Dear Members:
On Monday, May 27, thousands of patriotic citizens will line the streets throughout downtown Elmhurst and along the way to the Veterans Memorial in Wilder Park for the 101st edition of Elmhurst’s Memorial Day Parade—marking our community’s start of a second century to “Always Remember” our nation’s military men and women.
Presented by the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry—in partnership with Elmhurst American Legion T.H.B. Post 187, City of Elmhurst and Elmhurst Park District—the Parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. (rain or shine), followed by the Post-Parade Ceremony at 11 a.m.
Our Parade is actually one year older than Post 187, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2019, and in 2018 shared a Centennial Celebration year with both our Chamber and York Community High School.
This year also marks my 20th year serving as Co-Chair of the Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade Committee, alongside selfless community volunteer Ralph Pechanio, who has served on the Parade Committee since 1992 and in 1997 became Co-Chair along with my Chamber predecessor, A.J. “Toche” Terrones.
A veteran of the United States Army himself, Pechanio spearheaded fundraising to build the Veterans Memorial as the 1992 President (now Chair) of ECCI’s Board of Directors and has chaired the Elmhurst Veterans Memorial Commission since its inception in 1993.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Elmhurst resident Lori Kristine Hess Tompos, a Desert Storm and Gulf War combat veteran while serving as a United States Army Captain in Air Defense artillery (14#, PATRIOT Missile System), one of the first 800-some women to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and our Parade’s first female Grand Marshal.
On display in Wilder Park over the Memorial Day weekend will be a waving sea of more than 400 U.S. flags honoring Illinois service members who have died since September 11, 2001, courtesy of True Patriots Care, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the recognition and support of first responders and armed services members who have served their communities. Per the U.S. Flag Code, the display will be illuminated throughout the night courtesy of flood lights provided by Elmhurst College.
Adjacent to the Veterans Memorial will be the traditional display of four rows of white wooden crosses featuring nameplates of deceased Elmhurst veterans, including many who were killed in action (KIA).
So enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, but also remember why America is the land of the free and the home of brave.
Association Healthcare Plan
Despite a federal court ruling against new United States Department of Labor guidelines, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is moving forward with plans to develop an Association Healthcare Plan (AHP) in partnership with its member chambers.
Our Chamber will continue to consider participating in a state chamber-sponsored AHP, while also considering other options to provide more-affordable health care to members.
In his March 28 ruling—which followed suit by Attorneys General representing 11 states and the District of Columbia—Judge John D. Bates from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia found as unlawful two provisions of the DOL’s June 2018 AHP rule.
The ruling stated that the DOL’s implementation of President Donald Trump’s October 17 Executive Order 13813 (Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States) as “clearly an end run” around the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) “most stringent requirements.”
The Judge found that the DOL’s expanded definition of an “employer” did not fit within the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974, which the President cited in his Executive Order.
Laurie Silvey, Associate Vice President and President of Center for Business Management at the Illinois Chamber, is reviewing several responses submitted from the Request For Proposal (RFP) sent to healthcare insurance providers in March.
Happy Anniversaries
Seven members are celebrating milestone Chamber anniversaries in May, as follows: 45 years—Diplomat West Banquet Halls and Elmhurst Public Library; 35 years—Edward Jones Financial Adviser – McGinnis and Korman-Lederer & Associates; 30 years—All Chicagoland Moving & Storage; 20 years—Korzenowski Design; and 5 years—Main Street Candy & Toys.
New Members
The Chamber welcomed nine new members in April as follows: 235 Insurance, ABC Communications, Beautycounter, Code Ninjas, David Mordis – State Farm, Level Up Studio, Il Romano, Lewis University and Multipath Data.
Reactivated Members
Country Inn & Suites reactivated its membership in April after a brief hiatus.
No Longer Members
The Chamber said goodbye to the following nine members in April: Capital One Commercial Payment Solutions, Fifi’s Bridal & Custom Tailoring, Kan Ya, Russell Health and Wellness Center, SAGE Private Wealth Group, The Etown LowDown, Tints Unlimited and Veralution.