During the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives’ (AIEC’s) annual meeting Aug. 1-2, three elected officials were named recipients of Illinois Electric Cooperatives’ Public Service Award. This year’s recipients included State Representative Patrick Windhorst and State Senators Steve McClure and Patrick Joyce. The award is given in recognition of dedicated public service to all citizens of the state of Illinois and for outstanding contributions to the rural electrification program.
State Representative Patrick Windhorst
“State Representative Windhorst is a strong advocate and one of the leading voices on the issues impacting rural Illinois as a Republican floor leader, and he does a great job of stressing those concerns during each bill debate,” said Nick Reitz, vice president of government relations for the AIEC. “We really appreciate that his door is always open to discuss our thoughts on energy legislation being debated and how it would impact the electric cooperatives in his district.”
Windhorst represents the 117th House District in southern Illinois, which includes the service territories of SouthEastern Illinois Electric Cooperative, Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative and Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative. He is a Republican and has served as a State Representative since January 2019.
“I appreciate this tremendous honor,” Windhorst said. “Making sure that we’re providing clean, safe, affordable and efficient electricity to rural Illinois is vitally important. Your cooperatives provide electricity to thousands of southern Illinoisans and throughout the state, and you play a vital role in making sure that we have economic development and rural development. I want to thank you for considering me and for giving me this award.”
State Senator Steve McClure
“State Senator McClure has been a great supporter of the electric cooperatives in his district and throughout the state,” said Reitz. “He’s a strong advocate and voice on the issues impacting rural Illinois. As a member of the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee, he is always eager to hear our thoughts on environmental and energy legislation being debated and how it would impact the industry and the electric cooperatives in his district. He never misses a Youth Day and a chance to visit and interact with the students representing their co-ops. That engagement is always so neat to see.”
McClure represents the 54th Senate District in central Illinois, which includes the service territories of Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative, M.J.M. Electric Cooperative, Menard Electric Cooperative, Norris Electric Cooperative, Shelby Electric Cooperative and Southwestern Electric Cooperative. He is a Republican and has served as a State Senator since January 2019.
“I’m really honored to receive this [award], because it’s from all of you,” McClure said. “You are important not just for our state, but for the constituents who are members. [You make it] easy for me to understand where you stand on the issues. … You let me know what I’ve got to do to serve you in the best ways that I can. … I just hope I can continue to work with you for many years to come. Thank you for what you do and thank you very much for this award.”
State Senator Patrick Joyce
“State Senator Joyce has been a great friend and supporter of the rural electric cooperative program since first being elected,” Reitz said. “He is a strong advocate and voice for the issues impacting communities throughout rural Illinois. As a member of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, his door is always open to discuss energy legislation being debated and how it would impact the industry and electric cooperatives throughout Illinois.”
Joyce was unable to attend the meeting and will accept the award at a later date. Joyce represents the 40th Senate District in northeastern Illinois. He is a Democrat and has served as a State Senator since November 2019.
“As a fourth-generation farmer, Senator Joyce understands and relates well to the areas that we serve as electric cooperatives, and I think it’s great when people with that background serve in the Illinois General Assembly,” said Craig Sondgeroth, AIEC president/CEO. “On behalf of Illinois’ electric cooperatives, I want to congratulate Senator Joyce, Senator McClure and Representative Windhorst on winning our 2024 Public Service Award. You are all well-deserving, and we appreciate your support.”
