Local restaurants honored

Four Illinois restaurants were awarded the Restaurant Neighbor Award, a program by the National Restaurant Association that recognizes outstanding community service. The winners are Harry Caray's, Morton's Restaurant Group, Nick's Pizza & Pub and Palmer Place Restaurant.

"These four restaurants are extraordinary examples of the commitment to service that restaurants across Illinois demonstrate on a regular basis," said Sheila O'Grady, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association. "Their stories exemplify the value of philanthropy and show one of the many important roles restaurants play in their communities."

Harry Caray's, Rosemont

When Laura Hudgens' co-workers at Harry Caray's learned she had breast cancer, they quickly mobilized to support Laura, then age 27, and her "Team Cosmonaut" for the two-day, 39-mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago. With the support of Harry Caray's employees and corporate office, Team Cosmonaut raised $111,000, earning the distinction of being the second-most-successful fundraising team in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago.

Nick's Pizza & Pub, Crystal Lake

Nick's Pizza & Pub donates 5 percent of its annual net profits to nonprofit organizations. Last year, the company donated $62,000 to nonprofits, including the Cary Children's Center for Autism. In 2008, Nick's Pizza & Pub hosted its fifth annual fundraiser for the center, helping to raise more than $32,000.

Over the past four years, Nick's has helped raise more than $194,000 for the Cary Children's Center for Autism.

Morton's Restaurant Group, Chicago

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Morton's Restaurant Group partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for the "30 Wishes for 30 Years" campaign, which aims to make 30 wishes come true for children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions.

To date, the company has raised $160,000, surpassing its initial goal of $125,000, and with more fundraising components in place throughout the rest of the year, Morton's Restaurant Group anticipates to raise even more funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Palmer Place Restaurant and Beer Garden, La Grange

Cornerstone Humanitarian Award Winner is Stephen Palmer, who is a founding member of the H Foundation, a nonprofit group dedicated to funding cancer research. Palmer has helped raised $1.9 million over the past eight years for Northwestern University's Lurie Cancer Center.

Palmer has served on the village of La Grange's Economic Development Committee for the past 10 years and is president of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Palmer is active in the American Legion Post 1941 in La Grange, helping to organize Memorial Day activities, and was a driving force in establishing two major fundraisers to support CEP Youth Leadership.