ATHENA Award Winner Announced

Arlene Albert has been selected as the 2010 recipient of the Joliet Region Chamber’s Annual ATHENA Award.  Arlene becomes the 23rd Chamber ATHENA recipient, and will be honored by the Chamber and the Chamber’s COUNCIL FOR WORKING WOMEN AT A LUNCHEON ON Thursday, September 2nd at the Holiday Conference Center.

The Athena  Award sponsored locally by D’Arcy Automobiles and PNC Bank is presented annually to an area leader who demonstrates outstanding commitment to their profession, their community and to the advancement of women. 

Nominees for the ATHENA Award must:

• Demonstrate unselfish support of business and professional women
• Exhibit initiative and creativity enhancing both their business and profession and the stability and improvement of their community
• Demonstrate excellence in their business or profession
• Willingly serve as the Joliet Chamber’s community representative for  the ATHENA foundation

Arlene has been active in the Joliet area for many years and has encouraged many women to advance in their professional careers as well as in the political arena.  She mentored many young women and supported not only their success but continued to encourage them to grow and take the next step in their careers. Her overall contribution lies in “being there” and being active in the evolution of women being able to take an equal place in business and industry.  She has long supported equal rights for women and has lived long enough to see qualified women gain opportunities in fields formally open to men only.  She has earned recognition awards from the United Way and also from The Long Term Care Council for Illinois for the development and implementation of the “Alzheimer’s Hot Line” at Deerbrook Care Centre. 

Community Service, Involvements and Awards:

• Eight terms on the Joliet High School Board of Education
• Joliet Chamber Council for Working Women – Scholarship Chairman
• Continuity of Care Organization (Legislative Chair)
• Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk Committee
• Former member of Advisory Board of Alzheimer’s Association
• Served as Board Member  of Will County Regional School Trustees
• Past member of  State Board of Education’s focus group for selection of State Superintendent of Education
• Past member of the State Legislative Committee of the Illinois Association of School Boards
• Past member of  the League of Women Voters
• Past member of Zonta
• 2005 Rabbi Hershmann Community Service Award
• Awarded “Master School Board Member” designation by the Illinois Association of School Boards

Business Doing Business After Hours / Expo

Information in now available and registration is open for this October 28 program at the Holiday Inn Joliet Hotel & Conference Center

Click here for more information

Will County Business Recycling Program

Provided here are common links and resources for businesses (big or small) who need additional information about recycling, waste reduction, or energy savings.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Marta Keane in the Waste Services Division via email or phone at 815-727-8834.

IDOT Construction Update

Important news about ongoing Will County Construction Projects

Important Message from Will County Executive about 2010 Census

Salute To Accomplishment Recap

The University of St. Francis and the entire Joliet, Il., community had a little fun with their TOMS Shoes leading up to TOMS Shoes Founder Blake Mycoskie's speech on campus March 25, 2010. Students and community members purchased over 200 pairs of TOMS Shoes for which another 200 pairs will be given to children in need somewhere in the world. One for One. click here for video

IRS / Tax Information (English and Spanish)

Information for Small Businesses and Self-Employed

Federal Government "Goods" Purchasing Handbook

Please click here for a link to a handbook listing all of the "goods" purchased by the federal government. 

The Illinois Employee Classification Act

Employers in the construction industry have been significantly impacted by the Illinois Employee Classification Act, which became effective on January 1st of 2008.  A broad definition essentially covers all Illinois general contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry.  Aimed at addressing the industry’s perceived “practice of misclassifying employees as independent contractors,” the Act provides that any individual performing services for a contractor must be classified as an employee except under very limited circumstances. 

Here is a link to the text of the Employee Classification Act.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2898&ChapAct=820%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B185%2F&ChapterID=68&ChapterName=EMPLOYMENT&ActName=Employee+Classification+Act  

This information covers factors used to determine "non-employee status" and criteria to be considered an independent contractor.