Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

United Way of Pekin 2018 Annual Meeting Luncheon Thursday, March 1 - 11:30 am Avanti’s Dome 3401 Griffin Ave. Pekin, IL Speaker Dr. Danielle Owens Superintendent Pekin Community High School Reservations due by February 26  $20.00 per person

Serena Page, P.E., PLS, a civil engineer at Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s Peoria office, recently became a licensed professional land surveyor in Illinois. Page joined Hanson in 2010. She has provided surveying and engineering services for projects, including the base roadway repairs for the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing and the study and design of the Washington Street reconstruction, both in Peoria; planning for the Seminary Street overpass in Galesburg for BNSF Railway Co.; and a design survey for the Monroe County Airport’s runway rehabilitation in Bloomington, Indiana, as part of the facility’s sinkhole repairs. Page received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and is a licensed professional engineer in Illinois. She is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association, the National Society of Professional Surveyors and the Society of Wom

Students in the R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy learned important leadership lessons today while working with magic helium-filled Hula Hoops.  Nathan Thomas from Bradley University led the class through the exercise.  You can see more pictures from this event at:   https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wz2ytGlSEQho1VND2

Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois has announced Susan Walker as the organization’s new Director of Retail. An Illinois State University graduate, Susan spent much of her career with Walgreens. While with the drug store corporation, she managed 5 locations and was a regional top talent acquisition lead. In addition, she was a district recruiter, placing individuals in leadership and pharmacy roles. Susan also possesses experience as a financial professional associate for Prudential. In that capacity she developed insurance and investment programs, while serving a base of clients. “Susan brings a fresh perspective to our stores,” said Don Johnson, Goodwill of Central Illinois’ President & CEO. “Susan’s vast experience will allow us to continue and improve the quality shopping experience that our customers expect and deserve.” Goodwill’s free programs are possible through the sale of your donated items. Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois serves 21 counties within Centr

  Savant Capital Management , an independent nationally-recognized fee-only wealth management firm, has added Donovan Sanchez as a financial advisor in its Peoria office.                                                                                                                                  Sanchez joined Savant in January and is a member of the firm’s Advisory Team. He is responsible for managing all aspects of the financial planning and investment process for Savant’s clients. He routinely meets with clients, advisors, portfolio managers, and planners to determine and coordinate effective planning, investment, and tax strategies. He recently completed the Series 65, Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, which qualifies him as an investment professional to function as an investment advisor in specific states. The exam is administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and covers laws, regulations, ethics and topics such as retirement planning, portf

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CST Business Loans: What You Need to Know Before You Apply Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce – Conference Room 403 N. E. Jefferson Peoria, IL, 61603 This workshop will cover the 5 C's of business credit and the information needed before you apply. Attendees can expect to gain some real practical takeaways and be able to apply what they learn to most financial institutions. Brandon Carlson, Business Credit Analyst and Russell Edelman, Business Loan officer - both of CEFCU - will be presenting. This workshop is FREE, but registration is required. Call Peoria SCORE at 309-676-0755 or register online by clicking here .

Join Illinois Central College’s “Between the Lines” program as it explores Jackie Chan and the Western Hero on Mon., Feb. 5 at 2:30 pm in Room 212C/D on the East Peoria Campus. Facilitator for the discussion is Marsha Watson.                Jackie Chan is perhaps the biggest Asian mega-star many Americans have never heard of. If American audiences do recognize his name, it is most often for comedic, martial arts/buddy films such as Shanghai Noon and Rush Hour . Western audiences more familiar with Chan’s film work also will recognize him from classic martial arts films such as Drunken Master I and II or Police Story 3: Supercop . Chan trained from age 10 to perform Peking Opera, and his films portray a type of hero drawn from the conventions of that highly ritualized tradition: comedic, morally centered, and despite the amazing martial arts feats at the core of his performances, non-violent. This presentation will examine the characteristics of the heroic tradition in Pekin

Contact Debbie Fornoff Designs (309) 353-2608 for more information!

The Philharmonic Chorale, in residence at Illinois Central College, will host open rehearsals during the month of January on Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 pm in Room 121A of the Academic Building, located on the ICC East Peoria Campus.             Singers who are high school graduates or older are welcome to join the Philharmonic Chorale. The purpose of the group is to perform, promote and encourage choral music. The Philharmonic Chorale has been in existence since 1925.             The spring concert of the Philharmonic Chorale’s 93rd season is scheduled for Sun., May 6 at 2:30 pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center. Tickets cost $12 for the general public, $10 for students and senior citizens.             The Philharmonic Chorale is supported as an in residence ensemble by the Arts at ICC, which has a rich history of enhancing the arts community and expanding education beyond the classroom. Arts at ICC presents more than 500 exhibits, performances, lectures, rehearsals, meetings, m

McDaniels Marketing is proud to welcome Kate McDaniels-Baumann to its staff. In her role as Marketing Consultant, McDaniels-Baumann works out of the Rockford office, with easy access to Chicago O’Hare airport, and serves clients nationwide for all divisions within McDaniels Marketing, including the interactive division, McD Digital . McDaniels-Baumann joins the agency with over 30 years’ experience, most recently as Director of Marketing & Procurement at Mule-Hide Products Co. Before that, she served in marketing roles at Marshall & Ilsley Corporation, Waukesha Health System, R&J Medical Supply, Rowe Pottery Works and Design North. “It is exciting to offer our clients the talented expertise of an associate with such in-depth experience,” Randy McDaniels, President of McDaniels Marketing, said. “This is a full-circle role for Kate, who started her early career at our company and moved on to marketing positions where she handled assignments for small businesses

Illinois Central College S.I.G.N. Club will host its 6 th Annual “Deaf Idol 2018” on Fri., March 9 from 7 to 9 pm, in the ICC Performing Arts Center on the East Peoria Campus. The event features contestants from the deaf community performing songs, stories, poetry, skits and more in American Sign Language for a grand prize. Judges will select the top three winners for the evening. This year, nationally recognized music interpreter Amber Galloway Gallego, from Houston, Texas, will service as celebrity judge; along with JoAnn “Jo Rose” Benfield, an actress/music interpreter and an advocate for the deaf; and Sam Harris, a deaf interpreter during the hurricanes in Florida. “We are excited to have Amber back with us once again this year and are delighted to welcome JoAnn and Sam to help us celebrate our sixth year of Deaf Idol at ICC,” said ICC Adjunct Faculty and S.I.G.N. Club Advisor DiAnn Sances. “This evening is an important one every year, as it not only provides a unique opportu

Hopedale Wellness Center is hosting a Women’s Retreat on Saturday, February 10 from 8:30 – 11:30am. Women are invited to come and practice well-being through yoga, expert presentations, and chair massages. The morning will focus specifically on women’s mind and body wellness. There will be segments on essential oils, stress awareness, and giveaways!                    Participants will enjoy breakfast, a 20 minute yoga demonstration with certified yoga instructor Jessica Desai, and take home a small meal prepared during a nutrition session with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Sara Pilcher. This event will be a relaxing morning getaway in peaceful Hopedale, IL with excellent takeaways regarding women’s mental and physical health.                 Women age 16 and older can register by calling (309) 449-4500 by January 31; cost is $20 for Hopedale Wellness Center Members and $25 for non-members. Additional information about Hopedale Wellness Center and its services for all communi

The application process is now open for Illinois American Water’s 2018 Environmental Grant Program. The program supports innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds through partnerships. Diverse activities like watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, wellhead protection and hazardous waste collection efforts are supported through grants of up to $10,000. "Since 2009, we’ve contributed over $175,000 to 46 Illinois water protection projects. Our commitment to protecting the environment runs deep and we’re proud to support the efforts of local organizations that share our vision,” said Bruce Hauk, Illinois American Water President. To qualify, proposed projects must be located in an Illinois American Water service area and: - address a source water or watershed protection need in the community - be completed between May 1, 2018 and November 30, 2018 - be a new or innovative program for the community, or ser

Well over 100 chamber members and guests were on hand for the official grand opening of UnityPoint Health - Pekin East on January 18. The new state of the art building is located on the corner of Veterans Drive and Griffin Avenue. The new facility will bring together primary care providers and pediatricians under one roof. By having them all in one building, along with x-ray and lab services, accessing care will be more convenient. The third floor will be home to the UnityPoint Health specialty practices, including an Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist, among others. UnityPoint Health - Pekin East is a 52,000 square foot building with three stories. Each floor includes 26 exam rooms and two procedure rooms. In addition, the first floor will include a community area providing space for health education classes, physician presentations and meeting space. You can see more pictures from this event at:   https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ry1NIDVwe6iMyQuI3  

What do Starbucks, Disney and Apple have in common with your small business? After attending this session, you will all use a similar method for taking your business to the next level.   During this webinar, Jeremy Weisz unveils a step-by-step blueprint of identifying the untapped revenue lying dormant within your business.   You will discover how to: Use predictable methods of generating more revenue while creating a consistent flow of clients.   Quickly shift from one-client-at-a-time work, to serving many clients at once.  Ethically “borrow” from big name companies so your product offerings match theirs.  Effortlessly convert prospective clients into your higher-level offerings. Position yourself as a top, trusted expert, and make it easy for customers to say “Yes.”  About the presenter Dr. Jeremy Weisz - Cofounder of Rise25,com Dr. Jeremy Weisz is cofounder of Rise25.com. Rise25 helps professional service entrepreneurs like consultants, coaches, we

Illinois Central College will offer a spring session of its course to prepare individuals for employment as a pharmacy technician. The pharmacy technician course is 12 weeks of classroom instruction, which will give students a solid foundation in the skills necessary for employment as a pharmacy technician and will prepare students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Exam.  The pharmacy technician classes will be held on Mondays, beginning February 26 through May 21, from 6 to 10 p.m., at Hickory Hall on the ICC Peoria Campus, located at 5407 N. University St., Peoria. Cost of the course is $1,625, and a payment plan is available. Cost includes tuition, Pharmacy Technician textbook and workbook, a set of Top 100 drugs brand/generic flashcards, and a set of medical scrubs. Free informational sessions will be held Tues., January 30 at 6 pm and Sat., Feb. 3 at 10 am at Hickory Hall on the ICC Peoria Campus. No pre-registration is required. For questions or to re

Illinois American Water is now accepting applications for the 201 8 Environmental Grant Program. We are seeking innovative and collaborative programs that result in positive and sustainable environmental changes. Watershed protection and cleanup activities, value of water education efforts, green business innovations and hazardous waste collection efforts are just a few examples of potential winners through our Environmental Grant Program.  If your community or organization is planning to launch an environmental initiative that focuses on watershed or water source protection, you might be eligible to receive a grant.  Deadline for entries is March 26, 2018 - Entries must be emailed to Karen Cotton at karen.cotton@amwater.com or postmarked by March 26, 2018 and mailed to Karen Cotton at 7500 North Harker Drive, Peoria, Illinois 61615.  Late entries will not be accepted.  Email is preferred as it reduces waste .  It is also requested that you submit your application as early as pos

We are writing to announce the launch of a new Accounting Bookkeeper Program at Illinois Central College: http://icc.edu/academics/catalog/business-legal-and-information-systems/?prog=Accounting%20Bookkeeper The certificate program is 32 semester hours and prepares students for a career as a bookkeeper or accounting assistant. It will cover financial, managerial, payroll, and tax accounting, along with a course that focuses on the use of Microsoft Excel and Access. The program concludes with two courses - Accounting using QuickBooks and a Bookkeeping Capstone course that will prepare you to take the Certified Bookkeeper Exam.  We have presented this program to our Accounting Advisory Board, made up of local employers in the field, and not only have they approved of the program, they believe a graduate of this program who passes the certified bookkeeper exam would be just as valuable as someone with an associate's degree. Students  will walk out of this program with a m

The 20th edition of the R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy began on January 11th, as 22 students met for the first session.  In addition to a welcome and orientation, the students got to know each other through a speed-networking exercise. The 10-week program meets twice each week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. First held in 1999, the leadership academy was launched by the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce as a means to identify and develop future leaders for the chamber and other organizations in the community.  The topics, speakers, and tours are all determined by a volunteer committee of leadership academy graduates. UnityPoint Health and Pekin First Church of the Nazarene are both sponsors of the 2018 academy. The program culminates with a graduation banquet in  March. You can see more pictures from this event at:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRvITt0BEfSKlldH3

Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois is proud to announce three new members to their Board of Directors. Goodwill welcomes Stephanie Hassett. Stephanie is an employee of TEK Systems and brings experience in employment and staffing. Her expertise will be invaluable with regard to Goodwill’s employment services. A member of the National Labor Relations Board, Ashley Miller brings with her experience in employment and labor law. Her experience will also aid Goodwill’s employment services. Dr. Marwin Spiller rounds out the roster of new board members. Dr. Spiller comes from the Peoria Public School system and is a practicing sociologist. He brings years of experience in working with young people. This will serve Goodwill’s Youth Services Department well. “We are very fortunate to have individuals of this caliber available to serve on our board,” said Don Johnson, Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois’ President & CEO. “Each one of these community leaders brings a unique perspe

            Local artists John Boylan, Jennifer Costa and Stephanie Van Doren will have works displayed in art shows opening January 17 in art galleries on the ICC East Peoria Campus.             Mixed media works by Boylan will be on display in the Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center Gallery, located in the lobby of the facility. A free, public reception will take place January 17 from noon to 2 pm in the gallery, with an artist talk scheduled for 12:30 pm.             Flora & Function , a mixed media exhibit featuring the works of Costa and Van Doren, will be on display in Gallery 336B, located in the Academic Building. A free, public reception is scheduled for January 18 from noon to 2 pm in the gallery, with an artist talk at 12:30 pm.             Boylan studied art at Columbia College in Chicago and currently lives and works in Peoria. He creates mixed media works that are often wildly bright and colorful paintings filled with multiple layers of joyous textu

Hopedale Medical Foundation is again accepting applications from high school seniors and college freshmen for its Spring 2018 Scholarship Awards.  The Foundation has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to area students since 1980. All public High School Seniors, College Freshmen, 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 Friday, March 23, 2018 at 4:00 pm .  No email applications, please. The following scholarships will be awarded in 2018: 1.        $2,500 Founder’s (Healthcare) Sch

Local downtown coffee shop and roasting company raises funds and helps spread the word about trafficking with unique blue coffee sleeves beginning January 11 The Center for Prevention of Abuse is teaming up with local coffee shop and roastery CxT Roasting Company in honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month this January to spread awareness about labor and sex trafficking in Central Illinois. Beginning January 11, Human Trafficking Awareness Day, all coffee drinks at CxT Roasting Company will feature a unique blue coffee sleeve, the color of human trafficking awareness, and information about human trafficking in the local area, including the 24/7 crisis hotline at The Center for Prevention of Abuse. Patrons are encouraged to take a photo with their coffee cup and use the hashtag #fightHTin309 to help spread the word. CxT Roasting Company will also donate ten cents from every cup of coffee sold January 11 through the end of the month to The Center for Prevention of Abuse t

Thanks to a $1 million grant from Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), Illinois Central College, along with more than 15 community organizations and businesses, will offer a program designed to build a workforce training program for solar technicians. ICC will serve as fiscal and lead agent for the Central Illinois Solar Workforce Pipeline Training Program , with Illinois People’s Action/Heaven’s View Community Development Corp. and Tri-County Urban League acting as key partners. ComEd announced it selected four organizations to develop and conduct solar pipeline training programs through $3 million in grants funded by the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA). December 7 marked the one-year anniversary of the act. Along with Illinois Central College, the other recipients include OAI, Inc., Elevate Energy, and the Safer Foundation. “ComEd is committed to helping grow renewable energy in Illinois and equally dedicated to developing the workforce of the future who will help integrate more clean ene

Pekin Township Building Garage/Warehouse in downtown Pekin available for rent.  50 ft. by 84 ft. plus. Approximately 4,300 sq. ft.  Includes separate office area.  Commercial garage door. To schedule viewing, please call 346-3194 between 9-noon or 1-3 p.m.

Pekin Insurance® agencies are honoring those who served in our military by supporting the Honor Flight Network, which recognizes American veterans for all their sacrifices. Several independent insurance agents participated in the annual Tour of Honor Contest sponsored by Pekin Insurance. For every life insurance application submitted, money was donated to the Honor Flight Network which transports veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials. This is a small tribute to those who gave so much. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Pekin Insurance independent agency force, the company donated $20,000 to this cause. Pekin Insurance and its independent agencies thank the men and women who made the sacrifice and commitment to fight for the freedom and safety of our country. In business since 1921, Pekin Insurance offers multiple lines of insurance in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, and Wisconsin and is represented by nearly 1,500 independent age

Area high school juniors and seniors are invited to showcase their original works of art in a juried show for a chance to win prizes in the 2018 Illinois Central College Art Portfolio Day, sponsored by the ICC Arts and Behavioral Sciences Department Art Program. Students may enter up to three pieces of original artwork that have been completed within the past two years. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork will be accepted. Two-dimensional artwork should be matted and must have proper wire or hooks for hanging; no works will be accepted with wire or string taped to the back. The Portfolio Day event takes place January 26 from 3 pm to 5 pm in Gallery 131D, located in the Academic Building on the East Peoria Campus. Students will be matched with an ICC art faculty member, who will review and provide feedback on students’ portfolios. One piece from each student will be chosen to be displayed in Gallery 131D. All artwork chosen on January 26 will be displayed in the ga

Long-time Center employee Sara Dillefeld to assume new leadership position directing The Center’s newest department in ten years, expanding reach of services across Illinois – The Center for Prevention of Abuse is pleased to reveal the creation of its newest department, Human Trafficking Services, led by long-time Center employee, Sara Dillefeld. Prior to this position, Dillefeld served as the Director of Domestic Violence Family Centered Services at The Center for six years. “We are very proud to add Human Trafficking Services to our departments and to appoint Sara to this new position,” said Carol Merna, Executive Director of The Center for Prevention of Abuse. “We have been serving high numbers of trafficked individuals with dollars from a Federal grant we received, so we knew there was a need for a new department. We are dedicated to providing necessary services all survivors of abuse, including labor and sex trafficking victims, all while educating and providing trainin

One day activities held on no school days such as MLK Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Staff Institute days, etc. at Soldwedel Program Center. Adventures include ice skating, bowling, movies, or other field trips to keep school age children active while mom and dad are at work. Participants should bring a sack lunch and appropriate dress for each activity. Go to www.pekinparkdistrict.org to register and for more information.  Questions, call Andrew at, 201-4006 or email him at arichey@pekinparkdistrict.org Upcoming Date: Jan. 15 MLK Jr. Day: Ice Skating Cost is $30 per day. 

This workshop will help you avoid the wasted time and lost productivity that comes from a cluttered desk, messy files, or no system of personal organization. The program that will be featured is Microsoft OneNote - a free program that you can use on your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phones and Android tablets. Learn how to capture any information and access it from anywhere. The workshop is FREE , but registration is required.  Register Here ! 

This spring, Illinois Central College Adult Community Programs will partner with Crappie University to offer an accelerated course in crappie fishing for all skill levels. The four-week course will meet on Tuesday nights, Feb. 13 through March 6, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at Arbor Hall Auditorium on the Peoria Campus, located at 5407 N. University St., Peoria.                Participants will learn from pros and guides who make a living catching crappie. Instructors will discuss all the latest fishing techniques, from spider rigging and long-lining, to pushing crank baits and dock shooting.  All sessions are relevant to fishing in local waters and in a variety of conditions, ranging from fishing shallow to deep throughout the season.                Crappie University was established in 2015 in Oklahoma to educate anglers nationwide about crappie fishing. For more information, go online to crappieuniversity.com/about For questions or to register, call ICC Adult Community

Illinois public high schools are now required to administer the SAT to high school juniors instead of the ACT or PARCC exams. Illinois Central College will offer an SAT Prep Course, consisting of four, three-hour sessions to help students prepare for the SAT test, as well as an informational session for students and their parents or guardians on this transition. All SAT Prep course sessions and the Introductory Night will be held at Hickory Hall on the ICC Peoria Campus, located at 5407 N. University St., Peoria. Participants must register to take the SAT exam separately. The sessions meet in the two weeks prior to each of the SAT test dates scheduled throughout this spring. The next session begins Feb. 26 for the exam scheduled on March 10. Students may wish to take the test more than once to try to improve their scores. The State SAT exam is administered at area high schools on April 10, 2018. For additional ICC SAT Prep Course dates, visit icc.edu/SATprep . SAT Prep course part