Fourth Quarter 2008

Statewide winners announced, including national finisher

The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) is honoring several Illinois credit unions for their efforts through the Desjardins, Dora Maxwell, and Louise Herring award programs, including one that placed second in the national competition.

In the Desjardins Youth Financial Awards program, the winners are:

$35 - $75 million: First place: Prairie Trail CU, Joliet;
$75 - $250 million: First place: NuMark CU, Joliet; and
More than $250 million: First place: Great Lakes CU, North Chicago; Honorable mention: Scott CU, Collinsville.

The Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award recognizes leadership within the credit union movement on behalf of youth financial literacy. Naming the award after Alphonse Desjardins emphasizes the movement’s long-time commitment to youth.

In the Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility competition, the winners are as follows:

$50 - $100 million: First place: Rock Valley FCU, Rockford;
$100 - $200 million: First place state and second place national: Financial Plus CU, Ottawa; Second place: Streator Onized CU, Streator; Honorable mentions: Community Trust CU, Gurnee; and NuMark CU, Joliet;
$200 - $500 million: First place: Scott CU, Collinsville; Second place: GCS FCU, Granite City; and
More than $500 million: First place: Consumers Cooperative CU, Waukegan.

Named after Dora Maxwell Steigman (1897 – 1985), a true pioneer of the credit union movement, the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Program was established to encourage credit union and chapter involvement in community projects and activities.

Finally, in the Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action, the winners are as follows:

$50 - $250: First place: GCS FCU, Granite City; and
More than $250 million: First place: Consumers Cooperative CU, Waukegan.

The Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action was established in 1990 to commend credit unions that make exceptional efforts to include credit union philosophy in their daily operations and member service. This award is named after Louise Herring, an active supporter, organizer and champion of credit unions.

To recognize their achievements, each of these credit unions will be recognized during the Keynote and Awards ceremony during ICUL’s 79th Annual Convention (to be held April 16 – 18, 2009) at the Hilton Chicago, as well as be presented with a plaque at the chapter level.

“We sincerely appreciate everything all of our credit unions do for their communities, and this is just one small way we can recognize them for their efforts,” said Dan Plauda, ICUL president/chief executive officer.