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Progress-awards

Daily Journal's 2024 Progress Awards

Kooy, as in real estate joy

Kooy, as in real estate joy

Young professional Dustin Kooy, who is a 2007 graduate of Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, is the Daily Journal's recipient of the 2024 Progress Award in Real Estate.

Meijer has deep Midwest roots

Meijer has deep Midwest roots

Meijer, the family-owned business that sells groceries, also known for it charitable efforts on a daily basis, has been chosen as the Large Business of the Year for the Daily Journal's 2024 Progress Awards. 

More 2024 Progress Awards

KCC's commitment to area at large continues to grow

KCC's commitment to area at large continues to grow

KCC’s commitment to remaining on the cutting-edge of rapidly evolving shifts in industry and technology is reflected in the continued growth of its manufacturing programs — enrollment in this area increased 84% from 2022 to 2023, making the school the Innovator in Education for the 2024 Progress Awards.

Knack in Kankakee finds niche as nano brewery

Knack in Kankakee finds niche as nano brewery

Knack Brewing & Fermentations has exceeded even its own expectations as a nano brewery, and it has become a go-to spot for customers who want to enjoy a craft beer in a cool, comforable setting, making it the Small Business of the Year for the Daily Journal's 2024 Progress Awards.

Daily Journal's 2023 Progress Awards

Crown named 2023 Innovator in Manufacturing

Crown named 2023 Innovator in Manufacturing

Due to its continued success in the community, Crown has been named Innovator in Manufacturing in the 2023 Daily Journal Progress Awards. The manufacturer, formerly known as Crown Cork & Seal, is still churning out beverage cans at a rapid clip.

The technological innovation of Bradley's Restoration Works

The technological innovation of Bradley's Restoration Works

In June of 2022 Restoration Works' Light Wave Stripper was granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Va. The company at 320 S. Forest Ave. in Bradley is being recognized as this year’s Innovator in Technology as part of the Daily Journal’s 2023 Progress Awards.

More Stories in the 2023 Progress Section:

The Daily Journal's 2022 Progress Awards

At Progress Awards event, Curtis asks: 'Are you progressing?'

At Progress Awards event, Curtis asks: 'Are you progressing?'

Thursday's Progress Awards event featured speeches from Tim Nugent, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, and Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis. They spoke, respectively, on the progress and development of Kankakee County, and how to ensure a business's progression. 

Plochman's continues market expansion

Plochman's continues market expansion

When it comes to yellow mustard, Manteno Township-based Plochman's Mustard has few rivals in this region or the United States. It is the recipient of the Excellence in Manufacturing Award as part of the Daily Journal’s 2022 Progress Awards.

Benoit Aerial Spraying wards off new corn fungus

Benoit Aerial Spraying wards off new corn fungus

Last year, the company helped farmers in huge ways by keeping a new fungus at bay, and that’s why Benoit Aerial Spraying has been named the recipient of the Excellence in Agriculture Award as part of the Daily Journal’s 2022 Progress Awards.

Rise Baking expands operations

Rise Baking expands operations

Rise Baking Company in Manteno successfully completed its expansion in July 2021 and is being honored as the Medium-Sized Business of the Year as part of the Daily Journal’s 2022 Progress Awards.

More 2022 Progress Awards

Plochman's continues market expansion

Plochman's continues market expansion

When it comes to yellow mustard, Manteno Township-based Plochman's Mustard has few rivals in this region or the United States. It is the recipient of the Excellence in Manufacturing Award as part of the Daily Journal’s 2022 Progress Awards.

Benoit Aerial Spraying wards off new corn fungus

Benoit Aerial Spraying wards off new corn fungus

Last year, the company helped farmers in huge ways by keeping a new fungus at bay, and that’s why Benoit Aerial Spraying has been named the recipient of the Excellence in Agriculture Award as part of the Daily Journal’s 2022 Progress Awards.

Rise Baking expands operations

Rise Baking expands operations

Rise Baking Company in Manteno successfully completed its expansion in July 2021 and is being honored as the Medium-Sized Business of the Year as part of the Daily Journal’s 2022 Progress Awards.

Riverside continues forward motion

Riverside continues forward motion

For its dedication to its plans and for the opening of the Orthopedic and Spine Center, the Daily Journal has selected Riverside as an Innovator in Healthcare as part of the 2022 Progress Awards.

Berkot's Super Foods is a hometown staple

Berkot's Super Foods is a hometown staple

The grocer’s successful and sustained growth is what led to its recognition as Large Business of the Year as part of the Daily Journal’s 2022 Progress Awards.

Progress Awards 2022 Winners

Progress Awards 2022 Winners

Healthcare

Riverside Healthcare

Award sponsored by CSL Behring

See page S3

Manufacturing

Plochman’s Mustard

Award sponsored by Olivet Nazarene University

See Page S5

Agriculture

Benoit Aerial Spraying

Award sponsored by Van Drunen Farms

See Page S9

Large Business of the Year

Berkot’s Super Foods

Award sponsored by MJP Development Corp.

See Page S6

Medium Business of the Year

Rise Baking Co.

Award sponsored by Economic Development Alliance of Kankakee County

See Page S13

Small Business of the Year

Vaughn Outlet

Award sponsored by First Trust Bank

See Page S11

The Daily Journal's 2022 Progress Awards is a two-part series. Here are winners announced in the first section: 

Hospitality 

The Currents of Kankakee riverfront project 

Award sponsored by AMITA Health St. Mary's Hospital Kankakee 

See page S1

Technology

Oak Orthopedic/AMITA Health St. Mary’s Kankakee

Award sponsored by Kankakee Community College

See Page S3

Social Services

City Life Center

Award sponsored by McColly Real Estate

See Page S5

Real Estate

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Speckman Realty

Award sponsored by Langlois Roofing

See Page S7

Entrepreneurship

Nancy Tholen, Tholen’s Landscaping

Award sponsored by Oak Orthopedics

See Page S8

Entrepreneurship

Brandon Malone, Llama Bean Coffee Co.

Award sponsored by Daily Journal

See Page S9

More Stories in the 2022 Progress Section:

2021 Progress Awards

Riverwalk taking significant steps

Riverwalk taking significant steps

The Kankakee Riverwalk development has been discussed, studied and explained for about five years. For the journey the project has traveled, it is being honored with the Daily Journal’s 2022 Excellence in Hospitality Award.

Bonfield native starts new business during pandemic pause

Bonfield native starts new business during pandemic pause

Brandon Malone’s creativity in forging a new business out of a bleak situation and his commitment to running an ethical company is why the Daily Journal is recognizing him as Male Entrepreneur of the Year as part of the 2022 Progress Awards.

Supporting the youth of Kankakee

Supporting the youth of Kankakee

State's Attorney Jim Rowe receives this year's Social Services Progress Award for implementing the role of community outreach specialist. 

Past Progress Winners

Past Progress Winners

2021

Excellence in Education: Grace Christian Academy

Innovator in Healthcare: Riverside Healthcare

Excellence in Hospitality: Manteno Chamber

Innovation in Social Services: Jim Rowe 

Excellence in Real Estate: Spike Ball

Innovator in Agriculture: Greg St. Aubin

Innovator in Manufacturing: Del Monte

Innovator in Technology: KCC Career Coach

Entrepreneur Couple of the Year: Mandy & Luke Benoit, Benoit Nursery

Entrepreneur Couple of the Year: Dave & Tiffany Kruse

Small Business of the Year (less than 50 employees): King Music

Mid-Sized Business of the Year (50-250 employees): First Trust Bank

Large Business of the Year (more than 250 employees): AMITA

2020

Excellence in Education: Olivet’s computer science program revamp

Innovator in Healthcare: Riverside Behavioral

Innovator in Hospitality: Kankakee High School’s new culinary arts lab

Innovation in Social Services: Hospice of Kankakee

Excellence in Real Estate: Key City Community Development Corporation (“Key City”)

Innovator in Agriculture: VanDrunen Farms

Innovator in Manufacturing: NuCor Steel

Innovator in Technology: OAK Surgical Institute

Male Entrepreneur of the Year: Troy Clark – Five Star Wings

Female Entrepreneur of the Year: Wendy Langlois, On Top Exteriors

Small Business of the Year (less than 50 employees): Janice Miller, Merchant Street Gallery

Mid-Sized Business of the Year (50-250 employees): Hoekstra Transportation LLC

Large Business of the Year (more than 250 employees): CSL Behring

Daily Journal's Past Progress Awards Winners

A family affair

A family affair

Many will be flocking to Benoit Greenhouses upon its April 12 opening. Their dedication has earned them the title of Entrepreneur Couple of the Year as part of The Daily Journal’s 2021 Progress Awards.