Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

McDaniels Healthcare Marketing , a communications firm headquartered in Pekin, recently received 5 Pinnacle Awards in a ceremony sponsored by its peers. The ceremony was recently held in Galena, as part of the annual conference for the Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (ISHMPR) . Each year, the Pinnacle Awards are presented for excellence in healthcare marketing and public relations. McDaniels Healthcare Marketing was recognized with the following honors: Award of Excellence Pekin Hospital: Community/Event ( Jewels & Jeans Gala ) Rochelle Community Hospital: Advertising ( Breast Cancer Awareness Postcard) Award of Merit Advanced Correctional Healthcare : Video Production (Corporate & Recruitment Videos) Pekin Hospital: Publication ( Checking In ) Rochelle Community Hospital : Advertising (Physician Launch Campaign) McDaniels Healthcare Marketing draws on more than 50 years of experien...

American Water partnered with the University of Illinois' Regional Economic Applications Laboratory to analyze the Company's impact on the economy in the state of Illinois. The study, completed earlier this year, determined American Water's overall economic impact at $232 to $245 million per year, for a total economic impact in Illinois of $714 million between 2013 and 2015. "We are proud to contribute to the economic health of Illinois and the communities we serve. American Water remains committed to Illinois, not only to the residents, businesses and fire departments we serve, but also to our dedicated employees," said Bruce Hauk, president of Illinois American Water. The study states American Water generates between 2,690 and 2,830 jobs per year in Illinois. Illinois is unique to the American Water footprint. It is home to multiple locations of American Water Subsidiaries, including Illinois American Water, which provides regulated water and wastewater serv...

Illinois Central College Criminal Justice Program will host a Town Hall Community Conversation on “Race, Inequality, & Policing” on Thurs., Nov. 3 from 6 to 8 pm at Manual Academy High School Auditorium, located at 811 S. Griswold St., Peoria. The free event is part of the Arts & Communications Dept.’s annual Lecture & Art Series and is open to the public. “The purpose of this event is to bring all members of the community together to promote and facilitate an informative, healthy and issues-driven conversation,” said ICC Dean of Social Sciences and Public Services Dr. Marwin Spiller, who will serve as moderator for the meeting. “We hope to encourage, in particular, the young members of the community to explore ways to impact change as informed citizens so that they’ll leave this meeting equipped with a better understanding of the recent events around the country which have incited racial division, police mistrust and social unrest.” Panelists will include Peoria Cit...

Illinois Central College will offer an Emergency Medical Responder (formerly First Responder) EMS 112 course this spring at its Pekin Campus, located at Riverway Business Park, 225 Hanna Dr., Pekin. Students in the Emergency Medical Responder class will learn how to meet the emergency care training needs of police officers, firefighters, industrial health personnel, and teachers responding to an emergency call. Skills covered in this course include airway management, patient assessment, and treatment of medical or trauma emergencies. Emergency Medical Responders are responsible for providing care prior to the arrival of higher-level trained personnel such as EMTs, paramedics, nurses or physicians. Upon successful completion of this course and a licensure exam, students may apply for an Emergency Medical Responder license through the Illinois Department of Public Health. The class is open to anyone at least 16 years old with no criminal background. Prior to enrollment, students mus...

The Pekin Hospital League will host its annual Holiday Splendor Gift Show on November 4 th and 5 th in the lobby of Pekin Hospital, 600 South 13 th Street. Friday’s event will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday’s event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds from the two-day event will benefit the Pekin Hospital Foundation. The Holiday Gift Show features handmade items, floral arrangements, jewelry, toys, baby items, cinda b purses and more. A variety of baked goods, candies and specialty food items will be available during the event. The Pekin Hospital League will also sell raffle tickets to help raise funds for the Pekin Hospital Foundation. Tickets will be available during the Holiday Gift Show, or they can be purchased from the Hospital Gift Shop and the Nearly Nu Shop, 1017 Derby Street. Established in 1958, the Pekin Hospital League is comprised of more than 200 area volunteers. Since its inception, the League has raised approximately $5 million for the Pekin Ho...

Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois has announced Lori Johnson as the organization's new Director of Program Services. Johnson comes to Goodwill from OSF Healthcare Systems where she served as e-health Project Director. Prior to that Johnson was the Chief Information Officer for Pearl Companies. She holds an under graduate degree from Illinois State University and an MBA from Bradley University. "Lori brings varied and valuable experience to this position," said Don Johnson, Goodwill President and CEO. "She has a keen head for the mechanics of running a program, but she also understands the need for partnerships, community involvement and of course the compassion it takes to support the individuals who we serve." "Goodwill's mission is to assist people in finding employment," said Lori Johnson. "Goodwill does this in many ways and for many different populations in our community. Jobs empower people financially and provide the self-...

Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pekin congratulated Advantage Auto Sales on the opening of their new store at 1215 Court Street. Advantage Auto Sales offers a huge selection of used cars.  They have been in business in Central Illinois for 22 years and specialize in financing people who have had past credit problems.  They are open from 9am to 6pm, Monday through Thursday, until 8pm on Friday and 4pm on Saturday.  Get more information at:  www.advantageautosales.com .  More pictures from this event can be seen at:  https://goo.gl/photos/PXJzgbgY5sq34Qt4A

The Pekin Hospital Foundation will host the 2016 Jewels & Jeans Gala on November 19 th at the Par-A-Dice Hotel in East Peoria starting at 6 p.m. The annual event is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser each year. The Jewels & Jeans Gala will include live music from West MacQueen Street Band, silent auction items, a photo booth and more. Individual tickets for the Jewels & Jeans Gala are $150, and tables of 10 are $1,500. To make a reservation contact Director of Fund Development Sherry Semonis at 309-353-0983 or ssemonis@pekinhospital.com . Proceeds from the Gala will benefit the ProHealth Medical Office Building project, which is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2017. The 62,000-square-foot facility will house multiple providers in Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. 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...

       

Good afternoon! I'm excited to announce that our operations have shifted to a new location in Pekin. Our new facility is located at 420 Walnut St and is called The Mansion on Walnut. It's a exciting place and we are grateful to keep the arts alive in this beautiful mansion that was built in 1862. Everything we will do is the same as our prior location. The facility is a wonderful place for events and we will continue our First Fridays and Exhibits alongside the current Crossroads Programs that is currently housed there. The Pekin Academy of Fine Arts has relocated there as well with their programs and classes. Their contact information is the same, only their address has changed.  Please take the time to change your contact information for me to MansionOnWalnut@gmail.com   We are launching our new website soon as well. Our Facebook page is    www.facebook.com/mansiononwalnutpekin  Please like this page ...

ProHealth Medical Group is hosting an Open House for members of the community to meet Dr. Arie Shaw, the first physician for the newly formed ProHealth OB/GYN medical practice, and Certified Nurse Midwife Susan Lock. The free event will take place November 1 st from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Pekin Hospital, Medical Office Suite D. Refreshments will be served, and tours of the new office will be available. For more information about the Open House, call 309-620-9980. Part of Progressive Health Systems, ProHealth Medical Group was established in 1986 as a sister organization of Pekin Hospital. ProHealth offers seven practices throughout the Pekin area, including ProHealth OB/GYN. For more information visit pekinprohealth. com .

       

The HOPE Chest recently learned their usual resource for Thanksgiving meals cannot assist them this year.  They need your help to supply these meals this year. They average 250 to 300 families each year who come to The HOPE Chest for help   during the Thanksgiving holiday season. The HOPE Chest's HOPE Cupboard is interested in partnering with local businesses, churches, organizations or schools to provide for these families. If your group is interested in helping with all or part of their needs, please call the Pekin Store at (309) 620-9043 and ask for Aaron or Rhonda. Items needed are canned hams, jar or canned gravy, canned vegetables, canned fruit, biscuit mix, pie crust mix, boxed pudding and/or canned pie filling and jello mix. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.  A tax receipt can be given to qualifying businesses for your donation.

See more pictures of this event at:  https://goo.gl/photos/8nWAURxog3wjzUH89 The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their 19 th annual Business and Community Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, October 20 at the Pekin Country Club.   The chamber’s Member Promotions Committee coordinated the luncheon, which was sponsored by Enviro-Safe Refrigerants, Pekin Insurance, Pekin Trophy House & Engraved Gifts, The Greenhouse Flower Shoppe, Homefield Energy, and Pekin Hospital.   Additional sponsors included Busey Bank, CEFCU, NRG Powerton, Pekin Community Bank, and Peoria Limousine. Recognition was given to thirty-six area businesses and organizations in several different categories:   new ownership or management; new business or building; additional employees; major retraining effort; new technology or major equipment investment; other business improvements; and, community involvement. The speaker at the luncheon was Dave Kinzinger, founder, owner, and pre...

The Pekin Hospital Foundation will host the 2016 Jewels & Jeans Gala on November 19 th at the Par-A-Dice Hotel in East Peoria starting at 6 p.m. The annual event is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser each year. The Jewels & Jeans Gala will include live music from West MacQueen Street Band, silent auction items, a photo booth and more. Individual tickets for the Jewels & Jeans Gala are $150, and tables of 10 are $1,500. To make a reservation contact Director of Fund Development Sherry Semonis at 309-353-0983 or ssemonis@pekinhospital.com . Proceeds from the Gala will benefit the ProHealth Medical Office Building project, which is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2017. The 62,000-square-foot facility will house multiple providers in Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. 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...

The Villas of Holly Brook and Reflections is an Assisted Living Community that offers residents carefree, retirement living at its finest. They do it ALL! They'll cook, clean and do the laundry. They also take care of the lawn and remove snow and ice from the walkways. Reflections Memory Care provides security and support of your loved one needs to live successfully in a non-nursing home environment.   The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the community were on hand on October 15th to welcome them to Pekin with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  The Villas of Holly Brook and Reflections is located at 2720 S. 14th.  More information is available online at www.villasofhollybrook.com or by calling (309) 264-0341.   More pictures from this event are available at:  https://goo.gl/photos/VuVbTf86xsEsZUHc9

Illinois Central College will host its annual Cover Crop Field Day on Thursday, November 3, from 1-3:30 pm, on the East Peoria Campus. The field day will include short presentations and plot tours for area farmers and agricultural businessmen. Presenters include Gordon Roskamp and Pete Fandel, who are all currently working with cover crop research at various locations in Central Illinois. A representative from Waterborne Environmental also will talk about the tile water testing at ICC in relation to cover crops. Participants will learn about different cover crop species, planting dates, herbicide carryover, and many other topics related to cover crops. Everyone will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding crop cover management in their own operations. To register, call ICC Associate Professor Pete Fandel at (309) 694-5410, or email pete.fandel@icc.edu .

Two new exhibits open on October 19 at the Illinois Central College art galleries, located on the East Peoria Campus. An opening reception from noon to 2 pm for all will fragment , an exhibit featuring drawings and paintings by Peoria-based artist Bethany Carlson, takes place in Gallery 336B, located in the Academic Building. In addition, a veterans’ art exhibit featuring works by military veterans from the area opens at noon in the ICC Performing Arts Center Gallery, located in the lobby of the facility. The event is the first show in what is hoped to be an annual exhibit featuring works of art by faculty, student and community military veterans. A reception for this exhibit will take place November 9 from 5 to 9 pm in the gallery. Carlson, who serves as an adjunct art faculty member at ICC, resides in Peoria. She earned her bachelor of fine arts from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and her master of fine arts from New Mexico State University. She has exhibited he...

The Illinois Central College Guest Artists Series will feature classic songs from one of the most popular duos in music history with Scarborough Fair: A Simon & Garfunkel Experience, performed by brothers Jeb and Jock Guthrie, on October 21. The show begins at 7:30 pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center, located on the East Peoria Campus. “We’ve always been attracted to harmony vocals,” Jeb said. “The first town we grew up in was a town called Brillion, Wisc., a town of about 1,500. There was this place there that had an ancient jukebox that they hadn’t really changed the music on in a long time. So the first things that we were really influenced by were the Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline, and all the stuff that was from the early ’50s halfway through the early ‘60s.” Although they have been performing for more than 30 years, the idea for a show featuring the music of Simon and Garfunkel didn’t emerge until more recently. “The show kind of evolved,” Jock said. “Somewhere along t...

Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, the new President of Illinois Central College was the speaker at the October 14th Puttin' On Pekin breakfast.  Dr. Bailey noted the community colleges can play in addressing economic challenges facing today's generation.  She also spoke of ICC's relationship with the local high school districts and the opportunities available at the ICC Pekin campus.  Several awards were also presented at the breakfast, including the Early Prize to Kay Sutton and the Late Prize to Mitch O'Shaughnessey.  Tom Hornstein accepted the Spotlight on Business Award on behalf of Excalibur Seasoning. The Blue Ribbon Award was presented to Mark and Lelonie Luft, owners of Maurie's Candy.  A second Blue Ribbon Award was presented to Mitch O'Shaughnessey (Dreamscapes Landscaping) and Sarah Newcomb (City of Pekin) for their beautiful downtown flower pot project.  You can see more pictures from this event at:  https://goo.gl/photos/DGhGkMMXEbWD5zraA

The Pekin Park District hosted the Business After Hours at Lick Creek Golf Course on October 13th.  There were plenty of refreshments, plus door prizes and a putting contest!  You can see more pictures from this event at:  http s://goo.gl/photos/aW4XUvGHLxYiMJVy8

This November Illinoisans have a chance to change the direction of our state. On Election Day you’ll be able to VOTE YES on the Safe Roads Amendment, a proposed addition to the Illinois Constitution. This amendment creates no new taxes. The Safe Roads Amendment only requires our Illinois government to invest existing transportation taxes and fees on transportation projects and programs.  Illinois is at the center of the North American transportation network. We travel over 103 billion miles a year on America's third longest inventory of roads. Within our borders we possess the third largest transit system, the second largest rail network, the eighth most navigable waterway, and we are a leader in passenger and cargo air travel. To keep these systems running Illinois needs to invest billions into our existing transportation infrastructure over the next 25 years. However, since 2003 over $6.8 billion collected by the state of Illinois through gas taxes and vehicle registra...

Pekin Hospital Director of Obstetrics (OB) and Manager of House Supervisors Darlene Hammond, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CPPS, has been recognized by the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS) as a Certified Professional in Patient Safety.  Hammond earned this credential in part by passing a rigorous, evidence-based examination that tests candidates on their competency in patient safety science and application. “This certification reflects Darlene’s commitment to patient safety, which is critical to the work we do at Pekin Hospital every day,” said Beth Thomas, Director of Quality and Patient Safety. “We congratulate Darlene on this achievement, and we thank her for her continued dedication to the communities we serve.” Hammond joined Pekin Hospital in 2006 and has managed the OB department since 2007. In addition to her patient safety recognition, she holds certifications in neonatal resuscitation, electronic fetal monitoring and inpatient obstetrics. ...

Diane Cullinan Oberhelman, Chairman of Cullinan Properties, announced today that Cullinan’s portfolio continues to expand as the company aggressively moves forward with new projects in the retail, office, medical, and multi-family sectors throughout the Midwest and Texas. With the expansion, Cullinan also announces promotions and the addition of key executives to its leadership team.  Included in the expansion is a recently acquired 265-acre site located in the northeast quadrant of the intersection of I-55 and I-80 in Joliet, IL. A mixed-use development encompassing retail, office, entertainment, hotel and multi-family components is planned for this super regional site named Rock Run Crossings. Cullinan also recently opened a 3 story, 100 person, student housing complex in Peoria, Illinois, as well as a 6 story mixed-use development, known as Lofts at Euclid, that features 87 luxury residential loft apartments and 8,500 sf of street level retail and restaurant space in the...

The Salvation Army of Pekin held a grand re-opening of their Rust Transitional Center and the Pekin Area  Chamber of Commerce was there to make it official with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  You can see more pictures of this event at:  https://goo.gl/photos/dL9idDURcTJAyyyt6

Check out this weeks Chamber Connection !

Kids Hope USA is a national program that started in Holland, Michigan in 1995. Today there are over 1,000 church/school partnerships in 34 states. Kids Hope USA matches a church with a public school. The church hires a director, who is trained by Kids Hope USA, and then members & regular attendees of the church volunteer to mentor a child. All mentors are trained and have background checks done. Each mentor spends one hour a week with their mentee during the school day. Children who are considered “at risk” either academically or socially are recommended by the school for Kids Hope mentors. This relationship can start in Kindergarten and last through 3 rd grade. In 2007 First Baptist Church started a Kids Hope program with Jefferson School as their partner school. Peggy Eagan was the first Kids Hope director. Peggy moved in 2013, and Shelly Hochstetler was hired as the new director. There are 23 mentors from the church who spend one hour a week with their students.  During ...

On Friday, October 14th, Heartland Bank and Trust Company will host its Fall into Free Event. Local offices are extending an open invitation to customers, residents and businesses to join in celebration with refreshments, gifts, one-day-only offers and a chance to win a $500 VISA(r) Gift Card. Local Heartland Bank offices are located at 3400 Court St. and 2807 Broadway Rd. with additional offices in Morton, Mackinaw and Delavan. For more information on Heartland Bank's Fall into Free Event, visit: www.hbtbank.com<http://www.hbtbank.com >. Heartland Bank and Trust Company is an independently owned community bank with assets of $3 billion. Headquartered in Bloomington, IL, the bank has offices in communities throughout Illinois. The bank offers a complete line of financial services to commercial and retail customers. More information is available on the bank's website at www.hbtbank.com<http://www.hbtbank.com >. *Retail value of prize: $500. Sweepstak...

Illinois Central College will open registration for its spring minimester and spring 2017 semester on Tues., November 1. The schedule is available online at icc.edu/academics/class-schedule/ . The College also will offer “Express Enrollment” Monday through Wednesday, November 14, 15, and 16 from 8 am to 4 pm, on the East Peoria Campus. Those interested in enrolling at ICC can complete the process of applying and enrolling in just one day. No appointment is necessary, and free parking is available in Lots A and B and in the Visitors Lot. Classes for the spring minimester begin on Tues., December 13, and the spring 2017 semester begins on Tues., January 17. “Express Enrollment” can be completed in just a few hours’ time. Participants are encouraged to arrive by 1 pm in order to complete all of the steps leading to enrollment in one day. For advising or testing completion only, participants must arrive by 2 pm.             ...