Rock Island Officially Announces Citizen Of The Year Award Winners

The City of Rock Island announced the annual Citizen of the Year award winners during Monday night’s city council meeting. Anyone who was considered for these awards are a huge part of Rock Island.

In fact, 7th Ward Alderman Bill Healy stated,

“We obviously have a great city with very passionate people.”

The Award Winners

Awards were given in the categories of business, professional, organization, individual, youth, veteran, honorary citizen (non-resident of Rock Island), and overall citizen of the year. The winners are as follows,

Business: McDonald’s, 1813 30th St.

McDonald’s franchise owner Austin Smith was nominated by citizens for “his ongoing support for the Rock Island community.”

 

Professional: 14th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Carol Pentuic

Judge Carol Pentuic initiated the creation and implementation of the Rock Island County Eviction Diversion Program, a program to help residents who were behind on rent to remain in their homes after the eviction moratorium ended in Illinois.

 

Organization: Celebrate Recovery

Now in their 20th year, Celebrate Recovery provides a 12-step addiction and mental health healing program.

 

Honorary Citizen (non-resident of Rock Island): Rock Island High School English teacher Michelle Greenwood

Michelle Greenwood has taught at Rock Island High School for more than 20 years. She was nominated by several residents, including fellow teacher Connie Hayek, who said Greenwood is the “epitome of what it means to be a teacher and exemplary citizen.

 

Individual: Vicki Hess

Vicki Hess was recognized for her tireless hours of selfless volunteer work. She volunteers for the South Rock Island Township, organizes coat drives for Christian Care Homeless Shelter, raises money for families in need and cooks breakfast every Saturday at the Rock Island Eagles Club.

 

Youth: Quincy Davis

Quincy Davis is called “the best kept secret of the Quad Cities.” He has been volunteering in the community for nearly 35 years, beginning as a youth basketball coach for the Rock Island Park Board in 1988. He has volunteered for the past six years for the Lonnie Ray Academy as a mentor and basketball coach.

 

Veteran: James Kerr

The veteran category is new this year. U.S. Air Force veteran James Kerr has been recognized by the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs and the Illinois Bicentennial Office “as a veteran whose service did not stop when he took off the uniform.”

 

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Overall Citizen of the Year

Quincy Davis

With all his hard work with Rock Island youth, Quincy Davis has been chosen as the Overall Rock Island Citizen of the Year.

He has volunteered for the past six years for the Lonnie Ray Academy as a mentor and basketball coach. He organizes tournaments, and arranges lodging, transportation and meals -- often at his own expense. Davis also serves on the Rock Island Civil Rights Commission, serves on the board for Churches United of the Quad Cities and serves as chairman of the Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Deacon Ministry. In addition to his volunteer work, Davis hosts a weekly Sunday morning radio show on KALA called “The Greater Antioch Gospel Hour.”

We all want to say thank you, and congratulations to all the amazing citizens of Rock Island.