Nominations are open through Oct. 1 for the 64th Springfield Area First Citizen Award, and the recipient will be honored on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Erin’s Pavilion at Southwind Park.
The award recognizes individuals whose extraordinary volunteer service and commitment have made a significant and lasting impact on Springfield and surrounding communities. The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln recently announced that it will assist in administering the program. The Community Foundation’s involvement provides the organizational support to ensure the First Citizen program will continue to recognize outstanding community leaders for many years to come.
The award was established in 1963 by Springfield’s Copley-owned newspapers and was associated with The State Journal-Register until 2024. For the last two years, a group of past recipients led by Butch Elzea and John Eck Sr. took the initiative to manage the process.
The First Citizen Award “celebrates the spirit of service that makes the Springfield area a strong community and hopefully inspires others to find their own ways to get involved,” said Elzea, Springfield’s 2008 First Citizen. Dr. Diane Rutledge was the 2025 recipient in recognition of her 50 years of service to children, families and community organizations. Harriet Knudson, the driving force to create Lincoln Memorial Garden, was Springfield’s inaugural First Citizen in 1963.
“Butch Elzea, John Eck, Sr. and others were looking for a way to ensure the First Citizen program would continue longterm,” said John Stremsterfer, CFLL president and CEO. That led to the CFLL agreeing to manage the process through its subsidiary, New Community Improvement, Inc. This subsidiary is a mechanism for the CFLL to engage in a variety of community partnerships separate from its core philanthropic and grant-making responsibilities.
As in past years, a citizen selection committee will review all of the nominations to select this year’s recipient who exemplifies a sustained commitment to community service.
“Every year, the nominations submitted remind us just how many people quietly and consistently give their time, talent and energy to making our communities a better place,” First Citizen selection committee chair Jane Denes said in a written annoucement. “The First Citizen Award gives us an opportunity to recognize those people whose impact may span many years, organizations and causes. We encourage people to think about someone who has made that kind of difference and nominate them.”
The First Citizen Award recognizes volunteerism and civic contributions beyond an individual’s professional responsibilities. Nominees may have served through nonprofit organizations, civic groups, charitable causes, educational initiatives, faith-based organizations or other community efforts. To nominate an individual and see a list of all the previous First Citizens, go to https://www.firstcitizenaward.org/. Nominations will be considered for five years from the date of submission.
“It is so important to continue the long-standing tradition of recognizing the amazing people who have left an indelible mark on Springfield,” Stremsterfer told Illinois Times. “We are proud to be associated with the First Citizen program and reassure the community this will be an ongoing initiative”
This article appears in September 10-16, 2026.
