JHN_Progress 2021_032721

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PROGRESS 2021

Saturday, March 27, 2021

BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY SPESIA TAYLOR Attorneys at Law

Susie Scheuber

Prairieland

Audiology

LLC

Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

| PROGRESS 2021

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Little Free Library located at 2801 Black Rd., Joliet

Busey Bank installs Little Free Libraries Submitted In 2020, Busey Bank joined a world-wide movement to provide free access to books by installing 15 Little Free Libraries across the communities it serves, including Joliet. Built to promote connection and literacy, these whimsical wooden libraries started as a small book exchange in 2009 and have grown to over 80,000 Little Free Libraries in 91 countries. More than 120 million books have been shared in this growing global phenomenon.

Little Free Libraries build literacy through a free exchange of books, profoundly increasing access to literature for readers of all ages and backgrounds and working to curb the growing literacy crisis facing the nation.

Today in the United States, more than 30 million adults cannot read or write above a thirdgrade level. Although studies have repeatedly shown that books in the hands of children have a meaningful impact on improving literacy, two out of three children living in poverty have no books to call their own. The more books in or near the home, the more likely a child will learn and love to read.

“Building and installing Little Free Libraries is a small way to make a big impact in our communities,” says Mike Nolan, SVP, Commercial Market President, Joliet. “This creative partnership provides access to free books, allowing for improved literacy and education while fulfilling the Busey Promise by bringing people and resources together to generate positive change in the places we live and work.”

Throughout September of 2020, Busey customers and associates generously donated more than 5,000 books through a Busey Book Drive. Some of the books collected served as the first donation to the Little Free Library at 2801 Black Road, which is listed on the Little Free Library World Map as charter number 111443.

The Busey Book Drive and Little Free Library installations are part of a larger community initiative—Busey Drives Generosity. Through this monthly campaign, Busey associates are encouraged to give generously to benefit their neighbors, further strengthening the communities they serve.

Other Busey Drives Generosity campaigns have included a November food drive, in which

1355 pounds of non-perishable food was donated by associates and customers and given to local food pantries just in time for Thanksgiving; a January Sock Drive, in which over 3,000 pairs of socks were collected through Busey’s service centers and distributed to homeless shelters across their footprint; and a Dental Drive, in which Busey observed Children’s Dental Month by collecting nearly 6,000 dental health tools and donating them to health organizations in the communities they serve.

Being a community financial services organization means being a good neighbor—partnering for purpose and progress. Busey associates are encouraged and recognized for being actively involved community members who enrich the quality of life in the communities Busey serves.

With two hours of paid volunteer time offered monthly to full-time associates, Team Busey is inspired to find causes that resonate with them and get involved. From robust associate volunteering efforts to corporate-led sponsorship opportunities, Busey gives more than $1 million and countless volunteer hours annually.

3 PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

LEGACY. Growing your family.

Opening your own business.

Retiring to travel.

Leaving your legacy.

At Busey Bank, we know there is a lot of planning along the way. Busey’s experts are here to partner with you by putting your money to work with thoughtful advice, trusted resources and proven results.

For over 150 years, Busey’s experienced team has partnered with businesses and families to establish impactful, enduring legacies.

Busey Bank. Since 1868.

busey.com 815.725.0123 SM-CL1867080

Member FDIC

Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

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Hawk Volkswagen offers large selection of vehicles including the new ID.4 electric sport utility vehicle

By Allison Selk Shaw Media correspondent

Hawk Volkswagen offers its Chicagoland clients a variety of new, Certified Pre-owned as well as used vehicles at its Joliet location since 2014.

On March 11 Hawk VW hosted a ID.4 Preview Day event for the public to check out and reserve the all-new Volkswagen ID.4 electric sport utility vehicle.

The starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starts at $39,995 for the vehicle and as low as $32,495 after potential federal tax credit.

The electric SUV mile range for the ID.4 Pro S and 1st Edition is 250 miles and estimated charge time at a public DC fast charger comes in at 60 miles in about 10 minutes, according to the Hawk VW website.

Hawk VW offers a reserve program where the buyer can reserve and order online and then view the vehicle on My ID.4 Reservation site and at the dealership. My ID.4 Reservation through the dealership portal provides information about the build process of the vehicle-the clients personal vehicle and how-to tips on the ownership of an electric vehicle. The dealership will communicate with the customer on its progression and track as it leaves the factory to the United States and arrives at the dealership in Joliet. Financ-

ing will be available at the dealership once the vehicle has made its way onto the lot, the website stated.

The ID.4 1st Edition can be bought in metallic colors such as Dusk Blue, Mythos Black, Glacier White, Scale Silver and Kings Red, or Moonstone Gray. It’s boasts a unique fixed glass roof to let light in, or keep light out with an electric sunshade. It features LED taillights and illuminated door handles and the Pro S offers Premium LED projector headlights along with a illuminated Volkswagen logo and light line in the grille, according to the Hawk VW website.

Other popular VW vehicles found on the lot includes the Jetta Sedan, Passat, Beetle Coupe, the CC, the Golf GTI , Atlas and the Tiguan. Customers can utilize the user friendly website homepage and research comparisons of 2020 VW vehicles to other 2020 brands of vehicles, prepared by the Hawk VW experts.

Customers can enjoy the choice of new, Certified Pre-Owned and used vehicles and on site financing, vehicle protection plans, as well as trade in valuations. Spanish and Polish speakers can find information on the website in their native languages as well as phone numbers to reach an employee who speaks the languages at the dealership.

Hawk VW has been named Chicagoland’s num-

ber one Volkswagen Dealer five years in a row, from 2016 to 2020. The dealership offers a large selection of vehicles, friendly staff who work for the best deals for its customers and it also has made a priority to give back to the community in which it serves.

On Oct. 3, 2020, Hawk VW held a barbeque for the USO of Illinois at its dealership, which was draped in red, white and blue to support the troops. In 2020, Hawk VW organized a Trunk or Treat event on a Saturday afternoon and in 2019, threw a Halloween party from Oct. 29 to 31 where children were invited to wear costumes and trick or treat at the dealership, which concluded with a face painter on Halloween.

The past four years, Hawk VW has teamed with Pink Heals Joliet Chapter for a Think Pink event on the dealership grounds. Each event took place in October for breast cancer awareness month.

Pink Heals of Joliet brought out its signature pink fire trucks and sold merchandise, while Hawk VW raffled off tickets for professional sport events, handed out free pink ribbons in honor of breast cancer awareness and accepted donations to go to the Pink Heals Joliet Chapter non-profit in order to help those who battle with finances.

Hawk VW, located at 2861 W. Jefferson St., Joliet serves its sales, service and parts customers Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.

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PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

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Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

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Susie Scheuber is area’s No. 1 selling real estate agent Submitted Report Susie Scheuber is a lifelong resident of the Joliet area and is a multiple award-winning, top-producing broker at RE/MAX Ultimate Professionals.

Scheuber is starting her 21st year in real estate and is an experienced top selling agent.

Scheuber has extensive area knowledge and expertise with the buying and selling process of real estate. Scheuber is the No. 1 selling agent for the Joliet, Plainfield and Shorewood area for the last 6 years, 2015 – 2020 & the No. 1 agent with Re/Max Ultimate Professionals. With over $30 million in sales in 2020, she is looking forward to making 2021 another successful year helping her buyers & sellers.

For the years 2016 through 2020, Scheuber was featured in Chicago Agent Magazine’s Who’s Who in Chicagoland Real Estate, and was on the cover and featured in Top Agent Magazine for the May 2016 issue.

Scheuber is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, a Re/Max Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, a 5 year Chairman Club Level recipient, has been named a Five Star Real Estate Agent by Five Star Professional from 2013 to 2020, named in REAL Trends Best Real Estate Agents in America from 2013 to 2020, named by Chicago Agent Magazine as a Will County Top 20 Agent from 2012 through 2020, and is in the top 1 percent of all real estate agents in the United States.

Scheuber’s experience, knowledge, and customer service to her clients

are the cornerstone of her business. Her strong attention to detail makes sure that her clients get everything they want and more. Her honesty and commitment to her clients’ welfare sets her apart.

When Scheuber works with her clients, she doesn’t just say what they want to hear. In the industry, she is known as a straight shooter.

“People appreciate that and want to know the truth,” Scheuber said. “I skip the sales tactics and talk real with my clients.”

In her free time, Scheuber enjoys working out, bike riding and spending time with her family. She says her daughters inspire her, and she strives to be their role model.

Scheuber is also a member of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Scheuber’s ability to connect with people and maneuver through difficult transactions set her apart in the industry. .

2021 is proving to be a tough market to navigate for buyers - there is so much competition & inventory is low. Susie has the experience & know how to help her buyers make the best choices for them to get them into the homes of their dreams.

Scheuber strives to exceed every client’s expectations throughout the sale or purchase of their home.

When it is time to make that purchase or to place your home on the market, contact Scheuber at 815-263-5988 or via email at sscheuber@hotmail. com.

Will Co. Humane Society updates adoption process, stays committed to communication

By Allison Selk Shaw Media correspondent The Will County Humane Society, the oldest no-kill animal shelter in the county, saw changes for the better due to its response to the pandemic.

Kennel manager Malorie Ernst said this shelter, which can house up to 100 animals, shut down for three months, but after a refocus, she and co-manager Leslee Kempes created a more streamlined adoption process, safer for the public and animals.

Before COVID-19, Ernst said anyone from the public was allowed to come into the shelter during open hours and play with the animals, whether they were in the market to adopt or not. Now, a revamped website, featuring policies, photos of the animals and shelter information, allows potential adopters a more user-friendly online experience. Those who wish to adopt fill out an online application, and it must be accepted before an appointment to visit the dog or cat can be confirmed.

“Before, we would have five to six families work with one to two staff members or people come in to just play — it was difficult to manage. We really want to focus on those who want to adopt,” Ernst said. She said the shelter plans to keep this system in place.

The Will County Humane Society runs solely on donations and does not receive any government funds. Ernst said various donations, regular supporters and fundraisers have kept the shelter in business around 50 years.

“We always need monetary donations; they are huge to care for the tough health cases while we try to figure out how to treat,” Ernst said. “We do our best, we ask for help through social media. The community always backs us — it’s amazing.”

The careful health treatment of the animals sets the Will County Humane Society apart from other shelters, Ernst said. When the animals come in, each one receives updates on vaccines, gets spayed or neutered, medical issues addressed and a microchip. If the animal comes in with a certain

behavior complication, the humane society has long-term volunteers who have experience in this area and help to work on the behaviors.

Ernst said when an older pet comes to them, the animal receives a full blood panel so all of the health conditions can be passed along to any future adopters.

“We want the adopters to be aware of what the animal’s health currently is and what it could potentially be. We like to set up the adopter for success, so the animal is not brought back. We want them to know what they are getting themselves into to decrease stress during the transition,” Ernst said.

This holds true for all of the animals, not just the older ones, according to Ernst.

“Myself and my co-manager come from a medical background (human) and are able and willing to take the time to make sure we are completely honest with the adopters. And, of course, if there is ever a problem with the animal, the adopters can reach out. These animals are Will County Humane Society pets for the rest of its life.”

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Susie has many reviews on Zillow. Below are just 2 examples of happy clients who have Experienced the Difference working with Susie!

This is our 3rd time working with Susie Scheuber. She impressed us so much with our previous two deals that we did not want to use anyone else to help us purchase our new home. Her professionalism is off the charts and she looks out for her client’s best interests. I would recommend anyone that is looking to buy, sell or rent to utilize her and I am sure that they would not be disappointed!

Susie is a true professional. She is very knowledgeable, understanding; and patient. I have not sold a house in some time and I was nervous about the process but Susie walked me thru it and in no time my house was sold. She was very easy to talk to and answered all my calls and texts within minutes. She also has a great connection for pictures.

All the pictures were perfect and true to size. I will be recommending her to friends and family.

www.susiescheuber.com 815.263.5988

• Saturday, March 27, 2021

• Over 30 million in sales in 2020

PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

Susie Scheuber

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Johansen and Anderson Inc. starts new programs, including lease option for home equipment

By Allison Selk Shaw Media correspondent Johansen and Anderson Inc. has served its customers with air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration in Will and Grundy counties for 75 years. In addition to those services, the company now has new programs on the horizon.

Owner Rick Cronholm said 2020 threw minor curveballs in the direction of the business, but the company found ways to work around those obstacles and move forward to better serve its customers.

“We wore masks and booties in homes — it was important to keep clients and employees safe,” Cronholm said.

The pandemic created a shift in the service requests the company received, he said. He saw a downturn in business needs due to closures; however, some office buildings and a large number of homeowners, now working from home, requested air filtration systems and purifiers. That caused an upswing of residential business.

During COVID-19, employees were able to take advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program loans and attended manufacturer online training programs. This year, online training was a big part of the business model, Cronholm said.

Most of the technicians who work for Johansen and Anderson Inc. have been certified through the North American Technical Excellence committee.

This external certification group certifies technicians and Cronholm said less than 5% of the techs in the state of Illinois have this certification. The goal remains to have all techs certified.

As Cronholm looks toward the future of his company, he has implemented services to help consumers with their heating and air conditioning needs.

The company now has a Comfort Club with two levels, each with a specific monthly fee. The gold level includes two annual tuneups: air conditioner in the spring and the furnace in the fall. It also includes a 15% discount on future services and a reward program where the consumer can earn money toward future equipment.

The platinum level includes the same annual

Johansen & Anderson Inc.

tuneups as in the gold level and an addition of all services covered, with some exclusions.

This spring, a lease program will launch where customers can lease a home furnace or air conditioning unit for a low monthly fee. Clean checks and problems with the unit (parts and labor) will be covered per the manufacturer for 10 years.

“A lot of people can’t afford to throw out $6,000 to $8,000 on a new furnace and air conditioning system. This allows people to budget,” Cronholm said.

“It’s more convenient and easier. What happens when the air conditioner goes down in the summer or the furnace at 20 below zero?”

He said the manufacturers led this type of lease program and stressed that customers have the option to buy units outright; this program allows another option for those who do not have the funds for the big purchase.

Cronholm remains proud of this business he joined right out of college in 1989. He still holds the principles of its founders, Fred Johansen and Harold Anderson — quality service at a fair price and quick response times.

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number of competing real estate companies in our area. We are extremely grateful that so many people have trusted us to assist them with one of the most important decisions of their life, and we would love to be the real estate company that you turn to when it is time to make a move.

Feel free to reach out to us at support@Karges-

Realty.com, call us at 815-725-1700, stop in our office at 208 N. Larkin Ave., Joliet, or visit our website at www.KargesRealty.com. We’d also like to thank all of our clients for the confidence that they have placed in our company over the past 71 years and have helped us to achieve our outstanding reputation — it is truly appreciated!

• Saturday, March 27, 2021

Whether you are buying or selling a home in this super competitive real estate market, you need expert guidance so that you can make the most intelligent decision possible. When considering who is the most experienced real estate firm to help you through the decision process, there’s only one company that has been assisting buyers and sellers for the past 71 years: Karges Realty! We’ve assisted your parents and grandparents with their real estate needs, and we’d love to assist you also.

Karges Realty has provided the Will County area over the past seven decades with the “Personalized Service” that we are synonymous with. Our associates truly care about providing you with the finest service possible so that you can make the smartest decision for your family. We treat you as though you are family because we realize that our stellar reputation rests on your complete satisfaction.

Karges Realty is recognized for our honesty and integrity in all of our transactions not only by our clients, but also by our peers in the industry. We have strived to be a leader in our field since our inception in 1950, and we feel that we have truly accomplished our goal of being the sought-after Realtors in our marketplace.

We also take great pride in the fact that we have the highest real estate transaction volume for the past 15-year period in the Joliet area marketplace!

That is quite a feat when you consider the vast

PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

Karges Realty offers expert guidance

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Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

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Will County Bar Association Produces Positive Results In 2020

Amidst the impact of the pandemic the Will County Bar Association (WCBA) was able to fulfill its mission of serving and supporting the legal community by providing education, professional development, and new service programs for its members, the legal profession, and the Will County community.

• In July 2020, WCBA created and deployed the WCBA Traffic Safety Program, a user-friendly system that allows Will County drivers an efficient way to complete classes online while meeting the needs of the Will County Circuit Court and the Will County Circuit Clerk’s Office.

• Successfully held in-person Family Law Seminar in October 2020.

• Created an online CLE program for WCBA members.

• Held Annual Golf Outing in October 2020.

• In September 2020, in conjunction with the Will County Women’s Bar Association and Joliet Township Government, the WCBA contributed toward the restoration of Lettie Lavilla Burlingame’s historical monument at the Oakwood Cemetery in Joliet.

•Donated to several local organizations throughout 2020 including the Spanish Community Center, National Hook-Up of Black Women – Joliet Chapter, CASA of River

Valley, Ready, Set, Ride, and Hearts With Compassion.

Also held a successful toy drive for Toys for Tots.

• Awarded WCBA Community Service Awards to two recipients: Attorney Jane Harris and Bailiff Joann McKay.

Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship Program to offer one Black or Latino law student scholarship On January 23, 2021, WCBA in collaboration with the Black Bar Association of Will County, Latino Bar Association of Will County, Will County Women’s Bar Association and Spesia & Taylor Attorneys at Law announced the Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship Program. The purpose of the Program is to encourage diversity within the Will County legal community by awarding a scholarship to an incoming first year Black or Latino Law Student.

The recipient will be eligible to receive up to $46,000 to help repay outstanding legal education debt in return for practicing law in Will County, Illinois upon graduation.

“The Will County Bar Association would like to thank Chris Spesia and Jake Gancarczyk of Spesia & Taylor Attorneys at Law in Joliet for their dedication and support in starting the development of the scholarship and Spesia & Taylor for their continued commitment to the Will County Community.”

Donald W. DeWilkins, WCBA President The Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship Program applications are being accepted now and the deadline to submit is May 31, 2021. To learn more, visit the WCBA website at WillCountyBar.net/scholarship.

Sponsored by Spesia & Taylor Attorneys at Law.

Community Foundation of Will County caps strong 2020 with largest ever corporate grant Amazon invests $500,000 in workforce development initiative

2020 was a challenging year, but the Community Foundation of Will County (CFWC) was able to connect people who care with causes that matter through their partnerships and investments.

• $410,313 dollars were granted from funds held at the CFWC to 99 Will County nonprofit organizations.

• For the first time more than half of the funds granted came from donor advised funds to increase the impact of our investments in Will County.

• The CFWC partnered with the United Way of Will County and awarded 73 grants for a total of $767,950 through the Will County COVID-19 Response Fund.

• Four new Donor Advised Funds were established at the CFWC. • Amazon invested $500,000 in workforce development and education through the Community Foundation.

On February 25, 2021, CFWC announced that Amazon donated $500,000 to invest in workforce development and education in Will County. This generous investment allows the CFWC to establish an advisory committee comprising leaders in education, economic development and workforce development. They will bring resources and best practices from their respective organizations to establish investment criteria and seek opportunities for investment.

“We are grateful and excited about the grant from Amazon,” says Rod Tonelli, Board President of the CFWC. “Will County has experienced the most rapid growth in the region during the past decade and this investment will propel a cooperative effort to ensure that we continue to be a location of choice for companies like Amazon. This is exactly the type of forward-looking investment that the Community Foundation is intended for.”

“The Community Foundation of Will County has a solid track record of expanding opportunity and increasing the capacity of existing non-profit organizations in Will County,” said Sarah Glavin, Amazon’s Chicago Senior Manager of External Affairs. “Amazon is committed to being a positive force in the Chicago region and this grant will allow us to invest in workforce development initiatives in Will County that will benefit all of its residents.

Pictured from top left: Sarah Glavin, Amazon senior manager of External Affairs; Dr. David Livingston, president of Lewis University and chairman of the Workforce Development Advisory Committee; Rod Tonelli, Board president of the Community Foundation of Will County; Dr. Cheryl Green, president of Governors State University and member of the Advisory Committee, and Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant announcing the $500,000 Amazon investment in workforce development in Will County.

The Advisory Committee will begin its work in March 2021 and leverage the experts in their respective organizations to accelerate the work of establishing grant criteria and seeking out projects and programs that are scalable and sustainable. To learn more about the investment and the advisory committee visit WillCountyCF.org and follow the Community Foundation of Will County on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

SPESIA TAYLOR Attorneys at Law

Chris Spesia, Jeff Taylor and John Spesia the pandemic. Commercial and residential real estate were two bright spots in 2020 and Firm Attorneys continued to meet those client demands.

2020 was especially one of loss and life decisions concerning estate plans and powers of attorney and the Spesia & Taylor Estate, Trust and Probate Attorneys were honored to assist clients with these matters.

The third lesson from 2020 was one of Com-

munity engagement that went beyond Law with a heightened awareness of those in need in our area and globally. “Perhaps what I am most proud of is the way Spesia & Taylor responded in 2020 with donations to the Spanish Community Center, Rotary Club, Prairie State Legal Services, the Community Foundation of Will County, local Churches and private schools and ongoing support for the St. Joseph’s Centre in Malawi, Africa” said Partner Chris Spesia.

Spesia & Taylor looks forward to the delivery of legal services with Experience, Integrity and Results in 2021. The Firm remains committed to the ongoing support of charities that are making a difference, including a commitment to fund mobile food pantries in partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank and a new initiative to support the Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship that will be offered to an eligible Black or Latino law student in partnership with the Will County Bar Association, the Black Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association and Women’s Bar Association.

If you have questions, or need quality legal representation, please contact us at (815) 726-4311 or visit spesia-taylor.com.

Serving Will County With Experience, Integrity & Results Since 1899 Since 1899, the law firm of Spesia & Taylor has built an exceptional reputation for quality legal representation. Through our experience and integrity, we get results.

Our team of attorneys have extensive legal experience and are dedicated to providing quality counsel to our clients in the following areas of practice: • • • •

Spesia & Taylor - 1415 Black Road Joliet, IL 60435

Personal Injury Employment & Civil Rights Commercial Litigation Estates, Wills & Trusts

• Municipal Law • Business & Tax Planning • Real Estate & Zoning

If you have questions, or need legal representation, contact us at 815.726.4311 or visit spesia-taylor.com

• Saturday, March 27, 2021

As with most businesses, 2020 provided valuable lessons in perseverance for Spesia & Taylor, one of Will County’s oldest Law Firms.

The first lesson was that the Attorneys and Staff met the challenge of providing excellent legal services while adjusting to a modified work environment. Partner John Spesia credits the Firm’s ability to modify its operations without compromising the quality of its work to “our ongoing commitment to enhancing technology and investment in technology for staff and attorneys in addition to good old-fashioned teamwork”.

The second lesson was while the nature of how legal services were delivered changed, the demand continued across all of the Firm’s practice areas. Spesia & Taylor Attorneys continued their aggressive representation of parties in litigation using such tools as Zoom and Microsoft Teams to appear in Court, take depositions and participate in mediation sessions.

These efforts resulted in multi-million dollar settlements for clients and successful outcomes for defendants represented by the Firm. Those same tools were utilized in the Firm’s municipal practice where Attorneys gave guidance to clients on compliance with the many executive orders and legislative changes necessitated by

11 PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

Spesia & Taylor Learns Lessons in Perseverance in 2020

Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

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Turk Furniture: Unwavering in Times of Change

By Cristina Franz

If you live in the Joliet area you have probably heard of Turk Furniture either through word of mouth, or because you are one of the many loyal customers that shop there. Opened by Joseph Turk in 1885 with the belief that people deserved quality furniture at an affordable price, Turk Furniture has become a staple within the community. More than 130 years later descendants of the founder are still following the same ideals and are committed to offering a shopping experience that is hard to find now-and-days.

2020 brought about a change that many were not prepared for. Due to the pandemic Turk Furniture was forced to shut their doors to the public for the first time, but that did not stop them from providing service their customers are used to.

By implementing webchat features and working with customers over the phone, Turk was committed to customer service, albeit in a new way.

Turk would like to take this opportunity to thank their customers and community for their unwavering support over this last year. When they reopened their doors in June they were humbled and excited to finally get back to business and see new and repeat customers come back.

In a world of instant shopping and next day delivery it is easy, and common, for a small business to be overlooked but Turk Furniture is different. From no pressure seasoned sales associates, some that have been with the company for decades, to the hard-working staff in the offices and warehouse, there is a strong unified presence

Left: Original Turk Furniture store, Above: 2901 Ring Rd., Joliet in each of Turks four locations. At the core of the business has always been a family environment and when you walk into any of the showrooms you can feel the care that is put into everything they do from point of sale all the way through delivery and beyond. These are traits you cannot experience shopping online.

Turk Furniture is committed to their customers, but also to the communities they thrive in.

Monetary donations to various organizations, including food pantries and cancer awareness

groups, and item donations to many local charities are just some of the ways that they give back to the community.

Through it all Turk has remained committed to providing quality products at affordable pricing and a shopping experience that is welcoming and familiar to customers. The ability to adapt to the ever-changing times and still hold true to the founder’s original beliefs and values just shows why Turk Furniture has been around for so long and will continue to serve their communities.

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Shorewood HUGS helps frontline workers, continues signature wishes program 13 Along with their wish, recipients also receive a signature Shorewood HUGS teddy bear. Babyak said at last year, the group had Christmas bears made for sale, and the public responded in a big way. So, they ran with this and created Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter bears and will have graduation bears for sale in the near future.

She reached out to Chocolate Ball sponsors, with sensitivity to the fact that the past year had been difficult for businesses and individuals, but wanted to give the opportunity to give in lieu of the ball.

“We sent out an ask to sponsors to see if they wanted to donate; we raised support from half of our sponsors,” Babyak said.

The day the Chocolate Ball should have taken place, Shorewood HUGS put out a call to action on Facebook and raised $2,000.

In mid-March, the non-profit hosted an online Luck of the Irish raffle on Facebook with 12 baskets of various items donated by the members and a few local businesses. Will County Brewing offered a 50/50 raffle at the brewery.

Babyak said she remains hopeful and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

“The more good we put out, the more good will come back to us,” she said.

Babyak said the nonprofit has worked diligently to care for the budget so wishes can be granted as they come in and are moving forward as a group to plan 2021.

“We will come out on the other side much stronger,” Babyak said.

Sponsored by John Wright

Thanks, SHOREWOOD HUGS.

I love this town.

I love being here to help in a community where people are making a difference every day.

Thank you for all you do.

John Wright, Agent

1050 Essington Rd Joliet, IL 60435 Bus: 815-725-5052 john.wright.b0dj@statefarm.com

2007005 SM-CL1866678

2020

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

• Saturday, March 27, 2021

As news of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, Shorewood HUGS, a community outreach nonprofit, put a hold on its typical giving and helped those on the front line.

“We had to cancel the HUGS and Wishes program (2020) to protect our members and the recipients. We are a group with a focus to support our community, and at a time when the community needed our support, we had to shut down,” Shorewood HUGS President Molly Babyak said.

“As an organization dealing with personal feelings and tremendous sadness and disbelief, we didn’t know what we could do to further help.”

A group of five moms who wanted to give back to the communities in which they lived founded Shorewood HUGS in 2008, according to Babyak.

In 2010 the organization launched its HUGS and Wishes program, in which people can nominate someone in need of help. Within a 20-mile radius of Shorewood, the nonprofit has fulfilled over 960 wishes, including gift cards for gas, food for cancer

patients, help for single mothers, gifts for mothers and fathers, gift cards for groceries and more.

After this program came to a halt, Babyak said they regrouped and spent over $5,000 to send meals to those who were on the front line.

Shorewood HUGS sent meals to local hospitals, created care packages for first responders and nurses, and made Facebook posts asking the public to nominate nurses and teachers to receive a handwritten card and a gift card. The focus totally shifted for eight weeks.

“This made us feel good until we could actually start our HUGS and Wishes program back up,” Babyak said.

Babyak said the organization had nominations for the HUGS and Wishes still come in — those were not forgotten, just put on hold.

“We did start back up in June as the state guidelines started to loosen up. Trying to do porch dropoff or having items delivered directly to the homes of the recipients. We did have a couple wishes that came in that were fire losses, and we delivered household necessities from Kohl’s,” said Natalie Mareci, Shorewood HUGS wishes coordinator.

Even with all of the setbacks to its typical HUGS and Wishes program, the nonprofit was able to grant 61 wishes the past year. To further grant wishes, the nonprofit had to find ways to raise funds without its major fundraiser, the Chocolate Ball, which was slated for Feb. 2021 but canceled due to pandemic guidelines. Babyak said the group had to think outside the box in order to bring in funds to keep the HUGS and Wishes program in play.

PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

By Allison Selk Shaw Media correspondent

Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

| PROGRESS 2021

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Pandemic spurs Green Harvest Food Pantry to help more than double its typical number of clients

By Allison Selk Shaw Media correspondent After 9/11, Jeff Green decided to reevaluate the holiday baskets of food he and his wife donated to people facing food insecurity. He needed a bigger plan.

“I told my wife, Amy, that we need to look at this differently,” Green said.

Green, who has a theology degree and has worked all over the globe as a missionary, said in October 2001, he began Green Harvest Food Pantry out of the garage of his townhouse. He later used an abandoned building in Aurora and now operates out of a space in an industrial park in Plainfield.

He partnered with Northern Illinois Food Bank as well as its “Direct Connect” Retail Store Donation Program, where he was linked with local retailers such as Walmart, Mariano’s, Aldi, and Jewel for donations. Green said he runs his trucks five to six days a week to pick up food and personal hygiene donations. He also relied on private, church and business donations to fill his pantries, which saw an uptick of clients during 2020 due to COVID-19.

“We almost tripled our numbers in the pandemic,” Green said.

The pantry, which had previously assisted 150 families, saw upwards to 400-plus families due to the pandemic.

“We worked with Northern Illinois Food Bank, received food grants, the city of Plainfield bent over backwards, the Plainfield Chamber, churches,

and Friends for Charitable Giving to get through,” Green said. “We used to have the mail carriers’ food drive (Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive), but last year they didn’t do it, but they worked it out and gave us a cash donation instead.”

In 2020, Meijer donated over $20,000 in store gift cards to Green Harvest through donations from its “Simply Give” program. Green said this allowed him to purchase food and diapers to distribute to his clients.

“They have been a great help to us this year,” Green said.

Green said his plan was to give a hand up, not a hand out. He wants to help those who try to work toward the betterment of their situation but currently fall short. Each client applies to receive assistance and stays on the program for six months.

Some are renewed based on individual situations.

“Try not to enable, but truly help,” Green said.

At Green Harvest, clients reserve a time to shop the pantry store, filled with nonperishables, meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy and hygiene products. Green also created a “Client’s Choice” format, where each client works with the same volunteer over the six months, allowing the volunteer to become acquainted with the client’s situation.

In turn, the volunteers, from all walks of life, can network in hopes to get the client employment or whatever the situation warrants.

Green said perks of the job include personal connection. “I can probably tell you every person who comes through our door. We don’t take any government assistance; it’s all American people who really want to help their neighbors.”

It’s a reward to Green to see those he helped turn around and give back to Green Harvest. A former client sent Green a note that said when her husband had cancer and was unemployed 11 years ago, they received help from Green Harvest. Now, both are employed and the woman works for a company that sells educational toys.

“She said she will donate 50 Easter baskets with educational toys in them,” Green said. “They were hard up to survive until things got better for them — now they want to pay us back.”

Green Harvest currently assists residents of Aurora, Montgomery, Naperville, Oswego, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Plano and Yorkville.

Sponsored by Oxford Bank

Kiwanis Club of Joliet remains resilient despite the challenges of COVID-19 Submitted Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

Chartered in 1920, The Kiwanis Club of Joliet’s mission is to serve the local community. In 2020, the Kiwanis Club of Joliet celebrated 100 years of service. While the celebration to commemorate that momentous occasion had to be cancelled due to COVID-19, the club and it’s members have remained steadfast in their service.

Through virtual meetings and virtual social gatherings the club has been able to conquer the challenges of the pandemic and continue to find unique ways to safely serve children and the community. “It has been great to be able to continue the mission of Kiwanis during these times,” said Mark Karner of Edward Jones and current President of the Kiwanis Club of Joliet.

“We have a fantastic group of members who are eager to help wherever and however we can,” he said.

In October of each year Kiwanis members come together for Kiwanis One Day - a day of community service that is felt around the world.

The “One-Day” objective is to unite volunteers to participate to benefit a local organization. On

October 24, 2020 the Kiwanis Club of Joliet observed One Day 2020 by collecting, delivering and stocking items to benefit Morning Star Mission.

In 1967, the club began annual participation in the nationwide Kiwanis Peanut Day where members sell peanuts to the public. This continues to be the largest fundraiser for the Joliet club to assist community organizations. In 2020, members took advantage of social media and other safe and socially distanced ways to carry on with the annual Kiwanis Peanuts days. As a result of the generousosuty of sponsors and supporters, over 16,500 bags of peanuts and gummy bears were donated to US Troops and over $10,000 will be donated to local charities.

The Kiwanis Club of Joliet takes great pride in supporting numerous local community projects and organizations contributing to programs and services for children in and around the Joliet area. In addition, the club offers a Young Children Priority One program supports the Joliet Little Libraries and serves children ages 5 and under by providing books and reading to stu-

dents in area pre-school programs, including the Spanish Community Center and Joliet Junior College’s Childcare Center.

The club also sponsors programs designed to teach leadership, character building, self-esteem and life skills through service. These programs include Aktion Club (for people with different abilities), Key Clubs at JCA, JT West and JT Central, and Builders Clubs at Hufford, Dirksen and Elwood Junior High Schools.

Weekly club meetings are currently being held virtually at noon on Mondays. Guests and new members are always welcome.

For more information visit jolietkiwanis.org or email JolietKiwanisClub@gmail.com

15

To all front line workers including Oxford’s own Raving Maniac Employees Thank you for your heroism. For a full year you have courageously done your jobs while facing unprecedented personal risk. You helped keep our communities safe and our economy going and you continue to do so.

For the most current information regarding safety protocols and hours, please visit our website

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and stay connected with us on Facebook.

• Saturday, March 27, 2021

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PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

We are grateful.

Member FDIC

Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

| PROGRESS 2021

16

Village of Channahon

Celebrates 60th Anniversary While Channahon has been around since the early 1800s, it was officially incorporated as a village on December 15, 1961 – which means the Village of Channahon celebrates its 60th anniversary this year! In recognition of this milestone anniversary, the Village is in the process of planning a number of exciting events throughout the year to celebrate the momentous occasion with residents. Here’s just a sneak peek of upcoming events the Village has planned: 60th Scavenger Hunt (May) – Join in on this Village-wide scavenger hunt for the chance to win some special, limitededition prizes. Residents are encouraged to get out, explore and enjoy many of the parks, preserves, walking trails and other natural amenities that Channahon has to offer while hunting for hidden eggs among the foliage. Prizes include gift certificates to local businesses, Channahon memorabilia and more.

More details, including dates and maps, will be posted to www.channahon.org and the Village’s social media pages in the weeks ahead.

Channahon Potato Festival (September) – Fun fact: did you know that the large river rocks often found under Channahon’s soil are affectionately referred to as “Channahon potatoes”? In spirit of this land we call home, the Village of Channahon, Channahon Park District and the Three Rivers Public Library District are joining forces to throw the inaugural Channahon Potato Festival! Food trucks, potato-themed competitions and much more are in the works. Stay tuned for more delicious details!

Pumpkin Carving Contest (October) – Put your pumpkin carving skills to the test using one of the Village’s fun carving designs, or a creation all your own! More details to be shared later this year.

Channaholidays (December) – Channaholidays will be back and better than ever in 2021 to culminate the Village’s year-long 60th anniversary celebration.

Stay tuned as the winter gets closer for more announcements on how the Village is expanding its holiday festivities this year.

Cheers to 60 years!

SM-CL1866969

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Staying focused in turbulent times When the market is volatile, almost everyone thinks about their financial future and the potential impact such fluctuations may have on their retirement accounts. However, it is during these turbulent times that it’s important to remember certain basic, time-tested principles of investing:

CONTINUE CONTRIBUTIONS

STAY INVESTED

You may be anxious about the decrease in the value of your investments. But don’t be tempted to move out of the market, sit on the sidelines and wait for prices to rebound. Trying to time the market could potentially jeopardize your financial strategy — and your future goals.

MAINTAIN A LONG-TERM FOCUS

Any investment decisions you make should be based on your financial goals and objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance, rather than concerns about market volatility. Even if the market seems volatile, remember that ups and downs

are normal. It is important to stay focused on your financial future and refrain from making short-term decisions on long-term investments.

History demonstrates that there will always be some degree of uncertainty and volatility in the markets. While market events are out of our control, we do have control over our financial objectives and how our investments are allocated to help us achieve them. If you would like assistance in determining the mix of asset classes that can help you meet your financial objectives, contact your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.

Disclosures: Article by Morgan Stanley and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.

William R Conte is a Wealth Advisor in Joliet, IL at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). He can be reached by email at william.conte@morganstanley.com or by telephone at (815)729-8040. His website is advisor. morganstanley.com/william.conte.

1150 60435

­ SM-CL1864298

• Saturday, March 27, 2021

It may not seem intuitive, but continuing to contribute to your retirement plan — even during market downturns — can potentially enhance your returns over the long-run. A down market can be an opportunity for you to acquire more shares of your investments at a lower price. Consistent investing through market ups and downs is called “dollar-cost averaging.”

If an investment’s price is high, you buy fewer shares, or units. When prices are low, you buy more. Investing regularly, using dollar-cost averaging, can help reduce the risk associated with buying during big swings in market prices.

DIVERSIFY

If you’ve ever heard the saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” then you already have a basic understanding of diversification. Diversifying your portfolio can reduce risk and volatility. Review your account, and make sure your portfolio is not too heavily weighted in company stock, or in any single asset class.

PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

Morgan Stanley:

Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

| PROGRESS 2021

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Changes lead to a stronger Cornerstone in 2021 It’s been a challenging time for everyone, but the team at Cornerstone Services has been uniquely prepared for challenges for over 50 years. The non-for-profit social service agency’s mission is to help people with disabilities to live and work in the community. It sounds simple enough, but it all became a lot less simple a year ago.

“Covid-19 has had a major impact on everything we do at Cornerstone,” said President/CEO Ben Stortz. “But, in many ways, it’s also helped us focus on our core services and our priorities.

We are a stronger organization now,” he added.

Early on, the agency made major investments in securing and maintaining a supply of personal protective equipment. All buildings have been upgraded with air purification technology. The purchase of laptops and other technology made it easier for staff to work remotely when possible.

Thanks to a partnership with KodoCare Pharmacy and the Will County Health Department, Cornerstone was able to provide Covid vaccinations to over 600 staff and people who receive services from the agency. This means the agency is on a path toward resuming more of its services.

In the meantime, it’s been necessary for Cornerstone to make major adjustments to programming and services. Most significant was the suspension of day programs, in accordance with directives from the State of Illinois. Residents of Cornerstone group homes have been participating in activities with staff in their own homes since March 2020.

“Suspending our day programs has had a financial impact on Cornerstone, but an even bigger issue is that it means the individuals who receive services are not able to be as active the community as they are used to,” added Stortz. “It also

means program participants may not have seen some friends for many months.”

While most of the changes will be temporary, the lessons from this experience have also pressed the organization to innovate and make use of technology to keep their mission alive.

Cornerstone began to offer virtual programming—where participants across the agency could log onto computers in their homes and engage in activities such as Zumba lessons or working on arts and crafts—while reconnecting with old friends at the same time.

Slowly and safely, Cornerstone is resuming some of its community day services. They have developed “Experience Rooms,” that will provide group home residents with an opportunity to get out of the house and have some fun. Room themes include a spa, exercise station, art studio, game room, and “man cave.”

Another service Cornerstone provides is helping people with disabilities find and keep jobs in the community. This has been an ongoing service throughout the pandemic, though mitigation efforts and a shaky economy have made the process much more difficult. Nevertheless, the Cornerstone employment team was still able to help secure 128 new jobs for people in Fiscal Year 2020.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment that shows what can be done when the determination of Cornerstone staff and the support of our community come together to improve the lives of some truly hardworking individuals,” said Stortz.

The concept of “community” is always at the forefront of everything Cornerstone does. And there are times when it is necessary to reevaluate just what “community” means to those whose lives are touched by the agency in some ways.

“After witnessing the rise in calls for social justice in our country last summer, it became clear to me and many others at the agency that we needed to raise our voices on a broader range of issues,” said Stortz. “We cannot credibly advocate for people with disabilities if we don’t stand alongside others in this country who are facing racism and other forms of discrimination every day.”

Even before the pandemic and protests over the summer of 2020, the team at Cornerstone had been seeking ways to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion across the agency. It is crucial for those who receive services, as well as employees to know that they matter. To this end, the agency convened a diversity and communication group in the fall, and they developed a Core Value and Beliefs document, as well as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement.

“You Matter. That’s what we want everybody who comes into contact with Cornerstone to know,” said Stortz. “Whether you are an employee, a family member, a friend, or you receive services from us—we want you to know that You Matter at Cornerstone.”

Cornerstone is indeed a great place to work! In November 2020, the agency was recognized as the Best Non-for-Profit Employer in Will County by readers of the Herald-News. They were also cited as One of the Best employers in their Business-toBusiness category. Leadership at the agency has seen changes over the past year, as the Board of Directors welcomed new members Bridget Beene and Cornell Lurry. In addition, Mike Paone, VicePresident of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry was elected as Board Chair in January 2021 for a three-year term.

Proud Sponsor of The Spring Raffle!

• Saturday, March 27, 2021

Maybe it’s just the promise of more sun and warmer days ahead, but two of Cornerstone’s biggest fundraising opportunities take place in the coming months.

The agency’s annual Spring Raffle kicks off March 19 and runs through April 28, 2021. To support social distancing for supporters, the raffle is being conducted entirely online this year, with no paper tickets. Chances can be purchased for $5 each online at www.CornerstoneServices.Org. In addition to the traditional grand prizes of $2,500, $1,000 and $500, this year’s raffle will have weekly drawings of $100 from March 26 through April 23. The grand prize winners will be announced

by Scott Slocum on WJOL-AM 1340 on April 29 at 8:20 a.m.

One event that many people are looking forward to in 2021 is a return of the Summer Chi.ill Music Festival. This four-day extravaganza is hosted by the Chicago Parrot Head Club, and all proceeds benefit Cornerstone. Some of the biggest names in the trop rock genre will be performing at the festival. Trop rock is a genre of popular music influenced by rock, reggae, country, folk, calypso, zydeco and pop music.

The biggest known musician in the trop rock world is undoubtedly Jimmy Buffett, but guests can expect to hear a wide array of music over the four days.

In addition to the music, there are lots of games and great food and hotel packages available. Summer Chi.ill runs from August 5 to 8 at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg. For tickets and info, visit www.SummerChi-ill.com.

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19 PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

Spring and summer bring two fundraisers for Cornerstone

• All-online raffle makes it convenient & easy!

• Weekly $100 drawings!

• Grand prizes of $2,500; $1,000; and $500 •

Grand prizes drawn live on WJOL, April 29 at 8:20 a.m. on Scott Slocum in the Morning

www.CornerstoneServices.Org

Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

| PROGRESS 2021

20

Pink Heals continues support of cancer patients despite 2020 pause in pink truck parades

By Allison Selk Shaw Media correspondent In 2019, Pink Heals Joliet Area Chapter visited 104 families. In 2020, zero took place. The group made the difficult decision to keep the trucks at bay and cancel all home visits in order to protect those it serves, those who battle cancer, from COVID-19.

“The vision has always been to target people, not diseases — although our main focus in the fight against cancer, we are here to serve those in need, no matter the illness,” said Angie Caldwell, chapter president.

Pink Heals Joliet Area Chapter was founded in 2013 by Matt and Sandra Fleck; Matt served as president and Sandra was vice president, treasurer and director of merchandise. Both stepped out of their roles in 2019.

The nonprofit focuses on people with illness and uses its pink firetrucks and vehicles to offer surprise visits. A friend or loved one can nominate someone for a visit, and Pink Heals then works with local law enforcement and fire departments to create a parade of vehicles. Before the pandemic, Pink Heals volunteers, family and friends would create a line and offer hugs and words of encouragement to the recipient.

“We are providing an environment through pink firetrucks that is about love and hope first, and money second,” Caldwell said. “Our pink fire trucks and pink police cars inspire, they bring the feel of love and caring right to the doorsteps of those in need.”

Caldwell said recipients in need of financial help can also receive funds. All funds raised go straight to those who battle.

“We are all volunteers, even at the national level.

We are truly a movement for people, by the people,” Caldwell said.

Pink Heals in front of Hawk Volkswagen Joliet Not all hope was lost for the local nonprofit during 2020. Caldwell said All American Recycling and MO Graphics began work in late 2019 on a truck that had not yet been fixed up. The truck was dedicated to Michelle Darguzis, a former visit who turned volunteer in 2020.

In the midst of her second round of cancer, Darguzis wanted to give back, so she created a fundraiser scavenger hunt called “On the Hunt for Pink Trucks” in 2016. When the truck was done, Caldwell said the board knew who the next truck should be named after, due to all of the work she had done for the nonprofit. The truck now reads “Michelle” on the front.

The other firetrucks in the fleet were named after Addison Locke and Kris Fitzgerald, and the pink police car was named after Tina Mayle, all who lost their battles.

The annual Mother’s Day walk in Channahon, the largest fundraiser, which in 2019 had 2,200 participants, had only 360 virtual in 2020 but raised

$17,000 through private and business partnerships.

Caldwell said in 2020, private donors, organizations, schools and the Village of Channahon stepped up to help financially. Hawk VW in Joliet ran a commercial about Pink Heals and donated as well as let Pink Heals sell merchandise on its lot in October. Shorewood Family Dental, Joliet and Channahon Police, TLC Ingredients, Allied Landscaping, Crane Composites and schools hosted fundraisers, according to Caldwell.

Pink Heals, Hawk VW, Lockport Love and Lockport Fire delivered 30 meals for Thanksgiving, and Hawk VW and Pink Heals delivered 19 meals and gifts for Christmas.

Caldwell said the volunteers are ready get back to visits, hopefully in June. And don’t forget about the annual Mother’s Day walk, which will be hosted this year on Father’s Day with in-person and virtual attendance options.

Sponsored by Hawk Volkswagen of Joliet

Disability Resource Center adapts to pandemicinduced changes by increasing virtual assistance

By Allison Selk Shaw Media correspondent The Disability Resource Center prides itself on personal assistance, but 2020 proved to be a year where that was particularly important.

“All of our staff worked from home, we had to work outside of the box,” executive director Missy Martin said. “We checked on and spoke to our consumers; we had to check on them more than ever.”

The DRC offers five core services to individuals with disabilities: peer counseling, information and referrals, independent living skills training, community transition services and advocacy.

Martin said DRC assists over 1,000 individuals with disabilities, or consumers, as she calls those who receive services through the center. She did see an uptick of consumers due to funds received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act signed into law in March 2020. The

government funds allowed the DRC to help new consumers, purchase devices for those who had taken computer classes on-site but were now home without means to take a class, help students with disabilities who were now home and did not have a laptop or iPad for remote learning, and more.

Also, any Illinois resident with hearing loss, who is blind or who has a speech disability can make an appointment to see Dr. Karen Pastell, audiologist, and fill out forms to receive a free amplified phone, regardless of age or income through the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation.

How to best serve the consumers remains the focus of 2021 after the spike in consumers and requested services. Martin said quarantine hit consumers hard, especially those who were used to social interaction with peers. Groups were set up of men, women and high school consumers, and Zoom calls were made in order to see peers. Staff

worked with them via Zoom, email or phone.

“A lot of people called for peer counseling and support groups; they were home and lonely,” Martin said.

The fast-track high school program was able to take on more students aged 14 to 21 years, something that’s continuing into 2021. Martin said Zoom classes proved more efficient than driving to all of the 11 high schools in Grundy and Will counties.

A new user-friendly website will launch this spring and will be accessible to the blind using JAWS, computer screen reader software.

Martin said she hopes the wonderful staff, whom the consumers have worked and developed relationships with over the years, continues on at the center. The DRC hopes to open its doors to staff and consumers in the near future.

Sponsored by Prairieland Audiology

By Allison Selk Shaw Media correspondent

er’s money. The store also provides appraisals, which Nelson advised should be done every three years for insurance because the price of diamonds and metals fluctuate.

Nelson’s team includes Gerry Bustamante, a full-time jeweler who has worked for Nelson for 18 years; Nelson gave Bustamante the title of centerpiece of the jewelry store. Nelson said he also employs part-time designer Gerry Torres, whom he can’t live without. Cathy Renwick and Stephanie Bross can be found on the sales floor, and Allyson Deegan runs the social media side of the business.

After 30 years in the business, Nelson said he still loves to sell to new and his decadeslong customers. He enjoys when parents who bought jewelry from Nelson return with their children to buy a watch, piece of jewelry or engagement ring.

He refuses to sell online, by phone, over text or through email; personal connection has always driven Nelson in his business.

“Whether is a birthday, engagement, anniversary or graduation, I get to be a part of it. I even got a text from someone at 1 a.m. from Hawaii saying, ‘She said yes,’” Nelson said.

“I always treat people the way I’ve wanted to be treated,” he said.

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• Saturday, March 27, 2021

For the past 30 years, David Nelson Exquisite Jewelry has offered its customers friendly service along with custom jewelry and repairs.

“Sixty percent of the time we sell something, its something we have made,” owner David Nelson said.

Last year, as COVID-19 took center stage and businesses shut down, Nelson kept the store open for clients but wore gloves, cleaned the store after each customer and even washed the money that came in.

He has yet to return to full-time status, but most of the staff returned and opened for business 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Nelson said he takes appointments for customers if needed.

During this time, Nelson upgraded his older equipment to better serve the customers and make the store more efficient. Due to the high volume of customers who come into the store for a custom piece, Nelson purchased a 3D printer to help his jewelers in the creation process. In the past, the jewelers used a 3D carving machine to carve

wax — which was great at the time, but after the wax was carved, the jeweler then had to add the detail, which could take two to five hours. If the customer wanted something changed, the entire process started over.

Nelson said the jeweler creates the piece on the 3D printer and it comes out with all of the fine detail, no extra time required. In addition, if the customer has changes, the jeweler can modify the piece on the computer and print, not start over.

He also purchased a camera to use to take photos of each piece as it comes into the store and when it’s ready for pickup, to protect the store and the client.

The store also now uses a no-heat laser welder instead of a solder method to repair jewelry. For example, Nelson said in the past when they would re-prong a ring, the jeweler might have had to take the stones out to solder the prongs and then reset, so the heat does not damage the stones. The laser welder allows the jeweler to re-tip the prong while the stone remains in the ring.

Nelson said David Nelson Exquisite Jewelry, along with custom pieces by its in-house jewelers, provides education on jewelry: what to buy, what not to buy and how to get the best for the custom-

PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

David Nelson Exquisite Jewelry upgrades equipment, maintains personal connections

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Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

| PROGRESS 2021

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Engineering at Lewis University thrives with smaller class sizes, real-world experiences

By Allison Selk Shaw Media correspondent Engineering ranks among the newer programs offered at Lewis University, which opened its doors in 1932.

The computer engineering program at Lewis University began in 2015, and the electrical engineering program followed five years later, according to Dr. Gina Martinez, director of engineering. The computer engineering program holds an ABET accreditation, the primary accreditation of engineering programs in the United States. Martinez said the program was evaluated to check that it’s meeting standards. The campus was visited and observed, and information on programs and student outcomes was reviewed.

Lewis University remains one of seven universities in the state of Illinois to hold his accreditation, six of which are larger public universities.

Martinez said this accreditation benefits the students as they move into the workforce or plan to attend a graduate program.

“Graduate programs at large universities require the students to have an undergraduate degree through an ABET-accredited program. Jobs in public infrastructure say they want to have a graduate from an ABET-accredited program,” Martinez said.

Martinez said not all jobs will require an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program, but many in the public sector prefer or require it.

Mariana Hernandez plans to graduate in May and look into a career in the robotics field. The senior computer engineering student said she completed a program called Girls Who Code, which solidified her choice to obtain a degree in computer engineering.

The Lockport native said she likes to wire and build robots, which includes programming its functions.

“I’m creative and I like to build, my passion is engineering,” she said. “I didn’t know it was a career — I chose computer engineering the summer before I was a freshman at Lewis University.”

Hernandez said when she first started at Lewis University, she was the only female in her computer engineering major, and now there are three others.

“Being a minority can be intimidating at first.

I was the only girl in my computer engineering classes; it took getting used to, but I got comfortable, we all helped each other and got along on projects,” Hernandez said. “We are all human with the same goals.”

Hernandez also encourages other Latina women to strive for careers in engineering.

“Being a woman and a minority, I was definitely an outlier. I encourage minorities to get into engineering,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said Lewis University was the right choice for her college experience because she enjoys the small class sizes. She said her engineering courses usually have seven to 10 students, which allows for a close-knit student group and the instructors to know each student.

“Small classes have big benefits. People at larg-

er universities don’t get the same attention from professors, or they have a hard time finding time to connect. I’m grateful I chose Lewis,” Hernandez said.

Martinez said currently the student to professor ratios max out at 10-12 students per professor.

If enrollment increases, more labs will be created; student ratios will not rise.

“We get to know the students and can track performance of each student. If someone falls behind, we can check in on a regular basis — it’s hard to do that in a class of 100 students,” Martinez said.

Martinez said the program does not subscribe to the “sink or swim” theory. Lewis University surveys students to make sure they are still in the major they wish to pursue.

Professors notice and reach out to a student who struggles — they don’t wait for the student to come to them and fall through the cracks.

Hernandez said she embraced the fact that all of her professors have been or currently work in the engineering field, which offers realworld practical advice as well as network opportunities for internships and careers.

“They bring in extra experience and network us with

professionals to get their point of view,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez currently chairs the student chapter of the Lewis University Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the largest technical engineering group in the world, according to Martinez.

Each semester the IEEE student branch hosts an Hour of Code, where the students teach middle school and junior high students how to code. The group also hosts a make-a-thon where students build a project during a weekend and are then judged by industry professionals, professors and a variety of others, according to Hernandez.

Martinez said Hernandez created and executed her own internship workshop for students. Hernandez said for the workshop she used sources such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor and more to find different hardware and software engineering internships for summer and fall of 2021.

“She has had many internships through college and wanted to share her experience. She organized it, and we ran it,” Martinez said.

Martinez taught Hernandez in her first and last class during her time at Lewis University.

“It’s been nice to see how she has grown since her first semester in the program and then graduating into a professional,” Martinez said of Hernandez. “Her greatest quality is that she is conscientious — she does her best to work on a problem.”

Martinez said in the near future, Lewis University will offer engineering minors to students in related fields. The school also plans to expand the engineering majors beyond computer and electrical engineering.

23 • Computer Engineering (B.S.) • Cybersecurity (B.S., M.S.) • Data Science (B.A., B.S., M.S.) • Electrical Engineering (B.S.) • Occupational Therapy (M.S.) • Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) • Peace and Justice Studies (B.A,)

virtual Graduate

OPEN HOUSE

ACADEMIC ACCREDITATIONS

MULTIPLE CAREER-FOCUSEd SESSIONS

Register today Regi

lewisu.edu/DiscoverWhatsNext ACCREDITATED

CAMPUS

VISIT DAY seeing is believing

april24,2021 april 24, 2021 • 10AM-12:30PM Register today

lewisu.edu/CVD

LEWIS IS RANKED AS A

TOP5 BEST PRIVATE COLLEGE VALUE IN THE MIDWEST

RANKED #1 - BEST FOR VETS

NCAA DIVISION II ATHLETICS

SOLAR ARRAY SYSTEM A new solar power system was activated in January to supply 15 percent of the University’s electricity usage.

Lewis University Office of Admission One University Parkway Romeoville, IL 60446 grad@lewisu.edu or admission@lewisu.edu

• Saturday, March 27, 2021

April22,2021 April 22, 2021• 2-6PM

• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

INNOVATIVE NEW PROGRAMS

Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

| PROGRESS 2021

24

We mend broken hearts.

Nearly half of all Americans have some form of heart disease. If you or someone you love is one of them, let Silver Cross Hospital mend your broken heart. From prevention programs to open heart surgery and aftercare, we’ve brought together the latest technology and the finest heart specialists in one place...for all of your heart care needs. Why travel when we have exactly what your heart needs, right here, right now.

To learn more about our total heart program or to schedule a $49 Heart Scan, visit SilverCross.org/Heart

Same great legacy, now with a new name.

Joliet Area Community Hospice is now Lightways.

Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care Founded as Joliet Area Community Hospice 815.740.4104 | 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet

By Eileen Hooks Gutierrez Senior director of development and communications at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care

NEW ADDITION

Lightways is expanding the Hospice Inpatient Unit, starting with a 12-bed new addition that opened in February.

This project is phase one of a twopart project to expand the organization’s facility at 250 Water Stone Circle in Joliet. The goal is to create a 20-bed facility that provides great functionality for patients, families and staff in a warm and peaceful set- Joliet Area Community Hospice CEO Mary Kay Sheehan checks in with volunteers who ting. are assembling information packets about the organization’s transition to the new The 9,000-square-foot addition in- Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care name. cludes 12 new patient suites that are built for comfort for both patients All construction is expected to be of workshops. All grief support is and families. Highlights include: completed this summer. provided at no charge.

• Large suites with beautiful decor This $8.3 million project was fundThis summer the building will be and natural lighting ed through the Remembering from dedicated as the Dorothy Brown Re• Oversized patient beds and statethe Heart Capital Campaign, which source Center to honor the longtime of-the-art medical equipment • Pullout beds for overnight visi- began in 2017. A limited number of volunteer and supporter of the Jonaming rights are still available for liet Area Community Hospice. tors For Sheehan, this whirlwind of • Electronic communications sys- gifts between $5,000 and $50,000. For more information, please contact major changes fits Lightways’ bold tem, TVs with streaming services Eileen Gutierrez, senior director of and innovative mindset. “We reand refrigerators in every suite development and communications, move Each room has French doors that at 815-740-4104. barriers so our patients and their open to a private patio. The doors For Sheehan, the completion of families get time with less pain, less are wide enough that the patient can phase one is a milestone for the orfear and more joy. We are doing the go outside from the comfort of his or ganization she has led since 2015. same thing for our organization — her bed.

“For nearly 40 years, we have had removing barriers so we can proConstruction is now underway on the honor and privilege of serving vide exceptional end-of-life care for phase two: the renovation of the ex- those in need of end-of-life care. all who seek it.” isting Hospice Home. Built in 2004 The generosity of this community Joliet Area Community Hospice as the first freestanding hospice fa- in supporting this project is heart(JACH) is a not-for-profit, commucility in Illinois, the Hospice Home warming.” nity based, state licensed and Medihas served thousands of people who care/Medicaid certified agency with NEW BUILDING require 24-hour care to manage pain local, highly trained teams serving In 2020, Lightways acquired the and symptoms.

When the entire Hospice Inpa- neighboring office building at 320 Will, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Livtient Unit is complete, it will feature Waterstone Way. As COVID-19 re- ingston, Cook, DuPage, Kankakee, family-focused gathering areas, in- strictions lift, the building will be a McHenry, Kane, and Lake counties.

JACH provides serious illness and resource center to provide in-person cluding: hospice care for adults and children grief support as well as training and • A living room and dining room and grief support services for family education for the community. where families can gather Grief support is offered to all members and the community. Care • A private dining room and kitchen where families can prepare Lightways families and extends to is provided in the patient’s home, at and enjoy a special meal if they anyone in the community in need assisted or nursing care facilities, or of support. Licensed grief counsel- in the hospice inpatient unit. No one choose ors provide individual and family in need of JACH services is turned • A renovated lobby • A business center for families’ use counseling as well as conduct a slate away due to their inability to pay.

• Saturday, March 27, 2021

It’s been a year of progress for Joliet Area Community Hospice: a new addition, a new building and, in the next month, a new name and brand.

The 40-year-old organization will transition to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in late April.

Lightways will continue to be nonprofit, independent and based in Joliet. The new name and brand are designed to encompass the health care providers’ expansion and be a catalyst for future growth.

In 1982 when the organization was founded, Joliet Area Community Hospice was the perfect name. It clearly defined what the organization did — provide hospice care — and where they did it — Joliet.

But now, outreach is greater.

Lightways cares for patients in eight Illinois counties and will add three more counties this year for a total of 11. And services are broader. Lightways continues to provide exceptional hospice care, and additionally has an extensive serious illness care program, the leading pediatric program in the state and a comprehensive grief support program.

“Hospice care and serious illness care are unique segments in the spectrum of health care people will receive in their lifetime. It’s important to us that our brand reflects the unique care we provide,” said CEO Mary Kay Sheehan. “People come to us in a dark time filled with unknowns. At Lightways, we provide unwavering support and guidance to light the way.”

On April 12, a new website will launch at www.lightways.org, and a broad-based multimedia campaign will begin. The new logo will be used with a “Founded as Joliet Area Community Hospice” description during the transition.

“It’s very important to us that the community understand that we

are still independent and nonprofit.

Our Joliet roots are tremendously important to the organization — they are the foundation supporting our growth and expansion,” said Sheehan.

PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

Local hospice expands outreach with renovated units, new brand

25

Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

| PROGRESS 2021

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Prairieland Audiology is resilient and “hear” for you

By Karen Pastell, Au.D. audiologist and practice owner The expression “What a year!” applied to 2020 like no other time in recent memory. From a pandemic to the ways in which people and industries worked to adapt and innovate in response, “historic times” is almost an understatement for those 12 months.

For Prairieland Audiology LLC, it’s been a time of change and resilience. Most important, the experience has made one thing true above all else: In an evolving world, hearing your best has never been more critical, and Prairieland Audiology can help.

With no patients being seen in the office, Prairieland Audiology was essentially closed in April and May. But the business still found a way to help those in need of hearing care: • Mailing supplies to current patients and providing means for people to drop off their hearing aids if they were having any problems • Reopening the office to patients in June, following strict Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and screening protocols • Offering curbside service for routine appointments so patients could stay safely in their cars if they preferred • Continuing both office and curbside appointments for the foreseeable future as part of the new normal going forward

Dr. Karen Pastell wearing a clear mask so patients can see her mouth.

During this pandemic, it’s been especially challenging for those with hearing loss, with

so many roadblocks to communication. Masks cover up mouths, making it tough to rely on lipreading and other visual cues. Masks also muffle sound, making it even harder to hear.

Add in plastic or glass barriers and social distancing, and it all adds up to measures that support safety but can hinder communication in the process. So it’s been — and continues to be — quite important to ensure patients have all the resources they can use for better hearing.

Prairieland Audiology also offers treatment for tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, which can be triggered by factors such as stress. The practice has seen an increase in tinnitus evaluations this past year. Fortunately for those suffering tinnitus symptoms, there is help and there is hope.

There is also anticipation of a better tomorrow: of getting back out in the community, connecting with folks at health fairs and other events, working with the Disability Resource Center to provide free amplified phones to eligible people in need, speaking to groups about hearing loss and more.

As a local independent practice proudly serving the Will County area for 14 years and counting, Prairieland Audiology is dedicated to providing exceptional hearing and tinnitus care.

For better hearing in today’s changing world, don’t wait. Call (815) 744-5661 to schedule an evaluation today. Or visit www.prairielandaudiology.com.

In an evolving world,

hearing your best

has never been more critical, and Prairieland Audiology can help.

— Karen L. Pastell, Au.D.

Call today to live better and hear your best!

815.744.5661

Joliet • 815 N Larkin Ave, Ste 100

Prairieland

Audiology

LLC

PrairielandAudiology.com

A Remarkable Year

Despite the challenges that 2020 brought, Silver Cross showed its strength, resilience and its commitment to putting patients and safety first.

In 2020, the hospital observed the one-year anniversary of its open-heart surgery program that has exceeded volume projections and continued

• Saturday, March 27, 2021

It seems hard to imagine, but COVID-19 isn’t the first pandemic Silver Cross Hospital has faced in its long and vibrant history.

The New Lenox hospital’s healthcare heroes of more than a century ago cared for patients during the global flu pandemic of 1918. And like the Silver Cross staff of today and all the years in between, they faced it with bravery, dedication and compassion.

“Silver Cross has been at the frontlines of COVID-19 since it arrived in our community in March of last year,” President and Chief Executive Officer Ruth Colby said.

In fact, as of mid-March, the hospital has cared for more than 2,000 COVID-19 inpatients and performed more than 51,000 COVID-19 tests in the last year.

What’s more, the hospital has become the county’s largest COVID-19 vaccine site in Will County, giving more than 16,000 doses since the hospital began vaccinating healthcare workers this past December.

“We are privileged to provide this service to our community that we know will save lives,” she added. “And we’re grateful to collaborate with the Will County Health Department in these vaccination clinics and will continue to do all that we can to help bring an end to COVID-19.”

construction on a $22 million heart expansion scheduled to open later this month, offering minimally invasive heart procedures, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

In addition, the new expansion will feature:

Two Cardiovascular Operating Rooms Cardiac Hybrid Room Two Recovery Rooms Patient Elevator to New 16-bed Cardiotho

racic Unit with four (4) Cardiac Echo and

Stress Testing Rooms • Space for Future Growth including a 16-bed

observation unit and neonatal intensive

care unit (NICU).

Silver Cross will have the capability to provide innovative, multi-specialty care for patients with advanced and complex coronary disease. This includes surgery to correct the abnormalities of the heart structure such as repairing and replacing aortic and mitral valves.

At the same time, Silver Cross earned national recognition for quality, safety and patient ratings. Last fall, the 300-bed hospital earned its 12th Straight A for Patient Safety from the Leapfrog Group. In June of 2020, Silver Cross was recognized as a 100 Top Hospital by IBM Watson Health for the 8th time; in July of last year, Silver Cross was named a high-performing hospital for heart and lung care by U.S. News & World Report. Last November, specifically Thanksgiving Day, Silver Cross observed its 125th anniversary. And earlier this month, the hospital was named to Newsweek’s Best Hospitals in the World.

Since its opening in 1895, the hospital has grown to a 650,000-square-foot, 300-bed facility on a 130acre campus in New Lenox that also includes an

27 PROGRESS 2021 | Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com

Silver Cross Hospital faced COVID challenges while achieving historic milestones in 2020

• • • •

Ambulatory Surgery Center, Endoscopy Center and Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital. The hospital also operates several off-site physician offices through Silver Cross Medical Group.

The hospital also partners with leading academic providers including the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago – RIC), UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Loyola Medicine for neurosciences and stroke car, and Rush University Medical Center for thoracic surgery.

What’s coming in 2021?

In addition to opening its heart expansion, the hospital will break ground on a new urgent care center in Mokena; expand its cardiac rehabilitation program; add three new labor, delivery and recovery rooms; and open a 16-bed observation unit adjacent to its Emergency Department.

“While the past year was a challenging year for hospitals everywhere, I’m proud of our Silver Cross team for putting safety first, delivering an unrivaled experience to our patients and continually finding new ways to serve the community,” Colby added.

For more information, visit www.silvercross.org

Progress 2021 / TheHerald-News.com • Saturday, March 27, 2021

| PROGRESS 2021

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One of the

NATION’S BEST. CLOSE to Home.

Silver Cross Hospital Being named one of the nation’s 100 TOP HOSPITALS is something few hospitals ever achieve. So you can imagine how proud we are to earn this distinction for the 8th time!

100 Top Hospitals like Silver Cross have better survival rates, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and higher ratings from patients.

Added to our Straight A’s for Patient Safety from the Leapfrog Group, our 100 Top recognition demonstrates that safety, quality and patient experience are at the heart of everything we do.

So when you’re looking for one of the country’s best hospitals, look no further than Silver Cross — proud to be your 100 Top Hospital.

1900 Silver Cross Blvd. • New Lenox, IL 60451 silvercross.org