Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

  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 ...

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 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 cou...

  EAST  PEORIA   –   The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that in addition to the closure of the ramp from Pinecrest Drive to westbound Interstate 74, the ramp from westbound I-74 to Pinecrest will close  Oct. 22.   The closure s   are  necessary  to resurface the ramps  and are expected to last about two weeks .  A detour will be posted     Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits,  refrain  from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.   Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,300 miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is i...

Pekin, IL - Pekin City Offices will host a community blood drive from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3 at 111 S. Capitol St. *Please come donate blood in memory of Bethany Patton. Bethany received several units of blood on March 27, 2018 while being treated for a pulmonary embolism. Family and friends were her passion and helping people was a way of life for her. Please help us honor Bethany by donating blood in her memory to help us continue her spirit of giving. What: Pekin City Offices Battle of the Badges Community Blood Drive When: Tuesday, November 3, 7:00 am - 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Where: Event Room, 111 S. Capitol St., Pekin, IL *Appointments and Face Masks are Required : To donate, please contact Jamie Evans at (309) 477-2388, Billie Ingles at (309) 478-5312, John Shallenberger at (309) 478-5652 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 61117 to locate the drive. Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years o...

  Plan ahead for the holidays and consider alternatives SPRINGFIELD – As Illinoisans prepare to spend the holidays with family and friends, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is offering recommendations on how to celebrate safer during the COVID-19 pandemic.  During a time when social distancing and limiting the number of people at gatherings is important, special considerations should be taken. “COVID-19 has changed the way we work, live, and play, and will now change how we plan to celebrate the holidays,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.  “While the safest way to celebrate is with members of your household and connecting with others virtually, we know, for many, the holidays are all about family and friends, so we want to provide some tips on how to celebrate safer.” Traveling increases the chance of spreading COVID-19.  When planning travel, consider the mode of transportation.  Traveling by plane, train, or bus can mean standing in li...

      Hopedale, IL – Hopedale Medical Complex (HMC) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Tyler Neal, orthopedic surgeon, to its medical staff.  Dr. Neal will see patients and perform surgery at Hopedale Medical Complex providing his patients specialty care, close to home. Dr. Neal was born and raised in Bloomington, IL, and went to Illinois Wesleyan University.  He attended medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, FL and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at St. Luke’s Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis, MO.  During his residency, Dr. Neal completed orthopedic trauma training and worked with pediatric orthopedics at SSM St. Louis University Hospital and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. It was because of his passion for orthopedic sports medicine that Dr. Neal pursued additional training at the respected San Diego Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program.  During this time, he had the op...

  October 2, 2020 This Week in Illinois  California Governor Signs Corporate Boardroom Diversity Law This week California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring more than 660 public corporations with California headquarters to have at least one board member from an unrepresented community or face stiff civil penalties.  The measure requires at least two directors on boards with at least four members that identify as Black, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Alaska Native or as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Firms that have more than nine directors must have at least three board members that meet the above criteria. Firms that do not comply face $100,000 fines for the first violation and $300,000 for subsequent violations. We expect similar legislation to be introduced in Illinois this spring with the new legislative session. The Illinois Chamber has great concerns about this t...

  EAST PEORIA   –   The Illinois Department of Transportation announce d that  construction on Interstate 74 at Pinecrest Drive in East Peoria begins Oct. 4.   The  project  involves upgrading shoulders to accommodate reconstruction of the Pinecrest bridge over Interstate 74, which begins in spring 2021. The should er work will  reduce I-74 to one lane in each direction between 7 pm and 6am  and is expected to last two weeks.   Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits,  refrain  from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.   Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,300 miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck...

Hopedale, IL – Knowledge is Power.  Showcase your strength during the month of October by scheduling your mammogram during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Hopedale Medical Complex (HMC) is pleased to announce the addition of Saturday mammogram appointments on October 17 and 31 between the hours of 8:30am-4:00pm.  If you are over 40 years of age and have not had a mammogram within the last 365 days, no doctor’s order is necessary, so schedule your mammogram today by calling HMC at 309.449.4866. Early detection and diagnosis are key to fighting breast cancer.  Stay close to home and get the services that you need to help with early detection of breast cancer at HMC.  We care about you, your health, and finding out the results that you need in a timely manner.  Let HMC be your strength this October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!    

  (Pekin, IL) Identifying the need for an update to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce brand, Chamber Executive Director, Amy McCoy and McD President, Randy McDaniels decided it was time for a change. “We are proud to give back to the chamber who has supported our agency for decades. The McD designer, Jeff Wagnaar was excited to jump in and develop a new design and color scheme to modernize the chamber brand,” states Randy McDaniels. The agency also donated time to develop the new City of Pekin logo many years ago. The Old Pekin Area Chamber Logo: The New Pekin Area Chamber Logo: “We were delighted by the offer to update our brand. Randy and his team teamed with us to craft a brand identity that best communicates our vision and tagline: Business Leadership, Connected Community… now we can move forward with new membership materials and an updated website to help attract new members and better serve our community,” exclaimed Chamber President, Amy McCoy. McDaniels Marketing and its d...

 Peoria, IL – October 1, 2020 – The Pilot Club of Peoria has donated a TV, Blu-ray player, a soundbar and Netflix subscription to the General Wayne A. Downing Home for Veterans. “This is a gesture that means so much, especially now,” said Lori Johnson, Goodwill’s director of program services. “Due to the pandemic, our residents are restricted in what they can do. They are putting this donation to good use.” The Pilot Club of Peoria has been serving the community since 1939, and is proud to support the many local organizations including; PARC, CIRT, Camp Big Sky, Penguin Project, ThinkFirst, B.I.G., Special Olympics, Operation Santa, Alzheimer’s Association and many, many more. For more information visit Goodwill’s website at www.goodwillpeo.org.