Former Barrington Village President Karen Darch (center) celebrates receiving the 2025 Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award with former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar (left) and John Shaw, director of SIU Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. (Photo provided)
August 06, 2025
Former Barrington Village President Darch receives 2025 Simon-Edgar Award
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Karen Darch, the former village president of Barrington, Illinois, was selected as the recipient of the 2025 Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award for her three decades of practical, problem-solving and visionary leadership.
Darch served as the village president of Barrington, a northwest suburb of Chicago, from 2005 to 2025, following a decade of service as a village trustee.
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar and John Shaw, director of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, announced Darch’s selection today (Aug. 5) at the annual dinner of the Edgar Fellows program in Champaign.
“It’s important to recognize that energetic and positive leadership is being demonstrated every day in cities and towns in Illinois. While much attention is focused on the battles unfolding in Washington, we should appreciate that good things are happening in our communities where leaders are working with engaged citizens to solve problems and build for the future,” Edgar said.
“President Darch’s public service has been important and inspiring. She developed a vision of her community and then worked diligently over three decades to make Barrington stronger and more vibrant.”
Shaw added that Darch “fostered economic development, public safety and community spirit in Barrington. She was a strong and reliable leader for more than 30 years — in civic organizations, schools and in public service.”
During her tenure as village president, Darch:
- Contributed to the development of a comprehensive plan for Barrington.
- Helped establish Barrington’s White House as a cultural and community hub.
- Supported the redevelopment of village center, village hall and the public safety facility.
- Worked to secure home rule status for the village.
- Launched and advocated for more than 15 years for a major U.S. Route 14 underpass project.
- Served as president of the Illinois Municipal League.
- Served on the boards of directors of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Northwest Municipal Conference and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
In a recent interview, Darch’s advice for future leaders was to focus on the big picture, know what to preserve and what to change, and always act with civility, patience and purpose.
Darch and her husband, Doug, have six grown children.
The annual Simon-Edgar Statesmanship Award honors an elected state or local government official in Illinois who has demonstrated a pattern of public service marked by vision, courage, compassion, effectiveness, civility and bipartisanship. The award highlights exemplary leadership across the state, inspiring current and future public servants to uphold the best traditions of Illinois governance.
The Simon-Edgar Award was established in 2021 by Edgar, the 38th governor of Illinois, and Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.