The Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry recognized Maine Township Food Pantry Director Michael Pitzaferro at its 2026 Night of Roses Celebration.
According to a news release, the annual celebration honors recipients of the Public Service Excellence Award, Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and other recognitions that highlight the people and businesses serving the Niles community.
Pitzaferro was the 2026 recipient of the Niles Chamber’s Public Service Excellence Award, recognizing his leadership of the food pantry and the pantry’s service to families across Maine Township and the surrounding communities, the release said.
“I am truly honored to receive this award and grateful to the Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry for shining a light on the work of the food pantry,” Pitzaferro said. “The pantry runs on the time, generosity, and care of our volunteers, donors, and community partners. This recognition belongs to every one of them. It’s a privilege to serve the families of Maine Township, and we’re going to keep showing up for our neighbors,”
More Top Picks Best Handheld Magnifiers For Low Vision
Attending the event and supporting Director Pitzaferro were Maine Township Supervisor Kimberly Jones, Clerk Pete Gialamas, Assessor Susan Moylan-Krey, Township staff, and members of the Maine Township Board of Trustees.
Former Park Ridge resident appointed General Counsel for Chicago Public Schools
Elizabeth K. Barton, formerly of Park Ridge, has been appointed permanent General Counsel for the Board of Education of Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
Barton has been with CPS for over seven years and has served as Acting General Counsel since August 2025, the release said. Before this role, she was Managing Deputy General Counsel for more than two years, overseeing litigation, transactions, and investigations within the Board of Education’s law department.
Before joining CPS, Barton spent 11 years in private practice, representing local government entities including police departments, school districts, park districts, and municipal governments in litigation, according to the release. She also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois Law School from 2019 to 2021.
After graduating from Maine South High School, Barton attended the University of Iowa. She earned a J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, formerly known as The John Marshall Law School, where she served as an editor of the law review.
She currently serves as Treasurer for the Executive Committee of the Federal Bar Association – Chicago Chapter. Barton is also a mentor for law students and young lawyers through both the Chicago and Federal Bar Associations.