chamber connection - Marigold Festival

CHAMBER CONNECTION
Established 1893. We create opportunities for Pekin-area businesses to succeed.
April 2013
Welcome to Our Newest Members
PAL Health Technologies, 1805 Riverway Drive, Pekin, IL
61554; (309) 347-8785;www.palhealth.com; Kimberly Chaney,
accounting manager; Business hours: Monday - Thursday
6:00am - 5:30pm; PAL Health Tech is a national leader of corrective footwear. They manufacture custom, prescription orthoses, ankle braces, and diabetic inserts.
Mist, 300 Broadway, Pekin, IL 61554; (309) 353-3768; Stacie
Rose and Michele Lawson, co-owners; Mist offers complete
haircare and facial waxing services. Walk-ins are welcomed, but
appointments are highly recommended. While maintaining personal and individual care, Mist is a busy, upbeat, and progressive
salon.
Littleman Lawncare, 156 Lake Street, Pekin, IL 61554; (309)
267-6408; Ryan DeSutter, Owner; littlemanlawncare92@gmail.com; www.littlemanlawncare.webs.com
Littleman Lawncare provides lawn maintenance, landscape design and construction, and 24-hour snow and ice removal
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Newest Members
2. Chamber Calendar of Events; Business After Hours,
Puttin’ On Pekin
3. Biz Barometer
4. Recent Events
5. Family & Business Showcase
6. Member Announcements
7. Chamber Annual Meeting
8. Legislative Reception
9. Membership Renewals
10. Chamber Board and Ambassadors
Velde Lincoln Volvo of Peoria, 2200 W. Pioneer Parkway,
Peoria, IL 61615; (309) 692-9880; fax 692-3738;
www.veldeofpeoria.com; Steve Brown, Sales Consultant, 6130581; Offering new Lincoln's and Volvo's, with a large variety
of all makes and models of pre-owned vehicles. Velde Lincoln
Volvo of Peoria has a full service department for all makes and
models and they are open 6 days a week, with pick up and drop
off services for their Pekin customers!
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Calendar of Events
April 3- Pekin 1st Committee
April 3 - Executive Board Meeting
April 6 - Family and Business Showcase
April 10- Member Promotions Committee
April 10- Transportation Committee
April 12- Puttin’ On Pekin Breakfast
April 17- Ambassador’s Meeting
April 17- Marigold Festival Committee
Pekin Hospital CEO Gary Jepson will speak, plus
one minute reminders, Meet the New Member,
and more networking and promotional
opportunities. Only $10 for reservations made
prior to April 10th.
April 18- Business After Hours
April 22- Annual Meeting and Reception
April 29 - CIRCLE Legislative Reception
April 30- Business Advocacy Council
SAVE THE DATE
May 9th – CIRCLE visit to Springfield State
Capitol
Don't miss this opportunity to network with
fellow chamber members and community
leaders. You'll also enjoy refreshments, door
prizes and tours or information from our hosts.
Chamber events and committee meetings
are listed on our online calendar:
Visit our website at www.pekinchamber.com
Use the drop down box for Chamber Resources
Click the Calendar
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BIZ BAROMETER
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Pekin’s sales tax disbursement received from the state in March was 13.7% more than March of
2012. March disbursements typically represent sales taxes collected by merchants in December
and paid to the state in January.
Pekin’s sales tax disbursements received from the state for the last 3 months were 14.8% greater
than the same three months a year ago.
The other three large communities on the east side of the Illinois River showed mixed results in
sales tax disbursements received in March. Compared to March of 2012: Morton (-3.6%), East
Peoria (-0.5%), and Washington (+2.3%)
For the 12-months ending in March, all four communities showed an increase in sales tax receipts
from the state, compared to the same 12-months a year ago: Pekin (+10.2%), East Peoria
(+5.1%), Morton (+3.1%), and Washington (+3.0%).
The number of residential units sold in Pekin in the first two months of the year was 19% greater
than the sales in the first two months of 2012.
The other large Tazewell County communities had mixed residential sales unit results in the first
two months of the year, compared to the same period in 2012: East Peoria (+41%), Washington
(+15%), and Morton (-3.8%).
The average sales price of a Pekin residential unit in the first two months of the year was
$107,318, which is up 0.8% from $106,426 - the average price for the same period in 2012.
The year-to-date average sales price of residential units in the other large Tazewell communities
was mixed compared to 2012: East Peoria (+20.6%), Washington (+0.8%), and Morton (-13.3%).
The unemployment rate in Pekin in January rose to 11.3%, which is up from 10.8% in January of
2012.
The January unemployment rate in the Peoria region stood at 10.0%, up from the January 2012
rate of 9.4%.
The number of people employed in Pekin in January was 15,700, which is the lowest number
since February of 2011.
Nationally, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 236,000 in February, and the unemployment
rate edged down to 7.7%.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.7 percent in February.
Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.0% before seasonal adjustment.
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RECENT EVENTS
Pekin Main Street Celebrates New Office
Pekin Main Street held an open house on March
14th to celebrate the grand opening of their new
office location. The event was also part of their
annual volunteer appreciation party. The new
office is located at 15 S. Capitol, Suite 219. Their
phone number is still 353-3100. More information
about the organization and their events can be
found at:www.pekinmainstreet.com.
Mist Celebrates 15 Years
The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce
congratulated Mist on their 15th anniversary with
a ribbon cutting on March 14. The salon,
formerly known as the Hair Depot, is co-owned
by Stacie Rose and Michele Lawson.
Representatives of the chamber joined Stacie,
Michele and the other stylists for the ribbon
cutting. The celebration continued into the
evening with a reception at Kouri's Pub.
You can see more pictures from
this and other chamber events
Leadership Academy Graduates 24
The 2013 Class of the R. David Tebben Community
Leadership Academy finished their 10-week program
with a graduation dinner at Pekin Country Club. The
speaker was Dr. Michael Cross, Director of Athletics at
Bradley University, who spoke about his philosophy
and the challenges of leadership in his position. Two
academy participants, Fred Blanchard and Lora
Jacobs, gave their impressions of the 10-week program.
Chamber Events Manager Renna Hadsall, assisted by
the leadership academy committee, distributed
graduation certificates and gifts to each of the
participants. Chamber President Drew Leman, closed
the program with a challenge to the participants to stay
active and get involved. The twenty-four grads:
Rev. Steve Anderson, First United Methodist Church
Robert Baughman, City of Pekin
Don Baxter, City of Pekin
Fred Blanchard, Commerce Bank
Manda Brown, The HOPE Chest
Jamie S Cates, Tazewell County
Holly Crotty, TAPS Animal Shelter
Mike Denton, Illinois Corn Processing
Zak Ehrmantraut, Springleaf Financial Services
Ryan Fairchild, Institute of Physical Medicine &
Rehabilitation - Pekin
Michael J. Freilinger, Tazewell County
Phil Gelato, PNC Bank
Malinda Grafelman, Pet Supplies Plus
Jennifer Gray, Pekin Hospital
Debby Hoehn, Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes &
Crematory, LLC
Joe Howe, Tazewell County
Lora Jacobs, Pekin Hospital
Rochelle Marsden, Pekin Public Library
Shena Meskimen, Leman Property Management Co.
Justin Nelson, Heartland Bank & Trust Company
Andrew Peltzer, Illinois Corn Processing
Earl Riley, First Pekin Savings Bank
Dawn Shipman, Jim Maloof Realtor
Jason Ward, Herget Bank
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Member Announcements
The Rotary Club of Pekin will again award grants to notfor-profit organizations serving the good of our
community. The grants are the distribution of profits
earned from the annual Marigold Festival pork chop sales.
Organizations requesting grant funding must submit their
request in writing. Awards will be distributed in May.
The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce has
partnered with the YWCA of Pekin to Stand
Against Racism! Join us April 26th as together we
raise awareness and take a stand. To learn more
about this event or to register your business or
organization visit: www.standagainstracism.org/
The Illinois Office of Tourism nominated Tazewell
County Resource Centers, Inc. as a possible award
recipient for its work in helping to share the opportunities
and benefits of Illinois tourism with the general public. In
an Academy Awards themed event held on February 27,
2013 at the Governor’s Conference on Travel and
Tourism, TCRC won a “Best Supporting Actor” award in
the category “Cooperative Partnerships”.
The City of Pekin and Dr. Michele Moul invite
everyone to experience The Opportunity Tour. Join
them as they host a bead party and talk with the
beaders LIVE via Skype. Friday, April 12th from
6:00—7:00 pm in the City Council chambers at 111
S. Capitol Street. Space is limited, so call 347-0404
to RSVP. More information is available at
www.BeadForLife.org .
Hallmark House will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt
on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 2:00 pm.
The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce released
the results of a recent survey concerning Governor
Pat Quinn’s proposal to increase the Illinois
minimum wage from $8.25 to at least $10.50 per
hour. The chamber asked its members their opinion
on this proposal, and what the impact might be to
the regional business community.
Pekin Hospital is pleased to offer an adult diabetes
education workshop on April 15, 16, and 17. The series of
three classes will be held from 2 – 5 p.m. in the 4 South
Education Classroom at Pekin Hospital.
Seeing a healthcare provider at ProHealth Family
Medicine and the Family Health Center of Pekin just
became easier. Both offices are now offering same day
appointments and extended hours. ProHealth Family
Medicine is now open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours on
Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Family Health
Center is now open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Of the 135 responses received by the chamber, 77%
were opposed to the increase while 18% were in
favor of it, and 5% had no opinion.
Based on the overwhelming opposition to the
proposal, the Board of Directors of the Pekin Area
Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution of
opposition. The resolution will be sent to Governor
Quinn and the Pekin area legislators.
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On May 9th CIRCLE is going to Springfield. You can join
representatives from 16 chambers of commerce to learn about, and advocate
for, a common agenda with the Illinois General Assembly.
We surveyed our members to identify issues of importance across the region
and now we need to share our Central Illinois perspective on those issues with
key members of the General Assembly. These are issues that impact YOUR business and OUR
region, so please join us for an all day session on May 9th.
We will arrange meetings with legislators and key committee staff members that relate to each of our
issues (Public Pension Reform, Minimum Wage, Timely Payment of Bills, and Workers Compensation
Reform). You will play an active role in the discussions with the policy makers so sign up today!
Click here to download the registration form and for more information: www.pekinchamber.com/2013/
CIRCLE2013Pekin.pdf
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Board of Directors
President
Drew Leman, Leman Property Management
President Elect
Tom Hornstein, Excalibur Seasoning Company
Vice President
Aindrea Balagna, Wolf Tesar & Company
Treasurer
Gregg Ratliff, Herget Bank
Past President
Skip Schermerhorn, Herget Bank
Board of Directors
Daryl Dagit, Savant Capital Management
Amy Darling, Pekin Insurance
Paula Davis, Pekin Community High School District
#303
John Dennison, Ray Dennison Chevrolet
Greg Henderson, Henderson Funeral Home
Scott Kriegsman, Elliff, Dancey & Bosich, PC
Andrew Lockwood, Pekin Community Bank
Courtney Moessner, Tazewell County
Tee Rynerson, Jim Maloof Realtor
Becky Saban, BodyWealth Massage
Paul Scherer, Heartland Bank and Trust Company
Laurie Barra, Mayor, City of Pekin
Ambassadors
John Abel, Preston Hanley Funeral Homes and
Crematory
Angie Atherton, McDaniels Marketing Communications
Daryl Dagit, Savant Capital Management
Amy Darling, Pekin Insurance
Brittany Dorf, Pekin Community Bank
Zak Ehrmantraut, Springleaf Financial Services
Arlene Heine-Meyer, World Wide Travel
Chip Hill, South Side Bank
Cathy Lusch, Herget Bank
Christie Perry, Pekin Hospital
Les Rosiere, Individual Member
Becky Saban, BodyWealth Massage
Paul Scherer, Heartland Bank and Trust Company
Joe Shehorn, Unland Companies
Robin Thomas, Chemtura Agrosolutions
Teresa Ann Tucker, Individual Member
David Vaupel, Preston Hanley Funeral Homes and
Crematory
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
Associated Bank ~ Bond Eye Associates ~ CDS Office Technologies
Commerce Bank ~ Elliff, Dancey & Bosich, PC ~ First Pekin Savings Bank
Grace United Methodist Church of Pekin ~ Charlotte Jibben ~ Kiwanis Club of Pekin
Kouri's Pub ~ Dr. David Kuban, DDS ~ Midwest Generation Powerton Station
Military Uniform Supply Outlet Store ~ Pekin Area Network ~ Pekin National Bank
Pekin Trophy House & Engraved Gifts ~ PNC Bank ~ Riviera Tan ~ Les Rosiere
Sound Choice Hearing Clinic ~ The Mattress Doctor ~ The Stove Shop
TimbukTech, Inc. ~ Teresa Ann Tucker ~ WTVP TV ~ X Waste Disposal
402 Court Street
Pekin IL 61554
Phone: (309) 346-2106
Fax: (309) 346- 2104
Website:
www.pekinchamber.com
Email:
info@pekinchamber.com
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