Awards

It was around 5 a.m. Dec. 31, 2023, when the Bellows family was awakened by their dog Shango’s barking. That’s when they discovered their house was on fire. Four family members, including three children, escaped through the back door.

School District 86's Marycrest Early Childhood Center in Joliet has been recognized by the State of Illinois with the Golden Circle of Quality award for the fourth time in 11 years.

The firm is one of only three funeral homes internationally to receive the Best of the Best Award in 2024.

Werk Force Brewing, located at 14903 S. Center St. #101 in Plainfield, recently earned two silver medals at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Take It Outside Challenge challenges participants to complete nature-themed missions to earn points and win prizes. Two Take It Outside Meetups are scheduled for Oct. 23 and Nov. 17.

Self Help Enterprises, a social services organization in Whiteside County, celebrated its 60th anniversary of empowering individuals with disabilities.

Charles Kested Best of Show ribbon goes to Carol Musial for her jewelry and glass art.

Self Help Enterprises of Sterling held their annual client awards banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. The organization is celebrating 60 years of service.

Elina Triantou of Renaissance Center Banquets in Joliet, said the goal was to “bring together non-profits and celebrate the outstanding efforts of those who have made a difference.”

Five awards were presented to alumni from the University of St. Francis of Joliet, including The Presidential Alumni Award, and one award from each of the university’s four colleges to highlight the university's diverse disciplines.

It was work that brought Earleen Hinton to the Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner, and she was busy shooting photos when Donna Mann started reading the Citizen of the Year’s biography

The Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner was held Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, at River's Edge Experience in Oregon. Earleen Hinton was named Citizen of the Year and Dave Head was named Volunteer of the Year.

The city of Joliet has announced the 2024 Neighborhood Hero Award winners, a program that honors properties with exemplary yards.

The Warren-Newport Public Library has achieved two national marketing awards from the American Library Association CORE PrXchange 2024 Awards Competition, as announced last month.

The Village of Montgomery recognized Volunteer of the Year Award winners at its board meeting Monday, June 10.

The awards are presented to two students in the graduating classes of three St. Charles middle schools each year; St. Patrick, Thompson and Wredling, during the annual eighth grade awards ceremonies at each school.

Sandwich Lions Club announces recipients of the 2024 Sandwich Lions Club Citizenship Award and Lou Brady Scholarships.

State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser was recognized for her leadership and public service achievements at the YWCA Elgin Leader Luncheon held on May 9.

The annual St. Charles Fine Art Show took place Saturday and Sunday with 10 artists walking away with awards.

Anna Mudroch, associate director of bands, was selected as this year’s recipient of the William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award, and bus driver first Robert Friebel was given the Golden Key Award.

Roger Matile has dedicated his life to preserving the history of Kendall County.

The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce presented Mark Koenen with the city’s highest honor: the Charlemagne Award at 56th Annual Charlemagne Awards Dinner on Friday.

The program “recognize residents who show civic pride by having outstanding yards,” according to the city.

Several awards went out before the group announced it had raised $406,796 for organizations in the community.

United Way of Lee County held its campaign celebration Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Several awards went out before the group announced it had raised $406,796 for organizations in the community.

The new public works facility was completed in 2023 and built in response to a growth in the village's population and services.

District 202's parent organization recognized 95 “outstanding parents, community members, teachers and staff members for their dedication to students, their schools and community” at the 48th annual awards night on April 16.

Experience the emotional moments as television celebrities and a classical music star are inducted into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame.

Nominations for the Village of Montgomery's Volunteer of the Year Awards Program are now open until May 17.

The Spanish Community Center presented the University of St. Francis with its 2024 Friendship Award in March.

It was a night of celebration Friday as Discover Dixon’s Best of Dixon Gala awards honored Dixon’s Citizen of the Year and six people for their contributions to the community, and announced the Business of the Year recipient.

Dixon rolled out the red carpet Friday, April 5, 2024 for their annual Best of Dixon Awards. Dr. Joe Welty was named Citizen of the Year.

Established in 2004 by the JJC Board of Trustees in honor of President Emeritus J.D. Ross, the award recognizes outstanding community service.

An acclaimed violinist, a celebrity WGN-TV meteorologist with multiple Emmys, another Emmy winner who created Christian television station WCFC-TV/Channel 38 and the wise-cracking bandleader on “The Dick Cavett Show” are the latest inductees into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame.

Chanber created a night of fun but awards were serious for recipients.

The deadline for nominations is Monday, April 1. Presentation of the awards will take place in May.

Aurora University senior and Oswego native Mason Brauer has been recognized with the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award.

Plano School District 88 staff members have been announced as Illinois Board of Education award winners.

The Plainfield Park District had a banner weekend at the recent Illinois Association of Park Districts/Illinois Park & Recreation Association Soaring to New Heights Conference.

The Heartstrings Awards expand the concept of what is “the best” to that which is the most meaningful.

The annual awards dinner for the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry features some unique elements this year. Tickets are still available for Feb. 27 event

Rikki Lee Travolta has been racking up awards for his imaginative screenplay creating an alternate history for Elvis.

Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott, Paramount, Metropolis, Citadel and Steel Beam are among the theaters honored in the 2023 Heartstrings Awards recognizing the most meaningful performances in the region.

Lee County Farm Bureau members recently participated in Illinois Farm Bureau’s traditional grassroots process during the organization’s 109th annual meeting.

GreenMan Theatre Troupe in Elmhurst will conduct auditions for its next murder mystery dinner: “Murder on the DeLorean Express,” and announces plans for a national playwriting festival.

All projects, activities or events submitted for recognition must have been completed in 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Barb and Jim Miller are Volunteers of the Year

Eligible for recognition are outstanding visual, literary, media and performing artists.

The Polo Chamber of Commerce held its 56th annual meeting on dinner on Sept. 27, where it named Sharon Miller Citizen of the Year and Barb and Jim Miller Volunteers of the Year.

Banquet celebrates the accomplishments of those who attend the Village and the many volunteers who donate their time and talent