2024 Lt. Governor Awards for Excellence in Revitalization

Written By Rachel Bowdon

Illinois Main Street Celebrates Community

Recognizing people and places with the
Lieutenant Governor Award for Excellence in Revitalization 

Batavia, IL - The Lieutenant Governor Award for Excellence in Revitalization is one of the most notable recognitions for Illinois Main Street communities to achieve for their work in bringing economic prosperity to their communities. Work highlights projects, activities, and events focused on the Main Street Approach™, as well as outstanding volunteers and board members.

“Revitalization is about using talent, resources, new ideas, and paths of collaboration for positive change,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “I am so proud of this year’s award recipients for their amazing work strengthening Main Street communities after the challenges caused by the pandemic. Because of their efforts, our main streets will continue to provide goods, services, economic opportunities, and jobs that build purpose and a sense of community throughout Illinois.”

The awards highlight projects, activities and events implemented by Illinois Main Street communities to advance successful initiatives focused around The Main Street Approach™ (Design, Organization, Economic Vitality and Promotion). Moreover, the awards honor outstanding volunteers for their efforts to revitalize their community through their Main Street program. New this year are awards for Volunteer of the Year and Board Member of the Year, calling out individuals serving their community in exemplary ways.

On Wednesday, November 13, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton alongside Main Street America Chief Programs Officer Dionne Baux recognized 32 award winners. Awards were announced by Erik Reader, Director of Illinois Main Street and presented by Joi Cuartero Austin, Sr. Program Officer for Economic Vitality, along with Beth Walker and Kristen Desler of Batavia MainStreet.


A full list of recognitions as follows:

Volunteer Award

  • Brittany Sabatino, Batavia MainStreet

  • Pretzel Pickers, Greater Freeport Partnership

  • The IMPACT Program, Dixon Chamber of Commerce & Main Street

  • Roger & Kathi Sutter, Downtown Pontiac Main Street

  • Cory Garner, Jacksonville Main Street

  • The Rink @ Uptown Mt. Sterling Planning Committee, Action Brown County

  • Al Scott, MainStreet Libertyville

Volunteer of the Year Award

  • Tim Connors, Greater Freeport Partnership

  • Brenda Thompson, Downtown Pontiac Main Street

Board Member of the Year Award

  • Bob Karls, Downtown Pontiac Main Street

  • Tom Redmond, Carbondale Main Street

  • Tom Brockner, Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin

Organization

  • Discover Dixon 4th Grade Tours, Dixon Chamber of Commerce & Main Street

  • One Organization. One Voice. One Mission., Greater Freeport Partnership

  • DNA Strategic Plan, Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin

  • 1st Annual Winterfest Trees, Downtown Pontiac Main Street

  • 35th Anniversary Celebration and Black & White Gala, MainStreet Libertyville

Promotion

  • South Main Mercado, Ethnic Heritage Museum and Comprehensive Community Solutions

  • Macombopoly, Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia

  • Miss Jacksonville Pageant, Jacksonville Main Street

  • MainSweet Dessert Walk, MainStreet Libertyville

  • Rediscover Your Downtown, Greater Freeport Partnership

  • Weekly E-Newsletter, Downtown Pontiac Main Street

  • DNA Logo, Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin

  • Restaurant Guide, Batavia MainStreet

Design

  • Sequoit Creek Park, Village of Antioch & The Lakota Group

  • Wayfinding, Identifier & Public Infrastructure Improvements, Rogers Park Business Alliance & The Lakota Group

  • Wayfinding Signage, Downtown Pontiac Main Street

Economic Vitality

  • The Rink @ Uptown Mt. Sterling, Action Brown County

  • Dixon City Market, Dixon Chamber of Commerce & Main Street

  • 2024 BASE Camp for Entrepreneurs, Greater Freeport Partnership

  • One Howard Street Corridor Plan, Rogers Park Business Alliance

“Year round, Illinois Main Street organizations work hard helping businesses and property owners, while bringing residents and guests to the heart of their communities,” said Erik Reader, Director of Illinois Main Street at Main Street America. “We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize a reflection of work being done by people for their communities across the state.

The 2024 Illinois Main Street Conference was hosted in partnership with the office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Driehaus Foundation, and Batavia MainStreet.

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ABOUT ILLINOIS MAIN STREET

Illinois Main Street supports a network of communities across the state that are working to bring prosperity to their older and historic downtowns and commercial districts. IMS does this by providing hands-on training, statewide workshops, networking opportunities, and other resources. Illinois Main Street programs have collectively secured nearly $1.2 billion in public and private reinvestment, added over 11,000 jobs, created over 2,300 new businesses, and rehabilitated 1100 buildings since 1993. Illinois Main Street is administered by Main Street America, a national movement of neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Learn more at ilmainstreet.org.

Rachel Bowdon
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