Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

UnityPoint Health® is proud to announce a new urgent care clinic is now open at UnityPoint Health – Pekin East. Pekin First Care will be open Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm and Saturday-Sunday, 9am-3pm at 3591 Griffin Avenue, Suite A, Pekin Illinois.  Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pekin held a ribbon cutting ceremony as part of the grand opening celebration. “We’re very excited to be expanding our First Care model in Pekin. We are committed to serving the people in our community by providing outstanding health care. Urgent care is a crucial service we offer to ensure urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies receive immediate attention. Our Pekin hospital campus offers an urgent care clinic, but we wanted to provide an additional location for added convenience and an enhanced patient experience for the Pekin community,” says Eric Rahn, Director of UnityPoint Health First Care, Express Care, Primary Care, MDVIP, and Junction Medical....

The Mission of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is to foster and promote a vibrant business environment for the benefit of chamber members. The leadership of the chamber recognizes that legislative and regulatory actions of government at all levels - local, county, state and national - have a significant impact on the business environment in the Pekin area. Thus, one of the goals of the chamber's strategic plan is Business Advocacy – to be the voice of the Pekin business community. The Chamber's Board of Directors authored the current Legislative Agenda to provide chamber members with a policy platform based on current trends and member feedback. It focuses on seven specific areas that have a direct impact on the vibrancy of the local business environment: Taxes and Fees Labor/Employment Transportation Infrastructure Education and Workforce Development Good Government Economic Development The agenda document also includes background information on the issues a...

The Pekin Police Department is currently seeking donations for their "Shop with a Hero" event. They are seeking out businesses to sponsor children for this event. The sponsorship is just $100 per child. If you are interested in sponsoring a child or would like additional information, please contact Officer Billie Ingles Public Information Officer (309)478-5312.

Substance use disorders impact more than just the person with the addiction. Much like with other diseases, addiction can take a toll on the people closest to the person struggling with it. In some cases, addiction can destroy relationships with loved ones and cause health, financial and legal problems. Even with the many consequences, addiction can feel impossible to break because it is a disease of the brain . At Gateway Foundation , we...

Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois has received two years’ worth of grants from Community Foundation of Central Illinois. For 2017/2018 Goodwill was awarded $6,500 and for 2018/2019 the nonprofit received $15,000. The funding is designated for assisting clients in gaining and maintaining employment in the Peoria and Pekin area. “While we are supported by the generous donations of our community, this funding will go a long way,” said Don Johnson, Goodwill president and CEO. “All of our services are free and with grants like these and the continued support of our community, we will continue to help people gain and maintain employment.” Goodwill’s free programs are possible through the sale of your donated items. Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois serves 21 counties within Central Illinois. Goodwill offers employment services, veterans’ support services, operates a veterans’ home and employs more than 300 people. For more information visit Goodwill’s website at www.goodwillpe...

The Illinois Central College Guest Artists Series presents Lightwire Theater’s A Bigger & Brighter Very Electric Christmas on Sunday, December 9 at 2:30 pm. The performance takes place in the ICC Performing Arts Center, located on the East Peoria Campus. Following the show, attendees are invited to stay for complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, along with additional activities. Lightwire Theater was a semi-finalist on Season 7 of the NBC TV talent show America’s Got Talent in 2012. In addition, Lightwire Theater was the winner of Season 1 of TruTV’s Fake Off . A Bigger & Brighter Very Electric Christmas follows the story of a young bird named Max and his family as they begin their journey south for the winter. When Max gets blown off course and ends up at the North Pole, his adventure begins. Lightwire Theater performed A Very Electric Christmas at ICC in 2017, but 2018’s expanded, lengthier, bigger and brighter show features additional video and laser elements, a...

            Illinois Central College Student Association for the Environment (SAFE), will host a screening of the documentary Wasted! , produced by the late Anthony Bourdain, on Wed., November 28 at 6 pm in the Performing Arts Center on the East Peoria Campus. A second showing will be held on Fri., Nov. 30 at 6 pm in the Arbor Hall Auditorium on the Peoria Campus, located at 5407 N. University St. Peoria. Both events are free and open to the public.             Wasted! is the story of food waste and aims to change the way people buy, cook, recycle and eat food in America. Audience members will hear from famous chefs, such as Bourdain, Dan Barber, Mario Batali, Massimo Bottura and Danny Bowien, on how they make the most out of every scrap of food and transform what most consider trash into tasty dishes. The show exposes the contribution to food insecurity problems in Amer...

The Philharmonic Chorale, in residence at Illinois Central College, presents its holiday concert on Sunday, December 2 at 2:30 pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center, located on the East Peoria Campus. Music will include works by Stephen Paulus, Felix Mendelssohn, Dan Forrest and Irving Berlin, as well as traditional carols and seasonal selections. Walter Stout, ICC adjunct faculty member in music, will also join Philharmonic accompanist Carol Spayer on two arrangements for four-hand piano.                 This 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, master classes, clinics, seminars, receptions, orientations, forums, auditions and tournaments annually. Tickets are ...

               Illinois Central College will host a Health Careers Exploration Fair for potential students to explore its state-of-the-art facilities and career program options on Mon., Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the ICC Peoria Campus, located at 5407 N. University St., Peoria. Registration begins at 5 pm in Cedar Hall. The event is free and open to the public.                High school students and their parents, as well as anyone who is interested in learning more about health careers, are encouraged to attend. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from faculty and program directors from ICC Health Careers disciplines, including dental hygienist, emergency medical technician, licensed practical nurse, massage therapist, medical assistant, medical coder, medical lab technician, medical office administrative assistant, nursing assi...

With the holidays fast approaching, many people are heading home to spend time with family and loved ones. Unfortunately for some people, the chance to enjoy the holiday season may never come. DID YOU KNOW? The night before Thanksgiving has become one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, if not the biggest, and it’s often referred to as “Drinksgiving” or “Blackout Wednesday.” The nicknames behind the night reveal a scary truth – the night before Thanksgiving is one of the deadliest nights of the year. According to statistics from the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 2,960 crashes in 2016 over Thanksgiving weekend. This is a sharp increase from the 1,940 cras...

Lucky Spirits Gaming, 1100 Derby, held their grand opening on Friday, November 16th. The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce joined with family and friends for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the occasion. Lucky Spirits Gaming is a local, family owned business.  They offer video gaming and slots, beer, wine, spirits, and complimentary food and soft drinks for their customers. Stop by and enjoy their friendly staff and great atmosphere. Open 7:00 am to 1:00 am, Monday through Saturday and 10:00 am to 11:30 pm on Sunday.  They can be reached at 346-1818.

                Hopedale Wellness Center is hosting a Women’s Retreat on Saturday, December 1 from 8:30 – 12:00pm at the White Fence Estate located at 104 Hittle Road in Hopedale. Participants will practice well-being through yoga, expert presentations, and crafts. The morning will focus specifically on women’s winter health, which will include a segment on preparation for winter driving and car safety kits by Patricia Sinn, Registered Dietitian Sara Mathews and Personal Trainer Randi Krehbiel will offer a presentation on nutrition and exercise during the holidays, and Certified Yoga Instructor Julie Rhoades will lead a 30 minute yoga demonstration. There will be a breakfast served at 8:30am.                  Women age 16 and older can register by calling (309) 449-4500 by November 25; cost is $25 for Hopedale Wellness Center Memb...

Illinois Central College Professional Development Institute (PDI) recently welcomed Pam Hilliard, of Metamora, Ill., as its new Business Solutions Learning Consultant. In this newly created position, Hilliard will assist local businesses in achieving their desired outcomes with regard to training, within a culture of engagement and life-long learning. She joins the Professional Development Institute, located at ICC Peoria Campus, and will report to Dean of Corporate and Community Education Ellen George.                 Hilliard received her Bachelor of Science degree in educational psychology from Illinois State University. She is a professional member of the Association for Talent Development and is currently working toward certification as an ATD Master Trainer. She brings more than 20 years of real-world business experience in not-for-profit, customer service, and retail organizations. Hilliard spend the l...

               Illinois Central College will offer one-day, Saturday courses during the spring semester 2019 for potential students to explore their interest in a variety of health careers programs. The courses are open to high school juniors and seniors, current college students, and anyone who is undecided on which health career interests them.                “This is a great opportunity for students to see what a particular health career field is all about before making a commitment,” said ICC Dean of Health Careers Wendee Guth. “Potential students can start by enrolling in any pre-requisite course, even before they are admitted to the program of their choice.”                Several of the courses offered also are pre-requisites for admittance to the career programs. Ent...

Bill Fleming, the Executive Director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, recently completed his year as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE). The IACCE's fall conference was held at the Pere Marquette in Peoria.  Fleming had the honor of presenting several awards and recognitions at the annual meeting and dinner, before passing the gavel on to Jon Riddler, the Executive Director of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce. The IACCE was established in 1915 and serves more than 100 chambers of commerce and their staff throughout Illinois.  The IACCE provides chamber professionals with information, professional development and communications to carry out the mission of their respective organizations. You can see more pictures from this event at:   https://photos.app.goo.gl/vH52j34n83D8nFwv5

            Illinois Central College Student Association for the Environment (SAFE), will host a screening of the documentary Wasted! , produced by the late Anthony Bourdain, on Wed., November 28 at 6 pm in the Performing Arts Center on the East Peoria Campus. A second showing will be held on Fri., Nov. 30 at 6 pm in the Arbor Hall Auditorium on the Peoria Campus, located at 5407 N. University St. Peoria. Both events are free and open to the public.             Wasted! is the story of food waste and aims to change the way people buy, cook, recycle and eat food in America. Audience members will hear from famous chefs, such as Bourdain, Dan Barber, Mario Batali, Massimo Bottura and Danny Bowien, on how they make the most out of every scrap of food and transform what most consider trash into tasty dishes. The show exposes the contribution to food insecurity problems in Amer...