Heritage Month Celebrations
LGBTQ+ History Month 2026
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to honor LGBTQ+ History Month and highlight the accomplishments of leaders in Illinois’ LGBTQ+ community.
Carol Himmel
Co-Owner/Executive Chef, Himmel’s | Owner, Erich’s Lehigh Auto Body Inc.
Outstanding Service in Business
Megan Carney
Artistic Director
About Face Theatre
Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Humanities
Honorable Bennett Lawson
Alderman, 44th Ward
City of Chicago
Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official
Marcia Hill
Athlete, Coach, Manager, League Commander, Sports Official, and Board Member
Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association
Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship
Robert Castillo
LGBTQ+ Activist and Community Organizer
Outstanding Commitment to Community Service
John Peller
President and CEO
AIDS Foundation Chicago
Leadership Award
Lauren Sugerman
National Policy Director (retired)
Chicago Women in Trades
Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor
Jin-Soo Huh
Senior Director, Partnerships & Innovation
Education Leaders of Color
Outstanding Commitment to Education
Hispanic Heritage Awards 2026
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted a celebration to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the achievements of Latino community leaders.
Christina & Larry Gonzalez
Co-Owners
Los Comales
Outstanding Service in Business
Cesáreo Moreno
Director of Visual Arts & Chief Curator
National Museum of Mexican Art
Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Humanities
Honorable Celina Villanueva
Illinois State Representative
12th District
Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official
Miguel Esparza
Spanish-language Play-by-Play Announcer
Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago Bulls
Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship
Elisa Lara
Clinical Coordinator
VNA Health Care, Elgin
Outstanding Commitment to Community Service
Gloria Castillo
Founder
CMC Enterprises LLC
Leadership Award
Angel Castillo
Organizing Director
UNITED HERE
Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor
Dr. Anna Vilchez
Principal
Steinmetz College Prep
Outstanding Commitment to Education
Asian American Pacific Islander Month 2026
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office honors outstanding leaders whose work strengthens communities and helps make Illinois a better place. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted a celebration to highlight community leaders’ achievements during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
John Yi
CEO and Co-Founder
NextMe
Outstanding Service in Business
Mei-Ann Chen
Music Director
Chicago Sinfonietta
Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Humanities
Honorable Sharon Chung
Illinois State Representative
46th District
Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official
Kylan Boswell
Athlete
University of Illinois Men’s Basketball Team
Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship
Nancy Chen
President
Chinese American Women in Action
Outstanding Commitment to Community Service
Abin Kuriakose
Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer
World Business Chicago
Leadership Award
Dannie Li
Treasurer
UNITED HERE
Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor
Lisa Deborah Oi
Principal
St. Therese Chinese Catholic School
Outstanding Commitment to Education
Women’s History Month 2026
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office honors outstanding women whose enduring impact has strengthened communities and made Illinois a better place. To commemorate Women’s History Month, recognize women who have shaped history and society.
Nadine Johnson
SVP & Specialty Banking Manager
Old National Bank
Outstanding Service in Business
Desirée Ruhstrat
Violinist, Soloist, Lincoln Trio, Adjunct Professor of Violin
Northwestern University Bienen School of Music
Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Humanities
Honorable Diane Blair-Sherlock
Illinois State Representative
46th District
Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official
Mallory Marvin
Special Olympics Bronze Medalist
Special Olympics Illinois
Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship
Julie Yurko
President & CEO
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Outstanding Commitment to Community Service
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
Chief Executive Officer
Feeding America
Leadership Award
Michelle Stiff
Director
Workforce Center of Will County
Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor
Dr. Carmen Ayala
Educational Consultant, Former Illinois State Superintendent of Education
Dr. Carmen Ayala, LLC
Outstanding Commitment to Education
Black History Month 2026
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office honors outstanding leaders whose work strengthens communities and helps make Illinois a better place. In that spirit, we hosted a Black History Month celebration to recognize Illinois leaders whose service, business, education, and community advancement help strengthen communities and make Illinois a better place.
Springfield and the Downstate Area
Watch the Springfield ceremony on YouTube
Dr. Sean Crawford
Owner
Crawford Dental Clinic
Outstanding Service in Business
Katie Otey
Publisher, Author, Poet, Literary Advocate
Katie Otey Writes
Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Humanities
Carolin Harvey
Mayor
Carbondale
Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official
Doug Collins
Head Girls Basketball Coach
Lanphier High School, Springfield
Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship
Dr. Marcus Johnson
President & CEO
Springfield Urban League
Outstanding Commitment to Community Service
Pastor Marvin Hightower
President
NAACP Peoria
Jesse White Leadership Award
James Franklin
Trustee
Teamsters Local 916
Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor
Dr. Rochelle Clark
Superintendent
Decatur Public Schools
Outstanding Commitment to Education
Chicagoland Area
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office honors outstanding leaders whose work strengthens communities and helps make Chicago a better place. In that spirit, we hosted a Black History Month celebration to recognize Illinois leaders whose service, business, education, and community advancement help strengthen communities and make Illinois a better place.
Watch the Chicago ceremony on YouTube
Christy George
President & CEO
Illinois Economic Development Corporation
Outstanding Service in Business
Tonika Lewis Johnson
Artist, Photographer, & Co-founder
Resident Association of Greater Englewood
Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Humanities
Hon. Adriane Johnson
State Senator, 30th District
Illinois
Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official
Christopher Mallette
Director of Community Relations & Outreach; Head Football Coach
Chicago Hope Academy
Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III
Senior Pastor
Trinity United Church of Christ
Outstanding Commitment to Community Service
Mark Payne
Executive Director
Public Allies
Jesse White Leadership Award
Debra Simmons-Peterson
President
Teamsters Local 743
Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor
Dr. Katonja Webb-Walker
President
Kennedy-King College, City Colleges of Chicago
Outstanding Commitment to Education