HR0640 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0640 LRB097 14843 KXB 60022 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the staff and management of Abt Inc. in Glenview on being named one of top 100 workplaces by the Chicago Tribune; and

WHEREAS, In a retail industry where erratic schedules, low pay, and high turnover are the norm, Abt puts money and attention behind programs to keep employees engaged and motivated; this practice boosted Abt to the number one spot as the best place to work among large companies in the Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces survey; and

WHEREAS, Abt gained high marks for giving its workers financial incentives to perform, funding employees' ideas to improve the business, and allowing workers the latitude to make their own decisions; the employees also noted that they feel appreciated and respected and praised Abt for accommodating flexible schedules; and

WHEREAS, Workers compliment the Abt family, owner Bob Abt and his 4 sons: Mike, Rick, Jon, and Billy, for being accessible and willing to listen to new ideas; Bob Abt walks the sales floor every day, knows many of the 1,050 employees by name, and adapts quickly to changes in the marketplace; and

WHEREAS, Abt Inc. began in 1936 as Abt Radio, operating in a small storefront in Logan Square; today, it operates a 350,000-square-foot facility on 37 acres in north suburban Glenview; the complex houses a warehouse, offices, cafeteria, health club, and a woodworking shop where Abt builds its own display cases; and

WHEREAS, Abt was also praised for their 85,000 square foot showroom, called the "Bellagio" of retail; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Abt Inc. for this recognition and wish them continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Abt Inc. as a symbol of our respect and esteem.