McHenry Times

Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) is touting LeadingIT, a small business in her home town that was chosen as a semi-finalist for the James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award recently.

The award, presented by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Mesirow Financial and The PrivateBank, honors entrepreneurs who emphasize philanthropy in the Chicagoland area through their company philosophy and activity in the community.

LeadingIT is one of 12 finalists that will compete for the award through a "Shark Tank"-style competition, pitching their businesses to a panel of judges. The competition’s live audience will vote to determine who advances to the next stage, where the judges will choose the winner.

“It is great to see one of our own small businesses is a semi-finalist for this prestigious award,” Wheeler wrote on her website. “Small business is the backbone of our economy, and it’s great to see a small business like LeadingIT, which supports other small businesses, in the running. I hope you’ll join me in cheering them on with the hashtag #2017TyreeAward.”