Marketing Support
     Thanks to Preston Hanley Funeral Homes for the extra donation included with their annual dues payment.  It will be used to continue our promotion of Pekin What A Pleasant Surprise.

The Pekin Area Is Bucking The Trend
     The Illinois Association of Realtors announced on January 24th that sales of single family homes and condominiums in Illinois totaled 137,133 for 2007.  That's 16.9% less than the previous year.
     In the Chicago metro area, sales were down 20.5% for the year.
     Locally, while total sales for 2007 were less than 2006, the decrease was less than the state average.  According to the Peoria Area Association of Realtors, 655 homes were sold in Pekin in 2007, compared to 710 in 2006.  That's a drop of just 7.7%.
     Other Tazewell County communities also faired better than the state average:  Washington home sales were down 6.6%, Morton sales were down 11.6%, and East Peoria residential sales were down 12.9% for the year.

Heart of Illinois Legislative Reception
     The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and other area chambers to host the 22nd Annual Heart of Illinois Legislative Reception.  The event will be held on Monday, February 11th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at  the Skyroom in the Prairie Building, 240 SW Jefferson in Peoria.
     This is your opportunity to network with area business leaders and communicate with local legislators.  Appetizers will be provided and there will be a cash bar.  Tickets are $35 ($45 for non-members) and can be ordered with this registration form.  Deadline to register in February 4th.   

Annual Meeting--Save The Date
     The Chamber's Annual Meeting & Reception will be held on the evening Monday, April 21st.  Save the date and watch for more information as the committee finalizes our plans.

Electric Coop Forming 3rd Class
     The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce has once again joined with the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce to offer our business members the opportunity to save money on their monthly electricity costs.
     If your monthly bill for electricity is over $300 you could save money by joining with other businesses in this class of the electricity purchasing cooperative.
     Informational meetings will be held in Peoria on Thursday, February 28th.  See the ad on page 7 to register.  For more information, contact Susan Jones at the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce at 495-5917.

Business Expo A Great Success
     Based on early estimates, about 3,000 people visited the Pekin Area Business EXPO '08, held on Saturday, January 26th at the Dragon's Dome.  The event featured entertainment, door prize drawings, and exhibits by nearly 100 chamber members and area businesses.
     The Expo was also successful due to the support of our sponsors:  Allegiant Air, Aventine Renewable Energy, Brown DJ & Sound Services, CEFCU, Comcast, Midwest Generation, Pekin Daily Times, Pekin Insurance, Suzi Davis Travel and the Regent Communications radio stations:  95.5 WGLO, 97.3 River country, Power 92.3 and 105.7 The X.
     Congratulations to the three vendors who received awards for their booth presentation:  Allen & Associates, American Tan-N-Spa, and Towerline Speedway.