Illinois Dept. on Aging seeking nominations for Senior Hall of Fame

Nomination deadline is Aug. 19; winners announced later this year

[July 31, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Department on Aging Director John K. Holton, Ph.D., is urging people to nominate older adults for the 2013 Illinois Senior Hall of Fame awards. The annual awards, established in 1994 by the General Assembly, recognize residents of the state who are age 65 and older and excel in the categories of community service, education, performance or graphic arts, and the labor force. Since its start, 87 people have been inducted into the Senior Hall of Fame.

"The annual Senior Hall of Fame highlights older persons for their personal achievement," Holton said. "Each year, we look forward to recognizing the winners when we host the awards ceremony. We encourage people to submit their nomination forms, which must be postmarked or faxed by Monday, Aug. 19."

Nomination forms are available at local Area Agencies on Aging, on the department website at http://www.state.il.us/aging/2awareness/hall/
hall-fame_nomination.pdf, or by calling the Department on Aging Senior HelpLine at 800-252-8966. Mail nomination forms to the IDoA Division of Communications & Outreach at One Natural Resources Way 100, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; or fax to 1-217-785-4477.

Eligibility is based on the nominee's past or current accomplishments in the category of choice: community service, education, performance or graphic arts, or in connection with their employment in the labor force. Candidates must be age 65 or older and must be current Illinois residents or former citizens who lived in the state most of their life. Posthumous nominees are also considered.

IDoA will compile a list of nominees, then consult with the Coordinating Committee of State Agencies Serving Older Persons to determine who will be the award winner from each category.

This year's winners will be inducted into the Illinois Senior Hall of Fame during a ceremony later this year.

[Text from Illinois Department on Aging file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]