Serve Illinois Commission Releases Annual Report for 2015!
Illinois Ranks #1 in Volunteering of the Largest States
Illinois has a strong tradition of neighbors helping neighbors. Illinoisans give comfort to the homeless, help educate our students, respond to disasters, and so much more. Over 2,500,000 Illinoisans gave back to their communities through service. Their 274 million hours equated to a $6.8 billion investment in our communities. Their hard work made Illinois the most volunteering state of the largest states in the Union!   

Read the Report
2015 Marked the Year of the Volunteer
The Year of the Volunteer emerged from a Senate Resolution citing “service instills the knowledge that citizenship brings responsibility and that everyone has talents and skills to make their community a better place.” The theme, “You are the difference” brought attention to the individual and the remarkable impact of one person.
Numbers to Know!
  • $16 million-Federal Investment to Serve Illinois Programming
  • $52 million in AmeriCorps Volunteer Impact
  • 425,714 Disadvantaged Youth Served
  • 39,728 Veterans and Military Family Members Served
  • 3,042 victims of disaster served
  • $50 to $1 Return on State Investment
2015 Staff
Scott McFarland, Executive Director
Sue Zellers, Program Officer
Mattias Ghelaidos, Accountant
Mike Stehlin, Special Projects  
Jacob Nudelman, GPSI
William Coussens, GPSI
Kelia Beck, GPSI
2015 Commission
Frederick Nettles, Chair
Don Baden, Vice Chair
Jane Angelis
Kathleen Blair
Julian Brown
Barb Byrne
Merri Dee
James Dixon
Kathy Engelken
Amanda Guinn
John Hosteny
Nancy K. Jameson
Tony Smith
Howard L. Lathan
Beth Ford
Matt McCabe
Adam McGriffin
Jennifer Phillips 
Debra Martón
Jenné Myers
Robert “Al” Riddley
Joseph Rives
Giraldo Rosales
Anne Schuman
Cynthia Sims
Stephen Silberman
Barbara Tubekis
Jeff Turnbull
Heather Way
Jennifer Witzel
Chris Errera
Sarah Mackey
Julian Brown
Rob Bonesteel
Nisan Chavkin
Laura Davis
National Service Recognition Day
Governor Rauner proclaimed October 21st National Service Recognition Day in Illinois, and Serve Illinois celebrated it with nearly 1,000 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps volunteers. The day culminated with a parade of volunteers to the Old State Capitol in Springfield.
“I am proud to welcome these new AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers into the national service family – they are the heart of everything we do,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. 
Governor's Volunteer Service Awards
 2015 marked the sixth year of the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards in Illinois. These awards recognize individual volunteers through a statewide award program to highlight the importance of volunteerism and community service in the State of Illinois. In 2015, the Commission receiving an astounding 170 nominations from across the state. 28 awardees were honored. 

The Serve Illinois Commission is a 40 member (25 voting and 15 non-voting), bi-partisan board appointed by the Governor and administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing volunteerism and instilling an ethic of service throughout the state. The Commission is accomplishing this mission through the support of local community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the administration of Illinois' AmeriCorps program. For more information on Serve Illinois, or to find one of over 2,500 volunteer opportunities in the state, please visit our website!