Central Illinoisans among prestigious state honor recipients

CHICAGO, Ill. (WCIA) — The Order of Lincoln is Illinois’ highest civilian honor for professional achievement and public service. Of the seven Lincoln Laureates awarded this year, most have ties to Central Illinois.

More than 350 distinguished Illinois residents have joined the Order of Lincoln since it was established in 1964.

“I couldn’t be prouder to announce this year’s Order of Lincoln recipients — Illinois’ highest honor for those undertaking irreplaceable work that uplifts their communities,” Governor JB Pritzker said. “This year’s impressive honorees include a former Illinois Supreme Court Justice, a Baseball Hall of Famer, Policy and Business Leaders, and one of the nation’s finest musicians. These talented individuals embody the spirit of our state, and I am honored to recognize them for their service and dedication to Illinois.”

Illinois State Fair adds Jordan Davis to Grandstand lineup

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois bestows the award each year.

“Lincoln himself said the greatest honor was to prove yourself worthy of your fellow citizens’ esteem,” said The Hon. Ronald Spears, Chancellor of the Academy. “These seven extraordinary people have truly proven themselves, and we are thrilled to give them the highest esteem that Illinois has to offer.”

About the 2024 Lincoln Laureates

Alison Krauss

Alison Krauss was born in Decatur and raised in Champaign. Krauss is an esteemed musician, having made 14 albums and sold more than 12 million records. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Andrea Bocelli, James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, and Robert Plant.

Krauss has won 27 Grammy awards, putting her in second place for women with the most Grammys (just behind Beyonce, who has 32 Grammys) and placing fourth in the most Grammys in history overall. She has also won nine Country Music Association Awards, 14 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, two Gospel Music Association Awards, and the 2019 National Medal of Arts.

(Image provided by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.)

Evelyn Brandt Thomas

Evelyn Brandt Thomas has been an Illinois resident for over 100 years. Brandt Thomas is a philanthropist, businesswoman, and mentor, with roots in Pleasant Plains. It was there that she learned the family farming business.

In the early 1950s, Brandt Thomas and her brother, Glen, started a business, Brandt Consolidated, to get some extra cash and help their family get by. Now, over 70 years later, Brandt.co provides innovative solutions to farmers all over the world through more than 250 farming products. The company is headquartered in Springfield and employs hundreds of people. Brandt Thomas remains on the Board of Directors, guiding the company’s corporate strategy.

(Image provided by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.)

Lester H. McKeever Jr.

Lester H. McKeever Jr. is a Chicago native and well-respected accountant. McKeever Jr. completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois, then went on to become the 60th Black Certified Public Accountant in the entire country. He worked his way up to Managing Principal of Washington, Pittman & McKeever accounting firm, then served as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

In 2016, the Illinois CPA Society created the “Lester H. McKeever Jr. Advancing Diversity Award” in his honor. He also serves as treasurer of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, among several civic board engagements in Chicago.

(Image provided by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.)

Sen. Bennett honored at Gibson City Fire Department

Hon. Rita B. Garman

Hon. Rita B. Garman was an Illinois Supreme Court Justice from 2001 until her retirement in 2022. She passed the Illinois Bar exam in 1968 and went on to serve Illinois communities for nearly 50 years.

Garman was appointed associate judge in Vermilion County in 1974. In 1986, she was elected to circuit judgeship, then appointed to the Fourth District Appellate Court in 1995.

In her time with the Illinois Supreme Court, Garman was the second woman ever to serve as Chief Justice. She held the prestigious position from 2013 to 2016. Garmen retired as the longest-serving judge in Illinois.

(Image provided by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.)

Lewis Collens

Educator and lifelong Illinois resident Lewis Collens helped revitalize the Illinois Institute of Technology and its Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Collens is a graduate of the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago Law School. He went on to co-found BARBRI, a company that aims to help future lawyers pass the bar, especially those who lack financial resources.

(Image provided by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.)

Jim Thome

Peoria native Jim Thome played 22 seasons of professional baseball, landing him in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Thome went to Limestone High School and advanced his athletic career at Illinois Central College, where the sports complex is now named in his honor. He has played in six Major League teams, including the Chicago White Sox.

Of more than 1,000 Illinoisan Major League Baseball players overall, Thome ranks first in home runs (612), runs batted in (1,699), on-base percentage (.402) and slugging (.554). He is a five-time All-Star and was the 2006 American League Comeback Player of the Year. He also won a Silver Slugger Award, the 2001 and 2004 Marvin Miller Man of the Year, the 2002 Roberto Clemente Award, and the 2024 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.

(Image provided by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.)

Raul I. Raymundo

Raul I. Raymundo co-founded The Resurrection Project, which has invested more than $640 million into developing affordable homes, early childhood centers, senior centers, community centers, and a charter school in Chicago’s western suburbs and southwest side.

He is active on several bank advisory boards, including Fifth Third Bank, CIBC Bank, Huntington Bank, and local divisions of Self-Help Federal Credit Union.

(Image provided by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.)

Former Danville Mayor Bob Jones dies at 85

The 60th Annual Convocation and Investiture will be on April 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the Chicago History Museum. Ticket information and sponsorship opportunities can be found at https://lincolnacademyillinois.org/give-now/#tickets.

For further questions, or to attend the upcoming gala, contact Executive Director Leanne Barnhart by calling 217-493-0047 — or visit www.LincolnAcademyIllinois.org, the Academy’s Facebook, or LinkedIn.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.