Charlemagne Award celebrates people who drive St. Charles
The St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce’s 57th annual Charlemagne Awards celebration will take place May 2 at the Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles.
The event will honor the best of the best in the St. Charles community and includes dinner, an open bar, dancing and tidbits of 1968 history — the year in which the Charlemagne Award was established.
The lifetime achievement Charlemagne Award gives recognition to one community member each year who emulates a distinguished history of commitment and service to the city of St. Charles.
This year’s nominees are: Bob Karas, owner of the Karas Restaurant Group; Brian McNally, owner and CEO of McNally’s Heating and Cooling; and Charlie Murphy, owner of Midwest Compost.
Each nominee has a long history of volunteerism and dedication to the St. Charles community and reflects one or more of the four pillars on which the Charlemagne Award is based: civic; education; community/recreation; and religious/worship.
Karas oversees the Karas Restaurant Group, which owns and operates 17 restaurants within the Fox Valley area, including Alexander’s Café, Old Republic Kitchen & Grill, Rookies All American Bar & Grill, The Village Squire Restaurant, Rookie’s Rochaus, and the new Squire Ale House.
The family business was founded by the late Paul Karas, father of Bob Karas, and his uncle George Karas. Bob Karas supports many chamber and local events and nonprofits, including the Salvation Army, Cal’s Angels, and Project Mobility. Karas recently received an Honorary Alumni Award from Judson University in Elgin.
McNally started his community-focused business in 2013. It employs a team of more than 50 people. The company provides a variety of services and products and has been voted as one of the best by Shaw Media readers. Most recently, McNally was named one of the Chicago Titan 100 honorees recognizing the top 100 CEOs and C-level executives in Chicago.
McNally is involved in St. Charles community organizations. He serves on the boards of the St. Charles History Museum and the St. Charles Business Alliance, including recently serving on the board of the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce. He supports the local St. Charles Arts Council and the nonprofit CASA Kane County.
Murphy has expanded his business over the past six years as the environment has become a much bigger concern for consumers. He has donated his company’s services to Hope’s Garden charity, the local Random Acts chapter and CASA Kane County in St. Charles, and toward sustainable landscaping. He is a strong supporter of the chamber, playing a key role in #StrongerTogetherSTC initiative during COVID. He volunteers at chamber events and contributed his vintage firetruck to the Holiday Electric Parade.
Midwest Compost received the chamber’s Business Category Award in 2019, and in 2023, Murphy received the Chairman’s Award. He is on the board of the Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition.
Additional honorees who will be recognized at the awards dinner are:
• L.E.A.P Award: Presented to a chamber member who has provided exceptional support to women while demonstrating excellence in professionalism and leadership. This year’s recipient is Daphne Velez, branch manager of First American Bank.
• Civic Image Award: Recognizing chamber members whose humanitarian efforts, civic initiatives or personal projects outside their businesses have positively impacted the St. Charles area and enhanced the community’s image. This year’s honorees are Albert “Bo” Smith, professional consultant, and Jim and Kim Maffia of Kendall’s Kindness.