The City of Rock Island is seeking nominations for the 38th annual Citizen of the Year awards.
Each year, people in the community have an opportunity to submit a nomination for those who have inspired or mentored others, or made selfless contributions of service to the City of Rock Island. There are nine categories available for nomination: Individual; Youth; Education; Professional; Artist or Creator; Veteran; City Employee; Business; and Organization, Church or Non-Profit.
The awards were founded in 1987 by former Alderpersons Grace Shirk and James Kerr as a way to recognize individuals and organizations that make a positive difference in the community.
To nominate a person for the awards, go here. Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8.
Winners will be recognized and presented with awards during the Monday, Aug. 25, city council meeting. Citizen of the Year winners also will ride in the 41st annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 1. One individual or group will be chosen from the Citizen of the Year winners and will serve as the 2025 Labor Day Parade grand marshal.
Here are the categories and descriptions of the awards:
- Individual: This award honors an individual who exemplifies hard work and ethics while demonstrating outstanding service to the community through volunteer work, mentoring or social leadership. This person has made a difference through their willingness to work well with others and ability to inspire positive change in Rock Island as a community advocate. The nominee must be a Rock Island resident.
- Youth: This person must be a student currently enrolled in the Rock Island-Milan School District, Jordan Catholic School, Alleman High School or homeschooled in grades 6 through 12 this fall. This student has maintained academic excellence while displaying character, initiative, leadership and creativity through community groups, projects or volunteer work. The selected youth has won the respect and admiration of teachers or community leaders and stands out as an example to other youth. Nominees are not required to be Rock Island residents except for home-schooled students, who must reside in the city.
- Education: This person is not required to be a resident of Rock Island, but they must be employed by the Rock Island-Milan School District, Jordan Catholic School or Alleman High School. This employee is engaging and inspires students to do their best in school and out in the community. This person displays leadership, character and empathy while acting as a mentor. They may put in extra hours through coaching or leading after-school programs and activities. They have the respect of students, staff and other educators.
- Professional: This individual has made a positive change in the Rock Island community through their employment by displaying leadership, character and initiative. The nominated person may have implemented social programs, raised money to help those in need, created or led a community event, or mentored youth, for example. They have earned the respect of their peers and the community. This person must be employed in Rock Island, but does not need to live there.
- Artist or Creator: This award honors an individual who is active in the arts community through visual arts, theatre, dance, music, writing, photography, film, poetry, spoken word performance, or other artistic expression. This person inspires others to learn more about the arts or pursue their own artistic endeavors. This person uses creative expression to bring social awareness or make the community a better, brighter place to live. Nominees must reside in Rock Island.
- Veteran: This individual has served in any of the armed forces as active duty or a member of the reserves and was honorably discharged or retired. This person gives back to the community through volunteer work, mentorship, or is active in Rock Island organizations. This person makes Rock Island a better place to live through their inspiring example of patriotism, courage, honor and character. The nominated veteran must reside in Rock Island.
- City Employee: This individual must be employed by the City of Rock Island, but does not need to reside there. This person is dependable and has a good work ethic, character and inspires other employees to do their best. This person has a positive can-do attitude, takes pride in their job and has earned the respect of their co-workers and supervisors. Their work as an employee has made the city a better place to live, work and visit.
- Business: The nominated business must be located in Rock Island and serve the community in a capacity that goes beyond normal business operations. Examples include providing scholarship awards, fundraising, volunteering, and overall giving back to the community. The nominated business must have a positive working environment and be operated in a way that displays character, ethics, good business practices and maintains a well-kept building and grounds. The business’ owner does not need to reside in Rock Island.
- Organization, Church or Non-Profit: The nominated organization, church or non-profit must be located in Rock Island and make a difference in the community through its service, mission-based programs, fundraising or events. This group may help those in need; influence social change; raise awareness of an issue; raise money to assist the less fortunate or fund a particular cause; organize community events that make a difference; or other activities that make a positive impact on the overall community. This group is seen as a changemaker and inspires others to join their cause.
To nominate a Citizen of the Year, fill out an application here.
