Gov. Pritzker Announces the 2024 Order of Lincoln Recipients

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker today announced the 2024 recipients of the Order of Lincoln, the state's highest civilian honor for professional achievement and public service. This year's Lincoln Laureates will be honored at the upcoming 60th annual Convocation and Investiture at 5:30 p.m. on April 13, 2024, at the Chicago History Museum.

"I couldn't be prouder to announce this year's Order of Lincoln recipients-Illinois' highest honor for those undertaking irreplaceable work that uplifts their communities," said Governor JB Pritzker. "This year's impressive honorees include a former Illinois Supreme Court Justice, a Baseball Hall of Famer, Policy and Business Leaders, and one of the nation's finest musicians. These talented individuals embody the spirit of our state, and I am honored to recognize them for their service and dedication to Illinois."

"Lincoln himself said the greatest honor was to prove yourself worthy of your fellow citizens' esteem," said The Hon. Ronald Spears, Chancellor of the Academy. "These seven extraordinary people have truly proven themselves, and we are thrilled to give them the highest esteem that Illinois has to offer."

Established in 1964, the Order of Lincoln honors Illinois residents whose work uplifts every community in the state. The seven recipients join more than 350 distinguished Illinois residents who have joined the Order of Lincoln over the last five decades. This year's recipients are:

Evelyn Brandt Thomas, an Illinois resident for over a century, Brandt Thomas is a dedicated and active philanthropist, businesswoman, and mentor, described by Farm World as "a pioneer who helped create an agricultural empire." Her remarkable contributions began on a farm near Pleasant Plains, where like many farm youth, she learned the "family business" through daily tasks, acquiring skills that would serve her well in the future as a resilient and resourceful leader. In the early 1950s, Brandt Thomas and her brother, Glen, started a business to supplement the family's income on the farm. Over the course of nearly 70 years, Brandt Thomas and the Brandt team grew Brandt Consolidated (Brandt.co) into the global powerhouse it is today, providing innovative solutions through more than 250 products to farmers throughout the world. Loyal to its roots, the company remains headquartered in Springfield and employs hundreds; Brandt Thomas continues to be active on the Board of Directors, guiding the company's corporate strategy.

Lewis Collens, a life-long resident of Illinois, Lewis Collens is a highly respected and recognized leader in higher education, credited with the strategic revitalization and transformation of two major Chicago institutions, the Illinois Institute of Technology and its Chicago-Kent College of Law. Collens also co-founded the bar review company now known as BARBRI to help adequately prepare the next generation of lawyers to pass the bar, especially those who lack financial resources.

Hon. Rita B. Garman, an Aurora native and retired Illinois Supreme Court Justice after nearly five decades of service to the citizens of Illinois. Garman passed the Illinois Bar exam in 1968, was appointed associate judge in Vermilion County in 1974, elected to circuit judgeship in 1986, and appointed to the Fourth District Appellate Court in 1995. In 2001, Garman was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court, and went on to serve as Chief Justice from 2013-2016. She was only the second woman to hold that position.

Lester H. McKeever, Jr., born and raised in Chicago, Lester H. McKeever, Jr. became the 60th Black Certified Public Accountant in the United States in 1960. He joined Unity Mutual Life Insurance, where a pivotal professional partnership began when he met the nation's first Black female CPA. McKeever had a long affiliation with the accounting firm of Washington and Pittman (which would later become Washington, Pittman & McKeever) and he became a Managing Principal of the firm. The Illinois CPA Society created the "Lester H. McKeever Jr. Advancing Diversity Award" in 2016 in his honor. McKeever led the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago as its chairman, and his civic board engagements have included the Chicago Urban League, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and he has served his undergraduate alma mater as treasurer of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Raul I. Raymundo, with seed capital of $30,000 from six area parishes in 1990, Chicago native Raul I. Raymundo co-founded The Resurrection Project (TRP), which has gone on to leverage those initial funds into more than $640 million in community investments, benefiting nearly a quarter of a million people throughout the western suburbs and the city's southwest side. These include the development of more than 800 affordable homes plus early childhood centers, senior centers, community centers, and a charter school serving thousands of families. Raymundo's financial acumen and leadership were instrumental in helping many to avoid foreclosure during the failure of a financial institution and he remains active on several bank advisory boards, including Fifth Third Bank, CIBC Bank, Huntington Bank, and local divisions of Self-Help Federal Credit Union.

James H. Thome, Peoria native Jim Thome is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for his performance through 22 seasons of professional baseball. Thome first distinguished himself as an athlete at Limestone High School and went on to play for Illinois Central College, where the sports complex is named in his honor. Thome played for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, and Baltimore Orioles. A five-time All-Star, he won a Silver Slugger Award and was American League Comeback Player of the Year in 2006. Of the more than 1,000 athletes from Illinois who have played Major League Baseball, Thome ranks first in home runs (612), runs batted in (1,699), on-base percentage (.402) and slugging (.554). Thome was named the 2002 Roberto Clemente Award Winner, bestowed annually to the player who best represents the game through extraordinary character and community involvement. His fellow athletes named him the 2001 and 2004 Marvin Miller Man of the Year, recognizing his inspirational contributions to others. In 2024 he received the prestigious Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, an honor given annually to the major league player who best exhibits the character and integrity of the late Lou Gehrig.