First Citizen Award

📢 Tomorrow is the day. Nominations for the 2026 First Citizen Award are due by midnight, October 1.

If you've been meaning to nominate someone whose service has made a difference in the Springfield area, don't wait — this is your last chance for this year's award.
www.firstcitizenaward.org

Thank you to everyone who took the time to recognize a deserving neighbor, colleague, or friend.

⏰ One week left! Nominations for the 2026 First Citizen Award close on Thursday, October 1.

If there's someone in your life whose quiet service has shaped our community, this is your reminder to put their name forward. It only takes a few minutes to nominate — and it could mean everything to them.

www.firstcitizenaward.org

The people who make Springfield stronger aren't always the ones in the headlines. Sometimes they're the volunteer who never misses a shift, the mentor who believed in a struggling student, or the neighbor who organized help after a hard season.

If you know someone whose service has made a real difference in our community, now is the time to tell their story. Nominations for the 2026 First Citizen Award are open through October 1.

www.firstcitizenaward.org

Who will be the 64th First Citizen?

Each year, a volunteer Selection Committee carefully reviews every nomination before selecting the next First Citizen.

If you know of someone whose service has made a real difference in our community, nominate them today.

Nominations for 2026 close October 1.

www.firstcitizenaward.org

Think of someone who shows up — for their neighbors, their students, their community — without expecting recognition. That's exactly who the First Citizen Award is meant to celebrate.

The award honors personal service that helps make the Springfield area a better place. No title or resume required — just a track record of showing up for others.

Do you know someone like that? Nominate them for the 2026 First Citizen Award. Nominations close October 1.
www.firstcitizenaward.org

For more than 60 years, the First Citizen Award has honored everyday people whose personal service made the Springfield area a better place to live. Since 1963, this community-driven award has recognized educators, advocates, volunteers, and quiet difference-makers who rarely sought the spotlight.

Who will be the 64th First Citizen? Nominations for 2026 are open now — and every nomination starts with someone like you noticing someone like them.

Learn more: www.firstcitizenaward.org

Nominations are officially open for the 2026 First Citizen Award! 🎉

For more than 60 years, this award has honored individuals whose service, leadership and generosity make the Springfield area stronger, kinder and more connected.

Who comes to mind when you think of someone making a meaningful difference in our community? Help us shine a light on their impact by submitting a nomination.

Nominations are due October 1, 2026.

Learn more and nominate someone today: https://www.firstcitizenaward.org/

Looking back on 2025: Dr. Diane Rutledge was named the 63rd First Citizen of Springfield, recognized for more than five decades of service to children, families, and organizations across our community.

A former superintendent of Springfield Public Schools District 186, Dr. Rutledge's commitment to literacy led to the creation of the Books for Babies program at Springfield Memorial Hospital and the local implementation of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Her leadership touched more than two dozen community boards and organizations, including Memorial Health System, United Way of Central Illinois, and the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.

As we look ahead to naming our next First Citizen, we're proud to honor the legacy of service Dr. Rutledge represents.

Who will be the 64th First Citizen? Nominations for 2026 are open now through October 1.
www.firstcitizenaward.org