Lake Zurich, IL, November 15, 2008:  The masonry work for the Lake Forest Academy was recently awarded to Illinois Masonry Corp. To date, Illinois Masonry Corp. has completed the pool addition which is one of five buildings that Illinois Masonry Corp. is hoping to work with Altounian Builders, Inc. on in the near future.

LAKE ZURICH, IL, NOVEMBER 15, 2008: The masonry work for Wolf & Euclid—1700 East Euclid Avenue was recently awarded to Illinois Masonry Corp. This project is a mixed-use development consisting of ground floor retail, and second floor office space.

LAKE ZURICH, IL, NOVEMBER 03, 2008 This year, the IIMC Excellence in Masonry Awards was held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at The Field Museum in Chicago, IL. Illinois Masonry Corp. is proud to announce the acceptance of four awards at this year’s ceremony.

UIC South Campus Residence Towers and Mixed Use Development - Silver Award

Positioned within the urban fabric of Chicago’s South side, this mixed-use building crafts a new identity for the UIC South Campus – providing student housing, meeting areas and convocation facilities under one roof.

Using brick to achieve a LEED Silver status, Illinois Masonry Corp., along with the architect created a structure that speaks to its city environment through a delicate rhythm of brick and glass.

Holy Family Lutheran Elementary School - Silver Award

This 45,000 square foot elementary school serves as an uplifting boost to underprivileged children on the west side of Chicago. An economical example of a landmark building, this conspicuous structure could never be confused with any other.

The incomparable use of form and pattern in the brick results in a dramatic and expressive composition. This design is inspiring to students that could easily be spending their days in a less visually stimulating school setting.

Hickory Creek Middle School - Bronze Award

While this new middle school in Frankfort, IL is an expansive 180,000 square feet, the architects made clever use of the “school within a school” concept to divide the facility into smaller elements that are organized by function, yet connected by a main spine running through the campus.

The artfully articulated facades with tri-color brick banding underscore the relentless design flexibility of the brick. Sliding and overlapping planes of thoughtfully colored brick define the elevation, making this school an architectural standout.

Community Bank of Downers Grove - Bronze Award

This stately 14,000 square foot structure in West Suburban Downers Grove pays tribute to the historic character of its surroundings in a refined and subtle manner.

The expertly orchestrated ensemble of brick belt courses, quoin corners and reveals create a timeless presence for this financial institution. Ornate brick chimneys and a backlit clock add to the building’s rich, historic personality.

For additional information about these projects, please visit: www.illinoismasonry.com

Lake Zurich, IL, NOVEMBER 01, 2008 With winter in full bloom, be aware of where you are, and the hazards around you. Watch out for dangers such as icy steps and pavement, and be aware of hazards that may be above you. Icicles hanging from eaves and sheets of ice on sloped roofs can be potentially dangerous on sunny days when ice is melting.

Lake Zurich, IL, October 27, 2008:  Illinois Masonry Corp. was recently awarded the Deerfield Marketing Center project. This new sales/marketing center will serve as CJE Senior Life’s sales office; advertising new retirement housing for the future North Campus Independent Living and Health Center. 

Deerfield Community is an existing upscale senior housing and medical development. The owner anticipates breaking ground on the Marketing Center building this Fall and the larger North Campus and Health Center building in Fall 2009. The Marketing Center is a small addition to the existing structure consisting of face brick, CMU back-up and Thin Clad Renaissance Stone.

Lake Zurich, IL, October 15, 2008: It’s getting colder outside, and Winter is right around the corner. It’s time to brush up on the following Winter Start-Up Reminders:

Tractors:

• Plug in all tractors (even Terex), the night before.
• Never use starting fluid to start tractors.
• Start tractors ½ hour before they need to run.
• Make sure tractors remain running during lunch break and all day long. Never leave a tractor unattended.
• Do not let fuel tank go below ½ tank.
• Make sure to add winter additive to bulk fuel tanks.

Mixers:

• Start mixers up; allow them to warm up ten minutes prior to mixing mortar.
• Leave mixers in down position. Drain all water out of tub at end of day.

Scaffolding:

• All scaffolding that will have plastic enclosure must be cabled, braced, and stocked prior to plastic being put up.

Misc. Winter items

• Drain all water hoses at day end.
• Dump barrel if not enclosed.
• Warm up all gas power tools, table saws, portable saws, and hydro hoist.
• Cover hydro cranes nightly.
• Scrape clean all tubs and plank daily.
• Keep all equipment off ground in one place, locked up.
• Oil all locks (wd40).
• Keep materials on skids covered daily.
• Flip front plank of scaffold at the end of each day.
• Check scaffold plank in the morning for ice prior to men going on the planks and flip plank back in afternoon.

Lake Zurich, IL, October 01, 2008:  Good housekeeping is necessary when maintaining a safe jobsite. Jobsites littered with garbage, debris and scraps are hazardous to everyone on-site, and subject to OSHA citations. Debris should be removed on a regular basis to ensure a safe work environment. 

Lake Zurich, IL, September 15, 2008: Illinois Masonry Corp. was recently awarded the masonry work for St. Charles Bank & Trust. This new banking facility, located in St. Charles, IL, is a 3-story masonry exterior consisting of brick, Renaissance Stone and Cast Stone. Valenti Builders, the construction manager, has the masonry start anticipated for October 2008, with an opening date scheduled in early 2009.

Lake Zurich, IL, September 15, 2008:  Illinois Masonry Corp. has retained the services of Optimum Safety Management; a third party safety specialist company that will manage IMC’s safety program, raising safety awareness to a higher level.The team at Optimum Safety Management, providing Illinois Masonry Corp. with their years of experience, is Steve Yates and Brian Billings.

Currently, Illinois Masonry Corp. and Optimum Safety Management are early in the Program Development stage; developing a new, more customized safety program specifically for Illinois Masonry Corp.The improved safety program is expected to be rolled out to the entire organization in late October.

Optimum Safety Management will also be providing Illinois Masonry Corp. with a customized Tool Box Talk program, as well as a DVD based training program for new hires.Optimum Safety Management will be conducting site safety inspections, designed to raise awareness to an even higher level.

Safety is first for Illinois Masonry Corp., and adding Optimum Safety Management to the IMC team continues to promote our Quality Statement— “Continuous Improvement is our Commitment to Quality.” 

Lake Zurich, IL, September 15, 2008:  Illinois Masonry Corp. is committed to providing a safe work environment and to fostering the well-being and health of its employees. That commitment is jeopardized when any Illinois Masonry Corp. employee illegally uses drugs or alcohol on the job, comes to work with these substances present is his/her body, or possesses, distributes or sells drugs in the workplace. Therefore, Illinois Masonry Corp. has established the following policy:

1. It is a violation of company policy for any employee to possess, sell, trade, or offer for sale illegal drugs or otherwise engage in the illegal use of drugs or alcohol on the job.

2. It is a violation of company policy for anyone to report to work under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol—that is with illegal drugs or alcohol on the job.

3. It is a violation of company policy for anyone to use prescription drugs illegally.

4. Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.