On Friday, May 9, 2025, the Chamber held its Spring New Member Chair's Breakfast at the Bloomington Country Club, presented by the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program. The event welcomed new and existing members for a morning of networking, education on Chamber benefits, and community building.

Phil Lopez, Marketing Coordinator for the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program, delivered a timely presentation on the importance of taking advantage of current energy efficiency offerings. He highlighted the upcoming regulatory changes under Illinois' “Clean Lighting Act” (HB 2363), which will mandate the phase-out of fluorescent lighting in favor of LED technology by 2027. Lopez emphasized that now is a critical time for businesses to leverage available energy efficiency incentives, noting that such programs may be phased out once the transition to LEDs is complete.

Brooke Fenske, the Chamber’s Director of Membership Development, opened the morning with a warm welcome and invited attendees to explore the Chamber Resource Groups. She encouraged members to meet with group representatives following the breakfast to learn more about their missions and how to stay actively involved with the Chamber.

Chamber Board Chair Meghan O’Neal-Rogozinski, owner of Axis 360 Commercial Real Estate Specialists, continued the program by introducing Chamber staff and sharing the value the organization brings to the local business community. She underscored the Chamber’s commitment to supporting economic growth and creating opportunities for local businesses to thrive.

Charlie Moore, President and CEO of the Chamber, concluded the event by inviting several new members to introduce themselves and share more about their businesses. He also previewed upcoming Chamber events, including the Twin Cities Showcase, and encouraged all members to take advantage of these opportunities to build meaningful connections. Moore closed with a powerful reminder: “We do business with people we know, and people we trust.”

The Chamber will host another New Member Breakfast this fall, which will coincide with the annual Nonprofit Showcase.

For more information about upcoming events or to get involved, please visit our website or contact Lily Hoops, Manager of Events.