Kane County Board member wins Charlemagne award

The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce presented its lifetime achievement award to Kane County Board member and forest preserve commissioner John Hoscheit.

Created in 1968, the Charlemagne Award is given to an individual with a distinguished history of service to the community.

Hoscheit was recognized for his many years of service on several boards and committees, including the Illinois Association of Park Districts board, St. Charles Park District board, the St. Charles City Council and the Kane County Forest Preserve Commission, which he served as president.

In 1996, he was elected to his current position on the Kane County Board. Then, in 2002, he was appointed forest preserve president, a position he held until 2014.

In 2015, he was awarded Commissioner of the Year by the Illinois Association of Park Districts for his outstanding leadership, service and advocacy in support of conservation, recreation, parks and open space.

On April 14, 2015, the forest preserve district renamed Little Woods Forest Preserve as Hoscheit Woods Forest Preserve in honor of his 12 years as president, during which the district tripled in size.