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25th Anniversary Celebration A Success
By Lisa Frieri
Leadership and looking to the future were the two major themes at the Will County Center for Economic Development’s 25th Anniversary celebration, which was held Thursday night at the Holiday Inn in Joliet.
The CED was started 25 years ago by local businessmen, Frank Turk, Jr., Kevin Reardon, Robert Rogina, Russ Slinkard, Bob Filotto, Lou Peyla, Tom Feehan, and Bob Thornton, who wanted to make a change in the struggling economy of Will County.
During the early 80’s, unemployment was 26.5%, the highest unemployment rate in the nation.
The CED was recognized for their accomplishments over the past 25 years. The CED was awarded the “AT&T Illinois beyond the Call Community Award from State Senator A.J. Wilhelmi, and from Congressman Weller, a flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the CED.
Many people from the CED’s past spoke throughout the night, including Frank Turk, Jr. who discussed their beginning, which was a glimmer of hope, thanks to local businessmen. “Out of 51 calls [we made], 50 called us [back]”.
The Greater Joliet Inc. (what it was called until 1986) was off to a good start, but needed a leader. “At that time, all the Economic Development experts were from the south” stated Bob Rogina. In 1985, the company recruited Ruth Calvert Fitzgerald from South Carolina. She helped the CED execute aggressive strategies for bringing new business to Will County. Calvert Fitzgerald, who was president for 12 years, gave an emotional speech highlighting her years with the CED.
The economy of Will County looked bleak when she first arrived. “You had a band – aid on what needed major surgery”, she stated. With the help of other leaders, in the 1980’s, the company helped fund the restructuring of Houbolt and Weber Roads in Joliet. In the 1990’s, the economy started to turn around, and things began to look up for the CED.
The CED's current campaign is "A Step Ahead of Tomorrow", which raised $8 million dollars, surpassing its $7.6 million dollar goal. As Will County continues its rapid growth, the need for Economic Development is greater than ever. Current CED projects include the development of the proposed Peotone Airport, and the I-355 expansion.
Highlights of the night included a “State of the County” address by a President Bush impersonator Steve Bridges. CED founding members received crystal for their recognition and Beverly Feehan, received a plaque on behalf of her husband, Tom Feehan.
The CED looks forward to another 25 years in making a difference in Will County. Jim Roolf, President of First Midwest Bank in Joliet stated, “If you think of the slogan to keep ‘a step ahead of tomorrow’, we collectively need to step it up today.”
116 N. Chicago St., Ste. 101, Joliet, IL 60432, 815.723.1800,
info@willcountyced.org
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