Theft prevention gets easier

The owners of Imperial Surveillance are approaching the first anniversary of their Elgin business.

Garrett LeTourneau and Daniel Burress own the company, which sells and installs security camera systems to business and residential clients.

The men focus more on business customers looking to deter theft by either customers or employees. "They're looking for ways to protect their investment," LeTourneau said.

The entrepreneurs operate at 165 N. Spring St. Burress said it's their goal to attempt to make operating the surveillance system easy for their clients. He added that the line they install is engineered at a fifth-grade level. The software comes in nine languages.

"It's very user friendly," Burress said.

The lines they sell aren't like the old systems that record on videotapes. Their systems record directly to a hard drive. A complete system with four cameras and installation starts at about $1,200, LeTourneau said.

They also install systems that have remote access and audible capabilities.

The men, both 23 years old, worked together for a surveillance company before launching their own venture. The business they worked for was getting away from the retail customer.

"We saw this as a great opportunity," said LeTourneau, who grew up in Mount Prospect, where he continues to reside. He graduated from Rolling Meadows High School.

Burress is a resident of Algonquin. He grew up in Streamwood and attended Streamwood High School.

For more information, call (847) 888-8533 or check out www.imperialcctv.com.

Design recognition: Several buildings designed by area architects have been recognized for architectural excellence, receiving coveted honor awards from the Northeast Illinois chapter of The American Institute of Architects.

Nearly 50 buildings were nominated.

The Aldi Corp. headquarters in Batavia, designed by Oak Brook-based FGM Architects Planners, was cited for design merit. The same firm was honored for excellence for Grayslake High School and in the distinguished building category for the Wiss Janney Elstner Inc. headquarters in Northbrook.

The Fox Valley Park Districts' Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora, designed by Cordogan Clark & Associates of Aurora, was also cited for merit.

Glen Ellyn based PPKS Architects was honored for design excellence for the ABN Amro Bank it designed in Zwolle, Netherlands. The firm was also honored in the distinguished building category for the pool house addition to a private home in Glencoe for the residential category.