Econ Illinois FY 2016 Annual Report

Investing in
Futures

FY2016 Annual Report

July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016

Teaching Dollars and Sense.

A message from the Board Chairs

and the President of Econ Illinois

In 1890, Alfred Marshall defined economics as “a study of mankind in the ordinary business
of life.” Yet our society has just begun to prepare our youth to understand this pervasive
and important subject area, which will impact nearly every aspect of their lives. Numerous
research studies have shown the need, in an increasingly complex economic and financial
world, to provide students with the basic knowledge that would help them make sound
decisions throughout their lives. Econ Illinois addresses that need.

Why is economic education so important? The lack of basic understandings regarding Pamela C. Piarowski
economic and financial concepts brings consequences that can be devastating for SVP U.S. Controller &
individuals and their families for generations. Education makes a difference. In fact, those
exposed to economic and financial education are more likely to display positive financial Chief Accountant
behaviors. Students exposed to mandated personal financial education exhibit meaningful BMO Harris Bank N.A.
improvement in credit scores. In states where economic and financial education in schools Chair, Governing Board
is mandatory, delinquency rates decrease and credit scores increase. States with financial
curricula in schools elevate rates at which individuals save and accumulate wealth in their
adult lives. Clearly, more financially responsible behaviors are shown by those who have
been schooled in these disciplines, and the demand for economic and financial education
is stronger than ever. Econ Illinois meets that demand.
As a 501(c) 3 charitable non-profit that has served the Illinois educational community for
more than 65 years, Econ Illinois believes that promoting economic and financial literacy is
more than just mechanics. In order for its work to be impactful, long lasting, and ultimately
change thinking and behavior, Econ Illinois provides a practical and academically sound
framework that promotes critical thinking as it applies to decisions about spending, saving,
budgeting, investing, careers, consumerism and much more. Econ Illinois strives to instill in
young people the fourth “R” — Real world applications to learning.

It is Econ Illinois’ experience and expertise that sets it apart. Econ Illinois is the sole William A. Testa
provider of several state programs such as the Illinois Personal Finance Challenge; the Vice President
Illinois Economics Challenge; the Economics Concepts Poster Contest; The Stock Market Federal Reserve Bank
Game TM program; and is also the Lead Entity of the STEM Finance Learning Exchange in Chair, Board of
Illinois. Econ Illinois was instrumental in the creation of Illinois State Standards that Trustees
included economics for the first time, and again as the social science standards were
revised and expanded during the 2015-2016 academic year. The new state standards
mark a huge leap forward for Illinois. With this latest revision, the Illinois Social Science
Standards now include financial literacy standards for the first time! Econ Illinois looks

forward to continuing and expanding our work with educators across Illinois, providing
training and programming to assist schools as they integrate the new standards into the
K-12 curriculum which will be in effect by the 2017-2018 academic year.

Together and in partnership with leaders from business, labor, agriculture,
education and government, Econ Illinois is dedicated to increasing economic and
financial literacy in Illinois. Our goal is to build the foundation for a promising
future by helping individuals understand the economic factors that affect their
everyday lives, equipping them to make sound financial decisions such as
saving, investing, planning for retirement and learning about mortgages,
credit and so much more.

Many thanks to the individuals and companies who have generously Nancy Hanlon Harrison
contributed to our success. We are honored to work with you to President &
empower individuals with economic and financial literacy. We invite Executive Director
you to learn about the many facets of Econ Illinois through this Econ Illinois
year’s annual report and we encourage you to join us in
supporting this vital mission.

1

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

WHO WE ARE

Incorporated in 1951 as the Illinois Council on Economic Education, Econ Illinois provides economic and
personal finance education resources to K-12 Illinois schools, educators, and individuals throughout Illinois.

Econ Illinois believes that every individual should be taught from an early age the skills needed to benefit fully
from and contribute meaningfully to the global marketplace throughout their lives.

It is Econ Illinois’ mission to provide economic and financial literacy programs and services starting at the
elementary level and extending throughout adulthood, enabling individuals to participate effectively in the
economy as

 Competent decision-makers
 Responsible and knowledgeable consumers
 Prudent savers and investors
 Productive employees, employers, and entrepreneurs

We provide effective and relevant resources to teachers, students, and parents to help them prosper through
their knowledge and the choices they make at personal, local, state, and national levels. Understanding
relationships between spending, unemployment, deficits, debt, economic incentives, markets, and Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) will improve our understanding of why our world is so complex.

Econ Illinois could not accomplish this without the support of our board members, donors, and Centers for
Economic Education. Last year our programs reached nearly 2,000 teachers in more than 640 schools
across over 50 counties throughout Illinois realizing a total student impact of nearly 130,000!

With your help we will continue to pursue new ways to prepare educators and students of all ages for the
economic and financial challenges of the future. Your support is a critical step.

The Staff Nancy Skelley
Nancy Hanlon Harrison Administrative Assistant
President & Executive Director [email protected]
[email protected] Debbie Kerman
Rosie Sajak Stock Market Game Specialist
Director of Development [email protected]
and Corporate Relations Caroline Wells
[email protected] Secretary
Beth Metzler [email protected]
VP of Programs & Partnerships Caleb Headley
[email protected] Graduate Assistant

Contact Us Econ Illinois
Econ Illinois is a statewide organization associated
444 E. Hillcrest Dr.
Suite 230 with Northern Illinois University and
DeKalb, IL 60115 housed in the Division of Outreach,
Phone: 779-777-7727
www.econillinois.org Engagement, and Regional
[email protected] Development.

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

MEET OUR BOARDS

Governing Board Karen Bourbulas Michael Miroballi, CFA®*
Pamela C. Piarowski, CPA, Chair Vice President President
Northern Trust BMO Harris Financial Advisors
SVP U.S. Controller & Chief Accountant Catherine Bourke George M. Morvis
BMO Harris Bank N.A. Vice President President and Chief Executive Officer
Douglas D. Baker, Ph.D. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Financial Shares Corporation
President Gerald M. Brookhart Jane Ott
Northern Illinois University Retired President
Martin Cabrera Peoria County ROE North South Capital
Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Conti Alper Ozgit
Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC Chief Legal Officer Tax Transfer Pricing Manager
Donna M. Carroll Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
President Jeffrey R. Egan * Steven M. Perlman
Dominican University Managing Director Senior Vice President
Charles L. Evans RS Investments Mesirow Financial
President & Chief Executive Officer Paul N. Ellinger, Ph.D. James M. Ratcliffe *
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Vice Provost Retired
Joseph M. Guinan University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co.
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Sheryl Szot Gallaher * Daniel T. Roche
Advantage Futures Director Vice President
Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. University of St. Francis Northern Trust Hedge Fund Services
President John M. Geiringer Stanley Rupnik
University of St. Francis Partner Chief Investment Officer
Kerry Jordan, CFA Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Teachers' Retirement System of Illinois
Chief Operating Officer Nagelberg, LLP Christine Tierney
D’Orazio Capital Partners Adam Ginsburgh Senior Vice President
William McNeill Managing Director Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Chief Executive Officer Cumulus Funding, LLC David A. Van Vickle
HTG Capital Partners, LLC Anne C. Kaplan, Ph.D. * Assistant Regional Director
Edward Provost Vice President Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
President & Chief Operating Officer Northern Illinois University Frank M. Whittaker
Chicago Board Options Exchange Hazel King * Retired
Christopher Shannon President Union League Club of Chicago
Partner H.A. King & Associates, Inc. Catherine M. Williams *
Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP William C. Kling Retired
David Snyder Attorney at Law Consumer Education Services Consultant
Publisher UIC Instructor
Crain’s Chicago Business David L. Kohn * Executive Committee Member
Michael G. Timmers Executive Director of Public Affairs
Partner Union League Club of Chicago
Kirkland & Ellis Maureen Lagan
Senior Manager
Board of Trustees Deloitte
William A. Testa, Ph.D., Chair * Gabe Martinez
Managing Partner
Vice President & Director of Regional West Madison Wealth Management
Programs John Merriman
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Managing Director
Robert L. Anderson * JP Morgan Securities, LLC
President
Anderrob and Associates
Cynthia Au *
Vice President
Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

Special Awards and Honorees

Joe Guinan, Chairman & CEO, Advantage Futures, Frank Whittaker, receives an
receives the Leadership Award at the 2016 American award for his outstanding service of
Dream Dinner for his outstanding contributions to 35 years to the Board of Trustees of
Economic & Financial Literacy Education. Econ Illinois at the 2015 Economic
Education Day Awards Luncheon.

Mike Conti, Martin Cabrera, CEO, Cabrera Capital Markets,
accepts award for 10 years of giving to Econ Illinois.
Chief Legal
Officer, Rosenthal
Collins Group
accepts award for
10 years of giving
to Econ Illinois.

The following board members were awarded with a
certificate of appreciation for their years serving
Econ Illinois at the Annual Meeting of the Boards.

Tim Struthers, Market Cynthia Au, Cabrera Capital Markets, 5 years
President, First National Jeff Egan, RS Investments, 5 years
Bank, was awarded the Paul Ellinger, Univ. of IL-Urbana Champaign, 5 years
2015 Richard S. Peterson John Geiringer, Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum &
Award for extraordinary
leadership & service. Nagelberg, LLP, 5 years
Stan Rupnik, Teachers Retirement System, 5 years
Dave Kohn, Union League Club of Chicago, 10 years
Carl Gargula, Evanston Capital Mgmt., 15 years
Michael Moskow, The Chicago Council on Global

Affairs, 20 years
Don Petkus, DAMP Associates, 20 years
Gerry Brookhart, Peoria County ROE, 30 years
Frank Whittaker, Union League Club, 35 years

Thank you for your time and dedication!

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

STATE NETWORK

Illinois Centers for Economic Education
Econ Illinois couldn’t do what we do without the support of our Centers for Economic Education.

Northern IL University University of Illinois
Center for Economic Education at Chicago

Tammy Batson, Ph. D. Center for Economic Education
Mary Beth Henning, Ph.D. Helen Roberts, Ph.D.
Director
Co-Directors
Judith Dymond, Ph.D. Erin Toussaint, Asst. Director

Coordinator

Dominican University University of St. Francis
U.S. Bank Center for Economic Office for Economic Education
Sheryl Szot Gallaher, MAEE
Education
Daniel P. Condon, Ph.D. Director

Director

University of Illinois Western IL University
Urbana-Champaign Center for Economic Education
Center for Economic and
Financial Education Jessica Lin, Ph.D., Director
Angela Lyons, Ph.D. Jonathan Devereueawax, Ph.D.

Director Asst. Director

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

Econ Illinois provides programs and
services statewide with a network of

university-based centers.

Now, and for the first time,
the Illinois Social Science

Standards include
Financial Literacy

Standards!

The Council for Economic Education
2016 Survey of the States

With hands-on activities and programs Community
like Entrepreneurship Day hosted by Outreach
programs allow
the UIC Center for Economic Econ Illinois to
Education held at St. Bartholomew take its programs
to the general
School, students gain real-world
experiences in Economics, Personal public.

Finance, and Entrepreneurship.

The UIC Center for
Economic Education's
collaboration with After
School Matters' COOL

Program resulted in
pairing COOL teens with

project mentees from
Hefferan Elementary in
preparing for CFEE's
Money Fair in Chicago.

OUR DONORS

Partner of the Year $1,000 up to $2,999 Michael N Griffin
Chris Bianucci Nancy and Mark Harrison
BMO Harris Bank N. A. Consolidated Trading Sandeep Vishnu
Dan Roche Scott Gordon
$25,000 and over David Van Vickle Sue Downey
Belvedere Trading George Morvis Terry Hendrickson
Brinson Foundation Gloyd Family Foundation The Telos Group, LLC
The Elkes Foundation H.A. King & Associates William Testa
JJ Kinahan
$10,000 up to $24,999 John Geiringer $250 up to $499
Chicago Board Options Exchange Joseph Guinan Catherine Bourke
COUNTRY Financial Kevin Tunney Catherine Handler
IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation Martin Cabrera, Jr. Charlie Jacobson
Interactive Brokers, LLC MaryJo Herseth Dan Stecklein
Tom Hutchinson Michael Conti David Kohn
Michael Timmers First National Bank
$5,000 up to $9,999 Mike Piotrowski Gabe Martinez
Alper Ozgit Pamela Piarowski Hazel King
Bank of America Sidley Austin Foundation Jennifer Punter
CAPCO Thomas Cole Joseph Donat
Deloitte, LLP Karen Salverson
Edward Provost $500 up to $999 Kate O'Malley
Ernst & Young, LLP Adam Ginsburgh Ken Frazier
Jenner & Block, LLP Anne Kaplan Lori Bartley
KPMG, LLP Arvid Johnson Marc Williams
Matt Janas Benjamin Londergan Mark Tunney
Peter Lim Catherine Williams Mike Laughlin
Starza Thompson Christine Tierney Robert A. Hill
Thomas F. Karaba Craig Brown Robert Anderson
Darren Rose Sean Zick
$3,000 up to $4,999 Debra Peters Simon Amich
Advantage Futures DeKalb County Community Foundation The Northern Trust Company
Cabrera Capital Markets Eileen Smith Yezdaan Baber
Chicago Trading Company Jacoby Foundation Zeljko Kecman
Christopher Shannon James Ratcliffe
Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP Jane Ott $100 up to $249
Marquette Associates Joanne and Allan Dempsey Adam Schabes
Northern Illinois University Kelly Brown Amanda Demas
Reed Smith, LLP Kerry Jordan Amy Hutchison
Shiva Sivakumaran Kurt Gilman Andrea Kennedy
SpiderRock Advisors Matthew Hartz Annabelle Baldwin
Union League Club of Chicago Michael Miroballi Barry Barretta

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

OUR DONORS

Bill Nissen Elaine Stejskal Christopher Shannon
Brad Klauseger Geoff Hare Dan Roche
Brian McElligott Gregg Sierra Dave Kohn
Charles Evans Jack Merriman David Goodman
David Forst Jared Weyker David VanVickle
Diana Hall Jason Miller Edward Provost
Eric Eckerman Jill Purcell Eileen Power
Frank Whittaker Joanna Dove Frank Whittaker
George Haggar Joy Joyce Gabe Martinez
Gerald Brookhart Kathleen Gibbons George Morvis
James Downing Lauren Musielewicz Hazel King
Jennifer Waryjas Leslie W. Virtue Jane Ott
Julie A Clausing Mary Amundson Jeffrey Egan
Julie McGill Michael Gutierrez John Geiringer
Karen Bourbulas Monique Howery Josh & Erika Thieme
Katherine Nemes Pat Moran Karen Bourbulas
Kevin Davitt Rena Cotsones Kate O'Malley
Kevin Salzmann Robert Angelica Kerry Jordan
Lisa Carson Robert Cornelius Maureen & Kieran Lagan
Lyle & Martha Paul Robert Pritchard Michael & Jennifer Fedorovich
Megan Lafferty Saabira Mohamed Mike Conti
Nicholas Hufford Sandra Wright Mike Miroballi
Noreen Phalon Scott Stenmark Northern Illinois University
Paul Miller Semir Bajrektarevic Pam Piarowski
Reid Schar Shane O'Callaghan PRP Wine
Roma Colwell-Steinke Sharon Stanciel The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Russell Rhoads Sheryl Szot Gallaher Union League Club of Chicago
Scott Pedersen Stephanie Lake
Shana Hall Stephen Karlson We would not be able to
Stan Rupnik Stephen Winter do what we do without
Theresa Davis Sue Lawler
Thomas Matusz your support.
Tony Cyriac In-Kind Contributions
Adam Ginsburgh Thank
Up to $99 Alper Ozgit You!
Alex Miller Anne Kaplan
Anne Gallagher BMO Harris Bank, N.A.
Brian Becker Bob Anderson
Carl Campbell Catherine Bourke
Cynthia Au Catherine Williams
Danny White Chicago Board Options Exchange
Diane Durkin Christine Tierney

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

BY THE NUMBERS

Investment Income: $3,731 In FY2016, Econ Illinois reached
over 130,000 students and adults
Corporate & Personal throughout Illinois and provided
Contributions: $92,315
services in over 50 counties.
Grants: $29,875

Special Events: $271,055

Other Contributions,
including in-kind: $392,632

Fundraising: $167,492

Program Services: $498,223

Management & General:
$122,679

Receivables: $13,750
Cash & Equivalents: $333,089
Investments: $294,062

Centers for Economic Education

Between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 Econ Illinois
Impacted nearly 2,000 Educators and over 128,000 Students

By providing Professional Development & Training to
899 Educators impacting 85,209 Students and
Signature & Specialized Programming to
1,092 Educators impacting 43,088 Students

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

THE IMPORTANCE OF
ECONOMIC LITERACY

Business leaders, scholars, and policymakers agree that economic and financial literacy
is crucial to success in modern society. Yet research shows that many people lack even a basic

understanding of economic and financial concepts.

FROM THE CLASSROOM... Only 43% of 12th
graders tested at or
American youth above “proficient” in
averaged less than economic literacy
60% - the equivalent
of an “F” grade on a
national financial
literacy test

67% have no ...TO THE WORKPLACE
rainy day funds

Americans under age 40% say debt is
35 have a savings rate “overwhelming”
of negative 2%

60% of Millennials
aged 18 to 34 aren’t
saving for retirement

HOW ECON ILLINOIS HELPS

LEARNING ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CONCEPTS HELPS STUDENTS MAKE
BETTER MONEY CHOICES AND MANAGE THEIR MONEY WISELY

Students who have taken a class in personal finance are more likely to engage in financially responsible behaviors

93% of students save 60% have a budget vs. 46% 32% invested money vs.
money vs. 84% of those who did not take a class 17% of those who did not
who did not take a class
take a class

www.econillinois.org Sources: National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Economics Assessment;
Moody’s Analytics; FINRA; Wells Fargo 2014 Millennial Study

Illinois Outstanding Economic Educators

The 3M Outstanding Economic Educator Award was presented to two educators who have a long-standing
commitment to teaching economics in the classroom, promoting economic education in their school and
district, for continuous involvement in professional development and student-based programs that enhance
economic education. Winning teachers are honored at a luncheon attended by board members, community
leaders, and donors. They receive a cash award, a plaque, and are provided complimentary professional
development through a seminar designed specifically for them. Each winner’s school also receives a grant to
enhance economic education in the school’s curriculum.

Lauren Musielewicz, Meadow Ridge School
Ms. Musielewicz continually strives to create an environment where students can be confident in learning
the critical skills needed to navigate through life. She continually looks for conferences and professional
development opportunities to improve her knowledge base and to bring new and engaging curricula back
to her classroom. She then shares new resources and materials with her colleagues through informal
workshops that she delivers, advocating for others to include economics in their classwork.
Lauren’s classes participate in the Economics Concepts Poster Contest each year with her students regularly earning
regional and state awards for their insightful drawings. She routinely incorporates a variety of economic education
lessons and activities to the third and fourth grade classes that she teaches. In addition, she designs her own projects
such as the Region-omics Unit that challenges students to create their own business and approach investors in a “Shark
Tank” simulation. This past year her classes began participating in The Stock Market Game™ program and its
language arts counterpart InvestWrite as part of a financial unit she is incorporating into her teaching schedule.
Candace Fikis, West Chicago Community High School
Ms. Fikis teaches social studies and economics, has a rich understanding of economics and personal
finance, and uses her knowledge to capture student interest in the world around them. She was hired to
revive the Econ Department at her school and has done so with great success. Candace has gone on to
build demand for the economics coursework and consequently gained approval to expand the course
offerings by creating an AP Macroeconomics course. She gained approval for an AP Microeconomics
course and it is running for the first time ever at her school this year!
Candace uses her passion and expertise to actively engage her students in competitions and activity-based learning.
This past year four of her students earned First Place in the Illinois Personal Finance Challenge, advancing to
represent Illinois in the National Personal Finance Challenge. She is always looking to attend conferences and
professional development offerings when not presenting to other teachers herself. Ms. Fikis engages her students
through a wide variety of real world experiences, such as creating an open-outcry pit to simulate the trading that once
occurred on the floor of the Board of Trade, claiming her student’s comprehension of the trading markets skyrocketed.

2015 Educator Awards
Seated: Candace Fikis & Lauren Musielewicz
Star Award Winners: Standing from Left:
Craig Chatam, Tracy Prescott, Jenny Niemi,
Rosa Lamb, and Scott Lauer

The Illinois Outstanding Economic Educator and
Star in the Classroom Awards are made
possible through a generous donation from

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

Finance Learning Exchange

Econ Illinois is the lead entity to secure funding, public-private partnerships, and resources to build the Illinois
STEM Finance Learning Exchange (FLE). This past year the FLE has begun to increase the positive impact
on students. The FLE is one of several Learning Exchanges dedicated to bringing enhanced coursework and
work-based learning experiences to the classroom. Each STEM Learning Exchange is comprised of public-
private education partnerships charged with creating and enhancing activity-based, real-world experiences for
students to heighten college and career readiness.
Part of Illinois Pathways, Exchanges are organized to support local implementation of pre-school through
graduate school (P-20) STEM Programs of Study by coordinating and reducing the transaction cost among
statewide networks of education partners, businesses, industry associations, labor organizations, and other
organizations. The FLE specifically focuses on industries associated with the finance sector, including:
Accounting, Banking Services, Business Finance, Insurance, Property & Real Estate Management, Securities
& Investments, and Economics.
Key Initiatives during the 2015-16 school year included: Student competitions; Industry engagement; Student
support resources for college planning/budgeting; Teacher, Administrator and Guidance Counselor
presentations; Student presentations; Student field trips to industry firms; Speakers in the classroom; Online
curriculum resources and customized professional development; Financial Literacy for Education Success
online resource site. For more information please visit our website at www.econillinois.org.

Key partners
Advantage Futures

Castle Bank
Country Financial
Des Plaines Valley Region
Federal Reserve Bank Chicago
Federal Reserve Bank—St. Louis
Money Smart Week
Northern Illinois University
NIU Dept. of Workforce Education & Development
NIU Center for Economic Education
NIU Center for P-20 Engagement
NIU Education Systems Center
NIU Center for Governmental Studies

PwC
Thrivent Financial

Connecting high school accounting students
with industry professionals at PwC provides
exposure and insight into many careers at all
levels of responsibility within the firm.

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

2016 American Dream Dinner

The 9th annual American Dream Dinner to benefit
Econ Illinois was once again successful and exciting!
Held Thursday, May 19, 2016 at the Union League
Club of Chicago, the event welcomed nearly 250
guests.

The guest speaker, Chicago City Treasurer Kurt A.
Summers Jr. spoke about how learning the skills
taught by Econ Illinois have helped him achieve a
high level of success. (pictured on following page)

Joseph Guinan, Chairman & CEO of Advantage
Futures was presented with the American Dream
Leadership Award for his outstanding contributions to
Financial Literacy & Economic Education. (pictured on

following page)

Thank You to our sponsors

Partner of the Year

With additional sponsorships from
Capco, Deloitte, Ernst & Young

Jenner & Block, KPMG, Sidley Austin

Top: 5th Grade student Tommy D. presents
his product “The Super Sprinkler” to the
panel of sharks.
Center: Student presenters with their
teacher, Ms. Lauren Musielewicz from
Meadow Ridge School. Pictured Left to
right: Tommy D., Lauren Musielewicz,
Averey B., and Camden M.
Bottom: Guests enjoyed a high-energy
event including an exciting heads or tails
raffle and live auction.

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

Chicago City Treasurer, Kurt A. Summer Jr.

Student Presenters & “Sharks”

Alper & Ebru Beygo Ozgit winning bidders of the Emmy
Awards auction package attended the 2016 event

Celebrity Auctioneer, David Goodman Joe Guinan receives the Leadership Award from
Governing Board President, Pam Piarowski

Mr. & Mrs. Mike Conti enjoy the cocktail reception

Board of Trustees President, Bill Testa, enjoys the reception Econ Illinois President, Nancy Harrison with special guest Let the bidding begin!
Franz Vargas and Ms. Kate O’Malley

Guests from Belvedere Trading enjoy the live auction Guests enjoy dinner

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

GAMES AND COMPETITIONS

The Stock Market Game™ is an online capital markets simulation that
engages students grades 4-12 in economics, investing and personal
finance, helping to prepare them for their financial futures. Using the
Teacher Support Center’s lessons, activities and assessments all
aligned to state and national standards, teachers teach core
competencies and their students use critical thinking skills and
teamwork to research, evaluate and make decisions to build their own
real-world investment portfolios. Learning is a natural part of the
experience. Students have so much fun learning about companies and capital markets, they don’t realize how
much math, language arts, and social studies knowledge they’re gaining along the way.
The Stock Market Game™ is a program of the SIFMA Foundation for Investor Education and is provided
without financial cost to Illinois schools thanks to generous donors. Econ Illinois, our Center affiliates, and the
SIFMA Foundation offer on-line and on-site training workshops to support teachers new to the program.

First Place Winners Second Place Winners Third Place Winners

C.F. Simmons M.S., Aurora Bloomington H.S., Bloomington British School - South Loop, Chicago
Collinsville H.S., Collinsville C.F. Simmons M.S., Aurora C.F. Simmons M.S., Aurora
FE Peacock M.S., Itasca Chicago Christian H.S., Palos Heights Carl Sandburg H.S., Orland Park
Geneva Middle School South, Geneva Freemont M.S., Mundelein DeKalb H.S., DeKalb
Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep, Chicago Geneva Middle School North, Geneva Geneva Middle School South, Geneva
Lee Elem. School, Chicago Grayslake North H.S., Grayslake Obama School of Tech. & Arts, Park Forest
Lincoln-Way East H.S., Frankfort Lincoln-Way Central H.S., New Lenox Mt. Pulaski H.S., Mt. Pulaski
New Trier Township H.S., Winnetka Neuqua Valley H.S., Naperville New Trier Township H.S., Winnetka
Prairie View M.S., Tinley Park Niles North H.S., Skokie Plainfield H.S., Plainfield
Providence St. Mel School, Chicago Prairie View M.S., Tinley Park St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School, Lemont
Quincy Area Vocational Center, Quincy Sandwich Community H.S., Sandwich St. Bruno School, Chicago
Richard Ira Jones M.S., Plainfield St. Bruno School, Chicago St. John Fisher School, Chicago
Simeon Career Academy H.S., Chicago St. Ignatius College Prep., Chicago Sycamore H.S., Sycamore
South Elgin H.S., South Elgin St. John Fisher School, Chicago Sycamore M.S., Sycamore
St. John Fisher School, Chicago St. Rita of Cascia H.S., Chicago Vienna Grade School, Vienna
Sycamore M.S., Sycamore Sycamore M.S., Sycamore Westinghouse Career Academy, Chicago
Vienna Grade School, Vienna Vienna Grade School, Vienna Whittier Elem. School, Wheaton
Yorkville H.S., Yorkville

The “only activity that [The SMG program has Engages students and
shows a positive and a] Positive influence on improves academic
significant relationship the financial decision of
with test scores was the teachers who used performance, financial
participation in a stock the program with their knowledge, and saving
and investing habits.*
market game.”* students.*

*www.smgww.org

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

GAMES AND COMPETITIONS

Statewide Awards Each school year, The Cabrera Statewide Award is given to SMG teams with
the highest return, as compared to the S&P 500, during the time they
participated. The winning teams are invited to a day trip in Chicago's financial
district, including a visit to Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC's corporate offices,
where the teams visit with members of the Cabrera Institutional Equity
team. The trip also includes time at the Chicago Board Options Exchange
and Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Winning students receive a monetary
award to be used to begin or add to their own personal investment
accounts. Winning teachers receive a monetary award to be used toward
professional development.

Earning top recognition this year in the High School division, with a final equity value of $173,013,
outperforming the S&P 500 by 62%, was a student team from New Trier High School, Winnetka, along with
their teacher, Mr. Ben Yang. Receiving top recognition this year in the Grade School division, with a final
equity value of $126,637, outperforming the S&P 500 by 19%, was a student team from Geneva Middle
School South, Geneva, and their teacher, Mr. Mike Hack. These top-ranked teams beat out nearly 8,000

InvestWrite, an innovative national writing competition designed to
sharpen students’ critical thinking skills, is an extension of The Stock
Market Game™ program. The program builds a bridge between
classroom learning and real-world investment decisions by
challenging students to respond to a “real life” investment scenario,
using what they’ve learned through their Stock Market Game
participation and research. Each year nearly 10,000 students in
grades 4-12 participated by writing essays. Volunteers from the
business and education communities judged entries. InvestWrite is a
program of the SIFMA Foundation and sponsored by McGraw Hill
Financial.
During the fall semester, Andrianna Chapin, Joliet Central High
School, Joliet, received the national Tenth Place award, grades 9-
12. Andrianna received a cash award, certificate, and medal and her
teacher, Mr. John Wietlispach, received a cash award at a
presentation at the school.
During the spring semester, eighth grade student, Ben Geoffroy, Saint
Gilbert Catholic School, Grayslake, earned the national Third Place
award, grades 6-8. At a classroom presentation Ben received a
laptop, medal and certificate. Ben’s teacher, Mrs. Kris Buckley,
received a cash award. Ben’s class received a pizza party to
celebrate his success and Saint Gilbert Catholic School was
presented with a trophy to commemorate Ben’s accomplishment.

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

GAMES AND COMPETITIONS

Economics Concepts Poster Contest This competition made possible through
a generous donation by

Students in grades 1-8 learn a basic economic concept and then use their creativity and art
skills to demonstrate their understanding of the concept in a colorful drawing. This year, over
2,000 students from 45 schools gained a better understanding of our economic system
through their participation in this unique competition. The top 24 entries from each of 5
regional competitions were submitted for judging in a state-wide competition. From these entries, 12 state winners
(shown here) were selected, along with 12 honorable mention winners. Classroom volunteer opportunities are available
for financial industry professionals to share their expertise and help teachers bring the concepts to life while connecting
them to real-world scenarios. Lessons are available to support volunteers in the classroom.

Alyssa E. 4th Grade, Meadow Ridge Elementary School Sydney A., 5th Grade, Fry Elementary School Virginia T., 2nd Grade, Queen of the Rosary School
Orland Park, Laura Prisby, Teacher Naperville, Sharon Phares, Teacher Elk Grove Village, Linda Minard, Teacher

Briana R., 2nd Grade, Oak Glen Elementary School Sophia T., 2nd Grade, Fry Elementary School Anesh K., 4th Grade, Iles Elementary School
Lansing, Valerie Kooy, Teacher Naperville, Sharon Phares, Teacher Springfield, Toro Aladesuyi, Teacher

Fiona M., 3rd Grade, Meadow Ridge Elementary School Kolby P., 5th Grade, St. Bartholomew School Claire G., 6th Grade, Thomas Middle School
Orland Park, Lauren Musielewicz, Teacher Chicago, Kathleen Gienko, Teacher Arlington Heights, Danielle Schuh, Teacher

Amy L. 8th Grade, Washington Gifted School Kamil R., 8th Grade, Liberty Junior High School Zoe S., 8th Grade, Prairie View Middle School
Peoria, J. Tracy Prescott, Teacher Burbank, Terri Alexander, Teacher Tinley Park, William Cornfield, Teacher

www.econillinois.org | 779-777-7727

GAMES AND COMPETITIONS

Illinois Economics Challenge

The IL Economics Challenge applies the excitement of an athletic competition to academic excellence and encourages
students to apply their economics knowledge and work in teams. Competitions are held at both the state and national
levels. The 1st place team from York High School, under the direction of teacher Tamra Carl, and veteran ILEC co-
teacher Jessica Weldon, outscored 2nd place Hinsdale South in the final quiz bowl round of competition. The IL
Economics Challenge had 135 teams test in the preliminary competition looking to move on to the state finals
competition. With its win at the state finals, the team from York High School advanced to the National Semi-Final round
of competition where they placed 19th out of 34 teams competing.

First Place Team - York Community High School Second Place Team - Hinsdale South High School
Students: John Fetscher, Jason Kentra, Frank Luse, Flanagan Waldherr Students: Tanner Andrulis, Holli Jones, Aidan Kelly, Joe O’Shea
Teachers: Tamra Carl & Jessica Weldon; Econ IL President: Nancy Harrison
Teacher: Jeff Waterman; Econ IL President: Nancy Harrison

Illinois Personal Finance Challenge

The IL Personal Finance Challenge program is designed to recognize students who demonstrate high levels of
comprehension and application of personal finance concepts and skills, and rewards teachers for outstanding practices
in teaching personal finance concepts. With all students in Illinois required to take consumer education, this is the
perfect way to engage them more fully in their learning and assess how well they are meeting the state mandate. The
Illinois Personal Finance Challenge had 128 teams compete in the preliminary competition and the top 10 teams moved
on to the state finals. Students from Naperville Central High School earned 1st place in the State Finals competition,
outscoring Naperville North High School for the Championship title. The team, led by teacher David Ashton, went on to
represent Illinois at the National Personal Finance Challenge in Kansas City Missouri in May.

First Place Team - Naperville Central High School Second Place Team - Naperville North High School
Students: Kevin Angell, Neal Hasan, John Laboe, Luke Liu Students: Max Krauskopf, Sebastian Leder Macek, Charlie Ovens, Dharmesh Thakkar
Teacher: David Ashton; Econ IL President: Nancy Harrison
Teacher: Eleanor Barbino; Econ IL President: Nancy Harrison

Thanks to our generous donors there is no financial cost to schools to compete in either Challenge
and cash prizes are awarded to the winning team members and their teacher coach.

www.econillinis.org | 779-777-7727

Econ Illinois acknowledges the
generous support from the
following Illinois businesses.

2016 Partner of the Year

The Elkes
Foundation

444 E. Hillcrest Dr., Ste. 230
DeKalb, IL 60115

Phone: 779-777-7727
www.econillinois.org | [email protected]
Econ Illinois is a 501(c)3
and an affiliate of