Connecticut-based Edge Fitness Clubs announced last week it expects to open the doors of its second Chicago area location in December in Orland Hills.
The 40,000-square-foot fitness center will be at 9291 W. 159th St., next to Walmart in the old Sports Authority location.
The first fitness center is open in Naperville.
“My team and I are thrilled to open the brand new Edge Fitness Clubs in Orland Hills,” Doug Hurd, the club’s general manager, said in a release.
Club officials said safety protocols would include sanitation stations, hospital grade cleaning supplies in every area of the facility to wipe down equipment and sanitize hands, and touchless entry.
The company said members have access to state-of-the-art equipment, personal training, group exercise classes and a women only area.
Founded in 1988, there are 35 locations in eight states, including New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Missouri, Michigan, and Rhode Island.
Auto mechanics strike enters 8th week
The strike by auto mechanics has now lasted longer than the one that took place four years ago.
Members of Local 701 hit the picket lines more than eight weeks ago as contract negotiations with new car dealerships failed to come up with a new deal.
A number of dealerships have since broken with the dealership negotiating committee and have signed their own deals with the union, but a dozen or so local dealerships have taken a hard line with the union and remain adamant.
Striking mechanics got a boost last week when members of auto mechanics Local 777 donated money and food items to the 701 strike fund.
According to the union, as of Sept. 15, mechanics were still on strike at these area dealerships: Advantage Chevy, Apple Chevrolet in Tinley Park, Community Honda in Orland Park, Ettleson Cadillac-Buick-GMC in Hodgkins, Ettleson Hyundai in Countryside, Haggerty Buick-GMC in Oak Lawn, Hawk Ford in Oak Lawn, Jack Phelan Chevrolet in Stickney, Jack Phelan Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Countryside, Kelly Nissan in Oak Lawn, Mike Haggerty Buick-GMC of South Holland, Oak Lawn Mazda, Victor Ford Volkswagen of Oak Lawn, Webb Chevrolet Oak Lawn, Westfield Ford Inc. Countryside, and Metro Ford, 6455 S. Western Ave. in Chicago.
Burlington makes $5,000 donation to school
When Burlington opened its new store last week at Tinley Park Plaza, which is being remodeled by owner Brixmor, the retailer donated $5,000 to Fulton Elementary School in Tinley Park through a long-standing partnership with adoptaclassroom.org.
Burlington moved from its longtime home around the corner in a former Kmart.
The company operates five other south suburban stores as well as locations in North Riverside and Joliet.
Earlier this month, Burlington announced it will open two new stores in Niles and Vernon Hills, bringing the number in Illinois to 42.
Both are slated to open this fall.
First Midwest shareholders approve merger
First Midwest Bancorp Inc. last week announced that its stockholders have overwhelmingly approved the proposed merger between First Midwest and Old National Bancorp, which was announced on June 1.
At First Midwest’s stockholder meeting held on Sept. 15, approximately 99% of the votes cast voted in favor of the merger.
“Our partnership with Old National is, at its core, a growth strategy that will put us in an even stronger position to invest, grow and innovate in talent, capabilities and services across our combined footprint,” said Michael L. Scudder, Chairman and CEO of First Midwest. “We are very pleased our stockholders also see the value that this partnership will bring to our clients, colleagues and communities and in driving long-term stockholder value.”
Completion of the merger remains subject to regulatory approval by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and satisfaction of the other customary closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement between the First Midwest and Old National. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has approved the application for the merger of First Midwest and Old National.
The merger remains on track for an expected closing in the fourth quarter of this year.
Bob Bong is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at bobbong@hotmail.com.
