HR0744 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0744 LRB096 14881 KXB 29747 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 1934, at the urging of B.F. Kinder and 20 other businessmen, the Des Plaines Businessmen's Association was formed and in 1946 became the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and

WHEREAS, The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a 600-plus member, independent, non-profit organization committed to creating and maintaining a positive business climate as well as serving the business community by offering a wide range of programs that give members the opportunity to network with other businesses and consumers, keep members up-to-date on legislative issues, and provide educational seminars and speakers on a host of business topics; and

WHEREAS, The City of Des Plaines is located 17 miles northwest of Chicago and is home to several Fortune 500 companies and international businesses with a blend of commercial, financial, industrial, professional, service-oriented, and retail sectors, with an employee base supporting high-tech, industry, manufacturing, and distribution concerns, and serviced by interstate highways, METRA rail line, PACE bus, and all forms of business, freight, and passenger flights at nearby O'Hare International Airport; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in the 1930s, the Businessmen's Association was the instrument that created a system of credit for businesses and focused its attention on improving commerce and improving the community of Des Plaines; the Association hosted events that raised funding for a new fire truck, to purchase trees to beautify the town, and a Christmas program was started to entertain the children of Des Plaines, as well as programs to support the needs of the servicemen of World War II; and

WHEREAS, In an effort to help a growing Des Plaines, the Association assisted in the expansion of parking in the downtown shopping area, installing parking meters, and building a parking lot suitable for customers; and

WHEREAS, From the 1950s on, the Chamber focused on attracting more business to the city and working with the C&NW Railroad to obtain a commuter lot for additional parking; the Chamber was instrumental in obtaining bonds to subsidize the installation of street lights, to have sidewalks installed, and to have new postal facilities installed for the City of Des Plaines; and

WHEREAS, With the growth of the City, the Chamber membership also expanded its interest to State and national levels as well by taking an active role in the U.S. Chamber and Illinois Chamber to keep members better informed; in 1980, the Chamber assisted Maine West High School in bringing presidential candidate Ronald Reagan to Des Plaines to meet with the community; and

WHEREAS, Women have played an important role in the Chamber's history; in 1981, long-time Des Plaines resident Marilyn McDermid was the first woman hired as the executive director of the Chamber; the first woman to serve as president was Martha Atherton of RACO Industrial Corp., elected in 1984; and

WHEREAS, In 1989 the Chamber established a not-for-profit foundation to provide educational programs for the business community and community-at-large; the foundation annually awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors, provides support to community programs such as the Des Plaines Public Library reading program, the Arts Council scholarship fund, Maryville Academy and the Disabled Students Scholarship fund, and educational and certificate programs to their membership through Oakton Community College Business Institute and Harper College; and

WHEREAS, The 2009 Board of Directors include: President James Macchiaroli (Ace Hardware), President-Elect Herman Zelk (Solutions Networking Corp.), Treasurer Chuck Wiercinski (McLennan Commercial Properties), Secretary Sandra Norlin (Des Plaines Public Library), Past-President Alan Czarnik (Copyco Solutions, Inc.), Mike Charewicz (Accurate Auto Clinic, Inc.), Michael Conlin (City of Des Plaines), Christina Corona (Residence Inn by Marriott), Carl Costanza (Oakton Community College), Patrick Groody (Abbott Laboratories), Dr. Janet Horton (Horton Wellness & Chiropractic), Sharon Lynch (Century 21 Elm), Toby Radcliffe (AmericaUnited Bank), Jeffrey Rozovics (Rozovics and Wojcicki, PC), Barbara Schuldt (Resource MFG), Scott Seifert (Edward Jones Investments), Aaron Sobel (UOP), Heather Wahl-Cieslik (R.C. Wahl Jewelers), and Executive Director Barbara Ryan; and

WHEREAS, The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides the following community programs: Community Guide and Directory, Santa's Official Arrival, Annual 'Touch-a-Truck', Community Enhancement Awards, Mayor's Annual Address to Business, Safe Saturday Halloween Trick or Treating, S.C.O.R.E. Counseling, Des Plaines Street Maps, the Welcome program for New Residents and New Businesses, Growing With Pride program, and the Home, Health, and Consumer Expo; and

WHEREAS, The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and Industry maintains membership in the following organizations: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA), the Illinois Retail Manufacturers Association (IRMA), the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE), the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the Northern Illinois Business Advocacy Coalition (NIBAC); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and Industry members on this historic anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to President James Macchiaroli on behalf of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce as a symbol of our respect and esteem.