On Oct. 9, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted a commemorative lunch at the State of Illinois Building, 555 W. Monroe St., as part of Chicago LGBTQ+ History Month. Awards and acknowledgements were presented to leaders in community, workforce and labor, government service and humanities and the arts.
“As we observe the 30th anniversary of LGBTQ History Month, today we honor the contributions of our LGBTQ neighbors and friends,” Frerichs said. “We are grateful for their dedication to justice and equal opportunity, and we thank them for their commitment to making our state and our world better.”
The 2024 award recipients included:
For Outstanding Service in Community Service: Billy Rogers, president of Golden Rainbows of Illinois South
For Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Humanities: Dr. “C.C.” Carter, executive director of the Beverly Arts Center
For Outstanding Service in Business: Laura Ricketts, co-CEO of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Red Stars, and co-founder and board director of Beyond Barriers
For Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship: Chicago Red Dragons, RFC
For Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor: Denise Poloyac, regional field director of the National Wildlife Federation
For Outstanding Achievement in Education: Dr. Jagadisa-devasri Dacus, associate director at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellness at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
For Outstanding Service in Leadership: James Darby and Patrick Bova as LGBTQ Community Pioneers
For Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official: State Sen. Mike Simmons
Ricketts’ award was accepted by her wife, Brooke Skinner-Ricketts, while Denise Poloyac’s award was accepted by her wife, Mony Ruiz-Velasco. Chicago Red Dragons President Mark Pilkington accepted for the team.
Per the event program, “In 1994 Rodney Wilson, a high school teacher in Missouri, believed a month should be set aside to teach gay and lesbian history. October was chosen because public schools are in session and October 11 is National Coming Out Day.”
The Awards were decided by members of the Treasurer’s Advisory Council, which includes Emma Todd, Imani Rupert-Gordon, Kim Hunt, Kathleen Robbins, Kelly Saulsberry, Dr. Jonna Cooley, Julio Rodriguez, Mike Ziri, Ed Underhill and Tara Bell-Janowick.
