Illinois e-News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 4, 2025

CONTACT:

Eric Krol   312.814.1252       

Adriana Colindres   217.558.1920

Illinois Teacher of the Year, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra leader, Marion nonprofit founder, member of U.S. Women’s National Amputee Soccer Team Among those recognized

Video will be posted here: https://cms.illinois.gov/agency/media/video/videos.html

CHICAGO – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Women’s History Month and honor the enduring impact of women in shaping history.

The event, held in the Illinois Room at 555 W. Monroe St., was an opportunity to reflect on the great achievements and ongoing contributions of women leaders in Illinois. The eight award recipients included a consultant, a food depository CEO, an award-winning teacher, a nonprofit founder, a state senator, a labor leader, a soccer player, and an orchestra executive director. 

“We gather today to celebrate individuals who are dedicating their lives to helping others through education, mentorship, and leadership,” Frerichs said. “Illinois boasts a rich legacy of women activists, from those who fought for the right to vote to those who continue to advocate for equality and progress today. Women of all backgrounds have long recognized that true justice and equity cannot be achieved on an uneven playing field. We are grateful to these honorees for making our communities better places to live, work, and raise a family.” 

The origins of Women’s History Month go back more than 100 years. In 1911, the U.S. first participated in International Women’s History Day. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring National Women’s History Week. Seven years later, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month.

Treasurer Frerichs honored the following individuals for their outstanding commitment to the community:

Principal Consultant | VISION M.A.I. Consulting

Executive Director and CEO | Greater Chicago Food Depository

Founder and Executive Director | Legacy Training, Marion

2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year and Educational Consultant | Indian Prairie School District, Aurora 

Illinois State Senator and Majority Caucus Whip | 29th District

Director of Government Relations | Ullico Inc.

Member, U.S. Women’s National Amputee Soccer Team | Teacher, Richards High School, Oak Lawn

Executive Director | Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is a powerful economic engine that invests in people to drive prosperity, development and growth throughout the state. As State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs (FRAIR'iks) is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer and actively manages approximately $60 billion. The investments help families pay for college and trade school; workers save for a dignified retirement; and local governments process bill payments more efficiently so they can pass along the savings to taxpayers. The office provides financial institutions money to loan to farmers, small business owners, and qualified individuals at below-market rates because better jobs create stronger communities. The office operates the state’s largest consumer-protection initiative, the unclaimed property I-Cash program, which has returned a record-breaking $2.2 billion since Frerichs was elected.

For more news about the State Treasurer’s Office, please follow Treasurer Frerichs on Instagram at ILTreasurer, LinkedIn and Facebook at Invested in You – Treasurer Michael Frerichs. You can find our weekly newsletter here.