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2020 Governor's Hometown Awards
Governor's Cup Winner
workshops, and more. Leaders from across the country unite to serve as a team for a one year membership commitment, working with adult leaders through community partnerships to effectively target issues of interest, develop an action plan, and implement positive change within their community. Examples of the group’s outreach include sack lunch distribution, collecting Christmas gifts for local foster children, an international youth-led conference open to other area high school students, and more.
Governor's Cup Finalists
The project included 3,165 feet (6,330 for both sides) of stream bank and channel stabilization and restoration (including grading and installation of rock toe) and the installation of 23 instream riffles/cross vanes, as well as a riparian buffer. Restoration included tree and shrub cleaning across 5.82 acres, prairie and savannah seeding of 4.41 acres, and installation of approximately 625 wet prairie plant plugs. This project improves soil stability, in-stream and wildlife habitat, and the overall green infrastructure of this branch of Flint Creek. It highlights the benefits of collaboration between three government bodies along with volunteers in the non-profit sector. This project reflects that the passion of one can benefit us all.
Service, January 21, 2019, hundreds of volunteers of all ages reported to 20 project locations throughout Flossmoor and the surrounding area. Projects included providing meals and shelter to members of South Suburban PADs at Flossmoor Community Church; making ”tie blankets” with Fee the Warmth for families in need; writing letters to military veterans and senior citizens; a community wide food drive sponsored by Jack and Jill of America, South Suburban Chicago Chapter; and more. The Village of Flossmoor joined the Martin Luther King, Jr National Day of Service in 2015.
They have a prison ministry and have helped people get into Teen Challenge. They rely solely on volunteerism for running the center and donations, both monetary and items/goods, and are the local Toys for Tots program coordinators. They seek out ways to benefit their community through educational opportunities.
Project Winners
in the ICU for more than two months. The mother and father also became very sick, needed to be quarantined, and could not care for themselves or the grandmother who later died. Once neighbors became aware of this tragic situation, they wanted to help this family even though they may possibly be exposed to the virus themselves. This generous gesture of the part of a few individuals led to a community-wide volunteer effort to help others during the pandemic -- not only those who are ill, but seniors in town who are self-isolating and not willing or afraid to leave their homes - by making meals or picking up groceries and prescriptions.
The project received $13,486 in donations which was used to plant 52 new trees on city property, hold an Arbor Day tree planting ceremony in the new, soon to be dedicated, Stone House Memorial Park and host a tour of the Stone House site
promotes dialogue among citizens, brings family members of all ages for shared time together, and generates yearly donations for youth services in the community. During the summer of 2020, Music in the Park became a means for the residents of this area to reach out to each other, despite isolating conditions, to provide a safe and positive outlet for human connection, to invest in the future of our youth, and to reaffirm pride in our community during troubled times.
from unfiltered storm water runoff running directly into the lake, and the subsequent consequences of pollutants and nutrients entering the lake. 2. Reduce volume of storm water entering the aging infrastructure of the drainage systems of the village but detaining and infiltrating storm water through the construction of raingardens and bioswales. 3. Increase community awareness of the positive impact of raingardens and bioswales in the community, through education and demonstration, with the goal of encouraging the construction of smaller projects within private households.
free library book box, and large benches. The installation is designed to be used by people of all ages, and is accessible to those who may have disabilities. It offers the community a place for mental play and musical fitness and enhances the quality of life of the community, especially families with special needs. This project gives our children and families the opportunity to play together to create beautiful music. The project was initiated in 2016 and fully completed in 2019.
and general landscaping improvements. Throughout this time, between November 2019 and December 2020, this project contributed to an increased occupancy rate at the Town Center Complex, from 10% to the current rate of 100%.
support. Today, more than 48 volunteers have planted 45 local pollinator sites, are planning an extensive Sculpture Garden and plantings at the Carlinville Amtrak station and continue to take on new opportunities to beautify the city. These efforts were formally recognized on Sept. 23, 2019, when the City Council unanimously approved the Bee City Carlinville resolution, paving the way for the city to become the first Bee City, USA, in the state of Illinois.
This significant environmental endeavor could not have been completed and cannot continue to be maintained and enhanced without extensive efforts from the following diverse volunteer groups: Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Corps, Ancient Oaks Foundation, Aqua Illinois, Rotary Club of Long Grove/Kildeer/Hawthorn Woods, Boy Scout Troop #92 along with six Eagle Scout candidates, Girl Scout Troop #1409, Fox Tribe Indian Princesses, Hawthorn Woods in Bloom, and the Hawthorn Woods Sustainability Committee.
the end of 2020 when the holiday traditions many look forward to every year had to be canceled or drastically changed. While it would require a lot of adjustments, the city of La Salle was driven to continue to offer the event and provide a safe and enjoyable event that appealed to people of all ages and backgrounds.
end of 2020 when the holiday traditions many look forward to every year had to be canceled or drastically changed. While it would require a lot of adjustments, the city of La Salle was driven to continue to offer the event and provide a safe and enjoyable event that appealed to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Over 12,000 people attended the events. The Wall contains the names of 58,272 soldiers killed in the Vietnam War. Veterans and families openly wept as they found the name of a loved one or friend who didn't make it home, and walked through our Healing Field display of 1,587 American flags with the names of the POW/MIA still missing from the Vietnam War. It is a rare moment in our lives when we get to correct a mistake. We may have failed to honor our Vietnam Veterans when they returned home, but "The Wall That Heals" ensures we won't repeat that mistake.
established 5 public-access Victory Gardens to make seasonal vegetables, herbs, and flowers available to all residents in beautiful, open space. In all, more than 330 local individuals volunteered and collectively served more than 2,510 hours to make Macomb a more resilient and hopeful community!
County. In an ever-expanding metropolitan area protecting open-spaces for wildlife, education, and conservation is only increasing in importance. This multi-pronged conservation effort has over 28 different species of trees with the oldest tree being over 275 years old! In partnership with the AOF and community volunteers, the Village has endeavored to rehabilitate an abandoned walking trail, remove invasive species, install pollinator vegetation, picnic tables, benches, and more. Throughout 2020, volunteers dedicated approximately 300 hours to the project.
off, holiday lights and holiday tree recycling, document shredding, pumpkin smashing, etc. Changing attitudes is not a simple undertaking. It requires introspection, understanding, and passion from people that want to implement these changes. It is important to see the potential, recognize the needs and figure out ways of educating and including regular, tax-paying citizens without jarring and sudden changes that can feel drastic, to their lives. Earth's resources are finite but collectively we can recycle them into infinite possibilities for the residents of Bensenville.
to broaden their services to include food boxes, drive through flu clinics, information on local resources and programs, washable masks, hand sanitizers and transform services that were once only offered in person in a safe manner whether curbside, over the phone or at the local drive-in. Working with volunteers, businesses, and organizations they have made a huge impact in our community.
activities for children. Located where Moline's downtown meets Moline's Floreciente neighborhood, Mercado on Fifth's 300 volunteers welcomed an average of 1,000 people per night throughout the summer of 2019. Patrons enjoyed food and drinks from local vendors, multicultural entertainment, community networking, educational programming, and enrichment activities for children. Mercado on Fifth is also a resource and catalyst for aspiring entrepreneurs. Since 2016, Mercado on Fifth has inspired and supported over 25 new minority-owned businesses. In 2020, Mercado on Fifth met the challenges of the pandemic with a series of small business "cash mobs" (observing all IDPH mitigation guidelines) that brought attention to small minority-owned restaurants and shops. In addition, Mercado on Fifth facilitated a grant program for minority owned businesses in the City of Moline.
Rockford’s Guilford High School build a house from the ground up as part of their academic year curriculum. During the 2019-2020 academic year, 32 16- to 18-year old students constructed a multi-level, four-bedroom home, mastering the skills needed for post-secondary trades careers. Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity sold the home to a local family in need of safe housing and affordable homeownership opportunity.
cities, 3 bridges, 2 States, and 1 Island. It is a popular qualifier for the Boston Marathon. A dedicated race committee, over 1500 volunteers, and countless hours of planning with local authorities and law enforcement ensure that the course will provide athletes with a superlative experience. The spectacular views they experience epitomize the charm of Illinois -- almost as much as the volunteers who make the event truly special.
elevator at the VFW, which would allow elderly and disabled veterans to access the VFW Hall and its services. Prior to this project, the VFW had no ground floor entry and the only point of entrance into the VFW Hall was by staircase. To support the project, the Elk Grove community raised $178,953 through raffle ticket sales, along with many generous donations from the Elk Grove business community. The installation of the elevator in December of 2019 was the culmination of the efforts of an entire community to support our veterans by making the VFW Hall, our Veteran’s home away from home, truly accessible for all.