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Illinois Credit Union League announces 2023 award winners

NAPERVILLE, IL (August 22, 2023) — The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of the Hall of Fame Leadership and Lifetime Award, Small Asset Size Credit Union Award, and Spirit of Service Awards. The awards are given annually to honor outstanding contributors to the credit union movement in Illinois.

The Hall of Fame Awards incorporate two award categories, Leadership and Lifetime Achievement. Each award recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact in Illinois and/or at the national level. Nominees must have at least ten years of active involvement in the credit union movement; have participated in league, chapter or national activities; promoted the cooperative nature of credit unions locally; and demonstrated leadership and a personal commitment and vision to the credit union movement. We are thrilled to announce that in the area of Leadership we are honoring two extraordinary credit union champions: Mike Daugherty, Community Plus Federal Credit Union; and Tom Lex, Heartland CU. Honored in the category of Lifetime Achievement Award is Costanzo (Connie) Masestranzi, Corporate America Family Credit Union.

ICUL’s Spirt of Service Awards celebrate the exceptional achievement or innovation by a credit union employee or volunteer. These individuals exemplify the credit union spirit of people helping people and create strong member and community awareness of credit unions. The Volunteer of the Year for 2023 is Eddie Berry, Israel Methcomm Federal Credit Union and the Employee of the Year is Walter Tun, Self Reliance Federal Credit Union.

The Small Credit Union Award celebrates the accomplishments, time and effort in support of the credit union movement by professionals serving credit unions under $50 million in assets. The criteria for the Small Credit Union Award include outstanding accomplishments in the areas of leadership, dedication to the movement, and community involvement. ICUL awards Karen Jurasek, Generations Credit Union with this distinguished honor in 2023.

“Congratulations to this year’s award winners for their commitment to their members, communities, and the credit union movement,” said Illinois Credit Union League President/CEO Tom Kane. “We are excited to celebrate each of these individuals during our 93nd Annual Convention. Each winner has demonstrated the people helping people philosophy with their commitment and dedication and we are very grateful of their service to the industry!”

The award presentations will occur during the Annual Convention Celebration Luncheon on Friday, October 6, 2023 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. The luncheon provides a unique opportunity to bring leaders from across Illinois together to celebrate the award recipients and unite on the shared principles of the credit union movement.

About Illinois Credit Union League (IUCL)

The Illinois Credit Union League is the primary trade association for more than 200 state and federal credit unions in Illinois. It focuses on providing legislative and regulatory advocacy, compliance assistance and information, and a wide range of educational and training services to those credit unions, who in turn serve approximately 3.4 million members. More information can be found at www.icul.com.