Elgin Cosmopolitan Club to honor Cherie Murphy July 9
Cherie Murphy has been chosen as the 77th recipient of the Elgin Cosmopolitan Club's Distinguished Service Award.
The recognition dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the Elgin Country Club, 2575 Weld Road, Elgin.
Born and raised in central Illinois, Murphy moved to Chicago in 1971 to begin her career. She worked for major cosmetics brands including Revlon. She married Glenn Murphy in 1975 and they moved to Elgin in 1988.
In the late 1990s, Murphy began working for the city of Elgin on a contract basis. She organized a new neighborhood outreach program, establishing the Elgin Community Network. She was hired on a full-time basis in 2000 and served in various capacities over the years - utilizing her communications and writing skills, project management abilities, and focus on community engagement.
During her time in Elgin, Murphy was involved in many Elgin Area School District U-46, Northeast Neighborhood Association, and other volunteer activities.
Along the way, Murphy became one of the city's greatest community advocates - seeing all that the community could become and working to make it happen. One of her first major projects was in 2002-03, when she led preparations for Elgin's 150th Commemoration in February 2004. She and the corresponding city commission working on the event were honored with an Elgin Image Award for their work.
Thousands of city residents attended events leading up to the celebration, which included a laser light show along the Fox River.
In subsequent years, Murphy was an integral part of the successful Elgin Artspace project which brought 55 live/work spaces for local artists; created with Enhancing Elgin a realtor bus tour showcasing Elgin's neighborhoods; and created the bus tour for the Elgin Area Leadership Academy participants.
Murphy was the "point person" for bringing the Alignment for Collaborative Education to Elgin.
Part of the Elgin City Council and Mayor David Kaptain's strategic goals, the program is based on a Nashville initiative. Murphy is in her third term on the Alignment board.
She has been an active volunteer and board member with many social service and civic groups, including the United Way of Elgin, Community Crisis Center, and PADS. She is a longtime member and past co-chair of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce's Enhancing Elgin Committee, promoting the benefits of living and working in Elgin.
An avid gardener and member of the Elgin Garden Club, Murphy compiled the club's book, "100 Years & Growing," to commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2016.
Murphy demonstrates daily her dedication to Elgin, over and above her role as a city staff member. She continues to volunteer and advocate for her community.
For tickets to the event, contact the Cosmopolitan Club c/o Dr. Walter Alm, Alm Foot Care, 1795 Grandstand Place, Elgin, IL 60123.