The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the unified voice of business in our community, actively advocating for policies, investments, and partnerships that strengthen Pekin’s economy and improve quality of life for our workforce and families. Our advocacy spans the full range of issues that impact business success and community vitality — including infrastructure, workforce readiness, public safety, health, education, agriculture, and family well-being. 

Through our membership in the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we ensure that local businesses have a strong voice in Springfield and Washington, D.C. These partnerships keep Pekin employers informed on legislative priorities, regulatory changes, healthcare policy, and workforce issues, while ensuring our community is represented when state and federal decisions are made. 

We are deeply engaged in economic development through collaboration with the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC), including active participation in the creation of the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This work ensures Pekin’s employers, industrial base, agricultural interests, and growth corridors are fully represented in regional planning for business attraction, expansion, and infrastructure investment.

Transportation and infrastructure advocacy has been a cornerstone of the Chamber for more than 30 years. Our Transportation Committee has led sustained efforts to advance regional connectivity, most notably advocating for the Veterans Drive extension to I-474. This long-term investment improves freight movement, enhances public safety, reduces congestion, and supports the industrial and agricultural businesses that rely on efficient transportation networks.

The Chamber also plays a critical role in civic engagement, public safety, and accountable leadership. By hosting nonpartisan Candidate Forums for local elected offices, we provide our members and residents the opportunity to hear directly from candidates, ask informed questions, and better understand how public policy decisions impact business, community stability, and family well-being. These forums promote informed voting and strengthen the connection between elected officials and the business community. 

We invest in the future of Pekin through leadership development and workforce readiness initiatives. The R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy prepares emerging and established leaders with a deep understanding of local government, public safety, education, healthcare, economic development, and nonprofit systems — building a strong pipeline of informed and engaged community leaders. 

As a member of ReadyNation Illinois, the Chamber actively supports workforce development and family-supportive policies that help employers attract and retain talent. We champion education-to-career pathways by supporting initiatives such as Career Spark, Pekin Community High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, and the IT Accelerator Grant developed in collaboration with Illinois Central College, Bradley University, and Eureka College. These efforts connect students and job seekers to high-demand careers while helping local employers meet their workforce needs. 

Through these combined efforts, the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce advocates for a strong, inclusive business climate that supports health and wellness, public safety, agriculture, education, transportation, economic development, workforce readiness, and family care. Our goal is simple: to ensure Pekin remains a place where businesses can grow, employees can thrive, and families can build a secure future.