Inaugural Gala 1997: Outstanding Illinoisans

Launched in 1997, the Outstanding Illinoisan awards were presented to individuals from Illinois who displayed outstanding life-long service in the following areas: Arts and Entertainment; Business; Literature and Journalism; Military Service; Public Service; Non-Profit Service; Science and Technology; and Sports. Pictured below are those honored in 1997 along with their achievement that earned them this mark of distinction.

 

In 1997, the Hon. Carol Moseley-Braun, Honorary Co-chair for the Illinois Inaugural Gala, had the privilege of presenting the five Outstanding Illinoisans with their awards. Moseley-Braun is shown here displaying the award as she began to announce the honorees.

 

Outstanding Illinoisans with the Hon. Carol Moseley-Braun. Left to Right: The Hon. Richard M. Daley, David Broder, Mosley-Braun, General John Shalikashvili, Robert Novak, and Hugh O'Brian.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley

Richard M. Daley has earned a national reputation for developing innovative, community-based programs to address crime, public education, neighborhood development and other challenges facing cities. By resoundingly winning a fifth term in February 2003, he currently stands as the longest-serving big-city chief executive in the nation -- and bestrides Chicago like a colossus. Daley's political success lies in part in the relationships he has built with the very groups that once distrusted the family name. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley was honored as an "Outstanding Illinoisan" at the 1997 Illinois Presidential Inaugural Gala the at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC.

Hugh O’Brien -- Actor and President of the HOBY Foundation

Hugh O'Brian attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois where he was a "four-letter man" in football, basketball, wrestling, and track. His academic career to Yale became derailed when he was introduced to a theatre group in Los Angeles. His "big break" came in 1955 when he was chosen to portray the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp (of Monmouth, Illinois!) for the first adult western on television. A glorious career of film, stage, and TV followed. In 1958, O'Brian founded the Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation (HOBY) to seek out, recognize, and develop leadership potential in high school sophomores.

 

David S. Broder -- Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist

David S. Broder is a native of Chicago Heights, Illinois. He received his bachelor's degree and MA in political science from the University of Chicago. He began his newspaper career at the Bloomington, Illinois Pantograph. Broder is a political correspondent for The Washington Post whose column is syndicated by more than 300 newspapers globally. He is the author of six books and is a regular commentator on CNN's "Inside Politics." Broder was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for distinguished commentary.

Robert D. Novak -- Columnist with the Chicago Sun Times and Television Host

Robert D. Novak was born in 1931 in Joliet ,Illinois. His first newspaper jobs were as a reporter for the Joliet Herald-News and the Champaign-Urbana Courier while he attended the University of Illinois (1948-1952). Since 1966, The Chicago Sun-Times has been the home newspaper to his "Inside Report" syndicated column. He is a commentator for Cable News Network, where he co-hosts the "Evans and Novak" interview program. He also hosts "Insights" on National Empowerment Television and appears occasionally on NBC's "Meet the Press."

 

General John M. Shalikashvili -- Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (1993-1997)

General John M. Shalikashvili was appointed the thirteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense, by President Clinton and assumed his duties on October 23, 1993, He was reappointed for a second term in October 1995. Born in Warsaw, Poland, on June 27, 1936, General Shalikashvili holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University and a Master's Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University .

Sponsors of the 1997 Gala:

Gold Circle

Motorola

Silver Circle

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Caterpillar Corporation

Bronze Circle

American Airlines
Quaker Oats
Burlington Northern/Santa Fe
IMC Global, Inc.
Hopkins and Sutter
Upjohn

Copper Circle

Ameritech
Central Illinois Light Company
Chicago Board of Trade
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
Commonwealth Edison
Kraft Foods
Marshall Field's
Sargent and Lundy

Brass Circle

Allstate Insurance Co.
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Kemper Insurance Cos.
McDonald's Corporation
Navistar International Transportation Corp.
Central Illinois Public Service Company