Award Celebrations
Women’s History Month 2026
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office honors outstanding leaders whose work strengthens communities and helps make Illinois a better place. We hosted a celebration to commemorate Women’s History Month and pay tribute to the enduring impact of women in shaping history and benefiting society.
Watch the ceremony on YouTube
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
Jesse White 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. We hosted a Black History Month celebration to recognize outstanding Illinois leaders and their impact in service, business, education, and community advancement.
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
Watch the Chicago ceremony on YouTube
Christy George
President & CEO
Illinois Economic Development Corporation
Outstanding Service in Business
Tonika Lewis Johnson
Artist, Photographer, & Cofounder
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