In the Community
Proud Supporter of:
- Boy Scouts of America
- Coronado Theater
- Epilepsy Foundation
- Global Spiritual Organization Inc.
- Golden Apple of Rockford
- Goodwill Industries
- Innovation Illinois
- Illinois Parks and Recreation Association
- Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza
- Laurent House
- Mercy Rockford
- Nicholas Conservatory
- OSF St. Anthony Foundation
- OSF St. Anthony Medical Center
- Perryville Path
- Puri School of Business
- Puri Family Center for Research and Engagement
- Remedies Renewing Lives
- Rock Cut State Park
- Rock River Pantry
- Rockford Area Economic Development Council
- Rockford Christian Schools
- Rockford First Church
- Rockford Lutheran School
- Rockford Memorial Development Foundation
- Rockford Park District
- Rockford Park District Foundation
- Rockford Public Schools
- Rockford Public School District ACT Program
- Rockford University
- Rosecrance Foundation
- Sportscore I and II
- Starlight Theatre
- Swedish American Foundation
- United Way
- UNICEF
- Womanspace
- Womanspace Garden
- YMCA of Rockford
- YWCA of Rockford
8-24-2018
First Midwest Group is a proud supporter of the Read 815 Challenge.
The challenge encourages every person (children and adults) in the Rockford community to read one book per week during the Summer before school starts. 250 Volcano Falls passes were gifted as prizes to winners that posted reading selfies on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the hashtags #Read815 #BookAWeek #ReadingSelfie. Great job reading, everyone!
8-23-2018
In the spirit of welcoming students and educators back to school, First Midwest Group supports many initiatives promoting becoming knowledgeable.
Our company values partners who are knowledgeable, both in business and in the community.
8-15-2018
First Midwest Group wishes everyone a great #RockfordDay
Wishes everyone a great 8.15 day!
7-18-2018
On Sunday, July 15th, First Midwest Group was proud to celebrate Rockford’s Italian-American heritage at Solo Italiano.
Our very own Vince Chiarelli was there with his band – The Vince Chiarelli Band – playing original & classic Italian inspired music. Check them out!
12-26-2017
First Midwest Group and the Puri Family donated 8-acres of land to Rockford Christian Schools
“We are thrilled, as a 20 year partnership, we’ve just seen this grow from a farm into what it has turned into and I can’t think of any better stewards of this land and the legacy than Rockford Christian. This is something that is dear to my heart. I’ve driven by it and I’ve seen the progress and the growth over this period of time” said First Midwest Group founder and president, Sunil Puri. READ MORE
11-12-16
First Midwest Group – Long time supporter of Remedies Renewing Lives ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) — A domestic violence incident happens every 84 minutes in our community according to Remedies and they say it’s the call our officers respond to most. READ MORE
9-14-16
Illinois 173 Expansion Project complete after three yearsROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – A road improvement project that took three years to complete is now done and that means drivers have speedier and safer access to I-90 in Northern Winnebago County… READ MORE
8-10-2016
Rockford Lutheran School introduces PURI Center of Research and EngagementROCKFORD — Rockford Lutheran School leaders, students, teachers and parents celebrated the completion of a $700,000 media center addition today on the school’s Junior/Senior High School campus, 3411 N. Alpine Road… READ MORE
5-14-2016
Leaders of next generation honored at Young American Awards banquetROCKFORD — Businessman and philanthropist Sunil Puri today passed along words of wisdom he learned from his parents and grandparents to a room filled with some of the brightest teenagers from across the region… READ MORE
4-5-16
Prairie Hill Elementary Principal honored with Puri- Golden Apple Foundation Outstanding Principal AwardSOUTH BELOIT (WREX) –Kathy Noorlag has worked at Prairie Hill Elementary school for 16 years, and for the past five years she has worked with Principal Kevin Finnegan, the winner of the 2016 Puri-Golden Apple Foundation Outstanding Principal Award… READ MORE
2-1-16
Rockford’s Renee Schott named Golden Apple’s 2016 assistant principalROCKFORD — Renee Schott of Jefferson High School today was named the 2016 winner of the Golden Apple Foundation Investing in Excellence: Assistant Principal Development Program… READ MORE
1-28-2016
YMCA Announces New Branch With Puri Family DonationThe YMCA of Rock River Valley is branching out to serve southeast Rockford and the Cherry Valley region. The YMCA of Rock River Valley is branching out to serve southeast Rockford and the Cherry Valley region. We are excited to announce the donation of our new facility from Mr. Sunil Puri and his partner Dan Arnold… READ MORE
11-18-2015
Rockford Lutheran School breaks ground on new media centerROCKFORD — Rockford Lutheran School’s new media center will be a comfortable, engaging 4,384-square-foot space designed to inspire collaborative and innovative learning for the next 50 years… READ MORE
3-16-15
Rockford businessman Sunil Puri presents the Golden Apple Outstanding Principal Award to Roosevelt’s Heidi HouyRockford businessman Sunil Puri presents the Golden Apple Outstanding Principal Award to Roosevelt’s Heidi Houy… READ MORE
10-8-2015
New domestic violence shelter coming to east Rockford Dozens of dignitaries and supporters gathered on Wednesday at 220 Easton Parkway near Rockford University for a groundbreaking. The location is central to where many of those who seek help from the domestic violence and addiction treatment program live, said Sunil Puri of First Midwest Group, which donated the land… READ MORE
10-3-2014
Welcome to the Puri School of Business at Rockford University founded by alum Sunil Puri ROCKFORD — About 250 people, including educators and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, celebrated at a reception Friday for the grand opening of Puri Business School at Rockford University… READ MORE
9-5-2014
Call Center could bring 500, or more, jobs to old K’s Merchandise site in Rockford ROCKFORD — Plans are afoot to open a call center in the old K’s Merchandise building on Mulford Road near East State Street… READ MORE
7-20-14
Sunil Puri: Developer ‘with huge good heart’ shapes Rockford’s identityReal estate powerhouse Sunil Puri, perhaps more than anyone else in the past 20 years, has reshaped the region’s physical and economic identity… READ MORE
03-21-2014
First Rockford Group, Inc. President Sunil Puri to be honored by Rockford UniversityROCKFORD – Rockford University honors one of its own Friday, April 25th when it awards honorary membership to Sigma Beta Delta to Sunil Puri…
01-21-2014
First Rockford Group, Inc. Sponsors RPS205 ACT Prep CourseROCKFORD – First Rockford Group, Inc., an Illinois-based real estate development corporation, will again sponsor…
05-23-2012
Local philanthropist and alumnus Sunil Puri gifts $1million in land to CollegeRockford, Ill., – First Midwest Group Founder and President Sunil Puri,’82, presented the deed to just over five acres of commercial…
05-15-2012
Fundraising Efforts Begin for Rock River Fishing Pier ProjectROCKFORD (RPD) — The Rockford Park District and Rockford Park District Foundation kicked off fundraising efforts today for the David F. Johnson Accessible Fishing Pier Project. A news conference was held at the future site of the permanent accessible fishing pier located along the Rock River, just south of the Auburn Street bridge. The accessible pier would be accessed via the Rock River Recreation Path and wheelchair parking is nearby.
About the Project
The ability to fish requires accessibility, but for those with physical disabilities, those opportunities are very limited. At this point, even the largest body of water in the Rockford area, the Rock River, has no wheelchair accessible features. “Handrails and other accessible features are not typical along the shorelines of local rivers, lakes, and ponds. This accessible pier would mean anglers with disabilities would have a safe spot to take part in the sport they love,” said Events and Recreation Projects Manager John Beck.
Members of the Rockford chapter of AMBUCS (a service club promoting independent lifestyles for people with disabilities) and local fishing clubs approached the Rockford Park District to offer to help raise funds for pier construction. The cost for this project is approximately $110,000. If at least $50,000 is raised, the CBW Foundation will provide a challenge gift of $25,000.
Fundraising Efforts
The Rockford Park District Foundation is helping to raise money to build the accessible fishing pier. The pier will be named after David F. Johnson, an avid fisherman, Rockford alderman, and local disability advocate. “Dave was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at the age of 14. Despite his health, his true passion was fishing, and he loved teaching others how to fish. This project honors his many years as a strong advocate for accessibility to buildings, for public transportation, and sidewalk curb cuts,” stated Valerie Johnson, Dave’s wife.
For 30 years, Dave and world class fisherman Babe Winkelman were friends and fishing buddies.
To help raise money for the accessible fishing pier, Winkelman and other area friends, like Founder and President of First Rockford Group Sunil Puri, are hosting a fundraiser called “Babe Winkelman’s Tribute to Professor Bass, Davey Johnson” on June 14, 2012. The fundraiser will take place at Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a VIP reception beginning at 5 p.m. for anyone who contributes $100 or more. Tickets are $30 each, and $300 for a table of 8.
Purchase tickets or make a donation at the following Blackhawk Bank locations:
-2475 N. Perryville Road, Rockford
-3101 11th Street, Rockford
-9609 Forest Hills Road, Machesney Park
-5206 Elevator Road, Roscoe
-2141 N. State Street, Belvidere
Tickets can also be purchased at:
-Rockford Park District Foundation, 401 S. Main Street, Rockford
-Lynch Family Chiropractic, 3806 E. State Street, Rockford
Make checks payable to: DFJ Accessible Fishing Pier Fund. The fundraising event includes a fish fry and special silent auction with 30+ items from Dave’s fishing/outdoor art and object collection. All money raised goes to the David F. Johnson Accessible Fishing Pier.
For more information about Babe Winkelman’s Tribute to “Professor Bass, Davey Johnson,” contact event organizer Valerie Johnson at 815-262-9717 or davebigbass2@comcast.net.
For additional information or questions about how to make a donation to the accessible fishing pier, contact Lisa Alexander, Rockford Park District Foundation Donor Relations Coordinator, 815-987-1632, or e-mail: lisaalexander@rockfordparkdistrict.org.
05-03-2012
“One-On-One” with Sunil PuriRockford developer Sunil Puri doesn’t mince words about the state or our local economy.
“We have not done a good job of encouraging home grown businesses. I’m not talking about developers. I’m talking about people who actually produce widgets. I respect and celebrate people who create those core jobs.”
There are more than 12-hundred local employers with more than 25 employees. Puri says that’s where our attention needs to be focused.
“How about going to them and if each one of them created a job that would be 12-hundred new jobs. Why is it so wonderful and celebrated when we bring new people to town when we can not focus on our home grown? I don’t know who the next Mr. Sundstrand is but they’re here and we need to encourage them.”
I asked him, “So we need to appreciate our own and what we have?”
He said, “Absolutely and I think it is so much easier to go to those 12-hundred employers and create 12 hundred jobs between them than go out there and try to get 12 hundred new jobs. We need to focus on people who have roots here.”
Puri says he shares the frustrations that concern many local residents.
“What is there to celebrate about a community with a 12.8% unemployment, it’s just come down to … in the top 5 in real estate taxes in the nation, number 9 in crime in the nation.”
I asked, “You have the means to live anywhere in the world and given those statistics you just cited, what keeps you here?”
He said, “You know again, these are statistics. I don’t feel it. Do I feel I’m the 9th worst crime in the nation? I don’t. This is a wonderful place to live. I raised my kids here, I chose to come here. I have no plans on leaving.”
With his own children in Rockford public schools, Puri says he’s seen district 205 come a long way. He believes now is the time to replace outdated buildings.
“We know we have people unemployed in the trades, we will get better prices, we know interest rates are never going to be lower than where they are … this is the time to re-invest.”
Puri says good paying jobs are the key to Rockford’s future.
“All of this is only possible if we have those core jobs..the school, the teacher can not be the parent. That is only there if the parent at home is at peace and that comes from being able to have a job to be able to support your family with dignity and pride.”
03-21-2012
Brookview toasts its Puri Family Outstanding Principal winnerROCKFORD — Students at Brookview Elementary School erupted with cheers as Principal LuAnn Widergren walked in the school gymnasium…
02-29-2012
Sunil Puri: Rockford College never ever gave up on meROCKFORD — Rockford businessman and philanthropist Sunil Puri credits Rockford College with not only giving him an accounting degr…