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Showing posts from 2020

Morningside of Pekin shares COVID Vaccine Information

To:          Fellow Chamber Members Re:         COVID Vaccine From:    Morningside of Pekin Date:     December 17, 2020 Greetings!  There is a lot of information on the news and in the community about the COVID-19 vaccine.  As we are a Five Star Community, we have access to a team of professional advisors who have been sending us updated information throughout the process of the development and now the distribution of the vaccine! We are going to be able to offer our residents the vaccine this month as part of the first wave of inoculations. We would like to share with you some of the Q&A questions that our professional team has been asked.   Please feel free to view this link:  https://www.fivestarseniorliving.com/covid-19-vaccine-faqs to access some general information.   We would be happy to provide you with updates as we receive them.  Regards and Merry Christmas, Lisa Davis, Executive Director Lisa Friedrich, Sales Director Morningside of Pekin

Hanson wins award from ACEC of Illinois for emergency repair of collapsed rail bridge

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Hanson Professional Services Inc. received an Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-IL) for its work on the emergency repair of Norfolk Southern Corp.’s collapsed bridge over the Grand River near Brunswick, Missouri.  Hanson, led by its Peoria, Illinois, office, worked with Norfolk Southern Corp. and Massman Construction Co. to help Norfolk Southern quickly rebuild the 103-year-old bridge. The flooded river and a buildup of tree limbs had been pushing on the bridge, leading Norfolk Southern to cut the rails Oct. 1, 2019, to relieve pressure and prevent further damage to its rail line. A portion of the bridge was wiped out within minutes. Four spans and three piers — about 267 feet of the 1,110-foot-long bridge — were swept away. The repair work was finished in 27 days — several weeks ahead of the originally estimated 56-day schedule. Hanson will be recognized April 8 during ACEC-IL’s virtual awards ceremony. ACEC is a professional organiza

PEORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES ONLINE STREAMING WITH PSO PLAY

P EORIA, IL – The Peoria Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce PSO Play . For the first time in the PSO’s history, concerts will be available to view online . Starting at just $1 , viewers can pay what they like to see the first three concerts of the PSO’s 123 rd season: The Four Seasons with Charles Yang, violin; Merry Pranks with Pei-yeh Tsai, piano, and Sarah Carrillo, trumpet; and A Season of Hope , featuring festive music and messages of hope from area faith leaders. Regarding the launch of PSO Play, Maestro Stelluto comments: “The streaming releases of our first three concerts this season is a first for the PSO. I’m very happy we can all share these experiences again. Plus, they are great opportunities to have your young ones enjoy and learn about music.” The concerts are now available to purchase and view an unlimited number of times until January 25, 2021 . Concert passes must be purchased by January 24, 2021. Each concert has additional online streaming content,

Illinois Chamber of Commerce - This Week in Illinois

Federal Government Passes Another Round of Assistance Yesterday Congress passed another round of COVID related stimulus.  The package was just shy of $1 trillion. In addition to $600 to individuals, the bill also included some relief for businesses.  U.S. Chamber executive vice president and chief policy officer Neil Bradley will be giving a Pandemic Relief Small Business Update TODAY, December 22, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. ET to share more about what the bill will mean for the small business community. If you have not done so already, please click here to register now. NPR provides this cheat sheet :  Small-business help PPP loans: The agreement includes some $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program loans. Democrats say they expanded eligibility for the loans to include nonprofits and local newspapers, along with TV and radio stations. Also, $15 billion would be reserved for live venues, independent movie theaters and cultural institutions, which h

New Minimum Wage Rates Set to Take Effect on New Year’s Day

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will ring in the New Year with an additional increase in the minimum wage to $11 an hour, and the Illinois Department of Labor is encouraging employees to watch their paychecks to ensure that time worked in 2021 is paid at the new rate. Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation into law in 2019 providing a path to a $15 minimum wage by 2025. Minimum wage earners received two increases in 2020 to $9.25 an hour on January 1 followed by an increase to $10 an hour on July 1. The minimum wage will continue to increase an additional $1 an hour each January 1 until it reaches $15 an hour in 2025. “We want to make sure that workers earning minimum wage are aware that the $1 increase should be reflected in their pay checks for any time they work after the first of the year,” said Michael Kleinik, director of the Illinois Department of Labor. “While we fully expect employers will pay the new wage, we also want workers to be aware of the change.” Prior to the 2020 in

Delta Departs PIA

Peoria, IL –Delta service from Peoria has become a casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Delta petitioned the US DOT in May to suspend service to all of its destinations from Peoria, which took effect in June.  Delta just recently informed the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria that as of last week, they were changing the suspension into a termination.  This change does not have much impact from a practical standpoint, since Delta had already discontinued flying.  It does mean that the Airport Authority will have to work even harder with the community to get them to come back to Peoria. Recently, PIA had experienced a record setting year in 2019 with 689,416 passengers traveling to and from PIA.  January and February began strong in 2020 with record-setting passenger totals until travel took a hit in mid-March, which saw totals of about half of the previous year’s number.  Traffic dropped 96% for a total of 2,928 travelers in April 2020 (April 2019 – 59,321).  Through October 20

Nominations now being accepted for The Outstanding Young Person of Illinois

  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Jaycees is currently accepting nominations for 2021 class of  The Outstanding Young People. Each year, The Outstanding Young People awards program recognizes up to ten individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 who exemplify the best attributes of young people from across Illinois.   Honorees reflect the vast diversity of young people that are making a difference in their community – whether they get involved through business, nonprofit and community organizations, or government service. Nominations are accepted in one of the ten categories including: business, economic, and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment; political, legal, and/or governmental affairs; academic leadership and/or accomplishment; cultural achievement; moral and/or environmental leadership; contribution to children, world peace, and/or human rights; humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership; scientific and/or technological development; personal improvement and/or accomplishment; or

$30 MILLION EXTRAORDINARY DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTED TO CEFCU MEMBERS

Peoria, IL – A $30 million Extraordinary Dividend was approved by CEFCU’s Board of Directors and distributed to the Credit Union’s member/owners.  The amount each member received was determined by dividends earned and interest paid during the first 11 months of the year.  On December 1, funds were deposited to members’ Savings accounts. Over the last 21 years, CEFCU has returned $350 million in Extraordinary Dividends to members.  CEFCU Board Chairman, Matt Jolliff, stated, “CEFCU’s strong financial results and continued member loyalty have made another Extraordinary Dividend available for members.” Mark Spenny, CEFCU President/CEO, added, “This year, more than ever, CEFCU continues to live up to the credit union’s philosophy of “people helping people.” Thank you to members for your continued support, and to CEFCU staff for providing outstanding member service while maintaining operational efficiencies.” Members can learn more about this year’s Extraordinary Dividend at cefcu.com/divid

CEFCU ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT WITH SIMMONS BANK TO PURCHASE FOUR BRANCHES

Peoria, IL and Pine Bluff, AR – Citizens Equity First Credit Union (“CEFCU”) and Simmons Bank (“Simmons”) have entered into an agreement pursuant to which CEFCU will purchase four Simmons Bank branches located in the Metro East area of Southern Illinois, near St. Louis. Select loan and deposit accounts, along with non-deposit product relationships, are included in the purchase. Subject to the approval of the purchase by the appropriate state and federal regulatory agencies, CEFCU expects the transition to occur in the first quarter of 2021. Customers of the four Simmons’ branches will receive communications from CEFCU and Simmons Bank with additional information about the change. “CEFCU has a longstanding history of success and growth through improving the financial well-being of members and the communities we serve. We’re excited to expand the opportunities for more individuals to experience the benefits of CEFCU membership,” said CEFCU CEO & President Mark Spenny.  “We are please

Get Your Gift On!

Hopedale, IL – It’s never too early to start you Christmas shopping or even to buy a little gift for yourself.  The Hopedale Wellness Center is excited to offer their 2020 Holiday Specials starting on November 23, 2020 and running through December 23, 2020. Kick off the New Year with one of these great deals to continue your current wellness journey or to start down a path of healthy choices for 2021.  We have different options available within a variety of price ranges or you can even go for a 3, 6, or 12-month membership at the Hopedale Wellness Center for 25% off the list price. Interested in massages?  Buy 3 and get 1 free with a limit of 2 packages per person.  Need someone to help you be accountable in your health journey?  Buy 12 personal training sessions for $300 with a limit of 2 packages per person.  Do you have a student who has some extra time on their hands?  Give them a 1-month student membership for $15.  A valid student id is required, and the student must be betwe

From the Illinois Chamber - This Week in Illinois

Several days after the elections and we still don't have a full accounting of the results. It looks like it may be several weeks before everything is finalized. Let's take a look at what we know so far- starting with some Illinois Chamber victories. Progressive Income Tax (so called "Fair Tax") Soundly Rejected  Illinois voters  resoundingly rejected the attempts to alter the Illinois Constitution and impose a progressive income tax on Illinois taxpayers and businesses by a vote 55-44%. This was a huge win for the Chamber and all of our members and partners throughout the state. Early Wednesday morning the Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch released the following statement: "It is clear that Illinoisans do not trust this legislature and this administration to spend more of their precious tax dollars without restraint."  "We believe we're on our way to hearing from the electorate that Illinois needs a lot more than tax increases to fix our economy

Now Available for Purchase: Sis & Me: Down by the Sea: A Book about Boundaries, Safe Touches, and Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, written and illustrated by the Center for Prevention of Abuse

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  Peoria, Ill – The Center for Prevention of Abuse (CFPA), whose mission is to help all people live free from violence and abuse, published its premier children’s book, Sis & Me: Down by the Sea: A Book about Boundaries, Safe Touches, and Child Sexual Abuse Prevention. The family-friendly book is now available for purchase online with Amazon and Lulu .   “ Sis & Me is an important step in helping caregivers and adults start the conversation with children in their care about consent, boundaries, and how they can keep themselves safe,” said Carol Merna, CEO at the Center for Prevention of Abuse. “One in four females and one in six males experience sexual abuse before their 18 th birthday, so it’s paramount we ensure they have the specific language to stand up and speak up for themselves, as well as have an understanding of the body safety rules. I am grateful to our Prevention Education and Marketing departments at the Center for Prevention of Abuse for their hard work in w

CASA of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Announces CASAblancaDancing with the Local Stars

CASA of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Circuit's premiere fundraising event, CASAblanca Dancing with the Local Stars, is going virtual for 2020! Join us online on November 7 th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM for this unique and fun-filled event. Watch the dance competition and other entertainment and participate in the interactive online activities from the comfort of your own home. Your virtual ticket will include access to the streaming site to watch the event from your phone, tablet, computer or even your Smart TV. You'll be able to cast your vote for the Critics' Choice Award, participate in the voting for the People's Choice Award by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) and see the real-time results! Host a viewing party for 10 people or less (safely, please!) and be eligible for the Hilltop Wealth Management of Raymond James Viewing Host Award, presented to the Viewing Host that raises the most money. Individual tickets are $150 per person and the Viewing Host is $1,500 for 10 tic

Illinois Central College Names Christopher S. McCall as 2020 Distinguished Alumnus

                    Illinois Central College presented Peorian Christopher S. McCall with the Distinguished Alumnus Award on Thursday, October 22. The presentation was part of the college’s virtual Community Celebration event, held annually to recognize and celebrate ICC scholarship recipients, their donors and community partners.      “The Distinguished Alumnus Award annually recognizes an ICC alum who has achieved outstanding success in their chosen field. It also recognizes their humanitarian service and demonstrated support for higher education and Illinois Central College,” said ICC President Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey. “Mr. McCall’s inspirational story is another great example of the role ICC can play in changing lives. His numerous accomplishments, impressive community involvement and desire to make a difference make him very deserving of this award. Chris makes our community a better place, and we could not be prouder to call him an ICC alum.”   McCall is well known for his in