Illinois #1 in the Nation for Most “Cities of Service” and #1 Among the Nation’s 10 Largest States for Volunteer Rate
Governor Pat Quinn today saluted the efforts of more than 600 mayors across the country for the first-ever Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service. This action is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to strengthen communities across Illinois. This commemorative day is a nationwide bipartisan effort to highlight the impact of national service in tackling municipal problems.
“Service to others is the rent we pay on God’s earth,” Governor Quinn said. “AmeriCorps members, Senior Corps participants and all other national service volunteers have a positive and lasting impact, making Illinois a better place to live. Illinois is grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of these individuals who represent Americans at their best.”
Thanks to the Governor’s Serve Illinois Commission and its many partners across the state, Illinois continues to be a leader in service. According to the latest Volunteering and Civic Life in America (VCLA) report, Illinois has the highest volunteer rate—27.2% of residents—among the nation’s 10 largest states.
“Illinoisans possess a deep-seated ethic of service,” Brandon Bodor, executive director of the Serve Illinois Commission said. “Across ages, abilities, backgrounds and interests, volunteerism makes us more resilient as individuals, as communities and as a state. The benefits of service are more than just social – last year’s Illinois volunteerism was valued at over $8 billion.”
The outreach efforts of the 40 governor-appointed Serve Illinois Commissioners have also propelled Illinois to #1 in the nation’s Cities of Service rankings. Cities of Service, a co-sponsor of the April 9 Mayors Day of Recognition, is a national coalition of mayors committed to using volunteerism as a viable tool to achieve measurable impact on pressing local issues. Illinois leads the nation with 25 such cities.
The Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service is a way to recognize the positive impact of national service in cities, to thank those who serve and to encourage citizens to give back to their communities. The day is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the National League of Cities and Cities of Service.
Across the country, mayors are participating in a variety of activities including visiting national service programs, hosting roundtables at their respective city halls, issuing proclamations and communicating about national service through social media. By shining the spotlight on the impact of service and thanking those who serve, mayors hope to inspire more residents to get involved in their communities.
Current list of Illinois Participants in Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service:
Rahm Emanuel – Chicago
Vivian E. Covington – University Park
Frederic Brereton – Belvidere
Keith Snyder – Lincoln
Lawrence Morrissey – Rockford
David Kaptain – Elgin
Bill McLeod – Hoffman Estates
Rick Reinbold – Richton Park
Bill Wilkey – Dwight
Scott Punke – Eureka
John Mohr – Lexington
Bob Russell – Pontiac
Arlene J. Mulder – Arlington Heights
Terry Weppler – Libertyville
Steve Stockton – Bloomington
Chris Koos – Normal
Joel Fritzler – Carbondale
George Gaulrapp – Freeport
Nina Epstein – Kankakee
Donald Corrie – Chenoa
Ron Mool – El Paso
Bob Webster – Lacon
John Heinz – Metamora
Bob Huschen – Roanoke
For more information on the Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, including background and a list of participating mayors, please visit nationalservice.gov/mayorsforservice.
For more information on the Serve Illinois Commission, please visit serve.illinois.gov.
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