Governor Quinn Proclaims AmeriCorps Week And Honors Program's Record of Service in Illinois

CHICAGO – May 11, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed AmeriCorps Week in Illinois to honor the national service program and its members for their remarkable commitment to communities throughout the state. AmeriCorps Week runs from May 8-15.

“AmeriCorps volunteers dedicate themselves to service and making a difference throughout Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “On behalf of the people of our state, I thank AmeriCorps members and its alumni for their service and applaud them for their hard work and commitment to strengthening neighborhoods and communities every week of the year.”

AmeriCorps is a national organization that partners with thousands of non-profits, public agencies and faith-based organizations across the country to help meet critical needs in our communities. Under the program, started by President Clinton, volunteers give one year of service and, in exchange, receive an education award that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans.

Since 1994 more than 500,000 members across the country have entered AmeriCorps and dedicated a year of service to their neighborhoods and communities. During that time span, more than 23,000 AmeriCorps members dedicated 23 million hours to communities throughout Illinois. Presently, Illinois has 31 AmeriCorps programs and more than 2,700 members.

Each AmeriCorps program is unique and their missions are determined by the local needs of communities with many efforts focusing on improving education, human service and support, environmental quality, public health or public safety.

In his proclamation, Governor Quinn proclaimed May 8- 15, 2010 as AmeriCorps Week in Illinois stating that he urged “people throughout the Land of Lincoln to thank AmeriCorps members and alumni for their year of service and to join them in serving our country by finding new ways to build and strengthen our communities together.”

For more information on service programs in Illinois please visit Serve.Illinois.gov.