“Dear Mr. Benish Jr,
On behalf of the Romeoville Fire Academy Vehicle and Machinery Technician class, I would like to thank you and your staff for your time and dedication in helping the members of our academy experience and fully understand the aspects of bus extrication. On a personal note, I truly appreciate the cooperation and expertise of you and your staff, as well as the friendly and professional manner in which they conducted themselves. They say people are the best asset of an organization, and this was exemplified in the staff at the Cook-Illinois Corporation.
The students will walk away from this experience with a better understanding as to the complexity of incidents involving heavy vehicles (commercial buses) and their construction characteristics. They will now be better equipped to manage, overcome and resolve any emergency of this nature because of your donation of buses and willingness to work with the Academy. Thank you, again and I look forward to having the opportunity to work with you in the future. In the meantime, if there is anything we can do to return the favor please don’t hesitate to contact the Romeoville Fire Academy.
Kindest Regards,
Bryan Berlinguette
Director of Academy Operations
Romeoville Fire Academy
“Good Morning, Just a quick note to tell you what a great job Grand Prairie has done for us this week of below temps and snow. Monday with the freezing temps and start up after winter break Nora and staff did a fantastic job in getting our students to school. Nora’s knowledge of busing astounds me. She had me cancel the fuel order so that Thursday 12/18 was the last fuel delivery. With running the routes on Friday there was enough room in the tanks to add the additives if needed and they were. The buses all started and ready for routes Monday morning. Lets hope we don’t have another week like this one. We are very lucky to be partnered with Cook Illinois and a great staff at Grand Prarie.”
Chris McCormick
Transportation Supervisor
Arlington Heights
“When I think of Westway Coach and RichLee Vans the word “professional” comes to mind. This professionalism was first noticed when I met the manager and his team. His background in transportation with both school districts running and private contractors was important to me. He clearly understands the school perspective. Everything about our experience with Westway Coach and RichLee Vans this year has been outstanding. Our opening day of school this year was the smoothest start to a year that I have experienced in my 25 years of service. Of all the outside contracts I have worked, this has been by far the most successful. It is with great confidence that I recommend you consider working with Westway Coach and RichLee Vans for your school district transportation needs.”
Scott Jackson
Principal
Albright Middle School
“In my twenty-five years in education, I have never worked with a company more committed to partnering with their clients. The service that they provide is exceptional. We deal with less than ten issues a year in the District related to transportation of students to and from the District’s five schools. Lakeside’s personnel are professional and readily available to work with the District in solving issues and offering solutions to more efficient transportation system. Without hesitation, I would recommend Lakeside transportation to any School District that is looking to outsource their transportation services.”
Dr. Kurt Valentin
Assistant Superintendent Finance/Operations
Libertyville District No.70
“The success of our transportation is due to dedication and communication that the branch managers, drivers and staff give to District 214. Our second semester of summer school was challenged by severe weather conditions, site closings and work site changes, Grand Prairie worked as if it were just a normal day and delivered our students to the proper location safely. It is important to note that Cook-Illinois has been a great partner to assist the district with innovative ideas and cost-containment solutions. They provide on-going training opportunities, and terrific customer service and support. Grand Prairie continues to transport our students in the most efficient and safest way possible.”
Debra Parenti
Associate Superintendent for Finance and Operations
Township High School District 214
“The transportation needs of our agency are very specialized and in numerous situations individualized based on scheduling or medical needs. Cook-Illinois’ responsiveness to these unique situations has been more than satisfactory over the life of the contract. The Cook-Illinois “team” responsible for the management of the LADSE contract has been very stable, yet flexible in meeting the needs of our staff and our students. The staff at Cook-Illinois has done an outstanding job of supervising and monitoring routes. This is a great group of people to work with. Whenever the opportunity presents itself to work with Cook-Illinois, I welcome the opportunity.”
Donald J. Leonard
Director of Business Services
LaGrange Area Department of Special Education
“It is the hard work and dedication of the management, support staff and drivers of Lakeside Transportation that has made for this great start. Your commitment to safety and addressing our overall transportation needs have made an extraordinary difference in the details of our service delivery. We thank everyone for their ongoing efforts; the individual contributions made and express our sincere gratitude for your continued support. Please express our thanks to the Lakeside staff.”
Dr. Guy Schumacher
Superintendent
Libertyville Elementary School District No.70
“We have been very pleased with the outstanding service provided by Cook-Illinois Corporation for transporting our students. Cook-Illinois Corporation has given us top quality service with caring bus drivers and responsive dispatchers. They have provided dependable bus driver service to District 64 since 1974. Cook-Illinois Corporation has had a good working relationship with the District. They have always been helpful in collaborating with our office to help establish safe routes for the students.”
Philip V. Bender, Ph D.
Superintendent
Community Consolidated School District 64
“Your drivers are caring and professional at all times when transporting out students on regular, special education, or field trip runs. Your dispatchers do their work with compassion and with a sense of mission accomplished. Our parents have provided administrators and Board of Education members with unsolicited compliments about our transportation program as well as the extra degree of care provided to their children. We were very fortunate to have all drivers bid to continue serving our students this year. This speaks volumes, because with their seniority they could have chosen to work for another school district. Thank you again for your support to our schools.”
Frank H. Evans, Ed.D.
Director of Operations and Business Services
Salt Creek School District No. 48
“We started our relationship with Cook-Illinois in 2006 as part of LAZ Parking Soldier Field/Chicago Bear home football game operations. We have never been disappointed and have thus contracted with them for the last four continuous years. During this time, Paige Bus has provided safe, on time shuttle buses for each of the home games. Their buses are well maintained by ASE certified mechanics and I like their 50-year-old family operated history. Cook-Illinois is based in Chicago, and they understand what real service is all about. We have enjoyed building a long-term relationship with the Benish Family and feel they are the only choice for LAZ when it comes to shuttle partners.”
Antonio P. DiPaolo
Regional Vice President
LAZ Parking Chicago, LLC
“I would like to highly recommend Lakeside Transportation as a choice for your student transportation needs. They are responsive to all of our needs, and ensure that our students are transported with the highest level of safety. Lakeside’s drivers are a cut above the competition. They are vigilant in ensuring a friendly demeanor with students, parents and our staff. They are well trained and handle all situations, even the unfortunate accidents very well. Lakeside has done a wonderful job ensuring their drivers are following the district directives on this matter in a professional and respectful way.”
Brad Goldstein
Director of Finance and Business Operations
Hawthorn School District 73