Des Plaines business wins 'Edie' award from Illinois Chamber of Commerce

The Des Plaines location of men's suits manufacturer Hart Schaffner Marx was awarded the Economic Development in Illinois Award for the nine-county Chicago metro area by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Association.

The 11th annual "Edie" award recognizes outstanding economic development projects during the calendar year 2018.

Hart Schaffner Marx in Des Plaines needed to relocate in 2018 when Iron Mountain Data Centers bought its former location 1680 E. Touhy Ave. so that it could build a 330,000-square-foot building. There was a danger the suit maker, founded in 1897 in Chicago, could move to an out-of-state location.

Knowing that Hart Schaffner Marx was seeking a new, smaller space, the Des Plaines city government's economic development team helped it find a suitable building at 901 Oakton St. at an acceptable price. As a result, the company was able to keep all of its nearly 400 employees without relocating them.

According to Economic Development Coordinator Patrick Ainsworth, the company's collaboration with the city and Cook County earned the nomination for the Edie award.

Des Plaines Director of Community & Econonomic Development Mike McMahan said that any project that prevents loss of jobs is deserving of the award.

The award ceremony will take place from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Palmer House in Chicago.