Top 5 Reasons CLS Should Be Part of Your 2026 Goals
Community Leadership School (CLS) is one of Greater Peoria’s most impactful leadership experiences. Discover the top five reasons professionals and employers make CLS part of their annual goals, from confidence-building to community engagement. Applications for the 2026 cohort are open now.
Madeline Herrman
PRESS RELEASE: Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 2025 Thanksgiving Luncheon Presented by Caterpillar and Heyl Royster
The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 2025 Thanksgiving Luncheon with more than 600 business leaders. The event featured keynote speaker Bradley University President James Shadid, recognized community impact award recipients, and announced the Chamber’s honor as the 2025 IACCE Large Chamber of the Year.
Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce
Peoria Takes a Strategic Step Forward in Talent & Leadership Development
The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s Managing Director for Talent and Leadership Strategy, Madeline Herrman, has been selected for the ACCE Foundation’s 2025–26 Fellowship for Talent Development. Her participation will help shape regional strategies to build a stronger, data-driven workforce pipeline that connects businesses, educators, and community partners across Greater Peoria.
Jessica Linder Gallo, President & CEO
How Technology Is Powering the Future of Illinois Small Business
Technology is transforming how small businesses in Central Illinois operate. Discover how AI, automation, and digital tools are driving growth across Illinois, based on insights from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Empowering Small Business Report.
Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce
Navigating the New Tax Law: What Small Businesses Need to Know
Recent updates to federal tax law introduce several changes that may impact small businesses, including adjustments to the Qualified Business Income deduction, research and development expense rules, Section 179 expensing limits, and employer-provided child care credits. This overview, based on guidance from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, highlights key provisions and steps businesses can take to prepare for upcoming tax seasons.
Savana Nelson, VP of Marketing & Member Relations
Discover Your Potential… Connect to Your Community: Community Leadership School Returns for a New Season of Growth and Impact
Discover how the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership School (CLS) empowers emerging leaders to connect, collaborate, and create impact across Greater Peoria. This 16-week program blends leadership development with hands-on community projects, offering participants direct access to local changemakers and organizations shaping our region’s future. Applications for the 2026 CLS cohort are open now—don’t miss your chance to grow your leadership and make a lasting difference.
Megan Wineland, CLS Committee Chair
Implementing EOS: Driving Clarity, Culture, and Results
Implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) transformed the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce from a reactive organization into a strategically aligned, results-driven team. In her Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) project, the Jessica Linder Gallo reflects on how EOS strengthened clarity, accountability, and culture by restructuring roles, introducing measurable scorecards, and aligning programming with the Chamber’s mission. The results speak volumes: membership upgrades increased spending by
Jessica Linder Gallo, President & CEO
Earning the Certified Chamber Executive: A Decade in the Making
Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Jessica Linder Gallo reflects on her decade-long journey to becoming a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), the highest honor in the chamber industry. With fewer than 600 leaders worldwide having earned this distinction, Jessica shares leadership lessons learned along the way, the personal growth that shaped her, and the evolving role chambers play as conveners for business and community. Her story highlights resilience, clarity, and the importance of embracing
Jessica Linder Gallo, President & CEO
Reflecting on My First Weeks in Peoria
New to Peoria, Madeline Herrman, Managing Director of Talent and Leadership Strategy at the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, reflects on her first weeks in the community. She shares her early impressions of Peoria’s forward-thinking business climate, vibrant local culture, and collaborative spirit. From bold conversations with community leaders to discovering local dining gems, Madeline highlights the strong connections that drive growth in the Greater Peoria region. She also outlines her role in leading
Madeline Herrman, Managing Director of Talent & Leadership Strategy
TechChicago Week 2025: Charting a Path for Central Illinois' Innovation Ecosystem
Alex Sierra, VP of Operations, shares key takeaways from TechChicago Week 2025, highlighting how Central Illinois can capitalize on emerging innovation trends. Hosted by P33, the event brought national leaders together to discuss Illinois’ “Big Bets”: quantum technology, clean energy and compute infrastructure, and inclusive economic growth. From breakthroughs in quantum science to aligning AI with sustainable energy, the statewide strategy calls for collaboration between government, private industry, and
Alex Sierra, VP of Operations, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce