The Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting was held at Chapter II Events on March 26. Four annual awards were announced at the meeting.
Circle of Excellence: Tom Grojean
The Chamber recognized Tom Grojean as its Circle of Excellence recipient. In order to receive the Circle of Excellence recognition, the nominee must be retired from an active Chamber business.
The nominee must have served the chamber on a committee, as a board member or as chair with a provable record of contributions to the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce that have made a difference in furthering the goals of the Chamber. A Circle of Excellence nominee must also have provided at least 10 years of service to the Chamber.
Tom Grojean is a Jacksonville native who returned to his family business after graduation from Eastern Illinois University in 1974. He joined his father, Joe Grojean, and brother, Charlie Grojean, in Grojean Insurance and Realty, focusing on the insurance side of the business.
As Tom Grojean tells it, his dad made him go door to door to discuss and sell insurance in the Jacksonville area. His belief in the importance of personal relationship building and networking has been paramount to his success and volunteer spirit. Tom Grojean’s interest and love for this community can be seen in the numerous organizations and boards in which he has participated and led.
For the Chamber, he served as the 1998 board chair and is a 40-year member of the Contact Club, earning a million points numerous times.
Grojean has been extremely active in Jacksonville Main Street since its inception, serving recently as board president. He also earned Volunteer of the Year in 2002 and was the first Illinois Main Street Lt Governor’s Excellence in Downtown Revitalization Community Spirit Award recipient in 2005. In 2019, Jacksonville Main Street named its Community Spirit Award after Tom Grojean.
He is a longtime member of the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club, also serving as their president. The Passavant Memorial Area Hospital, Jacksonville CACHE and Jacksonville Jaycees also benefited from his service.
From 2003-2011, Grojean served on the Jacksonville City Council as alderman. He was appointed by Mayor Tendick in 2005 to serve as chairman of Phase 1 of the Downtown Turnaround group to facilitate the opening of the downtown square in 2010. Grojean owned and revitalized six downtown buildings from 2001-23, showing his commitment to revitalization of the city’s downtown.
Tom Grojean is married to Julie, and they have three children and seven grandchildren.
Business of the Year – 25 or More Employees: Rammelkamp Bradney, P.C.
Celebrating 130 years in Jacksonville, Rammelkamp Bradney, P.C. was founded on the downtown square by L. O. Vaught in 1895. The firm has grown into one of the most respected legal practices in Central Illinois, maintaining a tradition of professionalism, community involvement, and client-focused service for more than a century.
The firm operates from its main office at 232 W. State St. in Jacksonville, and serves clients throughout Central Illinois, including individuals, businesses, municipalities and organizations. It employs a team of attorneys and professional staff, offering broad legal capabilities across multiple disciplines including:
Corporate and business law;
Insurance and litigation;
Family law and divorce;
Estate planning, trusts and probate;
Tax law;
Real estate and municipal law; and
Mediation and dispute resolution.
This diversity allows the firm to handle both routine legal needs and complex matters for clients ranging from individuals and families to corporations and public entities.
With deep roots in the Jacksonville area, Rammelkamp Bradney emphasizes community engagement and regional service. The firm continues to play an important role in supporting local governments, schools, businesses and residents with accessible legal counsel. Rammelkamp Bradney encourages its employees to participate in civic and community organizations.
The firm’s attorneys and staff members contribute their energy and skills to numerous charities, youth groups, and church and civic organizations.
Rammelkamp Bradney is an active member and gracious sponsor of many Chamber events. Their attorneys regularly offer seminars to the Chamber membership, benefiting many small businesses. Their expertise, time and investment in the community and its organizations are greatly appreciated.
Small Business of the Year – Under 25 Employees: Leo’s Pizza
Leo’s Pizza is a well-known, family-owned Italian restaurant located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. Popular among both locals and visitors, the restaurant has built a strong reputation for its welcoming atmosphere, quality food and deep ties to the community.
After immigrating to the United States from Sicily, Leo Vitale established Leo’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant in 1978. The restaurant specializes in a variety of classic Italian dishes, with a strong emphasis on pizza. The menu features thin-crust and Chicago-style pizzas made with fresh, generous ingredients, alongside favorites such as lasagna, baked mostaccioli, and house-made desserts like tiramisu and cannoli.
Beyond its food, Leo’s Pizza is known for its cozy, family-friendly setting, complete with an Italian-inspired ambiance that makes it a comfortable place for casual dining. The expanded original footprint features an outdoor garden and meeting space. The restaurant offers dine-in, carryout and delivery services.
Leo’s Pizza prides itself on hard work, quality food and wonderful customer service. The family-owned operation is currently run by the second generation of Vitales and has inspired entrepreneurship in its third generation who have opened and now operate Leo’s Pizza on Wheels, the Lazy Laker Food Truck as well as the production and sale of the Nonna Santina food line including marinara sauce, marinade and bread crumbs.
A key piece of Leo’s Pizza’s identity is its involvement in the local community. They belong to the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce and Jacksonville Main Street. They participate in many special events and celebrations and give donations of food items for many fundraisers and auctions.
The restaurant also regularly hosts fundraising events and “give-back” nights, donating a portion of its sales to many local organizations. They also show support to others in times of need by delivering food and kind words without any fanfare when it is needed the most.
These efforts as well as the employment of numerous residents and students throughout the years have established Leo’s Pizza not just as a place to eat, but as an active supporter of local causes and the community.
With a reputation as one of the favorite dining spots in Jacksonville, Leo’s Pizza remains a staple of the local restaurant scene—valued for its hearty Italian cuisine, friendly service, hard work and commitment to the community.
Not-For-Profit Business of the Year: Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation
The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation began in 1986 when a group of local business leaders saw the need to establish an organization to support the public schools in Jacksonville, and for the past 40 years its entire purpose has been to support the academic programs, educators and students of District #117. Their mission statement highlights the three standards of building, supporting and serving.
BUILDING — The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation builds futures and connections. They raise funds to provide resources that will help to build a bright future for the students of District #117 and they build connections with the Jacksonville community and with alumni that will enable them to better serve the students, teachers and schools of District #117.
SUPPORTING — The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation supports the programs and initiatives of District #117. Their programming efforts help to enhance the curricular and extracurricular programs of the district.
SERVING — The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation serves the community of educators and students of District #117, including:
Awarding Scholarships,
Meeting Student Needs,
Providing Teacher Grants,
Supporting JHS Vocational Programs,
Writing Grants,
Recognizing District Teachers,
Supplying and Renovating Used Instruments,
Managing Funds for the Lincoln and Washington Dance Squads, and
Building Alumni Connections.
The JPSF sponsors the Jacksonville High School Alumni Association, produces biannual newsletters and helps class reunion committees to plan their events.
The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, governed by a 15-member board, has contributed over $3,000,000 to District #117 to help build a solid educational foundation and to help get students to the classroom in the best condition for learning.
One of the nominator’s writes, “Leslie [DeFrates] and April [Doerr] are the unsung heroes behind the work of the foundation. Their dedication, compassion and tireless efforts have made a lasting difference in the lives of so many.”
