Elgin Area Chamber Sponsors

Our Sponsors THEN Click on each sponsors THEN photo to learn more about their history.		Our Sponsors NOW Click on each sponsors NOW photo to learn about them today.
	The history of AT&T is in large measure the history of the telephone in the United States. AT&T's roots stretch back to 1875, with founder Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone. During the 19th century, AT&T became the parent company of the Bell System, the American telephone monopoly. The system broke up into eight companies in 1984 by agreement between AT&T and the U.S. Department of Justice. From 1984 until 1996 AT&T was an integrated telecommunications services and equipment company, succeeding in a newly competitive environment. Today, AT&T is a global networking leader, focused on delivering IP-based solutions to enterprise and government customers. Additionally, as AT&T pivots away from traditional consumer services, the company continues to offer consumers and small businesses a breakthrough alternative to traditional services – Voice over IP. Top of Page
	In 1835, James T. and Hezekiah Gifford, along with Samuel Jewett Kimball, settled a city that they would name "Elgin" in the state of Illinois, 38 miles west of Chicago. Over the next 165 years, Elgin would be music to the ears of a great many people and industries, including one of the largest watch making factories in the world, the largest producers of dairy products in the Midwest, including the home of The Borden Milk Company, as well as the manufacturing of cars, shoes, bicycles and religious printed material. Today, Elgin ranks as one of Illinois' premier cities. Its civic and business leaders are committed to maintaining the highest standards for this proud community. A multitude of diverse industries drives the city's economy, promoting continuous growth and expansion. The downtown business district thrives on the energy and excitement created by its strategic restoration. Top of Page
	In 1906, Carl J. Seagren, William Kallasch, Stanley White and Harry Leach organized and incorporated the Illinois Hydraulic Stone and Construction Company. Initially the company manufactured concrete blocks compressed by hydraulic pressure. Concrete blocks were phased out beginning in 1913 when road paving became their primary business. As time progressed, the company diversified and accelerated their commercial, industrial and institutional building program. Today, 100 years later, IHC provides full-service General Contracting, Construction Management, Design/Build, and Underground Utility Construction to the Chicagoland and Northern Illinois markets. IHC also have an on-site metal fabrication shop. Top of Page
	On February 24, 1902, under orders from Archbishop Feehan, The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart opened St. Joseph Hospital. The original location was a house at the corner of Jefferson and Prospect that was converted for the care of the sick. Within the first year, 125 patients were admitted to the hospital, with one fifth being charity cases. In November of 1997, the hospital would receive a new name: Provena St. Joseph Hospital, now being part of a large Catholic corporation. Today, Provena Saint Joseph Hospital is an advanced community Hospital committed to Powerful Healing and offering Leading-edge cardiovascular care including advanced surgery and diagnostics, Regional Cancer Care Center, Level II trauma center, and Level II "plus" Family BirthPlace with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Top of Page
	A not-for-profit community hospital, Sherman Hospital was originally organized by the Elgin Women's Club in 1888. The first hospital building was a two-story house on Channing Street donated by Henry Sherman, with the condition that it be called Sherman Hospital and open to all creeds and races. Most of Elgin's doctors joined the staff of the new hospital, which had 36 patients in its first year. It was run by a Board of Managers from the Elgin Women's Club, who then appointed a matron and a head nurse to supervise the facility. The Sherman Hospital of Nursing, a training school for young women, operated from 1896 to 1952. Top of Page