Update - Spring 2015

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Spring2015 The Chamber and Q5 enter 2015 with the momentum to make big things happen in Springfield!

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INSIDE

Q5 in action • Member Recognition & Resources

LEADERS IN TRAUMA CARE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS TRAUMA CENTER AT MEMORIAL

The Level 1 Southern Illinois Trauma Center at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield combines the strength of SITC surgeons with SIU School of Medicine and the emergency team at Memorial.

Led by director John Sutyak, MD, EdM, the trauma team is supported by a breadth of multi-specialty physicians and surgeons from SIU HealthCare, SpringďŹ eld Clinic and Orthopedic Center of Illinois and Memorial Medical Center. Choose well. Choose Memorial.

LEFT TO RIGHT Jenn Davis, RN, Manager, Memorial Emergency Department; Christopher Wohltmann, MD, EdM; Linda Riseman, RN, Education Coordinator, SITC; John P. Sutyak, MD, EdM; Jarrod Wall, MB, BCh, PhD; Adam Reid, MD; Becky Wilson, RN, Program Manager SITC; Tim Harvey, MD, Medical Director, Memorial Emergency Department

Work smart. Work hard. Works for us.

Bob Mizeur Dale Huston Steve McAuliff Jan Schramm Tony Nestler Kevin Schultz

MEMBER FDIC

HICKORYPOINTBANK.COM Hillier Moving Ad 1-2 H (Fall 2012).pdf

CHAMPAIGN 9/20/12

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2728 S. 11th, Springfield, IL 62708 Thomas R. Swift, President

Our Mission:

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2014 Executive Committee Chairman.............................................. Sheryl Daugherty Arizona Tile Company

Enhance our members’ success and advance our economy.

Chairman-Elect............................................Elena Kezelis

Memorial Medical Center Foundation 1st Vice Chairman............................................... Tom Gihl

Illinois National Bank Secretary/Treasurer ..................................Cheryl Martin

Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP Immediate Past Chairman ..............................Tom Fitch

Harold O’Shea Builders At-Large Directors R. Lee Allen........................... Brandt Consolidated, Inc. Jeff Ball................. Hanson Professional Services, Inc. Jim Britton...........Express Employment Professionals Carolyn Fleischli.......................... Springfield Clinic, LLP Pamela Frazier................................... All In One On-Site Wash & Detail Jennifer Gill..........................................Springfield Public School District #186 Matt Lamsargis..................Springfield Running Center Mike Murphy................................Charlie Parker’s Diner Karen Paisley.... Underfanger Moving & Storage, Inc. Janette Peak ................................PJP Auto Enterprises

Photo provided by Terry Farmer Photography

Passing the gavel 2014 Board Chair Tom Fitch of Harold O’Shea Builders, passes the gavel to 2015 Board Chair Sheryl Daugherty of Arizona Tile Company last December at the Annual Board Meeting. The Chamber hosts the board meeting every year to discuss achievements in the past year and priorities for the following year.

Dave Olejniczak................................ St. John’s Hospital Dr. Diane Rutledge . ....................................... Large Unit District Association Tim Smith............................ Evan Lloyd Associates, Inc. Jim Sullivan.................................................. Design Ideas Dr. Charlotte Warren................................... Lincoln Land Community College

Affiliate Directors Aaron Sapp................................ Leadership Springfield Illinois National Bank

On the Cover Welcome to 2015 with The Chamber

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Member Services 5

The Chamber hosts Mayoral Forum

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Get the latest information about medical marijuana and concealed carry in Illinois

Barbara Weatherford.....................Business/Education Partnership of Sangamon County

Plae Dae returns to Knight’s Action Park

Darren Jones.............................................. Ambassadors Town and Country Bank Jamie Kuhlmann .................................Young Springfield Professionals Network Bank of Springfield Ex-Officio Directors Troy Benavides.................................... Springfield Hotel and Lodging Association

146th Annual Gala shows that ‘The Best is Yet to Come’ Chamber Ambassadors - making an impact

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Gina Gemberling......................Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

Strengthening our community...through the Leadership Springfield program Find your next employee at the Job Fair

Mark Hanna .................... Springfield Airport Authority Hon. J. Michael Houston ...Mayor, City of Springfield

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Commissioner David Mendenhall...............Sangamon County Board

Plan to exhibit at Business Connections 2015 The Chamber meets with Governor Rauner

Brian Oaks..............Prairie Capital Convention Center Victoria Ringer................... Downtown Springfield, Inc.

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Milestones

Tim Rowles....................................The Springfield Black Chamber of Commerce

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Calendar of upcoming events

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Ribbon Cuttings/Groundbreakings

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Economic Development

GSCC Staff Joshua Collins................................Director of Business and Community Development Brianne Coons..............................................Receptionist Kathy Costa............. Membership & Advertising Sales Representative Julia Donohue....................................... Events Manager David Earhart........Vice President - Member Services Sarah Graham...Director of Workforce Development Chris Hembrough............................President and CEO Alex Liberatore........................Administrative Assistant Jim Nelson............. Manager of Business Retention & Expansion Tom Owen............ Membership Sales Representative Lisa Schafer.......................Vice President - Operations Wayne Utterback............... Communications Manager

Business Retention and Expansion visits yield positive feedback for Springfield Site readiness enhances business attraction efforts

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Workforce & Education Q5 pursues an ACT Work Ready Community

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Community Impact Moving forward with the downtown Community Development Corporation

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Diversity Development

Minority participation program moves into second year with success City demolition efforts continue, but vacant lots slow to fill in

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Transformational Leadership

217.525.1173 | www.gscc.org

UPDATE (USP 703 630) is published quarterly by The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, 1011 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62704. $6.00 of annual dues for members covers yearly subscriptions. Periodical postage paid at Springfield, IL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to UPDATE, 1011 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62704.

Sangamon Success report just released

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The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Quantum Growth Partnership 1011 S. 2nd Street Springfield, Illinois 62704

BORN TO BUILD.

SPRINGFIELD OFFICE 3401 Constitution Drive Springfield, IL 62711 p: 217.522.2826 f: 1.888.930.2009

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PEORIA OFFICE 2400 N. Main Street, Ste. G East Peoria, IL 61611 p: 309.740.3430 f: 1.888.930.2009

www.osheabuilders.com

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On the Cover

Welcome to 2015 with The Chamber 2014 was a great year of both change and success for The Chamber. It is through the hard work of both the Chamber’s Board of Directors, volunteers and staff that we have put our best foot forward to make Sangamon County a better place to live, work and play.

We now carry that momentum into 2015 and we are excited to share with you just a few of our many goals for this year.

Take a moment to look at our upcoming spring events. From a job fair to Plae Dae, there is bound to be something happening that will benefit your business.

Our news and events are detailed on pages 5 to 11. We have also included a calendar of events on page 15.

One of the goals we’d like to make progress on this year is turning Sangamon County into a Certified ACT Work Ready Community, which will better position our community as a place to retain, expand and attract businesses by closing the skills gap through a workforce development program. Get the details about our progress on page 20.

One of our other main goals is to continue to support and advocate for the rail relocation project. The project is moving forward with the construction of the Carpenter Street underpass which began last August.

Sheryl Daugherty The Arizona Tile Company 2015 Board Chair with eight recommendations being chosen as priorities. Learn more about the study and how it will be used on page 24.

We hope you learn more about the many great aspects of The Chamber and Q5 in this magazine and if you ever have questions, we are always happy to give answers.

It is my honor and privilege to be your Board Chair for 2015 and I look forward to building an even better Sangamon County together.

We will also continue our efforts for downtown development, developer recruitment and the formation of a Community Development Corporation (CDC). The CDC provides us with a tool to help meet a need for downtown housing, retaining young professionals and promote economic development and attract new businesses.

More details about the CDC are available on page 21.

We are excited to share with you the results of our 2014 Business Retention and Expansion visits which revealed very positive views from local businesses and organizations about the local economy. Our team met with 101 businesses in many different fields. We are already conducting more interviews for 2015, having completed 21 in the past two months. Learn more about the results of our visits on page 18.

Through Diversity Development, we’ve seen success in our community through revitalizing buildings in the Neighborhood of Hope and assisting our young minority students with opportunities to succeed through programs like the “Grow Our Own Minority Participation Program,” coordinated by Hanson Professional Services. Read more about these efforts on page 22.

Finally, the Strategic Leadership Council (SLC) has reviewed the results of a study conducted to improve educational outcomes in Sangamon County, especially for less advantaged children. The study brings with it recommendations to help schools and students find success, 4

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News and Events

The Chamber hosts first Mayoral Forum Springfield’s two mayoral candidates went head-to-head March 12 at the Illinois Association of Realtors at a mayoral forum, sponsored by The Chamber, the

Capital Area REALTORS and the Illinois Association of Realtors.

Candidates Jim Langfelder and Paul Palazzolo took questions from

Paul Palazzolo

Jim Langfelder

Age: 48

Age: 55

Family: Married to Suanne StaabPalazzolo; two children, Maria and Anthony.

Family: Wife, Billie; three children: Justin, Ryan and Lauren.

Education: Associate Degree in Business Administration from Lincoln Land Community College, Bachelor’s Degree from University of Illinois Springfield.

Education: Griffin High School, Springfield College in Illinois, Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, 1988.

Experience: Springfield City Treasurer 2003 to present, Business Development Officer at Security Bank, multiple roles at First of America Bank between 1988 and 1998. Served as a Sangamon County Board Member, a Springfield Area Gang Free Task Force Member, City of Springfield Enterprise Community Coordinating Council Member.

Currently serves as Downtown Springfield, Inc. Secretary, Illinois Municipal Treasurers Association Legislative Chair and an Association of Public Treasurers U.S. & Canada Board Member.

Experience: Sangamon County Auditor since 2002; Springfield Park Board Trustee, 2001-2005; Springfield Airport Authority Treasurer, 2000-2005; Kiwanis International President, year ending Sept. 30, 2010. Worked in Governor ’s Office dealing with appointments to boards and commissions and was a state regulator involved with consumer finance, title insurance and real estate. Has been a Springfield Urban League Board Chairman and Salvation Army Tree of Lights Chairman.

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moderators Amanda Vinicky of WUIS Public Radio and Bernie Schoenburg of The State Journal-Register, as well as questions from the audience at hand.

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News and Events

Get the latest information about medical marijuana and concealed carry in Illinois Illinois’ Medical Marijuana legislation and Firearm Concealed Carry Act are now in effect.

Breakfast buffet starts at 7:30 a.m. Program from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

So what does that mean for you as an employer and as an employee? Get all the information you need to handle these issues in your office.

The seminar will focus on potential issues arising from the marijuana and firearm legislation, and best practices so employers can navigate the laws and avoid liability.

This seminar is open to the public.

On June 24, attorneys from Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen will conduct a breakfast seminar at the Hilton Springfield located at 700 East Adams in Springfield.

To register, go to www.gscc.org.

Plae Dae returns to Knight’s Action Park Plae Dae returns to Knight’s Action Park and the month of July this year.

The event will take place on Friday, July 24 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Knight’s Action Park, 1700 Knight’s Recreation Drive in Springfield.

Plae Dae is a combination of great food provided by local vendors, beverages, games, networking and music.

In addition to the activities, there will be a $500 raffle.

Dwayne-Chamber.qxp_Layout 1 3/5/15 10:37 AM Page 1

The purpose of the event is to kick back, relax and re-unite with those you haven’t seen in a while and/or establish new business relationships. The event is open to the public for anyone 21 years and older.

Plae Dae was started in 1947 by the Manufacturer’s and Employers Association. In 1952, the group merged with the Chamber of Commerce and has been a Chamber tradition ever since.

It’s my time.

Going back to school was the best decision I ever made. It’s taken me awhile, but I’m just about to reach my goal of a college degree. I’m not going to kid you. It’s not easy. You need support. I found that support at Lincoln Land Community College. Online and evening classes really fit my schedule. People asked me, “How far along are you? Keep going! You’re almost there!” I knew a lot of others had done it, and I could too. Is it your time? If so, Lincoln Land Community College is the place.

mytime@llcc.edu 6

786.2848 www.llcc.edu/mytime ALWAYS BUY CHAMBER

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News and Events

146th Annual Gala shows that ‘The Best is Yet to Come’ This year marked a celebration of “The Best is Yet to Come’ at the 146th Annual Chamber Gala.

Among the celebrations Feb. 6, The Chamber recognized those who have helped lead our business sector and the community at large toward a prosperous 2014. The event was also a fantastic opportunity to network with other professionals in a formal setting.

The event was held at The Crowne Plaza and three awards were given to Chamber leaders who went above and beyond their positions to help transform the economy of Springfield.

Inc. and HSHS St. John’s Hospital as platinum sponsors; CEFCU as dessert sponsor; Leading Lawyers Network as networking sponsor; Crowne Plaza as supporting sponsor; J. Gooch & Associates as print sponsor; Cooper’s Hawk Winery Restuarants as wine sponsor; Jim Watts Electric as entertainment sponsor and Trendsetters Design as decoration sponsor.

For information, please contact The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce at 217-525-1173.

The Chairman’s Award was presented to Jim Britton, Express Employment Professionals. The Chairman’s award is presented to a Director of the Board who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, extraordinary involvement, and exceptional dedication.

Ambassador of the Year was presented to Barb Weatherford of Town and Country Bank. Weatherford has won the award three years in a row and broke a record by claiming her sixth award overall.

Recipient of the President’s Award was Jeff Ball, Hanson Professional Services. The President’s Award is given to an individual or organization who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to a project or program, thereby creating extraordinary benefits for Chamber membership.

Photo by Terry Farmer Photography

2015 Board Chair Sheryl Daugherty, left, presents Barb Weatherford of Town and Country Bank with the Ambassador of the Year Award.

Speaking at the event were Chamber President and CEO Chris Hembrough and 2015 Board Chair Sheryl Daugherty.

A video was presented to the audience detailing some of The Chamber’s successes in the past year including advocacy for rail relocation efforts, summer youth employment, the developing Community Development Corporation.

“The Annual Gala is a time for us to look back and highlight the great things the Chamber and our Quantum Growth Partnership helped accomplish on behalf of our member businesses, investors, and community, while also exploring our vision and priorities for the new year,” said Chris Hembrough, President and CEO of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. “We also take time to recognize those volunteers who so unselfishly give of their time and talent to help us advance our mission and vision, making Springfield and Sangamon County such a great place to live, work and raise our kids.”

Singer Matt Walch provided the music as the special guest entertainer. Event sponsors included Town and Country Bank as presenting sponsor; Hanson Professional Services, CHAMBERUPDATE |

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Photo by Terry Farmer Photography

Jim Britton of Express Employment Professionals speaks after being presented the President’s Award.

Photo by Terry Farmer Photography

Singer Matt Walch provided the entertainment for the evening, singing classics for the audience.

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News and Events

Chamber Ambassadors - making an impact Our Chamber Ambassadors work hard each and every day to help spread the word about The Chamber and our mission.

The Chamber Ambassadors are the membership committee of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. The committee’s purpose is to directly involve a group of active Chamber members in the growth and development of The Chamber through membership retention and recruitment programs. Ambassadors also serve as representatives by helping promote The Chamber and by welcoming new and existing members at specific Chamber events.

Ambassador responsibilities include making member contacts, identifying businesses to join, attending member ribbon cutting ceremonies, registering and greeting members at Business After Hours and Good Morning Springfield, and attending monthly meetings.

The Ambassadors committee is currently limited to 26 members.

Ambassadors earn points for the various tasks they’re responsible for and this point system serves as the recognition system for the teams and individuals. Committee members also work to earn Gold, Silver or Bronze Achievement Levels during the year.

The Chamber is regularly looking for individuals to serve on the committee. The preferred qualities of an Ambassador are: competitive, self-motivated, interest in helping businesses succeed, and some sales experience. If you’re interested in learning more about the Ambassador Program, contact David Earhart, Vice President – Member Services, at 217.525.1173 ext. 215 or dearhart@gscc.org.

Photo by The Chamber

The 2014 Gold Achievement Level recipients were Lashonda Fitch, Illini Bank; Sherry Feagans, J. Gooch & Associates; Barb Weatherford, Town and Country Bank; and Teri Hill, Illinois Times and Springfield Business Journal.

Benefits of Being An Ambassador • Additional opportunities to make connections and build your business network • Increased visibility for the Ambassador’s company within the business community • Increased overall knowledge of the business community

Ambassador Roster for 2015

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Daryl Allen, D.C Allen Chiropractic

Tracy Formea Formea Insurance Group, Inc.

Mark McBride King Technology, Inc.

Sarah Tapscott Donors Forum

Nikki Baptist AmeriCall Communications Company, Inc.

Pamela Frazier All In One On-Site Wash & Detail

Kate Peters Girl Scouts of Central Illinois

Barb Weatherford Town and Country Bank Brandon Wellman Prudential

Jasen Best Prairie State Bank & Trust

Teri Hill Illinois Times

Lee Rupnik American Central Insurance Services, Inc.

Brent Borah Bank of Springfield

Dan Holden HSHS Medical Group

Jennifer Schultz Hanson Information Systems

Tara Winter Illinois State Historical Society

Bethany Catherwood Sangamo Club

Trent Huddleston Abe's Accounting

Bethany Simer First Line

Doug Zobrist, D.C. Fluid Motion Chiropractic, Inc.

Sherry Feagans J. Gooch & Associates Ltd.

Darren Jones West Central Bank

Paul Smay Insurance Partners, Inc.

Eric Flick Marine Bank

Bill Kienzle Brother James Court

Jeff Swanson Hy-Vee, Inc.

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901 Eastland Dr., Auburn, IL 62615 217- 438-9394, www.eastlandretirement.com Eastland is . . . Senior living at its BEST because of F.A.C.S. __ (Friendliness, Activities, Carefree living and Support)

Your reasonable monthly rent for a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom private apartment includes:

For the Best Living you can get, Fall into Eastland!

We’ll do all the heavy stuff while you join a game of rummikub, relax in the privacy of your new apartment or share common interests during mealtimes served in our lovely dining room.

** All utilities paid except phone ** 3 Home-style meals ** Weekly housekeeping & linen service ** Maintenance ** Scheduled transportation ** 24-hour staff on site 7 days a week ** Emergency Response System

For an extra fee :

**Garage parking is available **Small pets allowed You can now LIKE us on FACEBOOK

Come visit our beautiful community soon for a tour and a FREE lunch and see for yourself the difference that families taking care of families makes!

News and Events

Strengthening our community... through the Leadership Springfield program

The Greater Springfield community is only as successful as the people who live here and want to make a difference.

In order to be influential, a person needs to build a foundation of knowledge about their community.

Leadership Springfield (LS) is an opportunity for you or for an emerging leader you know to take the next step to build and strengthen that foundation. LS graduates have been key to truly improving the quality of life in a multitude of ways in our community.

LS identifies and brings together up to 35 emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds such as education, economics, legal, political, healthcare, and nonprofit professions to learn about our community and gain the skills and knowledge to address critical issues affecting Greater Springfield.

LS is an eight-month series of seminars from October through May during which participants gain leadership skills and in-depth exposure to civic concerns.

Leadership Springfield positions participants to interact with community leaders and decision makers who share diverse perspectives on significant endeavors and opportunities within the Springfield area.

Established in 1986 by the Junior League of Springfield and The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Springfield has graduated over 800 individuals.

If you are interested in learning more about participating or nominating someone for the upcoming Leadership Springfield program, contact The Chamber at 525-1173.

Applications are accepted through June 30, 2015.

Find your next employee at the Job Fair The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring the area’s top employers together under one roof to benefit job-seekers throughout Sangamon County.

The Job & Career Fair will be held on Tuesday, April 7, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy., from 3-6 p.m.

The event is sponsored by: Presenting Sponsor - Lincoln Land Community College; Supporting Sponsor - Express Employment Professionals; Print & Digital Media Sponsor - Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times along with Illinois workNet Center, and the Crowne Plaza.

The Job Fair provides a convenient and costeffective way for Chamber members and non-members across Sangamon County to connect with job-seekers of all ages - high school students, college students, and professionals, as well as those interested in new or advanced careers.

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For employers, the Job & Career Fair will be a valuable event where businesses can see the present and up-and-coming workforce of Springfield while also having the opportunity to find qualified candidates for open positions.

For job-seekers, this is a fantastic event where they can put their best foot forward and be recognized by some of the area’s best employers, covering a wide array of fields. This is also a great

opportunity to see all the opportunities available in Springfield while moving one step closer to attaining a job in Springfield.

There will be more than 40 employers looking for qualified and talented jobseekers. For more information on how you and your business can be involved, contact The Chamber at (217) 5251173.

JIM

Licensed-Bonded-Insured ALWAYS BUY CHAMBER

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News and Events

Plan to exhibit at Business Connections 2015 The Chamber’s Business Connections trade show will be held on Thursday, April 30 at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield. The show is designed to provide businesses an opportunity to display and promote their products and services and let customers personally experience what you have to offer. The Mayor’s State of the City Luncheon will also be held at the Convention Center and will serve as a kick-off to Business Connections.

The show is open to the public and all Chamber members are encouraged to attend and support their fellow members. For more information, please contact Julia Donohue at 217-525-1173 x216 or e-mail at Photo by Ed Clark Photography jdonohue@gscc.org or go on-line at www.gscc.org. Don’t Booths can be seen everywhere you look at Business Connections. miss your chance to be a part of Business Connections! This is always a great opportunity to give a strong first impression to not only to potential clients and the public, but to your competition.

Reasons why you should exhibit at this year’s show • Create a Buzz: There is no better way to create a buzz about your business than to stand out with a creative display that catches eyes and draws in potential clients. Be inventive and unique while you represent your company and then utilize social media channels to promote your exhibit before and after the show.

• Qualify Viable Leads: By meeting your customers face-to-face, you are able to qualify viable leads. You can better understand your market, their needs, and how your business can best appeal to those already interested in your product. Take this opportunity to get contact information and then follow up with these contacts to build strong business relationships.

• Competition Comparison: If you have chosen to exhibit at a trade show, so have some of your competitors.

Take this opportunity to look closely at the competition and compare trade show exhibits and strategies. Make the most of the situation by watching how attendees interact with their exhibit.

• Shorten the Buying Process: If you are selling a product, you can streamline the buying process by having a point of purchase at your exhibit. Take advantage of excited potential customers and close the sale on the spot!

• Distribute Samples or Showcase Your Services: Perhaps the most important advantage to exhibiting is the ability to distribute samples or showcase your services. A great way to have your company become your customers’ favorite is to let them experience you or your product.

The Chamber meets with Governor Rauner

Wayne Utterback/The Chamber

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner talks with a small group of business leaders about issues affecting Illinois. The event was presented by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

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Wayne Utterback/The Chamber

Chamber CEO and President Chris Hembrough, right, and 2015 Board Chair Sheryl Daugherty, second from right, listen to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner speak with business leaders March 18 at the Hoogland Center of the Arts. The Governor took questions from the audience during the appearance and stressed that he is looking to remedy financial woes in Illinois.

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News and Events

Member Milestones

Continuous Years of Membership

The list below represents businesses and organizations in which their Chamber membership anniversary month falls between October, 2014 and January, 2015, are in good standing and have been members of The Chamber for 20 years or more. Thank you for your important support of The Chamber and the business community.

Celebrating 60+ Years • Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives • Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP

Celebrating 50+ Years • Capital Area REALTORS • The Horace Mann Companies • Manpower

Celebrating 40+ Years

• Illinois Air National Guard - 183rd Fighter Wing

• American Central Insurance Services, Inc. (Dennis Lister)

• John D. Luker, D.D.S.

• BART Transportation

• McGladrey (Jeffrey Swanberg)

• Illinois Manufacturers’ Association

• Bergh-White Opticians, Inc.

• Kelly Services, Inc.

• Boston Richie Deluxe General Hauling

• Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries, Inc. • Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc. • Londrigan, Potter & Randle, P.C. • Mary Bryant Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired

• Brown, Hay & Stephens, LLP (Donald Tracy)

• NAI True - Commercial Real Estate Services, Worldwide

• Capitol Blue Print, Inc.

• Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center

• Capitol Radio Group

• American Metals Supply Co., Inc.

• Merrill Lynch

• CMW and Associates Corporation

• Butler Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center

• Micropower Computer Systems

• Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. (Stan Hansen)

• Lincoln Land Community College • Lincoln Land Development Co. • Lincoln Office, LLC • Myers Family Properties

• O’Connor Mailing Service, Inc. • Pacific Management, Inc. • Party Creations, Inc. • Pease’s Candy, Inc.

• Mid-America Advertising Midwest, Inc. • Midwest Computer Consultants, Inc.

• CDS Office Technologies

• Mohan Alewelt Prillaman & Adami

• Maintenance Supply Corp.

• Brahler Tire Mart

• McDonald’s (McGraw Enterprises)

• Hurwitz Enterprises, LLC

• Crime Stoppers of Sangamon & Menard Counties • Crossroads Ford Truck Sales, Inc. • Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP • Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP (Bradley Punke)

• Northwestern Mutual (Dennis McCormick) • Nudo Products, Inc. • Quincy Automotive Supply • R. D. Lawrence Construction Co., Ltd. • R.W. Troxell & Company • Ramada Springfield North • Regions Bank

• Springfield Mass Transit District

• President Abraham Lincoln Springfield - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

• University of Illinois Springfield

• PRN HealthCare Services

• Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

• Sangamo Club

• Estes, Bridgewater & Ogden (Michael Fafoglia)

• WICS-TV NewsChannel 20 (ABC)

• Scott & Scott, P.C.

• Farm Credit Services

• Sikich LLP

• Sam’s Club

• Graham & Hyde Architects, Inc. (Michael Zellers)

• Sangamon County Medical Society

• Neuhoff Media Springfield

Celebrating 30+ Years

• Sojourn Shelter & Services, Inc.

• Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP (Paul Schafer)

• Robert Gordon & Associates, Inc. • Robert Morris University • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois • S & K Buick GMC, Inc.

• Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois

• Springfield Center for Independent Living

• Greentree Waterproofing, Inc. • GTECH Corporation

• Skinner, Copper and Ehmen Wealth Management

• Charles E. Robbins Real Estate, Inc.

• Stanley Steemer

• Health Alliance Medical Plans

• Springfield Overhead Doors, Inc.

• The State Journal-Register

• Illini Bank

• Springfield Theatre Centre

• Comcast Business

• Town and Country Bank

• Denmar Builders, Inc.

• Underfanger Moving & Storage, Inc.

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 193

• Staab Funeral Homes

• Cook-Witter, Inc.

• Drury Inn - Springfield

• Vision Care Associates

• Excel Decorators

• Walton and Associates Architects, P.C.

• FWAI Architects Inc. • Gietl Brothers, Inc. • Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C. • Grady REALTORS, Inc. • Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP 12

• Illini Supply, Inc.

• Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP (David Burnett) • Jones Watch & Jewelry

• Terry Farmer Photography, Inc. • Throop & Son Tree Service, Inc. • Mr. Jack Weatherford • Wild Birds Unlimited

• WRSP-TV / FOX 55 Illinois

• Adarsh A. Kumar, MD, FRCP, FAAD

• WSEC/PBS Springfield

• Lawrence Travis & Co., P.C.

• Zara’s Collision Center, Inc.

• Lincoln Tower Apartments

• Zelle Title, LLC

Celebrating 20+ Years • Ace Sign Co.

• YMCA of Springfield

• Jim S. Lopinski, P/L Accountants and Consultants

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News and Events

Calendar of Events The Greater Springfield Job & Career Fair April 7, 2015 Crowne Plaza Hotel 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

State of the City Luncheon

April 30, 2015 Prairie Capital Convention Center 1 Convention Center Plaza 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Business Connections

April 30, 2015 Prairie Capital Convention Center 1 Convention Center Plaza 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Business After Hours

April 30, 2015 Prairie Capital Convention Center 1 Convention Center Plaza 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Good Morning Springfield May 12, 2015 Central Illinois Community Blood Center 2801 S. 10th Street 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

Member Orientation May 14, 2015 Chamber office 1011 S. Second Street 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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68th Annual Plae Dae Picnic

Business After Hours

May 21, 2015 R.W. Troxell & Company 214 South Grand Ave. West 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Good Morning Springfield June 9, 2015 Residence Inn By Marriott 2915 E. Stanford Ave. 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

July 24, 2015 Knight’s Action Park & Caribbean Water Adventure 1700 Knights Recreation Drive 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Business After Hours June 18, 2015 Lake Springfield Marina 17 Waters Edge Blvd.

4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Medical Marijuana/ Concealed Carry – What You Need to Know June 24, 2015 Hilton Springfield 700 E. Adams St. 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Small Business Person of the Year 2015 June 30, 2015 Crowne Plaza Hotel 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

20th Annual Corporate Cup Challenge Golf Outing July 9, 2015 Piper Glen Golf Club 7112 Piper Glen Drive All Day

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News and Events

Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings

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Abe’s Accounting (217) 719-1545

Applebee’s 2554 Sunrise Drive (217) 528-7021

Barker Real Estate 322 E. Monroe (217) 528-2727

Casey’s General Store 721 W. Stanford (217) 528-8594

Clearway Wealth Management 1124 Rickard Road, Ste. A (217) 321-3193

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant 2501 Wabash Ave. (217) 321-9100

Craft Beer Bar 430 E. Monroe Street (217) 652-1164

Culligan of Springfield 4330 Wabash Avenue (217) 427-1000

Design Ideas Holiday Mart 2521 Stockyard Road (217) 753-3081

Driftwood Cocktail and Eatery 11 W. Old State Capitol Plaza (217) 572-1906

Eck, Schafer & Punke 227 S. Seventh St. (217) 525-1111

Generation Healthy Coalition (Gen H Kids) 305 S. Fourth St. (217) 691-0592

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News and Events

Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings

IHOP 2600 Sunrise Drive (217) 789-4467

IHOP 4601 Wabash Ave. (217) 698-4467

Milner Dentistry 201 W. Lawrence (217) 528-3384

Villas of South Park -Reflections Memory Care 401 N. Park (217) 483-4490

Rochester Family Dentistry 318 Sattley St., Rochester (217) 498-3622

Rocket Fitness 326 Sattley St., Rochester (217) 498-1175

Saving Sight 400 Chatham Road (217) 679-2987

Staff Carpet 204 W. Browning Road (217) 528-4879

Staybridge Suites 4231 Schooner Drive (217) 793-6700

True Colors Floral Artistry 2719 W. Monroe St. (217) 787-7919

United Cerebral Palsy of Land of Lincoln 101 N. 16th St. (217) 525-6522

Yummy House 2415 N. Dirksen Parkway (217) 670-2670

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Economic Development

Business Retention and Expansion visits yield positive feedback for Springfield The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Q5 Economic Development team conducted 101 business visits and interviews during 2014 through its Business Retention and Expansion program to indentify trends in the local economy.

retail, media, business service operations and non-profit organizations.

The vast majority of the businesses that have participated in the survey have been very positive about Springfield and Sangamon County being great places to live, raise a family and conduct business.

The team met with businesses in the fields of finance, healthcare, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture,

The business survey team was comprised of Chamber staff members Paul Marsh and Jim Nelson and three

Survey Highlights:

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Community:

Business Dynamics:

A total of 66 percent of respondents stated that Springfield/Sangamon County has a “stable economy and community.” Within that context, businesses said the strengths of the community are:

Emerging

When asked to state the weaknesses of the community, the respondents put these into several different categories, with 58 percent of the respondents sighting these points as the weaknesses of the community: • Too many taxes and regulations on business • No significant population or job growth in the last 20 years • The downsizing of state government • Lack of manufacturing jobs • Difficult to attract good, young professional talent to Springfield • Too much dependence on state government for employment

• Affordable housing • Low cost of living • A strong medical community • Good schools – from elementary through college • A good work ethic • A good place to raise a family • The advantages associated with being in the state capital • The tourism industry

Are company sales?

Where is your product in its current life cycle?

Declining

Weaknesses:

Strengths:

• 68 percent report that their sales have increased.

• 54 percent report that their market share is increasing.

• 82 percent report that their company has introduced new products in the last 5 years.

• 74 percent report that they anticipate that they will introduce new products in the next 2 years.

• 33 percent report that their greatest achievement in the last three years has been “business growth or sales increase.”

volunteers that helped in the specific areas of finance, healthcare and manufacturing. These volunteers are Julie Clark, Vice President of Bank Services at Illinois Bankers Association; Michael Mark, Senior Vice President of HELPLINE Services at the American Lung Association; and Rob Newbold, Regional Manager at the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC).

Growing

Increasing

Maturing

Stable

Decreasing

3%

1% 9%

27%

33%

70%

57%

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Economic Development

Utility Services and Satisfaction: When asked about their consumption of utilities, most companies reported that their usage of water, sewer, natural gas and electricity was and will continue to be stable. A number of companies reported that use of land line phones was decreasing and that their usage of Internet access and Internet speed was increasing.

When asked to rate their level of satisfaction with the utility providers, on a scale of 1 to 7 with 1 being low and 7 being high, these were the results: • Water – 5.51 • Sewage – 5.41 • Natural gas – 5.56 • Electric – 5.38 • Telecom – 5.36 • Cellular – 5.31 • Internet access – 5.16 • Internet speed – 5.16

A vast majority of the survey respondents are positive about business conditions in Springfield and remain confident that the local economy will continue to prosper in the future. That being said, many fear that if Illinois is unable to become more business friendly in respect to taxation and regulation, potential growth will be inhibited. Several businesses have indicated that if present conditions remain the same or improve, they intend to open additional locations in the next two to three years and even more have said that they would like to increase their workforce over a similar timeframe.

The two areas of services receiving the most comments were airline passenger service and property taxes.

The Chamber and Q5 are currently conducting interviews for 2015. If you would like to schedule an interview, contact Business Retention and Expansion Manager Jim Nelson at 217525-1173 or email at jnelson@gscc.org.

Are you planning to expand within the next 3 years?

Public Services – Satisfaction & Quality: When asked to rate the quality of services provided by the community, on a scale of 1 to 7 with 1 being low and 7 being high, these were the results:

Summary:

• Community college – 5.85 • Colleges and universities – 5.79 • Public transportation – 4.78 • Traffic control – 4.6 • Streets and roads (local) – 4.11 • Highways (state and federal) – 4.8 • Airline passenger service – 3.85 • Property tax assessment (fair & equitable) – 3.79 • Zoning changes and building permits – 4.1 • Regulatory enforcement – 4.38 • Community planning – 5.18 • Chamber of commerce or business association – 5.77 • Economic development – 4.8

Yes

No

28%

• Police protection – 5.93 • Fire protection – 6.11 • Health care services – 6.31 • Schools (K-12) – 5.14

72%

Site readiness will enhance business attraction efforts In 2015, one Q5 priority is to identify industrial and commercial sites for site certification programs and to ensure additional sites are ready for market.

The goal for 2015 is to establish at least one certified site in Sangamon County.

Having certified sites in our community increases the marketability not only for Springfield and Sangamon County, but for the site itself. Commercial and industrial site CHAMBERUPDATE |

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selectors will often start their search with certified sites for speed to market.

A certified site means the data is available for infrastructure and utilities and preliminary studies have been conducted to show that the site has low risk or that environmental risks have already been identified. The International Economic Development Council has established industry standards for site certification.

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During the spring and early summer, Q5 will be identifying larger scale industrial sites and accepting proposals for a partner to certify a site as shovel ready. Also during this time, Q5 staff, along with our certification partner, will identify the first site for certification. After a partner and site are selected, the process should take three to four months of data collection and necessary environmental studies.

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Workforce & Education

Q5 pursues an ACT Work Ready Community The Q5 Workforce and Education Council is in the pursuit of becoming a Certified Work Ready Community (WRC).

ACT, known for college entrance exams, is the organization that provides tools and data to help communities and states become Certified Work Ready. The certification will help Sangamon County attract or expand business and industry by presenting economic developers and site selectors the qualifications of our workforce with real data.

Being a Certified Work Ready Community would position Sangamon County as a leader in the state. It will help us identify skills gaps and will quantify the skill level of our workforce. This certificate will help educators build career pathways that align with needs of businesses and industry. Sangamon County will be recognized for our workforce, and a strong workforce is

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a tremendous economic advantage.

There are three pieces to the certification: the application process/ WRC Academy, workforce certification and employer certification. The first step in the process is to complete an application. If selected, the county team will attend an Academy, which is a twelve month performancedriven program where our team will initiate, deploy and drive carefully tailored efforts that will certify Sangamon County as work ready.

Once certified, using data, process and tools provided by ACT, this certificate will help Sangamon County measure and close the skills gap and help align our workforce development efforts. The next step would be to get the workforce certified and their skills identified. This is done through online assessments that test individuals in applied math, reading for information and locating information skills. Each individual is certified as a bronze,

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silver, gold or platinum level. If we want to grow our local economy, it’s vital that we know the make-up of our workforce and what we can provide to current and new employers.

There is only one other county in the state, McLean County, that is certified. Will County is currently in the process of going through the WRC Academy. Other states leading the way are Oregon, South Carolina, Missouri and Utah.

This certification is relevant to many audiences. The job seeker receives a certificate guaranteeing their skills and it is transferrable anywhere in the United States.

The certification is very relevant to businesses because it will help them hire the most qualified people for opportunities within their organization, which leads to lower turnover and fewer accidents on the job.

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Community Impact

Moving forward with the downtown Community Development Corporation The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and its Quantum Growth Partnership (Q5) are continually working to better the community and economy, and revitalization of Springfield’s downtown can work to accomplish that goal.

This is why a Community Development Corporation (CDC) is crucial to making real, long—lasting change.

What is a Community Development Corporation?

Community Development Corporations (CDCs) are community-based organizations focused on revitalizing the areas in which they are located, typically in areas that have experienced significant dis-investment. They can be either for-profit or not-for-profit. While CDCs are most commonly celebrated for developing housing, and/or mixed use housing, they are often times involved in a range of initiatives critical to community health such as economic development, sanitation, street-scaping, neighborhood planning projects. Sometimes they even provide education and social services to community residents.

Why is the formation of a CDC important to Springfield, the Chamber, and Q5?

As a result of our economic development efforts, a focus on downtown revitalization and redevelopment, results of our downtown housing study in 2013, and the SDAT report (Sustainable Design Assessment Team), it was determined that a CDC would be critical to facilitate downtown redevelopment.

It’s important on many levels. The CDC can be used to kick start much needed redevelopment in the heart of our downtown community. The CDC will help us meet a need for downtown housing, keep our talented young people in Springfield (77 percent of millennials are looking for a vibrant downtown community and prefer to live downtown), promote economic development, and attract new businesses.

Understanding the important role a CDC could play in Springfield’s future, the Q5 Strategic Leadership Council* and representatives of the Mayor’s SDAT action committee began looking at various types of CDCs, talking with industry professionals, and evaluating the pros and cons of both for-profit and not-for-profit CDCs. Ultimately the group determined a not-for-profit model best fits our community needs because it provides layered options for financing developments, and most of all a not-for-profit CDC will reinvest development revenues in future projects.

As a result, downtown CDC and an advisory board has been created and organized under the umbrella of an existing not-for-profit entity, The Springfield Project.

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without having to wait 12 – 24 months while a new entity is developed.

What is currently happening?

The Downtown CDC is currently focused on and working on two things: Raising seed capital for the first development and the identification of a viable mixed use project that will include residential housing, commercial and/or retail space.

To learn more about the many great things The Chamber and its Quantum Growth Partnership are doing, check out our website at www.gscc.org or www.springfieldadvantage. org

* Q5 Strategic Leadership Council The Q5 Strategic Leadership Council is a collection of 50 of our community’s best and brightest business and organizational leaders. These business owners, CEOs, and critical decision makers represent public, private, and nonprofit organizations which make significant investments in our economic development efforts on an annual basis. Their goal is to provide “Transformational Leadership” by investing a portion of our overall economic development resources in initiatives that have the potential to be transformational, to be game-changers for Springfield and Sangamon County.

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Diversity Development

Minority participation program moves into second year with success This is the first in a three-part series about the Grow Our Own Minority Participation Program.

A Springfield program that connects minority youth to educational opportunities has been a success and is in its second year.

The Grow Our Own Minority Participation Program provides students with mentoring, education and training opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. The program’s concept was born out of community desires for increased involvement of minority and disadvantaged businesses in the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, which will consolidate the city’s rail lines by relocating rail traffic from the Third Street corridor to 10th Street.

Hanson Professional Services Inc. is providing design, environmental coordination, land acquisition, construction engineering and project management services for the rail project.

Kevin Seals, Hanson’s chief environmental scientist, leads publicinvolvement activities for the project and has attended numerous public informational meetings around town, giving presentations and keeping the public up to speed.

Seals said that the need for more minority involvement has long been a concern among many minority groups. That led to rethinking ways to enhance minority opportunities in Springfield, perhaps in a different type of program involving youth. “In order to expand more minority opportunities in the job market,” he said, potential employees need to have the skills required for those jobs. “We thought we should start at the student level to spark the interest.”

“There are a lot of young people, given the opportunity, who would be interested to find what engineering is about,” said Hanson’s President and CEO Sergio “Satch” Pecori, P.E. He said the driving force is to make Hanson’s personnel more reflect the diversity of Springfield’s residents.

Hanson worked with the City of Springfield and Sangamon County to prepare the Minority Participation Plan, which was announced in December 2013. The plan’s intent was to develop a program that would bring STEM opportunities to minority

Photo by Hanson Professional Services Inc.

As part of the Grow Our Own Minority Participation Program, Hanson committed to hiring three minority interns each year through the duration of the program. For the summer of 2014, Hanson Professional Services Inc. hired one college-aged student and two high school seniors for its internship program.

students, raise interest in pursuing careers in those fields, develop local professionals in their respective industries and, ultimately, increase diversity in Springfield’s workforce.

Ward 2 Ald. Gail Simpson created the Grow Our Own name.

“Grow Our Own is basically what we want to do,” she said.

“Take our own youth, Springfield youth … grow them up and get them involved.”

The City, County and Hanson have equally contributed to the $60,000 annual cost. Hanson, as the program’s manager, works with minority-based organizations, businesses, colleges and universities, the Illinois Department of Transportation and others in the Springfield community to connect students to existing programs.

During 2014, several students participated in STEM-based events. In March that year, the program provided opportunities for middle and high school students to go to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Engineering Open House facilitated by the university’s Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) and for middle school girls to participate in the American Association of University Women’s Expanding Your Horizons workshop and learn about STEM careers. Lincoln Land Community College students visited Hanson in May to learn about the firm and its geospatial imaging van. Through UIUC’s National University Rail Center (NURail), two high school students attended a rail and intermodal summer camp at Michigan Tech University.

“The University of Illinois’ RailTEC program has been a strategic partner to Hanson over the years. Their participation has been key to our success,” Pecori said.

Internships have also been provided through the program, with Hanson offering three each year. Last summer, two graduating high school seniors and one college student had internships Photo by Hanson Professional Services Inc. at Hanson. The city’s public works department and the Illinois Alderman Gail Simpson talks about the Grow Our Own Minority Department of Transportation also each hired one summer Participation Program during a Sept. 2, 2014, news conference in the intern.

Springfield City Council’s chambers.

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Diversity Development Simpson said the program is a valiant effort and is progressing very well. She said Hanson “took it seriously and really wanted it to work. … There’s no question that it works.”

and potential students for the coming school year are held in the fall at Hanson, which is attended by members of the community and organizations.

The program is “fantastic,” Mayor Mike Houston said. “One of the neat things about the program is we’re … trying to get people interested in engineering at a very early age and then take people who are either in college or just going off, giving them the experience of actually working within the industry to give them a taste of what it’s like. And, I think that will encourage people to come back and to stay in Springfield.”

“We’re pleased with the success that we’ve been able to accomplish in the first year,” Seals said. “It’s a new initiative … we’re gaining some success, and now Hanson is seeing how this is benefiting the community.”

Workshops to discuss the program and identify opportunities

“We’re in it for the long haul, and we’re in it for the right reasons,” Pecori said.

For more information, visit growourown.net.

City demolition efforts continue, but vacant lots slow to fill in

By Tim Landis and Jamie Munks State Journal-Register The new, the boarded up and the tragic can be found at 14th and Cass streets in Springfield.

Andrew Roberson recently moved into one of six new homes constructed in the 900 block of South 14th through TSP-Hope Inc., an organization whose goal is to turn vacant lots into affordable homes for low-income residents.

Roberson, 58, who is quadriplegic and requires 24-hour nursing care, said he had been renting but jumped at the chance to own his own home.

TSP-Hope homes in the block are interspersed with boarded-up properties as well other occupied homes.

The area exemplifies the ongoing effort to combat abandoned buildings and blight in Springfield’s neighborhoods, predominantly on the east side.

Hundreds of properties have been registered with the city under an ordinance that took effect in October 2011 giving property owners three years to bring homes and buildings up to code or face demolition proceedings.

Dozens of homes and buildings have begun to pass the limit — including the former Esquire Theatre at MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue — and more are expected each month.

The crackdown also has created a challenge for affordable housing programs. The number of vacant lots resulting from demolition of neglected properties has grown faster than home construction funding and demand.

Due to the passage of the three-year deadline for noncompliant vacant properties, those on which the city can take action under code are “queuing up,” said John Sadowski, the city’s planning coordinator.

“It’s going to be an overwhelming number,” Sadowski predicted, adding that just because the buildings reach this point doesn’t mean the city will obtain permission to tear them all down.

The clock started ticking in October 2011 for the owners of abandoned and problem properties in Springfield when the city council approved an ordinance

requiring owners to register their vacant buildings with the city and bring them up to code within three years.

If the owners don’t rehabilitate their properties up to the city’s standards in that time frame, the city can take legal action and ultimately demolish the buildings.

When the three-year period is up, the city sends the owner a warning letter threatening legal action, and a fine of $750 per day is imposed. After the fines pile up for a certain period of time, the city can foreclose on the property, and then it can be torn down.

Because the ordinance took effect more than three years ago, a number of buildings are beginning to fall into that category.

None of those properties has actually been torn down yet, but Sadowski estimated that 25 to 30 per month are reaching that point.

With each demolition costing $8,000 to $9,000, “demolition costs add up very quickly,” he said.

The city has been devoting hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to the effort. Demolitions continue to be a priority, and the amount earmarked in the budget for fiscal year 2016 is $488,000. The demolitions are funded by a combination of tax increment financing funds, the city’s corporate fund and federal Community Development Block Grants.

TSP-Hope Inc. is among not-for-profit housing programs at the opposite end of the demolition process. The organization works to turn vacant lots into affordable homes for low-income residents like Roberson, who recently moved into the home on South 14th Street.

Approximately 35 TSP-Hope homes have gone up in the past decade, executive director Tim Rowles said.

TSP-Hope’s most recent vacant-lot inventory totaled 108.

The possible surge of demolitions promises to bring increasing numbers of vacant lots into the affordable housing inventory.

Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County executive director Colleen Stone said the organization has a dozen lots available, and she gets regular donation offers from owners simply looking to unload a property. She added that the city demolition push has created a supply and demand situation for vacant lots and people in need of homes.

“It’s an interesting conundrum for the city,” Stone said.

This is an abridged version of a story that originally appeared in the Feb. 22, 2015 edition of the State Journal-Register, and is reprinted with permission of the SJR. To read the full story, go to http://www.sj-r.com/article/20150221/NEWS/150229853/1994/NEWS CHAMBERUPDATE |

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23

Transformational Leadership

Sangamon Success report available this spring Understanding the high priority of educating young people,the Strategic Leadership Council, Community Foundation of the Land of Lincoln, United Way of Central Illinois, and University of Illinois Springfield commissioned a study to improve educational outcomes in Sangamon County, especially for less advantaged children in early 2014.

The study will be available later this spring. Here’s a taste of what’s coming in the report: “The education of young people should be the highest priority in Sangamon County. The current local educational continuum works well for many children, giving them the education they need to make their way toward becoming productive, responsible adults. But, it does not work well for all. Despite the opportunities available, less advantaged children are still more likely to begin life behind and never catch up.

Fortunately, there is a way forward.

Over the past three decades, there

has been a surge of research on what works and what doesn’t in the development and education of children.

To take advantage of this growing body of knowledge, the Coordinating Council of the Sangamon County Continuum of Learning, in early 2014, commissioned a study to review both the research as well as the local experience with programs for improving outcomes for less advantaged children. Four working groups of local experts were organized to cover each main phase of child development – pregnancy through age 2, age 3 through 5, kindergarten through 5th grade, and grades 6 through 12.

The groups met over a nine month period and concluded their review by developing 25 recommendations that constitute the main body of the report.

Since not all recommendations can be implemented at once, the Coordinating Council has identified what it considers to be the top priorities for each phase (a total of eight) in the near term.

These eight priority recommendations

provide a compelling starting point for moving the community forward in changing the educational trajectory of less advantaged children. They are not meant to be pursued in place of the remaining 17 recommendations in the report, but as the first installment in a long-term strategy of closing the achievement gap between children at risk and those not at risk.

According to recent research, using evidence-based programs of the kind proposed for this strategy could close the achievement gap between less and more advantaged children by 70 percent. Intervening early makes an especially big difference, and continuing to intervene during the school years further narrows the gap.”

The Executive Summary, which outlines eight top priorities or eight priority recommendations, was recently reviewed with the Strategic Leadership Council. The Executive Summary, as well as the full report, will be released to the community later this spring.

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Bella Milano - p. 4

First Bankers Trust Company - p. 27

Lincoln Land Community College - p. 6

Bradley University EMBA Program - p. 20

GoWeb1.com - p. 25

Memorial Health System - Inside Front Cover

Capitol HealthCare and Rehabilitation - p. 13

Hanson Professional Services Inc. - Inside

Harold O’ Shea Builders - p. 3

CEFCU - p. 20

Back Cover

Pro Com Services of Illinois, Inc. - p. 24

Concordia Village - p. 26

Heritage Health: Therapy & Senior Care - p. 13

River Birch - p. 26

Delta Dental of Illinois - p. 15

Hickory Point Bank & Trust, fsb - p. 1

Springfield Electric Supply Company - p. 28

Designer Landscapes - p. 13

Hillier Records Management Company - p. 27

St. John’s Hospital - Back Cover

Don Smith Paint Company, Inc. - p. 24

Hillier Storage & Moving Company - p. 1

VICC - p. 27

E.L. Pruitt Co. - p. 6

HSHS Physician’s Network - p. 14

Eastland Retirement Community, LLC - p. 9

Jim Watts Electric, Inc. - p. 10

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