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Steven Brody Hello,I'm

I hope everyone had a memorable Memorial Day Weekend and took the time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice over the years to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today

For me, it was a long weekend trip to Pittsburgh with a couple of my sons to take in a Pirates baseball game and knock off another MLB ballpark from my list. There are now 10 ballparks left for me to attend, and I will have accomplished a major item on my bucket list.

Along the way, we stopped for a round of golf at a beautiful nine-hole course outside of Dayton, where I shot a 39. I say this to simply remind you of my availability to play in one of your foursomes at our Chamber Golf Tournament on Monday June 23 at Harry Mussatto Golf Course Please contact our office to sign up your foursome and to inquire about remaining sponsorships We will do our best to provide Chamber of Commerce weather!

The 2025-26 Community Guide and Business Directories have been delivered to dozens of members. Please call our office if you would like to have some dropped off and we will be happy to come visit.

Executive Director

The next Business After Hours will take place on June 18 at Macomb Airport. It will be held from 4:30-6pm, and as always, is only open to Chamber members as another benefit of membership

Finally, if you have been thinking about signing up for the Italy trip in October, you have until June 21 to do so. That is the go/no go deadline based on the number of travelers that register.

As the weather continues to improve, don’t forget to keep watching social media to keep current with the continuing installments of Stops with Steven and Shopping with Shay. Sometimes, there may even be Shopping with Shay and Steven, or Lunch with Steven and Shay, as we traverse the community to shop and support our local Chamber members.

Thank you for your participation and partnership with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. Steven

Shay Holland Hello,I'm

Celebrating 10 Years With You.

Welcome to June!

This past month marks 10 years since I started my journey with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and I have been reflecting on what a meaningful chapter it’s been.

When I started this role, I was new to Macomb and I never could have imagined how deeply I’d come to care about the community - not just in the big-picture sense, but in the day-to-day moments: celebrating ribbon cuttings, planning events that bring people together, supporting small businesses, and helping people connect with the resources they need. In a small town, resources can be entire business grant or a great cup of coffee Coming from a metropolitan area, my skin was thick and my manners needed a refresh. I had to learn that we don’t honk when the light turns green here and sweet corn is form of currency around these parts.

It’s been more than a job - it’s a purpose I believe in And that’s a pretty amazing thing to get to say after a decade.

One of the things I love most is getting to support our community through the little things; the quiet, behind-thescenes wins that often go unnoticed. And sometimes the it’s just listening as a business shares their struggle and their story. Those are the most important times.

I get all kind of questions thrown my way, and the phrase, “I didn’t know who else to call, so I figured you would know.” Those small moments add up, and I’m most proud of them

Marketing Director

I’m also incredibly grateful for the balance this career has allowed me. I’ve been able to raise my kids right here in the same town I work to support, and I’ve never had to miss the moments that matter most—bedtime stories, field trips, or just being present when they need me. That’s a gift I’ll never take for granted. You won’t find me in the office after 2:30 pm for this very reason, but I promise I will be as helpful as I can in the hours that I clock in.

To our members, partners, and friend: thank you. Your support, encouragement, and uniqueness mean the world to me. Here’s to continuing to wing it as we go—cheering each other on, showing up in big and small ways, and building something great together.

See you around town! Let’s make it a great month!

Thank you to our members who have continued their annual investment with us as we can continue our partnership for another great year. We appreciate your support of the area business community.

M a y R e n e w a l s

150% CLUB 150% CLUB

The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement to provide additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and it’s mission.

County Board of Directors

Dr.Matthew McClure

GREGJ. BUTLER,CPA

McDonough

RICHWESTEN

BAILEYCALE NICKCURTIS

150% CLUB 150% CLUB

The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement to provide additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and it’s mission.

Financial

Advisor: Seth Minter

KALI FOXALL

WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER

RIBBON CUTTING

MACOMB FARMERS MARKET CELEBRATES 50 ANNIVERSARY TH

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on May 29 to help the Macomb Farmers Market celebrate their 50th Anniversary as the Illinois' oldest continuous downstate farmers market. It operates on Thursdays and Saturdays from May through October in Chandler Park, offering a variety of local and regional produce, baked goods, and crafts from a variety of regional vendors.

Alyson Sturgis, along with seven fellow board members, has taken the farmers market in a new direction, adding live music, family-friendly activities, educational opportunities, and more. For information, follow the Macomb Farmers Market on Facebook/Instagram.

MEMBER MARKETING MEMBER MARKETING

COMMUNITY CALENDAR COMMUNITY CALENDAR

City of Macomb Announces Launch of Community Event Calendar

The City of Macomb is excited to announce a new centralized community event calendar with the support of Visit

Unforgettable Forgottonia, Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, Macomb Park District, and Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation. Developed in partnership with ‘With’, this new platform is designed to automatically collect and display local events hosted by Macomb organizations, businesses, and residents who agree to opt in. Events can also be uploaded manually to the platform. The user-friendly calendar will serve as a central hub, making it easier for residents and visitors to discover upcoming events, stay informed about local happenings, and engage more fully with the community.

Today, the calendar features a selection of city events, including city meetings and lesson registrations. In the months following, the City of Macomb will collaborate with participating groups to expand the calendar to include a broad array of community events.

Local organizations and individuals interested in adding their events to the community calendar can contact the Office of Marketing and Downtown Development at (309) 575-3015 or email sballard@cityofmacomb.com for more information. Visit www.cityofmacomb.com

Who accepts Chamber Gift Certificates?

Keep it in your community. Easy and Affordable.

What are Chamber Gift Certificates?

The Chamber Gift Certificate Program has been in existence since the mid 1980's. We sell Gift Certificates and they can be redeemed at participating member businesses. We sell nearly $200,000 worth of certificates every year, meaning all of that money stays in our region!

Only Chamber members who opt in to the Chamber Gift Certificate Program can accept certificates. Any Chamber member can opt in at any time. To be added to the list of 140+ area locations, contact our office and we’ll get you on the list.

How can I help promote the Chamber Gift Certificate Program?

We love when our members and the community help keep it local by promoting the Chamber Gift Certificate Program:

Buy them for your employees, family, friends, teachers, etc.: Chamber Gift Certificates are a win-win since Chamber gift certificates never expire, can be purchased in any amount, and you are keeping that money right here in the Macomb area.

Tell people about them. Friends and family are always looking for gift suggestions, so why not chime in with the perfect idea?

Due to rising material costs, we are making a small gift certificate redemption price adjustment - only the second time in 10 years.

Starting July 1, Redemption fees will be 1.75% instead of 1.5%.

This change helps us continue providing a quality gift certificate program while remaining affordable. Thank you for your understanding and support.

GIFT CERTIFICATE GUIDE

Thank you for being a valued part of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce! We want to make sure you and feel confident in using and accepting Macomb Area Chamber Gift Certificates so we are giving you a little refresher course.

As of May 9, 2025 Chamber Gift Certificates look like the top green image. The bottom gold ones can still be used, accepted, and redeemed. We are simply not selling the gold ones anymore. It's the same program, just a brand new design.

If you are a participating business, here’s a quick guide to how it works:

What Are They?

Chamber Gift Certificates are sold by the Chamber and can be spent like cash at participating local businesses. They help keep dollars local and support our community!

How to Accept Them:

Treat them like cash – Gift certificates can be used toward purchases just like regular money. Please give change if the purchase is less than the certificate amount. We ask that patrons use at least half of the gift certificate amount so they do not jeopardize your cash supply.

Mark the certificate to indicate it’s been used. You may store these and log them into your bookkeeping systems however you see fit for your respective businesses.

Submit for reimbursement – Bring used certificates to the Chamber office, and we’ll issue you a reimbursement by check with a redemption form for your records.

Why It Matters:

This program keeps money circulating locally and encourages people to shop, dine, and support Macomb-area businesses including yours!

How to Spend Chamber Gift Certificates:

Spending your Macomb Area Chamber Gift Certificates is easy and a great way to support local businesses!

Shop Local – Use them at any participating Chamber member business. (Check the full list at printed on the back of the certificate).

Use Like Cash – Just present the certificate at checkout. It works just like cash! We ask that you use at least half of the amount printed on the gift certificate so that our area businesses to ensure our area businesses can keep the cash they need in their drawers.

No Expiration Date – There’s no rush use them when you’re ready!

Whether you're grabbing lunch, picking up a gift, or treating yourself; every dollar helps support our local economy If you have any questions at any time, please reach out to our office and we will be happy to assist you

Thank you for all you do for our community

MEMBER NEWS MEMBER NEWS

Dr. Timothy Biagini Signs with MDH Medical Group

MACOMB, Ill. – McDonough District Hospital announced Timothy Biagini, MD, AGAF, has signed on to join the medical staff as a MDH employed boardcertified Gastroenterologist.

Dr. Biagini will begin work as a hospital-employed physician on June 2, and he will continue to perform procedures at MDH during this transition.

MDH Gastroenterology will be located on the 2nd floor of Health Services Building 2, Suite 211 (same office as the newly renovated MDH General Surgery Clinic with Dr. Olivia White). Current patients can call (309) 833-3706 to schedule an appointment, and any appointments scheduled starting June 2 will be in the MDH scheduling system.

“McDonough District Hospital recognizes and appreciates the cooperation with Springfield Clinic for Dr. Timothy Biagini to continue practicing exceptional gastroenterology medicine at MDH. Dr. Biagini will join MDH’s Medical Group on Monday, June 2,” said MDH President & Chief Executive Officer Bill Murdock.

The only full-time board-certified gastroenterologist practicing in McDonough County and the surrounding area, Dr. Biagini performs gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures along with treating multiple gastrointestinal ailments.

Dr. Biagini has been performing outpatient procedures and surgeries at MDH since returning to Macomb in 2013. He joined the Lamoine Valley Clinic after returning to Macomb and later joined Springfield Clinic. Dr. Biagini will continue his outreach clinical time at Memorial Hospital in Carthage.

He completed his fellowship at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and a residency at Rush Medical College in Chicago.

A native of Macomb and graduate of Knox College, Dr. Biagini completed medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria.

Information: www.mdh.org