Businesses Giving Back:

Volume 17 Number 6 December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection CHaMPaIGN COUNTy S TRUSTeD BUSINeSS-TO-BUSINeSS PUBLICaTION for MORe THaN 20 years Businesses Giving Back: More Than Meeting the Bottom Line............. 11 Business Profile: Tatman s CarCare................5 Welcome New Chamber Members.................6 easing the Burden of the Sandwich Generation.... 13 Presorted Standard US Postage PAID Permit No. 29 Champaign, IL a PUBLICaTION Of THe CHaMPaIGN COUNTy CHaMBeR Of COMMeRCe

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www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p3 Recently, the Chamber asked its readers if they will be spending more or less this holiday season than what they spent last year. The following are responses from our members: 12% - More 42% - Less 46% - About the same What are your reasons? The type of gifts chosen may be more practical home improvements, furniture, kitchen appliances, clothing, etc. Higher cost of travel to spend time with family in different parts of the country diminishes gift budget. My family has most things they need. We never spend much anyway; we save for fun trips. The economy. We were somewhat frugal last year. Planning to do the same due to uncertainty about Obama s and Quinn s plans to raise our taxes. Finances have not changed for me. My income is down. The economy, and I don t know what taxes will be required for next year I m trying to be more frugal. Everyone I know has everything they need. Gifts that fulfill needs, not wants, seem to make better sense these days. No real changes in our family circumstances. I always make gifts rather than buy them. My fi nancial situation is about the same as last year, and the number of gift recipients is about the same. The future of my income is uncertain. I budget for gifts for family and friends, and also for extra charity giving. Rather than VIeWPOINTS increasing the amount I am looking for ways to get more for my money! This year I want to stay within the budget I set. Plus, the children are adults now, and we want the focus to be on the birth of Jesus, not on the stress of shopping. No, because my health insurance went up about 15 percent. I have planned on what I am getting folks and have started to shop earlier so I don t have all the expenses all at once. Money issues. Same number of family to buy for, same job, same salary. Expenses are higher than income. Not making as much money. My dependent health insurance costs will most certainly rise in 2011, and I expect basic living expenses to increase as well as gasoline prices. Dropped spending about last year and will continue this year. I have set a limit to how much I can and will spend. After all...it s not about how much you spend that makes or breaks the holiday. I do plenty to help the economy. I love spending. But I have my limits. I start shopping over the summer so that the expense is distributed over five or six monthly paychecks. You can find some great deals when you aren t rushed! I don t have as many people to buy for and need to spend less. I expect the economy to get worse and want cash on hand. My spouse has been asked to take furlough days. This means less discretionary income. Yes, because of a better economy. Has your consumer confidence improved over the last year? 40% - Yes 60% - No Why or why not? The worst is behind us, defi nitely. It has improved, but I sometimes wonder if it should be up. It still feels unclear what is going to happen with the economy. The elections refl ect increasing discontent, which will only worsen when prices rise in response to inevitable infl ationary pressures of massive debt and increased money supply. Jobs are still being lost, and businesses are closing or not meeting financial obligations. Frivolous spending has to stop! I don t spend wastefully anyway and I never lost confi dence in the Lord s ability to provide for our needs. I feel like we are heading slowly in the right direction. Yes, somewhat I know a lot more companies are hiring, but they are still cautious. Obamacare stimulus...debt...need I say more? Too much government spending will cause my personal as well as my employer s taxes to increase. I have a grim view of the overall economic outlook, and as a result my confi - dence is low. I don t see how pumping $600 billion into our economy can avoid infl ation meaning my dollar will not go as far as it used to go. We should not expect the government to fix the economy. We all have a hand in problem. We all need to look at where we can make adjustments. It hasn t really changed over the last fi ve years. My budget is based on one person. Expenses don t change much year to year. The stock market has been good. It has improved, although the state of the State of Illinois is troubling. Viewpoints is a bimonthly forum for Champaign County Chamber of Commerce members. Viewpoints allows members of the Chamber to voice their own opinions on important and sometimes controversial issues in the community, country and world. Selected Viewpoints will be printed in the Chamber s Commerce Connection, which is distributed across the community. The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce values its members thoughts and opinions; entries, however, are not guaranteed to be printed. All published entries are subject to the discretion of the Chamber.

fy 2010 TOP INVeSTORS 1817 S. Neil St., Ste. 201 Champaign, IL 61820.7269 P 217.359.1791 f 217.359.1809 www.champaigncounty.org info@champaigncounty.org All information contained within this publication is property of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and cannot be reproduced without prior expressed or written consent. This publication contains paid advertising; the opinions expressed in those advertisements do not reflect the views of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information, contact Paul Caravelli at 217.359.1791 or PaulC@champaigncounty.org. sm TOP INVESTORS Gold Busey Bank Silver Benefit Planning Consultants, Inc. The Carle Foundation Carle Physician Group Provena Covenant Medical Center Bronze The Atkins Group BankChampaign, N.A. Christie Clinic Health Alliance Medical Plans, Inc. Kraft Foods Inc. PNC Bank Supervalu Inc. Champaign Distribution Center University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois Employees Credit Union IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS Chairman s Circle Illini Radio Group - MIX 94.5, WIXY 100.3, 92.5 The Chief, WIXY Classic 99.1, True Oldies 97.9, Extra 92.1 Chamber Circle WCIA 3 & WCFN 49 NewsTalk 1400 WDWS, Lite Rock 97.5 WHMS & U-Rock 107.9 WUIL CHaMBeR STaff Laura Weis President & CEO LauraW@champaigncounty.org Tiffany Bowie Graphic Design & Events Manager TiffanyB@champaigncounty.org Paul Caravelli Membership & Advertising Services Manager PaulC@champaigncounty.org Claudette Gonsiorowski Information & Accounts Receivable Manager ClaudetteG@champaigncounty.org Cynthia Johnson Membership & Advertising Services Manager CynthiaJ@champaigncounty.org Leslie Lundy Finance Manager LeslieL@champaigncounty.org Lynette Lykins Administrative Support LynetteL@champaigncounty.org andrew Proctor Public Policy Manager AndrewP@champaigncounty.org elaine Self-Calvin Finance Assistant & Office Manager ElaineS@champaigncounty.org Norma Wesley Administrative Assistant & Reservationist NormaW@champaigncounty.org Meghan Whalen Communication & Programs Manager MeghanW@champaigncounty.org BOaRD OffICeRS Mark Ballard Chair, BankChampaign, N.A. Diane Ruedi First Vice Chair, F.E. Moran, Inc., Alarm & Monitoring Services Tabatha Helm Second Vice Chair, Rockwell Automation Martin Verdick Treasurer, RSM McGladrey / McGladrey & Pullen Laura Weis Secretary, Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Russ Hamilton Past Chair BOaRD Of DIReCTORS Curt anderson Busey Wealth Management Oktay Baran Baran Marketing David Bertauski Provena Covenant Medical Center Jim Goss The Atkins Group Cindy Guthrie Three Degrees of Change Habeeb Habeeb Benefit Planning Consultants, Inc. Jeff Ingrum Health Alliance Medical Plans, Inc. Dale Morrissey Developmental Services Center Tom Ramage Parkland College Dennis Riggs FIX-IT Renee Romano University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Nick Taylor RE/MAX Realty Associates Bill Walter A&R Mechanical Contractors Michael Wozniak Livingston, Barger, Brandt & Schroeder October 2010 Flash Economic Index for Champaign County 93.8

www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p5 BUSINeSS PROfILe Tatman s CarCare: Repair, repaint, realign, refinish, detail, drive. Accidents happen. And when they do, Tatman s CarCare, with several locations in central Illinois, is there to repair the damage. Since 1959, Tatman s has been providing auto repair, mechanics, detailing and other services to residents of Champaign County and beyond. The business began when Paul Tatman, an Urbana police offi cer, started the business in a garage behind his house. In the early 1970s, he quit the police force and began operating the auto business full-time. Since then, says Paul s son and current regional manager Tim Tatman, the Urbana shop has expanded several times, and Tatman s has opened shops in the area in Champaign, Rantoul, Mattoon (which they have since sold), and Effi ngham. Four years ago, Tatman s merged with CarCare, a group of seven collision repair shops in the Chicago area, for a total of 11 shops altogether, and two more nearing completion. We have more than 70 employees in the Champaign region, says Tatman. Tatman s CarCare 802 e. Perkins Rd., Urbana 1101 N. Country fair Dr., Champaign 824 W. Champaign ave., Rantoul 1607 W. Wernsing ave., effingham www.tatmans.com additional repairs are needed. They then order replacement parts, realign damaged parts of the vehicle, install new parts and repair any mechanical issues, including damage to the engine, suspension, or transmission of the vehicle. From there, the vehicle is repainted, refi nished and detailed, and is ready to be back on the road again. Tatman s also works on basic mechanical issues, such as oil and fi lter changes, brakes, muffl ers, tire rotations, wheel alignments, brakes, and suspensions. They also provide painting and car detailing, cleaning the engine and interior of a vehicle. Tim Tatman has been overseeing the operation of the four downstate stores for the past four years, having moved back to Champaign County from Mattoon. It s a big town with a small-town mentality, he says. There are good people that appreciate good service, and I appreciate the diverse population the U of I brings, including students and faculty of different backgrounds who patronize the shop. Tatman s CarCare works on vehicles of all makes and models that need repaired following auto accidents and collisions. To complete this process, they review the damage to the vehicle, provide estimates, and disassemble damaged parts of the vehicle to determine if any In the future, says Tim, Tatman s CarCare is planning on expanding further. We re looking at other locations in Champaign and in neighboring communities, he says. We re going to continue to grow. Percentage of Community Welcome Service Boxes sent last month to residents earning more than $60,000 60%

December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p6 www.champaigncounty.org NeW MeMBeRS american ReD CROSS Emily Cash, Major Donor Offi cer 404 Ginger Bend Dr. Champaign, IL 61822-3500 P: 217.351.5861 F: 217.351.5937 www.redcrossillinois.org Social Services Organizations Child and Youth Services The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. BeLL RaCING USa Kyle Kietzmann, President 301 Mercury Dr., Bay 8 Champaign, IL 61822 P: 217.239.5355 F: 217.819.5187 kkietzmann@bellracing.com www.bellracing.com Auto Racing-Helmets Bell Racing USA, the world s leading auto racing helmet company, specializes in designing, developing, manufacturing and distributing helmets in North and South America. More champions in all forms of racing have worn Bell helmets than any other brand. The Bell name is synonymous with safety, performance and engineering excellence. BIG BROTHeRS BIG SISTeRS Of CHaMPaIGN COUNTy Eric M. Batsie, Community Partnership Manager 404 W. Church St. Champaign, IL 61820-3411 P: 217.355.2227 F: 217.352.6494 eric.batsie@bbbs.org www.bbbsil.org Social Service Organizations The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth, primarily through a professionally supported one-to-one relationship with a caring adult, and to assist them in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become responsible men and women by providing committed volunteers, national leadership and standards of excellence. CaNDLeWOOD SUITeS Laura Rittenhouse, General Manager 1917 Moreland Blvd. Champaign, IL 61822-1390 P: 217.398.1000 F: 217.398.1010 lrittenhouse@midashospitality.com www.candlewoodsuites.com Hotels This brand new 83-room all-suite property has been designed with your needs in mind. We are located conveniently off of I-74 in the heart of northern Champaign s restaurant and shopping district. Too tired to go out for dinner? Cook a meal in your fully equipped kitchen, grab a snack from the Candlewood Cupboard or cook out on our gazebo, equipped with a gas grill. You can unwind after a hard day s work in our plush recliners while watching premium cable channels or movies from our free DVD movie lending library. Stay connected to work and home with complimentary wired or wireless high-speed Internet access, and keep up your routine in our 24-hour fi tness and laundry facilities. Guests may enroll in our Priority Club Rewards membership program, which offers several benefi ts and ways to earn points towards airline miles, free merchandise, or free night stays. All of our amenities will make you feel right at home and with all that Champaign-Urbana has to offer, it makes Candlewood Suites the perfect place to stay. ILLINOIS GReeN BUSINeSS association Cassandra Carroll, Executive Director 301 N. Neil St., Ste 470 Champaign, IL 61820-3180 P: 217.531.2179 F: 217.531.2211 info@ illinoisgba.com www.illinoisgba.com Non-Profi t Consultants The Illinois Green Business Association is a 501 (c) (3) organization whose mission is to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by educating businesses on integrating environmental champaign county chamber of commerce 1817 South neil Street, Suite 201 champaign, illinois 61820.7269 p 217.359.1791 f 217.359.1809 detach here - return this portion with payment PAID member id # invoice Date invoice # invoice amt. total enclosed $ method of payment check enclosed Make checks payable to: champaign county chamber of commerce Visa mastercard american express credit card number Signature - required for credit card payment expiration Date Security code member id#: invoice Date: invoice #: Due Date Qty. DeScription unit price amount Chamber dues statements are coming. To make a payment over the phone, contact Norma Wesley at 217.531.4669. all event registrations are billed upon receipt and may be cancelled before the published reservation/cancellation deadline. your membership dues investment is not deductible as a charitable contribution but may be tax deductible as an ordinary business expense. a portion of the dues, however, is not deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense to the extent that the champaign county chamber of commerce engages in state or federal lobbying. the non-deductible portion of annual dues is 2 percent. current over 30 DayS over 60 DayS over 90 DayS over 120 DayS amount Due SaVe a Stamp! pay this invoice online at www.champaigncounty.org thank you! champaign county chamber of commerce 1817 south neil street, suite 201 champaign, illinois 61820.7269 We ve made a career out of helping you plan for retirement. Let us help you revise an existing plan or create a new one to keep your retirement goals within reach. Managing Partners Eric D. Boland, CFP Starla S. Carr, CRPC Robert E. Meyer Charles O. Lee IV, CTFA 3017 Village Office Place, Champaign p 217 366 3456 e info@providentfinancialgroupllc.com Securities and Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p7 NeW MeMBeRS responsibility into daily operations and practices in a manner that is sustainable as well as profitable. IGBA educates business owners, their employees, and community members about sustainable practices, how to maintain equipment for efficiency and longevity, and promote the health of the local environment by training business owners and employees in efficient, cleaner, and greener practices. The IGBA provides a multitude of services to help businesses achieve their sustainability goals and is currently accepting new businesses in the certification program. ILLINOIS MeDIaTION SeRVICeS, INC. Bianca Green, President The Enclave at M2 301 N. Neil St., 4 th Floor PO Box 8068 Champaign, IL 61826-8068 P: 217.352.6800 F: 217.352.6804 www.illinoismediationservices.com Mediation Services More and more individuals, businesses and governmental entities are recognizing the economic and emotional benefits of using alternative dispute resolution methods to resolve conflicts. Attorney Bianca T. Green founded Illinois Mediation Services, Inc. in response to the growing demand for mediation and arbitration services in Illinois. With mediation, we do not make decisions for the parties, but instead we facilitate their negotiations by helping the parties express their respective positions, by discussing alternatives and by helping them formulate a solution that is mutually beneficial to both sides. We are available to mediate or arbitrate virtually any type of conflict including matters in pending litigation, threatened litigation, personal injury claims, divorce and custody issues, medical malpractice, commercial disputes, employment conflicts, insurance coverage and claims disputes, real estate matters and all other conflict situations. We look forward to assisting you and your clients as conflict needs arise. JUNIOR S BURGeRS & COZy S CUSTaRD Richard (Rick) D. Minick, Sr., President 101 S. Lombard Ave. Mahomet, IL 61853-9095 P: 217.620.4888 F: 217.795.4888 Restaurants LORI BeNSyL PHOTOGRaPHy Lori Bensyl, Photographer PO Box 152 Royal, IL 61871-0152 P: 217.583.3385 lorib@hughes.net www.loribensyl.com Photographers-Portrait Lori Bensyl Photography is a local photographer specializing in portrait photography, taking a variety of sessions, including children, families, seniors, weddings and special events. We can arrange a session to fit your needs. Our flexibility in working with clients needs and time frames ensures an enjoyable experience for all. SJ BROaDCaSTING LLC Steve Miller, Sales Manager 4112 C Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822-8811 P: 217.367.1195 F: 217.367.3291 Radio Stations & Broadcasting Companies SJ Broadcasting LLC is Champaign County s new local media company. Owned by local radio veteran Stevie Jay Katchaturian, along with Jon Katchaturian and Clint Atkins, radio holdings include the all-new Connect FM 93.5 & 95.3 live and local talk all day with your phone calls, along with The Wall Street Journal, Fox News and ESPN; All The Hits Q96 contemporary hit music with local morning hosts Josh and Ashley along with other local and national programming; and 105.9 WGKC THE Classic Rock Station, which is home to the Bob & Tom Show and other local and national programming. WeDIG PROPeRTy MaNaGeMeNT Sue Wedig & Fawn Newsom, Co-Owners 821 S. Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820 P: 217.239.7207 F: 217.356.6116 sue.wedig@gmail.com fawnnewsom@gmail.com Real Estate Property Management Whether you are looking for a home to rent or a company to manage your property, call Wedig Property Management building relationships one home at a time. We specialize in third-party management of single-family homes by providing personal, dedicated service, exceeding expectations of tenants and owners. athena NOMINaTIONS BeING accepted Mark your calendar for Thursday, February 17, 2011, when the Chamber will present the 23rd annual ATHENA Award Luncheon at the Champaign Country Club. The ATHENA Award honors individuals who assist women in reaching their full leadership potential, demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their businesses or professions, and provide valuable service by devoting time and energy to improving the quality of life for others in the community. This year, in addition to the ATHENA Award, the ATHENA Young Professional Award will be given to an emerging community leader between the ages of 25-40 who serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally. This award is sponsored by past recipients of the ATHENA Award. Do you know someone who exemplifies the qualities of the ATHENA Award or the ATHENA Young Professional Award? Nominate them by filling out the forms available on the Chamber website, or stop by the Chamber office to pick up nomination forms for both awards. For more information on the ATHENA Award, contact Meghan Whalen at 217.359.1791 or MeghanW@champaigncounty.org. Individuals departing from Willard Airport during October 2010 8,213

www.champaigncounty.org CONGRaTULaTIONS On Thursday, September 30, The IDea Store, located at 28 E. Springfield Ave., Ste. C, Champaign, celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting. December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p8 First Fridays enjoy coffee and conversation as you network from 7:30-9 a.m. on the First Friday of each month. Cost is $3 for Chamber members. For more information on First Fridays, or to find out where these events are being held, visit www.champaigncounty.org. To host an upcoming First Friday networking session, contact the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce at 217.359.1791 or info@champaigncounty.org. On Thursday, September 30, athletico held a ribbon cutting to celebrate their grand opening. They are located at 2040 S. Neil St., Champaign. On Friday, October 22, Delivery 4U held a ribbon cutting to celebrate their one-year anniversary. They are located at 1606 Willow View Rd., Ste. 2AAA, Urbana. On Friday, October 22, The U of I audiology Clinic held a ribbon cutting to celebrate their major remodel. They are located at 901 S. Sixth St., Champaign.

www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p9 THe IDea LeTTeR 15 questions: about your competitors Whether you re a mature business, growing business or a new business, you will have competitors. There are other businesses that want to outsell you and take your customers. And as Donald Trump says, It s not personal, it s just business. The secret to survival and growth is knowing as much or more about them as they know about you. And don t think that because you haven t heard anything from them that they re not keeping an eye on you, they are. If you re a retail business, you should be aware of every business within a two or three mile radius of your store, whether they are a competitor or not. Every time you see a building going up or a building permit on a window, stop and see who s moving in. If you sell to other businesses, know your fi ve biggest rivals in the market you serve local, state, national or international. Be sure to subscribe to all the trade magazines in your industry, many of them will be free. You need to know everything competitors are doing or planning to do as early as possible. Then you can develop your strategy to stay one step ahead of them. Does thinking about your competitors keep you awake at night? Can they come out with products or services that will make yours obsolete and put you out of business? By knowing the answers to the following questions, you just might keep a little bit ahead of the competition: 1. Exactly who are your competitors? If you re in retail, you can simply check the phone book and drive around your main selling area. If you re in businessto-business type sales, you can search your industry on the web or check out the library. The reference department will have books like the Million Dollar Directory, Dun and Bradstreet, and industry directories. Another source is to search INFO USA by S.I.C. code, or business type and the state or area you serve. 2. Are they big, franchises, or small? If they re big public companies, you can easily fi nd fi nancial information from any of the stock service companies. If they re a franchise, you can check the website of the franchisor and fi nd how many units, how long in business, franchise fees, royalty fees, etc. If they re small, fi nding fi nancial or other information will be diffi cult, but you can always ask at your bank. 3. What are their strong points? What do your competitors stress or emphasize in their advertisements or yellow page listings? What are (continued on pg. 10) Number of coupons available on www.champaigncounty.org at the time this publication went to press 21

www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p10 15 QUeSTIONS CONT. (continued from pg. 9) people saying about them, why would anyone buy their products or services? What are their best selling products and why? Can you do it better or at least match them at their game? 4. Do they have niche products? What are your competitors offering to customers and prospects that is unique in your industry? How are they promoting these products or services or are they? Are they always offering something new or relying on the same old line? Are any of these niche products patented or can you quickly develop and offer a better or similar product? Do you have niche products that they can t match? 5. Are the owners active in the business? If the owner is an absentee, it will take them longer to find out about any changes you make. In a retail business, you ll want to find out if the owners actually work regularly in the business or just visit occasionally. When you have sales, promotions or offer new products, an on-site owner can respond and assist more quickly. An absentee competitor is easier to beat. 6. What is their pricing strategy? How do your competitors price their products or services expensive, rock-bottom or middle priced? Are they looking for the low-price customer or giving the impression of a high-priced luxury? Maybe they re in the middle and able to go up or down based on market demands. How does their pricing compare with yours? Can you meet or beat their prices if necessary? 7. Are they opening new locations/offices? Is your competition expanding? How will this help or hurt them in the marketplace? Do you need to expand or add locations to keep up? You may be able to find out about their expansion plans if you know any commercial realtors, brokers or bankers. You can also check the city public records for building permits and new openings. 8. How many employees do they have? You may be able to find this out by visiting their store or office, asking people who work there or their customers. Are they hiring, laying off or downsizing by attrition? Do they have more or less employees than you for a comparable amount of business? 9. How do they pay their employees? Are they paying above, below or about average for your industry? Have you talked to any of their employees are they satisfied with their wages? Usually the quality of work performed will be in proportion to the level of pay they receive. Do they have more full-time or part-time employees? What benefits do they offer? 10. How are customers treated? One way to find out is to be a customer or hire a friend to browse their store or call their business. Are they courteous, helpful and informative? Are you left standing at the check-out or on hold for a long time? Do they cheerfully accept exchanges and refunds? Do they explain product benefits and features? Is buying from them a pleasant experience? If you weren t their competitor, would you buy there? 11. What are their weaknesses? Your competitors will have some areas you can attack by doing things better. Do they offer poor quality, rude service, a small selection or late delivery? Are they always outof-stock on popular or sale items? Do their store or delivery vehicles need a good cleaning? Are they understaffed which makes their service slow? What can you offer that will lure away their customers and keep yours from buying from them? 12. Where are they? Are they near or far from you and if a retail store easily accessible? Does it matter where they are as long as you both have toll-free numbers? Are your competitors near your customer base? Are their stores easier to find and see than yours? Do they have adequate parking? 13. How do they market? Do your competitors use a lot of print advertising in newspapers and/or magazines? Are they on the radio or television regularly? Do they have large, attractive signs at their location and elsewhere? Do they do direct mail and are you on their mailing list? Do they offer coupons and frequent customer cards? Are they selling on the web and how is it promoted? Do they sponsor nonprofit events or are highly visible for national causes? Are they doing more or less than you are? Can you afford to compete with them in the advertising and promotion marketplace? Do they do more marketing at certain times of the year? 14. How do they react to you? When you make changes, have sales, offer new products or have promotions, do they counter with similar offers? Do they do nothing or seem to pay no attention to you? If they do respond, how quickly? Do they try to outdo you or just match what you have advertised? Do they let you do your promotion and then have one of their own at a later date? 15. Are you afraid of them? Does thinking about your competitors keep you awake at night? Can they come out with products or services that will make yours obsolete and put you out of business? Do you run your business more on the defensive rather than the offensive? How can you turn the negatives into positives? Does staying ahead or even with them drain your finances? These are questions you want to keep asking yourself and getting new answers every six months or so. Don t think that the situation today will be the same a year from now. Even if you re not making changes, you can be assured your competitors are. You need to constantly be coming up with new ideas and changes to keep a step ahead. And, don t ignore your competitors because they are not ignoring you. By Barry Thomsen Publisher/Editor, Small Business Idea-Letter and author of the book When The S**t Hits The Fan: How to Keep Your Business Afloat for More Than a Year. For a free sample of the Idea-Letter, go to www.idealetter.com, or call 877.700.1322. 7 Number 20,824 of visitors to www.champaigncounty.org in October 2010

www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p11 COVeR STORy Businesses Giving Back: More Than Meeting the Bottom Line There s more to a business than just the bottom line. Being active in and giving back to the community is an important part of many work environments. Many business managers and employees in Champaign County volunteer their time to various charities and social organizations, whether individually or with a group from the offi ce, helping to strengthen the overall well-being of the whole community. One business that consistently works with local nonprofi t organizations is Adams Outdoor Advertising, by helping them get the word out about their services. According to Kelly Strube, general manager, Adams Outdoor currently works with more than 25 local nonprofi t organizations through their PSA program. We help them design their ad, donate the billboard space, and the organization only pays for the production and posting fees, says Strube. In recent months, Adams Outdoor has worked with the City of Champaign 150th Anniversary Committee, St. Jude s Children s Research Hospital, the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival and many other community organizations. Other businesses hold regular events that benefi t local charities. We worked on a Habitat for Humanity build in June, did a supply drive for the Champaign County Humane Society and we do blood drives for the local blood bank, says Darci David of Dimond Bros. Insurance By forming relationships charities and organizations, businesses can also benefit by the charity reciprocating and supporting the business through purchases and publicity. Agency. It doesn t take much to organize a drive for a local charity, so why not do what you can? Meyer Capel also regularly holds blood drives, as well as holding a We Care Day. Once a month, they accept donations from employees and clients that go to a local charity or family in need, says Randall Green, an attorney with the fi rm. We Care Day has benefi ted many organizations in Champaign County including the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Mental Health Center, Relay for Life, the Crisis Nursery, the Junior League and many more. Meyer Capel recently teamed with Martin, Hood, Friese and Associates to collect items for United Way s Stuff the Bus initiative. There are countless ways that local business people can make a difference, says Green, including serving on boards of directors and taking time out each week to volunteer. There is great value in serving on boards of directors and advisory committees, especially for individuals with very technical skill sets, says Green. For example, having attorneys, accountants, entrepreneurs, marketing directors, etc. on the boards of non-profi ts provides invaluable resources to that agency. (continued on pg. 12) Number of phone calls to the Chamber office in the combined months of September and October 20101,048

December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p12 www.champaigncounty.org (continued from pg. 11) Businesspeople taking time to offer manpower is invaluable as well, he goes on. Many agencies also rely heavily on volunteer man power, whether it be to serve food at a soup kitchen, help stock and organize clothing drives, or to take an hour or two out a work week to mentor a local youth. Laura Huth of do good Consulting agrees. By spending just a couple hours each week helping a local charity, you not only make a significant contribution to the cause by offering your assistance, you help reduce operational costs for organizations doing important work in our communities, she says. With do good Consulting, Huth has worked with organizations such as the CARE Center, Habitat for Humanity, and the Champaign County Farm Bureau Foundation. When local businesses give back to their community, it sets a good example for their employees and it shows their clients and customers that they care about the community they live in, adds Patti Darr of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Many businesses in Champaign County not only organize companywide drives and projects to give back to the community, but also encourage their employees to volunteer individually. do good strongly encourages a giving back spirit with our team s consultants, says Huth. Each has their charities of choice they support individually, which we strongly encourage, as well as team-based COVeR STORy CONT. Partnerships with small businesses make a dramatic impact on our ability to care for animals. With donations of simple items like cotton balls, paper towels and dog collars we are able to better serve animals in need. ~ Mary Tief Tiefenbrunn, executive Director, Champaign County Humane Society volunteer activities. do good s staff has donated more than 400 hours of volunteer time to the community in the past year, and has contributed financially to many charitable organizations. While the economy has been tough recently for individuals and businesses alike, financial contributions are yet another way for businesses to give back to the community. It takes money to operate any organization and all businesses should find a blend of donating both time and funds to supporting the charities and causes they believe in, says Huth. While the recession can cause a dip in giving, the one sector whose giving rose as a percentage over the last year was the business sector. By forming relationships charities and organizations, she goes on, businesses can also benefit by the charity reciprocating and supporting the business through purchases and publicity. No matter which way a business chooses to give back, the benefits for both the business and organization are countless. By supporting organizations that provide support to less fortunate members of the community or at-risk populations of the community, it creates a stronger local economy, which in turn creates jobs and buying power, bolstering the overall well-being of the community and its economic and social landscape, says Green. This community is what we businesses make it, says Strube. We have to be the change. 2011 BUSINeSS after HOURS JaNUaRy 20 ~ HOLIDay INN february 17 ~ I HOTeL MaRCH 17 ~ ReyNOLDS TOWING april 21 ~ JOeL WaRD HOMeS May 19 ~ adams OUTDOOR advertising JUNe 16 ~ COMe WINe WITH US at farm CReDIT SeRVICeS JULy 21 ~ farnsworth GROUP august 18 ~ HILTON GaRDeN INN SePTeMBeR 15 ~ MIDLaND STaTeS BaNK OCTOBeR 20 ~ CUNNINGHaM CHILDReN S HOMe NOVeMBeR 17 ~ PROVeNa COVeNaNT MeDICaL CeNTeR DeCeMBeR 15 ~ RefINeRy

www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p13 HeLP CORNeR Help Corner: easing the Burden of the Sandwich Generation It s well-known that businesspeople lead busy lifestyles and that it s often difficult to balance work and family. This is especially true for businesspeople who are part of the sandwich generation those who work more than 40 hours a week and are caring for both children and aging parents or relatives. More than 20 million Americans are part of this group roughly one in eight adults between the ages of 40 and 60. And this number is only increasing. The US Census Bureau projects that the number of Americans 65 or older will double. But while being a member of the sandwich generation can be daunting, plans and programs are in place to help ease the stress. You worry about their and well-being and feel guilt if you are unavailable when they may need your help. Employers can also help by providing flexibility in the workplace... improving the overall work-family culture of the business... Caring for elderly parents can cause many emotional, financial and physical strains on members of this generation, and can adversely affect businesses as well, costing employers between $11.4 and $29 billion in productivity each year, according to a study the AARP. It can also affect advancement in the workplace, with many reporting that they have passed on a job or promotion due to caring for aging relatives. It s tough balancing work, family, and socialization, says Jocelyn Browning, communications manager for Health Alliance Medical Plans, Inc. Guilt and worry are often a product of kids with aging parents. Health Alliance recently began offering services that will help local businesspeople caring for aging parents to help save time and worry. Administering medications to older relatives can be a daunting task, but through programs like the DailyMed program, professionals with aging parents or relatives who are taking medications can help simplify this job. DailyMed helps eligible Health Alliance members take the guesswork out of multiple prescriptions by delivering a 30-day supply of pre-sorted packets marked with the date and time each packet should be taken, according to a press release by Health Alliance. By sorting and clearly labeling vitamins, prescriptions, and over-the counter medications, programs such as this one can help caregivers take a step toward balancing work and family. Other ways to help ease the stresses of being part of the sandwich generation, according to a study conducted at Portland State University, include obtaining support from friends, family members, and coworkers or joining a formal support group; planning ahead and being (continued on pg. 14) Predominant age of Champaign County newcomers in October 2010 50-59

December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p14 www.champaigncounty.org HeLP CORNeR CONT. (continued from pg. 13) prepared for emergencies; and avoiding the temptation to take on more responsibilities. Employers can also help by providing fl exibility in the workplace; making formal support available, such as family leave or resource and referral information; and improving the overall work-family culture of the business, according to the study. With these programs and services, and some caring and understanding by employers, the mental and physical health and well-being for both aging parents and their children can improve. Says Health Alliance Pharmacy Director Christina Barrington, It is welldocumented that better adherence to treatment guidelines and medication compliance keeps members healthier for a longer period of time, while reducing hospitalizations and other health care-related costs. earn Meet and exceed your 2011 goals by taking part in the Chamber EaRN program. Chamber members looking to expand their contacts or who are looking for more business leads have the opportunity to participate in the Exchange and Referral Network (EaRN) - the Chamber s version of a combination Leads / Speed Networking program. The 2011 sessions are scheduled to take place at 7:30 a.m. on February 22, May 3, July 19, September 20 and November 15. Registration opens on Tuesday at 3 p.m. for the following week s session. Only one person per industry may participate per week, i.e. one dentist, one real estate agent, one insurance agent, etc. Registration is fi rst come, fi rst served. If your industry category is already fi lled when you register, your name will be kept on the waitlist. If the fi rst registrant is unable to attend the following week s session, we will contact the waitlist according to the time stamp. If you are unable to attend the session, we request notifi cation as soon as possible so that we may fi ll the seat. Failure to do so may prevent you from participating in future sessions. To register or receive more information, contact Norma Wesley at 217.531.4669 or NormaW@champaigncounty.org.

December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p16 www.champaigncounty.org Pick Up your free CommunityLink! Large quantities are available at no cost for members of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. NeW PROGRaM Champaign County Chamber of Commerce members have a new resource to help them run their businesses better, grow smarter and make more money. Members can access the content anytime it is convenient, from anywhere they can get online. This new benefit is exclusively available, at no additional cost, to members of the Champaign County Chamber. BIGG Success is the company behind the program and the Champaign County Chamber is one of the first chambers in the United States to offer it. BIGG Success a Champaign-based digital publishing company is on the leading edge of business education. George Krueger and Mary-Lynn Foster co-founded BIGG Success three years ago. Krueger has more than 20 years of experience as the owner of bricks-and-mortar businesses and has taught Entrepreneurship at the University of Illinois for more than 12 years. Call 217.359.1791 or stop by the Chamber office to pick up copies. Painting America beautiful... one house at a time. A to Z Painting 217-352-7488 caz91@aol.com Interior/Exterior Foster is a veteran radio DJ, voice-over talent and audio production specialist with more than 18 years of experience. She recalled, We were both at a crossroads at the same time. I was taking a break from radio. George had sold his businesses. There was this new media called podcasting. We decided to jump in and see if we could attract an audience. They did. The BIGG Success Show has become one of the most popular business career podcasts in itunes. Last month, Singapore and China were their second and third largest markets, trailing only the United States. BIGG Success evolved into a digital publishing company that helps entrepreneurs and the organizations that serve them. That s why we re so excited about working with the Champaign County Chamber, Foster said, Businesspeople today are so busy. We ve carefully designed this whole program to give members quick takeaways that they can use in their businesses right away. Krueger added, Our authors are leading experts in their field. The former COO of the Washington Redskins writes about leadership. Currently, two of the 20 social media marketing superstars according to a new, best-selling book write for us. Members will also hear from New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling authors. They re a great group, covering the gamut of hot business topics. He continued, A lot of business people are worried about the future. We see a tremendous amount of opportunity for businesses that grasp how the business environment is changing right before our eyes, extrapolate that understanding into the future, and then develop strategies to bridge the gap. That s why we re so passionate about this program now. Learn more about this program by contacting the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce at 217.359.1791 or info@champaigncounty.org.

www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p17 NeW RULeS New Rules: flex, HSas and Health Plans The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), also known as Health Care Reform, brought numerous changes to Health, Flex, and HRA plans. Several changes are effective January 1, 2011. New Nondiscrimination Rules apply to Insured Group Health Plans Insured group health plans have new rules to follow prohibiting discrimination in favor of highly compensated individuals (HCIs). The rules set by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and IRS Notice 2010-63 went into effect on Sept. 23. The new rules incorporate the nondiscrimination requirements of Code Section 105(h) (Eligibility and Benefi ts tests) and apply them to insured group health plans. If a self-insured plan does not comply with Section 105(h), Highly Compensated Individuals (HCIs) lose a tax benefi t. However, if an insured group health plan discriminates in the way it provides benefi ts through the plan, the plan itself will face penalties. Generally, this will entail an excise tax of $100 per day per individual discriminated against for each day the plan is not in compliance. Such plans could also face civil action under ERISA or the Public Health Service Act. The only acceptable form of documentation for reimbursement for OTC drugs and medicines is a doctor s prescription, as regulated by state law. Some common plan designs are no longer permissible. An insured major medical plan covering only HCIs with premiums paid outside a cafeteria plan (i.e., 100 percent employer-paid or paid by the HCIs on an after-tax basis) would have been a permissible plan design before the health care reform law s enactment. However, such a plan would likely fail the Eligibility Test under Code 105(h) (2) and would, therefore, not comply with the nondiscrimination requirement for insured plans under PHSA 2716. Will PPaCa affect Health flexible Spending accounts (fsas)? Yes, PPACA adds two new limits affecting health FSAs, one of which becomes effective soon. Beginning January 1, 2011, health FSAs will no longer be able to reimburse the costs of over-the-counter medicines or drugs (other than insulin) without a doctor s prescription. This change will also apply to health savings accounts and health reimbursements arrangements. In addition, beginning January 1, 2013, PPACA imposes a $2,500 cap on contributions to a health FSA offered through a cafeteria plan. (continued on pg. 18) Champaign County business licenses granted in October 201023

December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p18 www.champaigncounty.org NeW RULeS CONT. (continued from pg. 17) OTC Medicine and Drugs The IRS issued Notice 2010-59 and Revenue Ruling 2010-23 which provided initial guidance with respect to the new rule included in the Affordable Care Act that requires a doctor s prescription for the reimbursement of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medicines from Health FSAs, HRAs and HSAs. In summary, the guidance confi rms the following: Participants will still be able to use their tax-advantaged health care accounts for purchases of all OTC drugs and medicines, as long as they have a doctor s prescription. The rule applies to all tax-advantaged d health care accounts, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). The rule takes effect January 1, 2011 and applies to purchases on or after January 1, 2011, less of plan year. This includes 2010 plan year regard- grace period expenses for OTC drugs/medicines purchased on or after January 1, 2011. The only acceptable form of documentation for ment for OTC drugs and medicines is a doctor s reimburse- prescription, as regulated by state law. Insulin, medical devices (crutches, blood ar monitors, etc.) and items such as bandages, contact lens solutions, denture adhesives, etc. sug- remain eligible and will not require a prescription. Flex debit cards will be affected when used for OTC medicine/drug purchases on or after January 1, 2011. Most retailers will update their Inventory Information Approval Systems (IIAS) with the new eligible products list as soon as possible on or after January 1 to refl ect movement of OTC drugs or medicines from the Eligible to Dual Purpose category. The new guidance allows for a 15-day enforcement delay until January 16, 2011 for card transactions. This is to allow merchants time to implement the new eligible product list. Eligible items will continue to be approved at the point-of-sale. Dual Purpose items, however, such as aspirin and cough medicine, will require a doctor s prescription. Dual Purpose items will no longer be eligible for fl ex debit card purchase at the point of sale so you will need another form of payment. You can submit manual claims with a detailed receipt and a doctor s prescription for the OTC drug/medicine to be reimbursed from your FSA. HRa and Waivers for the New annual Limit By their nature, HRAs impose annual limits on essential health benefi ts. Reimbursements a participant may receive during a year are generally limited to the balance of their HRA account. Accordingly, if the new restrictions on annual limits apply to an HRA, the HRA will not be able to comply. The restrictions become applicable on the fi rst day of the fi rst plan year beginning on or after September 23, 2010. For calendar year plans, this is January 1, 2011. In light of the uncertainty regarding the status of stand-alone HRAs, plan sponsors should consider requesting a waiver of the annual limit rules. PPACA provides that a waiver of the annual limit rules is available in certain cases. Although primarily intended for mini-med plans and limited benefi t plans, the Department of Health & Human Services recently confi rmed that the waiver is also available for stand-alone HRAs. Accordingly, we recommend plan sponsors consider making an application for a waiver to ensure their HRAs are not out of compliance. Waiver Process: A waiver may be obtained by fi ling a request with the Department of Health and Human Services. The request must contain specifi c information and must demonstrate the reason application of the annual limit rules will result in a signifi cant decrease in access to benefi ts. Waivers are only good for one plan year, a group health plan or health insurance issuer must reapply for any subsequent plan or policy year prior to January 1, 2014 when this waiver expires. HHS HS will process complete waiver applications within 30 days of receiving them. Because of the uncertainty regarding which HRAs are subject to the annual limit rules (e.g., the meaning of integrated, the meaning of retiree-only, etc.) and the potential signifi cance of being wrong, plan sponsors should consider applying for waiv- ers as a safety net in case what they think is integrated or retiree-only turns out to be a stand-alone HRA. A copy of the instructions for the request is available on the Department of Health and Human Services website: http:// www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/patient/ ww.hhs.go ociio_2010-1_20100903_508.pdf. io_2010- Coverage of adult Children Expenses incurred on or after March 30, 2010 can be reimbursed by your health fl exible spending account if your plan provides for it, and the child does not reach age 27 by the end of the employee s taxable year in which the expense was incurred. For periods of coverage after March 30, 2010, health insurance premiums paid for children who do not reach age 27 by the end of the employee s taxable year can be paid with pre-tax dollars. Many additional rules will become effective in upcoming rules. Employers are advised to consult with reputable service providers to insure compliance with all applicable laws. Habeeb Habeeb is president & CEO of Benefi t Planning Consultants (BPC), a third party administrator of employee benefi t plans. He is a Certifi ed Flexible Compensation Instructor (CFCI) and a member of the board of directors of the Employer s Council on Flexible Compensation, a national organization based in Washington, D.C. 87 Single-family dwellings sold in Champaign County in October 2010

www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p19 LeGISLaTIVe UPDaTe Congressional Reset: The Clock Starts January 3, 2011 Now that the 2010 general election is over, people are already talking about the 2012 presidential election. But fi rst, let s slow down a bit and focus on governing this nation. A lot of talk occurs during the political campaigns, but there is little follow up action in Washington, DC. Here are a few things that the 111th Congress absolutely must address before the 112th Congress is sworn in early January, or they must start all over. Please note, as of the writing of this article, the 111th Congress has not acted on any of these items. 1) Did you realize the United States government is operating without a budget this year? Congress was unable to pass any of the necessary 12 appropriation bills for the fi scal year that started on October 1. The government is functioning on a continuing resolution that funds the government at existing levels up until December 3. In addition, Congress has to vote to increase the country s debt ceiling by March/April 2011 so we can increase our nation s debt past $14.3 trillion to continue operations past April or face a government shutdown. 2) All of the Bush tax cuts expire on December 31, 2010. This means that taxpayers will see the taxes withheld from their paychecks jump Taxpayers will see the taxes withheld from their paychecks jump by an average of 12 percent in January. by an average of 12 percent in January. President Obama wants to permanently extend the tax cuts for 98 percent of households earning less than $250,000 a year and Republicans, along with some Democrats, want to extend tax cuts for everyone, as those who fi le more than $250,000 include many small businesses. This is probably reforms starting in 2011. the most important issue that needs to be addressed. The IRS tax withholding tables will be issued in mid-december. This will help small businesses know what to expect for 2011 can they expand, invest in capital and/or hire new employees, or continue to save in anticipation of increased taxes for 2011? Furthermore, by 2012, the new tax increases associated with health care reforms will start providing even more uncertainty to small businesses as the newly empowered House Republicans pledge to rollback the 3) If Congress does not act by December 1 of this year, doctors will see a 23 percent cut in their Medicare reimbursement rates immediately and grow to 30 percent on January 1, 2011. Congress has passed a number of temporary extensions in past years to address the Medicare reimbursement rates, however, thus far has failed to (continued on pg. 22) Unemployment rate for Champaign County in October 2010 8.5%

December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p20 www.champaigncounty.org 2010 SMaLL BUSINeSS Of THe year The Chamber named HL Precision Machining, Inc. as its 2010 Small Business of the Year on Friday, October 29 at the Chamber Annual Meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign. HL Precision Machining is a manufacturer of parts and assemblies, and serves a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, agribusiness, food & beverage, military, plastics, and scientifi c instruments. They also provide services such as welding, assembly, and precision sheet metal fabrication. In the last year, the business has grown 13 percent, and has added 11 employees since 2008. HL has developed itself as more than just a machine shop by investing in a broad-based offering of precision machining, fabrication, welding, and assembly, as well as the latest state-of-the-art equipment and continuously training its personnel on current best methods, says Denny McMillan of Busey Bank, HL Precision Machining s nominator for the award. In addition to its success in its industry, managers and employees of HL Precision Machinery give back to the community through involvement with various organizations, including Restoration Urban Ministries, Cops for Kids, and Camp New Hope. Its president & CEO, Steve Hillard, is a past board member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Pinnacle Forum Central Illinois, and the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. This small company actually has great impact on numerous industries and is responsible for manufacturing precision parts for more than 100 other companies throughout the US. Their revenue and employee growth during hard economic times, in particular when manufacturing has struggled, is a testament to why they have earned the Small Business of the Year recognition, says Laura Weis, president & CEO of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. Past recipients of the Small Business of the Year Award include: Opportunity Specialists, Inc. (1994), UpClose Printing (1995), Norrell Services (now Spherion) (1996), The Herriott Group (1997), Flightstar Corp. (1998), The Lewis Insurance Store (now Dimond Bros. Agency) (1999), Martin, Hood, Friese & Associates (2000), Twin City Tent & Awning (2001), Curtis Orchard, Ltd. (2002), Mettler Center, LLC (2003), Ragle Dental Laboratory (2004), Browne s Fine Jewelry (2005), Benefi t Planning Consultants (2006), Chief/Bauer Heating and Air Conditioning (2007), Common Ground Food Co-op (2008), and do good Consulting (2009). Employee Benefit Administration Flex HRA HSA COBRA Cafeteria Plans 401 (k) Profit Sharing Money Purchase 403 (b) 457 ESOP DB Benefit Planning Consultants 2110 Clearlake Boulevard, Suite 200 PO Box 7500 Champaign, IL 61826-7500 217-531-9000 www.bpcinc.com We promise professional and attentive service and consulting. You have our word on it! Habeeb Habeeb President & CEO

www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p21 2010 MOST VaLUaBLe CITIZeNS The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce named George and Marge Sodemann as their 2010 Most Valuable Citizens on Friday, October 29. The announcement was made at the Chamber Annual Meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign. George and Marge have been actively involved in local and statewide organizations and their efforts have had a profound impact on our community, county, and state, says nominator Carol Scharlau. George Sodemann is the founder and president of Sodemann & Associates, an engineering firm in Champaign. The firm has done engineering work for various projects throughout the county, including the downtown Champaign streetscapes, the Schnucks plazas in Champaign and Urbana, and water treatment projects for several cities. George has served as past president of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers and the Consulting Engineering Council of Illinois, and was elected a fellow by the American Society of Civil Engineers. George was a campaign chair and president of United Way of Champaign County, creating the Pillars initiative, a nationally recognized fundraising program. He has also served on the United Way of Illinois board and on the Covenant Foundation Board at Provena Covenant Medical Center. Marge Sodemann has worked as a Champaign Township supervisor, a Champaign County board member, a Republican Party chairwoman, and served on the University of Illinois board of trustees from 2001 to 2006. Marge and George are a gracious and generous couple, says Jim Stukel, former president of the University of Illinois. The community is very fortunate to have two such caring individuals working on its behalf. Quietly, the Sodemanns have improved the quality of life in Champaign County through their service. We are pleased to recognize their lifetime of contributions by naming them our 2010 Most Valuable Citizens, says Laura Weis, president & CEO of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. Previous recipients of the Champaign County Most Valuable Citizen award include Helen Levin (1992), Vernon Barkstall (1993), Stan and Judy Ikenberry (1994), Edwin Scharlau (1995), Frank Elliott (1996), Larry Smarr (1997), Dannel McCollum (1998), Robert Toalson (1999), Michael Aiken (2000), Jim Turpin (2001), Dr. Zelema Harris (2002), Stanley Weaver (2003), George Shapland (2004), Doug and Linda Mills (2005), Donald and Newt Dodds (2006), Kyle and Phyllis Robeson (2007), Carol Scharlau (2008), and Carl Meyer (2009). 1917 Moreland Blvd Champaign, IL 61822 217.398.1000 1-888-Candlewood www.candlewoodsuites.com/champaignil

www.champaigncounty.org December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p22 LeGISLaTIVe UPDaTe (continued from pg. 19) pass legislation that will permanently address how much doctors are reimbursed for Medicare patients due to the high price tag involved, up to $300 billion by some estimates. If the 111th Congress does not act on these economic policy measures prior to leaving Washington before the Christmas break, the 112th Congress will have to start all over again, as every single bill filed to address these individual issues, even those that were passed one chamber (Senate or House) and stalled in the next, will die on January 3, 2011. Every initiative will have to be filed and redebated by 16 new members of the Senate and 93 new members of the Republican House of Representatives, which could lead to two years of government gridlock where nothing may get done. Spring into 2011 Visit the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce website at www.champaigncounty.org for dates and information on the following upcoming events: Chamber Breakfasts MeMbers only: log on to the members only section of the Chamber website to pay invoices, post coupons, update your profile and register for events. need help logging on? Contact Meghan Whalen at 217.359.1791 or MeghanW@champaigncounty.org. Business Expo First Friday Locations Business After Hours Locations and more! SCORE Counselors to America s Small Business Online Counseling Local Information and Workshops Person-to-Person Counseling www.eciscore.org

December/January 2010/2011 Commerce Connection p23 www.champaigncounty.org CaLeNDaR Of events BUSINeSS after HOURS: COMMeRCe BaNK THURSDay, DeCeMBeR 16, 5-7 P.M. Commerce Bank 1015 W. Windsor Rd., Champaign Cost: $5 donation Chamber members/$8 non-members Join fellow Chamber members and their guests in this great networking opportunity hosted this month by Commerce Bank. Proceeds from the $5 per person donation at the door will help fund Chamber programs. NOTE: The suggested donation for non-members and guests is $8. SCORe: STaRTING a SMaLL BUSINeSS THURSDay, JaNUaRy 20, 3-5:30 P.M. Champaign County Chamber of Commerce 1817 S. Neil St., Ste. 201, Champaign Cost: $20 per workshop or 2 for $35 Review the advantages, hazards and requirements of starting a small business. Content includes defining your business, company and competitive analysis, marketing, cash flow, tips for small business start-up and more. A workbook is provided. CHRISTMaS HOLIDay CHaMBeR OffICeS CLOSeD THURSDay, DeCeMBeR 23, all Day friday, DeCeMBeR 24, all Day Chamber offices will re-open on Monday, December 27, at 8 a.m. NeW year S HOLIDay CHaMBeR OffICeS CLOSeD friday, DeCeMBeR 31, all Day MONDay, JaNUaRy 3, all Day Chamber offices will re-open on Tuesday, January 4, at 8 a.m. GOVeRNMeNT COUNCIL WeDNeSDay, JaNUaRy 5, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Champaign County Chamber of Commerce 1817 S. Neil St., Ste. 201, Champaign Cost: free for Chamber members This council advocates the business interests of the membership in matters involving government at all levels federal, state, county and local. The council monitors legislative matters, presents policy recommendations to the Board of Directors and initiates appropriate action. Government Council meets on the first Wednesday of the month at the Chamber office from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. For more information on how to become involved contact Andrew Proctor, Public Policy Manager, at AndrewP@champaigncounty.org. CHaMBeR ambassadors THURSDay, JaNUaRy 13, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Champaign County Chamber of Commerce 1817 S. Neil St., Ste. 201, Champaign Cost: free for Chamber members The Chamber Ambassadors meet monthly and assist businesses and individuals with making the most of their Chamber membership. Ambassadors meet and mentor new Chamber members, attend ribbon cuttings, help new Chamber members network with the rest of the membership, and help new members find Chamber committees or events that will help benefit their businesses. For more information and to get involved, contact Paul Caravelli at PaulC@champaigncounty.org. agribusiness COMMITTee MeeTING THURSDay, JaNUaRy 20, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Champaign County Chamber of Commerce 1817 S. Neil St., Ste. 201, Champaign Cost: No charge for Chamber members Do you have an interest in learning more about Champaign County s largest industry? The Agribusiness Council meets monthly to address agriculture-related issues and develop ways to bridge the gap between the urban and rural business sectors. Contact Andrew Proctor, Public Policy Manager, at AndrewP@champaigncounty. org. Agribusiness Council meets monthly on the third Thursday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. The locations vary, so please check the Chamber s website at www.champaigncounty.org for more information. BUSINeSS after HOURS: HOLIDay INN HOTeL & CONfeReNCe CeNTeR THURSDay, JaNUaRy 20, 5-7 P.M. Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center 1001 Killarney St.., Urbana Cost: $5 donation Chamber members/$8 non-members Join fellow Chamber members and their guests in this great networking opportunity hosted this month by Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center Proceeds from the $5 per person donation at the door will help fund Chamber programs. NOTE: The suggested donation for non-members and guests is $8. SCORe: WRITING a BUSINeSS PLaN THURSDay, JaNUaRy 27, 3-5:30 P.M. Champaign County Chamber of Commerce 1817 S. Neil St., Ste. 201, Champaign Cost: $20 per workshop or 2 for $35 Review the importance of writing a business plan. Content includes business plan format, financial analysis, securing financing and more. A workbook is provided. ReGISTRaTION INfORMaTION To register for any of the Chamber events listed, contact Norma Wesley at the Chamber at 217.531.4669 or NormaW@champaigncounty.org. To register for SCORE events, contact Lynette Lykins at 217.359.1791 or LynetteL@champaigncounty.org. Register online at: www.champaigncounty.org

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