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Table of Contents
From the Desk of
Laura Crawford
From the Chairman of
the Board
Innovation is
Essential to Economic Growth
Members in the News
Thank You
From the
Desk of Laura Crawford...
Are you registered to vote?
If not, please stop reading this right now and run,
don’t walk to your municipal center or your county
headquarters to get yourself registered. You can start
by downloading this
form. You have one day left, please participate in
the greatest right ever awarded to Americans.
Choosing the next president is not
the only issue you’ll be asked to vote upon on the
ballot. You will also be asked to vote on whether or
not you think its time to rewrite the State of Illinois
constitution. This opportunity will only come your way
once every twenty years and may be one of the most
important ballot measures you will ever be asked to
weigh in on. We’ll be addressing the pros and cons of
this referendum proposal at the next Legislative
Impact Network meeting. That committee will meet on
Friday, October 19 at noon in the Chamber
conference room. Take the time to make an educated vote
and join us.
You will also be choosing who will
represent you on the DuPage County Board. The County
controls a $462.6
million budget and
you can bet their actions affect your pocket book. In
just the last twelve months, some of your County Board
members considered methods to implement a home rule tax,
they played an integral role in securing funding for the
Belmont Road Underpass and succeeded in pushing through
a tax increase allocating funds for transportation and
safety in the RTA Act. This year the County Board will
be addressing storm water management best practices, job
growth and DuPage 2013, a comprehensive 5-year, $220
million local capital program. Be assured, the County
is a governmental power that greatly affects the quality
of life in Downers Grove and the way you will run your
business. Along with the League of Women Voters, the
Legislative Impact Network is hosting a Candidate’s
Forum on October 15th at 7:00 p.m. at the
Downers Grove Municipal Center. Please join us.
The very next day, you will be able
to relax with fellow Chamber Members at the Downers
Grove Park District golf course for the Last Swing,
Directors’ Invitational. I invite you to take a break
from these frustrating economic times and celebrate
Chamber camaraderie. Lunch is at noon, tee off is at
1:00 and the pig roast will start at 5:00 p.m. You can
sign up by visiting downersgrove.org. I look forward to
seeing you there.
Please remember, depending on the
legislative body, business contributes between 30 and
50% of general revenue funds but business doesn’t
vote. Only you can vote for business!
lcrawford@downersgrove.org
630-968-4050 x14
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One of the common themes of this column from the
Chairman of the Board over the past two years has been
the Strategic Plan. As one of the largest endeavors in
this Chamber’s history it has been a long and detailed
process. I am very proud to have the final document
completed with valuable partnership from all levels of
Membership. Over the next twelve months, the Board and
Chamber staff will be implementing the direction now
dictated in the Plan. There will be many opportunities
for Members to get involved and find out more.
I’d like to start delving into this exciting new phase
by answering a couple of common questions.
What is the purpose
of the strategic plan?
The purpose of the
strategic plan is to provide the Board of Directors and
the Chamber staff a roadmap for success through the next
five years. It started with creating a new mission and
vision of the organization that defines why we exist and
who we want to be in the future. Following the
development of the mission and vision, we created
measurable objectives and an action plan that maps out
what we need to do to be recognized as the premier
Chamber of Commerce in Illinois.
Who was involved in
the strategic plan development process?
All levels of the
organization including Members, Board of Directors and
the Chamber staff. We surveyed the Members through
several web-based surveys and focus groups. Our
questions asked Members how the Chamber is currently
providing value and how the organization could add even
more. The results were very informative and really
provided us insight about our Members’ wants and needs.
The Board of Directors and Chamber staff then used that
research as a basis for the development of the overall
Strategic Plan.
Over the next months,
I’ll dive deeper into the Strategic Plan and tackle
questions such as: Who is responsible for ensuring the
Chamber follows the Plan? What are some of the key
highlights of the Strategic Plan? How can you be
involved in the on-going process of the Strategic Plan?
Do you have questions,
thoughts, or comments? Please don’t hesitate to contact
me at
bill@maclyngroup.com or Laura Crawford at
lcrawford@downersgrove.org.
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By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO,
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Given the urgent challenges
confronting the American economy, why do I want to
devote today’s column to protecting intellectual
property (IP) and preventing IP theft, counterfeiting,
and piracy? Because America’s ability to compete in the
global economy and create 21st century jobs for our
children and grandchildren depend on our ability to lead
the world in innovation. And the key to innovation is
intellectual property.
A culture of innovation and respect
for IP rights have long been a source of America’s
competitive advantage. In 2006, the United States led
the world in global patent filings, accounting for more
than one-third of the total. This was spurred by
industry investing more than $223 billion in research
and development. America’s IP-intensive industries have
created 18 million jobs for U.S. workers--jobs that
usually pay better and are expected to grow faster over
the next decade than the national average. Staying on
the cutting edge of innovation means not only growth and
jobs, but also the potential to find cures for deadly
diseases, sources of clean energy, and other products
and services yet to be dreamed of.
America’s innovation advantage will
be challenged as emerging economies--such as China,
India, and Russia--learn that innovation and IP rights
are fundamental to economic growth. As government and
the private sector in these countries begin to invest in
innovation, the United States must do more to retain our
position as the world’s idea factory. We must also
address the concerted effort by some governments,
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and activists
that seek to weaken IP rights around the world. For
example, NGOs have tried to hijack the World Health
Organization in order to undermine respect for
pharmaceutical patents. This jeopardizes American jobs
as well as the possibility of finding the next wonder
drug.
Congress recently took a step to
address this threat by passing the PRO-IP Act of 2008.
This important legislation will strengthen civil and
criminal IP laws, increase law enforcement resources at
the federal and state levels, and create an intellectual
property enforcement coordinator in the White House.
America’s success in the 21st
century economy will be inextricably linked to our
ability to innovate. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and
its Global Intellectual Property Center are leading the
fight to ensure that IP and innovation are respected
around the world. To learn more about our efforts to
grow the economy, create good-paying American jobs, and
solve global challenges through innovation, visit
www.uschamber.com/ip.
Originally published 7 October 2008. Reprinted by
permission, uschamber.com, October 2008.
Copyright©
2008, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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Members in the News
David Fieldman has been selected as the new
Village Manager for the Village of Downers Grove.
The Tivoli Theatre has been recognized by the
American Institute of Architecture as one of the 150
Great Places in Illinois.
Congratulations to Business Ledger Entrepreneurial
Excellence Award honorees Rick Mytnik, Illinois
Business Systems for Regional Spirit and Mary
Lynn Fayoumi, The Management Association for Service
to Entrepreneurs.
D3 Financial Counselors has been selected as a
"Rising Star" in the annual ranking of CPA/Financial
Planning firms in CPA Wealth Provider online
magazine.
Staffing Plus has relocated to 7425 Janes Ave.,
Woodridge.
Nicor Gas has received the Southern Gas
Association's 2008 Environmental Excellence Technology
Award due to their efforts changing to new, efficient
light bulbs in their facilities.
Damienne Souter has accepted a new position at
Midwestern University in the alumni relations
department.
DuPage PADS has been awarded $10,000 from the
Chicago Tribune Charities - Holiday Campaign to support
families experiencing homelessness.
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Thank You!
Jodi Juhl, Visiting Angels for facilitating the
October Create Success! Luncheon and Mary Lynn
Fayoumi, The Management Association; Susan Friend,
SEASPAR; and Dawn Tuskey, IHM Remodeling Repair
Contractors for being our panelists.
Mike Peters, Abacus Rex and Andrew Andersen,
AXA Advisors for presenting at the October Business
Roundtable.
Qdoba Mexican Grill on Butterfield Rd. for the
wonderful food for the Chamber office.
Aurelio’s for the tasty pizza for the Ambassadors
Committee.
Events By Tommy R’s for catering the New Members
Welcome Luncheon and LODGE for sponsoring it.
Ken
Koger, Wachovia Securities and the Ambassadors
for warmly welcoming new Members at the New Members
Welcome Luncheon.
Thank you to all of those who participated at the Last
Swing! Board of Directors' Invitational Golf Outing,
including Damienne Souter, Midwestern University
for volunteering. Thank you especially to the
following donors and sponsors:
Best Buy
Plaques Plus
Downers Grove Park District
Uncle Bub's BBQ
Community Bank of Downers Grove
Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation
Events by Tommy R's
GC Engineering, Inc.
Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center
James F. Russ, Jr., PC
Village of Downers Grove
West Suburban Bank
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