Michelle Hanneken of IEMA honored by White House as 'Champion of Change'

Illinois Citizen Corps Council also receives national award

[September 30, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- Michelle Hanneken of Decatur was honored last week by the White House as a "Champion of Change for Community Preparedness and Resilience" for her role in helping communities prepare for disasters. Hanneken coordinates community preparedness efforts through her position as a homeland security program manager with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

Hanneken was one of 18 "Champions of Change" from across the nation who were recognized during a ceremony at the White House on Sept. 25.

The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature individuals, businesses and organizations doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.

Hanneken also oversees the Illinois Citizen Corps Council, which recently was recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency with the Outstanding State Citizen Corps Initiatives Award. The program was commended for leveraging local partners in communities to help support emergency preparedness efforts. The award is part of FEMA's 2013 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards, highlighting achievements between Jan. 1, 2012, and June 5, 2013. Nearly 200 applications from throughout the U.S. were submitted for consideration for seven awards.

Both awards were announced as part of National Preparedness Month.

"I am honored to receive these awards on behalf of the state of Illinois and all jurisdictions who have been dedicated to improving individual and community preparedness throughout the state," said Hanneken.

"Michelle has been a driving force behind our efforts to involve the whole community in disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts," said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. "We are happy to see her many years of hard work and dedication to emergency preparedness recognized at the national level."

[Text from Illinois Emergency Management Agency file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]