June New Members
Southern Illinois Bank
Bill Simpson
Join Date: 06/01/2018
Shelter Insurance - Leann Stilley
Leann Stilley
Join Date: 06/14/2018
Member News
On June 13th, Seasoning Bistro opened with a new, updated kitchen!.
Member News
WEEKS in Benton will be hosting their annual tent sale at their Benton location next week!
Shop & Play on Chamber Website
In May, we started our summer promotion in the Rend Lake Adventures newsletter. In conjunction with that, we are developing a "Shop & Play" section of the website for our community visitors. This is a place you can put special sales, food events, and event activities. This feeds from our regular full community calendar, but these items are broken into genres and include a link to a printable list.
Add to this page by using the Chamber Community Calendar.
Student Athletes Summer Special
Student athletes looking to get stronger and stay fit during the summer months we have a deal for you.
$100 for the entire summer!
*Good for CrossFit and Body Burn classes
Call 927-1737 or message us to get signed up!
Opioid Epidemic & Your Business
The United States is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic. Opioids (including prescription and illicit opioids) killed more than 33,000 Americans in 2015—which is nearly quadruple the number from 2000.
Learn how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to protect individuals and families—including your employees and your business—from this dangerous problem.
FOUR CRITICAL CHALLENGES FACING EMPLOYERS
New Opportunities!
Are you looking for new employment or volunteer opportunities? Check out the Chamber Opportunity Board! Start a new chapter in your community! |
Rend Lake Fireworks: June 30th
Join in the fun at this year's Rend Lake Fireworks. Family friendly activities, new and exciting food options, and the best fireworks in Southern Illinois! Please like and share the Facebook event page. We want as many people as possible to know about the activities going on this year. We will also be doing activity and sponsor spotlights next week leading up to the event.
Thank you to our amazing sponsors.
US Army Corps of Engineers, City of Benton, Village of West City, Rend Lake Conservancy District, Legence Bank, American Farm, US Bank, WEEKS in Benton, City of Sesser, Peoples National Bank, WQRL 106.3, State Bank of Whittington, Republic Services, State Senator Dale Fowler, Abbott's Towing, Benton Super Lube, Helia Heathcare, Heritage Woods, Rend Lake Marina, SCD Rea & Sons Insurance, Seasoning Bistro, and Wooly Wash
Above and Beyond: La Fiesta
Last month, we asked you to nominate a business that has gone 'above and beyond' to serve its community. During the recent water main break, one of your fellow members stepped up in a great way.
With engineers working around the clock to repair the main discharge pipe at the Rend Lake Water Treatment Plant, the owners of La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant packed up their food truck and headed north to keep workers fed. They supplied complimentary food and drinks to workers during the overnight shift. Larry Sanders of the Rend Lake Conservancy District described their efforts. "We were amazed with their generosity, without any prompting, to came to the aid of conservancy workers during the 'Big Break at Rend Lake'."
Larry also noted that the second discharge pipeline is nearing completion at the Rend Lake Water Treatment Plant. This project was already underway when the main discharge pipe failed, so this additional installment will serve Rend Lake customers for years to come.
Chamber / Rotary Golf Scramble
Kick off a Season of Reading
This week, the Benton Public Library kicked off their summer reading program. Explore the following topics with your children:
6/25 - Science Day
7/2 - UofI Extension - Butterflies
7/9 - US Corps of Engineers - Birds
7/16 - Bicycle Safety Day
7/23 - Award and Prize Picnic
The Benton Public Library is also part of “Illinois Reads”. This program was introduced by the Illinois Reading Council in March 2013. The initiative encourages people to read books by Illinois authors. Each year, the program offers a new list of books at six different age levels. “Illinois Reads” kicks off in March and concludes in November with “Family Reading Night”. The Benton Public Library is pleased to have these books in their collection and invites you to join in the fun!
Southern Illinois Made Expo this July!
Are you a business who would like to spotlight your locally made items? Register now! Chamber members enjoy a booth discount - prices start at $50!! Call 618-438-2121 for more details or register online!
Less then 10 spaces remain for this event!
Childcare Assistance Resources
 Too many low- to moderate-income, working parents are going without the child care help for which they qualify. Many might not know of its availability. Others might be aware of it, but wary after two years of turmoil related to the state’s budget impasse and sharp cuts in eligibility – cuts that ReadyNation and a bipartisan group of legislators and allies helped to reverse last August. So, to help increase working parents’ awareness of the child care program, we’ve developed a one-page flyer you can find at this link. It briefly describes the services available, and notes where parents can call or check online to see if they are eligible to participate. please consider:
- Posting this flyer in break rooms
- Including it with “onboarding” materials for new hires
- Sharing it with human resources execs
- Publicizing it in employee newsletters
Events in the Community
Check out other community activities and submit events here!
Share Your News!
Do you have a special announcement or product you would like to showcase? Let us know so we can share it with everyone! Email the chamber office information and a picture! |
Summer Reading Program Day