Illinois Trade Association Recognizes Award Winners

Outstanding landscape honors were recently announced by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) at its annual Excellence in Landscape Awards Gala. 

The ILCA Awards Program, started in 1972, provides an opportunity for those in the landscape industry to promote public awareness of their role in environmental improvements.  In sponsoring this program, ILCA encourages the preservation and beautification of the landscape, while promoting industry recognition of those responsible.
  
Illinois landscape contractors, landscape designers, landscape architects and others working with homeowners and businesses were among the 300 attendees gathered at Belvedere Events & Banquets in Elk Grove Village in late February. 
 
A total of 53 award-winning posters with photos and project descriptions were displayed prior to the beginning of the Excellence in Landscape video presentation which honored 27 Gold, 13 Silver and 13 Merit Awards.  
 
The project entries were anonymously judged by industry peers from surrounding states. Categories include exterior and interior commercial, residential and multifamily landscape con¬struction and maintenance, ecological plantings, special event, singular feature, Decade, Heritage and the Judges’ Award. 

Gold Awards 

Commercial Landscape Construction
- Twin Orchard, Moore Landscapes, Inc., Northbrook

Commercial Landscape Maintenance
- Independence Drive, Landscape Concepts Management, Richmond
- O’Hare Plaza, Moore Landscapes, Inc., Northbrook

Decade Award
- The Prairie Retreat, Mariani Landscape, Lake Bluff

Ecological Plantings
- Ball Horticultural, Pizzo & Associates, Leland
- Wolf Road Prairie, Pizzo & Associates, Leland

Heritage Award
- Corporate Headquarters, Pizzo & Associates, Leland
- Private Glencoe Residence, Mariani Landscape, Lake Bluff

Interior Landscape Installation
- Presidential Towers Chicago, Foliage Design Services, Lombard

Judges’ Award
- Private Residence, Mariani Landscape, Lake Bluff

Multifamily Landscape Maintenance
- Landmark Town Homes, James Martin Associates, Inc., Vernon Hills

Residential Landscape Construction   
- Barrington Residence, Nilco, Inc., Huntley
- Burr Ridge Residence, Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc., Willowbrook
- Glen Ellyn Residence, Western DuPage Landscaping, Inc., Naperville
- Hinsdale Residence, Hinsdale Nurseries, Willowbrook
- Historic Winnetka Residence, Rosborough Partners, Libertyville
- Lakeshore Residence, James Martin Associates, Inc., Vernon Hills
- Lake Bluff Residence, Van Zelst, Inc., Wadsworth
- Lake Forest Residence, Don Fiore Company, Inc., Lake Bluff
- Naperville Residence, C. B. Conlin Landscapes, Inc.
- Private Residence, Mariani Landscape, Lake Bluff
- Winnetka Residence, Schmechtig Landscape Company, Mundelein

Residential Landscape Maintenance   
- Historic Winnetka Residence, Rosborough Partners, Inc., Libertyville
- Private Residence, Wingren Landscape, Inc., – Lake Bluff, Mariani Landscape, Lake Bluff
- Winnetka Residence, James Martin Associates, Inc., Vernon Hills

Singular Feature 
- Japanese Sitting Room, Terry’s Outdoor Services, Inc., Belleville
- Northfield Residence, The Garden Consultants, Northfield and Krugel Cobbles, Inc., Lake Bluff

Special Event 
- Glen Ellyn JazzFest, Hursthouse, Inc., Bolingbrook
 
Tom Kusmerz, president of The Barn Nursery & Landscape Center in Cary, Ill., was named ILCA Man-of-the-Year. 

“The education I have gathered from ILCA has definitely been instrumental in helping grow our business.  And my work with ILCA has been fun,” Kusmerz says. “It’s never been a chore.”

An involved member of ILCA since 1971, Kusmerz, helped establish the Certified Landscape Technician program, served as judge coordinator and the building of the permanent test site at Joliet Junior College.  He served eight years on the ILCA Board, eight years as ILCA’s board representative for MidAm, the annual premier Midwest horticultural trade show and 17 years on ILCA’s Summer Field Day Committee. 
 
The Distinguished Service Award was presented to A. Block Marketing, Inc. of
Arlington Heights, Illinois, a supplier of wholesale shredded hardwood bark mulch and custom mulch blends.  It has consistently supported and sponsored association events as Summer Field Day, the Excellence in Landscape Awards Program, and is an ongoing advertiser in ILCA’s monthly magazine, The Landscape Contractor, and Buyer’s Guide.  President and co-owner, Janice Rose shared, “I have enjoyed being a sponsor of ILCA functions over the years.  It gives us the opportunity to be part of a group that helps educate the landscape industry, which in turn benefits our company.” 
 
Illinois’ most recent 17 Certified Landscape Technicians (CLTs) were recognized, bringing the state total to 244. This national program, under the auspices of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), is a day-long testing program that recognizes proficiency in a wide range of landscaping skills and related safety skills based on national standards. 
       
Seven Illinois students were recognized as scholarship recipients of the $8,500 awarded through the Illinois Landscape Contractors Educational and Charitable Organization (ILCECO).  
 
ILCA is a not-for-profit trade association of more than 850 firms, suppliers and indi¬viduals in the landscape industry.  Founded in 1959, ILCA promotes education, profes¬sionalism, ethical business practices and quality workmanship through seminars, work¬shops, publications, trade shows, awards, legislative information, networking, financial and scholarship grants and social events.
        
Check www.ilca.net for the complete list of Excellence in Landscape Award recipients and ILCA information.