'What Makes This Village So Special'

Chamber Choice Awards honors those who have achieved excellence in business, education and community activism. The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry announced the winners of its fourth annual Chamber Choice Awards presented by Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Feb. 9 at the DoubleTree Guest Suites & Conference Center in Downers Grove.

With heartwarming thanks, Jim Russ of Downers Grove National Bank accepted the award for overall Business Excellence. He thanked his staff, the Chamber and community for their support.

Honoring both spectrums of the local business community, Jan Kopis of Re/Max Enterprises was given the Lifetime Achievement award, and Danny Glover of Skuddlebutt’s and Party People Rental was honored as this year's Young Business Professional.

Mike DellaMaria of SHRED DOC and Community High School District 99 were the recipient of the Chamber Choice Award’s newest honor, Educator of the Year.

Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence took home the award for Community Contribution by a Not-for-Profit; and both Perma Seal Basement Systems Inc. and Sara Lee Corporation accepted the award for Philanthropic Community Contribution.

In Business Excellence, retail category, Downers Grove National Bank took the honor; Community Bank of Downers Grove won in the service category; and D3 Financial Counselors won in the professional category.

“Now in its fourth year, the Chamber Choice Awards again resulted in a wealth of high quality applicants. We consider all Chamber members winners; and it’s always a delight to celebrate success,” Laura Crawford, the Chamber's president and CEO, said in a press release. "These businesses and not-for-profit organizations are what really make this village so special."

The Chamber thanked its sponsors: Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Magnetrol International and Sara Lee Corporation.

For more information about the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry, call 630-968-4050, or visit downersgrove.org.