Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

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The Center for Prevention of Abuse announces its 2014-2015 Board of Directors. Board of Director Officers; • Althea Geiser, B’Ribboned, Etc. President • Greg Miller, Pioneer Railcorp Vice President • Karla Losey, Associated Bank Secretary • Sandy Andrews, CEFCU Retiree Treasurer • Deauna Collins, Herget Bank Vice Treasurer Newly Elected Board Members; • Michele Anderson, South Side Bank • Paroma Banerjee, Caterpillar Inc. • Neil Kaderabek, Pekin Insurance • Kimberly Leman, Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino Returning Board Members; • Sue Bosich, Eliff, Dancey & Bosich, P.C. • Dave Finch, Verizon Wireless • Joanna Gardner M.D., OSF Saint Francis Medical Center • The Reverend Elaine Gordon, Ward Chapel AME Church • Denise Johnson, Caterpillar Inc. • Chris McCall, McCall Law Offices, P.C. • Christina Alwan Miller, Northwestern Mutual • The Reverend Anna Saxon, UnityPoint Health Methodist/Proctor • Bonnie Schofield, Community Volunteer • Stacey Shangraw, Ameren Illin

Savant Capital Management, a nationally recognized fee-only wealth management firm, announced today it has been recognized by two leading financial trade publications as a top Registered Investment Advisors firm (RIA) in the country. Savant has been named one of the top 50 RIA firms by Financial Advisor magazine. The firm ranked 49 th overall and moved up from 9 th to 7 th of Illinois firms recognized. Financial Advisor magazine’s top RIA list includes more than 500 RIAs from across the country. As published in the ranking results, at the end of 2013 Savant managed over $3.6 billion in assets. Annually, Financial Advisor ranks the top registered investment advisory firms across the United States based on a survey of the firm’s discretionary assets under management.  Click here to view the entire list. “We are honored to be named to Financial Advisor’s Top RIA Firms list for the sixth consecutive year,” said Brent Brodeski, CEO at Savant Capital Management.  “Th

Goodwill Industries International (GII) is a membership organization comprised of 165 independent Goodwill headquarters. Goodwill Industries International was contacted last Friday afternoon by a payment card industry fraud investigative unit and federal authorities informing us that select U.S. store locations may have been the victims of possible theft of payment card numbers. Investigators are currently reviewing available information. At this point, no breach has been confirmed but an investigation is underway. Goodwills across the country take the data of consumers seriously and their community well-being is our number one concern. Goodwill Industries International is working with industry contacts and the federal authorities on the investigation. We will remain apprised of the situation and will work proactively with any individual local Goodwill involved taking appropriate actions if a data compromise is uncovered.

CEFCU received a 5-Star or “Superior” rating – the highest rating awarded  – by BAUERFINANCIAL, an independent organization that has been analyzing the performance of all financial institutions since 1983.  This rating indicates CEFCU is a safe, financially-sound credit union that is operating well above regulatory capital requirements, having a capital to assets ratio of over 9%.  BAUERFINANCIAL rates credit unions based on asset quality, capital adequacy, profitability, historical trends, reserves, and regulatory compliance.                As of the end of May, CEFCU’s assets were over $5 billion.  Members’ savings reached over $4.4 billion, and loans outstanding totaled $3.4 billion.  CEFCU savings plans are federally insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a U.S. Government Agency.                With assets just over $5 billion, CEFCU serves over 302,000 members through               20 central Illinois Member Centers and 3 Member Cent

The Tazewell County Clerk/Recorder’s Office is excited to offer a service for our Veterans, known as, Honor Rewards. With Honor Rewards, Veterans can sign-up at our office or online to receive an Honor Rewards card, which qualifies them for discounts and incentives at participating businesses in our community. We would like to offer you the opportunity to become a participating business with Honor Rewards and show your thanks and appreciation to our Veterans. What your business offers is up to you, whether it’s percentage off discount, specific dollar amount or some other incentive. By participating, your business name with be listed on the Honor Rewards website for Tazewell  County, provided to Veterans who receive an Honor Rewards card, and also be regularly mentioned in email blasts to current Honor Rewards members. In addition, we will provide you with promotional materials like door stickers and flyers to promote that you are an Honor Rewards business member. To become a b

Some pictures are worth a thousand words. Now, they could be worth a total of $1,500 shared by three organizations via Illinois American Water’s “Value of Water” photo contest.  The contest begins today, July 22, 2014, on the Company’s Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/ilamwater?v=app_177914495580579&rest=1 . Illinois American Water invited 12 local organizations to submit photos and thoughts to depict what water service means to their organization and community.  The photos will be posted to Illinois American Water’s Facebook page here – http://bit.ly/1nanM8w . The photo contest also aims to raise awareness about the role water service plays in daily lives, economic growth and fire protection. The public can participate by voting for their favorite “Value of Water” photo beginning July 22, 2014 through August 20, 2014.  The three photos with the most votes will earn their organization $750 (first place), $500 (second place) and $250 (third place).  The winners

 The Alzheimer’s Association invites Central Illinois to its Summer Concert at the Winery from noon – 5 p.m. this Sunday, July 27, at Kickapoo Creek Winery, 6605 N. Smith Road in Edwards.  Enjoy wine tasting and relax to entertainment while supporting families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The $10 admission fee includes an afternoon of wine tasting and entertainment, with proceeds benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association - Central Illinois Chapter, Peoria. Popular local musical acts Jazz Slayer, Greg Williams and Boogie Shooze will perform. Tickets may be reserved at the Alzheimer’s Association Central Illinois Chapter office by calling 800-272-3900. Tickets are also available for purchased at Kickapoo Creek Winery and will be sold at the door the day of the event. The Alzheimer's Association-Central Illinois Chapter offers programs and support services to help improve the quality of life of area residents dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. Its mission is to elimina

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), North-Central Regional Economic Development and Illinois Main Street will host the first North Central regional Women's Business Resources Expo at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites East Peoria on July 24. “Women enterprises in the state of Illinois should be recognized as a driving economic force,” said Carol Bell, director of women’s business development at DCEO. “It’s our hope that this expo will draw particular attention to the resources that exist to help women-owned firms reach the next competitive level.” Presentations will focus on vendor programs, procurement contracting opportunities, bidding processes and initiatives applicable to women-owned firms. The list of panelists include Bell; Arthur Williams, Advantage Illinois; Rebecca Harmon and Deb Waldrop, Workforce Development; Chima Enyia, Central Management Services; Tory Davis, Illinois Department of Employment Security; Karen Fraase, Illinois Depar

Midwest Dental - Pekin 3218 Court Street Pekin, IL 61554 309-347-8590  www.midwest-dental.com/pekin Stephanie Hartung , Marketing Coordinator In cities, towns and rural communities, Midwest Dental offers a wide range of general dental services, cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry for patients of all ages.

Pekin's sales tax receipts lagged behind the regional trend in June.  But employment numbers showed improvement in Pekin.  L Pekin's July sales tax disbursement from the state was down 3.6% compared to the same month a year ago.  The 3-month running average was down 10.4% and the 12-month running average was down 9.6% compared to the same periods one year ago. J Two of the other four large Tazewell County communities showed growth in their July disbursements from the state, compared to a year ago.  East Peoria was up 19.9% and Washington was up 5.6%.  Morton was down 3.2%. J July sales tax disbursements for the four large Tazewell County communities as a whole, were up 6.0% compared to July of 2013.  That is a positive trend:  the 3 month running average is up 4.3% and the 12-month running average is up 2.3% compared to the same periods one year ago.   J The unemployment rate in Pekin fell to 7.5% in May.  That is the lowest unemployment rate in Pekin since Decembe

Peoria Area Association of Realtors 7307 N. Willowlake Court Peoria, IL 61614 309-688-8591 www.paarealtors.com Dallas Hancock , CEO Peoria Area Association of Realtors is the leading resource for realtor brokers and managing brokers for real estate standards and professionalism. PAAR is the advocate for home owenership and private property rights in Central Illinois.

Pekin Hospital is pleased to offer an adult diabetes education workshop on August 18, 19, and 20.  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:  v   the importance of diabetes control and the factors that influence this control v   how to plan meals according to food selections and serving size v   the possible complications associated with diabetes v   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 classe

The July Business After Hours was hosted by the Pekin First Church of the Nazarene.  Chamber members toured the recently completed addition, which more than doubled the size of the worship facility.  Pastor Lloyd Brock and the church members proudly spoke about the additions and renovations.  And with no disrespect meant to other After Hours hosts, the July Business After Hours featured the widest selection of desserts and treats in recent memory.   You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

GoodGuides is a national youth mentoring initiative for youth ages 12-17.  GoodGuides pairs adult volunteers from the community with youth in a mentoring relationship for the purpose of providing positive guidance, career exploration, and maximizing their overall potential.  Since 2009, GoodGuides mentors have invested over 13,000 hours of mentoring and career preparation to central Illinois youth. Goodwill has started a new GoodGuides® Youth Mentoring program year.  They anticipate over 110 youth in area schools to sign up, and they're looking for volunteer mentors to serve as positive role models to these students.  The commitment is around one hour each week and you can expect to feel how rewarding it is to make a difference to a youth and give back to your community                                                                                                                         “I enjoy spending time with my mentee and look forward to it each week.” – GoodGuides®

LinkedIn is social media for professionals and executives. In this workshop, presented by Jannise Bush, a small business owner and SCORE Mentor, you can find out how to connect with your target audience, build brand awareness and educate potential customers on your products and services. The workshop is FREE but please click below to register and reserve your place      Register Now! We hope you can join us! SCORE Peoria www.scorepeoria.org 309-676-0755 email: score.peoria@scorevolunteer.org  

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Applications and rules for the 2014 Marigold Festival Parade Sponsored by Herget Bank are now available.  You can pick one up at the chamber office (402 Court Street) or download it here: http://www.pekinchamber.com/2014/ParadeApplication14.pdf

Here is a photo of the volunteers that shoot the fireworks at Pekin's Honor America Celebration.  They get together for a safety breakfast on the morning of July 4th, then go to the stadium to prepare for the fireworks display. 

The Peoria Historical Society has launched a campaign to raise money for a new air conditioning unit in the Flanagan House . The unit is important for protecting and preserving the museum’s temperature-sensitive artifacts, as well as allowing for the comfort of guests. The PHS has identified a grant that could cover half of the cost of the $18,000 unit, if it can secure the remaining $9,000. For information on how to donate, visit peoriahistoricalsociety.org or call (309) 674-1921.

Wheels O’Time Museum will host a special display of Ford tractors during the month of July , featuring two tractors powered by Ford engines. The museum, located at 1710 W. Woodside Drive in Dunlap, is open on July 4th and Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5pm from May to October. For more information ,visit wheelsotime.org .  

       

Pekin Hospital is pleased to announce that Sherry Semonis has been named Director of the Pekin Hospital Foundation effective June 23, 2014. In her role, Semonis will focus on fundraising for the Foundation and planning the Hospital Foundation Ball.  Semonis has a long history of fundraising for the Hospital and other charities.  She has a special talent for organizing events to make them fun and interesting while recognizing key contributors. Semonis is a past recipient of Central Illinois 25 Women in Leadership, primarily due to her involvement with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Her commitment to the community does not stop with St. Jude however.  She has also served on boards and committees for Kiwanis Club of Pekin, United Way, Crime Stoppers, Family House, Pekin Main Street, Susan G. Komen, and the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. Bob J. Haley, Pekin Hospital Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are very excited to have Sherry join our team.  The experience she

July News and Happy July 4th C oncerts in the V ineyard July  7/05- Biscuits & Gravy Band  7/12- Sister Groove & The CTJ  7/19-  Jammsammich 7/25- Friday, Brushville  7/26 - Triple Dog Dare  Festivals & Fundraisers July and August 7/19- Metec & Mackinaw Vineyard Ride Fundraiser 7/20- Art and Wine Festival  7/27- Lungevity-THE BATTLE Fundraiser 8/03-Vintage, Vines and Wines Festival Festivals and Fundraisers Information M & M Vineyard Ride Fundraiser  Saturday, July 19, 2014:  8:00 am-12:00 pm METEC's 2014 Bike Ride is a loop ride that starts and ends at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard & Winery. The M & M Bike ride

          

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