County Board: Good Government Award

Phillip Salzer

On Tuesday, January 29, Peoria County Board Member Phil Salzer received the 2007 Charles C. Schlink Memorial Good Government Award at the Peoria Jaycees 68th Annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet, held at the Pere Marquette. Peoria Jaycees Member Amy McLaren presented Salzer the award on behalf of the Jaycees. Salzer joins County Board Chairman William Prather, Aaron Schock, George Shadid and many other notable community leaders on a distinguished list of Good Government Award recipients.

The Distinguished Service Awards Banquet is the Peoria Jaycees' longest continuing annual event. Each year individuals are recognized at the banquet for outstanding service in the areas of government, business, health care, education, law enforcement, religion, community service and fire and rescue.

Salzer received the Good Government Award for his leadership as a Peoria County Board Member since December 2002 and for his lifetime community involvement. In addition to currently serving on the Health & Environmental Issues and Executive Committees for the County, Salzer is also chairman of the Facilities Committee.

The Good Government Award is named after one of Peoria Jaycees' finest. In 1948-49, Schlink served as President of the Peoria Chapter, almost immediately following his term as President of the Illinois Jaycees in 1945-46. Schlink and the Peoria Jaycees were instrumental in establishing the Manager-Council form of municipal government that exists in Peoria today. After founding a local blindness center, Schlink died at the very young age of 37.

William Prather

Peoria County Board Chairman William Prather received the 2006 Charles C. Schlink Memorial Good Government Award at the Peoria Jaycees 67th Annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in March. The Awards Banquet was held at the Pere Marquette and County Board Member G. Allen Mayer (above left) presented Prather the award on behalf of the Jaycees. Prather joins Mayer, Aaron Schock, George Shadid and many other notable community leaders on a distinguished list of Good Government Award recipients from past years.

Last year, Prather was selected for the Charles C. Schlink Memorial Good Government Award from many qualified candidates. At the banquet, Peoria Jaycees President Becky Ulrich recognized Prather for his commitment to the community, "Mr. Prather has been a lifelong supporter of the community. Recognition for his outstanding public service is long overdue."

"Bill Prather has been in public service longer than many members of the Jaycees have been alive," Mayer added when introducing Prather at the banquet. Mayer went on to note that Prather began his public service as a Democratic Precinct Committeeman in 1970 and was elected Chillicothe Township Highway Commissioner and to the County Board shortly thereafter. Remarkably, Prather continues to serve in all three roles today. "Some leaders deserve recognition for a singe act or project," continued Mayer, "but Bill Prather is marked by quiet, continuous service to the public."