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iBi - September 2010
Illinois Mutual: A Century of Success

Four generations of McCords have run Illinois Mutual since its founding 100 years ago in 1910. Michel A. McCord has been president of the company since 1990 and also serves as chairman of the board. Executive Vice President Katie McCord Jenkins, the fifth generation of family, is poised to help lead the company into its next 100 years.

iBi Focus

Family Business

  • Publisher's Note
    Stories of Resilience
    by Jan Wright, Publisher

    It’s said that family businesses are America’s economic engine. Considering that 80 to 90 percent of all U.S. businesses are family-owned or controlled, this is no exaggeration.

150 Years, One Family
Hagerty Brothers Co.
by Amy Chovan

In its 150 years of business, Hagerty Brothers has survived 16 official economic recessions. The company has stayed alive by reinventing themselves and adapting in challenging times.

A Strong Foundation
Rothan Millwork Company
by Scott Rogers and Jonathan Wright

One hundred and thirty-seven years ago, Ulysses S. Grant was beginning his second term as president. A severe economic depression was spreading across the country, and a young millworker was laying down the roots of a company that would still be standing nearly a century and a half later.

Built to Last
Potter & Anderson Jewelers
by Amy Chovan

After working at Crawford Jewelers in Peoria for two decades, Tom Potter and Gus Anderson decided to go into business together, opening Potter & Anderson Jewelers, on August 5, 1928, just one year before the stock market crash that led to the Great Depression.

A Way of Life
Fred’s Shoe Repair
by Scott Rogers

A throwback to an earlier time, Fred’s Shoe Repair keeps alive a trade that has practically been left to the dustbin of history.

Experience a Family Legacy
Peoria Charter Coach
by Sara Browning

Peoria Charter Coach has brought joy, value and the best in quality service to travelers throughout central Illinois.

Standing the Test of Time
Haddad’s Market
by Amy Kennard

In 1915, Joseph Haddad left his home in Lebanon to come to America to pursue a dream. He married Mary Siyman, and together they saved enough money to open their first grocery store.

Joining the Family Firm
Benckendorf & Benckendorf, P.C.
by Amy Chovan

What began as one man’s private law practice has become a family business now in its second generation.

Family Lines
Walz Label & Mailing and Walz Scale
by Scott Rogers

Brothers Nate and Matt Walz run the operations of two separate companies; at the head of each is their father, Tom Walz.

Making a Business Their Own
Hearth & Patio
by Amy Chovan

Jerry Buysee purchased a local fireplace store in 2003, and together with his daughter, Tracy Sutherland, began making the business their own.

The Business Of Family
The Murphy Law Group
by Scott Rogers

The Murphy Law Group is one family business whose business is family—its practice is dedicated to helping clients resolve thorny family law issues.

Creating a Successful Transition
Strategies for Family-Owned Businesses
by Michael Bass
McGladrey

Getting a grasp on your business transition needs—and the many strategies available to you—will provide a framework for achieving your goals.

Ensuring You’re Covered
Fritch Heating & Cooling
by Scott Rogers

Founded in 1981, this business keeps an eye out for its family of customers.

Family Business in Peoria
by Roberta Parks, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce

What do American Pest Control, Avanti’s, Lippmann’s Furniture, Jim Maloof Realtor, Fritch Heating & Cooling, South Side Bank & Trust, Beck’s Florist and Craig Upholstering have in common?

Loss Leads to New Strength
Ron’s Carpets
by Scott Rogers

For 18 years, the staff of Ron’s Carpets has served the flooring needs of central Illinois as a family, albeit not without some considerable hardships.

Getting Into IT
Web Tech Services
by Amy Chovan

Tammy Finch, founder of East Peoria’s Web Tech Services, didn’t plan on getting into the computer industry—it just kind of happened.

Beating the Chains
Lindy’s Downtown Market
by Scott Rogers

One might envision Lindy’s as the classic mom-and-pop shop, the David struggling to fend off the corporate Goliaths. And so it is in many ways…yet Lindy’s is not struggling at all.

A Successful Transfer
Fort Transfer
by Jennifer Daly
Morton Economic Development Council

Eight years ago, Roger Kahler’s son, Brad, returned to Morton to begin the process of taking over the reins of Fort Transfer.

Coming Back Home
Craig Upholstering
by Scott Rogers

Like many essential services, upholstering is one that you never really think about until you need it.

"Little People Become Big People"
The Family Business from a Business Lawyer’s Perspective
by Joseph B. VanFleet
VanFleet Law Offices

One does not need to work in a family-owned business to appreciate their importance.

Selling the Family-Owned Business
by Steve Sink
Phoenix Affiliates

Each succeeding generation has its own ideas about taking the company forward—or if it wants to join the family business at all.

Protect the Family From the Family-Owned Business
by Kent McSparran EKS&H Business Consulting

Family business brings a complicated dynamic, not only to the workplace, but to the dinner table as well.

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iBi Balance
Tribute to an Activist’s Legacy

Betty Friedan permanently transformed the social fabric of the United States and countries around the world.

CWTC
50 Years of Service

The Community Workshop and Training Center (CWTC) has been providing valuable programs and services to adults with disabilities for half a century now.

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