The Citizen Initiative Award was created to recognize those who act
as catalysts for more citizen participation in the democratic process.
Recipients have demonstrated significant and informed civic participation
in their communities, and by their example have inspired others to build
democracy. Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Katie Padberg, Social Studies Coordinator for Elmhurst Public Schools.
Ms. Padberg believes in hands-on civic education, and goes the extra
mile to ensure that students learn about civics. She has organized schoolwide
essay contests on the electoral college, and schoolwide parties where
hundreds of students and their parents watched the first Presidential
debate. As Social Studies Coordinator for Elmhurst Public Schools, Ms.
Padberg ensures that the teacher in-service programs she develops are
hands-on to stimulate teachers to generate new and creative ways to
make classes more active and engaging. As a result of her efforts, the
York High School Social Studies Department was motivated to create a
civic service learning program for high school seniors.
York High School Social Studies Department.
The York High School Social Studies Department launched an innovative
and dynamic civic service learning program at the beginning of the 2004
school year to teach youth how to be engaged and active community participants.
All senior government students are required to complete five hours of
hands-on community activities such as attending public meetings, volunteering
with political campaigns, or being an election judge. The result has
been outstanding. Besides hundreds of students attending City Council,
School Board, and Park Board meetings, fifteen students volunteered
at the Center, and twelve students were election judges in the November
‘04 elections. This is the most student election judges York has ever
had.
Kathy Slovick and Amy Taukman, organizers of DAWN (DuPage Against
War Now). What began in 2002 as two women brainstorming
how to spread the word of peace has grown to hundreds of individuals
being civically engaged. DAWN has held dozens of peace vigils, “Honk
for Peace” rallies, and sponsored free movie festivals. DAWN also organized
citizens to petition their government by bringing more than 40 people
to talk with Representative Biggert regarding the peace movement. Recognizing
the right to vote as the most powerful tool of democracy, DAWN launched
a voter registration campaign that registered more than 6,000 new voters
in DuPage County, becoming the largest voter registration group in DuPage
County.
Bill Huley, Northwest Tax Watch. Mr. Huley
is the driving force behind Northwest Tax Watch, a grassroots government
watchdog group in Northwest Cook County. Mr. Huley is a former elected
official, an officer in his homeowner’s association, and a model for
citizen participation. Whether it is investigating tax issues or improper
electioneering by government bodies, Mr. Huley carefully researches
the issues and speaks out at local government meetings. Mr. Huley also
empowers and motivates other citizens to attend public meetings, make
public comment, and become educated on issues of concern. He is a tireless
citizen advocate who has made the northwest suburbs a more vibrant democracy.
Bob Brown, Warrenville. Mr. Brown is a one-man,
volunteer government watchdog for Warrenville. In addition to serving
as a Library Trustee for the last eight years, he regularly attends
council meetings and is an outspoken on issues related to home rule,
tax increment financing (TIF), budgeting and citizen access to information.
When Mr. Brown’s neighbors asked him to consider running for alderman,
he composed a 20-page booklet outlining the various budget, TIF, good
government and accountability issues he has advocated for in Warrenville.
Mr. Brown is currently working to raise funding for the Warrenville
police district to help increase the police presence at the newly renovated
Cantera TIF district.
Valerie Powley, coordinator for Pan Can Team Hope - North Illinois.
Ms. Powley created this volunteer organization to support the work of
a national non-profit organization dedicated to fighting Pancreatic
Cancer. When Ms. Powley’s mother died of pancreatic cancer, she converted
her sense of loss into advocacy and organized a “Walk for Hope.” More
than 480 people walked in 2004, seven of whom were pancreatic cancer
survivors, and raised $78,000. In 2004, Ms. Powley spearheaded organizing
a second walk. More than 800 participants attended, ten of whom were
pancreatic cancer survivors, and raised more than $135,000. Over the
past 18 months, this organization, lead by Ms. Powley, has raised more
than $200,000.
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