The Distinguished Citizen Award is presented to individual community leaders who provide outstanding civic service to the adults and/or youth in the community.  Those who receive the award are not necessarily active involved in the BSA, but rather individuals who personify what the Boy Scouts stand for – good citizenship, outstanding moral fiber with a dedication to others, and for living their lives by the Scout Oath and Law.  It also provides critical financial support through the Friends of Scouting campaign for all our programs across 9 counties in East Central Illinois and Western Indiana.

In 2023 we honored Josh Whitman, Director of Athletics for the University of Illinois.

Thanks to the following people for making the night great:

Event Committee: 

• Robert Ballsrud
• Jeff Brown
• John Marquardt
• Eric Meyer
• Jill Wagner

Emcee:  Brian Barnhart, WDWS Radio and host of Penny for Your Thoughts

Photographer:  Bill Malone

Presenting of the Colors: 

• Troop 1 - Chartered to the Rotary Club of Champaign
• Crew 1 - Chartered to the Rotary Club of Champaign
• Troop 2119 - Chartered to the Friends of Champaign-Urbana Scouting

Speakers: 

• Brad Underwood - Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Coach
• Shauna Green - Fighting Illini Women's Basketball Coach
• Bret Bielema - Fighitng Illini Men's Football Coach
• Patrick Rouse, President of GTPS Insurance Agency
• Van Dukeman - President and CEO of Busey Corporation and 2019 Prairielands Council Distinguished Citizen

Special thanks to McKenzie Wagner, Inc, for creating the branding and many of the marketing materials for this event.

Thanks to our donors who made the night possible!

Click here to see some great photos from the event:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/willymo/albums/72177720311694254

Past Honorees Include

2019 – Van Dukeman

2018 – Robert and Sondra Libman

2017 – Atkins Family

2016 – Kyle and Phyllis Robeson

2015 – Lou and Mary Henson