Dear CIC SHRM members -

As we settle into the heart of summer, I hope you've had the opportunity to enjoy some well-deserved time away - whether that's a family vacation, cheering on your favorite team from the sidelines, or joining the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup. Summer often reminds us of the importance of recharging, spending time with those who matter most, and creating memories before we transition into another busy season.

One of the highlights of the summer for the HR profession was the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando. While I wasn't able to attend this year, it was inspiring to see the incredible lineup of speakers, valuable networking opportunities, and cutting-edge learning shared throughout the event. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from renowned leaders including Oprah Winfrey, Simon Sinek, and SHRM President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. These are just a few of the many voices helping shape the future of work and our profession.

Looking ahead, we're especially excited that the 2027 SHRM Annual Conference will be held much closer to home - June 27–30, 2027, in Chicago, Illinois! As an Illinois SHRM chapter, there will be opportunities for our members to volunteer and be part of this premier event. We'll be sharing more information as we get closer, so stay tuned.

Closer to home, we hope you'll join us for our next in-person CIC SHRM chapter meeting on Wednesday, September 17. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., with programming starting promptly at 8:00 a.m. We are excited to welcome Kayla Edwards, Managing Partner with Express Employment Professionals, who will be sharing her expertise with our members. We always enjoy connecting with everyone in person and hope to see you there!

As we begin planning for 2027, we also have two exciting opportunities to serve on the CIC SHRM Board of Directors. We are seeking members interested in the roles of Vice President of Membership and Program Director. Serving on the board is a rewarding way to grow your leadership skills, expand your professional network, and help shape the future of our chapter. If you're interested in learning more, please email CICSHRM223@gmail.com.

Thank you for your continued support of CIC SHRM and for all you do to advance the HR profession throughout Central Illinois. Wishing you a wonderful remainder of your summer!

Best,

Angela

Dear CIC SHRM members,

Spring is a season of renewal—and it’s been energizing to see that same momentum across our Central Illinois SHRM community.

We kicked things off in March with our first in-person membership meeting of the year, hosted at Horace Mann. It was a great opportunity to reconnect, and we were fortunate to hear from our own DEI Director, Marlene Allen, Founder and Principal Consultant of Visions HR Consulting, who shared thoughtful insights on the intersection of AI + HI and what it means for the future of our work. It sparked meaningful conversation and reflection—exactly what these gatherings are all about.

We also had the chance to come together for an after-hours event in partnership with LRS. They were incredible hosts—welcoming us into their space, sharing more about their global reach, and offering a behind-the-scenes tour of their facility. We’re grateful for their partnership and for the opportunity to continue building connections within our local business community.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to try something new with our next membership meeting on May 21 at 7:30 a.m. This will be a breakfast meeting—an opportunity to connect, learn, and still get a jump start on your workday. We hope this format offers a bit more flexibility while still delivering the valuable content and networking you expect from CIC SHRM.

And for a little fun—we’d love for you to join us for a family night at the ballpark! The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes will be taking on the Kokomo Creek Chubs, and it’s a great chance to bring family, friends, and colleagues together outside of the office. For $6.70 per person, you can enjoy the game from Satchel’s Seats (premium seat-back seating). If you’d like to sit with fellow CIC SHRM members, look for tickets in Section NN around Row 10. Stay tuned for registration details—we hope to see you there!

Thank you, as always, for being part of this community. Your engagement, connection, and energy are what make this chapter so special. I look forward to seeing many of you in the weeks ahead.

Best regards,

Angela

Register now for the IL SHRM Advocacy Day! 

Join HR professionals from across the state of Illinois SHRM Advocacy Day, a half-day opportunity to engage with lawmakers, learn about key workforce and employment issues, and advocate for policies that support employers and employees throughout Illinois. 

March 11, 2026 - 8:00am-2:00pm

Register now for the 2026 IL SHRM - Conference in Tinley Park, IL! Keynote speakers include: 

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP
Steve Browne, SHRM,SCP
Julie Develin, SHRM-SCP, GTML

April 30-May 1, 2026

Dear CIC SHRM,

As we begin a new year, I am both honored and grateful to step into the role as Chapter President. It’s a privilege to serve such a committed group of HR professionals. I want to thank our outgoing President, Tami Ireland, for her time, dedication and impact. She has helped lay a strong foundation that we can continue to build upon.

Our chapter has long been a place where we can find connection, learning and service and this year we will focus on how we continue to strengthen those things together as an HR community. Our primary goal for the year ahead is to deepen engagement with our current members. We want every member to feel connected, energized, and excited about sharing their knowledge, growing their connections, and serving our communities. To support this primary goal, look for ways we will be expanding our opportunities for networking, discussion and connection as well as supporting and serving our local communities through the lens of our HR expertise.

Your ideas, voices and participation as CIC SHRM member is essential to making this a successful and fulfilling year for our chapter. I encourage you to look for ways to stay involved and engaged with the chapter and help us shape what’s next for CIC SHRM together.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our chapter and to the HR profession. I look forward to learning alongside you and serving with you in the year ahead.

Best,

Angela

Register today for HR Essentials for Business Leaders! 

HR Essentials Registration Flier.pdf