Chicago-Southland chamber: HOW THEY VOTED: MICHAEL MADIGAN'S $7 BILLION IMBALANCED ILLINOIS BUDGET
As the Illinois budget battle heated up in Springfield last week, House Speaker Michael Madigan pushed a budget bill that was $7 billion out of balance through the Illinois House.
It was a classic Madigan move: a controversial, 500-page bill brought to the House floor for a vote less than two hours after it was handed out to Republican lawmakers for review. It contained $700 million in additional funding for K-12 education - an area where Gov. Bruce Rauner and Republicans had said they wanted to increase spending. Its $39 billion price tag funded higher education and social services with no regard for the fact that the state would take in only $32 billion in revenue in the coming fiscal year. READ MORE
Executive Director Vicki Gardner to speak at FCHS’s 66th commencement
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| Vicki Gardner |
FCHS’s graduation exercises will begin at C.I. Dillon Stadium-Fred M. Brown Memorial Field at 10 a.m.
The Class of 2016 is comprised of 475 graduates, 44 of whom are distinguished honor graduates and 256 are honor graduates.
Distinguished honor graduates (grade point average of 4.0 or higher) will wear white gowns and will be first in the processional and recessional lines.
Those who are members of the National Honor Society will be wearing gold stoles.
Honor graduates will wear red gowns with gold tassels.
Gardner has served as executive director of the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center since September 2002.
Active in local, regional and state chamber affiliations, Gardner was the 2012 president of the Virginia Chamber Executives & Virginia Chamber Board of Directors and a graduate of the U.S. Chamber Institute of Organizational Management program. She is also a 2016 recipient of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Tourism Ambassador Award. Read more: Franklin News Post
Kentucky Chamber: 2016 a year of legislative victories for businesses 
However, despite the odds, policy trumped politics this year, making the session one of the most successful the business community has seen. The state budget and pension problems dominated the session, and we at the Kentucky Chamber think Frankfort made major strides in getting the state’s fiscal house in order.
The divided legislature was able to come up with a budget that is arguably the most responsible in years because it deals with our public pension problems head on, putting an additional $1 billion into the state’s ailing pension systems.
While we regret that our universities and community colleges will experience additional cuts, we are pleased that the budget contained targeted money for workforce development, more funds for college tuition assistance, and criteria for performance based funding of higher education, something the Chamber has supported for years.
In addition to the budget, the Chamber logged several other victories for the business community. The passage of public-private partnership (P3) legislation, a top priority for the Chamber for three years, will enable increased private investment in state and local infrastructure projects. Felony expungement legislation will address Kentucky’s workforce shortage by providing a second chance for thousands of Kentuckians who have a single, low-level felony charge.
Legislation to modernize rules for distillers, wineries and breweries will spur tourism and economic development, and a new workers’ compensation task force the Chamber lobbied for, will make recommendations to improve the workers’ compensation system. Read more: Kentucky Chamber
Leadership Gulf Coast’s 2016 Alumni Breakfast set for July 29
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| Kimberly Nastasi |
Mississippi Gulf Coast – The annual Leadership Gulf Coast Alumni Breakfast will be held on July 29, 2016 at the IP Casino Resort & Spa. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and the program begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. Dr. John Kelly, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Gulfport, will be the featured speaker for this event.
Since the start of the program in 1988, the Leadership Gulf Coast has graduated over 900 leaders. The goal of the program is to understand real problems and opportunities in our community and to create a communication network between present and emerging leaders dedicated to the improvement of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
“Leadership Gulf Coast continues to be an exceptional program which connect, informs and develops the best minds on the Mississippi Gulf Coast” said Kimberly Nastasi, Chief Executive Officer of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Tickets for the event are $30, which includes breakfast. Tables and sponsorships are also available. For additional information or to purchase tickets, tables or sponsorships, contact 228-604-0014.
Indiana Chamber Welcomes New Environmental, Energy Lobbyist
Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Profile & Membership Directory
The Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Profile & Membership Directory is available at the Crossroads Regional Chamber today! Thanks to Sue Reed and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Fox Cities Chamber Expo has problem-solving focus
Helping businesses overcome obstacles is the main focus of an event today, at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in downtown Appleton.
Amy Flanders of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce says more than 70 companies are participating in the business expo. She says each of them will talk about how they solved a problem. Flanders says they could range from getting a small business loan, to choosing a financial advisor.
The expo runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's free. Read more: WHBY.com
Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories and Custom Maps
Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.
Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest.More information: Town Square Publications
To request your publication proposal, Click here
Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey
Indiana Chamber Welcomes New Environmental, Energy Lobbyist
The Indiana Chamber has tapped Greg Ellis, an administrative law judge for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission since 2010, as its new vice president of energy and environmental policy.
Ellis will begin his work with the Indiana Chamber on May 31.
“Greg brings with him lobbying experience at the state and federal levels, as well as a history of working in the environmental arena – including with several agencies in state government. We are delighted to have someone with Greg’s extensive background join our organization and represent our members in these important issue areas, including continuing development of the state’s water resources plan,” says Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar.
Among Ellis’ various roles with the state of Indiana: He served as the business ombudsman for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and legal counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He was also chief legal counsel and legislative liaison for the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. In addition, Ellis served as an Indiana representative on the Council of Great Lakes Governors during development of the Great Lake Compact.
“I believe the Indiana Chamber is the perfect place to apply what I have learned throughout my career,” Ellis says. “I’m excited to be part of a team that has played a major role in helping craft our state’s excellent business climate. There is plenty of work left to do, from dealing with rising energy costs to building upon the water resource efforts of the past few years. I’m ready to tackle those challenges and more.”
Ellis, who lives in Zionsville with his wife and three children, received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University and his law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Ellis will begin his work with the Indiana Chamber on May 31.
“Greg brings with him lobbying experience at the state and federal levels, as well as a history of working in the environmental arena – including with several agencies in state government. We are delighted to have someone with Greg’s extensive background join our organization and represent our members in these important issue areas, including continuing development of the state’s water resources plan,” says Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar.
Among Ellis’ various roles with the state of Indiana: He served as the business ombudsman for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and legal counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He was also chief legal counsel and legislative liaison for the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. In addition, Ellis served as an Indiana representative on the Council of Great Lakes Governors during development of the Great Lake Compact.
“I believe the Indiana Chamber is the perfect place to apply what I have learned throughout my career,” Ellis says. “I’m excited to be part of a team that has played a major role in helping craft our state’s excellent business climate. There is plenty of work left to do, from dealing with rising energy costs to building upon the water resource efforts of the past few years. I’m ready to tackle those challenges and more.”
Ellis, who lives in Zionsville with his wife and three children, received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University and his law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Vince Griffin retired from the Indiana Chamber on April 29 after more than 18 years of service in the same position. Source Indiana Chamber
Michigan Chamber: Are You Ready to E-Verify?
E-Verify is a fast, free, and easy-to-use internet-based service run by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows employers to verify the eligibility of their newly hired employees to legally work in the United States. It is important that employers understand E-Verify and employee rightsduring the federal employment eligibility verification processes.
All U.S. employers are required by law to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 for every worker hired. That includes citizens and non-citizens.
E-Verify takes the Form I-9 process one step further. It compares information provided on a Form I-9 against information in government records. In most cases, It tells the employer in just seconds if an employee is eligible to work in the United States.
E-Verify is currently used by over 656,000 employers at 2.1 million hiring sites. It is growing rapidly, with more than 1,400 new businesses enrolling each week. Since September 2009, E-Verify is mandatory for many federal contractors.
Visit the E-Verify website to learn more: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Profile & Membership Directory
The Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Profile & Membership Directory is available at the Crossroads Regional Chamber today! Thanks to Sue Reed and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Fox Cities Chamber Expo has problem-solving focus
Helping businesses overcome obstacles is the main focus of an event today, at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in downtown Appleton.
Amy Flanders of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce says more than 70 companies are participating in the business expo. She says each of them will talk about how they solved a problem. Flanders says they could range from getting a small business loan, to choosing a financial advisor.
The expo runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's free. Read more: WHBY.com
Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories and Custom Maps
Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.
Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest.More information: Town Square Publications
To request your publication proposal, Click here
Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey
RULE
#2 If they write the plan, they
will underwrite the plan.
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