has gone down slightly in the first quarter 2013 compared to the same time last year. This is according to the latest Cost of Living Index released by the Council for Community and Economic Research. This is positive news as we work hard to attract new businesses and talented people to our region. The Cost of Living Index measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services in participating areas. The average for all participating places equals 100. Each participant’s index is read as a percentage of that average. This index is a quarterly measure of regional differences based on more than 90,000 prices covering 60 different items for which prices are collected quarterly by chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and university applied economic centers in participating urban areas. Greater Peoria scores near the national average of 100 in all six component categories and the region’s overall composite score was 100.4 ...

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Karen G. Mills issued the following statement after the announcement of the Presidential disaster declaration in Illinois due to severe storms, winds and flooding between April 16 and May 5, 2013: “The U.S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the people of  Illinois with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist homeowners, renters, and businesses with federal disaster loans. Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.” The disaster declaration covers Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will counties in Illinois, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.  Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Boone, Bureau, K...

Pekin Hospital is pleased to offer an adult diabetes education workshop on June 10, 11, and 12. 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 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 $70 includes all three classes. Class si...

Over 80 business leaders from 15 chambers of commerce in Central Illinois attend the CIRCLE Legislative Day in Springfield on May 9th. This is the 4th year CIRCLE (Central Illinois Regional Chamber Legislative Effort) has brought the business community's issues of importance to legislators. This year's issues included opposition to minimum wage increase, the need for workers comp reform, the new for public pension reform, and the need for the State to pay its bills on time. Pictured at right is John Franks, Vice President of Pekin-Peoria Yellow Checker Cab Company, telling the audience how the State's late payments affected his business.  You can see more pictures from this event at:   http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

The Alzheimer's Association-Central Illinois Chapter has two popular family education programs beginning next week. First, the Chapter is looking for individuals in their 40s and older to participate in its “Train Your Brain” 6-week program. The program will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursdays from May 16-June 20 at Chapter headquarters, 606 W. Glen Ave., Peoria. Train Your Brain was developed as part of the Association’s mission to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Each week will feature a different brain-related topic and a guest speaker. Cost for the program is $30 per person. Participants will receive a brain stimulation activities manual and handouts for each session. A certificate of completion will be given upon conclusion of the final session. Registration is required by May 15. Secondly, the Chapter will host a program entitled “Facing New Challenges” from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, May 20 at the OSF Institute on Aging, 8600 Illinois Route 91,...

Pekin Hospital will offer a free presentation Knee Pain: Surgical & Non-Surgical Treatment of Osteoarthritis on Tuesday, May 14 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Pekin Hospital’s Park Court Conference Center. Orthopedic Surgeon Donald A. Mitzelfelt, M.D. and Robert Jones, P.A., from Pekin Orthopedic Center will discuss symptoms and treatment options for osteoarthritis, including joint replacement. Osteoarthritis is a common disease affecting some 27 million Americans, causing pain, stiffness and swelling in joints. It reduces your joints’ mobility, interfering with your ability to work and live your life normally. Join us to learn how you can manage pain, stiffness, and swelling. You will also learn how to improve joint mobility and flexibility. Seating is limited. Registration is required and can be made by calling (309) 353-0662.

Zach Ehrmantraut and Brad Juergens were appointed to the Board of Directors of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at their May 8, 2013 meeting.  They were appointed by Board President Tom Hornstein to fill seats that were vacant due to resignations from board members who moved out of the area. Ehrmantraut, branch manager at Springleaf Financial Services was appointed to a 1-year term and Brad Juergens, vice-president of Seico Security, was appointed to fill a 2-year term. Zak Ehrmantraut                   Brad Juergens  

Savant Capital Management, a fee-only wealth management firm headquartered in Rockford, IL with an office in Peoria, is announcing today the launch of eSavant Advisor, one of the industry’s first online financial planning service that offers each client a dedicated team to personally assist in identifying their needs and helping them craft their vision of an ideal financial future. If an investor doesn’t live in one of Savant’s markets, they are in luck and can access Savant wherever they are located, whether its sitting in their cubical, at their kid’s soccer game or cruising along the Pacific. Savant has been delivering world-class investment solutions for more than 26 years and has been nationally recognized by several top publications, including Barron’s magazine as one of the 100 best independent financial advisors in the United Sates for the last six consecutive years. Additionally, the firm has been named a top RIA firm by Financial Planning magazine, Financial Advisor maga...

After attending Saint Ambrose University on a football scholarship for one year, Travis transferred to Eureka College where he graduated in 2008. As an agent for AFLAC, he received the award for Top Agent in Illinois for the 4th quarter of 2011. Travis has volunteered for the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, YMCA and Senior Olympics. At the Unland Companies, Travis will be focusing on Commercial, Personal, Life and Employee Benefits products. For more information: Contact Pat Taphorn at 347-2177

Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pekin held a ribbon cutting on May 5, 2013 at the new Henderson Funeral Home, 2131 Velde Drive.  Greg and Marla Henderson broke ground on the new facility at the corner of Velde Drive and Parkway Drive in July of 2012.   The new 12,000-square-foot facility includes a residence, crematory, community room and chapel that will hold up to 350 people.   The Henderson’s hosted a public open house with refreshments and tours as part of the celebration.

Mashie's at The Clubs at Sunset Hills hosted the May 2nd Business After Hours. Chamber members and guests enjoyed food and drinks and heard about current offerings and future improvements from Jerry, Walter, Jill and Ryan.  You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at:   http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

ICPR Family Practice provides more than most family practices.  Dr. Sumer and his team specialize in many areas that ease the burden of patients having to visit different doctors for a variety of medical conditions. ICPR specializes in pain management and treating arthritis and carpal tunnel syndromes as well as providing at home sleep studies to diagnose sleep apnea, personalized diabetic care, Physical Therapy, and family medical care for all ages.   ICPR also provides on site x-rays, diagnostic services, wellness center and lab services to get you the best care possible while treating the whole you. ICPR is always accepting new patients and many programs offered by ICPR do not require you to be a patient.   Call today to find out more about how ICPR can help you and your family live a healthier lifestyle.   309-347-4277 or www.icpronline.com

Pekin Hospital and Lite Rock 107 are proud to recognize Pekin Community High School students MacKenzie McLouth and Emily Monks as recipients of the Pekin Community High School (PCHS) Student Award for April. MacKenzie, a senior, was nominated by Mrs. Tonya Barra, an English teacher at PCHS. In the nomination, Mrs. Barra cited MacKenzie’s contributions to PCHS’ Best Buddies Club and her involvement in extra-curricular activities. Emily, a senior, was nominated by Mrs. Theresa Black, an English teacher at PCHS. In the nomination, Mrs. Black cited Emily’s contributions as her assistant. Each month two PCHS students who excel in moral character, positive attitude, volunteerism, demonstrate ideal role-model behavior, and who contribute to the classroom are nominated by teachers, counselors, and high school personnel. The students must be a senior and show remarkable qualities which help them prepare for a promising future. Seth Mingus, Assistant Principal for Curriculum at PCHS said, “PC...