Who Are You?

Mystery Member of the Week: 

Starbucks

To say Starbucks purchases and roasts high-quality whole bean coffees is very true. That’s the essence of what we do – but it hardly tells the whole story.

Our Heritage

Every day, we go to work hoping to do two things: share great coffee with our friends and help make the world a little better. It was true when the first Starbucks opened in 1971, and it’s just as true today.

Back then, the company was a single store in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. From just a narrow storefront, Starbucks offered some of the world’s finest fresh-roasted whole bean coffees. The name, inspired by Moby Dick, evoked the romance of the high seas and the seafaring tradition of the early coffee traders.

In 1981, Howard Schultz (Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer) had first walked into a Starbucks store. From his first cup of Sumatra, Howard was drawn into Starbucks and joined a year later.

In 1983, Howard traveled to Italy and became captivated with Italian coffee bars and the romance of the coffee experience. He had a vision to bring the Italian coffeehouse tradition back to the United States. A place for conversation and a sense of community. A third place between work and home. He left Starbucks for a short period of time to start his own Il Giornale coffeehouses and returned in August 1987 to purchase Starbucks with the help of local investors.

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection.

Our mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.

Expect More Than Coffee

We’re not just passionate purveyors of coffee, but everything else that goes with a full and rewarding coffeehouse experience. We also offer a selection of premium teas, fine pastries and other delectable treats to please the taste buds. And the music you hear in store is chosen for its artistry and appeal.

It’s not unusual to see people coming to Starbucks to chat, meet up or even work. We’re a neighborhood gathering place, a part of the daily routine – and we couldn’t be happier about it. Get to know us and you’ll see: we are so much more than what we brew.

We make sure everything we do is through the lens of humanity – from our commitment to the highest quality coffee in the world, to the way we engage with our customers and communities to do business responsibly.

For more information about Starbucks visit their website! 

Who Are You?

Mystery Member of the Week: 

Realty Executives: Joe Kenny

Communities I Serve Since 2001 Joe has been serving the communities of  Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Westmont, Willowbrook, and Woodridge.  Growing up near Midway Airport has allowed Joe to be able to serve the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities as well. 
Serving All Of Your Real Estate Needs Joe can handle any of your real estate needs whether it is a move into a bigger home across town or helping you financially get out from under the one your in.  He has completed NAR's Short Sale and Foreclosure Certification Program along with obtaining the CDPE designation ( Certified Distressed Property Expert).  If you are moving out of state Joe has abroad network of agents across the country and in Canada that can serve any of your real estate needs.

Community Involvement – elected an Alderman for the City of Darien

Personal Background 
Joe was born and raised on the Southwest Side of Chicago in the Garfield Ridge neighbor.  He worked as a bus mechanic for the Chicago Transit Authority for 18 year and in 2001 obtained his real estate sales license.  In 2007 Joe left CTA to fully concentrate on his real estate business.  Though the timing wasn't the best, Joe survived the down turn in the market and has often stated he has no regrets about leaving a stable income.  Joe lives in Darien with his wife Lisa and serves as an Alderman in the City of Darien.

When not helping clients selling or buying homes Joe can be found volunteering with groups such as the Rotary Club of Downers Grove, Brother Rice High School Alumni Association and an Our Lady of Mount Carmel cantor.  Every Saturday morning Joe works in the kitchen of the First United Methodist Church preparing meals for Grace Place, a homeless ministry in Downtown Chicago.

Joe served on the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors  Professional Affairs Committee from 2007-2010and served six years with the  Mainstreet Organization of Realtors Board of Directors(2009-2015) .  He is also on the government affairs committees for both  Mainstreet and the Illinois Association of Realtors.

For more information on Realty Executives: Joe Kenny visit the website!

Lux Pinot Noir Scores 99!

Cooper’s Hawk is proud to announce a big win – a 2015 Platinum Medal from the Critics International Wine Competition in San Diego this spring! Winning a 99-point (out of 100) honor is a true milestone in Cooper’s Hawk history. It is the highest score the Cooper’s Hawk collection has won throughout the past ten years and a true testament to the dedication their team has brought to the winemaking craft. 

This Pinot Noir from Cooper’s Hawk’s esteemed Lux line of wines, combines the essences of juicy dark cherries offset by spicy black pepper. The medium-bodied varietal boasts aromas of cherry, baked fruits, earth, smoke, lavender, and vanilla with fruitful flavors of berries, black pepper, coffee, and clove. Bottles can be purchased in the restaurant’s Tasting Room and online for $37.99.

Visit  https://www.coopershawkwinery.com/  for more information

Changes at Chamber630

At the end of July, the Chamber630 Nomination Committee finalized interviews for those applying to serve on the Board of Directors. Their recommendation was presented to the full Board and unanimously endorsed. Joining the Chamber630 Board are Ron Castrogiovanni, Waddell & Reed – Ron Castrogiovanni; Daniel Coil, Waddell & Reed – Daniel Coil; Dean Malone, Midwestern University; Kevin O'Flaherty, O'Flaherty Law; and Chuck Zimmerman, Corporate Strategies & Solutions.

Per the Chamber630 bylaws, additional nominations may be made by any Member in good standing by presenting a petition signed by 50 or more Members in good standing. If there are no additional nominees, these fine folks will be considered unanimously elected. There will be a more formal announcement at the Chamber630 Awards Ceremony on September 17that the Tivoli Theatre. Their three year term will commence on October 1^st. 

We’re very excited to have new leadership injected into the governance process of the Chamber while maintaining the sage leadership of second term Directors, Dan Coil and Dean Malone. I’m grateful to the extended time the Nomination Committee dedicated to this process. Jim Delaney of SpeedPro Imaging, Marc Hausmann of Maclyn, Joe Malas of Advocate Health Care, Bill Timmins of Prudential, Gene Sallee of YonanCarpet One and Lisa Wenzel of Wenzel Select Properties all did a tremendous job of vetting the candidates.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank and recognize the many outgoing Directors. With the two-Chambers merge last July, the Board instantly grew to over 30 members, in contrast the 2015 Board will consist of 21 Members. On behalf of all the Members, I’d like to extend gratitude and thanks for the hard work put into the creation of Chamber630. Having served two or more terms and leaving the Board are Keith Hoffman, 1st Advantage Mortgage; Melna Langham, Blooming Color; Bob Miller, MRS Consulting; Barbara Schmith of West Suburban Community Pantry and Kandy Sladek. Brian Kot, Cray Kaiser LTD. and Brian Kwilosz, EXIT Real Estate Partners have also completed their term. Without the dedication of these business people, Chamber630 would not be in the coveted and respected position it is in today.

Chamber630 has welcomed two new staff members as well. Coming to us fresh from Western Illinois University, Shannon Kragel is the Marketing & Events Associate. She has experience in public relations, interned at the Bulls/Sox Academy redesigning their website and has a degree in Graphic Communications, minor in Marketing with an emphasis on events. Heidi Brugh is the new Business Development Associate focusing on the businesses in the southern region of the Chamber630 area. From Indianapolis, she worked with their chamber of commerce and is an experienced marketing and sales professional.

Every person mentioned in this column has positively impacted the business community in this area. I am grateful for their service and look forward to a bright future for Chamber630. 

Who Are You?

Mystery Member of the Week: 

Addus HomeCare, Inc.

Addus was founded in 1979 as a home cleaning service focusing on serving residents in high rises in downtown Chicago. The company expanded when a small contract was acquired with the city of Chicago to provide chore services to the city's at-risk elderly population. The chore services program later expanded into the Community Care Program through the Illinois Department on Aging, and the company significantly increased its client base in Illinois under the new name, National Home Care Services.

The company's growth continued through the acquisition of additional home care contracts in other states, the opening of new branch offices, and the diversification into new service lines, including skilled home health services and adult day services. In 1996, the company changed its name to Addus HomeCare. Through a national name change nomination contest, an employee in California, who studied ancient deities as a hobby, suggested the name Addus based on the ancient Celtic deity who brought health and wellness to his people.

Addus has intensified its focus on becoming a sales and service driven organization, expanding its service integration model and establishing the company brand. Addus currently holds approximately 300 home care contracts throughout the country. The company provides health care services to over 30,000 consumers weekly from over 120 offices located in 21 states.Addus has also continued to develop an employee-centered culture based on a commitment to practicing its established beliefs and values and the recognition that Addus employees are its greatest asset

For more information on Addus HomeCare visit their website!

New 630 Professional Guest Speaker

Join the New 630 Professionals on Wednesday, August 18th for a meeting featuring Wallace Long of Continuing Education Productions, Inc. speaking on leadership.

 Learn the qualities leadership requires, the habits of good leaders and leadership is one of the foremost qualities of those who advance their careers. This no charge 5-6 PM meeting will take place at Crown Plaza – Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Downers Grove [located at 1250 W. Roosevelt Road in Glen Ellyn] in the Board Room.Cocktails and appetizers may be purchased at the adjacent Glen Prairie Fine Food & Drink.

 The New 630 Professionals cultivate business and community leaders. Many Members are new to the workforce, and some new to their profession. New630 Professionals are active in social, community and workforce development programming, and provide support and connections to its Members. For more information on their meetings, click here.

To reserve your place at the New 630 Professionals meeting, register at Chamber630.com 

Illinois State Chamber of Commerce

Budget Work

The House and Senate both approved a measure to block a COLA (payraise) plus mileage and per diem increases for state lawmakers. The bill, HB 576, will be sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has indicated support for the bill.

The Senate approved a measure to allow $4.8 billion in federal dollars to be used for services even though the state doesn't yet have an FY16 budget. House Speaker Michael Madigan wants to thoroughly review SB 2042 to make sure it isn't missing services. The House plans to hold subject matter only hearings on the bill for Monday in Chicago and Tuesday in Springfield.

The House voted to approve an amendment that would fund epilepsy services through August.  

 

Property Tax Freeze

  

One tax-related matter was considered by the full House.  Amendment 1 (property tax freeze) was adopted and and Amendment 2 (collective bargaining) to HB 682 failed during consideration. The amendments to HB 682 were identical to the amendments to HB 681, HB 680, HB 697, HB 693 and HB 692 considered in past weeks by the full House and, when combined, were in sum identical to amendment 1 of SB 1046 proposed by Sen. Republican Leader Christine Radogno as a portion of the governor's legislative agenda. 

The Senate also considered one tax-related bill, SB 318,  which includes property tax freeze language.  Amendment 1 to SB 318 was proposed by Senate Pres. John Cullerton. This amendment amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law ("PTELL") for the 2016 through 2018 levy years, contains provisions dealing with funding of the Chicago Public Schools teacher pension fund, and establishes a committee to propose a new school aid formula to take affect June 1, 2017. 

Workers' Comp

Illinois Chamber Employment Law Council Exec. Dir. Jay Shattuck testified Tuesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee on workers' compensation reform. He's explaining that the current bill could hurt, not help, system and that what Illinois really needs is an effective system that doesn't strangle business.

As an employer who is considering hiring people with disabilities or already does, you may have questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act,

how to find qualified employees, tax incentives and resources available.

Congressman Bill Foster cordially invites you to attend the

Hiring People with Disabilities Forum

Special Guest Speaker
US Deputy Secretary of Labor Chris Lu

Wednesday, August 26, 2015
10:00 a.m.
Fox Metro
Administration Building, Room P2
682 State Rt. 31
Oswego, Illinois

Representatives from the Great Lakes ADA Center, IDES, AbilityLinks and Chicagoland Business Network will provide Attendees with the tools and knowledge

to better understand the processes and practices, benefits and resources available when hiring people with disabilities.

NO COST, BUT SPACE IS LIMITED

Register at:  www.foster.house.gov/disability

Please feel free to print out and distribute the Save the Date or

forward this email to employers or organizations that would benefit from this information.

Mystery Member of the Week

Mystery Member of the Week: 

The DuPage Foundation

The DuPage Foundation is a grantmaking foundation created in 1986 to benefit the people of DuPage County, Illinois.  The earnings from the endowment are used to address community needs.  Because the Foundation is a public charity, donors enjoy maximum tax advantages.

The Foundation's strength and character come from its distinctive qualities:  

1. A flexible, yet permanent, collection of funds supported by a wide range of donors.
2. The expertise to determine the best use of those funds to meet community needs in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment, health and human services.  The Foundation has awarded grants totaling nearly $15 million to agencies servicing DuPage County residents.
3. A Board of Trustees representing the community and serving the public interest.
4. An organizational commitment to provide leadership on current and emerging community problems such as basic human needs, the environment, and children and youth.
5. A commitment to create funds and distribute proceeds in accordance with donors' intentions.
6. The adherence to a sense of "community" that cooperates with individual interests and objectives.

.

To learn more about 

The DuPage Foundation

visit their website!