Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Congratulations to Porter Electric who opened their new Pekin office at 1504 N. 8th.  Porter Electric specializes in residential and commercial electrical needs.  They can be reached at 241-5306 or www.porter-electric.com . More pictures of this and other chamber events can be seen at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Allen Karnes has joined the Facet Team as our new PC Technician at our Peoria Nerds on Call location.  Allen is bringing 10 years of experience in IT and has a special expertise in repair of small devices such as smartphones and tablets.  We are pleased to have him with us and are excited to bring this additional experience and skill to our customers.

The fourth annual Dash at Dusk 5K & Kids’ Fun Run raised $8,000 for Pekin Hospital’s 2016 mission trip. More than 330 runners and walkers participated in the July 15th event that also promoted community health and wellness. Wyatt McIntyre was the top male 5K finisher with a time of 16:41. Jayza Riley was the top female 5K finisher with a time of 19:27. “It was another great turnout for Dash at Dusk,” said Marcy Becker, Dash at Dusk co-coordinator. “The funds we raised will support our mission team’s trip to the Dominican Republic later this year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful community event.” More than 20 physicians, nurses and employees will take part in this year’s mission trip. The team hopes to treat more than 2,000 patients during their five-day visit to the Dominican Republic. Part of Progressive Health Systems, Pekin Hospital is a 107-bed medical center serving Central Illinois since 1913. For more information visit pekinhospital.org .

Illinois American Water’s 2015 Water Quality Reports are now accessible through its website at http://www.amwater.com/ilaw/water-quality-and-stewardship/water-quality-reports.html , as well as via printed copies that can be mailed to customers upon request. By providing two easy ways for customers to receive confirmation that their drinking water meets all federal standards for water quality, the company is working to increase the public’s understanding of the value of water. Also known as the Consumer Confidence Report, the water quality report compares the quality of water supplied by Illinois American Water against standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are enforced by the Illinois EPA. The report describes local drinking water sources and shares test results, including substances detected and their levels. Illinois American Water continues to meet all standards. “Meeting these standards is the most important thing we do every moment of eve

The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded Illinois Central College a $1.2 M grant to fund a new program that will provide students from disadvantaged backgrounds some additional tools to succeed in college, even while they are still in high school. Sen. Dick Durbin’s office notified ICC officials on Monday that the college’s application was accepted for the TRiO Talent Search Program, a five-year federal grant that will provide $240,000 a year to identify and assist students currently attending Peoria High School or Manual Academy who have the potential to succeed in higher education but who may lack the resources. “We are proud to be part of this program and appreciate the collaborative relationship it strengthens between ICC and Peoria Public Schools,” said ICC President Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey. “Talent Search gives us additional tools to support the efforts of area youth coming from disadvantaged backgrounds as they complete high school and then help them translate that

Employers:  Do you need to learn more about the changes to the DOL Overtime Rules and other labor updates?  This free morning seminar is for you!  It is presented by Quinn Johnston (member of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce) and held on Thursday, August 25, at the Par-A-Dice Hotel in East Peoria. Registration and Complimentary Breakfast Buffet: 8:00 - 8:25 a.m Welcome and Opening Remarks: 8:25 - 8:30 a.m. Seminar: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Who Should attend? CPAs, Business Owners, Executives and Vice Presidents, Human Resources Professionals, Managers, Supervisors, Entrepreneurs, General Counsel and Other In-House counsel. For more information and to register visit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=dzfdmdnab&oeidk=a07ecjb9ljecc22fb70

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recently announced the unemployment rate in Illinois for the month of June has decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 6.2 percent. IDES noted a contributing factor to the decreased rate is a decline in the labor force. In other words, many Illinoisans have given up on searching for employment. The report also pointed out that the state has lost more than 9,000 manufacturing jobs just over the last year.  Industry sectors that gained employment in the month of June were: Professional and Business Services (+3,000); Financial Activities (+1,700) and Other Services (+1,500). Industries that declined in employment were: Educational and Health Services (-7,300) and Trade Transportation and Utilities (-1,000).

The Busey Wealth Management Team welcomes Carrie Jassman as Tax Specialist. Jassman, a Certified Public Accountant with more than 12 years of tax experience, coordinates various aspects of tax reporting as well as the preparation of trust, individual and charitable tax returns. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. With nearly 80 years of experience, the six member Financial Planning & Tax Team helps clients explore tax, legal and financial planning options available and most appropriate for their unique financial situation. The Team, which is located at 100 W. University Ave. in Champaign, serves all Busey Wealth Management clients and can be reached at 1.800.67Busey.

Peoria loves country.   And beginning today, Peoria’s Country, Nash FM 97.3 WFYR  is launching a search for the Peoria area’s most outstanding country music talent, to qualify for Cumulus Media’s NASH Next 2106 national competition. The winner of this four-month-long national competition, announced by country legend Reba McEntire , will receive a record deal with Big Machine Label Group, home to such superstars as Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw , as well as substantial exposure, commensurate with a major label release, on Cumulus radio stations nationwide. While television boasts several talent competitions, no other contest  -- on any platform -- has ever offered its winners a similar opportunity for coveted radio play, which is the most effective medium to cultivate an artist and propel a major music career. NASH NEXT 2-2-2-2 Commenting on NASH Next, McEntire said, “Radio has been an essential -- and joyous -- part of my musical career for over four decades. Cumulus is

            Following a fourth straight season of increased ticket sales, the lineup for the 2016-2017 Illinois Central College Guest Artists Series opens in August with a tribute to the smooth sounds and coolness of the Rat Pack.             Frank and Dean Together Again , a tribute to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin complete with a backing four-piece ensemble, opens the 2016-2017 ICC Guest Artists Series on August 12. The show kicks off the season performances by nationally- and internationally-touring professional artists. All performances take place in the ICC Performing Arts Center on the East Peoria Campus.             The second show of the season features an acoustic performance of songs of one of the most successful recording duos in pop music history. Scarborough Fair: A Simon & Garfunkel Experience features an evening of music with stories and trivia sprinkled in, all performed by brothers Jeb and Jock Guthrie on October 21.             December brings a perf

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The previously announced merger between Morton Community Bank and Heritage Bank of Central Illinois was completed successfully over the weekend.  The former Heritage Bank locations were closed on Saturday to facilitate the smooth integration of all operations.  The locations reopened this morning as additional divisions of Morton Community Bank.  “This day is great for our customers, our employee-owners and our shareholders.  Wherever our customers travel, they are not far from one of the 38 Hometown Community Banks’ locations in Central and Western Illinois,” said Jean Ann Honegger, Co-CEO and Group President of Morton Community Bank.  “Customers now have access to convenient locations throughout the greater Peoria market, in Bloomington-Normal, in Macomb and at many other locations where they can conduct transactions as if they were in their hometown.” Jim Mamer, President and Co-CEO of Morton Community Bank, noted that the merger is good for business customers as well as co

The Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center will present Walt Disney’s classic movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Friday, Ju ly 29 at 6:30 pm. Tickets cost $1 per person. Admission is free for children 2 years of age or younger. Selected concessions will be available for purchase at the event. The event also will be used as a barometer to determine interest in offering family-oriented events and programming that appeals to younger children. A survey will be distributed at the event seeking input and feedback about offering events designed for families with younger children. The survey also will be available online at ArtsAtICC.com/kids to collect input from others not attending the Ju ly 29 event. Originally released in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first full-length animated feature film released by Walt Disney Studios. The film includes several well-known songs, including "Whistle While You Work" and "Some Day My Prince Will Come.

Here are pictures of just a few of the 65 people in attendance at our July 7th Business After Hours.  It was sponsored by Dale Hicks and Steve Brown from Velde of Peoria and held at the Pekin Country Club.  Great food and drinks and some special door prizes were all part of the evening.  You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University is pleased to announce it's inaugural business accelerator program, Brave Launch.  This business accelerator program kicks off on September 27th.  Brave Launch is designed to assist entrepreneurs to accelerate the startup process through innovative curriculum and real-world interaction.  More information is available at  https://www.bradley.edu/bravelaunch/    

JB Hawk Discount Tobacco & Vape 1211 Court St.  Pekin, IL 61554 309-201-3629 Tonya Riggs , Owner JB Hawk Discount Tobacco offers a wide variety of tobacco and vaping products.

The Mosquito Authority Mapleton, IL 61547  855-661-2483  Website Darren Smith , Owner The Mosquito Authority is the leader in backyard mosquito control. They set the standards for the entire industry in everything from customer service and best practices to innovation and philanthropy, starting with their exclusive REPEL+PLUS mosquito treatment.

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Savant Capital Management , a nationally-recognized fee-only wealth management firm headquartered in Rockford, IL, with offices in 12 locations in three states, including Peoria, announced today that financial advisor Grant Moore was selected to the “40 Under 40” class of 2016 by InvestmentNews. Grant is the firm’s first ever team member to be recognized with the honor. The InvestmentNews “ 40 Under 40” project is in its third year and aims to provide a glimpse of the tremendous potential in the financial advice industry by finding often unrecognized young talent doing remarkable things. The key attributes the editorial staff looked for among the 800 nominees were accomplishments to date, contribution to the industry, leadership and promise. The 40 honorees were recognized earlier this month in New York. “I am honored to be chosen among some of the financial profession’s brightest young individuals,” said Moore. “The most rewarding part of being a financial advisor is partne

“Today’s vote by the Illinois General Assembly to pass a stopgap budget to fund services in the state for the next six months is a sign of progress.  SB2047 partially funds services offered by The Center for Prevention of Abuse and will contribute toward our work to help clients live free from violence and abuse. We respect the tough decisions our political leaders must make regarding the state budget deficit, and we thank those who voted to help people in need build a solid foundation and reach their full potential. Though we will soon go through this difficult exercise once again, we are hopeful today’s budget agreement made among Illinois’ political leaders will be a building block for more good and thoughtful compromise. We trust that today's work in Springfield represents a new spirit of give and take that will ultimately lead to a full budget for FY17, providing confidence and stability for the people of Illinois.”