annual report - Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce

ANNUAL SPONSORS
Peoples Bank
of Kankakee County
2014-15
200 East Court Street- Suite 710
Kankakee, IL 60901
815.351.9068
kankakeecountychamber.com
• Superior Carriers Inc • Sweet Street • T A Design Kitchen Gallery of Bourbonnais • Tanner’s Collision Center • Target
• Taylor Publications/City News • TD Pete’s • Tenco Excavating, Inc. • The 800-Pound Gorilla, Inc • The Salvation Army
• Tholens’ Landscaping & Garden Center • Thresholds • Total Spectrum LLC • Tower Loan of Kankakee • Tucci’s •
Tuffy Auto Service Center • Turk Furniture • Turn-Key Environmental • Tyson Engineering Inc • United Way of Kankakee
County • Universal Experts • University of Illinois Extension • University of St. Francis • UPS Store, The • USAgain LLC
dba Clothing Drop Spot • Vallone, John A. D.D.S. • Valspar Corporation • Van Til Chiropractic • Verghese, George MD
SC • Vernon & Maz, Inc. • Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County • Village of Aroma Park • Village of
Bourbonnais • Village of Bradley • Village of St. Anne • Village of Sun River Terrace • Vitas Innovative Hospice Care •
VNA Healthtrends • Walgreens • Wells Fargo Home Mortgage • West Labs • Westphal Jewelers • WGFA Radio • Windy
City Lighting • WKAN/WYKT/WXNU Radio • YWCA Kankakee
ANNUAL REPORT
The Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce
is a not-for-profit corporation comprised of
local businesses and individuals. Our Mission is
to provide businesses with essential resources,
training, and networking opportunities to retain
customers, increase revenue and strengthen their
position within our communities.
CHAMBER AFFILIATES
The Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce offers a wealth of resources for all
businesses. Newly established and experienced business owners alike can benefit
from the resources available only to Chamber of Commerce members.
I am privileged to chair the Board of Directors and report
that the Chamber’s impact is real and on the move.
– Matt McBurnie, Chairman
Women In Networking was developed
and created to provide networking
opportunities to all women. WIN’s
mission is to empower professional
and personal relationships for women
through specific programming and service opportunities.
Optimism. Momentum. Value. I believe these three words are synonymous with the
Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce. I am privileged to chair the Board of
Directors and report that the Chamber’s impact is real and on the move.
Since the Board approved the three year strategic plan in May of 2014, we
launched committees around the six strategic initiatives. Each of these committees
is comprised of board members and other Chamber members. I am pleased to share
that each of these committees is moving the strategic plan forward, in concert with
the others, and in alignment with increasing value to the Chamber membership and
business community as a whole.
In late December, the Chamber hired its first Executive Director, Barbara BrewerWatson. Though our initial planning anticipated this key hire would be further down
the road, our review of our trajectory and growth needs compelled us to find this
leader more quickly. Barbi has been a quick study, works tirelessly, and has quickly
developed efficient systems for effective operations. Along with Gina Cordes,
Operations Assistant, they are maximizing technology and communication, and fully
supporting Business Before and After Hour events, special events, and committee
meetings and forums. With Treasurer Jimmy Joins, they developed a contract with
Borschnack, Pelletier & Co. to handle financial operations. Not only does this
provide sustained expertise and oversight transparency, but it is very cost effective
as well.
The Chamber is committed to increasing its value for members. In addition to
connecting and promoting new and continuing members, the Chamber actively
collaborates with strategic partners The Economic Alliance and The Kankakee
County Convention and Visitors Bureau to expand and broaden the county’s
business climate, tourism, and overall business patronage.
Kankakee County Young Professionals is
a group whose goal is to grow and equip
young professionals to lead the community. Focus areas are business and social
networking, professional and leadership
development, and community and civic involvement. The group meets regularly for
networking lunches and evening events.
A M B AS S A D O R S
People do business with people they
know. With the assistance of our Ambassadors, the Kankakee County Chamber
gives you opportunities to meet other
businesses and consumers in the community at a variety of Chamber-sponsored
events.
It is a joy to represent the Chamber’s members around the Board table. Thank you
for your continued financial investment and trust. I look forward to this next year of
greater value for each of us.
A Plus Home Improvements by Tousignant Inc • A-1 Drywall Services Inc. • Aaron’s Alarm Company • Accelerated
Rehabilitation Centers • Accuquest Hearing Centers • Acting Out Theatre Company • Adcraft Printers • Advance Auto
Parts • Advanced Climate Solutions LLC • Advantage Copier Equipment & Service, Inc. • Adventure Christian Church
• Aldi, Inc. • Allied Disposal Service • Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar • Aqua Illinois Incorporated • Aquarius
Minds • Aquinas Catholic Academy • Area Material, Inc. • Arends Hogan Walker LLC • Arseneau Media Productions Inc
• Arthritis Foundation • Associated Orthodontists • AT&T • Aurelios Pizzeria • Axcess Physical Therapy • Ba Da Bloom
Flower Shoppe • Bank of Bourbonnais • Barmann, Bohlen & Jacobi, P.c. • BBCHS • BBCHS Academic Foundation •
Belson Steel Center Scrap, Inc • Beltone Hearing Aid Service • Benefit Planning Consultants Inc • Bennett & Brosseau
Roofing, Inc. • Biggby Coffee • Blanchette Apartment Condos • Bliss Bridal and Prom • BMA Management Ltd • BMWC
Constructors, Inc. • Borschnack Pelletier & Co. • Boudreau & Fischer Insurance Agency, Inc. • Bourbonnais Elementary
School District • Bourbonnais Fire Protection District • Bourbonnais Friendship Festival • Bourbonnais Public Library •
Bourbonnais Township • Bourbonnais Township Park District • Bradley Bourbonnais Rotary Club • Bradley Elementary
School • Bradley Public Library • Bradley-Bourbonnais Youth Softball League, Inc. • Brickstone Restaurant & Brewery •
Simoneau, Inc. • Play Palz 101 Inc. • Pool Cover Pros Inc. • Prairieview Lutheran Home • Precision Piping, Inc • Premier
Printing of Illinois • Premium Specialties • Presence Heritage Village/Art Gallery • Presence Intergenerational Facility
• Presence Our Lady of Victory • Presence St. Mary’s Hospital • Process Electric & Communications, Inc. • Protection
Associates • Proven Business Systems • R & R, Inc. • Randazzo’s Gallery • Ravenspring Creative, LLC • Real Living
Speckman Realty, Inc. • Real Living Speckman Realty, Inc. • Renville Gaming LLC • Ring Container • River Valley
Metro Mass Transit District • River Valley Special Recreation Assoc. • River Valley Supportive Living Facility • Riverside
Community Credit Union • Riverside HealthCare • Riverview Pharmacy • Rosatis Pizza • Roto-Rooter • Ruder Electric
• Ryan George Jr. Insurance Group • Sabrina M. Ostrom • Sally Evans • Scanlon Collision • Scanlon Excavating and
Concrete, Inc. • Schreffler Funeral Homes • SDC Employees Credit Union • Secure Care of America • Security Finance
• Service Master DSI • Servpro of Kankakee County • Sheet Metal Workers Local 265 • Shelby’s • Shine.FM 89.7 •
Simms Engineering • Skydive Greater • Slim’s Pour House • Smart Wash Laundry Center • Smith, Koelling, Dykstra &
Ohm, PC • Smitty’s Bar Inc. • Spa Remedy • Sportsclips Haircuts • Spotlight Meetings & Events, Inc. • St. George CCSD
#258 • Standard Title Guaranty Company • State Representative Kate Cloonen • Steve Harder • Stevenson Auto Sales
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014-15
Matt McBurnie, Chairman
Vice President of
Institutional Advancement
Riverside Healthcare
ACTIVE MEMBERS
Advertising and Media
Automotive and Marine
Business and Professional Services
Construction Equipment and Contractors
Finance and Insurance
Government, Education and Individuals
Health Care
Lodging and Travel
Manufacturing, Production & Wholesale
Non-Profit Organizations
Personal Services & Care
Public Utilities and Environment
Real Estate
Restaurants, Food and Beverages
Shopping and Specialty Retail
Sports and Recreation
11
19
33
43
35
17
2
30
6
28
17
3
9
23
8
29
Jeff Hammes, Vice Chairman
President
Peoples Bank of Kankakee County
Connie Legris
Executive Officer
Kankakee-Iroquois-Ford
Association of Realtors
Andy Czako, Secretary
Managing Broker
McColly Bennett Real Estate
Mike O’Brien
Chief Operating Officer
HomeStar Bank
Jimmy Joines, Treasurer
Vice President of Finance
Kankakee Valley Construction Company
Theodis Pace
President
Kankakee County NAACP
Bernie Anderson
Community Relations and Economic
Development Manager-IL
Nicor Gas
Neil Piggush
President
Piggush Engineering, Inc.
Jeff Bennett
Manager
McColly Bennett Commercial
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Jeff Domagalski
Senior Development Officer
Olivet Nazarene University
Partnerships are essential for the Economic Alliance
to meet the community’s ambitious goals for business
retention, expansion, and attraction, along with
workforce and community development. The
Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce shares
the Alliance’s vision for local economic renewal and our commitment to growing
community vitality through impactful programming. Great strides will be taken in
the coming years in this strong collaborative environment.
– Michael J. Van Mill, President/CEO,
Economic Alliance of Kankakee County
Rev. Jess Gathing Jr.
Community Leader
Zion Gate Missionary Baptist Church
The Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau
is partnering with the Kankakee County Chamber of
Commerce and The Economic Alliance of Kankakee
County to create and enhance economic prosperity in
our community. The KCCVB’s future plans are to strengthen our relationships and
work closer with our partners to create a destination where individuals can work,
live, and play.
– Larry Williams, Executive Director
Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau
The • Lee Sharman & Associates • Legal Shield & Identity Theft Protection Service • Legris Hawtree and Associates Ltd •
Life in Balance Clinical Counseling Services, Inc. • LinkPoint Media • Linskey Homestead, Inc. • Little Caesars • M & M
Sheet Metal Inc • M Gingerich Gereaux & Associates • Mackin & Mest Agency • MainSource Bank • Majestic Theatre •
Mallaney Auto Body Inc. / CARSTAR • Manpower • Manteno Chamber of Commerce • March of Dimes- Kankakee County
• Marian Physical Therapy • Marquie & Lambert Inc • Martin Whalen Office Solutions, Inc. • Matt Nafziger State Farm
Insurance • Matt Waite State Farm Agency • Mc Millan Insurance Services • McColly Bennett • Midland States Bank •
Milner Broadcasting • Minuteman Press • Momence Packing Company • Morgan Stanley • Municipal Bank • Murphy
USA • NAACP- Kankakee Branch ``• Nana’s 2! Cakery & Cafe • Nancy’s Pizza • NDC Payment Solutions • Netherton’s
Body Shop Inc • Nicor Gas • Northfield Square Mall • Nucor Steel • Nugent Curtis Real Estate • Oak Springs Golf Course,
Restaurant & Lounge • Oasis Medical Services • Oberweis Ice Cream & Dairy Store • Oliver’s Bar & Grill - Kankakee •
Olivet Nazarene University • One Stop Shop Blinds • Orkin • Orthopedic Associates of Kankakee, S.C. • Pacesetter Truck
Accessories, Inc. • Paul Mitchell The School Bradley • People 4 U • People Etc., LLC • Peoplelink Staffing Solutions •
Peoples Bank of Kankakee County • Pepsi Beverages Company • Piggush Engineering Inc. • Piggush
Aundrea Lollar
Environmental Engineer
Nucor Corporation
Robert Gernon
Licensed Funeral Director
Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes
Amy LaFine
Executive Director
Presence St. Mary’s Foundation
Walter Schneider
Village Trustee
Village of Aroma Park
Scott Snavely
Market President
Midland States Bank
Venkat Subrahmanian
Chief Financial Officer-USA
Huber Group
Josh Surber
Claims Supervisor
Cigna
Dr. Rich VanTil
Owner/Chiropracter
VanTil Chiropractic
The Kankakee County Chamber has earned the support
of the entire business community over the past few
years. This is a remarkably positive development and
a testament to the work the Chamber does for local
businesses and the community in general. As the Chamber
continues its work, its influence and effectiveness will
continue to grow.
– Mike O’Brien, Inaugural Chairman 2012-2014
Brookmont Bowling Center • Brown & Brown Chevrolet Hyundai • BTDM LLC • Burke Montague & Associates LLC •
Burling Professsional Cleaners • Camelot Therapeutic Day School - Kankakee Campus • Carlile Group • Carpenters
Local 496 • Casey’s General Store • Centrue Bank • Chad Ringler Financial Services • Cheryl Sackett • Chicago Dough
Company • Chief Strategies • Child Care Resource & Referral • Christmas Day Inc • CIBC of Illinois Inc. • CIGNAConnecticut General • City of Kankakee • City Tavern • Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes • Classic Cinemas Paramount
& Meadowview Theaters • Comcast Business • ComEd • Commercial Glazing, Inc • Commonwealth Credit Union •
Converging Networks Group, Inc. • Cornerstone Services, Inc. • Country Financial- Gene Ryan • Country Table, The •
County West Animal Hospital • Court Street Ford • Cracker Barrel Old Country Store • Creditors Collection Bureau, Inc.
• Crockett Construction, Inc. • CSL Behring • Daily Journal, The • David Bruce Auto Center, Inc. • Deck and Baron •
Dental Group of Bourbonnais • Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Associates SC • Dick’s Asphalt Service • DKG Consulting
• Dow Chemical Company • Dr. Abraham Kurien • Dugan, Lisa - Retired State Rep • Dugan-Roof, Jaclyn • Dunlap Vision
• E2i, Inc • Eastcourt Village • Eastern Grain Marketing LLC • Economic Alliance of Kankakee County • Economy Inn •
Edward Jones- David Robinson • Elite Community Credit Union • Endodontic & Periodontic Assoc. LTD • Fairfield Inn •
2014-15
This past year has been exciting for your Chamber.
I am proud to be your Executive Director and look
forward to our progress and growth in the next year.
– Barbi Watson, Executive Director
Since forming in 2012, the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce has been
diligently working to create a strong organization that will have an impact on our
community for years to come.
In 2014, keeping with that vision, the Chamber planted roots at an office on the
seventh floor of the Executive Centre building in Kankakee, hired a full-time
executive director, a part-time operations assistant, contracted with Borschnack
Pelletier as its accountant, and invested in technology to provide crucial updates to
the Chambers database as well as its website.
Behind the scenes your board of directors and I have organized and developed
an employee handbook, a fiscal management policy, and updated the bylaws - all
necessary to ensure that we are able to follow through with our commitment of
transparency to you, our members.
As the Chamber’s inaugural Executive Director, I have taken pride in the organization’s
commitment to collaboration by continuing an influential relationship with our
strategic partners. These relationships provide you with access to educational
materials, studies, programs, and events that you may take advantage of.
In this annual report, you will find information about our diverse membership, our
financial strengths, and our affiliates. With the best practices and infrastructure in
place, the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce is now able to play a leading
role in the exciting business growth that is happening in our communities right now.
BY THE NUMBERS
$3,974
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$74,354
$39,050
EXPENSES
REVENUE AND SUPPORT
Membership Dues
Sponsorship for Events
Program/Events Income
Membership Services
Other Income
Operating Expenses
Program/Event Expenses
Transfer to Affiliates
Total Expenses: $160,124
Total Revenue and Support: $170,889
1,070 25
TOTAL COMBINED ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL EVENTS
10
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS &
BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES
42,819
Farm & Fleet • Farmers State Bank of Danforth • Fast Signs • FCA Floor Covering Associates • Federated Bank • FEED
Arts, Inc. • Fieldstone Credit Union • First Trust Bank • Fisher-Gentry Eye Care • Fitness Premier • Flight 102 Wine
Bar • Foot Health Center • Forest Preserve District of Will County • Foster Chiropractic • Frank’s Appliance Center &
Sleepsource • Franke, Carole • Friendly Signs, Inc. • Frontline Real Estate Partners LLC • G & G Printing/The Print
Shop • Gallagher Asphalt Corporation • Garcia, Rev. Larry • GeekSpeak Incorporated • Geoffrey Johns & Assoc. LLC
• Gerber Collision & Glass • Girard Electric, Inc. • Glade Plumbing and Piping Co. • Glenn Nixon • Good Shepherd
Manor • Goodberlet Home Services • Gordon Electric Supply • GPHomestay • Groskreutz, Schmidt, Abraham, Eshleman
& Gerretse • Grumish Chiropractic Office • Gwen Hopkins Group • Hampton Inn • Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics •
Harbor House • Heartland Blood Centers • Heartland Harvest Group Inc • Heatwave Home Services Inc • Hemenover
ConstructionHerald/ • Country Market • Heritage Development & Construction, Inc. • Heritage Woods of Manteno •
Hicksgas Kankakee Inc. • Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center • Hoffman Chiropractic Neurology • Holiday Inn Express
& Suites • Holohan Heating & Sheetmetal, Inc. • Home Helpers • HomeStar Bank • Homestar Title Co. • Hospice of
Kankakee Valley • Hove Buick-Nissan Inc. • Huber Group USA, Inc. • Illiana Financial Credit Union • Image Group •
$74,354
$39,050
WEBSITE VIEWS -GOOGLE ANALYTICS
Impact Fitness • Indian Oaks Academy • Iroquois Federal • Iroquois-Kankakee R.O.E. • J.K. Steel Erectors Inc •
Jaenickes Rootbeer Stand • JH2B Architects, Inc. • Jim Brosseau Custom Roofing • Jim Rowe- Rowe & Associates •
Jo Jo Sayson’s Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation • John R. Tate Advocacy Center • JR Short Milling Co • JR’s Chicken
• Kankakee Area Career Center • Kankakee Area YMCA • Kankakee Auto Recyclers • Kankakee Building & Construction
Trade Council • Kankakee Community College • Kankakee Concealed Carry • Kankakee Country Club • Kankakee
County Administration • Kankakee County Community Services • Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau •
Kankakee County Farm Bureau • Kankakee County Hispanic Partnership Inc • Kankakee County Historical Society •
Kankakee Development Corporation • Kankakee Disposal Service • Kankakee Iroquois County Assoc. of Realtors •
Kankakee Natural Foods, Inc. • Kankakee Public Library • Kankakee Rotary Club • Kankakee School District 111 •
Kankakee Valley Airport Authority • Kankakee Valley Construction Company, Inc. • Kankakee Valley Montessori School •
Kankakee Valley Park District Kankakee Valley Theatre Association • KC-CASA • Kelly Services • KEM Foods, Inc. • Ken’s
Truck Repair Inc • Kidney Specialist of Kankakee, Ltd • Kinder Morgan • King Music Inc • Kliest & Cyrier Painting Co. •
Knights of Columbus • Koehler Chiropractic, Sports & Spinal Rehab • Koehler, Frank • L & G Marine Inc. • Learning Tree,