Apartment community
Lake Pointe Apartments
1608 – 1636 Toronto Rd.
217-529-2900
Finalists: Lincoln Square Apartments, Cardinal Ridge Apartments, Cobblestone Place, Prairie Vista Apartments
Business giving back to the community
Cafe Moxo
2661 Chatham Rd
217-788-8084
Finalists: Scoop Du Jour, Lulu’s Diner, Scheels, United Community Bank
City official
Shawn Gregory, Alderman Ward 2
springfield.il.us/Departments/CityCouncil/Ward2.aspx
217-789-2216
Finalists: Misty Buscher, Mayor of Springfield; Jennifer Notariano, Alderwoman Ward 6; Erin Conley, Alderwoman Ward 8; Brad Carlson, Alderman Ward 7
Clergyperson
Msgr. John Ossola (Posthumously) Church of the Little Flower
900 Adlai Stevenson Dr
217-529-4511
Finalists: Rev. Susan Phillips, First Presbyterian; Pastor Eddie Lowen, West Side Christian Church; Rev. Martin Woulfe, Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist; Pastor Brooks Wilson, Southside Christian Church
County official
County Coroner Jim Allmon
903 E. Capitol Ave.
217-753-6610
Finalists: Reggie Guyton, Sangamon County Board District 21; Don Gray, County Clerk; Tom Rader, Sangamon County Board District 8
Facebook page
Sangamon County Crime Watch (SCCW)
facebook.com/groups/587948536124919
Finalists: 217 Foodies, 217 Problems, Springfield Families Helping Families, NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS
Nonprofit
Springfield Urban League
100 N. 11th St.
217-789-0830
Finalists: Animal Protective League, WILD Canine Rescue, Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault, Compass for Kids
Place to volunteer
Animal Protective League
1001 Taintor Rd.
217-544-7387
Finalists: WILD Canine Rescue, Friends of Sangamon County Animal Control, PBJ Springfield, Food Not Bombs
Unsung hero
Brian Skeeters, Sangamon County Crime Watch
Finalists: Charlene Powers Walsh, WILD Canine Rescue; Tiara Standage, Intricate Minds; Shawn Gregory, Alderman Ward 2; Gordon Davis, Whimsy Tea
Up-and-coming leader
Brian Skeeters, Sangamon County Crime Watch
Finalists: Nicole Shomidie, 217 Foodies/Boozers; Tiara Standage, Intricate Minds; Shawn Gregory, Alderman Ward 2; Jay Shanle, Downtown Springfield Inc.
This article appears in October 29-November 4, 2026.
