JANUARY 2011

InsideJ A N U A R Y | 2 0 1 1

The Southern Business Journal is a publication of The

Southern Illinoisan. Contact us via mail at 710 N. Illinois

Ave., Carbondale, IL, 62901, or at P. O. Box 2108,

Carbondale, IL, 62903. Also reach us on the Web at

www.sbj.biz and via e-mail at SBJ@thesouthern.com. The

Journal is published 12 times per year monthly, and

mailed to businesses, community development leaders,

chambers of commerce members and other

professionals in Southern Illinois. Copyright 2010 by

The Southern Illinoisan, all rights reserved. A subscription

may be obtained by calling 618-529-5454 or

618-997-3356, or by visiting our Web site.

Contact usPublisher: Bob Williams n 618-351-5038

Editor: Gary Metro n 618-351-5033

Advertising: Todd Wurth n 618-351-5028

Circulation: Trisha Woodside n 618-351-5035

Database Coordinator: Mark Doman n 618-351-5042

ENTREPRENEUR’S MAILBAG Business clarity a key for success:Columnist Cavanaugh L. Gray recom-mends ways to sharpen your businessapproach by first considering what reactions you get when describing yourbusiness. If you are noticing perplexedlooks, or if you end your descriptionswith, “Well, you know what I mean,”then now might be a good time to bringa little clarity to your company. In addition to considering your message, itmight also be necessary to further identify who are the targeted customersand learn if there is a good role modelfor your business.

Page 11

INDICATORS More signs of encouragement: At themost recent date of measure, October2010, the jobless rate for the 18 southern-most counties of Illinois fell inall but one of the counties from theprior year. Decreases of 2 percent werelogged in hard-hit Alexander andFranklin counties. Gasoline pricesremain an area of concern as we enterthe new year, however. With prices atthe pump hitting $3.08 per gallon inDecember and oil topping $90 per barrel, there are reasons to fear additional business costs and higherprices. A gallon of gas cost 48 centsless just one year ago. Elsewhere, theindicators are a mixed bag for homesales, new vehicle sales and retailsales.

Pages 12-13

InsideBil Ecker, State Farm Insurance ........ 17

Custom Cleaners ................................ 3

Dutch Guttering ................................ 19

Feirich, Mager, Green & Ryan ................ 3

Ferrellgas ............................................ 7

Glass Haunt ...................................... 19

Hyannis Air Service ............................ 15

Jim’s Mobile Offices and Homes .......... 7

John A. Logan College ........................ 24

Midwest Backgrounds, Inc. ................ 17

Oliver and Associates, Inc. ................ 10

Pepsi MidAmerica .......................... 8, 10

Silkworm Inc. .................................... 19

SIU Credit Union .................................. 5

Southern Illinois Healthcare................ 20

Southern Illinois University ................ 22

Your Jeweler ........................................ 9

Directory of Advertisers

FORMULAS FOR SUCCESS Communication confusion: ColumnistJane Sanders says our differences arewhat make us fascinating, but theyalso lead to moments that can be confusing. Awareness and understanding of the differencesbetween men and women offer the keyto more productive relationships, bothpersonal and professional. As might be expected, the masculine style of behavior is often the opposite of feminine behavior and vice versa.Learn more about the varying styles, and you’ll recognize both thepeople you love and the people youwork with.

Page 6

ECONOMICS New focus a sign of hope: Columnist J. Fred Giertz of the University of Illinoisbelieves if there is any good newsregarding the economy, it is that attention is beginning to focus on thenation’s longer-term economic challenges beyond the recovery fromthe recent recession. But that does notmean all of the short-term work isdone. The economy essentially is in nobetter shape than two years ago, whenit was in the midst of the recessionand the accompanying financial crisis.But the light at the end of the tunnelappears to be growing brighter througha 2.5 percent GDP growth rate in thethird quarter of 2010.

Page 9

JANUARY 2011 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL 3

Feirich / Mager / Green / Ryan

Attorneys at LawProviding Business and Personal Legal Services to the Midwest

Located in the Westown Centre • 2001 West Main, Carbondale • (618) 529-3000

Visit our web site at www.fmgr.com

Commercial Transactions

Workers’ Compensation

Labor Negotiations

Employment Matters

Municipal Law

Administrative Law

Banking Law

Real Estate Transactions

Probate and Estate Planning

Business Organization

F M G R

Cover Story

It’s a fair assessment to say that PhilShaefer is anxious about health carereform. He has reason to be concerned.

Like many others from our region whowork in the medical field, the vicepresident of physician and ambulatoryservices for Southern Illinois Healthcaresees a potential for large numbers ofpreviously uninsured patients turning toarea providers for care — at a time whengovernment payments andreimbursements to physicians andhospitals are decreasing.

And, like many business leaders, theincreasing cost of providing healthinsurance for employees is also a concernfor Shaefer.

“This affects us significantly,” he says.“We’ve already seen with the newprovisions have an impact on our healthinsurance rates.”

In fact, SIH’s cost of providing medicalcoverage alone, without dental or visionprograms, has gone up more than 13percent over last year, meaning the entityis paying an additional $1.1 million inpremiums to cover the organization’snearly 2,900 employees.

At the same time, he says theorganization is facing a reduction inreimbursement from state and federalgovernment programs such as Medicareand Medicaid — a decrease of as much as21 percent. The result is that theorganization is charged with caring formore people, paying more for its own

insurance coverage and seeing a decreasein revenue.

“At some point in time, there is adouble-whammy,” he says. “It’s one thatcould have a significant impact on ourregion. There is no question that we’ll betightening our belts.”

Shaefer calls the next few years, whichwill usher in a variety of health carereforms, a “period of certain uncertainty.”It is an uncertainty that is causinguneasiness in Southern Illinois businessesof all sizes, especially when it comes toproviding insurance coverage foremployees.

Greg Sprehe, president ofCom-Pac International, aCarbondale-based manufacturer ofpackaging products with 150employees, says his company’s insurancebill jumped 25 percent.

“We understand that there are manyunknowns in the healthcare plan and that themedical insurers arepricing these unknownsinto renewal premiums,” hesays. “When there isuncertainty in the market, itexaggerates the risk that theseinsurers price into their contracts, andwe are the recipients of that.”

He says these added costs affect thecompany in several ways.

“The difficulty is that when we arefacing competition from companiesoverseas that don’t have these sameobligations, it makes us less competitive.It makes being profitable more

challenging, which, in turn, affects ourdecision making when it comes to hiringnew workers.”

Sprehe adds that while Com-Pac hasmade some new hires recently, more oftenworkers are being asked to work overtimerather than increasing the workforce.

“We are reluctant to hire as quickly as

we might be, otherwise, if we didn’t havethese challenges,” he says. “Every otherbusiness owner that I know is holding offhiring workers until they absolutely haveto have them.”

BY LES O’DELLSBJ CORRESPONDENT

Even the owners of smallbusinesses that are exempt from

requirements to provide healthinsurance coverage expect

changes on thehorizon.

SEE COVER STORY / PAGE 4

ART

SERV

ICES

Find more business newsat www.sbj.biz.

Obamacare: What’s the R for business?x

He also says that theincrease costs for insurance

coverage have affectedother areas of the

business.“When you have

to budgetadditional dollars

for medicalbenefits, that

affectsyour

decisionsto spend

money on capitalequipment,” hesays.

Even the ownersof small businesses

that are exemptfrom requirements

to provide healthinsurance coverage

expect changes on thehorizon.

“Because we’re belowthe number of employees

where you have to providecoverage, it’s not going toaffect us directly as acompany,” says Jim Morgan,president of MorganCommercial Structures inMurphysboro. “However, asmore people and businessesare required to providecoverage and have to go outand get insurance, I’massuming that the overallcosts of insurance is going togo up, which will affect us

indirectly.”Other business owners

already are seeing someconsequences of the newlegislation on staff members.

“It has really had an impacton the people who work forme,” Craig Williams of CraigWilliams Creative inPinckneyville says of his 55employees. The companysubsidizes about half ofemployees’ insurancepremiums.

“Even with that,we’ll see some

employees whowill leave the

insurance group and goget their own insurance.

When that happens, thenatural result for the rest ofus is that costs will go up,”Williams says.

He adds that the reasonsome employees may opt outof the company plan is a 51percent increase in healthinsurance premiums.

“The thing is there is somuch uncertainty, many ofthe insurers are erring on theside of caution, and thatmeans a rate increase,” hesays.

Many employees aresharing some of the burden ofhigher costs. Com-Pac’sSprehe says while hiscompany is trying tominimize the impact, it stillwill be felt by workers.

“One of the ways weresponded this year was byraising the deductible for ourworkers, so that’s just moremoney out of their pocket,”he says. “We polled othercompanies, and that seems tobe something that others aredoing. We particularly triednot to cut benefits or reducecoverage.”

W. Gene Basanta, co-director of SIU Center forHealth Law and Policy, saysbusinesses are carrying theinitial costs of health carereform.

“A lot of the costly stuffcame up front,” he explains.“I think those costs came upfront because the consumerinsurance reforms were thefirst thing to kick in. Theproof will come as this thingplays out, but the idea is thatcosts will moderate as theinsurance exchanges go intoplace and you have, hopefully,a very competitive insurancemarket with more people inthe system, spreading thecost of insurance over a widepopulation.”

While increased insurancepremiums are often blamedon the reform, they are notspecifically part of health carereform; they are what PhilGustafson, president andCEO of St. Mary’s GoodSamaritan Regional HealthCenter in Mount Vernon,calls “unintendedconsequences” of thelegislation.

He says that he’s heard ofcases of employers doingaway with health carebenefits for employees,opting to provide a stipend toworkers who purchase theirown coverage.

“I think that someemployers may be better offpaying the fines [for notcovering employees] than toprovide the insurance,” heexplains. “I think in that way,this reform may becounterproductive.”

Even though premiums forhis hospital’s employees havenot increased as much asothers, he says he’s concernedwith other parts of reform,specifically the reduction ingovernmental payments toproviders.

“What we’re worried aboutis that the legislation willreduce Medicare funding by

$500 million over 10 years,while 35 million more willenroll in Medicare,” he says.“That doesn’t seem to me tomatch.”

He adds the reforms areforcing hospitals to assesstheir own methods.

“We’re looking atreinventing how we delivercare, things that can changeour effectiveness andefficiency,” he said.

Businesses and the medicalsector both should eventuallybenefit from the reforms,Basanta says.

“If things work out,hopefully, the design is thatthe cost of health insurancefor businesses will moderate,and businesses will be able tobetter afford health insurancefor their employees, andthose costs will come undercontrol,” he says. “I thinkmost hospitals and physiciansare moving forward withplans to live in the reformedenvironment.”

He adds thatimplementation of provisionsof health care reform willlikely proceed, even after afederal judge ruled portionsof the legislationunconstitutional. Thesegments in question are notto be implemented until 2014.

“You have the Virginia casefrom a few weeks ago thatsays the individual insurancemandate is unconstitutional,and you have other decisionsbefore that where the federaltrial courts said it wasconstitutional,” he says. “It’sgoing to go to the appellatecourt and likely to theSupreme Court. It’s at least ayear or two before this thingis resolved.

“The reality is reform issubstantial and reform is hereto stay.”

LES O’DELL of Carbondale is aregular contributor to SouthernBusiness Journal and TheSouthern Illinoisan.

Cover Story

W. Gene Basanta, co-director of SIU Center for Health Lawand Policy, says businesses are carrying the initial costs ofhealth care reform. Businesses and the medical sector bothshould eventually benefit from the reforms.

JANUARY 20114 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Formulas for SuccessJANUARY 2011SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL6

Ah, differences!They befuddle us,betray us andbedazzle us, all atthe same time. Butthink how boring itwould be if we wereall the same. Yuk.Droids or robots wewould be — notliving, breathing

unique people. Our differences are whatmake us fascinating and, yes, confusing.Knowledge is power, however.Awareness and understanding of thesedifferences offer the key to moreharmonious and productiverelationships, both personal andprofessional.

The biological and social differencesbetween men and women discussed inprevious columns a few months agotranslate to behavioral stylediscrepancies. Translation confusionand conflict! The source of theseproblems becomes even more apparentwhen you recognize that these stylesaren’t just different, they basicallyoppose each other. The masculine styleof behavior is often the opposite offeminine behavior, and vice versa. You’llsee yourself in these styles, and you’llrecognize people you love and peopleyou work with. Here is a comparison ofa few of these style discrepancies.

Be aware, however, that thesebehavioral styles are generalities. Thereare always exceptions to the rule. Butwe must start somewhere, and thesegeneralities provide a foundation towork with. That’s why I label them as“masculine” and “feminine” stylesrather than “male” and “female.” Allpeople have a combination of bothstyles.

The ability to recognize and acceptthese differences, whether with awoman using a masculine style, a manwith a feminine style, a woman with a

feminine style, etc., will help youimprove the productivity andeffectiveness of your communication.

So, here’s a reminder from a previouscolumn. Men are largely wired forindependence, status and superiority.Remember that for thousands of years,men were responsible for hunting,building, protecting, saving lives —keeping the species alive. Theyfrequently had to face (and conquer, ifthey wanted to live) huge woollymammoths, saber-toothed tigers andvicious enemy tribes. Women, on theother hand, who have been responsiblefor relationships and family duties forcenturies, are wired more forconsensus, connection and harmony.

Hunting and killing stuff, comparedto developing relationships — that’squite a difference! Although huntingand killing stuff are no longer requiredin our society for survival, our geneticshaven’t changed all that much.

Along the lines of wiring for status,men don’t apologize nearly as often aswomen do. Doing so makes them feellower status, and they fear beingperceived as weak. In most cases, itwould behoove men to apologize more,and it would benefit women toapologize less to avoid these samenegative perceptions.

One example involved a femaleattorney friend of mine who reports to amale. Before leaving on a business trip,Barb asked her boss to call a client forher and determine her authority levelregarding cost of damages for themediation scheduled the day shereturned. This is common practice;there was nothing unusual with thisrequest.

The day of the mediation, Barb wasdown to the wire, the mediation was tostart in less than an hour, and shehadn’t heard from her boss yet, as hewas late arriving at their office. Finally,he appeared, skirted all around thesubject of the authority level, and lefther to make decisions with no clientconsultation or approval. He had

forgotten to call the client,never admitted it and neverapologized for his oversight.Barb told me that the nextday he avoided her like theplague. Guilt rearing its uglyhead. Did Barb confront himwith the truth? No! Shemay be an attorney whoexcels in litigation, butshe still hates conflictand confrontationoutside of thecourtroom!

Again, becauseof pastleadership andprotectionresponsibilities,men are wiredmore for superiorityand competition thanwomen. Compare this tothe connection andharmony wiring ofwomen, and you getopposite behavior. Evenin conversation, thesedifferences aredemonstrated. Accordingto Deborah Tannen,Ph.D., expert on gendercommunication issues andauthor of “You Just Don’tUnderstand: Women andMen In Conversation”(William Morrow, 1990),men often viewconversations as“negotiations” in which theytry to achieve status andmaintain independence.Women, on the other hand,or people with a femininestyle, tend to seeconversation as a way toconnect with other people.

So, you see, thesebehavioral style differencesstem from eons of wiringor programming, andcertainly served a

Sanders

BY JANE SANDERSSBJ CONTRIBUTOR

Gender behavioral style difference equals communication confusion

Themasculinestyle ofbehavior is often theopposite of femininebehavior,and viceversa.

ART

SERV

ICES

JANUARY 2011 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL 7

WorkplaceStress in the workplace

Stressed?Overworked?Overwhelmed?

Stress in theworkplace is aserious, yetunavoidable,issue. We allexperience“good stress”and “bad stress.”

We experience the good stress whenwe feel challenged and rewarded withthat adrenaline rush. The bad stressoccurs when we worry and suffer fromfear or anxiety, which results in avicious cycle that leads to healthproblems.

Stress warning signs include:l Increased heart rate and

breathinglHeadacheslMuscle fatiguel Shortness of breath, dry mouthlMuscle tighteninglPoor judgmentlBecoming distracted easilylFeelings of anxiousness and

frustrationl Inability to laugh or work,

unwilling to discuss problemslChanges in appetite (eating more

or less)lPoor sleep habitslPoor immune system

lDecreased libido or sex drivelNeglecting important things —

work, school and personal appearancelFeelings of confusion and being

overwhelmedl Increased dependence on alcohol,

drugs or food

The wellness modelThe National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) indicates that stressnegatively affects employee health. Inaddition, it can result in increasedinjuries and decreased productivityand profits. As a result, manyorganizations created wellnessprograms. For every dollar invested inwellness, studies show a return oninvestment of $3.40.

Actions to improve workingconditions are important. However,even the most conscientious effortsare unlikely to eliminate stresscompletely. Organizational changeand stress management techniquesare often the most useful approach.

Tips for a less stressfulworkday

Stop the race: Everyday is a raceagainst time, and we will never win.We cannot change time; however, wecan make changes by organizing ourday, taking responsibility and settingpriorities.

Prime time: Set aside 30 minutes

every morning to jot down your “todo” list. Only the things that arenecessary for you to accomplish forthe day should be placed on your list.Cross off the items you havecompleted, and you will feel a sense ofaccomplishment.

Enjoy the drive: During your dailycommute to work, listen to enjoyableor relaxing music or somethingmotivating. Avoid talking on thephone or checking e-mails/texting.

Sit down: Do not “eat on the run” orin your car. Focus on relaxing andfellowship with co-workers. If co-workers only insist on rehashing all ofthe negative stuff at work, eat alone.

Forgive and forget: Forgive thepeople who may have harmed you inany way, and take deep breaths topush all of the tension andsurrounding thoughts out of yourbody.

Be thankful: Remember to thankGod, in whatever form is consistentwith your belief system, for yourblessings, the air you breathe and yourability to be part of a workforce.

With the continued challenges ofour economy and the wellnessincentives in health care reform, it isimportant to stay focused and take aproactive approach toward employeehealth.

DENA KIRK is manager of SouthernIllinois Healthcare’s Fit For Work, anindustrial rehabilitation program.

Kirk

BY DENA KIRKSBJ CONTRIBUTOR

purpose during the early years of our species.Even now, some of the styles support us duringpractice of our gender-based responsibilities. Forexample, women still remain primarilyresponsible for child care and relationships, andthese duties require the softer, more intuitivequalities of connection and harmony. These samequalities often bring them success in supervisoryroles, as they do to men who manage with aparticipative (i.e. feminine) leadership style.

However, women would benefit, as some do,from having the ability to shift into a moreindependent, superior style for certain businesssituations and negotiations. Likewise, men wouldgain from applying their feminine side ofconnection and harmony from time to time tovarious management concerns calling forcompassion and understanding.

These were just the tip of the iceberg, yet Ihope enough to whet your appetite to keep anopen mind and accept our differences for whatthey are — purely differences! We need eachother with our unique qualities and styles, andwill get better results personally andprofessionally if we treat each other with respectand dignity.

JANE SANDERS is a speaker, trainer and facilitator inthe areas of gender communication, strategicbusiness or work/life planning, presentation skills,authentic leadership confidence, recruiting andretention of women and selling to women. She alsofacilitates brainstorming, best practice, and strategicplanning sessions and retreats. Jane’s clients includeToyota, MassMutual, Prudential, U.S. Steel,Walgreens and Mayo Clinic. Located in MountVernon, she is the creator of the UndercoverConfidante service, offering discovery and solutionsto challenging employee issues. Jane is author of“GenderSmart: Solving The Communication PuzzleBetween Men and Women,” available on her website.Reach Jane at 618-204-5540, jane@janesanders.comor www.janesanders.com.

Find more business newsat www.sbj.biz.

Here’s wishing you a safe and

1-800-827-7020www.pepsimidamerica.com

If there is anygood news regardingthe economy, it isthat attention isbeginning to focuson the nation’slonger-termeconomicchallenges beyondthe recovery fromthe recent recession.

Nevertheless, the recovery from therecession (officially lasting fromDecember 2007 until June 2009) is still amajor concern.

By some measures, the economy is inno better shape than two years ago,when it was in the midst of the recessionand the accompanying financial crisis.In November 2008, the unemploymentrate was 6.9 percent, rising to 10 percentin November 2009, and falling only to9.8 percent in November 2010, 18months after the end of the recession.Employment is still well below the peaklevels in 2006 and 2007.

On the bright side, the economy isgrowing again with a 2.5 percent GDPgrowth rate in the third quarter of 2010,compared to a negative 6.8 percent twoyears ago in the fourth quarter of 2008.Growth in this range or slightly higher isexpected to continue for at least the nexttwo years. Of greater importance, themost serious financial panic since theGreat Depression is now behind us.Financial markets have reboundedstrongly in the U.S. from the low pointin March 2009.

The financial panic is the likely reasonfor the recession’s unusual severity(both in terms of the steep decline andthe length of the downturn) as well asthe anemic recovery. Studies ofrecessions in the U.S. and around theworld have found that recoveries, wherefinancial panics have occurred, are muchless robust than typical recoveries.

Even with the massive federalstimulus program and unprecedentedaggressive intervention by the FederalReserve, unemployment is likely to

remain high (above 9 percent) for a yearor more and not return to the 5 to 6percent range for several years. Eventhough the economy is growing, the rateof growth is low compared to otherrecoveries. This level of growth is notsufficient to fully absorb new entrantsinto the workforce, along with thosewho are unemployed.

The problem is accentuated by apositive development in the economy —continued strong productivity growtheven during the downturn. Firms havebecome more efficient, which meansthat they do not need as many workerseven with increasing demand. This isgood news for the longer term economicprospects of the country, but slows thedecline in the unemployment rate.

The eventual economic recoverymeans that attention needs to shift fromnear-term concerns to more importantand daunting longer-term issues. It isclear that the U.S. economy is on anunsustainable course unless importantchanges are made in the next severalyears. The federal government is nowspending about 50 percent more than itis collecting in tax revenue. The reasonfor this currently is the impact of therecession with weak tax revenues, alongwith massive spending associated withthe stimulus package and related federalprograms.

A recent compromise betweenPresident Barack Obama andCongressional Republicans promises tocontinue large deficits for at leastanother two years through thetemporary extension of the Bush taxcuts, along with the lengthening ofunemployment benefit eligibility and areduction in social security taxes.

Even after the lingering impacts of therecession end, systemic fiscal problemswill not go away. In the longer term, theimpacts of an aging population, alongwith rising government health carecosts, will result in an equally bleakbudget picture 10 years in the future thatgrow more severe in succeeding years.While the federal government can runlarge deficits (especially during arecession), we cannot continue to spendhalf again as much as we take in forever.

Countries in Europe are experiencingsimilar problems that are striking evensooner than in the U.S. Financialmarkets have been roiled by problems insome of the smaller Europeaneconomies, such as Greece and Ireland,and the conservative government in the U.K. has embarked on a program offiscal austerity in response to theseproblems.

The federal government with its sizeand monetary powers will not gobankrupt (as suggested by theHemingway quotation). However, thecontinued huge deficits that rely onborrowing from foreigners will result inmajor problems. The fact that we havebeen able to finesse this problem formany years does not mean we can do soforever. We are now in the “gradually”phase, but another crisis may arise“suddenly.”

If there is any good news in thescenario, it is that there is still time toright the fiscal ship. The recent report ofthe Bowles-Simpson commission thatwas appointed by President Obama laidout a plan consisting of 75 percentspending cuts and 25 percent revenueenhancements to close the shortfall.None of the provisions of the plan wasparticularly popular — spending cutsand tax increases never are. However,taken as a whole, the report showed thatthere are reasonable options available,and also suggested that the changes willinvolve pain, although it will bemanageable.

The plan was well received by manyfiscal experts and a surprising number ofpoliticians. However, many politiciansrejected some of the most reasonableand painless aspects of the proposal,

such are raising the retirement age manyyears in the future.

The most important contribution ofthe commission’s report was not theparticular components of the plan, butthat major changes must be made to dealwith our looming problems. A viable,long strategy will not result from a seriesof temporizing short-term decisions.The time is now growing short. Thefailure to shift our focus from short-term expedients to longer-termfundamental changes will have direconsequences.

J. FRED GIERTZ is a professor of economicswithin the University of Illinois’ Institute ofGovernment and Public Affairs. He can bereached at 217-244-4822 orjgiertz@ad.uiuc.edu.

JANUARY 2011 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL 9

RRoouuttee 1133 CCaarrtteerrvviillllee998855--88333311

HHoouurrss:: MMoonn--FFrrii 99--66 •• SSaatt 99--44

MMoorree TThhaann JJuusstt aaJJeewweellrryy SSttoorree

EconomicsEconomic focus moves from short run to long run

Giertz

BY J. FRED GIERTZ SBJ CONTRIBUTOR ‘How did you go bankrupt?

Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.’

ERNEST HEMINGWAY“THE SUN ALSO RISES”

JANUARY 2011SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL10

PPeeppssii MMiiddAAmmeerriiccaa WWiisshheess YYoouu AA HHaappppyy aanndd SSaaffee HHoolliiddaayy!!7 UP Cake with Coconut Frosting RecipeIInnggrreeddiieennttssCake:1 cup butter, softened½ cup vegetable shortening2 ½ cups sugar5 eggs1 teaspoon lemon extract3 cups flour7 ounces, 7UP, at room temperature

Coconut frosting: 1 egg, beaten¾ cup sugar1 tablespoon flour2 tablespoons butter8 ½ ounces crushed pineapple, undrained3 ½ ounces flaked coconut

Directions: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube or Bundt panand set aside. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat together butter and shortening with thesugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after eachaddition and scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add lemon extract. Addflour and 7UP alternately, beating after each addition. Spoon batter into prepared pan andbake for 80 minutes or until cake tests done. Remove from oven and place pan on wire rack tocool for 30 minutes, then turn out cake onto wire rack to cool completely. Prepare icing: In asmall saucepan, cook egg, sugar, flour, butter and pineapple with juice over very low heat (ifheat is too high, the egg will curdle). Stir frequently and cook until thickened, about 15 minutes.Remove from heat. Stir in coconut and blend well. Spread on cooled cake.

Economic Conditions

The U.S. federalgovernment diditself some good byextending the 2002tax cuts. Stimulusworks better whenindividuals andbusinesses spendmoney rather thanthe government.The extended tax

cuts and the 2 percent additional cut inpayroll taxes will help familiesthroughout Illinois and the country. Itwas impressive to see governmentactually compromise and work together.

The greatest compromise was in theestate tax. The new law makes estates

worth more than $3.5 million taxable at amaximum tax rate of 35 percent. It isusually pretty good when the fringes ofboth parties don’t like it. Conservativesthink the money has already been taxedas income tax and doesn’t deserve to betaxed again. They call it a death tax andthink it should be abolished. Liberalsthink it should be about 45 percent of anestate worth more than $1.5 million.They think that inherited wealth needsto be taxed to prevent too much moneybeing in a family. A comedian likenedthis tax to a “late fee.”

Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, two ofthe wealthiest men in the country, thinkit should be at the higher rate. That isvery generous of them, except that theyplan to give most of their money to theGates Foundation. This actually is adeduction and estate taxes won’t be

owed on this money. Charitable giving isnice and should be encouraged, but theyshould not be able to avoid giving moneyto the world’s largest benefactor — theU.S. government.

There certainly has been more done inthe lame duck session of the federalgovernment than in the state of Illinois.Illinois’ latest scheme to payits bill lets the stateborrow money at theextremely high rate of12 percent. This ishigher than Greecehas to pay on itsbonds. This band-aidapproach has to stop.Illinois has to makecuts, fix its pensionproblems and increaserevenue.

Additionally, the cost of college hastripled in the last 17 years and now isdifficult for many families to afford. Idon’t think it is impossible to lower thecost. If a school could figure out how toaccomplish that, its enrollment would

Tison

BY MICHAEL P. TISONSBJ CONTRIBUTOR

Economic thoughts for 2011

SEE ECONOMICS / PAGE 11

ART

SERV

ICES

JANUARY 2011 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL 11

definitely grow.In the long term, Illinois needs to

grow its population. Illinois needs agrowing tax base and not a shrinking taxbase. What would make Illinois grow? Asolvent government would help. Areasonable state tax rate, 4 percent,

would work. Lower workmen’scompensation premiums would help.Investing in schools would help. Severalschools in Southern Illinois are almost100 years old. On a major wish list,schools need to change the way they arefunded. It is unfair to rural Illinois andthe city of Chicago.

Taxing all Internet purchases would

help. At the beginning, all states and thefederal government did not want to taxthis industry because the Internet wasnew, and they did not want the Internetto fail. I believe that is one safe industrynow. As a matter of fact, it is unfair tolocal brick and mortar stores that theyhave to charge, and online stores don’t.

The time is right for Illinois to make

the changes it needs. It would be nice ifit could be done without term limits.

MICHAEL P. TISON is an investment advisorand registered principal with RaymondJames Financial Services, Inc., with officesin Harrisburg and Marion. He can bereached at 618-253-4444 ormichael.tison@raymondjames.com.

Entrepreneur’s Mailbag

A businessassociate contactedme recently to refera project. The clientin question quicklygave the green lightto proceed;however, it didn’ttake long before myenthusiasm came toa screeching halt. I

realized that there were some seriousissues that would have sidelined ourmarketing efforts if not addressedimmediately. If I had to be honest, thebusiness concept really wasn’t thatsound and needed a bit of clarity. As youdescribe your business, if you arenoticing perplexed looks, or if you endyour descriptions with, “Well, you knowwhat I mean,” then now may be a goodtime to bring a little clarity to yourcompany.

Is your message clear?Have you ever found yourself reading

something for an extended period oftime only to get to the very end and haveabsolutely no idea of what you just read?That may not be a bad thing if you arereading a copy of Astrophysicist Weekly,but what if it happens to be yourcompany’s website. In my experience,individuals from highly technicalbackgrounds often have troubletranslating what they do into everydaylanguage. It would be good practice to

periodically have others review yourwebsite, and other marketing collateralto make sure that your company’s overallmessage is easily understood.

Who are your customers?Another mistake I have seen

throughout the years is this cast-a-wide-net, target-market approach. Itoften takes one of two forms. Usually astart-up will try a blanket approach thatsays our customers are everyone thatlikes pizza or drives cars. Anotherapproach is to identify a large marketand then look to capture a percentage ofthat market. In either case, they are bothover-generalizations and don’t factor ingeographic information (physicallocation, age, gender, etc.) orpsychographic details (what makes acustomer buy). Think of it this way. Canyou describe your target market asclearly and as detailed as you woulddescribe a close friend or familymember. If you can’t come close togiving this kind of detail about yourtarget market, then you may want tokeep working on it.

Know any good models?Recently, our family got rid of our Dish

and picked up a Netflix account.Revolutionary when it first hit themarket, Netflix’s business model seemsto keep getting better. Totally changingthe video rental paradigm, Netflix firsteliminated the need to drive to the videostore by having your favorite moviesdelivered to your mailbox. Next, the

company moved to “on demand,” onwhich you could watch movies from anyweb-connected computer.

Lastly, Netflix took on another gaming partner by teaming up withNintendo Wii to deliver movies. Bybuilding on a good business model,Netflix continues to conveniently meetcustomers where they are. If you areunable to clearly answer how yourcompany intends to make money, thenthis is an issue that you definitely wantto address.

Though different in many ways, it issafe to say that businesses of all sizesdeal with similar issues. If any of theseissues register with you, be sure to takeaction. By bringing a little clarity to

these and other key areas of yourbusiness, you may be well on your wayto setting yourself up for success in 2011.

CAVANAUGH L. GRAY is director of businessdevelopment for The Entrepreneur Café,L.L.C. in Carbondale. He can be contactedat cgray@ecafellc.com or 618-206-7013.For more information on how to start, growand succeed in small business, be sure tofollow The Entrepreneur Café, L.L.C. onTwitter, www.twitter.com/TheECafe, or atwww.ecafellc.com.

Gray

BY CAVANAUGH L. GRAYSBJ CONTRIBUTOR

ECONOMICS: Thoughts for 2011: Time is right for Illinois to make the changes it needsFROM PAGE 10

ART SERVICESNetflix’s business model seems to keep getting better.

Business clarity is key for success in 2011

Find more business newsat www.sbj.biz.

S O U T H E R N I L L I N O I S I N D I C A T O R S

100

102

103

104

105

78

90

DM J J A S O N F M A M

98

94

’09

88

86

84

82

81

80

76

J’10

74

72

70

68

66

64J J A S O

Chicago Fed MidwestManufacturing IndexThe CFMMI is a monthly estimate by majorindustry of manufacturing output in the SeventhFederal Reserve District states of Illinois, Indiana,Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. It is a compositeindex of 15 manufacturing industries, includingauto and steel, that uses electrical power andhours worked data to measure monthly changesin regional activity. It is compared here to thenational Industrial Production index forManufacturing (IPMFG). Base year is 2007.Starting in November 2005, the index excludedthe electricity component.

IPMFG Oct 1092.0

CFMMI Oct 1080.9

SOURCE: FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF CHICAGO

Williamson County RegionalAirport passengers

736 144 p 411.1%

2,650 719 p268.6%

Oct 10 Oct 09 Change

2009 Change

YTD TOTALS

MONTHLY TOTALS

Anna 92.1 114.5 113.3 112.3 111.7 109.7 p 4.4%Benton 59.0 69.4 71.4 72.4 75.0 70.4 q 1.4%Carbondale 450.5 565.5 587.7 607.4 610.4 579.4 q 2.4%Carterville 31.9 39.9 40.1 40.3 39.9 32.7 p 22.0%Chester 40.0 52.9 51.5 51.7 54.0 51.1 p 3.5%Du Quoin 59.7 100.8 91.9 94.4 103.1 95.0 p 6.1%Harrisburg 146.5 191.9 179.3 173.6 168.5 164.9 p 16.4%Herrin 118.4 147.2 135.9 134.4 137.5 127.9 p 15.1%Jonesboro 9.0 12.5 12.4 11.3 11.5 11.5 p 8.7%Marion 515.3 676.0 673.4 662.4 592.7 545.9 p 23.8%Metropolis 61.6 77.1 75.9 79.8 74.8 69.4 p 11.1%Mount Vernon 385.5 476.7 482.8 461.5 501.0 475.3 p 0.3%Murphysboro 98.4 129.1 117.1 94.9 93.0 94.6 p 53.4%Nashville 71.8 107.9 101.8 105.2 105.7 101.1 p 6.7%Pinckneyville 27.8 37.2 39.0 35.8 41.7 38.0 q 2.1%Red Bud 56.2 70.1 77.7 73.7 82.5 82.5 q 15.0%Sparta 97.6 126.4 130.5 129.5 133.1 127.7 q 1.0%Vienna 29.4 37.1 40.5 39.8 36.9 32.7 p 13.5%West City 66.3 91.9 89.6 82.8 77.7 70.8 p 29.8%West Frankfort 83.2 111.4 111.2 111.4 106.8 102.3 p 8.9%REGION $2,500.2 $3,235.5 $3,223.0 $3,174.7 $3,157.6 $2,983.0 p 8.5%ILLINOIS $12,515.6 $139,593.2 $237,438.0 $180,162.7 $173,362.8 $167,459.0 q 16.6%

YTD Sept 2010City 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005% change

05-09

Retail sales for Southern Illinois cities

SOURCE: LATEST STATISTICS AVAILABLE FROM THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE. FIGURES ARE IN MILLIONS.

Labor force Jobless Oct 2010 Sept 2010 Oct 2009 Change month Change year

Unemployment rates for Southern Illinois counties, state and nation

Alexander 3,177 350 11.0% 11.1% 13.0% q 0.1 q 2.0Franklin 18,062 2,172 12.0% 12.8% 14.0% q 0.8 q 2.0Gallatin 2,760 278 10.1% 9.6% 10.7% p 0.5 q 0.6Hamilton 4,157 394 9.5% 9.3% 9.4% p 0.2 p 0.1Hardin 1,838 194 10.6% 10.5% 12.2% p 0.1 q 1.6Jackson 33,885 2,513 7.4% 7.2% 7.6% p 0.2 q 0.7Jefferson 20,532 1,845 9.0% 9.0% 10.2% 0.0 q 1.2Johnson 5,165 543 10.5% 10.3% 10.8% p 0.2 q 0.3Massac 7,448 595 8.0% 8.7% 8.5% q 0.7 q 0.5Perry 9,480 1,058 11.2% 10.9% 12.2% p 0.3 q 1.0Pope 1,962 201 10.2% 10.4% 11.5% q 0.2 q 1.3Pulaski 2,913 302 10.4% 10.6% 11.7% q 0.2 q 1.3Randolph 15,556 1,299 8.4% 8.4% 9.4% 0.0 q 1.0Saline 13,163 1,296 9.8% 9.8% 11.1% 0.0 q 1.3Union 8,336 901 10.8% 11.1% 11.3% q 0.3 q 0.5Washington 8,276 614 7.4% 7.4% 8.2% 0.0 q 0.8White 7,710 652 8.5% 8.4% 8.7% p 0.1 q 0.2Williamson 35,566 3,205 9.0% 9.9% 9.6% p 0.1 q 0.6 .,REGION 185,986 18,412 9.7% 9.7% 10.6% 0.0 q 0.9ILLINOIS 6,634,281 608,222 9.2% 9.5% 10.5% q 0.3 q 1.3U.S. 153,652,000 13,903,000 9.0% 9.2% 9.5% q 0.2 q 0.5SOURCE: ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. FIGURES ARE NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED. 2,750 2,636 p 4.3%

2008ANNUAL TOTALS

N O I S I N D I C A T O R S

Prices at the pumpAverage price per gallon of regular, unleadedgas as of Nov. 19 and Dec. 16, 2010.

694Anna

Consumer credit scoreCredit scores are numeric reflections of financialbehavior and credit worthiness and they are basedon information included in a credit report. Rangingfrom 330 to 830, a higher score means a lowercredit risk. Scores are from December 2010.

692U. S.

699State

698Region

SOURCE: EXPERIAN

SOURCE: AAA

Metro East $3.08 $2.90 $2.60Springfield $2.90 $2.91 $2.51Illinois $3.07 $3.01 $2.63U.S. $2.98 $2.88 $2.59

Dec 10 Nov 10 Dec 09

208

200

204

206

S

210

‘10

212

A

214

M J

216

J

218

A

220

OO N D J F’09

M

Consumer Price IndexThe CPI measures average price changes of goodsand services over time, with a reference base of 100in 1982-84.To put into context, a current CPI of194.5 means a market basket of goods and servicesthat cost $100 in 1982-84 now costs $194.50.

U.S. city averageOct 10 218.7

Midwest urbanOct 10 208.7

SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

95949392919089

96979899

100101102103104105106107108

D J A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A

’08

S O NM J J A S O N

’09

F M

’10

U of I FlashIndex

The Flash Index is an early indicator of the Illinois economy’s expectedperformance. It is a weighted average of growth rates in corporate earnings,consumer spending and personal income. An index above 100 indicatesexpected growth; an index below 100 indicates the economy is contracting.

Nov 10 94.2

Home sales Total units sold, including condominiums

SOURCE: ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Alexander 5 6 q 16.7% 17 32 q 46.9% $50,000 $37,450 p 33.5%Franklin 68 67 p 1.5% 276 332 q 16.9% $42,625 $59,500 q 28.4%Gallatin 2 7 q 71.4% NA NA NA $35,800 $40,000 q 10.5%Hamilton 0 1 q 100.0% 7 8 q 12.5% $0 $142,500 q 100.0%Hardin 3 4 q 25.0% 0 0 0% $124,500 $76,500 p 62.7%Jackson 97 129 q 24.8% 383 467 q 18.0% $104,000 $104,000 0.0%Jefferson 66 81 q 18.5% 332 381 q 12.9% $79,000 $84,200 q 6.2%Johnson 24 16 p 50.0% 78 92 q 15.2% $62,000 $44,000 p 40.9%Massac 21 13 p 61.5% 112 128 q 12.5% $89,500 $56,500 p 58.4%Perry 26 23 p 13.0% 126 149 q 15.4% $75,000 $42,500 p 76.5%Pope 2 2 0.0% 10 9 p 11.1% $15,000 $75,750 q 80.2%Pulaski 1 2 q 50.0% 13 4 p 225.0% $39,000 $47,500 q 17.9%Randolph 31 34 q 8.8% 149 136 p 9.6% $83,900 $68,500 p 22.5%Saline 33 28 p 17.9% 80 78 p 2.6% $47,000 $54,200 q 13.3%Union 21 27 q 22.2% 101 91 p 11.0% $115,000 $79,000 p 45.6%Williamson 160 186 q 14.0% 639 705 q 9.4% $98,000 $98,750 q 0.8%ILLINOIS 24,628 32,776 q 24.9% 107,075 140,378 q 23.7% $154,000 $164,000 q 6.1%

Q3 10 Q3 09 Change 2008 2007 Change Q3 10 Q3 09 ChangeMEDIAN SALES PRICE

SOURCE: INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Hotel/motel statsTotal amount of revenue generated in Carbondaleby hotels and motels for room rentals only.

New vehicle sales Total cars, trucks sold based on title applications filed.Excludes motorcycles, trailers.

SOURCE: ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE. LATEST DATA AVAILABLE.

Alexander 10 13 q 23.1% 137 169 q 13.3%Franklin 76 81 q 6.2% 989 1,341 p 7.5%Gallatin 20 21 q 4.8% 184 294 p 30.7%Hamilton 17 15 p 13.3% 224 287 p 10.4%Hardin 5 9 q 44.4% 94 109 q 19.3%Jackson 125 97 p 28.9% 1,348 1,969 p 21.4%Jefferson 73 53 p 37.7% 842 1,270 p 14.9%Johnson 23 27 q 14.8% 353 481 p 14.8%Massac 19 28 q 32.1% 278 422 p 3.7%Perry 42 39 p 7.7% 565 689 p 8.0%Pope 6 8 q 25.0% 85 123 p 10.8%Pulaski 9 10 q 10.0% 124 221 p 11.1%Randolph 88 64 p 37.5% 936 1,208 p 7.3%Saline 68 62 p 9.7% 719 1,064 p 15.7%Union 43 39 p 10.3% 447 596 p 11.6%Washington 33 35 q 5.7% 515 621 p 4.4%White 44 46 q 4.3% 471 721 p 8.6%Williamson 159 151 p 5.3% 1,868 2,515 p 9.7%REGION 860 798 p 7.8% 10,179 14,100 p 11.1%

Oct 10 Oct 09 Change 2009 2008 Change

$703,363 $704,651 q 1.8%

$4,366,099 $4,498,493 q 2.9%

July 10 July 09 Change

2009 Change

YTD TOTALS

MONTHLY TOTALS

$7,725,727 $7,520,856 p 2.7%

2008ANNUAL TOTALS

JANUARY 2011SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL14

Elder LawSeniors at long-term risk

The proposedIllinois regulationsto implement thefederal DeficitReduction Actthreaten all seniorswho may eventuallyneed long-termcare (e.g., in anursing home). Thefollowing are just

five of a number of extremely draconianprovisions that will harm seniors, theirspouses and nursing homes. (Theanalyses draw from a white paper thatopposes the proposed new rulespublished by the Illinois Chapter of theNational Academy of Elder LawAttorneys.)l The proposed rules will impose a

new five-year look-back periodretroactively for all gifts or othertransfers made for less than fair marketvalue on or after Feb. 8, 2006.

Case Study: David routinely madegifts of $200 to each of his fivegrandchildren on each grandchild’sbirthday in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and2010. He was aware of the laws relatingto Medicaid as they existed from 2006through 2010. Under those prior rules,there would be no penalty periodapplied, when in March of 2011, Davidrequires care in a nursing home.

Under the proposed rules, David ispenalized for all gifts made after Feb. 8,2006. In fact, David will be penalizedfor approximately one month, duringwhich time Medicaid will not pay for hiscare in the nursing home. In the eventhe has no other funds with which to payfor his care, the nursing home will likelynot get paid for that period of time. Ifthis happens several times to the samenursing home, as it likely will, thenursing home may have difficultypaying for necessary staffing andservices for its residents, plus it will bereluctant to accept prospectiveresidents. Seniors unable to privatelypay for nursing home care may find itdifficult, or even impossible, to find anursing home to accept them. Further,

and most alarming, the senior may belegally evicted from the nursing homefor non-payment of his bill.l Under the proposed rules, penalty

periods are imposed on asset transfersby “institutionalized persons.” Thereshould be no requirement ofinstitutionalization in a nursing homein order to commence a penalty period.

Case Study: John is 85 years old and ingood health. He gives $10,000 to hisgrandson to pay for college on Sept. 1,2008. On Sept. 18, 2012, John has astroke. John is totally incapacitated perhis medical records and in need of aninstitutional level of care, but he is notyet in a nursing home, and his totalassets do not exceed $2,000. On Oct. 1,John’s daughter inquires at a localnursing home about John’s potentialplacement. The nursing home carefullyquestions her about past transfers, andshe reports the gift made to thegrandson. The nursing home repliesthat John will not be eligible forMedicaid assistance for the first twomonths of his placement, because of thegift to the grandson for his collegetuition. Neither John nor his daughterhas funds to pay the nursing home, sohis daughter provides full-time care toJohn at home. Two months later, onDec. 1, John is admitted to the nursinghome and files a Medicaid application.

Under the proposed rules, John wouldstill suffer a two-month penalty periodbecause he was not institutionalizeduntil Dec. 1. And, under the proposedrules, institutionalization appears to benecessary in order to commence apenalty period.l The proposed regulations state: “A

person shall not be subject to a penaltyperiod ... to the extent that all of theassets transferred for less than FMVhave been returned to the person.” Thisproposed rule exceeds the requirementsof the federal DRA. The DRA does notrequire the return of all assetstransferred. No one gains from an “all ornothing” approach as the draft rulespropose. Federal law does not requireIllinois to abandon its long-standingpolicy to give credit for partial returnsof gifts that result in disqualification.

Case Study: Jean is 85 and in good

health. Jean gives $30,000 to her sonbecause his home was in foreclosure in2008. Jean has a stroke and needsnursing home care in January 2011. Jeanis now impoverished and unable to payfor the cost of her care. Jean’s soninquires at a local nursing home aboutJean’s potential placement and is toldthat the cost of care is $5,000 permonth. Jean’s son now has a job and canreturn $15,000 of the $30,000 Jeanpreviously gave to him. He is unable toreturn the entire $30,000, as $15,000 ishis entire savings.

Under the 2010 rules, if Jean’s sonreturned 50 percent of the funds, theassociated penalty period would also bereduced by 50 percent. This wouldimpose a three-month penalty period,which could be paid for by the $15,000returned gift. However, under theproposed rules, Jean will not be eligiblefor Medicaid for five months, eventhough her son returned all he couldpossibly return. Again, not only willJean suffer, but so will the nursinghome, which will go unpaid.l The proposed rules provide no

exemptions to the imposition of apenalty period where a gift or transferwas made for charitable or educationalpurposes or only small gifts were made.

Case Study: Josephine has tithed toher church in the amount of $20 perweek for years. In addition, she hasgiven her 10 grandchildren $20 everyChristmas and on each of theirbirthdays. Thus, she has madecharitable and small family giftstotaling $7,200 throughout the courseof the last five years. Josephine hassavings of less than $2,000 and nowneeds long-term care in a nursinghome. Under the 2010 rules, Josephinewould qualify for Medicaid benefits tohelp pay for her care.

Under the proposed new rules,Josephine will not qualify for benefitsbecause all gifts, even small ones, evencharitable gifts, made within the five-year look-back period are lumpedtogether to create a penalty period. Inher case, the penalty period is morethan one month. Since she does nothave sufficient savings to cover the$7,200 penalty period, she may be

unable to obtain the care she needs orthe nursing home may not be paid.l The proposed regulations restrict

planning for the healthy spouseremaining in the community when an illspouse requires long-term care.

Case Study: Mary married Tom at theyoung age of 20, when he was 37. Thetwo have been married for 50 years.Tom is now 87, and Mary is 70. Tom wasdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at75. Mary has struggled to keep him athome, and took the advice of friends ather Alzheimer’s support group totransfer all of their assets, consisting ofapproximately $180,000 in bankaccounts, their home and a car, into hername alone. Tom and Mary receivemonthly Social Security benefits of$1,350 and $750 respectively, for a totalcombined monthly income of $2,100;they receive no other income. At Tom’sdeath, Mary’s total Social Securityincome will be $1,350, as she will be ableto retain only the higher of the twoSocial Security checks. Tom recentlydeteriorated so that he is no longer ableto walk, and has become incontinent.Mary is no longer able to continuecaring for him at home, and is seekingcare in a long-term care facility.

Under the 2010 Illinois rules, Marywould need to invoke special provisionsin the 2010 rules, but once she did, Tomwould be eligible for Medicaid coverageof his long-term care. However, underthe proposed rules, Tom would notqualify for Medicaid until Mary spendsapproximately $70,000 of the assets sheholds. If Mary has no option to retainadditional assets, upon Tom’s death, shewill have cash assets of onlyapproximately $109,000 and monthlyincome of only $1,350 to support herselffor the duration of her life expectancy of15 years.

RICHARD HABIGER is the former presidentof the Illinois Chapter of the NationalAcademy of Elder Law Attorneys, and theauthor of the Illinois edition of “How toProtect Your Family’s Assets fromDevastating Nursing Home Costs:Medicaid Secrets.” You may contact him at618-549-4529 or info@habigerelderlaw.com.

BY RICHARD HABIGERSBJ CONTRIBUTOR

Habiger

St. Louis

MarionCape Girardeau And Beyond

From $49 each way.Connect to the world with fast, frequent flightsfrom Marion, IL. FREE Parking and easy baggagecheck-throughs. To book your trip, call us or visitcapeair.com. or call your travel agent.*Fares subject to change.

6 flights daily fromMarion to St. Louis.

4 flights daily fromCape Girardeau to St. Louis. 866-Cape-Air ~ capeair.com

JANUARY 2011SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL16

Money MattersCould QE2 lead to bubbles?

Is the glass halffull? The FederalReserve hascommitted tobuying $600 billionworth of Treasurybonds between nowand June, and itwants to purchaseup to $900 billionin debt by the end

of September 2011. This second round ofquantitative easing has been dubbedQE2. In a nutshell, the effort would pourcash into the banking system to promotelending and inflation, and it has thepotential to help stocks, the housingmarket and consumer spending.

Or is it half empty? Some economistsare worried about the impact of thistactic. They fear it may create a stockbubble, an inflated equities marketmotivated by speculation and lowinterest rates instead of earnings.

Likewise, some see a commoditiesbubble that could burst dramatically inthe years ahead.

QE2 has already earned someprominent detractors. Bond market guruBill Gross just called it “a Ponzi scheme”that will end the 30-year bull market inbonds (an event he has actually forecastfor some time). Jim Rogers, theQuantum Fund co-founder, whoastutely called the worldwide bullmarket in commodities in 1999, recentlylabeled QE2 “petrol on the fire” of thecommodities market and told an OxfordUniversity audience that Fed chair BenBernanke “does not understandeconomics … all he understands isprinting money.”

Will more investors turn to stocks?The Fed’s bond-buying program implieslower long-term interest rates, lowerbond yields and a weaker dollar. In anenvironment with lower bond yields,investors are predisposed to enter otherasset classes, such as real estate andstocks. If the stock and housing marketsimprove, that will certainly aid

consumer confidence which, in turn,should aid consumer spending.

On Main Street, there are two speedbumps on the way to that rosy domesticoutcome: a lack of customers and/ordemand (especially in the housingmarket) and unemployment.The Fed’s strategy may have a toughtime getting around those economicobstacles.

Why are other nations growing testy?QE2 could invite a trade war. A weakgreenback means a big advantage forU.S. exports. Our products will becheaper in other nations, thanks to theincrease in the money supply holdingdown the value of the dollar.Correspondingly, imported goods willcost us more, and we will buy less ofthem. That’s terrible news for nationssuch as China, Germany, Russia, Japan,France, Great Britain and Hong Kong, allof whom are counting on exports to aidin their economic recoveries.

If U.S. interest rates are too low for toolong, investors may try the emergingmarkets and/or the commodities

markets seeking higher returns. So thecommodities markets and the emergingmarkets could get even hotter.

If that happens, it would imply higherprices for oil, crops and raw materials inthe United States, which would hamperour economy. Of course, many analyststhink the commodities markets will keepadvancing with or without influenceslike QE2. The ongoing condition issimply too much demand and notenough supply.

Is this the “Hail Mary” play? Withinterest rates so low and one round ofbond-buying already in the historybooks, the Fed doesn’t have manyoptions left to jump-start the economy.Here’s hoping its latest move gives therecovery more traction.

SCOTT MCCLATCHEY is a founder and LPLfinancial advisor with Alliance InvestmentPlanning Group, a Carbondale-basedinvestment firm located at 115 S.Washington St. He can be reached at 618-519-9344 or scott@allianceinvestmentplanning.com.

Know whether your administrative employees are exemptfrom minimum wage and overtime requirements

As noted in lastmonth’s article,some categories ofemployees areexempt fromminimum wage andovertimerequirements underthe federal FairLabor StandardsAct. These

employees are referred to as “exempt”employees because they are exempt from

the minimum wage and overtime rules.Exempt employees generally must qualifyas executive, administrative orprofessional employees. (Certaincomputer workers and outsidesalespeople can also be exempt, eventhough they don’t really fit into the threequalifying categories.)

Last month, we looked at factors thatmake an employee a “professional” sothat the employee can be classified asexempt from minimum wage andovertime requirements. In this article, wewill address a second category — theadministrative exemption.

There are three criteria that must be

met for an employee to fall within theadministrative exemption under the FairLabor Standards Act. First, the employeemust make a minimum of $455 per week($23,660 per year) and that salary cannotbe calculated as an hourly wage; it mustbe a straight salary or fee. If an employeedoesn’t make that much money, he or shecannot qualify for the administrativeexemption.

Second, the employee’s primary dutymust involve office or non-manual workdirectly related to the management orgeneral business operations of thecompany. Determining an employee’sprimary duty is not always an easy thing

to do. The U.S. Department of Labordescribes an employee’s primary duty asthe “principal, main, major or mostimportant duty that the employeeperforms.” It is not always easy toidentify an employee’s primary dutybecause there is no particular percentageof time an employee spends inadministrative work that makes him orher exempt; that is, working 51 percent ofyour time in administrative tasks doesnot automatically make administrativework your primary duty.

On the other hand, spending less thanRenshaw

BY ED RENSHAWSBJ CONTRIBUTOR

McClatchey

BY SCOTT MCCLATCHEYSBJ CONTRIBUTOR

Why some analysts are worried about the Fed’s latest monetary easing effort

SEE EMPLOYEES / PAGE 17

JANUARY 2011 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL 17

MBI Worldwide, Inc

101 N. Park Ave - Suite 200

Herrin, IL 62948

Phone: 1.866.275.4624 (Toll free)

Fax: 618.942.8810

Email: info@mbiworldwide.com

50 percent of your time on administrativetasks does not automatically disqualifyan employee from having administrativework be his or her primary duty. Indetermining an employee’s primary duty,the Department of Labor will also look atthe importance of the administrativework to the company, the level of pay theemployee receives in comparison withnon-exempt employees and theemployee’s freedom from directsupervision. All of these factors can beconsidered in determining an employee’sprimary duty.

Determining whether an employee’swork is directly related to themanagement or general businessoperations of the company can also be achallenge. Certainly, the employee mustbe engaged in running the businessrather than simply working on anassembly line or selling a product. TheDepartment of Labor offers the followingexamples of duties that fit the“management” category: accounting,

budgeting, auditing, quality control,purchasing, advertising, marketing,research, safety and health, personnelmanagement, human resources,employee benefits, labor relations, publicrelations, database administration andregulatory compliance.

The third requirement for an employeeto qualify for the administrativeexemption is that the employee’s primaryduty involve the exercise of discretionand independent judgment on matters ofsignificance.

In other words, the employee must beable to act without asking permissionfirst. Not surprisingly, there are somegray areas with this requirement, as well.

The exercise of discretion andindependent judgment generally meansan employee has authority to makedecisions without direct supervision orprior approval. This does not mean theemployee’s decisions cannot be reviewedand reversed, so long as the employee isfree to make the initial decisionindependently.

Again, the Department of Labor offers

some examples of the use of discretionand independent judgment: theemployee formulates or implementscompany policies or procedures; theemployee’s work substantially affectsbusiness operations; the employee can commit the company to matters withsignificant financial impact; theemployee represents the company in resolving complaints; or the employee can deviate from companypolicies and procedures without priorapproval.

The employee’s discretion andindependent judgment must relate to“matters of significance.” This means thework being performed must be importantto the company’s business operationsand must have a substantial impact onthose operations. A bulldozer operatormay use discretion and independentjudgment on the job, but the overallbusiness operations of the company arenot directly impacted by the decisionsmade.

For an employee to fit theadministrative exemption from

minimum wage and overtimerequirements, he or she must havesignificant duties that affect thecompany’s overall operations. Theseduties must involve making independentdecisions without direct supervision. Ifyou are treating an employee as exemptunder the administrative category, besure that employee really meets all ofthese requirements under the Fair LaborStandards Act.

EDWARD RENSHAW is a partner with theCarbondale law firm ofFeirich/Mager/Green/Ryan. F/M/G/R is ageneral practice law firm offering a fullrange of legal services, including labor andemployment law, commercial transactions,banking, real estate, workers’ compensation,municipal law and estate planning. Thefirm’s telephone number is 618-529-3000and its website is at www.fmgr.com.

EMPLOYEES: Are your administrative employees exempt from overtime requirements?FROM PAGE 16 Find more business news

at www.sbj.biz.

AchievementsJANUARY 2011SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL18

Faces in the news

Davis Oxford

Cain

Tripp

Walters

Bloodworth

Faces in the newsHave you been promoted? Send a photo.Has a colleague at work completed an

intensive continuing education program? Send a photo.

Others in the business community will want to know it, so please consider

passing on your employment news and pho-tos

to the Southern Business Journal. Feel free to e-mail the

information to sbj@thesouthern.com.

Funeral home opens in Mulkeytown

Richard Van Natta, longtime ownerof Van Natta Funeral Home in Herrin,recently opened a funeral home at 5361Park Street Road in Mulkeytown, betweenChristopher and Sesser on Illinois 148.

Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant to open

Buffalo Wild Wings recently opened at227 Potomac Blvd. in Mount Vernon.

The Mount Vernon restaurant featuresbig screens and wall-to-wall HDtelevisions for ultimate event and sportsviewing.

Hours of operation are from 10:30 a.m.to midnight Sunday through Wednesdayand 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdaythrough Saturday.

Health department launches new website

Franklin-Williamson Bi-County HealthDepartment recently upgraded itswebsite.

The website is user friendly with a freshlook. The site contains information on alldivisions within the health department.

To view the website, go towww.bicountyhealth.org.

Johnson named Employee of the Month

Correctional officer Cynthia Johnsonhas been selected as the December 2010Employee of the Month at TammsCorrectional Center.

Johnson began her career with the stateof Illinois in 1993 as a correctional officerat Vienna Correctional Center. Shetransferred in 1998 to the facility inTamms.

Corn growers recognize ethanolpromoter

Ron Miller, a 1971 graduate ofSouthern Illinois University atCarbondale, was honored recently by theIllinois Corn Growers Association for hiswork in support of the ethanol industry.

He was presented with the EthanolAward, which recognizes thecontributions of individuals who promotethe ethanol industry.

Miller earned a bachelor’s degree inengineering from SIU and a master’s

degree in business administration fromthe University of Illinois.

Joyner Therapy staff certified in new method

Four therapists from Joyner TherapyServices of Marion, Harrisburg andGolconda recently earned certification inthe ASTYM therapy method.

Dr. Brian Joyner, owner of JoynerTherapy Services, and Rob Robinson,director of rehabilitation, were previouslycertified in the method.

ASTYM is an advanced form of softtissue mobilization that has proven to beeffective in the treatment of tennis elbow,carpal tunnel; knee, lower back, hip,shoulder and ankle pain; achillestendonitis; and other conditions.

Those attending the three-daycertification training in Indianapolis, Ind.,are Jami Thomas, occupationaltherapist; Sara Chick, occupationaltherapy assistant; and Dr. Lucas Alstatand Dr. Noah Stearns, both physicaltherapists.

Davis, Oxford join Crain staffDonna Davis of Murphysboro and

Betsy Oxford of Cobden have joined thestaff of Crain Funeral Homes &Cemeteries.

Davis works in Pleasant Grove-Murdalefuneral home and cemetery. She bringsmore than 25 years experience inbookkeeping and client relation skills tothe company. She was previouslyemployed by Edward Jones and WachoviaSecurities, where she served as operationsmanager and assistant to the firm’sfinancial advisors.

Oxford serves as the new officeadministrator in Crain Funeral Home’sfacility in Anna. A graduate of ShawneeHigh School in 1998, she also attendedShawnee Community College.

Most recently, Oxford was a surgicalassistant in an oral surgeon’s office.

Aisin Mfg. contributes to food pantry

For the fourth year, the team membersof Aisin Mfg. Illinois LLC conducted aholiday food drive to benefit MarionMinisterial Alliance Food Pantry. Morethan 600 team members gathered morethan $1,000 in food items that weredonated to the pantry.

Aisin Mfg. Illinois LLC, located in theREDCO Industrial Park area in Marion,manufactures sunroofs and doorcomponents for automotivemanufacturers, including Toyota, GM andMitsubishi. AMI supports its teammembers in their communityphilanthropic efforts.

Walters joins Basi,Basi & Associates

Michael W. Walters, attorney at law,was admitted in November to the practiceof law in Illinois. Walters joins four otherattorneys and three CPAs at the firm ofBasi, Basi & Associates at The Center forFinancial Legal & Tax Planning Inc., at4501 W. De Young St. in Marion. The firmspecializes in the areas of businesstransfers, real estate, valuations,retirement and estate planning, taxes andaccounting services.

Walters received his bachelor’s degreein accounting from the University ofMississippi and his Juris Doctor fromSIUC School of Law. He also recentlypassed the CPA exam and is in process ofreceiving his Illinois CPA license.

His professional experience includespositions as an accountant/auditor.

Cain recognized at state level

Wanda Cain of Marion, a realtor withColdwell Banker J. David ThompsonRealty, has been ranked as the No. 3 salesassociate in closed sales among more than1,980 Coldwell Banker sales associates inIllinois for independently owned andoperated Coldwell Banker affiliatedcompanies in 2010.

“It is such an honor to be recognized atthe state level,” said Cain, who has been afull-time realtor since 1988.

Coldwell Banker J. David Thompsonhas served the Southern Illinois area formore than 30 years.

Bloodworth promoted to service manager

Danny Bloodworth of Pittsburg hasbeen promoted to service manager atModern Copier, Inc. in Murphysboro.

Bloodworth has been with ModernCopier as a sales representative for thelast seven years.

Modern Copier has served SouthernIllinois for more than 35 years, providing

Find more business newsat www.sbj.biz.

JANUARY 2011 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL 19

Achievementscopiers, printers, furniture, cash registersand supplies.

Tripp brings new technique to areaTabitha Tripp, a licensed massage

therapist, recently participated in theCranioSacral Therapy II workshop offeredin Indianapolis, Ind., by The UpledgerInstitute.

Therapists use the technique to treatheadaches, neck and back pain, TMJ,chronic fatigue, motor coordinationdifficulties, eye problems and centralnervous system disorders.

Tripp has been a massage therapist since2003, and she also is a Reiki master. She hasoffices in Anna and Carbondale.

Good Samaritan offering robotic-assisted surgeries

Good Samaritan Regional Health Centeris offering state-of-the-art robotic surgicaltechnology to patients.

The robotic system, called the da VinciSurgical System, is a sophisticated roboticplatform designed to enable complexsurgery using a minimally invasiveapproach. Da Vinci enhances the surgeons’skill with computer technology, enablingthem to see vital anatomical structuresmore clearly and perform surgicalprocedures more precisely.

For most patients, the benefits of a daVinci surgery includes less pain, less bloodloss, reduced need for blood transfusionand less risk of infection.

Initially, the da Vinci Surgical System willbe used for urologic and gynecologicprocedures; however, it will be used incardiothoracic and general surgery in thefuture.

Hart attends legal upgrade courseAttorney Richard O. Hart recently

attended an upgrade course on mechanicsliens and construction claims. This was a

one-day course at SIUC Law School,sponsored by the Illinois State BarAssociation.

Hart is the senior attorney at the 123-year-old firm of Hart & Hart, located at602 W. Public Square in Benton.

Businesses team up to help Salvation Army

Stearns & Foster, owned by Sealy, isteaming up this holiday season with retailpartner Furniture King and The SalvationArmy to provide new mattresses andfurniture to The Salvation Army residentialshelters in Carbondale.

For every Stearns & Foster mattress soldby participating retailers from Nov. 22 toJan. 3, Stearns & Foster will make adonation toward new mattresses designedspecifically for The Salvation Army, with atotal value of up to $1 million.

Furniture King will also support TheSalvation Army by participating in a

retailer gift-matching opportunity andmaking a $25 cash donation to TheSalvation Army in Carbondale for everyStearns & Foster sold between Nov. 22 andJan. 3.

Furniture King’s customers also will beable to make cash donations in SalvationArmy kettles at the store.

McClerren-Biggs joins First BankDawn McClerren-Biggs of

Murphysboro has joined First Bank as ahome loan consultant in the bank’sCarbondale office.

Biggs, who has more than 15 years ofbanking experience, is a member ofCarbondale Chamber of Commerce andSaluki Pride Committee. She is a graduateof John A. Logan College.

First Bank is one of the largest privatelyowned banks in the country with morethan $8 billion in assets and 150 facilities inIllinois, Missouri, Florida and California.

Your Business is a

Work of Art...

Showcase it with

Stained Glass

DUTCH GUTTERINGSeamless Aluminum Guttering

Repair & Service • Leaf Guard SystemResidential & CommercialNo More Cleaning Gutters!

Ask about our winter specials

Carbondale, IL • 618-351-1881

JANUARY 2011 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL 21

Business Fine PrintP E R M I T S | B A N K R U P T C I E S

Building permitsCarbondaleHotel Builders of America, 2250 Reed Station

Parkway, $30,000La Unica Bakery, 213 W. Main St., $10,000R. Cristaudo and N. Stewart, 209 S. Illinois Ave.,

$50,000Lasse Sorensen, 606 N. Almond St., $110,000Paul Jaros, 2011 E. Creekwood Drive, $90,000Toby and Jenifer Ellner, 701 N. Baine Drive,

$200,000Joanne Thomas, 301 S. Lynda St., $35,000Roberto Franca, 803 S. Taylor Drive, $2,500Archibald and Jerolene Mosley, 107 S. Rod

Lane, $2,000G. Howard, 601 N. Washington St., $32,000Lynne Davis, 504 N. Bridge St., $36,000Kenneth Robinson, 206 S. Glenview Drive,

$2,500

HerrinPhil Preston, 612 W. College St., $225,000Jerry Kenner, 49 Foxfire, $160,000Sharon Beltz, 403 Margaret Drive, $130,000

MarionMichael Lawler, 2744 Kokopelli, $508,000Steve Diefenbach, 1100 S. Vicksburg, $1,000Pearson Acquisitions, Radcliffe St., $25,500JRN Inc., 1404 W. DeYoung, $325,000Alan and Vicky Lenz, 1706 W. Chestnut, $1,800Housing Authority of City of Marion, 1300 Wilson

Place, $27,000Ken Lowery, 3206 W. Lakeview, $3,000Michael Chrisco, 405 N. Garfield, $1,000Barnett & Son, 209 Pine St., $150,000

MetropolisChris and April Cowsert, 806 E. 6th St., $2,000Metropolis Drugs, 40 Hospital Drive, $10,000Wells Fargo, 11200 W. Parkland Ave., $3,800Shane Bailey, 913 6th St., $85,000Metropolis Drugs, 1001 E. 5th St., $17,000Floyd and Brenda Westbrooks, 63 Jon St.,

$4,000

Mount VernonCrossroads Community Hospital, 8 Doctors Park

Road, $150,000Frauenshuh Health Care, 4003 Veterans

Memorial Drive, $14,466,899Kenneth Lucas, 1820 10th St., $200Kohl’s Department Store, 141 Davidson Ave.,

$2,000Kohl’s Department Store, 141 Davidson Ave.,

$4,500Ron’s One Stop, 101 44th St., $4,000Michael and Robin Herzing, 314 Beacon Court,

$100,000

Downtown Development Corp., $0Andrew Cooper, 2406 Brownsville Road,

$39,206Larry Martin, 421 Jordan, $0Greg and Angie Hall, 1205 16th St., $0Steven Ward, 904 Fairfield Road, $0Cathlene Boykin, 2924 13th St., $450Coleman Carrodine, 900 Bell, $0Dale Harris, 1016 Fairfield Road, $1,250Jefferson County Shriners, 18687 Miller Lake

Lane, $0

BankruptciesChapter 7Rebecca A. Wall, 7430 Mulkeytown Road,

MulkeytownRalph W. Perryman and Michelle L. Perryman,

503 Maple St., ZeiglerEdward L. Baugh Sr. and Donna Sue Baugh, 411

E. Second St., P.O. Box 8, RoyaltonJohn Timothy Waddell, 510 Brookland,

MetropolisJoshua Joe Wiley, Illinois 1, Box 602, BrookportSteven Hankla and Kathy Sue Hankla, 706 Belle

Ave., PinckneyvilleSharon Kay Morgan, 757 State St., Apt. B,

ChesterTommy Lee Fischer, 222 Delaware St., Du QuoinDereck L. Bittner, 90 Frost Drive, No. 11,

CarbondaleRoy L. and Sharon K. Hubbell, 305 E. Third St.,

Johnston CityEdwin A. Moake and Tammy L. Moake, 6245

Illinois 37 South, CypressGrace S. Worthen, 10429 Illinois 149,

MurphysboroAmy L. Day, P.O. Box 224, Olive BranchMark R. Bajko and Sarah B. Bajko, 10500

Bessie Road, BentonWilliam E. Campbell and Bobbi L. Campbell, 335

Warren Road, Lot 57, CarbondaleGary W. Walker, 3760 Brown Road, GalatiaPamela S. Prior, 701 Carbon St., BentonJennifer R. Huffman, 4704 Kane Hill Road,

Ellis GroveJessica H. Piper, P.O. Box 655, De SotoDonna J. Downs, 201 Ralph St., CartervilleJason James Karraker, 629 S. Main St., AnnaChristina Unthank, 603 Madison St., EldoradoTom L. Hazlewood and Elizabeth Ann Hazlewood,

15598 Mollers Road, MarionSherry D. Porter, 376 Sleepy Hollow Lane,

MarionGary L. Hall and Barbara J. Hall, 2274 S.

Thompsonville, ThompsonvilleCarla Hovis and Arnell Hovis Jr., 7317 Wards Mill

Road, MarionTheodora R. Zurawski, 410 Filmore St.,

MetropolisCasey D. Looper and Stephanie B. Looper, 6684

Eagle Point Road, MetropolisEstrella M. Johnson, 3860 Gilead Church Road,

SimpsonScott A. McCalla, 1405 Grand Ave.,

Johnston CityDebbie Sue Kezely, 915 Country Club Drive,

Red BudRita R. Fieber, 635 W. Chester, NashvilleDaryl Bigham, 1510 Hyland Road, Apt. K,

ChesterJoshawa L. and Michelle L. Hess, 504 Mulberry,

CartervilleRobert W. Ball, 319 Ferry St., MetropolisChristina L. King Drake, 702 Fairland, BentonAshli R. Shields, 813, Ellis Drive, Apt. 4N,

Mount VernonRocklynn C. Wallace, 32148 Cauble School

Road, TammsLouis E. Pearson Sr. and Betty J. Pearson, 309

N. Ninth, HerrinRobert T. Pleasant, P.O. Box 232, De SotoThomas E. Johnson, P.O. Box 46, GrayvillePatrick J. Conaughty, P.O. Box 667,West FrankfortJamie L. Folyer, P.O. Box 165, DowellSandra Kay Broshears, 323 W. Main, SpartaJanice Ilean Corn, 75 Boss Loop Road, GalatiaDanny Ray Vaughan, 1220 S.W. Sixth, FairfieldArthur A. and Amanda Welch, 1201 Eads St.,

BentonRicky D. and Monica R. Whalen, 5 Walter Drive,

MetropolisAlina D. Buffington, 1314 1/2 N. Van Buren,

MarionWanda L. Shelton, 703 N. Hartkoph, MarionLisa Shepard, 304 W. Cline St., MarionJerry L. Ryan, P.O. Box 422, EnergyDanny Lee and Sandra Kay Mabry, 1805 Crown

Road, HerrinKendall Lathan and Tamara Sue Willis, 1183

Country Road 600 East, CarmiMary A. Elmore, 1200 E. Grand Ave., Bldg.

12-3A, CarbondaleRaymond E. and Cheryl L. Gibbs, 304 Sycamore

St., AnnaMarsha C. Hoffard, 13104 Outlaw Lane, Marion

Chapter 13Darryl and Rebecca Brown, 617 N. 12th, HerrinAmy L. Rayford, 313 N. Williams St.,

MurphysboroChris Cornell and Lynn Ann Williams, 133 W.

Cross, DongolaJohn Alaria Jr. and Linda C. Alaria, 105 Moore,

EldoradoHarold R. and Brenda S. Cripps, P.O. Box 175,

HurstSteven A. Schultz, 601 N. Fourth St., ViennaJames D. Maes, 908 State St., ChesterShannon L. Buckner and Jason M. Jauch, 14059

Burton Road, West FrankfortTraci R. Burchell, 13253 Greenbriar, Carterville

James Paul Browne, 606 Briarwood, De SotoRobert M. and Robin D. Lenard, P.O. Box 29,

CoelloBilly G. and Patricia A. Lane, R.R. 1, Box 281A,

Cave In RockJason M. Crouse, 483 1950 North Lane, West

Salem and Regina L. Crouse, R.R. 1 Box190A, West Salem

Rebecca R. and Steven W. Simmons, P.O. Box81, De Soto

Louvania Dee Gibbs, 604 E. Walnut, Carrier Mills

Nicholas D. and Sandra K. Burnett, 616Creekside Lane, De Soto

Matthew James and Brandi Marie Smith, 365Snider Drive, Percy

Billy M. and Angelica N. Henson, 1005 S.McKinley St., Harrisburg

Matthew A. Norris, 11171 Decatur Road, MarionJeanne F. Mitchell, 125 Elm St., ZeiglerHarry J. Strong, 30954 Bader Lane, McClureAaron P. and Holly P. Newlin, 3002 Edgewood

Park, MarionDylan M. Glasser, 200 Paradise Acres Road, Unit

55, CartervilleRobin M. Bateman, 1111 S. Maple, CartervillePaul K. Peeler, 1301 E. Sixth St., Apt. 3,

West FrankfortGlendell G. and Ruby H. Gosnell, P.O. Box 10,

CoelloGary Unthank, 603 Madison St., EldoradoVickie L. Williams, 124 S. Sixth, De SotoScott A. May, P.O. Box 550, HurstJason Navarro Hart, P.O. Box 94, ColpJoyce A. Hicks, P.O. Box 155, Ellis GroveDavid A. Reynolds, 662 Foster Lane, MarionTimothy G. Hall, 2274 S. Thompsonville Road,

ThompsonvilleSaaida R. Anthony, 700 S. Rawlings., Bldg. 1

Apt. 2, CarbondaleJames E. and Rose G. Hill, P.O. Box 528, De SotoGeorge D. Julian, 915 Landes St., Mount CarmelHilda J. Laghlin, 1 Johnson Terrace, CairoMarjorie Lee Weidenbach, 11495 N. Brownsville

Road, Mount VernonCara E. Althoff, 125 Ash St., DongolaRandy A. Smith, 713 Coxspur St., ZeiglerDebra R. Castellano, 1404 N. Garfield, Apt. C,

MarionClifford W. Hogue Jr., 7498 Moake School Road,

MarionMark L. and Lisa M. Fisher, 322 S. Leonard, Du

QuoinLarry D. Basler, 11667 Pennsylvania Drive,

MarionBarry L. Beasley, 3555 Saraville Road, Creal

Springs

SEE FINE PRINT / PAGE 23

JANUARY 2011 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL 23

For more information on John A. Logan or to register for classes, call 618-985-2828, ext. 8510 or e-mail cbi@jalc.edu. Cost is $55 unless otherwise noted.

Business Fine PrintP E R M I T S | B A N K R U P T C I E S

David M. and Shelly M. Haney, P.O. Box 194,Eldorado

Victor S. and Debora L. Schooley II, 900 E.Illinois Ave., Carterville

Anita K. Stricklin, 1109 Trolley Road, EldoradoBrian Ray Gibson, 14620 Fowler School Road,

MarionJustin D. and Laurie M. Groves, 11384 Southern

Hunt Road, MarionKenneth Eugene Green, 1745 W. End Road,

ThompsonvilleJackie Leon and Karen Sue Davidson, Route 5

Box 244, McLeansboro

Karen S. Phillips, 802 West Vermont, CartervilleRalph E. and Kimberley K. Ledbetter, 1904 East

D Road, West FrankfortElizabeth A. Thompson, P.O. Box 487, ValierLouis R. Powenski, 2508 N. Park Ave., HerrinMargaret M. Dale, P.O. Box 816, JonesboroShirley Lee Denton, P.O. Box 68, ChesterKenneth D. and Tina L. Spiller, 905 Gent St.

Johnston CityJean B. Anzelmo, 22 N. Club, HarrisburgJohnny R. and Darlene Schneider, P.O. Box 514,

DongolaJoseph L. and Rachael E. Plumley, 602 E. Elm,

West FrankfortGregory W. and Ida K. Blades, 710 W. Eighth St.,

West FrankfortJeremy William and Frida Angue Wallace, 220

Brena Drive, Paducah, Ky.Quentin Dale and Tawana Lynn Sweetin, 15012

E. Bakerville Road, Mount VernonMichael L. and Lisa E. Rice, 7157 Foxglove,

CoultervilleLaura Kay Stroud, 1003 S. 23rd, Mount VernonRuben and Deborah J. Jimenez, 1514 Posey St.,

MarionJohn W. Lehr, P.O. Box 341, Dongola

Brandon M. Travelstead, 80 Ina Lane, GorevilleJulie T. Corzine, 1008 W. Madison, HerrinBeauford Wayne and Karen Sue Wilson, 975

Front St., New HavenKeith A. Lodge, P.O. Box 193, WillisvilleRobert L. Ellis Jr. and Sharlyn Sue Ellis, 328 N.

Second St., AlbionTimothy A. Robinson, P.O. Box 119, Valier, and

Pamela S. Robinson, P.O. Box 19, Valier

Find more business newsat www.sbj.biz.

Mark Your CalendarJan. 5

Beginning Access 2007: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 6Beginning Access 2003: 8:30 a.m. to

4 p.m., Room F112, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 10Beginning Excel 2003: 8:30 a.m. to

4 p.m., Room F112, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 11Beginning Excel 2007: 8:30 a.m. to

4 p.m., Room F112, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Starting a Business in Illinois Seminar:9 to 11 a.m., Room 150, Dunn-RichmondCenter, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road,Carbondale. Free. An optional businessstart-up kit is available for $15. Call 618-536-2424 or e-mail sbdc@siu.edu.

Finding Financing: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,Room 150, Dunn-Richmond Center, 150 E.Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale. Free. Call618-536-2424 or e-mail sbdc@siu.edu.

Social Networking: 1 to 3 p.m., Room150, Dunn-Richmond Center, 150 E.

Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale. Cost is$25. Call 618-536-2424 or e-mailsbdc@siu.edu.

Jan. 12Intermediate Access 2007: 8:30 a.m.

to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 13Beginning Outlook 2007: 8:30 a.m. to

4 p.m., Room F111, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 14Beginning QuickBooks 2009: 8:30 a.m.

to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 18Intermediate Excel 2007: 8:30 a.m. to

4 p.m., Room F112, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 19Time & Stress Management: 8:30 a.m.

to 4 p.m., Room F110, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville. Cost is$90.

Jan. 20Intermediate Access 2003: 8:30 a.m.

to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 21Intermediate QuickBooks 2009:

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A.Logan College Center for Business &Industry, 700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 24Intermediate Excel 2003: 8:30 a.m. to

4 p.m., Room F112,John A. LoganCollege Centerfor Business &Industry, 700College Road,Carterville.

Jan. 25Advanced Excel

2007: 8:30 a.m. to4 p.m., Room F112,John A. LoganCollege Center forBusiness & Industry,700 College Road,Carterville.

Jan. 26Advanced Access 2007: 8:30 a.m. to

4 p.m., Room F112, John A. Logan

College Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 27Advanced Access 2003: 8:30 a.m. to

4 p.m., Room F112, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.

Jan. 28Advanced QuickBooks 2009: 8:30 a.m.

to 4 p.m., Room F112, John A. LoganCollege Center for Business & Industry,700 College Road, Carterville.