As a candidate for City Council, I received an expected questionnaire from the Peoria Area Chamber PAC, except that it’s not the Peoria Area Chamber PAC anymore. It’s the Business PAC of Central Illinois, or “Biz PAC” for short. The letter explains that they are “no longer a subsidiary organization of the Chamber,” but rather “an independent business focused political action committee.” According to the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s website, the change was effective November 1:

[T]he Chamber and the Peoria Area Chamber PAC are ready for change. Both organizations’ boards have made the decision that it is time for the PAC to stand on its own. We believe this strategy is advantageous for both. The Chamber can focus its political efforts on its issue advocacy work. The PAC can focus its efforts on candidates and issues important to the business community even if those candidates or issues are outside the sphere of the Chamber.

Effective November 1, 2010, the Peoria Area Chamber PAC will no longer be an affiliate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce or The Heartland Partnership. The PAC will stand on its own under the name Business PAC of Central Illinois. All governance connections between the two organizations have been eliminated. The Business PAC of Central Illinois, as other organizations have done with various members of the Heartland Partnership family, has contracted with the Chamber to provide administrative services that include staff support, meeting space, etc.

The committee members listed on the Biz PAC’s stationery are: Tom Landon (Chairman), Henry Vicary (1st VP), Diana Hall (2nd VP), Julie Russell (Treasurer), Tim Moore (Secretary), Tim Bertschy, Dr. Andy Chiou, James Gilkesson, and Jay Harms. Biz PAC’s mission is, “Dedicated to electing pro-business candidates in races of local importance.” And just what do they consider a “pro-business” candidate, you may ask? The Chamber’s website indicates it would be someone “who support[s] the business community, stands[s] for growth and believe[s] in good government.”