Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., established in 1958, is a family-owned, full-service general contractor and construction management firm serving Southern Illinois and the Greater St. Louis area. Like many great American entrepreneurial success stories, K & L’s journey began with a small loan and a dream.

With $500 borrowed from his father-in-law to buy a rubber-tired trencher and a backhoe, Cyril B. “Pete” Korte began installing gas services for Illinois Power in the City of Highland, Ill. A year later, Pete’s brother-in-law, Joe Luitjohan, joined him in the business. For 23 years, the company grew as a respected underground utility contractor.

In 1981, Pete bought Joe’s interest in the company and soon K & L began working in the heavy construction market. Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. steadily expanded its scope in three major construction markets – building, heavy and utility.

Since 1984, K & L’s portfolio has included water and wastewater treatment facilities; county, state and federal institutional facilities; production and warehouse facilities; restaurants; schools and recreational facilities; museums and historic sites; financial institutions; medical offices, clinics and hospitals; office buildings and corporate headquarters; and worship facilities.

During a celebration in 2018 marking the company’s 60^th anniversary, Pete Korte announced his retirement as president, turning the reins over to his son, Gregg. Pete retained the title of chairman of the board until his passing in September 2023.

Now with more than 65 years of experience and a broad range of construction knowledge and expertise among its staff, K & L produces first class projects for a variety of clientele in the commercial, institutional and industrial markets.  With its ability to self-perform carpentry, concrete work, piping and excavating, Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. maintains a high degree of control over the entire building process for a very competitive price.

“Our mission is to provide our customers the highest level of quality construction at fair and market-competitive prices,” said Gregg Korte.  “Fostering a work environment of professionalism, integrity, honesty and creativity is equally important.”

A survey of K & L’s work in the past 10 years demonstrates the company’s ability to easily transition from one type of project to another.  Highlights have included construction of the Belleville Water Reclamation Plant (2014), 11 South Professional Building in Columbia, Ill. (2017), Collinsville Water Treatment Plant (2019) and Immaculate Conception Catholic Education and Activities Center in Columbia, Ill. (2019); expansions of the Clinton County Rural Health Clinic in Breese, Ill. (2020) and Crown Linen of Columbia, Ill. (2023); and renovations to the Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield, Ill. (2014), Washington County Courthouse in Nashville, Ill. (2016) and Daphne Sumner History Discovery Center in Belleville, Ill. (2024).