• Poet Laureate Letter - PDF version (16K)
• Poet Laureate Guidelines - PDF version (76K)

Illinois Poet Laureate
Guidelines for Nominations
Nomination Deadline: July 11, 2003

Statement of Purpose
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich is seeking nominations for the position of the Poet Laureate of Illinois. The Poet Laureate of Illinois shall seek to advance the awareness of and appreciation for literary arts and humanities within the state. As both a state citizen and a distinguished poet, the Poet Laureate shall represent and celebrate the diversity and history of Illinois. As a champion of the state's literary community, the Poet Laureate shall endeavor to promote the many cultural and artistic achievements of the state of Illinois.

Term of Service
The Poet Laureate of Illinois is an honorary state position in which the individual selected will serve a four-year term renewable only by the Governor's consent.

Term Expectations
As a condition of appointment, the Poet Laureate of Illinois will provide a minimum of four annual public readings throughout his or her four-year term. The Poet Laureate will seek to ensure that people in all geographic regions of the state shall have access to at least one reading during his or her term of service. In coordination with the Office of the Governor, the Poet Laureate of Illinois will establish programs to coincide with his or her term of service to promote community awareness of the literary arts and to encourage citizens to develop their own creative interests.

Who may be nominated
Eligible nominees must meet the following requirements:

• Be a current resident of Illinois, with at least ten concurrent years of residency.
• Be available to travel throughout the state.
• Be a recognized poet who meets the review criteria listed below.

Review Criteria

• A proven history of substantial publication of individual poems and/or books, including at least one work that is not self-published or by a vanity press.
• An established history of activity in Illinois' literary community, ie. readings, publications, public presentations, and/or teaching.
• Critical acclaim as demonstrated by special honors, awards, or other recognition.

Who May Nominate
Poet Laureate of Illinois nominations may come from any organization or individual. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

The Governor's Illinois Poet Laureate Review Committee
A diverse committee of qualified individuals, appointed by the Governor, who represent various arts and humanities communities throughout the state will convene to review nominations for the position of Poet Laureate of Illinois. The committee will present their recommendations to the Governor for his final review and appointment. The nomination process will be facilitated by the Illinois Arts Council on behalf of the Governor.

The Governor will announce the selection of the Poet Laureate in the Fall of 2003

Nomination Deadline: July 11, 2003.
Nominations must be delivered by hand, mail or email to The Governor's Illinois Poet Laureate Review Committee no later than 5 PM on the deadline date or be postmarked on or before the deadline date.

Nominations may be mailed, emailed or hand delivered to the following address:

The Governor's Illinois Poet Laureate Review Committee
c/o The Illinois Arts Council
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, Suite 10-500
Chicago, IL 60601,
email: rose@arts.state.il.us

All material submitted must be clearly addressed to The Governor's Illinois Poet Laureate Review Committee. Submitted material will not be returned.

Faxed, incomplete, or nominations received after the deadline will not be accepted.

For further information on the Illinois Poet Laureate Position
Contact:

Illinois Poet Laureate
Nomination Materials/Required Attachments

Submit one copy of all the following materials in the order listed below:

1. A cover letter from the Nominator providing the following information:
   • The qualifications of the nominator or nominating organization.
   • The Nominator's Contact information including
     • Name
     • Address
     • Title (if any)
     • Organization (if any)
     • City, State, Zip
     • Phone
     • Fax
     • Email
   • The nominated poet's contact information including:
     • Name
     • Address
     • Title (if any)
     • Organization (if any)
     • City, State, Zip
     • Phone
     • Fax
     • Email
2. The name and a short biography of the poet to be nominated. (two-page maximum)
   • include a summary of significant awards and published works
   • The poet 's resume may also be attached (two-page maximum).
3. A summary of no more than 1 page indicating why the nominator considers the work of the nominated poet to be of the highest quality and most representative of the state.
4. A short paragraph indicating that the nominator has contacted the nominated poet and that the poet has reviewed the expectations of the position and agrees to the nomination.
5. A sample of up to five works by the nominated poet, i.e., poems, books, etc. (Samples will not be returned.)

FAILURE TO PROVIDE ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC INELIGIBILITY.