Borders Book Stores will close its doors for the final time this month, but Chicago schools will benefit.
Hilco Trading LLC, the liquidation company participating in Borders' going-out-of-business sales, has donated more than 8,000 books to Chicago Public Schools.
Hilco's donation is valued at $130,000 and includes titles covering science, math, poetry, Chicago history and politics. The books were hand-selected and purchased by Hilco from Borders stores across the country.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel recognized and thanked Hilco during an educational panel discussion Saturday with Sen. Dick Durbin, Gov. Pat Quinn, Sen. Kimberly Lightford and CPS CEO Jean-Claude Bizard.
"We believe that education, above all other factors, is the foundation of commercial success," said Hilco chief executive Jeffrey Hecktman in a statement.
Borders Group Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February.
They were unable to find a buyer and will close the remaining 399 stores by the end of the month, including several Chicago area locations.
