WEST SIDE PARTNERS LAUNCH FILLMORE LINEN SERVICE

WEST SIDE PARTNERS LAUNCH FILLMORE LINEN SERVICE

Rush University System for Health and Lurie Children’s Hospital Will Now Have All Laundry Cleaned At Fillmore Linen Service, Creating More Than 175 Jobs

CHICAGO — Today, community, business, and civic leaders announced the creation of Fillmore Linen Service, a locally owned industrial-scale laundry facility in North Lawndale that will serve Chicago-area hospitals by cleaning up to 30 million pounds of laundry annually. Fillmore Linen Service will create over 175 jobs, driving economic growth and stability in the West Side community.

Fillmore Linen Service is the anchor tenant of the Fillmore Center, a 168,000-square-foot redeveloped business hub located at 4100 W. Fillmore Street that has been vastly underutilized for years. Designed through a collaboration of dedicated community partners, including the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council (NLCCC), North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN), West Side United, Skills for Chicagoland’s Future, Chicago CRED, UCAN, and the Steans Family Foundation (SFF), the Fillmore Center is dedicated to creating quality careers for residents, catalyzing business activity, and addressing economic disparities in North Lawndale. Once the headquarters of Calumet Baking Powder Company, the Fillmore Center’s project development partners include J&J Construction and Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives.

“This project exemplifies the positive change we can achieve through collaboration,” said Alderwoman Scott (24th). “Fillmore Linen Service is creating jobs and serving as a foundation for continued community development and prosperity. It embodies our commitment to fostering self-sufficiency and resilience in North Lawndale, ensuring that our community thrives through its own efforts and resources for years to come.”

“The Steans Family Foundation and its partners have long been dedicated to the revitalization of North Lawndale, and the launch of Fillmore Linen Service is a testament to our ongoing collaborative efforts,” said Patricia Ford, Executive Director of Steans Family Foundation. “By creating jobs and fostering local business growth, we address some of the socio-economic challenges that have long impacted this community. Fillmore Linen Service is vital to our mission to create sustainable economic opportunities and improve North Lawndale residents' overall quality of life.”

Chicago-based healthcare facilities currently send a majority of their laundry annually up to 170 miles outside the City of Chicago. Fillmore Linen Service's local operation will significantly reduce transportation costs and environmental impact while ensuring quicker turnaround times and supporting the local economy. The business’ state-of-the-art equipment, designed to reduce energy and water consumption, makes it an eco-friendly choice for healthcare linen services.

Partnerships and Community Impact

Rush University System for Health (RUSH) was the first customer to sign with FLS, and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago has also expressed their commitment. These partnerships mark a significant alignment between the healthcare industry and community-based organizations, showcasing a joint commitment to finding innovative solutions that support the local economy and sustainability across the region.

“Rush is proud to be the first customer of Fillmore Linen Service and is honored to take this important step alongside Lurie Children’s Hospital,” said David Ansell, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President for Community Health Equity for Rush University Medical Center. “This partnership can stand as a national example of Chicago hospitals, businesses, and communities working together to create the jobs and wealth that lead to more fair and equitable care.”

“The launch of Fillmore Linen Service is a testament to the strength and resilience of North Lawndale and the reason NLCCC exists,” said Jesse Green, Executive Director of North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council. “By bringing essential services back to Chicago and providing significant employment opportunities, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter future in North Lawndale. This initiative reflects our collective commitment to sustainable economic development and community empowerment.”

“West Side United is proud to support the Fillmore Linen Service initiative,” said Ayesha Jaco, Executive Director of West Side United. “This project provides an essential service to our healthcare partners and demonstrates how a business can energize a community.”

Expertise and Operational Excellence

Forgea Management, led by Elizabeth and Craig Forgea, significantly enhanced the development of Fillmore Linen Services, bringing over 60 years of critical expertise in linen management and a commitment to hospital-grade standards. Forgea Management's understanding of the complexities associated with hospital linens has enabled Fillmore Linen Service to integrate stringent healthcare demands with social objectives.

"We are deeply committed to ensuring that Fillmore Linen Services not only meets but exceeds the rigorous standards required by healthcare facilities," said Craig Forgea, co-founder of Forgea Management. "Our goal is to blend top-tier operational practices with the visionary social goals of this project, creating a model that is both sustainable and exemplary for the industry. Our team members' dedication and excitement are the driving force behind our success. They are the ones on the ground, doing the work day in and day out, making this vision a reality. Their hard work and commitment make all the difference."

For more information, please visit www.fillmorelinenservice.com.


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