InterBusiness Issues - February 2006

An Interview with Stan Browning

Sanitary District Director Keeps Peoria Clean

The Greater Peoria Sanitary District Executive Director talks with InterBusiness Issues about the behind-the-scenes work that makes modern life possible - and why you should call him instead of a plumber.

Features

Book Review

Good to Great: Great Business Book Worth Reading

Sandi Gebhardt

Barnes & Noble Booksellers

How does a good company get to be great? Jim Collins' bestselling book provides some great ideas you can start implementing today—without the hype.

Business Profile

Dr. Heather McLauchlan: University of Illinois College of Medicine

Physician and teacher Heather McLauchlan, MD, is a relative newcomer to Peoria, but she’s already involved in the newest thing to hit medical education in years: life-like mannequins.

Guest Editorial

The High Cost of Doing Business in Illinois

Doug Whitley, Illinois Chamber of Commerce

The cost of doing business: depending on your experience, that could bring to mind obvious costs like labor, materials, equipment, and utilities. A primary driver for corporate site location is the cost of doing business. The cost of doing business also is important for business retention.

Publisher's Note

EDC Strengthens Our Hand

Jan Wright, Publisher

Life is no longer lived in a vacuum. Like never before, our lives here are impacted by what happens in Decatur, Springfield, Bloomington, Chicago, etc. It’s imperative we have one strong voice as we work with those other entities.

Also in this issue...

Employer Liability for Actions of Independent Contractors

Fadi Rustom

Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick, P.C.

Employers must hold employees, contractors, visitors, and others to appropriate standards of behavior.

Look Within Before You Spend the $29.95

Mark Moehlenkamp

AdCo Advertising Agency, Inc.

It seems that I’ve been armed with the knowledge I’ve sought for years. And it's all offered here for free.

Managing Environmental Data

Meghan Krishnayya

STS Consultants, Ltd.

EMIS collects data in one location to provide more than just the required regulatory reports.

Optimize Your Sales and Use Tax Position

Stephen Perenich

RSM McGladrey

Several strategies provide businesses the opportunity to reduce tax liabilities and improve compliance.

Telecom Terms Made Easy

Julie Drake

Jewel Technology Services

In telecommunications, acronyms and industry terms get thrown around as if everyone knows them.

World Wild Web

Stephen Ferguson

SpyderHost.net

Don’t want to rely on search engines to find the best pages? Check out these five categories of sites!

Columns

Agricultural Issues

Chiilicothe Exhibit Chronicles "Key Ingredients"

Patrick Kirchhofer - Peoria County Farm Bureau

Airport Issues

Airport Experiences Great 2005

Mary DeVries, Greater Peoria Regional Airport

Chiropractic Issues

Cost Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care

Dr. Robert Zinser, Zinser Chiropractic Clinics

City Issues

Heart of Peoria Commission: An Overview

Mayor Jim Ardis - City of Peoria

Civic Center Issues

Peoria Civic Center Revitalization Update

Marc Burnett, Peoria Civic Center

Community Issues

Renaissance Park

W. Michael Bryant, Methodist Medical Center

County Issues

Peoria GIS: Cooperation at Its Finest

David Williams, Peoria County Board

Education Issues

World Wide Web Founder Comes to ICC

Dr. John Erwin, Illinois Central College

Ethical Issues

Falling in Love With Ethics Documents

Dr. John Throop, The Summit Group

Health Care Issues

Suicide Prevention

Sandy Rapp and Cassy Horack, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

Heartland Issues

New Study Released by TransPORT

Jim McConoughey, Heartland Partnership

HR Issues

Independent Contractor or Employee?

Mary Pille, Employers' Association

Insurance Issues

Workers' Compensation Costs

JR Runkel, Fortner Insurance Agency, Inc.

Occupational Health Issues

Drug Screen Logistics: Part II

Michael Davis - IWIRC Corp.

PACVB Issues

Illinois River Country: A Natural Asset

Steve Powell, Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Public Issues

Ethics, Lobbying Reform a Must for 2006

Congressman Ray LaHood - U.S. Congress

Social Issues

Assessment Reveals New Recommendations

Michael Stephan, Heart of Illinois United Way

Staffing Issues

Errors Are Funny - Except When They're Yours

David Smith, Manpower Professional

Workforce Issues

Partnerships Key to Talent Force 21 Success

Bashir Ali, Central Illinois Workforce Development

Search

InterBusiness Issues - February 2006