Nominate Community Leaders for First Citizen Award

The window to nominate outstanding community members for Springfield’s prestigious First Citizen Award is closing soon, offering residents a chance to recognize those who have made a lasting impact through service and dedication. Nominations for the 2025 honor must be submitted by October 15, and forms are available at firstcitizenaward.org.

Created in 1963, the First Citizen Award highlights individuals whose voluntary contributions have significantly improved the Springfield area. Nominees are evaluated for their civic and charitable work outside their professional careers, with judges considering the breadth and longevity of their impact. All submissions are reviewed by the First Citizen Board and a rotating seven-member selection committee to ensure a fair and thoughtful process.

The award’s legacy is reflected in its past recipients, each of whom exemplifies selfless commitment to the community. The most recent honoree, Joan Bortolon, became the 62nd recipient in 2024 for her leadership as Board President of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. Over the past 15 years, she has personally organized more than 70 flights, giving over 60,000 central Illinois veterans and their families no-cost trips to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials honoring their service and sacrifice—an experience many veterans call one of the most meaningful days of their lives.

Other recent winners include Patricia Benanti (2023) for her tireless volunteer efforts on behalf of the St. Martin de Porres Center; Evelyn Brandt Thomas (2022) for decades of philanthropic work and her advocacy for education, particularly for women in agriculture; Richard Hart (2021), a lawyer, historian, and preservationist who helped launch the local history resource SangamonLink; and John Eck Sr. (2018) for providing crucial financial guidance to numerous nonprofit organizations.

Community members are encouraged to nominate individuals whose voluntary service continues to enrich Springfield. Detailed nomination guidelines, including instructions for providing supporting letters and information about a nominee’s accomplishments, are available on the award’s website. Submissions not selected this year will automatically be considered in the future, ensuring every deserving candidate receives full attention.