Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce
Awarded by the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce, this recognition reflects ACS’s two-decade track record serving local organizations and its continued investment in the business community it operates in.
About Advanced Computer Specialists, Inc.
How We Got Here
Jason Hamende founded Advanced Computer Specialists in 2005 in Kankakee, Illinois. After years working in IT, he kept seeing the same pattern: local organizations that depended on technology every day were being let down by the people they hired to support it.
The problems were consistent:
- Calls that went to voicemail and stayed there
- The same issues recurring month after month with no explanation
- Business owners acting as translators between their IT provider and their own software vendors
- No one taking ownership when an internet outage hit or a phone system went down
- Security and compliance treated as afterthoughts, not as ongoing priorities
Jason’s belief when he started ACS: businesses deserved better than reactive break-fix IT from a provider who showed up when things broke and disappeared when they didn’t. He built the company around prevention first, not ticket volume.
That philosophy is still what drives ACS today. The team maintains a dedicated proactive service function separate from day-to-day support, because the goal is to reduce the frequency of problems, not just respond to them faster. Initial response during business hours averages under five minutes. That is not an aspiration. It is a standard the team is accountable to.
ACS serves local organizations with 10 to 50 employees across Kankakee, Will, and Iroquois counties, including:
- Local government entities and municipalities
- Healthcare and medical practices
- Legal and financial firms
- Nonprofits and education organizations
- Manufacturing, construction, and auto dealerships
Every technician on the team carries a minimum of 5 to 10 years of hands-on experience. Continuing education is ongoing, not optional.
Our Core Values
Businesses across Kankakee, Iroquois, and Will Counties need more than basic IT support. They need a technology partner that understands how downtime impacts operations, responds quickly when business can’t wait, and helps reduce the daily stress caused by technology problems.
Keep Operations Moving
Technology problems should not interrupt production, patient care, customer service, billable work, public safety, or day-to-day operations. We proactively work behind the scenes to help businesses reduce downtime and keep employees productive.
Respond Within 15 Minutes When Problems Happen
When systems fail, businesses lose time, productivity, revenue, and momentum quickly. Our team responds within 15 minutes to help resolve issues fast so clients are never left waiting hours for support.
Take Ownership so Clients Don’t Have to
Businesses already manage enough vendors, deadlines, employees, and operational responsibilities every day. We coordinate directly with internet providers, software vendors, phone companies, cybersecurity vendors, and third-party support so our clients don’t get stuck chasing technology problems themselves.
Make Technology Less Stressful for Leadership Teams
Most business leaders don’t want complicated technical explanations — they want clear communication, honest guidance, and confidence that problems are being handled properly. We help organizations make practical technology decisions that support smoother operations, stronger security, and long-term growth.
Our Services
Managed IT Services
ACS handles your entire technology environment on an ongoing basis, from 24/7 proactive monitoring to fast remote resolution and on-site support, so your team stays productive and your systems stay stable.
Data Backup and Recovery
ACS manages offsite, dissimilar-server backup for your organization and tests recovery procedures so that when a ransomware attack, hardware failure, or human error strikes, getting back online is a process, not a crisis.
IT Compliance
ACS helps organizations across Kankakee County meet and maintain compliance across PCI, HIPAA, FTC, NIST, and CJIS frameworks, with controls, documentation, and ongoing management built into the same environment that runs your daily operations.
Cloud Computing
ACS configures, manages, and supports cloud infrastructure and collaboration tools for your organization, so your staff works from wherever they need to without reliability trade-offs and without calling a vendor when something stops working.
500+
Businesses Protected
99.9%
Customer Satisfaction
15 min
Average Response Time
Awards and Recognitions
2025 MSP Titans of the Industry Finalist
Midwest and Public Sector Category
MSP Titans recognizes managed service providers nationally for operational performance and service delivery. A finalist standing in both the Midwest and Public Sector categories reflects ACS’s work with government entities and municipalities alongside its broader client base.
BBB Accredited Business, A+ Rating
Better Business Bureau
ACS holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. For buyers evaluating IT firms for the first time, BBB accreditation provides an independent baseline of accountability and business conduct.
What Our Clients Are Saying About Our Services:
True to their name, they're both advanced and specialists
I've been working with Advanced Computer Specialists, Inc. for my law firm's IT needs for about 10 years now. True to their name, they're both advanced and specialists in what they do. They're great at their job and super easy to work with. They respond quickly and always have efficient solutions for our IT issues. Plus, their prices are fair. I highly recommend Advanced Computer Specialists, Inc. for planning, implementing, and tackling complex IT problems.
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Exceptional IT Services Ensuring Peace of Mind and Security
Signing up for your managed IT services has given us peace of mind by protecting our cyber weaknesses. Your expert services keep us compliant with federal and state rules, which is crucial for us. Plus, your support helps us easily meet insurance requirements.
Your fast response and personalized care set you apart from other IT firms we've used. The attention to detail and custom approach boost our IT efficiency.
You provide great customer service with a team that's honest and trustworthy. Your dedication makes you the best choice for dependable IT services.
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Exceptional IT Service and Proactive Support from ACS
Since switching to Advanced Computer Specialists (ACS), we've had peace of mind regarding our IT. Jason and his team proactively monitor our systems and communicate any issues before they become problems, making us feel much safer.
ACS outshines other IT firms with their exceptional communication and proactive approach. We rarely need to call them because everything runs smoothly and effectively.
To anyone considering ACS, it's a clear choice. They were open and honest during our initial discussions and have been responsive and easy to work with ever since. Their quick resolution of any issues makes them invaluable.
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Reliable, friendly, knowledgeable IT support that understands our needs!
With ACS, having a reliable support process through emails or phone calls reassures us and our employees. Jason and his team streamline onboarding and set up custom access, saving time with each new hire.
Their cost-effective recommendations prevent unnecessary expenses by understanding our business needs. Speaking with a friendly, knowledgeable team member who truly understands our issues is comforting.
I've worked with Advanced Computers for nearly seven years and always felt supported. When issues arise, Jason's team prioritizes clients and is just a phone call away, easing any IT concerns.
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Their experience and expertise have made our IT issues painless to resolve
Jason and his team have been the best addition for our company. Their experience and expertise have made our IT issues painless to resolve. The biggest benefit has been the ability to readily access IT professionals whenever issues arise giving us peace of mind .
Compared to other firms, the prompt and straightforward access to your team has enabled us to resolve our IT issues swiftly and effectively, setting you apart from your competitors.
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A Decade of Reliable IT Service
Advanced Computer has been our IT firm for over 10 years. Jason and his team are readily available and eager to help solve any hardware or software issues that may arise. Whether setting up our remote server or website, they have always been there for us.
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Our relationship with ACS has been an absolute game changer. We couldn't be happier
Here at MG2A we always struggled with IT. Our business requires dozens of employees collaborating with large amounts of data on an hourly basis across multiple locations as well as employees in the field and working from home. Our relationship with ACS has been an absolute game changer. They are efficient and knowledgeable, while also being personable and available. They have provided great value to MG2A by allowing us to spend our time focusing on getting our work done thanks to streamlined IT support and solutions from ACS. We require custom built workstations and ACS has provided new builds fast, and at great value. We couldn’t be happier.
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Highly Recommended: Jason and ACS Deliver Exceptional IT Service
Jason and his team have been our full-time IT service providers, and we have been extremely satisfied with their prompt and expert service. Jason's expertise, particularly in IT security and fraud prevention, has been invaluable to us. He has consistently delivered high-quality service and has been a reliable partner in meeting our IT needs.
I highly recommend Jason and ACS for their professionalism, reliability, and expertise. They have been a great asset to our organization, and I am confident they will provide the same level of service to anyone seeking similar services.
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The single biggest benefit of working with Advanced Computer Specialists has been their prompt and consistent responsiveness.
No matter the issue, big or small, their team is always there—quickly and reliably. That level of dependability is rare and incredibly valuable in today’s fast-paced business world.
What really sets ACS apart is that they genuinely care—beyond just making the sale. Their support feels personal. You’re not just a client; you’re a priority.
If someone’s unsure about choosing an IT firm, I’d say there’s absolutely no doubt—these are the guys you want on your side. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Jason and his team are my go-to. No one else comes close.
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Working with Advanced Computer Specialists has been a game-changer for our company.
The biggest benefit we've experienced is the overwhelming sense of support and security they provide. Knowing we have a trusted IT partner behind us gives me the confidence to focus on my work without the added stress of technology concerns.
What truly sets ACS apart is their exceptional response time and their ability to resolve issues efficiently while clearly explaining our options in a way that aligns with our business goals. Their communication and transparency are unmatched.
If you’re on the fence about choosing an IT firm, don’t hesitate—ACS is a must. They safeguard our company’s information and offer reliable support for all our technological needs in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape. I can’t imagine running our operations without them.
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Ready to Stop Waiting for a Callback?
If your organization depends on technology every day and you’re tired of a provider who reacts instead of plans, we’d like to have a conversation. The first step is a Discovery Consultation: no pitch, no pressure, just a straightforward look at where you are and whether ACS is the right fit.