Nokomis Chamber dissolves, donates funds

NOKOMIS — The Greater Nokomis Chamber of Commerce held a quick meeting in its final meeting as an organization on Wednesday, March 12 inside the Nokomis CUSD #22 unit office at Nokomis High School.

A quorum of officers of the Chamber’s Board of Directors was present, except for Vice President Talon Burton and Director JoAnn Keele, who passed away on February 17. Jake Leonard was also present.

A motion was made by Kurt Aumann to approve the meeting minutes from the January 15, 2025 meeting, which was seconded by Ed Chausse. Motion passes.

Chausse presented the final treasurer’s report, which reflected a balance of $3,882.61 in checking and $43,435.06 in a money market account. He further noted in his report that all bills have been paid in this reflected final report. Leonard motioned to approve the treasurer’s report, seconded by Aumann. Motion passes.

Leonard motioned for the transfer of all Chamber funds to Newkomis in the total amount of $47,317.67, and it was seconded by Michele Orsborn. A cashier’s check for the balance was cut and would be presented to Charlie O’Malley, who is the treasurer of Newkomis.

With the transfer of funds made to Newkomis, Chausse made the motion to dissolve the Chamber, with Aumann seconding the motion. Motion passes.

With no items for open discussion, Leonard motioned to adjourn for the final time, seconded by Chausse.

The Nokomis Chamber of Commerce was established in the 1950s after initially being a downtown merchant association prior to that. Membership was extended to anyone in the past year beyond the boundaries of Nokomis and Coalton, including nearby communities such as Fillmore, Irving, Ohlman, Wenonah, and Witt. Witt was explicitly mentioned due to the dissolution of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce in early 2023.

The dissolution was a final step as part of initial plans established in 2024 to consolidate with the Downtown Nokomis Association and the City of Nokomis’ Planning Commission to form the entity known as Newkomis.

The Chamber’s two major events – the spring and fall city-wide rummage sales – will now be under the care of Newkomis. JoAnn Marquess will remain the point of contact to participant submissions.

For more Montgomery County (Ill.) news, follow Jake Leonard on Bluesky @jakeleonardjrn.bsky.social and Heartland Newsfeed @heartlandnewsfeed.bsky.social.

Additionally, you can follow Heartland Newsfeed on Facebook and Reddit among other platforms. You can now follow our news updates on Telegram and MeWe.

Support independent journalism. Become a patron on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. There are other donor options as well.

Get the latest news updates on our radio network via Spreaker, TuneIn, and other platforms.

Jake Leonard

Website |  + postsBio

Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

• Jake Leonard

  https://www.heartlandnewsfeed.com/author/admin/

  Lovington to enlist MAPPING program
• Jake Leonard

  https://www.heartlandnewsfeed.com/author/admin/

  Newkomis holds town hall meeting
• Jake Leonard

  https://www.heartlandnewsfeed.com/author/admin/

  Pana Easter Egg Hunt set for April 12
• Jake Leonard

  https://www.heartlandnewsfeed.com/author/admin/

  Witt Casey’s to close March 26