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InterBusiness Issues - August 2006
Mayor Jim Ardis
Ensuring Progress in Peoria
Although Jim Ardis only has been mayor of Peoria for just over a year, he’s spearheaded some major improvements to the area while in office. Since his initial commitment in 1999 as a councilman-at-large and while he represents us in his term as Peoria mayor, Ardis has struggled to benefit all Peorians—i.e., the majority’s interest—through his votes. He’s a staunch advocate of preserving and improving the older neighborhoods, and has proved this through the several revitalization projects he’s backed up throughout the area. With the help of city council members, he’s fought crime issues head on, and has an intense passion for constantly enhancing the area’s education system. Ardis understands the importance of progress to the future of Peoria, vowing to give his support to Peoria’s medical, manufacturing, and technological communities, all of which he’s hopeful will create endless job opportunities and growth to central Illinois.

Features

40 Leaders Class of 1997
Following Their Successes
Ten years ago, you helped us discover the top talent, the biggest community advocates, the most successful and praiseworthy 40 Leaders Under Forty. Here we’ve caught up with seven of these leaders from the class of 1997.
Government Profile
Councilman Bob Manning
Manning talks to IBI about his tenure as a Peoria City Council Member.
Guest Editorial
Judicial Landscape Keeps Changing
by Doug Whitley, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Rarely does a single election have a seismic impact, but one election did in 2004.
Publisher's Note
Our "Next" Generation
by Jan Wright, Publisher
Young leadership is easy to find in our communities and it’s quite likely someone you know deserves to be among the nominees for 40 Leaders Under Forty.

Also in this issue...

Diversify Your Tech Force
Julie Drake
Jewel Technology Services
This is an important issue: our workforce wants diversity, our workforce is shrinking, more businesses use modern technology than ever before, and more business consumers are women-owned and -run companies.
Manufacturing Profitability
Greg Miller
McGladrey & Pullen
U.S. manufacturing accounts for two-thirds of all U.S. exports and employs roughly 14 million people, according to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Yet many midsized manufacturers find it tough to stay in business.
How to Touch the Sky: Building a High-Rise
Tony Kiefer and Mike Russell
STS Consultants, Ltd.
Have you ever wondered how a high-rise is constructed? Before a building can soar into the sky, engineers spend countless hours developing an underground support system and testing the materials that comprise the building.
Retaliatory Discharge Under Federal Maritime Law
James W. Springer
Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White, & Frederick, P.C.
The U.S. Constitution gives the federal government exclusive admiralty jurisdiction, which the Supreme Court has interpreted to include jurisdiction over all navigable waterways of the United States.

Columns

Agricultural Issues
Carbon Credit Trading
Patrick Kirchhofer - Peoria County Farm Bureau
Community Issues
Renaissance Park: Busy Month
W. Michael Bryant, Methodist Medical Center
Education Issues
The Quiet Crisis
Dr. John Erwin, Illinois Central College
Heartland Issues
Business Community Runs on Roads
Jim McConoughey, Heartland Partnership
Investment Issues
Changing Jobs and Your 401(k)
Scott Elger, Morgan Stanley
Social Issues
Uniting for the Benefit of the Community
Michael Stephan, Heart of Illinois United Way
Chiropractic Issues
Chiropractic in the Military
Dr. Robert Zinser, Zinser Chiropractic Clinics
County Issues
Thank a Vet for Freedom
David Williams - Peoria County
Ethical Issues
Ethics & Lobbying
Dr. John Throop, The Summit Group
HR Issues
HR Trends to Watch
Mary Pille, Employers' Association
Manufacturing Issues
Lean Enterprise Deployment Strategy: Part III
Bob Weinstein, IMEC
Staffing Issues
Choosing a Staffing Agency: Part II
David Smith, Manpower Professional
City Issues
St. Jude Run: Celebrating 25 Years
Mayor Jim Ardis - City of Peoria
Debt Management Issues
5 Tips for Overcoming Education Debt
Janice Parker, Central Illinois Debt Management & Credit Education, Inc.
Healthcare Issues
Helping Others Through Clinical Studies
Stephen Hippler, M.D., OSF Medical Group
Insurance Issues
Financial Security
JR Runkel, Fortner Insurance Agency, Inc.
PACVB Issues
Rolllin' on the River
Steve Powell, Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Workforce Issues
Alarming Trends for Engineering and Science
Bashir Ali - Central Illinois Workforce Network