Awards

For the sixth consecutive year, the U.S. Department of Labor has presented the City of St. Charles with the HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award. The award recognizes the City for employing military veterans, and is part of the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act).

The St. Charles Fire Department once again has been awarded a Public Protection Class 1 rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). The Department first achieved this elite rating in 2015, and is honored to maintain this elite status as an ISO Class 1 Fire Department.

99% of residents surveyed feel St. Charles is an Excellent or Good place to live. The results of the 2020 St. Charles Resident Survey were presented at the Sept. 8, 2020 Government Operations Committee Meeting. In general, survey respondents feel St. Charles is safe, clean and well maintained. Residents also valued the services they receive for the taxes they pay.

The St. Charles Police Department once again has been awarded National Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA maintains professional standards for public safety to improve the delivery of services by participating law enforcement agencies. The St. Charles Police Department first achieved its accredited status in 1989, when it became one of the first agencies in the State of Illinois to become Nationally Accredited.

Lt. David Chmelar and Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Tinsley of the St. Charles Fire Department were honored as 2020 Everyday Extraordinary Firefighter Heroes by the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois. Each year, the organization honors individuals for acts of bravery, dedication, and service to the community.

The American Public Works Association (APWA) selected the new St. Charles Police station project as a public Works Project of the Year in the $5- $25 million structures category. This award promotes excellence in project management, safety, community relations, environmental impact, and construction innovation.

“The success of this project is the direct result of the hard work and dedication of the entire project team,” said Public Works Director Peter Suhr.

50 years ago, the City of St. Charles officially became known as The Pride of the Fox! 

In early 1969, the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce sponsored a contest to select a slogan for the town. Long-time St. Charles resident William R. Ross, who was 69 years old at the time, submitted the winning entry: “The Pride of the Fox.” He was awarded a contest certificate, $25 savings bond, and a photo in the newspaper. The City also held a ceremony awarding the top contestants at the Rainbow room of the Hotel Baker.