Learn how you can nominate individuals from your area for IRC awards or how to benefit from grant money that is available each year for various educational activities.


(To view past IRC Award Recipients, please click here.)

Awards

  • Barack Obama Library Award. Do you know a teacher of 5th-8th-grade kids who could make good use of a classroom library? This award is a classroom library, valued at $1000, which was created in 2006 through a generous gift to the IRC from (then) Senator Obama. This collection is comprised of carefully selected literature that is culturally relevant for African-American readers and targets students in the middle-school (5th-8th) grade range. The Nomination Form and Guidelines are available online and due by November 1.

  • Boomer Crotty Joy in Literacy Early Career Award.  This award celebrates educators who are promoting joyful literacy and making a difference in the literate lives of students in their early years as educators. IRC will honor an educator who is still in their first through fifth years in the profession. The award was established in memory of Boomer Crotty, a long-time IRC member and advocate of spreading laughter through books. The Application Form and Guidelines are available online and due by October 1.

  • Council of Excellence Award. The Award of Excellence recognizes local and special interest councils that organize and conduct well-rounded programs serving the council members, the community, and the state association. The Application Form and Guidelines are available online and due by October 1. 

  • Family Literacy Award. This award recognizes an IRC member who promotes and supports parent involvement in children's reading. The Nomination Form is available online and due by November 1.

  • Hall of Councils. The Hall of Councils at the annual IRC Conference allows councils the opportunity to advertise activities and accomplishments and to promote membership with a display.

  • Jerry Johns Reading Educator of the Year Award. This award recognizes an outstanding teacher who make contributions in promoting literacy among students, colleagues, and school communities. This award is supported by a generous gift from Jerry Johns. The Nomination Form is available online.  The Nomination Form, letters of recommendation, and your philosophy statement are due by November 1. 
  • ILA Exemplary Reading Program Award. The ILA Exemplary Reading Program Award is sponsored by the International Literacy Association to recognize outstanding reading and language arts programs at all grade levels (elementary, middle, and high school). The deadline is December 31.

  • IRC Hall of Fame Award. The IRC has designed the Hall of Fame to recognize significant contributions to reading or reading education. Two awards will be given at the annual statewide conference. The immediate Past President shall receive the nomination forms and final determination will be made by the Executive Committee no later than 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting. The Nomination Guidelines and Form are now available online and due by November 1.


  • IRC Service Award. The IRC will present the IRC Service Award (formerly known as the Certificate of Recognition) at the annual IRC Annual Meeting. Certificates are awarded to the most deserving individuals who meet the criteria listed. The ILA State Coordinator shall receive the nomination forms and final determination of the recipients will be made by the Executive Committee no later than 60 days prior to the annual meeting. The Nomination Guidelines and Form are now available online and due by November 1. 

  • Prairie State Award for Excellence in Writing for Children. This award recognizes an Illinois Children's/young adult author whose body of work demonstrates excellence, engenders a love of literature, and embraces an important part of the mission of the Illinois Reading Council—to promote lifelong literacy.  The Nomination Form is due by June 15.

  • Static Stick Decal Design Contest. Students in grade 4, 5, or 6 are encouraged to create an original design promoting reading. The winning design is printed on static stick decals. The Application Form is available online. Entries must be postmarked no later than January 15. 

Grants

  • International Grant. The International Committee of the Illinois Reading Council has created a grant to promote literacy projects internationally. Studies indicate that poverty levels and literacy rates are inversely proportional. By supporting our international community in the areas of literacy, it in turn improves our universal society. The IRC wants to support these efforts. The Grant Application and Guidelines are available online. The maximum amount per grant is $500. The application deadline is May 1.  Grants will be awarded for the next fiscal year from July to June. Awards will be announced by July 15.

  • Literacy Support Grant. The Illinois Reading Council will award financial grants to local and special interest councils and individuals council members for the purpose of promoting literacy development in the school and community, and/or providing professional development opportunities related to the improvement of reading and writing instruction. If fulfilling one of the above stated purposes requires a joint effort with another school, district, or other agency, letters stating their intended involvement are required from these agencies. The grant application can be submitted through the Online Grant Application Form.  There is no specific amount per grant. The amount awarded for each grant may be less than the amount requested. Application deadline is May 1. Grants will be awarded for the next fiscal year from July to June. Awards will be announced by July 15.

For more information, contact us at [email protected].