2024 First Citizen Award Winner
Joan Bortolon is the 2024 winner and 62nd recipient of The Springfield area’s prestigious First Citizen Award.
As Board President of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, Bortolon has played an instrumental role in honoring local veterans by providing them with memorable, no-cost trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.
Over the last 15 years, Bortolon has personally organized details of more than 70 Honor Flights for more than 60,000 central Illinois veterans and their families to take the trip which many veterans say is one of the most memorable days of their lives.
"Joan’s exemplary service to our local veterans embodies the spirit of the First Citizen Award. Volunteering countless hours in the service of others, especially thousands of veterans, that have sacrificed so much, made her a deserving winner of this year’s award."
First Citizen Board President Butch Elzea