NEWS

from the Illinois Senate

State Senator Susan Garrett

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Susan Garrett (847) 433-2002

STATE GRANTS AWARDED TO “OPPORTUNITY SECURE
DATA DESTRUCTION” IN HIGHLAND PARK

HIGHWOOD, Illinois – State Senator Susan Garrett (D – Lake Forest) announced that two state grants totaling $120,000 have been awarded to Opportunity Secure Data Destruction, based in Highland Park, which will help increase its collection and processing efforts and create 13 full-time jobs. This organization is part of Opportunity, Inc., a nonprofit that has been providing career employment for people with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities for the past 31 years. The grants are from the Illinois Recycling Grant Program (IRGP), administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

Opportunity Secure Data Destruction was started in 2004 to offer mobile and off-site document shredding services. The organization is receiving a $60,000 collection grant, which will help pay for a new collection vehicle as well as project-related promotion and education efforts to secure more clients. A second $60,000 processing grant will help purchase a shredding system capable of handling the additional volume of recyclable material generated by the enhanced collection efforts. Combined, these projects are expected to divert an additional 500 tons of recyclable commodities from landfills annually and eventually create full-time work for an additional 13 employees.

“This grant assistance supports important efforts to divert recyclable products from our landfills and is also helping to create more job opportunities for people with disabilities. This is truly a win-win for the community,” said Senator Garrett.