The Lincoln Academy Press Release

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

Old State Capitol * Springfield, IL 62701 * (217) 785-5030 * FAX (217) 523-9792 ____________________________________________________________________________

302-09 November 30, 2009

CONTACTS: Julie Kellner (217) 785-5030 John B. Simon (312) 923-2921

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Six to receive state’s highest award, The Order of Lincoln 2010 Lincoln Academy Laureates announced SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pat Quinn today announced that five world-famous individuals and one organization will become Laureates of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and receive The Order of Lincoln, the highest honor for outstanding achievement the state can bestow to those who were born or have achieved renown in Illinois. “I want to salute these outstanding leaders for their contributions not only to their areas of specialty, but to their local communities and our state,” said Gov. Quinn. The Order of Lincoln Medallion will be presented by Lincoln Academy officials at a special ceremony Saturday, April 17, 2010 in Chicago. The 2010 Laureates include: Government and Law Judge William J. Bauer of the U.S. Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit is a Chicago native with a long, distinguished legal career. He was elected DuPage County State’s Attorney, served as a DuPage County Circuit Judge, and then as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, in which capacity he hired as his first assistant James R. Thompson, who would succeed him and later serve four terms as Illinois’ Governor. President Gerald R. Ford appointed Judge Bauer to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 1974 and he served as chief judge from 1986 – 1993. He continues to maintain an active caseload. Business, Industry and Communications Doris Christopher founded Pampered Chef from the basement of her Chicago home in 1980 and turned it into a $740 million direct selling empire with 60,000 consultants. An Oak Lawn, Illinois native, Christopher’s experience as a home economics teacher and at-home mother gave her the idea to offer professional quality kitchen equipment directly to consumers through in-home cooking demonstrations. Christopher recently established the Pampered Chef Family Resiliency Program at the University of Illinois to develop ways to help people in difficult situations to navigate the competing demands of work and family.

Education Mary A. Dempsey, the Chicago Public Library Commissioner, has spearheaded the expansion and modernization of the city’s library system to make its services much more accessible to the public. The library system now offers a Teacher in the Library at many of its branches to help children with their studies, and Cyber Navigators to support those in need of internet access and help with job applications and insurance issues. In addition to her service with the Chicago Public Library system, Dempsey has served as chair of the Urban Libraries Council and is the current Chair of the DePaul University Board of Trustees. Sports Mannie Jackson, owner of the Harlem Globetrotters, grew up in Edwardsville, Illinois and earned the title of Illinois’ “Mr. Basketball.” He was the first African American All-American and captain of the University of Illinois basketball team. Jackson is a charter member of the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame, a former player with the Harlem Globetrotters, member of the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame, and chairs the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Arts and the Performing Arts The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, an internationally renowned dance company, was founded in 1956 and has made Chicago its home since 1995, recently opening a $23 million permanent home in the city’s Loop. The Joffrey has been hailed as “America’s Ballet Company of Firsts,” including the first classical dance company to go multimedia, the first to commission a rock-n-roll ballet, and the first and only dance company to appear on the cover of Time Magazine. The Joffrey is led by Artistic Director Ashley Wheater, long recognized as a talented dancer and ballet master. The company performs four different programs each season and has in international academy that trains young dancers from around the world. Business, Industry and Communications Lester B. Knight is chairman of Aon Corporation, the world’s largest insurance broker, with worldwide headquarters in Chicago. He is also the founding partner and managing director of Roundtable Healthcare Partners, a multi-billion dollar investment firm located in Lake Forest, Illinois. Knight continues to serve in leadership roles with several not-for-profit and philanthropic organizations that help thousands of people across the country, including the Knight Family Foundation, the Advanced Medical Technology Association, Junior Achievement of Chicago, and the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago. The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, unique among the 50 states, was established in 1964 to honor Illinois’ most distinguished citizens, either by birth or residence, who have brought honor to the state by their achievements. Prior recipients of The Order of Lincoln include President Ronald Reagan, the Chicago Bears’ Walter Payton, Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks, author David Herbert Donald, business leader Lester Crown, Nobel scientist Leon Lederman, and educator Richard H. Moy. For more information, visit www.thelincolnacademyofillinois.org.

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