GalesburgGalesburgOn The GoOn The Go

BusinessBusinessAfter After HoursHours

VOLUME 2011, ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2012

The mission of theGalesburg Area

Chamber of Commerceis to serve its members

by enhancing the business climate and

promoting and stimulating the orderly

economic growth withinthe Galesburg area.

The

Express

Track

First Mid-Illinois Bank More than a Bank

The EntrepreneurshipCenter of West CentralIllinois

March 8, 14 and 27

Cottage HospitalFebruary 16

Carl Sandburg CollegeMarch 9

Entrepreneurship WeekFebruary 18-25

THISTHIS

MONTH’SMONTH’S

INSERTINSERT

WWednesday February 15ednesday February 15

Sponsored by:

Galesburg On The GoGalesburg On The Go

For reservations, please call the Chamber at 343-1194 or send via email to chamber@galesburg.org or fax us at 343-1195

at

59 South Kellogg S59 South Kellogg Streettreet

The Kensington Garden RoomThe Kensington Garden Room

Cost with reservation $10.00 without reservation $12.00 Buffet Lines open at 6:45 am

Monthly Newsletter of the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce

To sponsor GOTG or BAH

and find out more details

contact Mary Plue at

343-1194 or

chamber@galesburg.org

2 check out our website

February 3 Exhibition - February 3 -24, Tuesday - Friday 10:30 am - 4:30PM and Saturdays 10:30 am - 3:00 PMExhibition of Jared Lacy work!!! TheGalesburg Civic Art Center is pleasedto announce an exhibition of works byJared Lacy in the new Blick Gallery.The exhibition will feature Lacey's mostrecent works. Mr. Lacey has been alocal artist and art teacher for over 38years. His work has been featured inprevious GALEX exhibitions as well asin regional galleries. The NEW BlickGallery is located behind the One 12Gift Shop and is also connected to theGalesburg Civic Art Center's maingallery. Blick Gallery,112 E. MainStreet, Galesburg Heather Norman309-3427415 info@galesburgarts.orgwww.galesburgarts.org February 3 Women's Health & FitnessFair - 7:00 - 10:30 am National WearRed Day - Friday, February 3rd!!!! OnFebruary 3rd, everyone is encouragedto wear red to show support for womenand their fight against heart disease.Join us for our Women's Health &Fitness Fair and have your BloodPressure Checked, Blood SugarScreenings, Cholesterol Screenings($20), Ideal Weight Calculation, BodyMass Index, Exercise Programs, ChairMassages ($3). DOOR PRIZES, GIVEAWAYS, REFRESHMENTS, FREE!!!OSF St. Mary Medical Center CardiacRehab Center, 3333 N. SeminaryStreet, Galesburg Carrie Bernett 309-344-3161 X-1102carrie.a.bernett@osfhealthcare.org February 3 Rich Ankeney & MarianneVick Exhibition - Opening ReceptionFriday February 4th, 6-8 PM - Feb. 3rd- March 3rd, Tuesday - Friday 10:30 am

- 4: Exhibition by Rich Ankeney &Marianne Vick!!! The Galesburg Civic ArtCenter proudly presents a wonderfulexhibition of photographs by RichAnkeney of Galesburg and paintings byMarianne Vick of Chicago. Rich Ankeneywill be exhibiting a photograph collectionentitled Rich Ankeny's Car Show. Thisshow includes images taken aroundIowa, Illinois and Wisconsin and isinspired by Rich's interest in using currenttechnologies to create photographs with ahistorical and perhaps nostalgic aspect.Marianne Vick is a self-taught artist thathas developed her detailed, realistic styleof painting over the past 45 years. Forthe past 10 years the focus of her paint-ings has shifted from representationalwildlife painting to allegorical pictorialsfeaturing birds and their various charac-teristics as stand-ins for our uniquehuman conditions. Galesburg Civic ArtCenter, 114 E. Main Street, GalesburgHeather Norman 309-342-7415info@galesburgarts.org www.galesbur-garts.org

February 4 Pancake Breakfast to benefit

St. Jude's - 8:00 - 10:00 am PancakeBreakfast to benefit St. Jude!!! TheGalesburg-To-Peoria St. Jude Runnerswill be serving a pancake breakfastfundraiser at Applebee's on Saturday,February 4th. Come enjoy great foodand support these local runners for awonderful cause. Area participants andrunners will help serve all the pancakesyou can eat, along with bacon, juice, milkor coffee for just $5. The money raisedwill go 100% to support the St. JudeGalesburg to Peoria Run benefitting St.Jude Children's Research Hospital. The2012 run will be held on July 21st whenrunners from Galesburg and 29 othersatellite communities will all run, relay-style to Peoria. Tickets are limited andshould be purchased in advance.Applebee's, 1966 N. Henderson Street,Galesburg David Crose 309-221-9827

February 4 Recital - 7:30 PM Knox-Galesburg Symphony First ChairsForward Quartet Recital!!! This wonderfulrecital will feature Louise Polay on violin,Carolyn Suda on cello, Carol Neuleib onflute and Bruce Polay on piano. They willbe performing for your enjoyment, worksby Grieg, Poulene and Shostakovich.Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College Centerfor the Fine Arts, 500 S. Prairie Street,Galesburg Pearl Strickland 309-341-7268 pstrickl@knox.edu www.knoxgales-burgsymphony.org

February 10 Pancake Day - 11:00 am -1:00 PM and 5:00 -7:00 PM AnnualGalesburg Noon Lions Club PancakeDay!!! Some of the greatest pancakesaround with local club members cooking.Menu includes sausage, eggs, pancakes,coffee and milk. First United MethodistChurch, 120 N. Kellogg Street, GalesburgRon Beebe 309-368-8019

February 11 Chocolate Festival - 11:00 am- 4:00 PM both Saturday & SundayGalesburg Historical Society ChocolateFestival!!! Galesburg Historical Society'sAnnual Chocolate Festival featuringhomemade and commercially madechocolate treats. It is an endless buffet oftortes, cakes, pies, cookies, candies, bev-erages and much more. A chocolatelover's dream!!!! Being held on the thirdfloor of the famous Galesburg AntiquesMall, please use the elevator. GalesburgAntiques Mall, 349 E. Main Street,Galesburg Ron Peck 309-299-3590 ron-peck1974@gmail.com

February 12 Nova Singers Concert - 7:30PM Nova Singers presents Sun & Moon,Sea & Sky!!! Under the direction ofLaura Lane the Nova Singers presentsSun & Moon, Sea & Sky. As different asnight from day, so are the selections forthis thematic program. The lush sonori-ties of Eric Whitacre's Nox Aurumque, thepoignant sadness of Tormis; SingingAboard Ship, and the uplifting inspirationof Clausen's In Pace make this a concertthat should not be missed!! Additionally,

Nova will bring to the audience Szeroka

Woda, a set of Polish folk songs,

arranged by Gorecki, as well as the

smooth, soothing sounds of Cells

Planets, arranged by Vince Peterson.

First Lutheran Church, 364 E. Water

Street, Galesburg Nicole Warren 309-

341-7038 nova@knox.edu

February 16 Great Bowls of Soup - 5:00 -

7:00 PM Great Bowls of Soup!!! Once

again the Galesburg Civic Art Center

brings a unique and playful fund raiser to

Galesburg. Each participant will receive

a ceramic bowl created by a local artist

and a tasty soup made by local restau-

rants. Art, Food, Fun what a wonderful

combination to support the Civic Art

Center. Tickets may be purchased from

any Civic Art Center Board member,

Innkeeper's Coffee and the Galesburg

Civic Art Center. Get your tickets early as

the number of tickets sold is limited to the

number of bowls available. American

Legion, 571 E. North Street, Galesburg

Heather Norman 309-342-7514

info@galesburgarts.org www.galesbur-

garts.org

February 19 Play - Doubt: A Parable -

3:00 PM 2012 Red Carpet Series kick-

off; Doubt: A Parable!!! The theatre's

2012 Red Carpet Series kicks off in

February with the critically-acclaimed

stage production of Doubt: A Parable by

the Montana Repertory Theatre. Doubt

was written in 2004 by John Patrick

Stanley and quickly won accolades in the

theater world; including a 2005 Pulitzer

Prize for Drama and a Tony Award for

Best Play. Doubt was adapted for film in

2008 starring Meryl Streep and Philip

Seymour Hoffman and was nominated for

five Academy Awards. The play is set in

a fictional Bronx Catholic school in 1964

in which a progressive parish priest and a

rigidly conservative nun become at odds

over perceptions of inappropriate behav-

ior with a student. Orpheum Theatre, 57

S. Kellogg Street, Galesburg Paige K.

Rohweder 309-342-2299 paige@theor-

pheum.org www.theorpheum.org

February 20 Presidents' Day Program -

6:30 PM Presidents' Day Program!!! Get

swept up in the excitement of Teddy

Roosevelt's campaign for president with

performer Darrel Draper. Draper is one

of the most requested speakers in the

Nebraska Humanities Council's Speakers

Bureau Program. Appropriate for adults

and children age 10 and older. FREE

Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons

Street, Galesburg Jane Easterly 309-

343-6118 jane.easterly@galesbur-

glibrary.org

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February 25 Concert - 7:30 PM Knox-

Galesburg Symphony Subscription

Concert!!! This fantastic concert will fea-

ture cello soloist Maurice (Maury) Cohn.

Maury is a senior at Galesburg High

School, and has been a member of the

Knox-Galesburg Symphony for three

years. He will perform works by

Hallagher, Saint-Saens and Beethoven.

Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg Street,

Galesburg Orpheum Theatre 309-342-

2299 pstrickl@knox.edu www.knoxgales-

burgsymphony.org

February 25 Music Mornings - 10:00 am

Music Mornings "The Cello" Education

Program!!! FREE Knox-Galesburg

Symphony concert preview for preschool

through 5th grade children. It will be pre-

sented by Maurice (Maury) Cohn, KGS

orchestra member and concert soloist.

This educational event is open to the

public. Galesburg Public Library

Community Room, 40 E. Simmons

Street, Galesburg Pearl Strickland 309-

343-6118 pstrickl@knox.edu www.knox-

galesburgsymphony.org

February 28 Author Presentation & Book

Signing - 6:30 PM Author Presentation &

Book Signing by Owen Muelder!!! Local

author Owen Muelder discusses his

newest book, Theodore Weld and the

American Anti-Slavery Society. This pro-

gram is FREE and open to the public.

Owen Muelder is director of the

Underground Railroad Freedom Center

at Knox College.Galesburg Public

Library, 40 E. Simmons Street, Galesburg

Jane Easterly 309-343-6118 jane.easter-

ly@galesburglibrary.org

galesburg.org visitgalesburg.com greda.org 3

2012 Galesburg on the Go

MONTH/DATE BUSINESS

March 21 Hawthorne Inn

April 18 available

May 16 available

June 20 available

July 18 Knox County Farm Bureau

2012 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

MONTH/DATE BUSINESS

February available

March 27 Lake Bracken County Club

April available

May available

June IHMVCU

30 31 1 2 3

6 7Ambassador Corps -7:30 am

8.

9 10

13 14 15

GOTG

Education Task Force- 12 noon

16 17

20Chamber BoardMeeting- 12noon

21 22 23 24Housing Task Force -12 noon

27 28Environmental TaskForce Meeting - 12noon

29Government RelationsTask Force-7:00 am

1 2

Chamber EvChamber Events:ents: FebrFebr uaruar yyMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Chocolate Festival, Visitors Guide & Bald Eagle Days

The Galesburg Area was recently promoted at Bald Eagle Days in the Quad Cities, a

three day show. We shared a booth with three other western Illinois tourism groups

and displayed all the great adventures waiting for people in this part of the state. The

2012 Galesburg Visitor’s Guide was hot off the press highlighting our 175th

Anniversary. On the cover is a 1920’s picture of our bustling downtown. This guide

was handed out along with Galesburg trinkets and brochure information about area

attractions and events.

One of the events promoted is the upcoming Chocolate Festival sponsored by the

Galesburg Historical Society and held at the Galesburg Antiques Mall at Seminary

and Main. This event will be February 11 & 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and

the cost $8. It is a chocolate lovers dream with an endless variety of chocolate cre-

ations. There is also live entertainment and would be a great outing for the family.

Proceeds support the Galesburg Historical Society.

Please stop by the Welcome Center to pick up your 2012 Visitors Guide with all the

dates for our events and festivals this year. It also contains local historical facts,

restaurants, hotels, motels, bed & breakfast and highlights our attractions. Our

Facebook page is updated regularly with local events and is found at Galesburg Area

Convention & Visitors Bureau. As always you can find us on the web at www.visit-

galesburg.com.

BUSINESS RECORD KEEPING - THE 1099-K FORM

Self-Employment Might be an Attractive Option for

Persons with Disabilities

Latest figures from U.S. Bureau of LaborStatistics show that disabled persons aremore likely to be self-employed than non-disabled persons. Some reasons forchoosing self-employment are:

• Digital technology has broadenedopportunities

• Ability to control work schedule • Ability to tailor surroundings to

meet needs • Availability of assistive tools • Success not limited by misconcep-

tions • Tax benefits

There are road-blocks which have keptsome disabled persons from becoming

entrepreneurs.Loss of affordablehealth insurance isone reason somedo not choose self-employment.Statistics suppliedby CornellUniversity showthat 16.4% ofIllinois working agedisabled wereuninsured in 2009.

Reluctance of banks to make loans todisabled individuals has also caused diffi-culties.Illinois workNet portal provided manyresources to help those with disabilitiesfind employment. Individuals who areinterested in becoming self-employedcan find resources to help them exploreideas and form solid plans. Resources tohelp entrepreneurs locate small businesslending sources can also be found onthe workNet portal.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCESSelf-Employment Ideas:

• Homepreneurs blog providesthoughts on starting small andhome based businesses,http://homepreneurs.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/start-a-business-in-a-rough-economy/

• CarlVanderpal.com lists ideas for10 home based businesses,http://www.carlvanderpal.com/home-based-businesses/10-best-home-based-businesses/

• Information for self-employedtranslators can be found at theAmerican Translators Association(ATA) website,http://www.atanet.org/

Tax Info for the Self-Employed:• The IRS website provides guide-

lines about tax obligations for self-employed persons,http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/selfemployed/index.html

• Investopedia explores tax issuesand benefits for self-employed,http://www.investopedia.com/arti-cles/tax/09/self-employed-tax-deductions.asp#axzz1hNbzGIPE

• Reuters provides advice forSchedule C tax-filers,http://www.reuters.com/arti-cle/2011/12/22/us-usa-taxes-self-employed-idUSTRE7BL1N320111222

• This 2010 IRS publication aboutimpairment-related work expensesis helpful

• The IRS provides a 2011 Tax

Guide for Small Businesses whouse Schedule C or C-EZ

Health Insurance Issues:• Information about affordable insur-

ance exchanges for 2014 is foundat Healthcare.gov,http://www.healthcare.gov/law/fea-tures/choices/exchanges/index.html

• Information about Medicare cover-age for working disabled persons isprovided at Medicare.org,http://www.medicare.org/medicare-basics/23-medicare-basics/17-medicare-benefits-for-disabled-indi-viduals.html

Other Useful Resources:• Diversityworld.com is a clearing-

house of employment relatedresources for individuals with dis-abilities,http://www.diversityworld.com/Disability/selfempl.htm

• Self-employedmagazine.com, cov-ers many topics of interest to cur-rent or future self-employed per-sons, http://www.self-employment-magazine.com/category/magazine/

• The online Entrepreneur.com pro-vides many articles of interest toself-employed persons,http://www.entrepreneur.com/home-basedbiz/index.html

• Individuals wishing to start a busi-ness can access the SBA guide forpeople with disabilities,http://www.sba.gov/content/people-with-disabilities

Starting this month, business owners willbegin getting new tax forms issued bytheir credit card and on-line paymentprocessors. The form, called 1099-K,will document all 2011 transactionsprocessed for sellers with more than 200transactions and $20,000 in grossreceipts. The IRS estimates that 53 mil-lion forms will be issued by such proces-sors as eBay, PayPal and Amazon, aswell as credit card companies.Processors were required to obtain sell-ers' tax identification for these forms, somany of them sent out notices last yearwhen they were verifying the informationand making sure the right people got the

right form.

Essentially, the 1099-K is a simple formwith a box at the top that lists your totalgross revenue for the year processed bywhatever payment processor you used.Beneath that box is a breakdown of rev-enue month by month. In addition tosending you a copy, your processor isalso required to send the 1099-K to theIRS for comparison of gross receipts.

We encourage you to update any recordkeeping procedures that you use totrack these types of sales. You account-ant and/or tax preparer will have sug-

gestions on how to effectively detail thisinformation in a digital format.

- thanks to our friends at the BetterBusiness Bureau for providing informa-tion for this article.

4 check out our website

Providing Financial Services Since 1865.

Ask any customer and they’ll tell you, First Mid takes business banking to a new level. Our

checking accounts range from a basic free package to more robust options that include

valuable bundled services. Plus, our expertise in SBA Loans allows us to match you with the

right loan package at a competitive rate. First Mid is more than a bank… we’re your friends

and neighbors who provide advice and support when you need it most.

Lambasio Inc. offers a variety of services to both residential and commercial customers. Their services include plumbing, septic and sewer installations and repairs, water conditioning services, refrigeration, heating and air-conditioning, excavating and more.

Member FDIC • Equal Opportunity Lender

To learn more about First Mid, visit us online.

www.firstmid.com

“Mark has been with us from the

beginning, through the ups and

downs of having a new business and

watching it grow. We appreciate the

personal touch First Mid provides and

how available they are to answer our

questions.”

– Ted and Julie Lambasio Left to Right: Theresa Mangieri (First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust), Julie and Ted Lambasio (Owners, Lambasio Inc.) and Mark Blackburn (First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust)

We appreciate the personal touch First Mid provides.“

Galesburg - Main101 E. Main St.(309) 343-9181

Galesburg - Henderson1535 N. Henderson St.(309) 344-1203

Knoxville - Main331 E. Main St.(309) 289-2331

TOP 200C O M M U N I T Y

B A N K SUS BANKER MAGAZINE- JUNE 2011

MOSTT R U S T W O R T H YC O M P A N YFORBES MAGAZINE- AUGUST 2010

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Business Checking & savings

Lending - sBa Loans & More

electronic and Cash Management services

Cash Flow Management

Trust & Wealth Management

insurance offered through First Mid Insurance Group

”than a Bank...

More

High transaction volumes without high fees!

If your business writes a significant number of checks,

deposits large volumes of checks and cash, or frequently

withdraws cash each month, then this is the account

for you. Perfect for businesses that need a full array

of business banking services, First Mid’s Commercial

Analysis Checking helps you get the most out of every

dollar by providing:

• Detailed monthly analysis that shows exactly how your funds are working for you

• Earnings credit on checking balance that helps offset some or all of your monthly service fees

• Two great bundled service options that make “doing business” simpler and more convenient

• Convenient online account access

• No minimum balance

Open your account today with a low minimum deposit of just $100!

Member FDIC www.firstmid.com

Making Sure Every Dollar Pulls Its WeightWITH COMMERCIAL ANALYSIS CHECKING

• Business Debit Card

• Double Check

• Online Business Banking

• ACH Origination

• Online Business Bill Pay

• Positive Pay

• Everything in Bundle 1

• Remote Deposit Capture

• ACH Fraud Filter

Additional Services

• Merchant Services

• Business Credit Card

BUNDLE 1

BUNDLE 2

Two bundles. One great way to save.

For more information, visit or call your nearest First Mid banking center, log on to www.firstmid.com, or call (309) 343-9181.

Open to All Business Customers... Commercial Interest Checking! Business checking at its finest, earninghigher interest for higher balances.

BIG WHAT IS YOUR

IDEA THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER OF WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS A free workshop series for anyone considering starting a business.

Please call to RSVP.

EVALUATING THE IDEA: IS IT VIABLE?

GETTING IT ON PAPER: WRITING A BUSINESS PLAN

TAKE-OFF: FUNDING AND STARTUP

309-371-0473

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 from 6-7pm @ The Galesburg Public Library, Sanderson Room

40 E. Simmons St., Galesburg

Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 5:30-6:30pm @ The Sustainable Business Center

2900 W. Main St., Galesburg

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 from 6-7pm @ The Sustainable Business Center

2900 W. Main St., Galesburg

ryan.lilly@ebinetwork.org

atGalesburg Cottage Hospital

Join us at Cardiac Chic Thursday, February 16 5:30 p.m. Vendor Booths 6:30 p.m. Program Starts Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Downtown Galesburg Tickets are $10 Wear something red!

Cardiac Chic is a very special event presented by Galesburg Cottage Hospital in honor of Go Red For Women®. Go Red is a program of the American Heart Association (AHA), created to raise awareness of heart disease among women and to empower women to reduce their risk. You’re invited to:

♥ A dessert pastry buffet by Landmark Café and Creperie

♥ Vendor booths with great shopping opportunities

♥ Blood pressure, pulse oximetry and BMI screenings

♥ A presentation by Alar Sambandam, D.O., board-certified cardiologist, on how 80 percent of cardiac events in women can be prevented

Attendees who join Cottage Hospital’s Healthy Woman program, which sponsors the event, will have their name entered into a special door prize drawing for a $50 gift certificate to Landmark Café and Creperie.

Tickets for the event are $10 and are available at Cooks and Co., Landmark Café and Creperie, and Galesburg Cottage Hospital. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 345-4567.

It’s the art of loving your heart.

atGalesburg Cottage Hospital

atGalesburg Cottage Hospital

atGalesburg Cottage Hospital

atGalesburg Cottage Hospital

atGalesburg Cottage Hospital

atGalesburg Cottage Hospital

The Heart and Vascular Center at Galesburg Cottage Hospital

Go Red and Go Red For Women® are trademarks of AHA. The Red Dress Design is a trademark of U.S. DHHS.Member of the Medical Staff at Galesburg Cottage Hospital

A GALESBURG COTTAGE HOSP ITAL RESOURCE

60146_GALE_Chic_5x10_25c.indd 1 1/25/12 5:24 PM

MANAGING A

event

fridaymarch 9, 201211 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

cost $25(includes lunch)

carlsandburgcollege

criststudentcenterbuilding b

maincampusgalesburg

reservationsare required

for more informationor to register,call Linda309.345.3501or emaillhankins@sandburg.edu

Keynote Speaker

NANCY GREEN, CPCU, ARM

Executive Vice President Aon Risk Solutions

A highly respected national and international speaker, with over 25 years experience in risk management, Ms. Green has special expertise in Black Swan Event response and prepared-ness consulting, complex casualty programs, global property/casualty programs, and is a member of Aon’s Global Pandemic Task Force.

Ms. Green is a native of Galesburg and a graduate of Cornell College.

A Black Swan Event refers to a highly improbableoccurrence with three characteristics: it is impossible to predict, it carries a massive impact, and its shock value is stunning. Some people equate the term Black Swan with crisis and believe that crisis management plans,effective public relations strategy, business continuity planning, and supply chain risk management will enabletheir organization to successfully address any eventuality.

This presentation and discussion will help identify the keys to success in managing the “Unknown- Unknown.”

BlackSwan

Celebrate National Entrepreneurship Week!February 18-25, 2012

Galesburg on the Go Breakfast, Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 7:00 AMThe breakfast will be held at the Kensington Ballroom, 311 E. Simmons St. in Galesburg.

Call the Chamber of Commerce to Register: (309) 343-1194.

Announcements at the breakfast will include the State of Entrepreneurialism Report, upcoming workshops, and more!

For more information, please contact Ryan Lilly, Manager of the Entrepreneurship Center of West Central Illinois,

at 309-371-0473 or ryan.lilly@ebinetwork.org

GALESBURG HIGH SCHOOL JOB SHADOW DAY

galesburg.org visitgalesburg.com greda.org 5

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - W-2 TAX REPORTING AND EXPLANATION OF COVERAGE

GREDA welcomes its lat-est intern, Emily Whelchel.Ms. Whelchel is a KnoxCollege senior majoring inAsian Studies with a con-centration on Chinese anda minor in Business andMarketing. Not only dedi-cated to her studies, Ms.Whelchel holds leadershippositions in the women’sfraternity Pi Beta Phi andthe Greek leadershiporganization Order ofOmega. She originatesfrom Defiance, Missouriand is excited to get some

hands-on experience as the Marketing Intern for GREDA. Ms.Whelchel says, “I am very happy to have the opportunity towork with GREDA. Everyone is so friendly and actively involvedin the Galesburg community; they really inspire a sense of fami-ly. After only a short time here, I know this experience will helpme in all my future endeavors”. Ms. Whelchel will be withGREDA until she graduates in the spring.

Beginning in 2012, actually January 1st,employee benefit plan sponsors will berequired to report the "aggregate cost" of"applicable employer sponsored cover-age" on a Form W-2. "Applicableemployer sponsored coverage" meansemployer-provided health coverage thatis fully insured or self funded, and doesnot include stand-alone dental or visioncoverage. "Aggregate cost" is deter-mined under rules similar to calculatingCOBRA rates, including both employeeand employer contributions.

While the new reporting was originallyrequired to begin with the 2011 tax year,the IRS made compliance in 2011optional for all employers. Reporting will

generally be required beginning with the2012 tax year, but compliance still will beoptional at least through 2012 for smallemployers filling fewer than 250 W-2forms. Plan sponsors should begin tocoordinate their compliance efforts withpayroll and third-party administrators.

Also, not later than March 23, 2012, allemployer-sponsored group health plansmust prepare and provide, initially and atannual enrollment, a summary of bene-fits and coverage to all plan applicantsand participants. This information is inaddition to the Summary PlanDescription required under ERISA. TheUniform Explanation of Coverage cannotbe more than 4 pages, with print no

smaller than 12 point type, and mustinclude mandatory information concern-ing covered benefits, exclusions, cost-sharing, and coverage continuation.Participants must be notified of materialmodifications to the Uniform Explanationof Coverage no later than 60 days beforethe effective date of the material modifi-cation. Failure to comply with the newdisclosure rule may result in a $1,000penalty per failure. The Departments ofLabor, Treasury and Health and HumanServices released a Notice of ProposedRulemaking regarding the disclosureobligation on August 22, 2011.

-thanks to Freeborn & Peters LIP for pro-viding this information

The annual Galesburg High School JobShadow Day will be held on Tuesday,April 24th. This is an opportunity forarea businesses to work in partnershipwith GHS to provide students with ameaningful introduction to the world ofwork. Sophomores and Seniors partici-pate in this exercise to better under-stand the variety of careers and jobsthat may be available to them and tomake decisions about their futures.

Job Shadow Day is an opportunity foryou to showcase your business andjobs and help students explore their

career options. We want to encourage

you to host a student or students at

your business on the morning of April

24th and ask that you call Donna Abel

or Jeff Houston at GHS at 343-3733 to

let them know of your interest. They

will arrange the student visit to your

facility and coordinate the schedule with

you.

We hope you will participate in this

important career event and call our

office at 343-1194 for more information.

GREDA welcomes itsnewest intern, Tao Zhang.Mr. Zhang is a KnoxCollege senior majoring inEconomics and also study-ing Business andManagement and Germanas minors. As a student atKnox College, Mr. Zhangmaintains high academicexcellence and participatesin a variety of on-campusand off-campus activities.He is currently the Co-presi-dent of Chinese club and isalso an amateur boxer at Galesburg Youth Athletic Club.Mr. Zhang comes from Chengdu, China and looks for-ward to gaining some real-world working experience asthe Time Bank Coordinator for GREDA until he graduatesin the spring. “This is a precious opportunity for me todive into the Galesburg communities and make an impacton them. I can not wait to work with the diverse popula-tion here and make ties between neighborhoods tighter”,says Mr. Zhang.

Pictured left to right: Chris Ellison, Tim Ellison, Dan Allen, Tyrell Bell, Tony Batson, Mark Geiger,Jeff Everhart, Jim Bozich, Brandon Cooper, Josh Unger, Bub Pringle, Dennis Stoneking

6 check out our website

GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW GALESBURG TOYOTA SCION

"CARDIAC CHIC"

AT COTTAGE HOSPITAL

Galesburg Toyota broke ground in January for the construction of their new facility to begin onNorth Seminary Street just north of Buffalo Wild Wings. The anticipated opening of the new

Galesburg Toyota Scion dealership is early April.

Join members of Galesburg Cottage Hospital onThursday, February 16th for a very special event toraise the awareness of heart disease in women.Held at the Heart and Vascular Center, "CardiacChic" will be presented in honor of Go Red forWomen, a program of the American HeartAssociation.

Vendor booths will open at 5:30 P.M., offering avariety of shopping opportunities, followed by a for-mal presentation at 6:30. Dr. Alar Sambandam, aboard-certified cardiologist, will discuss how 80%of cardiac events in women can be prevented.Throughout the evening, screenings will be offeredfor blood pressure, pulse oximetry and BMI.Additionally, participants will enjoy a dessert pastrybuffet by the Landmark Cafe and Creperie.

Tickets for the event are $10 and may be obtainedat Cooks & Company,the Landmark Cafeand GalesburgCottage Hospital.For more informa-tion and to reservetickets, call 345-4567.

galesburg.org visitgalesburg.com greda.org 7

AMBASSADOR CORPS

Lance Aten.....................................Tompkins State Bank

Carrie Bernett...................OSF St. Mary Medical Center

Trent Cox..........................................First Midwest Bank

Nancy Dahlberg.................Century 21/Tucker Swanson

Jim Dieterich................Midwest Bank of Western Illinois

Doug Gibb......................................Hospice Compassus

Mary Ann Hale..............Knox-Warren Special Education

Bob Juraco.........................................Wells Fargo Bank

Theresa Mangieri..........................First Mid-Illinois Bank

Doris Medhurst.....................Orange Julius/KarmelKorn

Carl Nixon...............................Accounting Systems, Inc.

Annette Pickrel.............................................F & M Bank

Lori Putnam..................................................F & M Bank

Chris Ryner................IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union

Angie Randolph.............................First Mid-Illinois Bank

Jackie Turner...........................................Mel Foster Co.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

CHAIRMAN

Steve McKelvie.......................Johnson Building System

TREASURER

Dave McDonald.............................McDonald & Conolly

DIRECTORS

Geoff Hurd....................Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes

Alderman Wayne Allen........................City of Galesburg

Kelli Bennewitz................................................City Clerk

Josh Gibb.................Galesburg Community Foundation

Mike Holloway..............................................F & M Bank

Julie Lambasio.........................................Lambasio, Inc.

Tammy Lufkin........................................Hansen Lumber

Dave Rasmussen.............................Hy-Vee Food Store

Jerry Reynolds...............................Knox County Landfill

CHAMBER PRESIDENT

Robert C Maus

Galesburg Business Index

November 11 October11 November 10

Real Estate Activity (MLS) (Board of Realtors)

Number of listings Sold 86 86 88

Dollar Volume Sold $7,393,950 $6,569,000 $6,133,988

Average Selling Price $85,976 $76,384 $69,704

Knox County Labor Force (IDES)

Civilian Labor Force 26,144 26,217 26,115

Number Employed 23,980 23,951 23,834

Unemployment Rate 8.3% 8.6% 8.7%

State Sales & Use (City of Galesburg Financial Department)

Taxes Collected $425,310 $435,339 $409,105

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Progress Rail Services

Corporation

Mr. Josh Husted

618 US Hwy. 150E

343-6176, ext. 5

Monthly Newsletter of the Galesburg AreaChamber of Commerce

185 S. Kellogg StreetP.O. Box 749Galesburg, Illinois 61402-0749

Phone: 309-343-1194Fax: 309-343-1195Email: chamber@galesburg.org

PRESORT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 60GALESBURG, IL

STAFF

PRESIDENTRobert C. Maus

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTMary Plue

BOOKKEEPERPatsy Gray

TOURISM EXECUTIVE DIRECTORJudy Guenseth

TOURISM SALES ASSOCIATEJudy Moorehead

TOURISM ASSOCIATEJerry Wood

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