Here are the profiles of the 21 honorees in the 2020 Annual Awards for Business Excellence, presented by the Daily Herald Business Ledger and its sponsoring partners.

This year's Latino Film Festival Elgin will promote autism awareness and got endorsements from Hollywood actress Mindy Sterling and Chicago Sun-Times film critic Richard Roeper, who posted videos on social media encouraging people to check it out.

After her son Maximilian was diagnosed with autism in 2015 just before his fifth birthday, Morales became determined to help other children get the medical care they need.

"I don’t think I was quite ready or expected to hear that he was autistic," she said, "and so it hit me pretty hard."

The first Today's Inspired Latina Woman of the Year Award recognized an Elgin teacher who shared her reflections about coping with her youngest son's autism diagnosis.

The Palm Court in Arlington Heights has a new owner and new initiative - making a difference for those in need. A portion of sales from the purchase of Palm Court's tangy key lime pie will go the Autism Hero Project through April 30.

The Palm Court in Arlington Heights has a new owner and new initiative - making a difference for those in need. A portion of sales from the purchase of Palm Court's tangy key lime pie will go the Autism Hero Project through April 30.