Leadership that Inspires and Transforms
“…let us confidently hope that all will yet be well.”
-Abraham Lincoln
Come to Springfield, Illinois and visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Excellence. Service. Honor.
The Lincoln Academy of Illinois partners with donors, members, and regents to advance the values exhibited in the life of Abraham Lincoln: Excellence, service, and honor.
We are committed to programs that:
- Honor distinguished Illinoisans’ contributions to society;
- Encourage public service; and
- Invest in developing principled leadership for the future.
We can all play a role in encouraging leadership in the spirit of Abraham Lincoln through the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
Invest in leadership, in excellence, in the future of Illinois. Join us →
We offer our condolences to the family of James R. Thompson, the longest-serving governor of Illinois, Lincoln Laureate, and past President of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
Stanley Balzekas
We are sad to announce the passing passing of Stanley Balzekas, Jr., on June 18, 2020.
Stanley founded the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. He was a long time member of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, and a decorated World War II veteran.
Read more about Stanley’s storied life at
https://www.palosgaidasfh.com/obituary/stanley-balzekas-jr
UPCOMING
2020 LAUREATE CONVOCATION
Normal, IL on the campus of Illinois State University
– Civic Committee Chairs Mrs. Marlene & President Larry Dietz
Read the 2020 announcement →
Frank Clark, Chancellor, and The Honorable Jay Robert “J.B.” Pritzker, President of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois
The Lincoln Academy of Illinois
MISSION STATEMENT
To honor individuals whose outstanding contributions to the betterment of mankind have been accomplished in or on behalf of the State of Illinois, or whose achievements have brought honor to the State because of their identity with it, whether by birth or residence, or by their dedication to those principles of democracy and humanity as exemplified by the great Illinoisan whose name we bear. These individuals, reflective of the diverse populace of the State of Illinois, are named Laureates of the Academy and receive the “Order of Lincoln,” the State of Illinois’ highest award, at an annual Convocation.
To honor one outstanding senior from each of the four year not-for-profit degree granting institutions and one outstanding senior from among all of the community college students who, in the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, demonstrated leadership and service in his or her campus or community and excellence in curricular and co-curricular programs, to be named Student Laureates and receive the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award and the Lincoln Medallion.
Today's Student Laureate Spotlight is Leigha Sommer from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Leigha is currently a mentor at Minds Matter Chicago. She has previously worked with CASA of Cook County and After School Matters. She did so while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA with a double major in Economics and English and a triple minor in Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology.
We hope Leigha's "flame" for public service never extinguishes.
Give Leigha a LIKE for all her amazing accomplishments and in support of her future endeavors.
Congrats Leigha, we miss you!
Unfortunately, the Lincoln Academy of Illinois was outbid by $81,000. 🙂
Lock of Lincoln's Hair Sells for More Than $81,000 at Auction
time.com
The roughly 2-inch long lock of hair was removed during Lincoln’s postmortem examination after he was fatally shotToday's Student Laureate Spotlight is Kristina Olsen from Trinity International University.
Below is Kristina's written statement in which she describes her admiration for Abraham Lincoln's consistent leadership.
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Abraham Lincoln certainly left a legacy that can be admired, from the way he received the nickname “Honest Abe” to his intentional plans for Reconstruction after the abolition of slavery. The model he gives us all as someone who always sought the best for those around him, both when he was still living within modest means and after he became the nation’s most powerful man, has shown us all a consistency in character that is hard to find today. President Lincoln was a man of his word, and oftentimes I take that for granted. I will never forget learning as a young girl the consistency and the loyalty he had in his leadership. As I finish out my final year of my undergraduate studies and continue on into my next steps, my hope is that I, too, can grow even more in my values and stand firm by them just as he did, whether it is in any future leadership roles, friendships, studies, or careers.
Funds raised at the Academy’s Order of Lincoln Convocation help provide the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement awards and the ‘Lincoln Medallion’ which will be presented by the Academy’s President to each of 57 Student Laureates at a separate ceremony held in Springfield later this year.
Thus, the Lincoln Academy honors the Great Citizens of Today and Celebrates the Great Citizens of Tomorrow — knowing that now, as always, our state and nation need what Vachel Lindsay called ‘Lincoln-hearted’ men and women.
Mr. Lincoln would be proud.