Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Students in the tri-county area will continue learning ways to build healthier relationships through The Center for Prevention of Abuse thanks to a grant from Ameren Illinois. Ameren Illinois Division Director Daetta Jones presented a $25,000 check to Center Executive Director Carol Merna at a news conference today. The funds will be used to support The Center's Violence Prevention Education programs for local students K-12. To read more on this story click here. 

Illinois Department of Transportation announces traffic signal work at the following location in North Pekin:   ·          Tuesday, March 1 o    IL 98 at Parkway Dr. o    Signals will be out (all-way stop) between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. while work is completed Please slow down and use extreme caution while driving through all work zones.   For IDOT District 4 updates on Twitter, follow us at https://twitter.com/IDOTDistrict4 .   For updated traffic information and views from dozens of traffic cameras in Peoria and surrounding areas, visit http://www.gettingaroundpeoria.com .

For the 3 rd consecutive year, Comcast Business has a great opportunity for your members to win up to $30,000 to get a jumpstart for their business.  Entrants have to tell us what they would do with a $30,000 investment in technology, and we need your help to spread the word!  I’ve attached a flyer and press release that explains the contest details, so we would greatly appreciate your support in sharing this with your members.  The entry deadline is March 12, 2016. Visit business.comcast.com/i4e for full details and to check out more information on previous winners.  

The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that the ramp carrying traffic from Cedar St. to westbound US 24/southbound IL 29 in East Peoria will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 2. The closure is necessary for crews to repair damaged guardrail and is weather dependent. Please slow down and use extreme caution while driving through all work zones. For IDOT District 4 updates on Twitter, follow us at https://twitter.com/IDOTDistrict4 . For updated traffic information and views from dozens of traffic cameras in Peoria and surrounding areas, visit http://www.gettingaroundpeoria.com .    

There are paid internships available through the Career Link Manufacturing Careers Internship Program (MCIP). However, space is limited and time is short.  You m ust contact Edah Hefley at 309-999-4263 by March 3, 2016 to see if they qualify under WIOA guidelines.   Amazing New Jobs Program Pays You to Learn!    ·    Are you between the ages of 18 to 24?   ·      Tired of going from Job to Job?   ·      Given up on Looking?   ·      Ready to try Something New? If you answered Yes to all the Questions – Here’s the Answer:   MANUFACTURING CAREERS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ·       Get a Paid 8-week Internship at Leading Area Companies! ·       Meet Employers Looking to Hire! ·       Learn 7 Values that will make Every Employer Want to Hire You! ·   ...

Illinois American Water and Missouri American Water have been honored as finalists for  the St. Louis Regional Chamber’s Ameren Corporate Citizenship Arcus Award for demonstrating exceptional commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the St. Louis region. Illinois American Water and Missouri American Water were honored for establishing pharmaceutical drop boxes at police stations, city halls and health departments.  The program’s goal is to give residents a safe and responsible way to dispose of unneeded medicines without flushing – keeping the drugs out of local rivers and off the streets.  Working in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, the companies established more than 50 drop-off sites that dispose of several tons of medicines each year through incineration.   The program started in 2008 in Illinois American Water’s Pontiac District through a partnership with high school students to stop flushing of medications and the resulting impact to...

Maurie's Fine Candies of Pekin 522 Court St.  Pekin, IL 61554  309-346-5174  www.mauries.net Lelonie Luft, Owner Mark Luft, Owner  Serving Pekin since 1941, offering fine candy, homemade chocolates, magazines, books and more. Coffee and ice cream shop opening in early spring 2016.

Pekin Hospital’s Women’s Diagnostic Center, 600 South 13 th Street, will host a free skin cancer screening on March 2 nd from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The screening will be focused on melanoma, squamous cell cancer and basal cell cancer. The free event will be conducted by board-certified general surgeons Dr. Paul Siebert and Dr. F. Nani Moazzam. Pre-registration is not required for the skin screening. Questions may be directed to 309-353-0204. Part of Progressive Health Systems, Pekin Hospital is a 107-bed medical center serving Central Illinois since 1913. For more information visit pekinhospital.org . 

- Ken Mauser, Publisher of the Journal Star, announced today the inaugural Best of the Best Peoria awards program and event.  Best of the Best Peoria, formerly known as Reader’s Choice Awards, honors the communities’ favorite businesses in Central Illinois and the products, services and experiences they provide. Starting today through March 15, readers can vote for their favorite businesses in Peoria online at pjstar.com/contests or in certain editions of the Journal Star.  Deadline to vote is March 15.  The winners will be announced at an awards banquet at the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino on Thursday, April 28, 2016.  The results will then be published in a special edition inserted in the Journal Star on Friday, April 29 and posted on pjstar.com. For more information, please contact Phil Jordan pjordan@pjstar.com or 309.686.3026

ProHealth Medical Group is pleased to announce that April Powell, FNP-C, has joined ProHealth Pediatrics in Pekin, Illinois, as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Powell has more than nine years of nursing experience throughout Central Illinois, including more than a year of Nurse Practitioner experience. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Francis College of Nursing in Peoria, Illinois. She is board-certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. “We are very excited to add April to the ProHealth team,” said Dawn Moushon, Vice President of Practice Management for ProHealth Medical Group. “As a life-long Central Illinois resident, she is committed to providing superior care to the communities we serve. Her experience and enthusiasm make her a great asset to ProHealth Pediatrics and the community.” Part of Progressive Health S...

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Brady's Carpet Cleaners Pekin, IL 61554  309-346-8702  www.bradyscarpetcleaners.com David Huskisson , Owner Brady's Carpet Cleaners specializes in carpet, furniture and tile cleaning.

Many Pekin area students will benefit from Junior Achievement (JA) this semester and they need you to serve as their mentor. JA volunteers come from all walks of life, sharing a message of hope and opportunity with every young person they reach.  JA serves students in kindergarten through high school, focusing on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness in an age-appropriate way.  Getting started is easy.  All you need is your enthusiasm, life experience, and a willingness to teach children about how you took chances and shot for the stars.  Junior Achievement provides the training, curriculum, and a classroom ready to meet you.  For more information contact Angie Houck at angie.houck@ja.org or 309-682-1800.  Currently we have the following classes open in Pekin and Creve Coeur Grade: Program: School: Location: K JA Ourselves LaSalle Elementary School Creve Coeur ...

Pekin HR Forum is intended to be a Human Resources group serving the Pekin Business Community. We will focus on providing a setting to stay abreast of the latest HR topics and laws, opportunities to hear speakers on various topics important to our businesses, profession, and the community. This Forum will also provide an opportunity to network with fellow HR Professionals. It is my hope, that by creating this group it will give our local HR Professionals an opportunity to learn and grow professionally, and network closer to home. Our members will include HR Professionals at all levels, and any other business professionals performing HR functions. I would like to establish this organization as a way to assist in the professional and personal development of the HR Professionals within our own community. My goal is for this to appeal to all levels of HR members and to provide real world suggestions and ideas for implementing in your workplace. The Pekin HR Forum member luncheons will...

Thank you to the following employers who recently renewed their investment in the vision of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: 5-Star Members Enviro-Safe Refrigerants, Inc. 4-Star Members Peoria Limousine Company / Pekin-Peoria Yellow Checker Cab 3-Star Members Illinois American Water 1-Star Members Aramark Food Depot / Niemann Foods Service Master of Central Illinois Classic MVP Members Alpha Media, LLC - Peoria Costco Wholesale Facet Technologies, Inc Miche Independent Rep - Manda Brown Pekin Township Supervisor Sound Choice Hearing Clinic Springleaf Financial Services Uftring Chrysler Dodge Jeep W.D. Boyce Council, Boy Scouts of America

One-hundred chamber members and guests attended the February Puttin' On Pekin breakfast held at the Avanti's Dome.  Todd Thompson was the program, speaking on downtown Pekin revitalization efforts.  Linda Reader won the early prize, while Ed Betzelberger won the late prize.  The spotlight on Business Award was presented by Debbie Fornoff to Advanced Medical Transport represented by Andrew Rand, Josh Bradshaw, and Tom Geraci.  Malinda Grafelman presented the Sunshine Award to Tim, Crystal and Shannon from TLC Fosters.  You can see more pictures from this event at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Jimmy John’s is now open and serving dine-in, carryout, and delivery service at both of their Pekin locations. The original Pekin location at 1631 Broadway reopened on February 12. After opening the new location at 2925 Court, which features a drive thru window, the Broadway location was closed for a total interior remodel. Both locations are now open and delivery orders can be placed online or by calling 353-2500 (Broadway) or 353-4900 (Court Street). Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand to commemorate the reopening with a ribbon cutting.  Jimmy John’s Manager Donny Cox and franchise owners Chad Roepenack and Justin Clark were joined by Dennis Short, Andy Sparks, and Teresa Mack.  Back row (l-r): Harry Wilmert, Dennis Barron, Brent Oest, Paul Scherer, and Rev. Jim McClarey. You can see pictures from this and other chamber events at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Pekin Hospital is one of more than 100 hospitals in Illinois participating in the Hospital Engagement Network (HEN) 2.0., a joint quality improvement program with the Illinois Hospital Association and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. The year-long quality improvement program seeks to reduce hospital-acquired conditions by 40 percent and preventable readmissions by 20 percent. “This is an important initiative that will help us to further drive the safe treatment of our patients,” said Beth Thomas, Director of Quality and Safety at Pekin Hospital. “Our participation in this program is part of our larger commitment to providing the best possible patient care.” HEN 2.0 will focus on readmissions and 10 types of inpatient harm: Ventilator-associated events Sepsis Obstetrical adverse events, including early elective delivery reduction, post-partum hemorrhage and preeclampsia Catheter-associated urinary tract infections Adverse drug events related to opioids, h...

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February 25, 2016 * 8:30 am Peoria NEXT Innovation Center 801 W Main St., Peoria Networking & breakfast 8:30 AM   Presentation 9:00 - 9:40 AM Q & A until 10:00 AM Are you looking to start or grow your business?  Learn how to turn your ideas into reality!  In this special opportunity sponsored by the City of Peoria, the County of Peoria and Illinois Business Financial Services, representatives will demonstrate how to financially structure your project and receive the most attractive financial terms.  Creative financial solutions with attractive terms can make a big difference.  Learn how low-interest, fixed-rates, flexible terms, and subordinate financing can be used to move your project forward. Go to http://bit.ly/PeoriaSmallBiz  to register for this Free Event!

Savant Capital Management, www.savantcapital.com , one of the nation’s largest independent registered investment advisory firms today announced it has received the Service Provider Certification for adhering to the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) standard of excellence for Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) 3(16) Plan Administrators. Savant is among one of the first organizations in the nation to be independently certified in this role. The Service Provider certification is an independent recognition of an Administrator’s conformity to the relevant practices and criteria within the American Society of Pension Processionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) Standard of Practice and the standard “Prudent Practices for Investment Stewards” published by fi360 Inc. The certification implies that the firm can demonstrate adherence to the industry’s best practices, and is positioned to serve fiduciaries such as Investment Managers and Investment Stewards. Savant has been c...

Hopedale Medical Foundation is again accepting applications from high school seniors and college freshmen for its Spring 2016 Scholarship Awards.  The Foundation has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to area students since 1980. All public High School Seniors, College Freshman, and Private and Home-Schooled Seniors whose permanent residence has been within the following school districts for a minimum of one year prior to application are eligible:  Olympia, Tremont, Delavan, Hartsburg/Emden, Deer Creek/Mackinaw and Midwest Central.  Applications may be picked up at your high school counselor’s office or at the HMC Administration building located at 107 Tremont Street in Hopedale.  Applications are also available online at www.hopedalemc.com .  Applications must be received in the HMC Administration office by Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 4:00 pm . The following scholarships will be awarded: 1.      $1,000 Neil Alford, Jr. Schol...

The Pekin Hospital Foundation will host its annual Beer, Wine & Spirits Tasting on March 11 th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pekin Country Club in Pekin, Illinois. Individual tickets for the Beer, Wine & Spirits Tasting are $50, with proceeds to benefit the Pediatric Unit at the new Medical Office Building. The fundraiser will feature a silent auction and entertainment by the Corn Wolves. For tickets contact Director of Fund Development Sherry Semonis at 309-353-0983 or ssemonis@pekinhospital.com . Part of Progressive Health Systems, the Pekin Hospital Foundation provides a direct channel for donors and volunteers to support Pekin Hospital’s mission of improving the health and well-being of the community with love, compassion and extraordinary care. For more information visit pekinhospital.org/foundation .

Nearly 50 chamber members and their guests attended the February 4th Business After Hours hosted by the Tazewell County Children's Advocacy Center.  They enjoyed refreshments, networking and an opportunity to learn more about the mission of this important community agency.  You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

The Unland Companies has announced that it has made some changes in its senior management roles to focus on continued growth and success of the agency.  Afton Booth, CIC, CSRM, was named Chairman of the Board . The former President, Booth has been with The Unland Companies for over 35 years in various capacities, including sales, sales management and as Vice President. He will continue his long-term client relationships while developing new business opportunities, mentoring existing agents and reaching out to the marketplace for acquisition possibilities that will assist with the company’s growth plans. Booth is now accessible in both the Pekin and East Peoria offices . A 25-year employee and the former Vice President, Patrick Taphorn, CIC, CSRM, has been promoted to President . Taphorn’s experience in insurance sales and management, along with his proven accomplishments with the Unland sales force and senior management, have helped to equip him for the position. He contin...