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"Illinois is filled with dedicated people who are committed to
strengthening their communities and undertaking projects and
initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of others," the
governor said in a statement. "The Home Town awards are an
opportunity for us to say thank you to the hardworking people across
our state that contribute to improving the quality of life in their
communities in very meaningful ways. As we strive to make Illinois a
better place to live and work, it is efforts such as these that will
keep our state moving forward."
Forty-six projects were honored this year. Volunteer judges
reviewed and ranked applications according to local need, volunteer
participation, project continuity and results. After an initial
review that narrowed the applications to a maximum of 12 in each
population category, the judges visited those communities and then
selected one project from each population category to compete for
the coveted Governor's Cup -- a traveling silver trophy presented to
the community whose efforts were deemed most representative of the
spirit of Illinois volunteerism.
While each community was grouped into a corresponding population
category, each Home Town Award winner also was assigned a broad
project category. Project categories include Parks & Recreation,
Veterans Involvement, Youth Involvement, Senior Citizen Involvement
and Clean Up/Beautification, among others. The Illinois Department
of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers the
Governor's Home Town Awards Program.
"By taking leadership roles in their communities and getting
involved in the projects that matter most to their families,
neighbors and friends, these volunteers are building stronger, more
vibrant communities that are in a better position to attract
investment, support growth, create new jobs and encourage
innovation," said Lavin. "This awards ceremony is a chance for
Governor Blagojevich to recognize the extraordinary work they've
done and to simply say thanks."
The 2006 Governor's Cup winner is Champaign County's Center for
Women in Transition. The center recently added a third home, which
will allow them to serve more families and expand the educational
components of their program. The center provides a valuable and
much-needed service to women and their children in the community who
are without homes and the necessary support to get ahead in life.
Successful program participants are able to work through the
program, learn valuable life skills and obtain full-time employment
and permanent housing. Roughly 70 percent of the center's residents
successfully complete the program. With the dedication of committed
volunteers, women and their children are getting the help they need
to succeed.
"I especially want to congratulate the Center for Women in
Transition in Champaign County," Blagojevich added. "Through its
hard work and generosity of spirit, the center provides shelter and
support for women and children that help them put their lives back
on track. Its efforts are a testament to the people who strive to
make a difference in the lives of others every day and inspire us
all."
Each of the award-winning communities receives a road sign and
plaque recognizing its efforts, and the Governor's Cup winner
receives a unique road sign that proclaims its status as the overall
winner.
2006 Governor's Home Town Award winners
Category I
Communities with populations up to 2,000
(Project category: unit of local government, community
organization)
First place -- Governor's Cup finalist
Clean Up/Beautification: Village of Elwood, children's garden
project, ABC Garden
First place
General: Village of Equality, Equality Salt Days
Second place
General: Village of Brownstown, Brownstown High School Booster Club
concession stand
First place
Parks & Recreation: Village of Scales Mound, Scales Mound Recreation
Association
Second place
Parks & Recreation: City of Mount Carroll, Friends of the Waukarusa
Category II
Communities with populations between 2,001 and 5,000
First place
Clean Up/Beautification: Village of Gilberts, Earth Day cleanup
First place
General: City of Aledo, Aledo Sesquicentennial
Second place
General: City of Marshall, Marshall Public Library
First place
Parks & Recreation: City of Aledo, Aledo Central Park band shell
First place -- Governor's Cup finalist
Youth Involvement: City of Nokomis, Nokomis Park renovation
Category III
Communities with populations between 5,001 and 10,000
First place
Clean Up/Beautification: City of Waterloo, Downtown Waterloo
Beautification Project
First place -- Governor's Cup finalist
General: Stark County, Stark County Rural Mental Health Initiative
Second place
General: Village of Stone Park, Stone Park Public Safety Department
First place
Parks & Recreation: City of Waterloo, Monroe County Veterans
Memorial
Second place
Parks & Recreation: City of Spring Valley, Spring Valley Walleye
Club's Joint Restocking Program
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 First place
Senior Citizen Involvement: City of Mascoutah, Mascoutah Historical
Society
First place
Veterans Involvement: City of Princeton, Flags of Freedom
Second place
Veterans Involvement: City of Flora, World War II Memorial
First place
Youth Involvement: Edwards County, West Salem Grade School Warriors
Rampage
Category IV
Communities with populations between 10,001 and 17,000
First place
Clean Up/Beautification: City of Pontiac, Pontiac storm sewer
project
First place -- Governor's Cup finalist
General: Campton Township, Corron Farm historic white house
Second place
General: Village of Richton Park, Community Cable TV Committee and
Richton Park present "All About Us!"
First place
Parks & Recreation: City of Centralia, Centralia Skate Park
First place
Senior Citizen Involvement: City of Taylorville, Senior Citizens of
Christian County
First place
Veterans Involvement: City of Pontiac, Livingston County War Museum
and Education Center
Second place
Veterans Involvement: City of Country Club Hills, Vietnam Moving
Wall display, 2005
First place
Youth Involvement: City of Washington, Veterans Memorial
Second place
Youth Involvement: Village of Barrington, Barrington Chess and Yury
Shulman International Chess School
Category V
Communities with populations between 17,001 and 22,000
First place -- Governor's Cup finalist
General: Union County, Historic St. Anne's Church
Second place
General: City of Macomb, Volunteer NOW: Macomb Area Volunteer Center
First place
Parks & Recreation: City of O'Fallon, O'Fallon Rotary Nature Center
First place
Veterans Involvement: Clark County, Veterans Memorial
Category VI
Communities with populations between 22,001 and 40,000
First place
Clean Up/Beautification: City of Round Lake Beach, Round Lake
Management Commission
First place
General: Village of Roselle, Adults Involved in Mentoring Students
program
Second place
General: City of Granite City, food program
First place
Parks & Recreation: City of East Peoria, Eagle Landing Fine Art
Festival and Sale
First place
Veterans Involvement: Village of Glendale Heights, Veterans Memorial
Park
First place -- Governor's Cup finalist
Youth Involvement: Village of Lisle, Lisle Teens with Character
First place
Youth Involvement: City of Danville, AMBUCS Challenger Baseball
Category VII
Communities with populations between 40,001 and 100,000
First place
General: Hanover Township, Astor Avenue Community Center
Second place
General: Stephenson County, Freeport-Stephenson County Visitors
Center
First place
Senior Citizen Involvement: McHenry Township, senior computer
classes
First place
Veterans Involvement: City of Des Plaines, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 2992, Support Our Troops
Category VIII
Communities with populations over 100,000
First place -- Governor's Cup winner
General: Champaign County, Center for Women in Transition
Second place
General: City of Chicago, American Red Cross of Greater Chicago Team
FireStoppers
First place
Parks & Recreation: City of Peoria, Hook a Kid on Golf program
[More
information on the winners]
[News release from the governor's
office]
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