BizWord March 2011
A
Good Downers Grove Day in Springfield
Your Chamber was once again LEADING
THE WAY in Springfield, with 25 Members who spent a full day at the Capitol
learning about issues being addressed and potentially becoming law while they
spread the message from business owners and operators to the elected lawmakers.
Members were briefed on current
issues including some filed by our very own Mayor/Senator regarding amendments
to the Illinois Pension Code pertaining to election of benefits; amendments to
the IL Tax Act sponsored by
Representatives Patti Bellock and
Sandra Pihos regarding incentives for job creation; restrictions in
participation of the General Assembly Retirement System put forth by
Senators Sandack and
Dillard. With a little luck, we may even see changes in government
consolidation and workers’ compensation – all good signs.
It is however, a busy time in
Springfield. Other bills currently being considered won’t be saving – but
spending your money. One such item is a minimum wage increase to $10 filed by
Senator Lightford and an outrageous bill that mandates all businesses to pay
employees seven sick days each year. So what did the dedicated Members who
joined us in Springfield take away?
From the minute you shut off your
alarm clock, turn on the water to brush your teeth, microwave your breakfast,
open your electric garage door and drive on a road to get to work – government
is involved in regulating what you do.
Senators Sandack quipped about a real meeting, held to determine
whether or not barbers should wear rubber gloves – yes, government truly touches
every area of your life. The most impactful control mechanism we have as
citizens, is voting. The winner of the election will spend much of their day
making decisions on how to spend your money – be sure to have a
say in the process!
Another take-away from our 24 hours
in Springfield? Share your viewpoints and information with your children. Be
sure to let them know what it is they’re paying for and why - as they pass
through an I-Pass, receive an increase in tuition, or God forbid - get $10 an
hour and seven paid sick days a year at their first part-time job!
Please join me in recognizing those
that went down to Springfield. We are grateful you took the time to learn and
share your stories.
Mario Olivi,
Greg Bedalov,
Valerie Bruggeman,
Tom Kallay, Jim Russ,
Bruce Beckman,
Don and Cindi Duncan,
Mary Ann and Mike Cervinka,
George Goyette,
Steve Hrbek,
Sandy Benson,
Dave and Marilyn Weiher,
Heather Winter,
Mary Kranz,
Lisa Wenzel,
Dave Fieldman,
Bob Barnett,
Tina Freeman and
Jim Delaney. We met with
Senator Radogno, Director
Warren Ribley, welcomed Steve Brown of the House Speaker’s office, Todd
Maisch and
Doug Whitley of the IL Chamber, and several elected officials to our
reception.
Mayor/Senator Sandack,
Senator Dillard, Representatives
Pihos,
Bellock,
Rebolleti,
Connelly and
Durkin joined us for dinner. A lot of relationships were started or
strengthened. It was a good Downers Grove day in Springfield.
Please vote on or before April 5th!
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A Letter from the Chairman of
the Board
Hello fellow Chamber members
I hope this letter finds you
and your business looking forward to the spring season that is upon us. I’d like
to take this opportunity to speak to you about the many benefits that that
Chamber has to offer your business. The Chamber website is an active location
to feature your business. With over 221,000 referrals given per month you can
grow you business with great marketing opportunities. Did you know that our
website can inform you of the number of times people visited your business
through the Chamber website? You also can post job openings when you have a
vacancy or need additional staffing. If you have a special event, offer, or
want to have a Ribbon Cutting ceremony your business can take advantage of the
Chamber website.
Professional development is
an important benefit of Chamber membership. There are numerous Chamber networks
that give you a chance to be involved and build relationships with other
businesses. The Chamber also sponsors Business BEFORE and After Hours networking
events along with monthly General Membership Luncheons. Again, these are all
great ways to develop relationships in the business community.
The sleeping giant of
Chamber membership is business advocacy at the Village, State and the Federal
levels. The Chamber proactively monitors legislative issues that impact your
business and bottom line.
Another way to enhance your
business exposure within the community is to become an Executive Partner. An
Executive Partner goes above and beyond their normal Membership. As an Executive
Partner you receive special recognition at monthly luncheons, a banner noting
your business name in the Chamber office, a special webpage on downersgrove.org,
and a special icon on your Chamber profile. In addition, you may want to
“B-Chamber” by displaying your business logo in the conference room of the
Chamber office. The B-Chamber Wall is an exclusive advertising opportunity in
the Chamber conference room. Space is limited and going quickly. As we add
member to the B-Chamber wall we look to those Members as the pillars of the
Chamber Membership community.
Please think about
these added benefits to your membership and call the office and hear about these
additional benefits of being a part of the greatest
Chamber in the state of Illinois.
Have a great day.
Dean
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What's N.E.W?
 The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce &
Industry is proud to announce the launch of the newly rebranded Women’s Business
Council as the
Network of Executive Women (N.E.W.).
This new program advocates for the professional women of the Downers Grove Area
Chamber through professional development and business connection opportunities.
The former Women’s Business Council has been a resource partner for women and
business professionals alike in the Downers Grove area. In order to improve the
services of which their members most benefited, the Steering Committee focused
on reorganization for 2011.
“As 2010 ended and the New Year approached we
took on the philosophy of “Out with the old and in with the
N.E.W. (Network of Executive Women).”
We are very excited about the excellent speakers we have retained as well as the
programs we have scheduled for 2011,”said Michelle Binks, Co-Chairman of the
Network of Executive Women and owner of HR Consulting Solutions.
Karen Encher
Skala, also Co-Chairman of N.E.W. and owner of KAREN SKALA WEALTH MANAGEMENT
said, “We look forward to everyone joining us at our
N.E.W. Launch Party in March. We hope
our innovative changes will amplify enthusiasm for a program that provides
professional resources to so many women in the Downers Grove area community.”
All are
invited to the official
N.E.W. Launch Party, sponsored by
Carlucci’s, on Thursday, March 24th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the
corner of I-355 and 1801 Butterfield Road in Downers Grove. The event will
feature appetizers, cash bar and plenty of business connection opportunities.
Event admission is $5 per attendee. To RSVP to this special event, please visit
downersgrove.org or call the Chamber at (630) 968-4050.
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Chamber Seeks BUY CHAMBER card
sponsor
The BUY CHAMBER program is catching on in a BIG WAY! With increased exposure to
the residents of DG, the
BUY CHAMBER discount cards are being picked up non-stop at our 7 community
locations. It is time to re-order the discount cards and the Chamber is looking
for two sponsors. BUY CHAMBER discount card sponsors will have their logo
featured on the back of over 3,000 cards. Only room for 1 more Sponsorship...act
fast! Cost is $250.
Tell me more!
Examples of front and back of BUY CHAMBER cards.
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Congratulations 2011
Chamber Choice Award Winners
Click here for photos from the event
The Downers Grove
Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry is proud to announce the following winners
of the fourth annual Chamber Choice Awards presented by Advocate Good Samaritan
Hospital. With heartwarming thanks, Jim Russ of Downers Grove National Bank
accepted the award for overall Business Excellence on Wednesday, February 9th at
the DoubleTree Guest Suites & Conference Center in Downers Grove. He thanked
his staff, Chamber and community for all their continual support.
Jan Kopis of Re/Max
Enterprises was recognized for Lifetime Achievement and Danny Glover of
Skuddlebutt’s and Party People Rental was honored for Young Business
Professional. Mike DellaMaria of SHRED DOC and Community High School District 99
was the recipient of the Chamber Choice Award’s newest addition, Educator of the
Year. Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence took home the award for Community
Contribution by a Not for Profit and both Perma Seal Basement Systems Inc. and
Sara Lee Corporation accepted the award for Philanthropic Community
Contribution. In Business Excellence, Retail category, Downers Grove National
Bank took the honor, Community Bank of Downers Grove won in the Service
category, and D3 Financial Counselors won in the Professional category.
“Now in its fourth year, the Chamber Choice Awards again resulted
in a wealth of high quality applicants. We consider all Chamber Members winners;
and it’s always a delight to celebrate success. These businesses and
not-for-profit organizations are what really make this Village so special,”
stated Laura Crawford, President & CEO.
The Chamber thanks the following sponsors: Advocate Good
Samaritan Hospital, Magnetrol International, and Sara Lee Corporation.
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Members in the
News!
Congratulations to the following Members:
-
SEASPAR Celebrates 35 Years!
Click here to read more.
-
Education
Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 is proud to host the Second City at
the Tivoli Theatre, located at 5021 Highland Avenue, on Friday, April 8,
2011, beginning at 8 p.m. http://www.dg58ef.com/
-
Sharing
Connections Furniture Bank celebrates 25 years!
-
Don Duncan
of D3 Financial Counselors for winning recognition as one of the top
independent investment advisors in the United States at the
Barron's
Winners Circle Conference.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704150604576166571453332078.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalFinance_PF4
-
Robert Schneider has joined Illinois Business Systems as an
area sales representative. He brings a wealth of experience to the position
as he has worked in the copier industry for the past 20 years and was most
recently employed at BMA.
-
As a fine addition to
SERVPRO of Downers Grove / Oak Brook, SERVPRO® of Gold Coast / Lincoln Park
/ Lakeview has opened its doors for business! Owners Marcus and Tracy Smith
have expanded the full line of fire & water cleanup & restoration services
to help Chicago home and business owners regain control of their lives
faster following a loss.
-
Congratulations to Barb
and Bob Kelly of Robert Kelly Studio for receiving the Community Spirit
Award from Mayor Broda of Lisle at his State of the Village address.
-
Congratulations to Susan Rippenger received special award
from Send Out Cards!
Click here to see her special recognition!
-
Matthies Builders received 2 2010 ICON Award of Excellence Gold Awards from
the Northern Illinois Home Builders Association. Gold Award for New Home
$500,001 to $750,000. Gold Award for New Home $751,000 to $1,000,000
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Thank You Members!
The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce &
Industry would like to Thank the following members for their generosity and
support:
Thank you to Carlucci's for hosting the NEW Launch Party on March
24th!
Thank you to Buffalo Wild Wings of Woodridge for sponsoring the
YPN event on March 23rd
Thank you to Andy Kindler of Corporate Strategies and Solutions
for presenting at the YPN Event on March 23rd.
Thank you to all the sponsors of the 2011 Springfield Trip on
March 2nd!
Thank you to West Suburban Bank
for hosting the February Business After Hours.
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