Illinois communities encouraged to apply for Governor's Home Town Awards

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley today encouraged Illinois communities large and small to submit their entries for the 29th annual Governor's Home Town Awards (GHTA) competition. The GHTA recognizes those volunteers whose hard work and dedication greatly improve their communities. The deadline to submit applications for consideration is August 2.

"Our communities are what help make Illinois a great place to live and work," said Director Ribley. "This competition rewards those volunteers whose work instills pride in our communities and help to improve our quality of life. I encourage anyone who knows of a project in their hometown that truly embodies the community spirit to enter it into the Governor's Home Town Awards."

Awards are given in six project categories, based on six community population divisions.  Applications for awards may be submitted by a variety of community representatives such as local governments, schools, community organizations, chambers of commerce, community action agencies, area agencies on aging, or local job training organizations.

A team of impartial volunteer judges will evaluate the applications on need for the project, use of resources, and impact.  Information will be gathered from two sources: the application and project presentation to be given in Springfield.  The judges will select the category winners and also nominate one project from each population division to receive the coveted Governor's Cup, a traveling silver trophy which signifies the project deemed most representative of the spirit of Illinois volunteerism.  Past Governor's Cup winners have ranged from a camp for mentally and physically challenged youth in Adams County, to a library and museum project in Newton.  The Governor's Cup winner will be determined by a panel of state, local and non-profit organization leaders.

All Governor's Home Town Awards winners will be recognized at a reception at the Governor's Mansion in early October.  Each of the award-winning communities will receive a road sign and plaque recognizing their efforts. The Governor's Cup winner will receive the traveling trophy and a unique road sign that proclaims its status as the overall winner.

For more information on the Governor's Home Town Awards, including application details, visit www.ildceo.net.