Elmhurst restaurant owner joins chamber's Hall of Fame
Elmhurst restaurateur Jack Island will be honored as the 2017 inductee into the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry Civic Hall of Fame.
Island will become the Hall of Fame's 26th member during an induction ceremony at the chamber's 99th Annual Awards Gala and 100th Birthday Bash from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at the Drake Oak Brook Hotel in Oak Brook.
A chamber member since 1986, Island is owns The Silverado Grill at 447 Spring Road.
"Jack Island is one of those regular, down-to-earth guys who never hesitates to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty for the good of others," said John Quigley, ECCI president and CEO.
The Silverado Grill is the host venue for the annual Pig Roast during Chamber of Commerce Month in September; serves chili at the city's Department of Public Works Annual Holiday Luncheon in December; and previously partnered with the chamber to stage Elmfest's Entertainment Center and an annual Steak Fry.
Island has been an active member of the Spring Road Business Association for more than 30 years, including organizing the Thursday night summer concert series at the Gazebo adjacent the Illinois Prairie Path.
Not-for-profit organizations regularly are welcomed to stage their fundraising events at The Silverado Grill and Island supports charitable groups such as the Elmhurst Children's Assistance Foundation, Great Lakes Lab Rescue and others.
In partnership with Community Bank of Elmhurst, Island has sponsored Silverado Jr., where fifth-grade students at Elmhurst's Lincoln Elementary School use their math and language art skills in a real-world experience while learning to operate a business.
Prior to Island opening The Silverado Grill with then-partner Dave Walradt, there were a string of restaurants at that location.
The Civic Hall of Fame, which was established in 1992, recognizes those who make major contributions to the Elmhurst community.
The late Joe Newton, legendary boys cross country coach at York High School, who died in December, was the inaugural Hall of Fame inductee.
Other Hall of Fame members are: Eleanor King Hookam, Elmhurst Art Museum; Ivan E. Frick, Elmhurst College; Joseph Wagner, York Furrier; Jean Haselhorst, Elmhurst Park District; Robert M. Magnuson, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital; Virginia J. Harmon, Unique Travel Services; state Rep. Lee A. Daniels; A.J. "Toche" Terrones, Elmhurst chamber; William C. "Bill" Gooch Jr., Community Bank of Elmhurst; and Willis Johnson, York Theatre.
Also: Fred Messerschmidt, Elmhurst Federal Savings & Loan; Jim Van Ewyk, Pfund and Clint Florists; Jacquelyn Haddad, Elmhurst Junior Women's Club; Thomas O. Myers Jr., Thomas O. Myers Real Estate; Abner Ganet, Leonard's Men's Store and former mayor; Jan Pauli, Pauli's Marathon; Bob Schiller, Schiller Real Estate; Thomas Marcucci, four-term mayor; Rich Grodsky, Elmhurst Park District; Pete Cruger, Elmhurst Independent; Doug Beach, Elmhurst College Jazz Band director; Betsy Hanisch, Elmhurst businesswomen, civic leader and community volunteer; Ralph Pechanio, retired banker, civic leader and community volunteer; and Darrell Whistler, retired businessman, civic leader and community volunteer who died last June.
Established in 1918, the chamber is a volunteer organization of business and professional men and women who have joined to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community.