Hastings, Salinas Pizza Among Stars of the Southwest Suburbs

Orland Hills Mayor Kyle Hastings and Salinas Pizza and Catering in Tinley Park are among the 2011 Stars of the Southwest Suburbs as selected by the Economic Development Council for the Southwest Suburbs, an organization affiliated with Moraine Valley Community College’s Workforce Development and Community Services.

The Stars of the Southwest Suburbs Awards recognize the valuable contributions businesses and their advocates make to the economic development of Chicago’s southwest suburbs. Awards will be presented in seven categories: Training and Development, Green Advocate, Excellence in Government, Philanthropy, and three divisions of Best Places to Work (based on number of employees).

Hastings will be honored with the Excellence in Government award for demonstrating foresight to create a healthy community through planning, economic development, leadership, and evidence of contributions made to the community. He is being recognized for bringing money into the community and the revitalization of 94^th Avenue and 159^th Street, shop local campaigns and street improvements.

This year's Philanthropy Award will be presented to Salinas Pizza and Catering in Tinley Park for continuously donating food to fundraisers, churches, shelters, sports teams, and others. The award acknowledges businesses and/or individuals who benefit the cultural, educational, medical, and social service agencies in the community.

Other winners are:

The Training and Development Award will be presented to Gold Eagle, a manufacturer of engine performance and maintenance chemicals in Chicago, for its employee training on safety and safety regulations. The award recognizes a business that makes a significant investment in its workforce by encouraging lifelong learning of its employees.

Anixter, a USBDG and LEED-certified regional distribution center in Alsip, will receive The Green Advocate Award for recycling more than 160,000 pounds of cardboard, 2,400 pallets and 14,780 pounds of wood. This award is given to a recipient for its commitment to reducing its ecological footprint by incorporating environmentally sustainable practices.

Businesses that are successful in defining employees’ experience and creating and maintaining workplace excellence will be recognized for the new Best Places to Work Awards. The Sabre Room in Hickory Hills won in the one to 25 employees category, Windy City Thunderbolts in Crestwood won in the 26 to 50 employees category, and Lapham-Hickey Steel won in the 50-plus employees category.

Patty Kryscha, manager of Community Affairs and Grassroots at Southwest Airlines, will be the keynote speaker at the 19^th annual banquet.