Lt. Governor Quinn honors 26 residents with Environmental Hero Awards

CHICAGO - December 30, 2008.  Lt. Governor Pat Quinn presented the 2008 Environmental Hero Awards to 26 individuals, schools and groups in recognition of their commitment to environmental health and protection.             

"The citizens here today are truly environmental heroes," Quinn said.  "I am proud to salute them for the hard work they have done to show us that when it comes to making the Land of Lincoln a cleaner, better place - we can all make a difference."

The 2008 Illinois Environmental Hero Award recipients include local groups:

• Friends of the Hennepin Canal worked to keep the Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park open in Sheffield, Illinois, which is one of several parks that were scheduled to close this year. The park is used everyday by many people to bike, fish and camp. School groups, boy scouts and girl scouts all use the park for recreation and educational purposes as well.

• The Better Fishing Association of Northern Illinois worked to keep the Hennepin Canal open and all other state parks that were threatened with closure. Members worked on educating members of the public at several events and passed petitions resulting in thousands of signatures. The Better Fishing Association also worked on passing local resolutions against park closures.

• The City of Peru attained their 20-year hydroelectric power goal. The hydroelectric power plant generates 58 percent of all residential power to the city.

• Quad Cities Conservation Alliance has been involved with eagle watching for 41 years. The Quad Cities Conservation Alliance works to educate the public including community members and school groups about Bald Eagles and their impact in Illinois.

       To review a list of all recipients please visit:

        http://www.standingupforillinois.org/green/