Board of Directors

Executive Board

President

Fred Scharm

Scharm Floor Covering

President Elect

Martin Gardner

Village Bank & Trust

Treasurer

Holly Sorensen

Des Plaines Public Library

Secretary

Barbara Van Slambrouck

Chromatech Printing, Inc.

Past- President

Dr. Janet Horton

Horton Wellness &

Chiropractic

Board Members

Ed Domingo

Rivers Casino

Dan Fink

Juno Lighting Group

Dr. Colette Hands

Oakton Community

College

Don Johanson

Johanson Painting &

Handyman Services

Bob Lewandowski

R. Franczak & Associates

Joe Mok

GMotorcars, Inc.

Jeff Rozovics

Rozovics Group LLP

Scott Seifert

Edward Jones Investments

Fred Siebert

Abbott Molecular

Kim Sutter

Café la Cave

Ellen Yearwood

Yearwood & Associates

Herman Zelk

Solutions Networking Corp.

Connecting Businesses.

Creating Opportunities BUSINESS

A publication of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry

December 2014

Mayor’s Annual Address to Business and

Community Enhancement Awards

January 15, 2015 7:30 am

Manzo’s Banquets

1571 S. Elmhurst Road, Des Plaines

Mayor Matt Bogusz and his staff will address the business community and review City

accomplishments made in 2014 and outline ideas and plans for 2015 for the Des Plaines

community.

For the past 50 years, the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce has recognized those

businesses that have gone beyond the norm when building and/or improving their busi-

nesses for the betterment of the Des Plaines community. Nominees must be a Des

Plaines business and the project/program must have taken place between January 2014

and December 2014. Recognition is given for new business development or

expansion; business rehabilitation or renovation; substantial increase in employee-base;

new program development; companies that donate or give back to the community.

For a nomination form, please call the office.

Winter Garden Ball Sponsors

Michelangelo Sponsor

Village Bank and Trust

Gold Sponsors

Des Plaines Office Equipment

John Villegas, State Farm Agent

Journal and Topics Newspapers

Silver Sponsors

D.A. K. Services

Dr. Jane Westerhold &

Dr. Kenneth Cull

Scharm Floor Covering

Gift Basket Sponsor

Tap House Grill

Creating Opportunities

In 2014 the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce hosted over 90 events. Perhaps you attended one of First Friday

breakfasts, stopped in at an After Hours or were part of our Women in Business group or YPN. Maybe you took

advantage of our educational seminars or our Leadership Series or you came out and supported our Foundation

Fundraiser. If you are concerned about the political situation in Illinois, we hope you stopped in for “Coffee with

your Legislator” or attended the Mayor’s Annual Address to Business or the Legislative Breakfast. You might

have expanded your business leads by attending one of the 10 multi-chamber events that we participated in or

perhaps you took part in one of the 4 Multi– Chamber Expos we offered. Perhaps you danced the night away at

the Winter Garden Ball or got the longest drive at our Golf Outing.

All that we do takes the work of many people and maybe you served on one of our committees or our Ambassa-

dor group. Our Young Entrepreneur’s Academy is successful because our members stepped up to teach, mentor,

lecture, support and share their business ideas with the students of District 62.

Whether you attended one event or thirty; enjoyed a day on the links or worked on the committee; sold a Foot-

ball Raffle book; marched with us in the 4th of July parade or poured a beer at Fall fest, we thank you for all that

you do to support the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce. We are 600 members strong and growing because of

you!

We hope that you will take advantage of all that your Chamber has to offer in 2015.

Home Comfort

550 Busse Highway

Park Ridge, IL 60068

847-824-4336

Platinum Members

Accurate Auto Clinic, Inc.

1580 Oakton Street

Des Plaines, IL 60018

847-297-1330

Ace Hardware

1045 E Oakton Street

Des Plaines, IL 60018

847-824-7201

AlphaGraphics, Inc.

1583 Lee Street

Des Plaines, IL 60018

847-296-9225 Horton Chiropractic

960 N Rand Road Suite 207

Des Plaines, IL 60016

847-296-3877

Pesche’s Flower Shop,

Garden Center & Nursery

170 S. River Road

Des Plaines, IL 60018

847-299-1300

Katie’s Kitchen

623 N. Wolf Road

Des Plaines, IL 60016

847– 803-3544

Millennium Bank

2077 Miner Street

Des Plaines, IL 60016

847-296-9500

Rickert Realtors

1585 Ellinwood St., Ste. 109

Des Plaines, IL 60016

847-455-1939

Re/Max Renaissance

2250 S. Devon Ave., #249

Des Plaines, IL 60016

847-375-9293

Des Plaines Office Equipment

1020 Bonaventure Dr.

Elk Grove, IL 60007

B & E Accounting & Tax, CPA P.C.

119 S. Emerson Street #378

Mt. Prospect, IL 60056

847-818-1040

Americaneagle.com

2600 S River Road

Des Plaines, IL 60018

847-699-0300

Are you tired of the big box bank runaround?

Frustrated with the feeling that your bank isn’t listening? Still waiting for answer from your banker whose

headquarters is out-of-state?

Welcome to Millennium Bank, a locally owned community bank that is committed to personal service and rela-

tionship banking. Millennium Bank was founded by local investors to meet the needs of the Des Plaines com-

munity. With a team of experienced bankers at your disposal, you can have the peace of mind and confidence

that Millennium Bank is taking care of your business or personal banking needs.

Our focus is on relationship banking. We will sit down with you and get to know you and your business. To-

gether, we can produce the best banking plan for your company. Banking decisions are made here in Des

Plaines.

Millennium Bank will never sell you the product of the month. Our commitment to customer service ensures

that you understand all your options. We can gladly help with the purchase of a new home or refinance your

existing house.

Stop in and talk to our President Frank Guerino. Millennium Bank focuses on meeting the needs of our clients

and the community while adhering to core banking principles.

Millennium Bank, great rates, low fees, personal service. Banking the way it should be!

2077 Miner street, Des Plaines, IL 60016

847-296-9500

www.milbnk.com/

PLATINUM

Connecting Businesses Thank You!

In 1989 that the board of directors decided it would be beneficial to the Chamber and to the community of Des

Plaines to establish a foundation for purpose of providing educational opportunities to our members and their

families and our community.

Over the past 25 years the Foundation has provided numerous educational and professional development semi-

nars and workshops for our members, supported community initiatives, and provided scholarship money for

member’s children who are continuing their education. Currently the chamber offers

3– $2,000 scholarships each year.

Support for the Des Plaines Chamber Foundation comes through our annual Foundation Fundraiser, ticket pro-

ceeds for the Winter Garden Ball, the monthly split-the-pot drawings and from our members who generously in-

crease their annual dues payment by $25 in support of the Foundation.

We thank all the members listed below who increased their dues and donated to the Chamber Foundation in

2014:

Des Plaines Chamber Foundation

Asset Recovery Solutions, LLC Gremley & Biedermann, Inc.

Alan Tinker Plumbing & Rodding LLC Haas Home Repair Plus

All-Security Ins. Agency, Inc. HealthCare Associates Credit Union

AlphaGraphics Hills G.L. Funeral Home Ltd.

B & E Accounting & Tax CPA P.C. JensenIT

Best Value America Pharmaceuticals Jonas Sales

Chicago-Express Int'l, Inc. Little Villa Restaurant

Columbus Vegetable Oils Marketing Innovators International, Inc.

Courtyard By Marriott-Chicago/O'Hare Maxon Shooter's Supplies, Inc.

Crissie Insurance Group Meineke Car Care Center

D.A.K. Services, Inc. N-Hance Wood Renewal

DeCarl, Levine & Friedman LLC Owl Hardwood Lumber Co.

Des Plaines Arts Council Raco Industrial Corporation

Des Plaines Family Medicine Reliance Int'l Logistics USA

Dowd, Dowd & Mertes, Ltd. Rickert Realtors

Dr. Harold O. Wyckoff Jr., D.D.S. Rotary Club of Des Plaines

Empower Geographics Tuttle, Vedral & Collins, P.C.

First Business Factors Village Bank and Trust

Genex Express Enterprises, Inc.

Creating Opportunities Networking After Hours

Just in time for the holidays, members were given the chance to sample

some of the many sweet temptations from B’s Sweet Bites. The bakery

and coffee shop located at 1641 Oakton Place, Des Plaines is open daily

and offers freshly baked breads, Danishes, croissants, muffins, cinnamon

rolls, small cakes, chocolate chip cookies, fudge brownies, dark choco-

late truffles, lemon cookies, dark chocolate dipped coconut macaroons,

an assortment of pies, cheesecakes and more!

Visit their website at www.bssweetbites.com to see their menu

and special holiday creations.

Join us for our next After Hours

December 9 5 to 7 pm

Village Bank and Trust

1545 Ellinwood, Des Plaines Chamber Board President Fred Scharm (right)

thanks B’s Sweet Bites owner Bianca Vallone

and baker Nick Srejman for hosting the Novem-

ber After Hours.

New Members

Member

Chiropractor

Smith Chiropractic and Rehabilitation 880 Lee Street, Suite 207

Des Plaines, IL 60016

847-768-9330

847-768-9336

www.smithchiroandrehab.com

Flood & Fire Restoration

SERVPRO of Mt. Prospect/North Des Plaines 1840 S. Elmhurst Road

Mt. Prospect, IL 60056

847-956-1880

847-956-9110

www.servpromountprospectnorthdesplaines.com

Senior Services

Lynn’s Errands for Seniors 629 Yale Court

Des Plaines, Il 60016

847-637-7176

80 Years – 1932

Nicor Gas

Pesche’s Flower Shop & Garden Center, Inc.

40 Years – 1974

Maine High School District #207

35 Years – 1979

Des Plaines Park District

Des Plaines Public Library

LaMarche Manufacturing Company

20 Years – 1994

Dynasty Forwarding, Inc.

10 Years – 2004

Clear Freight

Landstar Global Logistics

5 Years – 2009

KDA WELLNESS INC.

1 Year – 2013

AGRI Ocean Service, Inc.

Columbus Food Market

LifeGem

PRZEDSZKOLE CZERWONY KAPTUREK

Wattcore LLC

Networking After Hours 2015

The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce is currently scheduling

the monthly After Hours for 2015.After Hours provides our

members with the opportunity to showcase their business to fel-

low members.

Hosts provide food and drinks to those who attend and a raffle

prize for a business card drawing. Hosts can also give tours of

their facility or provide information about the services they have

to offer.

The Chamber registers the guests, provides publicity before and

after the event and promotes After Hours in the newsletter, on the

Chamber website and through our weekly event e-mails.

If your location too small to host an After Hours event, consider

partnering with one of our many Chamber restaurants to show-

case both businesses!

Contact Andrea Friedman, Program Director, to find out availa-

ble dates and get registered!

Meetings and Events Tuesday, December 2

11:30am to 1:30pm

Women in Business Holiday Lunch

Giacomo’s Ristorante Italiano

740 N Wolf Road, Des Plaines

Join this dynamic group of women at our

annual holiday luncheon for networking,

great food and raffles.

Cost: $20

Registration Deadline: November 25

Friday, December 5 7:30 - 9:00 am

First Friday Networking

Katie’s Kitchen

623 N. Wolf Road,, Des Plaines

Enjoy a great breakfast while you increase

your business at this structured network-

ing event. Guests are seated at non-

compete tables for a full 45 minutes of net-

working.

Cost: $12 - Buffet Breakfast included

Registration Deadline: December 3

Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Winter Wonderland Festival

Frisbie Senior Center

52 E Northwest Highway, Des Plaines

Celebrate the holiday with family and

friends at this community event. Activities

include a free photo and visit with Santa,

food, music, entertainment, craft fair, chil-

dren’s crafts and games, story telling, face

painting and more! Guest appearances by

Ronald McDonald, Chicago Wolves

Skates, Truckie, Jewels the Clown and

Kiwi the Clown. This is a FREE event

sponsored by the Des Plaines Chamber,

Des Plaines Park District and Frisbie Sen-

ior Center.

Tuesday, December 9

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Networking After Hours

Village Bank & Trust

1545 Ellinwood

Des Plaines

Plan to attend this monthly event and

enjoy a Holiday themed evening that

includes appetizers, beer, wine, soft drinks

and a business card drawing. Enjoy net-

working with your fellow Chamber mem-

bers in a relaxed atmosphere.

Registration Deadline: December 8

Wednesday, December 10

11:30 a.m.to 1:30 pm

Holiday Luncheon

Rosewood Banquets

9421 Higgins Road,

Rosemont

Everyone is welcome at this popular

holiday event! Bring your co-workers, em-

ployees and business associates for a great

lunch, terrific raffle prizes and a chance to

network, network, network!

Raffle prize donations are still being ac-

cepted.

Cost: $35.00 member Guest $40

Registration Deadline: December 2

Thursday, December 11

5:30 to 10:00 pm

Holiday Lights Tour

Guests meet at the Chamber office and

board a luxury motor coach and travel to

Chicago to visit the Chirstkindl Market,

Daley Plaza, Macy’s on State,

Buckingham Fountain and view the lights

of the city. The event also includes a

boxed dinner, beer, wine and soft drinks.

Cost: $ 25.00

Registration Deadline: December 4

In celebration of the holidays

The Chamber office

will be closed

December 24 and 25

and

December 31 and

January 1

Best Wishes for a

Happy Holiday and

a Prosperous New

Year to all our

members!

First Friday is a great way for our

members to get the month off to a

great start! The event includes a hot

breakfast, a brief introduction to the

entire group and the opportunity to

network with 8 non-compete members

for 45 minutes.

$12. per month

OR

Join the First Friday Breakfast Club

and get all 12 First Friday Breakfasts

for $120!

Networking After Hours is for

members who want to network in

a relaxed atmosphere. The event

includes food and beverages and a

business card drawing. Guests can

drop in for a short visit or stay for the

entire event.

YPN - Young Professionals

Network Group for members age

21 to 40 provides networking and

educational opportunities. Each brown

bag lunch meeting includes brief intro-

ductions, the chance to promote your

products and services and craft talks

on a variety of business topics.

Women in Business offers women

networking and Educational opportu-

nities. Each brown bag lunch meeting

includes desserts, brief introductions,

the chance to promote your products

and services and guest speakers who

address a variety of topics of interest

to business women.

$5.00 per month OR $40 annually

Get Leads

Get Noticed

Get Involved

Get Networking!

Connecting Businesses

Creating Opportunities

Raffle/centerpieces are needed! Here’s your chance to showcase your business! Donate a center-

piece that will be raffled off at the luncheon. Centerpiece sponsors can provide literature about their

company at the table. All centerpieces and raffle prizes need to be in the Chamber office by Decem-

ber 3rd. Call the office and reserve your spot today!

The evening begins at 5:30 at the Chamber office. At 5:45 pm guest will board

a luxury motor coach and enjoy a festive packaged dinner and beverages as

they travel to the Loop to view the holiday lights. Stops will be made at

Daley Plaza

German Christkindlmarket

Macy’s on State Street

Michigan Avenue

Cost: $25 per person

Reservation deadline is December 5. Seating is limited!

Register on-line at www.dpchamber.com

or call the office at 847-824-4200.