Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Ace Liquor 1025 Derby St. Pekin, IL 61554 309-347-7825 (2nd location at) 14 N. 5th St. Pekin, IL 61554 309-346-2185 Jason Kreiling , President/Owner Ace Liquor is a locally owned liquor store with two locations to serve you in Pekin. There is a wide variety of Beers, Wines & Spirits available, as well as the ever growing craft beer selection. 

Northwestern Mutual 4711 NW University Peoria, IL 61554 309-693-0800 www.nm.com Chad Mucciante , Financial Rep Kelley Davidson , Director of Operations Northwestern Mutual specializes in insurance and investment options.

Muse Salon Inc. 429 Court St Pekin, IL 61554 309-642-9275 Karen Walker , owner/stylist Todd Hasty , owner

Aindrea Balagna CPA Pekin, IL 61554 309-645-6562 Aindrea Balagna

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The regional economy showed some improvement this month, however Pekin lagged behind in sales tax receipts and real estate sales.  L Pekin's June sales tax disbursement from the state was down 12.9% compared to the same month a year ago.  The 3-month running average was down 16.2% and the 12-month running average was down 9.2%. J The other large Tazewell County communities all showed growth in their June disbursements from the state, compared to a year ago:  East Peoria +26.8%; Washington +7.6%; and, Morton +9.0%.  J June sales tax disbursements for the four large Tazewell County communities as a whole, were up 7.7% compared to June of 2013. L Through May a total of 160 residential units have been sold in Pekin.  That is down 18.8% compared to the first 5 months of 2013.  The other communities in Tazewell County posted similar results, with Morton's sales down 26%, East Peoria down 16.3%  and Washington down 24.3%.   J Th...

The Pekin Hospital Auxiliary held its Annual Tea on June 17 and awarded financial assistance to seven area students pursuing careers in health-related fields.  The 2014 recipients are: Lindsay Beyer of Pekin; Hannah Booker of Peoria; Madeline Hopkins of Green Valley; Taylor Lamberson of Pekin; April Najpaver of Pekin; Sean Zwicky of Pekin; and Jeanette McIntyre of Manito. The Pekin Hospital Auxiliary was established in 1941 to provide service to Pekin Hospital. The financial assistance program began in 1962 to provide assistance to local students pursuing careers in health care. Assistance funds are raised through the Auxiliary’s annual holiday bake sale, raffle, and other Auxiliary fundraisers .   

Representatives from the City of Pekin and the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Sears Hometown & Outlet to Pekin with a ribbon cutting on June 21st.  Sears Hometown & Outlet is located at 3247 Court Street, Suite A and they can be reached at (309) 210-7800.  Adam White, the store general manager, cut the ribbon.  He was joined by other local and district Sears staff.  Sears Hometown & Outlet Store is a company owned location. Appliances, lawn & garden, tools, mattresses, outdoor living and fitness products are available in the store. There is also a vast assortment of products available via the online warehouse.  You can see more pictures from this event at:   http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Country Financial - Brett Wolters 1615 Valle Vista Pekin, IL 61554 309-346-5433 www.countryfinancial.com/brett.wolters Brett Wolters , Financial Representative Country Financial offers all lines of insurance as well as financial services.

Sud Family Limited 1430 Ft. Jesse Rd Suite 100  Normal, IL 61761  309-664-1101 Terry Harper Michelle Williams Suniti Sud  Sud Family Limited specializes in Real Estate Management.

Henricksen & Co. recently joined the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. Steve Meyer, account rep with Henricksen , was presented a membership plaque and welcomed to the chamber by Executive Director Bill Fleming. Henricksen & Co. is a full service office furniture dealership, providing a wide range of office furnishings from the industry's leading manufacturers. They offer a broad scope of services, from design and CAD specificaiton, project management installation and relocation assistance. Henricksen is located in downtown Peoria at 401 SW Water Street, Suite 205.  They can be reached at (309) 636-0033.

The Dirksen Congressional Center’s Endowment Fund membership elected new members and officers to the Board of Directors at its recent annual meeting.  Joining the Board are Kimberly Remmert, PHR, Director of Human Resources, Pekin Insurance Company; Dr. Timmothy J. Schwartz, Dentist, Pekin; and Ms. Leslie K. Weyhrich, CPA and Partner, Wolf, Tesar & Company, P.C., Pekin. Jeff Bernstein, Professor of Political Science, Eastern Michigan University and Drew Leman, Vice President, Leman Property Management Company, completed their two terms on the Board. The following Directors were elected as officers:  President, William T. Fleming, Executive Director, Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce; Vice President, Louis E. Miller, Attorney, Bagley and Miller Attorneys, Pekin; Secretary, Sue Ann Kortkamp, retired, Pekin; Treasurer, Dr. Michael D. Danner, Dentist, Pekin. The Dirksen Congressional Center is a private, nonpartisan, non-profit research and educational institution whos...

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University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit is proud to offer Master Naturalist training this fall. "The program is designed to train volunteers in natural resources so they can become natural area stewards, educators, and advocates," explains Christine Belless , program coordinator with Extension. The program provides science-based educational opportunities that connect people with nature and help them become engaged environmental stewards. The following subjects will be taught during the program: Ecological Concepts, Botany, Geology, Anthropology, Forest Ecology, Grassland Ecology, Ornithology, Mammology , Herpetology, Entomology, and Aquatic Systems.  The Master Naturalist program is a combination of education and volunteer service.  With the help of local experts, U of I Extension provides the educational support for the program, while the internship service time will be done with their primary partners:  The Nature Conservancy, Dickso...

The June Puttin' On Pekin breakfast was held on Friday the 13th, but it was a lucky start to the day for the 70 chamber members and guests in attendance. Lora Jacobs presented the Sunshine Award to Teresa Tucker for her volunteer work with the Alzheimer's Association. Leon Edwards earned the early award for arriving first. Drew Leman accepted the Spotlight on Business Award on behalf of Leman Property Management. The Sabella Street Station was presented with a Blue Ribbon Award for their remodeling efforts at the old Elks Lodge in downtown Pekin. The featured program was Pekin's July 4th celebration, presented by Steve Brown.  Jackie Schillinger won the late prize.  You can see more pictures from this event at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

The June Business After Hours was hosted by Morton Villa Nursing Center at 190 E. Queenwood.  Erica and her staff gave tours of the facility and offered their guests some great food and drinks.  There were also plenty of door prizes!  You can see more pictures from this event at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber   

Illinois American Water’s non-revenue water supervisor, Brent Oest, has been named to the Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators (JULIE), Inc. Board of Directors.  Oest will serve as Vice President of Sewer and Water Utilities.  In this position, Oest will work in conjunction with the other board members to determine organizational policy, planning, finance, and public and governmental relations. “We congratulate Brent on this important role and his commitment to working with our utility partners.  These relationships are critical for the safety of our customers and employees,” said Barry Suits, Illinois American Water's Vice President of Operations. While a member of JULIE’s board of directors, Oest will serve on the public education and the operations committee. JULIE, Inc. provides Illinois excavators and underground utility owners with a continuously improving, one-call message handling and delivery service committed to protecting underground utilities...

A Leadership Training Program Produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation WASHINGTON, D.C.— Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is pleased to announce that William T. Fleming, Executive Director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, has recently completed his third year at Institute for Organization Management, a four-year nonprofit leadership training program at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.   “Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”     Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute...

The General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport continues to break records for passenger air service, with 112,153 passengers in April and May 2014. In addition, March had the highest passenger count ever experienced at the airport, with 59,021 passengers. Combined, the three most recent months represent nearly a seven-percent increase in passenger travel over the same months in 2013.

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Savant Capital Management, a nationally recognized fee-only wealth management firm, ranks #10 on InvestmentNews’ 2014 “15 Fastest Growing Fee-Only RIAs” list. Headquartered in Rockford, IL. Savant also has nine offices in the following cities: Chicago, Freeport, IL; Geneva, IL; Hoffman Estates, IL; Naperville, IL; Peoria, IL; Sterling, IL; McLean, VA; and Madison, WI. Savant experienced a three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 25 percent, according to InvestmentNews. In addition, the company also took the #6 spot for “Top fee-only RIAs with 500+ financial planning clients” and the #4 spot for “Biggest Gainers: Largest fee-only RIAs ranked by percentage growth in total assets.” Savant is the only firm to be ranked in the top 10 in all three lists. “It’s an honor to be named among the industry’s fastest growing firms in addition to being one of the top fee-only RIAs,” said Brent Brodeski, CEO and Principal of Savant Capital Management. “This growth and recognition s...

Pekin Hospital will offer a 5K run, a one-mile walk, and kids fun run on Friday, July 11 starting with a half-mile kids fun run at 6:30 p.m. and a 5K run and one-mile walk starting at 7 p.m.  The Dash at Dusk 5K race will start and finish on Park Avenue by the Hospital and promises to be flat and fast. Registration fees are as follows: 5K run:  $30 per person One-mile walk:  $30 per person Kids fun run:  $10 per person The top three winners in age group categories will receive a custom cast glow-in-the-dark medal.  The first place overall male and female winners will receive $75 Running Central gift cards.  All runners and walkers will receive a swag bag with promotional items and an event t-shirt. The after party will feature music, health booths, food, and family fun. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Hospital’s fall mission trip to Liberia. For more information and online registration, please visit www.dashatdusk.com.

The YWCA Pekin Women’s Leadership Network and the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce are proud to introduce the Leadership Connection - a new program to connect not-for-profits with current and emerging community leaders.    Join us on June 18th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Avanti’s Dome  to learn more about area not-for-profits and their volunteer needs.  The program is open to the community, and we hope to match you with a not-for-profit organization looking for volunteers.   Participating organizations include : Pekin Outreach Initiative, Tazewell County Children’s Advocacy Center, Boys & Girls Club, Tazewell County Health Department, Salvation Army, United Way, Center for Prevention of Abuse, TCRC, TAPS, and of course, YWCA Pekin and the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce.   If you have ever wanted to learn more about not-for-profits and opportunities to volunteer, please plan to attend! Each not-for-profit wil...

Mark Beemer was recently promoted to president and CEO of Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings Inc., Pekin, Illinois.  He joined the company as acting president in 2012, with responsibilities encompassing corporate turnaround and leadership, strategic planning, capital expenditures, and implementing revenue initiatives through commodity risk management and disciplined financial management. Aventine is a $600 million company currently operating the 160-million-gallon wet mill and dry mill plants in Pekin and the Vogelbusch 45-million-gallon Nebraska Energy LLC plant and the 110-million-gallon Aventine Aurora West Delta T plant in Aurora, Nebraska. A 25-year veteran of the grain and agriculture processing industry, Beemer has built a reputation and track record as a turnaround manager and C-suite business consultant. Recently he has consulted extensively with AlixPartners on the VeraSun bankruptcy and international ventures. Beemer launched his career in commodity trading as a Chi...

At CEFCU’s recent Annual Meeting, the Credit Union reported outstanding achievements for 2013.  At the end of the year, Assets were more than       $4.9 billion, which is an increase of over 2.5% compared to 2012.  Savings deposits and loans outstanding were at historic levels.  And, total membership for 2013 grew by over 5,500 members.                At the Annual Meeting, Thea Robinson, 2013 Chairman of the Board of Directors, stated, “In recognition of strong member loyalty, combined with staff controlling expenses while making solid business lending and investment decisions, the Board of Directors authorized a RECORD $12 million Extraordinary Dividend to members at year end.  Over the past 14 years, CEFCU has returned $75 million in Extraordinary Dividends to member/owners. ”  Keeping true to the insight that launched CEFCU 75 years ago, it just proves that together, we’re better.     ...

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Thanks to the following businesses, organizations, and individuals who recently renewed their investment in the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: 5-Star MVP :  City of Pekin Classic MVP :  American Milling Company ~ Atlas Supply Company ~ Debbie Fornoff Interior Designs & Draperies ~ Hair Cuttery ~ Homerun Advertising Specialties ~ JPG Commercial Real Estate LLC ~ P & W Builders ~ Papa Murphys Take N Bake Pizza ~ Soderstrom Skin Institute ~ Southside Business Association ~ St. Jude Pekin to Peoria Run ~ Whiz Kidz Academy - Childcare & Preschool Individual/Retired Members :  Steve Saal