The Voice

STEPPING BACK AND STEPPING UP How local, family-owned businesses handle leadership changeovers By Christine Hand, managing editor For family-owned businesses, leadership transitions are among the most pivotal moments in a company’s lifecycle. Unlike publicly traded firms, these transitions are deeply personal, blending business strategy with family relationships, legacy, and identity. We asked local businesses—Forest City…

MORE THAN A PIECE OF DIRT GRCC’s new VP shares what economic development means to him By Christine Hand, managing editor In January, the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) welcomed Everett Butzine, CEcD, as its new vice president of business expansion and attraction. Newly relocated from Madison, Wisconsin, where he served as the interim…

GREATER TOGETHER A letter to the business community from the new kid on the block By Mike Lacny, Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce It’s week two of my new position here at the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) and our managing editor asked me to write a piece about membership. I’m a Rockford area…

DO MY EMPLOYEES EVER HAVE TO BE AT WORK? Recent new and amended Illinois leave laws By Samuel J. Castree, Staff Management, Inc. Over 15 state and federal laws provide employees with protected leave and time off from work. Illinois employers will soon need to navigate new and expanded employee leave rights, most of which…

SUCCESSION PLAN MUST-DOS Don’t gamble with your organization’s future By Lesly Couper, Workplace Whether you operate a small family business or lead a mid-sized organization, leadership transitions are inevitable. Yet many local companies admit they haven’t formally prepared for who will take the reins when key leaders retire, resign, or move into new roles. Effective…

Looking back on GRCC’s year of momentum The Chamber accelerated progress in 2025, and there’s even more on the horizon By Christine Hand, managing editor The Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) is on a roll and gaining momentum. Under the direction of its new(ish) CEO, Angela Kay Larson, an engaged board of directors, and…

Creating buzz for nonprofits A strategic marketing approach By Rebecca Francis, Ignite Change Solutions In an increasingly crowded philanthropic landscape, nonprofits must do more than simply exist. They must stand out. Effective marketing isn’t about selling a product; it’s about selling a vision, a mission, and an opportunity for people to be part of something…

Rethinking ROI The power of partnership By Brittany Freiberg, Rock Valley College Foundation At a quick glance, the relationship between businesses and nonprofits could be viewed as one-sided. The nonprofit makes the ask, the business supports the cause, and both move on to the next meeting, event, or campaign. Although that model can produce good…

What collaboration looks like Solving our most significant social issues together By Pam Clark Reidenbach, Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence Talk without action is a waste of time and resources. Isolated activities or interventions result in more and more programs and more and more money needed to fund them. Perhaps it’s time to abandon…