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(From left) Jon Whitney, Jerry Taylor, Don Craven and John Lampinen received awards for their careers of excellence in Illinois journalism during this year's IPA/IPF annual convention in Springfield. (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association)
By ERIN HENKEL For Illinois Press Association
SPRINGFIELD – Tears and laughter filled the room as the legacies of five men who have had a significant impact on Illinois journalism were recognized during a celebration dinner Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Illinois Press Association/Foundation annual convention.
Jon Whitney, Jerry Taylor and Don Craven were honored as Distinguished Service Award winners, recognition that each received in 2020 before that year’s convention and the 2021 event were forced to be held virtually due to the pandemic.
John Lampinen was named the 2022 recipient of the James C. Craven Freedom of the Press Award, and the late Mike Kramer was honored as the first person to receive the Mike Kramer Legislative Award.
They were all honored during a dinner at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel.
Jon and Nancy Whitney embrace during the Illinois Press Association's Celebration Dinner on Aug. 11 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield during the IPA/IPF convention. Jon Whitney, who owns and operates the Carroll County Review weekly newspaper in Thomson along with Nancy, was honored as a winner of an IPA Distinguished Service Award. Introducing Whitney was Illinois Press Foundaiton Board President Jerry Reppert (right). (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association.)
Whitney and his wife, Nancy, have operated the Carroll County Review weekly newspaper together for more than 55 years. So it was fitting that the first thing Jon did after receiving his award was to ask Nancy to join him on the platform.
Nancy, Jon said, has been his partner in every aspect of life.
“We’ve been married for almost 57 and a half years,” he said. “Fifty-five years and two months of that time we’ve run a newspaper. We worked side by side. …She deserves this award as much as I do. She’s the person who made it possible.”
In addition to being a newspaper owner and publisher, Whitney served as president of the Illinois Press Association Board in 1985 and is a longtime member of the Illinois Press Foundation Board.
Whitney is still serving his local community, working 70 to 80 hours a week to put out a weekly paper.
“Jon is the true spirit of a newspaper publisher” said Jerry Reppert, president of the IPF Board who introduced Whitney.
Whitney appreciates the camaraderie he has found while attending the Illinois Press Association conventions.
“You can’t walk next door in a small town and talk shop. We can come down here and talk shop. So, thank you. My deepest appreciation for this award,” Whitney said.
Dinner attendees also took the opportunity to sing “Happy Birthday” to Whitney, whose birthday was Aug. 12, the following day.
Jerry Taylor (center), surrounded by friends and family members, receives a Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Press Association on Aug. 11 in Springfield. Taylor was editor and publisher of The Dispatch in Moline and The Rock Island Argus for many years. He also served on the IPA Board from 1997 to 2005 and as its president in 2004. Taylor was introduced by Roger Ruthhart (left), former editor ofThe Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus. (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association)
Jerry Taylor has contributed a lifetime of service to the Illinois Press Association and local journalism in the Quad Cities. Taylor served on the Illinois Press Association Board from 1997 to 2005 and as president in 2004.
“In my 24 years as executive director, I can easily say Jerry was the most outstanding board member and board president I knew” former IPA President Dave Bennett said in a comment that was read to the audience by Roger Ruthhart in his introduction of Taylor.
During Taylor’s time as editor and publisher of The Dispatch in Moline, and The Rock Island Argus, he advocated for statewide changes, including advocating for verbatim records of closed meetings and access for cameras in courtrooms.
“Jerry wasn’t afraid to use the power of his own newspaper to help make statewide changes” said Ruthhart, former editor of The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus.
Taylor also focused his career on the importance of journalism that served local needs.
“Under Jerry we never had a feeling that a story was too big for us,” Ruthhart said. “I can’t remember that he ever spiked a story. When we got into a dicey one, he’d just say call [IPA attorney Don] Craven.”
Taylor’s devotion to serving others was evident in how former colleagues described him:
“Jerry is fiercely intelligent, focused, and driven and yet he is open to new ideas and other people’s opinions,” said Mike Romkey, who managed the newspapers’ editing hub, in quotes read by Ruthhart.
“Jerry is a fierce partisan for the Illinois Quad Cities, the newspapers he ran, and his staff, yet he is aways gracious and fair. Jerry is a demanding boss with high standards, yet he is willing to forgive the indiscretions of youth and inexperience. I think it was Jerry’s formation as a Catholic and Christian man that added to his God-given intelligence and talents that made him easily the best boss with whom I ever worked. Managing skills and business expertise are all balanced on values and Jerry’s values are rock solid.”
Taylor was joined in attendance by a number of family members who filled two tables in the room.
(From left) Don Craven, his wife, Denise, and his mother-in-law, Judith Sholtis, listen as Jim Slonoff, co-owner and publisher of The Hinsdalean newspaper in Hinsdale, introduces Don as a recipient of an Illinois Press Association Distinguished Service Award. Craven, a longtime legal counsel for IPA member newspapers and current IPA president and CEO, was honored during a celebration dinner at the IPA/IPF convention Aug. 11 in Springfield. (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association)
Craven was honored for the many years of legal service and leadership he’s provided to the Illinois Press Association and its member newspapers across the state.
“It would be nearly impossible to find a newspaper that hadn’t received the counsel of Don Craven,” said Jim Slonoff, co-owner and publisher of The Hinsdalean newspaper in Hinsdale. “He has helped guide reporters, editors and publishers. From the intricacies of libel law to navigating the Open Meetings Act. From working with politicians to building trust with local officials. From testifying before committees of the Illinois General Assembly to representing newspapers in courtrooms across the state. He trained to be a lawyer but he seems to have the heart and soul of a newspaper man.”
Craven became president and CEO of the IPA last year after having served as interim president during two different periods in the previous two decades. Craven got his law degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1981, and soon set up shop in Springfield with his father, Jim. Today, Craven and his son, Joe, are partners in the Craven & Craven Law Office in Springfield.
For decades, Craven has been provided legal counsel to the hundreds of newspapers that are IPA members.
“Teddy Roosevelt once said ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick.’ Craven has been that big stick at the side of Illinois newspapers in his almost four decades of service,” Slonoff said. “For the folks that would go on the record, the message was crystal clear: Don Craven has been and will always be a source of wisdom, guidance and friendship. He is the lighthouse that always brightens the path during the darkest hours of the storm.”
Craven, much like his own father did, encourages his sons to help create positive change in their communities.
Craven would ask his sons “What’s tomorrow’s headline going to be?”
Slonoff told the audience that Craven’s sons, Joe and David, explained that this was to get across a few different messages but mainly one challenge: Going about your average day isn’t going to get you on the front page. To be the headline you either have to do something incredibly stupid or do something incredibly special. It was a simple phrase — don’t do anything stupid today, but more importantly go do something meaningful. Make a change in your community [and] have an impact on something you care about.”
John Lampinen (left) and Dennis Anderson of Shaw Media share a laugh during the Illinois Press Association Celebration Dinner on Aug. 11 in Springfield. Lampinen, who served as editor of the Daily Herald for 48 years before retiring at the end of 2021, received the James C. Craven Freedom of the Press Award during the dinner. (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association)
The James C. Craven Freedom of the Press Award was created to honor a lifelong commitment to a free and open press.
“[The] cornerstone of democracy is an educated electorate. If you don’t have an educated electorate they don’t know how to make decisions and you need a free and open press to serve that purpose,” Don Craven said.
The 2022 Craven Freedom of the Press Award was presented to John Lampinen, who served as editor of the Daily Herald for 48 years before retiring at the end of 2021.
“Those of us who became editors …never would have felt the absolute joy in watching a protégé grow unless we had [become editors],” Lampinen said. “It’s the most wonderous thing. People work hard and they seem stuck, and they work hard and they seem stuck, and they work hard and one day the blossom. Suddenly it just happens. Their promise emerges like a flower that has opened overnight. It brings tears to your eyes sometimes to see it,” Lampinen said.
While serving as editor of the Daily Hereld, Lampinen dedicated his time to promoting ethical and responsible journalism. Lampinen started a campaign called Facts Matter. Although he is retired now, Lampinen is still dedicated to promoting factual information.
“Facts matter,” he said. “They are the most important element in a democratic republic. In order for the people to make good decisions in how we are to be governed they must be informed decisions, so the campaign has to continue. There is no alternative but for it to continue.
“We are all swimming in a sea of misinformation. Some of this misinformation is simply a failure of wrecking social media and improperly vetted information. Some of it is simply a failure to recognize bias and vested interests. Much of it is cynical, purposeful misinformation. Particularly given the country’s deep polarization, many of us tend to be too eager to accept anything that agrees with our point of view. We accept propaganda. We accept lies. We accept manipulation. As citizens we have obligations to be much more educated. We are obliged to develop healthy skepticism that trains us how and when to challenge even those assertions that we wish to be true.”
Lampinen said that in retirement he is spending time with family, and after 48 years in a newsroom he enjoys not feeling like he is in a hurry.
“I just want to thank the Association and Don. This is such a thoughtful award and such a surprising one and I am deeply touched by it,” Lampinen said. “It is a reflection not of my career but of the Daily Hereld and all of the people I’ve worked with over the years, dedicated journalists and dedicated newspaper people. I am particularly touched that it is named for Judge Craven, the Craven family, and certainly Don, one of the people I’ve looked up to for so many years. [He’s]so dedicated to the First Amendment and public access. [He] does such important work and I am so grateful for this. Thank you so much.”
Ann Kramer (center) receives the Mike Kramer Legislative Award which was given to her husband, the late Mike Kramer, from Peter Mierzwa (left), president of Law Bulletin Media, and Don Craven, president and CEO of the Illinois Press Association. (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association)
The first Mike Kramer Legislative Award was presented during the celebration dinner. The award was created in 2021 to honor Mike Kramer, former president of Law Bulletin Media. Kramer passed away in December 2020 after spending a lifetime promoting an open and transparent government.
So it was fitting that the first award honors Kramer.
“The Chicago Daily Law bulletin has been around since 1854, 168 years, and throughout all that time we have been advocating tirelessly as well for legislation and positions that support newspapers. I can’t think of anyone who has devoted more of their time, more of their talent than Mike Kramer to that cause” said Peter Mierzwa, current president of Law Bulletin Media
Kramer was charismatic and passionate about public policy that benefited newspapers and a free press. Kramer took a personal approach to promoting legislative interests.
“He loved associating with the legislators. …One of the other things he enjoyed doing as (Law Bulletin Media Co-Chairman and CEO) Sandy (Macfarland) liked to highlight was ‘working the rail’ at the state Capitol, coming in to meet all the new legislators,” Mierzwa said. “It was important that people understood that he had a balanced opinion and that built that sense of trust which is the currency you need to do well in that kind of environment.”
The annual award recognizes individuals or organizations whose legislative efforts have ensured access to an open and transparent government.
Don Craven recalled how Kramer would attend events for political candidates and lawmakers, and “work the room” better than the candidate.
“He would be talking to everybody. He would be listening to everybody,” Craven said. “He would be making jokes with everybody. He was just so damned effective. And he had fun doing it.”
Kramer spent his life in the news publishing business and joined the Daily Law Bulletin in 1997, rising to publisher of Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer magazine in 2007 and as company president in 2015.
Kramer’s spouse, Ann, and his daughter, Megan, accepted the award.
“Thank you so much for this honor,” Ann said. “Mike would have been so grateful and happy to be here with you.”
(From left) Peter Mierzwa, president of Law Bulletin Media, Illinois Press Association President and CEO Don Craven and Ann Kramer share a laugh after Kramer's husband, the late Mike Kramer, was honored as the recipient of the first Mike Kramer Legislative Award during the IPA Celebration Dinner on Aug. 11 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield. (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association)
Jerry Taylor (right) and Roger Ruthhart pose for a photo after Taylor was honored as a Distinguished Service Award recipient by the Illinois Press Association on Aug. 11. Ruthhart introduced Taylor, who was an editor and publisher for many years at The Dispatch in Moline and The Rock Island Argus. (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association)
Don Craven, president and CEO of the Illinois Press Association, congratulates Lucy Lampinen after her husband, John Lampinen, was honored as the 2022 recipient of the James C. Craven Freedom of the Press Award during the IPA Celebration Dinner at the annual convention Aug. 11. (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association)
Denise Craven and Jim Slonoff share a hug during the Celebration Dinner Aug. 11. Denise's husband, Don, received a Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Press Association during its convention at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield. Slonoff, the co-owner and publisher of The Hinsdalean newspaper in Hinsdale, introduced Craven. (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association)
Jason Hegna, vice president of sales for Shaw Media, enjoys a drink and laughs with other convention-goers during the Celebration Dinner Aug. 11. (Photo by Erin Henkel for Illinois Press Association)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 22, 2024 Contact Information: Claire Tatman Jasculca Strategic Communications claire_tatman@jtpr.com 616-216-9983 www.illinoisvision2030.org
Vision 2030 plan details education leaders' priorities for future learning, shared accountability and predictable funding for K-12 schools
CHICAGO – Education leaders from five statewide organizations in Illinois announced Vision 2030, a blueprint for public education in Illinois, developed with input from the statewide membership of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), Illinois Principals Association (IPA), Illinois Association of School Business Officials (Illinois ASBO) and Illinois Association of Regional School Superintendents (IARSS). Vision 2030 seeks to engage parents, educators, policy leaders, elected officials, and the general public around a platform that emphasizes student and school safety, attracts and retains high-quality educators, enhances postsecondary success and more effectively measures what is working well in schools in a timely, usable manner. The Vision 2030 Policy Framework is organized into three pillars: Future-Focused Learning, Shared Accountability, and Predictable Funding.
In the public release of the plan at the organization’s Joint Annual Conference held in Chicago on November 22-24, the leaders of the five organizations stated, “We have to acknowledge that students learn best, and educators teach most effectively, when they feel safe and connected to one another and to their communities. This is the single most important thing we can do to support both academic achievement and individual well-being — and it is something that has to be considered in our instructional approach, curriculum, student support services, facilities and finances to ensure that local districts have the resources needed to ensure their school buildings are safe.”
Vision 2030 outlines specific policy, legislative and fiscal goals to fulfill the promise of public education in Illinois, including:
Future-Focused Learning
“Future-focused learning is about reshaping our schools and classrooms and redefining student success to reflect and prepare students for all the different ways that the world and economy continue to change,” said Brent Clark, executive director, IASA. This includes:
Shared Accountability
“Just like children’s physical growth, academic progress does not always happen in a linear manner – both growth and proficiency should be measured over time within and across grade levels,” said Jason E. Leahy, executive director, IPA. Vision 2030 advocates for:
Predictable Funding
“School districts need the flexibility to determine how to allocate public monies to best meet the needs of their students and communities,” said Kristopher Monn, executive director, IASBO. Achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2030 requires long-term sustainable funding with additional investment to support updated instructional resources and technology, keep pace with economic pressures on salaries and equipment, and maintain aging infrastructure. For example,
“Vision 2030 seeks to put systems and processes in place that support all school districts throughout the state in sharing what works for our kids and our communities, while also preserving local flexibility and leadership so that the best decisions are made closest to home,” said Kimberly A. Small, executive director, IASB. “This plan will require conversation, collaboration and action between the education community, our locally elected school boards, the State Legislature, the Governor and the Illinois State Board of Education,” said Gary Tippsord, executive director, IARSS. “The skills and career demands of the future are changing, which is why we must prioritize future-focused learning and meet this moment with smart strategies around funding and accountability.” This is the second time that these groups have collaborated on such a plan. The first initiative, Vision 2020, resulted in numerous achievements that sparked legislative action on school funding through the passage of the Evidence-Based Funding Formula in 2017, as well as important enhancements to teacher recruitment policies, college and career readiness initiatives, and the state’s accountability model.
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About Vision 2030
Vision 2030 was developed through a statewide engagement effort that included input from more than 1,000 stakeholders statewide, as well as discussions with local educators who work tirelessly inside and outside of school buildings to improve the outcomes for children from all backgrounds across Illinois. To access the full Vision 2030 plan and a list of alliance members, click here.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 21, 2024 Contact Information: Jann Ingmire janningmire@isms.org 312-520-9802
Holidays are a good time to talk about final wishes?
Yes! Strange as it sounds, your physician recommends it!
As you gather together with family and close friends this holiday season, you might want to introduce an unusual topic – advance directives. While most adults believe it’s important to have advance care planning conversations, very few have done so. An advance directive is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment in case you become unable to communicate or make decisions for yourself. Having one is important because it provides clear direction to your physician and your family about what kind of medical care you want or don’t want, even if you are unconscious or incapacitated. The Illinois State Medical Society offers A Personal Decision as a free resource for the public to educate patients and their families about advance directives and help patients make their wishes known. This booklet provides Illinois patients with practical information about determining future medical care. The advance directives booklet includes:
Anyone can download this ISMS resource for free. Having an advance directive in place also helps alleviate the burden on loved ones when making decisions about your health care in a crisis situation. These documents will provide the guidance needed about your wishes for whether you want medical treatment in particular circumstances. Download A Personal Decision and have that conversation with your loved ones this holiday season!
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Founded in 1840, ISMS is a professional membership association representing Illinois physicians in all medical specialties, and their patients, statewide.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 2, 2024 Contact Information: Illinois Region 3: Mutual Aid Team Dr. Patrick M. Twomey 309-229-9093 c4ol.twomey@gmail.com
United States Rural School Safety Project: Conducting a first of its kind, full scale regional response parent-student reunification exercise
MACOMB, Illinois – The Illinois Region 3: Mutual Aid Team will conduct a full-scale regional response reunification exercise at Western Illinois University on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. The exercise will commence at 11:30 a.m. Parents, media outlets, and exercise participants will be stationed in Q lot directly east of Western Hall located on University Drive. There will be electronic signage directing all media outlets to a predetermined staging area. Separate signage will direct parents to their appropriate parking location, while dignitaries and invited observers will go directly to the Emergency Operations Center located at the east end of Q lot just in front of Tanner Hall. The goal is to reunite approximately 430 students with their parents or guardians between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. In addition, there are a significant number of state, county, and local personnel and organizations practicing and participating in this exercise. Organizations include local, county, and state law enforcement, hospitals, fire departments, emergency services, disaster agencies, State Police K-9 Unit, Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross, as well as others. The United States Rural School Safety Project was created to assist rural schools in tabletop exercise trainings and the formation of regional mutual aid teams. The tabletop exercises are designed to improve each individual school district’s crisis responses, while additional trainings create a prepared regional response to any district experiencing a catastrophic event. The Illinois Region 3 Team has been training together for more than two years. A calm and organized reunification process after a critical school incident is paramount and marks the beginning of the recovery phase. Parents, students, staff members, and the community at large must be assured that a well-designed plan in conjunction with a highly trained team is ready and prepared to respond at all times.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2024 Contact Information: Sherry Sejnost, program chair irc@illinoisreadingcouncil.org
ILLINOIS READS! A Reading State of Mind www.illinoisreads.org and www.illinoisreadingcouncil.org www.facebook.com/IllinoisReads www.twitter.com/IllinoisReads #IllinoisReads #IRCReads Illinois Reading Council's 2025 Illinois Reads book list will be featured at the IRC Conference on March 13-14, 2025, and the Illinois Reads Book Festival on April 26, 2025
The Illinois Reading Council (IRC) has just released the list of Illinois Reads books for 2025. Illinois Reads is a statewide program that promotes reading for all Illinois citizens. The program promotes six books in six different age bands by authors and illustrators who have ties to Illinois. The books range from read-to books for infants to books for adult readers. Bookmarks and posters highlighting the Illinois Reads books will be available in early 2025. Order early as supplies are limited! The Illinois Reads Program will be featured at the annual IRC Conference in Springfield on March 13-14, 2025. Conference registration is now open for educators, librarians, and others interested in promoting literacy. The 2025 Illinois Reads Program will also be featured at the Illinois Reads Book Festival in Jacksonville on April 26, 2025. Readers throughout Illinois are invited to this free family event. Visit our websites to find out about other upcoming Illinois Reads events.
The Illinois Reads book selections for 2025 are: Birth-4 Can You Dance Like a Peacock? by Rekha S. Rajan Hide-and-Seek by Molly Cranch Moms Can Do It All! by Ted Maass Sleepy: Surprising Ways Animals Snooze by Jennifer Ward Painting the Sky with Love: A Celebration of Love and Community by Mary E. Haque Play Outside with Me by Kat Chen K-2 Bats Beneath the Bridge by Janet Nolan Love Grows by Ruth Spiro Somebody Needs to Do Something About That Monster! by Doug Cenko The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything by Nadia Ahmed The Heartbeat Drum: The Story of Carol Powder, Cree Drummer and Activist by Deidre Havrelock and illustrated by Aphelandra Umami by Jacob Grant 3-5 Cloud Puppy by Kelly Leigh Miller Detective Sweet Pea: The Case of the Golden Bone by Sara Varon It Belongs to the World: Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin by Lisa Katzenberger Legendarios: Wrath of the Rain God by Karla Arenas Valenti One Cool Duck #1: King of Cool by Mike Petrik The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure by Barb Rosenstock 6-8 Forget-Me-Not Blue by Sharelle Byars Moranville I Felt Myself Slipping by Ray Nadine Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi Rare Birds by Jeff Miller Stage Fright by Wendy Parris The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt 9-12 American Wings: Chicago’s Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky by Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao Last On His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century by Youssef Daoudi and Adrian Matejka This Book Won’t Burn by Samira Ahmed This Night Is Ours by Ronni Davis We Shall Be Monsters: A Novel by Alyssa Wees Adult By Water Beneath the Walls: The Rise of the Navy SEALs by Benjamin H. Milligan Star Wars Dad Jokes: The Best Worst Jokes and Puns from a Galaxy Far, Far Away . . . . by Kelly Knox and illustrated by Johnny Sampson The Best Lies by David Ellis The Great Divide: A Novel by Cristina Henriquez The Wheel of the Year: An Illustrated Guide to Nature’s Rhythms by Fiona Cook Woe: A Housecat’s Story of Despair: (A Graphic Novel) by Lucy Knisley
A special title for 2025 will also be A Love Letter to My Library by Lisa Katzenberger. Illinois Reads is a statewide literacy program provided by the Illinois Reading Council, a nonprofit organization with nearly 2,000 members across Illinois. The mission of the Illinois Reading Council is to provide support and leadership to all who promote and teach lifelong literacy. Book lists from 2013 to 2025 may be found on the Illinois Reads website. For more information, visit our websites at www.IllinoisReads.org and www.IllinoisReadingCouncil.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2024 Contact Information: Alison Maley, government and public relations director Phone: 217-299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
Illinois Principals Association to host 'Legacy Builders' Conference in October
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) will host its 53rd Education Leaders Annual Conference, “Legacy Builders,” Oct. 20-22, 2024, in Peoria. The event will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities to help school leaders enhance their impact on schools and communities. 2024-2025 IPA President Cris Edwards shared, “We’re excited to welcome Illinois school leaders to this year’s conference, offering inspiring speakers and opportunities to celebrate the legacy they bring to their schools.” The conference kicks off Sunday with a golf tournament, committee meetings, and a welcome reception honoring past IPA presidents. Keynote speakers include: Dr. Stanley Leone, Jr., CEO of This Side of Hope, will open Monday with his session “The HeArt of Teaching and The Science of Relationships.” Dr. Leone will share his personal journey from a traumatic childhood to success, emphasizing how relationships within schools transformed his life. A Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and award-winning speaker, Dr. Leone has shared his story with more than a million people. Cris Edwards, 2024-2025 IPA president and Dr. Jason Leahy, IPA executive director, will speak Monday afternoon. IPA Awards for Excellence, Herman Graves Award, Reaching Out & Building Bridges Award, and the Mr. John Ourth & Dr. Fred W. Singleton Professional Development Scholarships will also be presented at this session. Monica Genta, author and educator, will deliver a keynote Tuesday morning titled “180 Days of Awesome – Celebrating Every Day of Education.” With 14 years of teaching experience, Genta will inspire leaders to turn each school day into an exciting adventure. She is the author of five books, including “180 Days of Awesome,” and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders will speak on Tuesday, addressing the state of education in Illinois and sharing insights with school leaders. Additionally, Tuesday’s IGNITE session will feature fast-paced presentations from notable principals, including Allan Davenport (Granger Middle School), Dr. Lisa Carlos (Plainfield Elementary School), Charles Williams (Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School), and IPA President-Elect Dr. Angie Codron (Normal West High School). Each will share their unique perspectives on school leadership in 5-minute bursts. The conference will conclude with IPA Deputy Executive Director Brian Schwartz and Government Relations Director Alison Maley providing updates on new education-related laws passed during the 2024 Illinois Legislative Session, offering insights on how school leaders can stay informed and advocate for their schools. For more information about the IPA or to register to attend, please visit ilprincipals.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2024 Contact Information: Alison Maley, government and public relations director Phone: 217-299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
Illinois Principals Association encourages principal appreciation in October
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) encourages communities to celebrate Principal Appreciation Week October 20-26, 2024, and Principal Appreciation Day on October 25 to highlight the dedication of principals, assistant principals, and deans. This annual recognition has been recognized by Illinois governors since 1990. October is also National Principals Month, supported by the IPA, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA). Cris Edwards, IPA president and principal of Richland County Elementary School in Olney, shared: “Whether this is a principal’s very first year, last year, or somewhere in the middle, Illinois is celebrating these leaders for all they do for children. As ‘legacy builders’ we are constantly mentoring others; helping students to find their voice or their career path, supporting paraprofessionals who want to return to school to become a teacher, and encouraging teachers that are thinking about becoming an administrator. Thank you to all the leaders across Illinois for your unwavering commitment and for building a legacy that will inspire generations to come. I am excited to thank you and celebrate you during National Principals Month!” “This year, we celebrate our state’s school leaders for what they do – build a lasting legacy with those they serve,” said Dr. Jason Leahy, IPA executive director. “These courageous individuals lead their learning organizations with optimism, humility, vision, perseverance, and a deep commitment to do what is best for their students. Both research and common sense tell us how critical these servants are to positively influence young people, teachers, and communities. For this, they deserve our respect and gratitude.” IPA invites teachers, students, parents, and community members to show appreciation for school leaders on October 25.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 23, 2024 Contact Information: Becky Jansen, senior vice president Phone: 217-821-6036 becky@paycourt.com
PayCourt named one of 2024 Best Workplaces in Illinois
PayCourt, a government collections company, has been named one of the Best Workplaces in Illinois for 2024. The company earned a 97% overall score in the workplace assessment. The Best Workplaces in Illinois award is based on an employer questionnaire and employee engagement survey. It examines workplace indicators such as leadership, culture, satisfaction, work environment, training and overall engagement. "We're incredibly proud of this recognition as it's extremely rare for a collection agency to have ever won this award," said Rick Bonitzer, CEO of PayCourt. "Since 2010, we've focused on making our employees the cornerstone of our success, and this award highlights our commitment to fostering a thriving workplace." PayCourt has won the Best Places to Work in Collections award every year since 2019. With more than 900 reviews, the company proudly maintains a 4.9 out of 5.0 Google rating and has also been honored with the Better Business Bureau’s prestigious Torch Award for Ethics. "Our approach has always been to be large enough to ensure maximum results, yet small enough to provide personalized service to every client," Bonitzer said. PayCourt provides government collections for cities, counties, courts, districts, municipalities and parishes; court-related collections for fines, court fees and tickets; and consulting services for Illinois Circuit Court Clerks. For more information, visit www.PayCourt.com. About PayCourt: Re-established under new ownership in 2010, PayCourt blends a digital-first strategy with in-depth courthouse operational expertise, delivering a fully reimagined approach to government collections. The company serves clients across more than three-quarters of Illinois counties, as well as in Indiana and municipal courts in Louisiana. About Best Companies Group: Best Companies Group is an independent research firm that identifies outstanding workplaces through evaluation processes.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 2, 2024 Press Release Contact Information: Damon Schuldt rescue14me@yahoo.com
Illinois Fire Service Conference coming soon
The Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts (IAFPD) and the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA) are pleased to announce their combined conference at the Peoria Civic Center on Sept. 15-18, 2024. Titled the Illinois Fire Service Conference (IFSC), this event spans four days and includes a memorial service honoring fallen firefighters and friends of the fire service, numerous educational classes including nationally know keynote speakers, a large vendor exhibit showcasing equipment and services while supporting the event, along with social networking opportunities, just to name a few. “If you are involved in the fire service in any way, this conference is for you” states Damon Schuldt, IAFPD board member and IFSC Conference co-chair. The IFCA will also host its annual Officer installation Dinner and President’s Reception on Tuesday evening. Added again this year will be opportunities to obtain Emergency Medical continuing education credits and pension board training hours. Ray Larson, deputy fire chief and IFSC Conference co-chair said “Months of planning by many dedicated people has come together to bring high quality educational programs to fire service professionals.” For additional information and to register for the conference, please visit IAFPD.org or illinoisfirechiefs.org The IFSC is a collaborative event sponsored by the IAFPD and the IFCA.
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