100 years and growing

Every year since 7985, the 103 year-old Illinois State Historical Society has honored Illinois businesses and not-for-profit organizations that have operated continuously in the state for 100 years or more. Last October the Society gave out 37 Centennial Awards at a banquet held in Chicago's Palmer House hotel. Each award recipient received a plaque signed by Governor George Ryan and ISHS President Rand Burnette. Throughout the year Illinois Heritage will profile each of the 2001 Centennial winners. For more information about the Centennial Awards Program, please visit our website at www.historyillmois.org, or call the Society office at 217-525-2781.

Greene County Mutual Insurance Company of Greenfield put out its shingle on July 19, 1900. Originally incorporated as the Rockbridge Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company, this small, independent business initially insured only farm property in five Greene County townships. Today GCMIC serves all of Greene as well as seven adjacent counties. The company is affiliated with the Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company of Grinnell, Iowa, one of the largest reinsurers of farm mutuals in the world.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 176, is the electrical trade union of Joliet. Chartered on April 25, 1901, Local 176 is an affiliate of the Washington, D.C.-based national organization and a strong progressive voice in the professional trade community. Today membership in the local numbers more than 1,500.

Centennial Award Chair Norm Berger presents a Centennial plaque to Dr. Karen Egenes of the Illinois Nurses Association.

  The Illinois Nurses Association donned its cap on August 22, 1901. Charged with advancing the interest and welfare of the nursing profession, the Chicago and Springfield-based organization is the voice for registered nurses in Illinois, advocating and bargaining for its constituency both in the workplace and the state legislature. In addition, INA is the undisputed leader in creating solutions for health-care issues and envisioning the future of the profession and the organization.

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Since its beginnings 135 years ago, the Illinois Press Association has served a diverse group of family and chain newspaper owners; editors and reporters; clients and advertising representatives; and editorial writers and politicians. Its successes include helping to forge the Open Meetings Act, establishing the IPA Libel/First Amendment Hotline, and organizing a network of more than 600 press affiliates around the state.

The Juvenile Protective Association was founded in 1901 by Jane Addams and her colleagues at Hull House. Initially a probation committee of the Chicago Woman's Club, the association quickly set high marks for itself by advocating for and establishing the first juvenile court in the United States. From 1907 to the 1940s, JPA focused on the issues of racism, child labor and exploitation, and drug abuse, but in later years turned its sights to direct outreach. Today this child welfare agency's mission is to protect and promote the healthy development of children, and to protect them from abuse.

ILLINOIS STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

Established in 1877, the Illinois State Bar Association is a voluntary membership professional association for lawyers and judges. Its historical mission is to cultivate the science of jurisprudence, to promote reform in the law, to facilitate the administration of justice, to elevate the standard of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession, to encourage a thorough and liberal legal education, and to cherish a spirit of brotherhood among its membership.

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