The Contractors Association of Will and Grundy Counties honored the city of Joliet Mayor Art Schultz with the “We Build Will and Grundy Counties Award.” This award, which was established in 2000, is given out periodically to recognize non-members who have made significant contributions to the construction industry with having county, state or national impact.

Previous honorees include the city of Joliet in 2000; the county of Will; former Will County Board Member Jim Gale; the Three Rivers Construction Alliance; the Joliet/Will County Center for Economic Development; Jim Roolf; also the Illinois Highway Authority.

Under the leadership of Schultz many notable public improvements which permitted growth and prosperity in the contracting community were accomplished. These include: continuation and growth of the neighborhood improvement program, implementation of infrastructure improvement program, the Joliet police station, numerous Joliet fire stations, Silver Cross Field, Joliet Historical Museum, Splash Station Water Park, Aux Sable Waste Water Treatment Plant, Joliet Westside Library, Harrah’s & Empress/Hollywood Casinos, of which there were countless renovations additions and the rebuilding of the Hollywood Casino, Eastside and Westside Business Development, Westside expansion of residential neighborhoods extending into Kendall County, redevelopment of Jefferson Square Mall, Route 66 Drag Strip and Chicagoland Speedway, the Autobahn and the Intermodal Facility, including Union Pacific Railroad Terminal.

As a strong supporter of local businesses, Schultz has always wanted, demanded and encouraged that Union Contractors construct these projects, and all others. The City of Joliet has grown and prospered under the direction of Mayor Art Schultz, who remained committed to the vision and truth of Joliet being the “City of Champions,” according to the association.

This award was presented at the Contractors Cocktail Reception on Feb. 11. The mayor, his wife Fran, their children and grandchildren were all in attendance as were most of his council members.

Member of the Year

The Contractors Association of Will and Grundy Counties also announced that Jason T. Cox, Len Cox Excavating, has been chosen as 2010’s Member of the Year.

Cox joined the association in 2004 and was first appointed to the board of directors in 2007. In December 2010 Cox was named chairman of the board.

Cox, who is the legislative chairman and building chairman, also serves on numberous boards including: Illinois Teamsters Training Fund as director; chairman of the Teamsters Local 179 LMCC; Illinois Construction Industry Council; Chicagoland Operators Joint Labor Management PAC Committee; executive board of the Three Rivers Construction Alliance (TRCA); Will Grundy Advancement Trust Board (WGIAT); and the City of Joliet Planning Commission.

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