The 2026 Awards & Recognition Dinner
Last Thursday nearly 100 Metro West members and partners gathered at Riverside Receptions for the Awards & Recognition Dinner. This event focused on collaborative efforts within Metro West and the continued support of our business partners.
As Leader Linda Holmes plans for her retirement from the Illinois Senate, she was recognized for the years of support she has offered Metro West communities and advocacy on behalf of Kane and Kendall Counties.
City of Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain was honored as the 2026 Metro West Champion. This award is presented to one who exemplifies the mission of Metro West through outstanding service, leadership and dedication. Mayor Kaptain was a founding member of Metro West and served as its President in 2014 and 2015. As the President of the NWPA Executive Committee, he works tirelessly on regional water issues, sustainability and planning for Elgin and the surrounding municipalities. His years of professional experience as a chemist have benefited the organization tremendously. At the end of his current term, Mayor Kaptain will have served his community for 16 years as mayor and 6 years as an alderman.
“We thank Mayor Kaptain not only for his years of service to Elgin, but for his consistent and steady voice in the region," said Metro West Executive Director Lesli Melendy. "He has been a strong partner of Metro West, and his work on our behalf makes him especially deserving of this award.”
Also presented was the first BRIDGE Award for the team of Cordogan Clark & Associates and the United City of Yorkville for the City Hall and Police Facility Project. The independent panel of judges were impressed by this project's use of existing space and innovative design.
When Yorkville faced critical overcrowding issues at both City Hall and the Police Station, they called on Cordogan Clark for help. Their approach to the challenge was a multi-layered framework of both public-private partnerships, intergovernmental collaboration and robust community engagement.
The project represented a shared vision between municipal leadership, local regional entities and Cordogan Clark who aligned their strategic goals to deliver a public facility under tight budgetary constraints. This effective collaboration proved a community can overcome infrastructure deficits without overextending a community’s financial resources.
We once again thank the many members and partners who attended the dinner and congratulate this year's award winners.
Photo Credit: Jacob Branscom