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"Representing the Best

Interests of Businesses"

- Gil Rynberk

2014 Chair

First National Bank

Wintrust Commercial Bank

 
photo taken by Jorge Norrick    
Advocacy * Access * Assistance             March 2014

  

     Welcome to the first edition of the 2014 Chicago Southland Chamber "News and Views" newsletter. Over the past 18 months we have been developing multiple online communication tools to help give you timely information about the Chamber and the business community. Such tools include the calendar reminders about upcoming programs and events that you need to be aware of; notices of important new changes to our communication platforms such as a robust downloadable Google calendar, click here to see it in action..... New Member Mondays which highlights companies that make up the Chamber; action alerts which gives you a method to stay current on important legislative issues (and tools to communicate your views to elected officials) and now, the newest News and Views newsletter that will go to greater lengths to give you current, valuable information and tools to help you grow your business. Last but not least, our website is ever changing.

 

     This is our portal to the Chicago Southland Business community, please check it out - bookmark it and visit regularly so you can take advantage of everything we offer. I sincerely hope that you find these electronic communications valuable. Let me know what you think so the staff can continue to enhance your membership. Please respond directly to me at david@chicagosouthlandchamber.com.

bills_coins.jpg Governor Calls for Minimum Wage Increase
Governor Pat Quinn has called for an increase in Illinois' minimum wage during his recent State of the State address and Senator Kimberly Lightford has followed suit by sponsoring SB 68.  SB 68 as amended will increase Illinois' minimum wage to over $10 an hour.  If successfully passed, Illinois would have the highest minimum wage in the nation; currently at $8.25 it is the highest in the Midwest and tied at fourth highest in the nation and tied to CPI would increase each and every year. .... 

 

 

Goldman Sachs Presenting: 10,000 Small Businesses

Our own Quintis Millsaps from Q's Cleaning Service, will be hosting the Goldman Sachs: 10,000 Small Businesses on Wednesday, March 26th. Quintis completed this program and has reached new heights with his business. Come, learn to identify and seize the opportunities to grow your business! Please join Quintis to learn more about the 10,000 Small Business Program. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses offers a practical business education and a supportive network of peers and advisors -AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. Accepted small business owners will learn practical skills to grow their business, including negotiations, marketing, employee management and more. Participants also receive one-on-one business advising and get expert guidance from Goldman Sachs professionals, attorneys, and others.

Applications are being accepted NOW for classes beginning in June. To get more Information go to www.ccc.edu/smallbiz. To RSVP please contact qmillsaps@qcleaning.com, you can also check the Chamber calendar for local information. 

Message from IDES Director, Jay Rowell: Summer Hires 

What is the first step in finding an employee? What tools are available, and at no cost? IDES Director Jay Rowell reminds business owners that March is an especially good time to review the state's hiring board that links them to their next new hire. And if you know of an individual that is looking for a summer job, a student who is graduating, or someone who is looking for a career shift, now is the time to start looking. Illinoisjoblink.com is a great tool for businesses. Illinoisjoblink.com is similar to commercial enterprises such as CareerBuilder, Hot Jobs, and Monster. However, Illinoisjoblink.com is managed by IDES. Employers do not have to pay to post help-wanted ads or search the resume database.  To learn more Read On.
Featured Business of the Month

CNG firm has focused on earning their place as a technology expert for small and medium technology solutions since 2003 in the Chicagoland area with now serving over 700 customers.  With their recent 10-year Anniversary, they are proud to have come so far in first starting as an Avaya Business Partner in 2003 offering business phone systems, to today installing complex Voice Over IP networks, data network refreshes, and reliable building wireless networks.  CNG also offer security solutions and hosted and managed services for business.

 

CNG is an Avaya Silver Business Partner with sales and support resources nationwide. They have a fully certified support staff ready to assist your business. They will design, install, and maintain a telecommunication and IP telephony solution around your businesses requirements and leverage their partnerships with multiple manufacturers of voice and data equipment to give you the best solution available.

 

They look forward to expanding their business further in the Southland Chicago, they offer free business analysis sessions and look forward to their further expansion in the South Suburbs. To learn more about CNG click here

 

In This Issue
Gov. Calls for Wage increase
Goldman Sachs Presents
Message from IDES
Featured Business of the Month
Quote of the Month
Quote of the Month

The real genius to make a marketplace flourish doesn't come from the government. It comes from the individual genius of its people.
- John Rohn
The Master of Success 
Chamber Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Become a Member
Upcoming Events
Open House: Quality Inn & Suites, Harvey
  3-7PM March 20, 2014
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, South Holland
  8:30-9:30AM March 27, 2014
Master Key to Unlock Doors for Leaders, Prairie State College
  9AM-3PM March 27, 2014
Open House: Sublime Development showcases the Colette - Mokena location
  5-7PM April 9, 2014
Southland Speaker Series, Tinley Park Convention Center
  11:30AM-1PM April 14, 2014
Chicago Southland Chamber Annual Golf Outing, Odyssey Country Club
   8AM-4PM June 23, 2014
 
Closing Headline
Goals. There's no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There's no telling what you can do when you believe in them. There's no telling what will happen when you act upon them. We are all reaching for new heights, let's do it together.
 
Contact Information
Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce
920 W. 175th Street, Ste. 3
Homewood, IL 60430
708-957-6950 office 708-957-6968 fax 
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