INSIDE
SPORTS Presniakovas named Player of the Year
NEWS Niles trustees continue budget discussion
Night of the Roses
Find your invitation inside this issue!
Page 3
Page 11
GoodJob! Our Village, Our News
www.nilesbugle.com
MARCH 29, 2012
Vol. 56 No. 25
Hey Niles
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn praises company, employees during surprise visit to Niles Coca-Cola plant
Niles Mayor Robert Callero addresses a crowd of Coca-Cola employees while company executives and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn look on.
Story/Photos By Rick Kambic Staff Reporter
During an unannounced visit to the Coca-Cola manufacturing plant in Niles, Gov. Pat Quinn praised both the company and its employees for doing a good job of representing Illinois. Quinn’s March 20 stop in town included a presentation by regional Coca-Cola executives, a tour of the plant
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn talks with Lorenzo Jackson, a 16-year employee of Coca-Cola.
and a speech to dozens of employees. Though he asked numerous questions about the company’s fleet of hybrid trucks and said he wanted Illinois “to be the electric car capital of the world,” Quinn told The Bugle he had no agenda behind his visit. He said no pending legislation or grants hinder on his visit. Asked if Coca-Cola was considering leaving Illinois, like Sears and Caterpillar previously threatened, Quinn said he
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Niles Mayor Robert Callero enjoy a March 20 tour of the Coca-Cola manufacturing center in Niles.
believes Coke is content. “I was recently in New York on business and ran into one of the Coke representatives,” Quinn said. “He really encouraged me to come and take the tour. It’s always good to make your rounds, keep informed and remind our residents that they’re doing a great job.” During their presentation to the governor, Coke officials told him they hope to reduce the amount of water
used by 20 percent.The company is also looking to reduce its carbon emissions by 15 percent. Both goals have a timetable running through 2020. The actual tour of the facility was exclusive to Quinn and other dignitaries, but afterward he praised Coke employees for driving their company to global heights. See COKE, page 3