College of Lake County and Elk Grove construction firm embark on $50 million project

Mortenson Construction, a national contractor with local operations in Elk Grove Village, has launched a $50 million project at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.

Designed to meet the changing needs of its student population, the project utilizes the latest technology, said Sheryl Van Anne, the Mortenson Construction executive leading the project.

The multiyear modernization includes reconfiguring and expanding existing buildings, updating facilities and upgrading heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. In addition, a new cafeteria building will be constructed west of the lobby overlooking Willow Lake.

"It's a great matchup," Van Anne said of Mortenson handling the CLC project. The partnership with the college has been a good one, she said. "The college is embracing technology. It's great to be working with these progressive thinkers."

She added that they are doing work virtually and using laser scans to evaluate existing conditions of the school. The project also places a heavy emphasis on energy efficiency and operating cost savings. "I'm passionate about this," she said of the two-part project expected to be complete in late 2017.

Working with colleges and universities is not new for Mortenson. The company is ready to break ground at Harper College in Palatine and is doing work at Loyola University and the University of Chicago.

Founded in 1965, the family-owned firm is also doing work at Good Shepherd Hospital and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Van Anne, who is a higher education market leader for Mortenson, added that she has seen a change in the philosophies at both colleges and universities over the years. "There is such competition for students," she said, adding that dorms are now constructed more like luxury hotels. "And gone are the days of community colleges that serve as a place to get your GPA up. The education that you gain at community colleges is phenomenal," she said, pointing to class sizes of 15 to 20.

CLC President Girard Weber said, "we serve a diverse student body that is looking for more of the amenities and learning opportunities traditionally found at four-year colleges."

As a result, we are consolidating our student services and book store in a new state-of-the art building and creating the models for our classrooms and labs of the future."

Kudos

Illinois Woman's Press Association, an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women, celebrated its 130th anniversary and recently honored members.

Pat Szpekowski, president of PR Strategies/PMS Advertising Inc., a full service advertising agency and public relations firm in Elgin, received three first place awards, one second place and one honorable mention at the event.

Szpekowski received recognition as a writer/correspondent for The Observer, the weekly Catholic newspaper of the Diocese of Rockford with a first place in the category of Writing/Specialty Articles, Religion, which featured the 2014 stories on the St. Margaret Mary Church in Algonquin "Shamrock Shave" and "Algonquin Parish Begins Centennial Year." The judge noted "the nice newsy and conversational style of the stories."

In the Public Relations/Advertising categories, Szpekowski received two first place awards for PR Materials/Reports for the Dundee Township Open Space Map, and for PR Materials/Brochures, Educational for Summit School Inc. Elgin. She received a second place award in the Advertising, print-single advertisement category for "Enjoy the Noise Kane County Fair."

Arbor Place of Lisle builds momentum

Momentum continues to build for the planned opening of Arbor Place of Lisle, an 80-unit, age-restricted, affordable senior living community being developed by Providence Life Services and Ryan Companies US Inc. The $20.6-million Arbor Place of Lisle development is the second project for the Providence-Ryan partnership, and the sixth affordable senior housing project in suburban Chicago for Ryan. Thomas Place Orland Park, a similar affordable senior living community completed in 2013 in Orland Park, was the partnership's first development.

Arbor Place of Lisle comprises 60 one-bedroom, one-bathroom and 20 two-bedroom, one-bathroom units. The one-bedroom residences are approximately 756 square feet and the two-bedroom residences are approximately 1,008 square feet.

Another acquisition

The Middleby Corp. acquired the assets of Induc Commercial Electronics Co., a manufacturer of induction cooking equipment for the commercial food service industry. Based in Qingdoa, China, Induc has annual revenues of approximately $10 million.

"We are excited to add Induc to our portfolio of innovative technologies. Induc is a leader in induction cooking equipment and a well-established brand in the Chinese market, with a growing presence in other Asian countries. Induc has a broad line of innovative products marketed under ECO Kitchen, including steamers, wok ranges, tilting skillets, fryers and pasta cookers," said Selim A. Bassoul, Chairman and CEO of The Middleby Corp.

Middleby is a global leader in the food service equipment industry. The company develops, manufactures, markets and services a broad line of equipment used in the commercial food service, food processing, and residential kitchen equipment industries.

Sassy agreement

Itasca-based Enesco announced that it signed a license agreement to be the worldwide manufacturer and wholesale distributor for Designs by Lolita glassware.

Known for its festive and sassy designs, Lolita features hand-painted wineglasses, pilsners and other glassware. Providence, Rhode Island-based Designs by Lolita has sold more than 14 million glasses since its inception in 2004.

"When I started out, just a gal with some hand-painted martini glasses, I never imagined how much the brand would grow. I am excited about the potential that lies ahead and confident Enesco can help us take Lolita to new heights," said Lolita Healy, CEO and founder of Designs by Lolita.

Beginning July 1, Enesco will offer Lolita products to retailers worldwide, with the exception of Europe, where orders will begin in January 2016.