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			 “Each year, 2.4 million Illinoisans take time out of their busy 
			lives to help their neighbors,” said Scott McFarland, Executive 
			Director of Serve Illinois. “These volunteers are helping keep 
			children safe, keeping our environment pristine, helping people find 
			jobs, and so much more. They improve and save lives each and every 
			day, and with these awards, we recognize the best of Illinois.” 
 Serve Illinois will present individual awards to one youth (18 years 
			and under), one adult (19-54 years old), and one retiree/senior (55 
			years and older) in each of Serve Illinois’ five service regions 
			across the state (Northeast, Northwest, East Central, West Central, 
			and Southern). Serve Illinois will present National Service Awards 
			to one AmeriCorps member, one Senior Corps member, and one 
			for-profit business in each of the five service regions.
 
 Nominations are due to Serve Illinois by February 17, 2017. Please 
			visit www.serve.illinois.gov for the nomination forms and more 
			information. Serve Illinois will host a ceremony to honor recipients 
			on April 25, 2017 at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.
 
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The Serve Illinois Commission is a 40 member (25 voting and 15 non-voting), 
bi-partisan board appointed by the Governor and administered by the Illinois 
Department of Public Health. Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by 
enhancing volunteerism and instilling an ethic of service throughout the state. 
The Commission is accomplishing this mission through the support of local 
community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the 
administration of Illinois' AmeriCorps program. For more information on Serve 
Illinois, or to find one of more than 2,500 volunteer opportunities in the 
state, please visit www.Serve.Illinois.gov. 
				 
			[Scott McFarland, Serve Illinois] |