As you read last week, the Chamber is creating a "Highlandopoly" board game. This will be an actual physical board game that you can play with your friends and family over and over again... unless you live with my mother and she bans you from the game due to fighting... but that's another story for another time. Ask me about it at Coffee & Conversations on April 21.

Here's a sneak peak at what a portion of the board will look like:



We're still making some adjustments to the final version but this should give you an idea of what you can expect as a sponsor. If you'd like to sponsor a space on the board simply email Nancie to find out what's available. 
 

REGISTER WITH CODE #1122 for discounted prices

 

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER

April 20 - COVID -19 and the Biden Administration Proposed Immigration Changes and Impacts on Employment Based Immigration 
This webinar will discuss what employers should be aware of regarding the current COVID-19 restrictions and bills impacting employment based visas, travel restrictions, the Form I-9, and E-Verify. (REGISTER)

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April 21 - Model Employee Policies Handbook Update - What's Changed for Illinois Employers? Naperville, IL (REGISTER)

April 27 - How to Prepare for an I-9 Audit and Stay in Compliance 
This webinar will discuss the potential pitfalls and potential liability associated with the I-9 Form and how to ensure your organization is in compliance with current policies. (REGISTER)

April 28 - Beyond Your Basic Supervisor Training for Spanish Speaking Supervisors 
Naperville, IL (REGISTER)

April 29 - NEW IL Mandatory Anti-Sexual Harassment Training: Train the Trainer 
Rolling Meadows, IL (REGISTER)

May 4 - Time Management and Organizational Skills: What Managers and Supervisors Need to Learn  Naperville, IL (REGISTER)

May 5 - Drug Testing & Reasonable Suspicion Training in 2021 - What Managers and Supervisors Need to Know  Naperville, IL (REGISTER)

May 11 - Time Management and Organizational Skills: What Managers and Supervisors Need to Learn  Effingham, IL (REGISTER)

May 19 - The Ethics in Claims Handling  St. Charles, IL (REGISTER)

Free Mother’s Day Buy Local Social Media Graphics To show their appreciation, Independent We Stand is giving away FREE Mother’s Day -oriented Facebook and Twitter graphics that small businesses can use to help build their local brands. Please try and tag us on Facebook and Twitter when you use them.  Please E-mail Nancie if you'd like access to these graphics.

NEW Illinois Law Prohibiting Use of Criminal Convictions: An Employer’s Guide Thursday, April 29, 2021 @ Noon CT   Effective March 23, 2021, new Illinois law generally prohibits the use of criminal convictions in employment decisions and creates additional new hurdles for employers who decide to rely on any conviction for employment purposes-unless otherwise authorized by law.    Join Jeff Risch and Allison Sues on Thursday, April 29 at Noon CT for a timely discussion surrounding the new law.  Jeff and Allison have been intimately involved in the underlying legislative process and continue to work with several trade and professional associations in Illinois. Their focus is to help guide employers through this new mandate that prevents all employers from considering a criminal conviction unless there is a substantial relationship between the position and the criminal background history or unless the conviction creates an unreasonable risk to property or the safety of individuals or the general public.   Who should attend? HR Professionals, Recruiters, Hiring Managers and Business Owners.   During this webcast attendees will learn: How to navigate new hiring mandates What to include in the mandated written notices to a denied applicant or terminated employee because of a conviction record How to reconcile the new IL law with existing local, state and federal mandates (i.e. FFCRA, Ban the Box, etc…) How to analyze whether a specific conviction history has a substantial relationship to a certain job position or poses a unreasonable risk to property or safety What does “unless otherwise authorized by law” really mean for employers **Following the program, slides from the webcast will be sent to attendees.     REGISTER

What makes your business unstoppable? Tell us for a chance to compete in The UPS Store® Virtual Small Biz Challenge. You could win up to $25,000, a feature article in Inc. magazine and a video shoot to showcase your business on Inc. and The UPS Store® social channels.

Highland Music School welcomes our new guitar faculty Canaan Gibbs🎸!
Canaan is a multi instrumentalist who has graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Bachelor’s in Jazz Performance in the spring of 2020. He will be teaching on Saturdays. Message us to register for spring and summer lessons  https://highlandmusicschool.com/

Metro East Humane Society Highland Soft Opening
We're ready to celebrate! The soft opening of our Metro East Humane Society Highland facility is scheduled for Saturday, April 24 from 11 AM to 3 PM. Please join us for tours, adoptable animals, and more information on volunteer and giving opportunities. Save the date and please share this exciting news!

Masks will be required to attend. We will follow COVID precautions as outlined by the state and CDC.
Details:
Metro East Humane Society took over Highland Animal Shelter in late 2019. All animals were adopted into homes, relocated to our MEHS Edwardsville facility, or placed with other animal rescues. MEHS began renovations to HAS in early 2020 with plans to reopen as the MEHS Highland facility, but had to pause due to COVID-19. We’re thrilled to be reopening to the public April 24, 2021 with a soft open! Join us from 11 AM-3 PM for a tour, adoptable animals, and to learn more about how you can support MEHS Highland through volunteer and giving opportunities! Like our FB page, visit www.mehs.org, email info@mehs.org, or call us at 618.656.4405 with any questions!

Spring is Here!

And we couldn't be happier about it! It has been a tough year for everyone, but brighter days are upon us. Let's celebrate the warmer weather and greater freedom to get out and feel 'normal' again. Please join us for our annual Spring Open House 20% OFF STOREWIDE Plus! Sidewalk Sale Tables 50-90% off!! Wednesday, April 14 - Saturday, April 17 You will LOVE the new Spring decor, florals, fashions, jewelry, and gift ideas. Don't forget Mothers Day is only a month away, not to mention any upcoming birthdays, graduations, or weddings you may have on your calendar.  And who better deserves a little treat than YOURSELF after such a stressful year? Join us for some much deserved retail therapy in a safe and relaxing environment. It's time to feel good again! Open House Hours: Wednesday-Friday 10:00-5:30 Saturday 9:00-4:00 For the continued protection of all, please wear a mask or face shield of some sort, covering both mouth and nose.

(Central and Southern Illinois) You can now call 1-844-216-4707 to make an appointment for a COVID vaccine at any HSHS vaccine clinic. 
 
“Limited ability to access and use technology is a major barrier to vaccine registration for some individuals. Most notably, our low-income populations – many of whom are frontline essential workers – and our seniors over 70 are at a disadvantage with online scheduling,” said Kim Luz, division director of community outreach for HSHS Illinois. “The HSHS call center makes the registration process more equitable to a diverse demographic in both urban and rural settings. With access to scheduling for HSHS vaccine clinics across the state, our colleagues and volunteers are ready to connect with you live and help you navigate the registration process.”

Scott Credit Union has announced that two of its employees have accepted new roles on its executive team. ​On April 4, 2021, Scott Peters was promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Wendy Erhart became Chief Experience Officer (CXO).














Scott Peters has been an employee of Scott Credit Union for nearly 23 years. First hired as an Assistant Controller, Peters moved within the credit union’s ranks to become Controller and then Vice President of Finance. He served as VP of Finance for over 10 years. A graduate of Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, Peters holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, an MBA, and a CPA designation.

As CFO, Peters will provide strategic guidance for maintaining and enhancing the financial performance of the credit union.  “We greatly value the years of hard work and dedication that Scott has shared with SCU, and we congratulate him on his new role,” said Frank Padak, President and CEO of Scott Credit Union. 

Erhart, who has more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry, ...