Presented to the Illinois Reading Council for taking an active role in educational policy and legislation.

Presented to the Illinois Reading Council for providing programs and activities that contribute to education and support councils, members, and IRA.

Presented to the Illinois Reading Council for the highest percentage of growth in student membership.  It is the highest award presented for the promotion of student membership. 

Presented to the Illinois Reading Council for achieving the greatest growth in membership annually. 

Chicago Area Reading Council
Lewis and Clark Reading Council
These councils were recognized for organizing and conducting well-rounded programs serving both the council and the community. 

Chicago Area Reading Council
Lewis and Clark Reading Council
These councils were recognized for successful recruitment of new IRA members. 

Northern Illinois Reading Council
NIRC was recognized for outstanding service to their communities and to the field of literacy.      

Fox Valley Reading Council – Maureen Jakubowski
Fox Valley Reading Council – Ladislava Khailova
Lewis and Clark Reading Council – Juliann Caveny
Suburban Council of IRA – Jay Einhorn
Two Rivers Reading Council – Tamara Springer

The IRC Adult and Family Literacy Committee will award up to $750 to local councils to develop and implement projects to help address adult literacy issues. Literacy projects that involve adults or adults with their children will be considered for funding.

Joni Hatfield, Joe Howell, and Tom Anderson
5th Grade Team, Nicholson Elementary School

Runner-up Libraries were awarded to: 
Jan Strauss, Rollins Elementary School
Lindsay Newman, Gombert Elementary School
Joyce Jeewek, Benedictine University

This award was established from a $40,000 donation from Barack Obama. An endowment was established with the interest allocated to an annual literacy award given to create classroom libraries for African-American middle-school students to have access to “culturally relevant” books.

Steven L. Layne

This award recognizes significant contributions to reading or reading education.  

Beth Gambro and Jean Davenport

This award recognizes outstanding teachers who make contributions in promoting literacy among students, colleagues, and school communities. 

Representative Mike Boland, District 71
Congressman Aaron Schock, 18th District

This award recognizes outstanding contributions toward advocating literacy and education in Illinois.

Roxanne Owens

This award recognizes an IRC member who promotes and supports parent involvement in children’s reading.

Laurie Lawlor

This award recognizes an Illinois children’s/young adult author whose body of work demonstrates excellence, engenders a love of literature, and promotes lifelong literacy.

1st Place – South Eastern Reading Council
2nd Place – Illinois Valley Reading Council
3rd Place – Northwestern Illinois Reading Council

The Hall of Councils at the conference allows the councils an opportunity to advertise their activities and accomplishments and to promote membership with a display.

Southern Illinois Reading Council – 50 years
Central Illinois Reading Council – 40 years
Sauk Valley Reading Council – 40 years

South Suburban Reading Council

Blackhawk Reading Council
Chicago Area Reading Association (CARA)
East Central-EIU Reading Council
Fox Valley Reading Council
Illini Reading Council
Illinois Valley Reading Council
Lewis & Clark Reading Council
Northern Illinois Reading Council
Northwestern Illinois Reading Council
Prairie Area Reading Council
South Eastern Reading Council
South Suburban Reading Council
Starved Rock Reading Council
Two Rivers Reading Council
Western Illinois Reading Council
Illinois Council for Affective Reading Education

This program recognizes local and special interest councils that organize and conduct well-rounded programs serving the council members, the community, and the state association.

Rae Brill, Woodstock, Illinois
Mary Fernandez, Loami, Illinois
Maureen Hart, Marengo, Illinois

Thanks to the many participants! The winners were randomly chosen and received an American Express Gift Card.

1st Place – John Harrell, 6th Grader,
            Columbia Middle School, Columbia
2nd Place – Sara Elizabeth Saey, 6th Grader,
            Churchill  Junior High School, Galesburg
3rd Place – Julianna Encisco, 6th Grader,
            Hannah Beardsley Middle School, Crystal Lake

Honorable Mention Winners were:  
Logan Miller, 6th Grader, St. Joseph School, Manhatten
Laureen Wessel, 4th Grader, Teutopolis Grade School, Teutopolis
Becca Ruger, 4th Grader, Worth Elementary School, Worth
Olivia Kohlenberger, 6th Grader, Columbia Middle School
Michael Friel, 5th Grader, St. Agnes School, Chicago Heights