New corporate headquarters, with jobs to fill, may come to Elgin

Elgin may soon be the new headquarters of a company that works with 2,000 municipalities across the country. And it's looking to hire eight new employees.

Duke's Root Control Inc. would take over space vacated by the TruGreen lawn care company at 400 Airport Road within the River Ridge Business Center subdivision. Duke's is a sanitary sewer contractor with 80 years of business history. It is a growing business looking to move from the smaller space it occupies in Crystal Lake.

Company President Matt Fishbune said the company specializes in eliminating sewer pipe blockages. It uses a shaving cream-like foam that is shot into the sewer pipes to dissolve tree roots that have infiltrated the pipes. The process, however, does not kill the trees themselves, Fishbune said.

The company has six locations throughout the country. Elgin would become the new headquarters. Fishbune said he will bring 40 current employees, mostly service personnel earning between $40,000 to $100,000 per year, from Crystal Lake to the new Elgin location. He is looking to hire six additional service providers and two office staff.

"We've identified Elgin, and specifically this location, as a perfect home for our team members and our new corporate headquarters," Fishbune told members of Elgin's Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night. "We think it's a great, great spot for us."

There are no expected changes to the exterior of the building once Duke's Root Control moves in.

Members of the commission unanimously agreed to recommend the city council's approval of the business' relocation. The city council must take a vote before the proposal is final.