Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) and Lutherans Unite for Illinois on Sept. 16, 2025, honored Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker with the Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award for exemplifying Sen. Simon’s lifelong commitment to developing just, compassionate, and responsible public policy, especially in defense of Medicaid and social services. The award was established in 2004 by several Lutheran organizations to honor the late Sen. Simon’s extraordinary legacy of public service.
Convened by LSSI, Lutherans Unite for Illinois consists of Lutheran leaders, church partners, and organizational representatives with a shared commitment to human dignity and compassionate care. The group uplifts the vital role of human services in Illinois, showing the strength of a united Lutheran voice to support people needing those services. These included Lutheran Services in America, Lutheran Child and Family Services, Concordia Place, the three Illinois Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Bethel New Life, Illinois Collaboration on Youth, Illinois Partners in Human Services, and the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois.
The award presentation comes as the recently passed federal budget reconciliation bill threatens to dismantle Medicaid, devastating the social and human services sectors that Sen. Simon successfully strived to strengthen. Over 3.4 million Illinoisans—roughly a quarter of the state’s population—rely on Medicaid. The wide majority of LSSI’s 56,000 clients depend on it.
“LSSI and Lutherans Unite are committed to recognizing and appreciating public leaders who share our mission to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Mark Stutrud, President and Chief Executive Officer of LSSI. “Gov. Pritzker’s compassion and championing of human services for our neighbors across Illinois personifies the ideals of the Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award.”
Stutrud presented the award at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oak Park, Ill., with over 100 people representing Lutheran-affiliated social service organizations, human service nonprofits, LSSI employees, and Lutheran congregations in attendance.
“During the state budget impasse from 2015 to 2017, Illinois’ social safety net was stretched to the breaking point,” Stutrud said in presenting the award to Gov. Pritzker. “LSSI made some of the most painful decisions in our 150-plus year history. Following Gov. Pritzker’s election, Illinois was on a different path. In 2019, the state started doing the basic, essential things again that stabilize care: paying bills on time, rebuilding reserves, and investing in people.”
“These are not abstract line items,” Stutrud emphasized. “They’ve allowed us to rebuild teams, reopen capacity, and shorten waitlists for critical services. They’ve resulted in faster payments to human services nonprofits and fairer rates that mean we can plan a year out, not week to week. We’ve been able to invest with greater impact in the lives of those we serve.”
“I am honored to receive the Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award and deeply grateful to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois for their continued commitment to uplifting our most vulnerable communities,” said Gov. Pritzker. “Revitalizing our human services infrastructure has been among our highest priorities – ensuring that all Illinoisans get the support and protection they need to live healthy, full lives.”
Past recipients of the Paul Simon award include U.S. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, a protégé of Sen. Simon, and his successor in the U.S. Senate (2005); James R. Thompson, Former Illinois Governor and Member of the 911 Commission (2006); Men and Women serving in the Illinois National Guard (2012); Sen. Dan Kotowski and Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka (2015), and State Rep. Robyn Gabel (2021).
At the event, Illinois State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, 19th District, also received the LSSI Legislator of the Year Award for her leadership in ensuring Illinois residents have access to behavioral health and social services. She is Chair of the Illinois House Mental Health and Addictions Committee and Vice-Chair of the House Human Services Committee.
“Rep. LaPointe’s career began in front-line social work—supporting children with special needs, adults with disabilities, seniors, and individuals facing homelessness, addiction, and behavioral health challenges,” said Stutrud. “She has added to that experience a growing expertise in human services through policy and advocacy roles in state government and nonprofits.”
Pritzker praised LaPointe for her vision and results-driven service. “Lindsey is truly a partner in the Illinois General Assembly,” said Pritzker. “She joined shortly after I became governor, and so I got to know her early on in her service. I am so pleased you have awarded somebody who is a true leader. The things that she’s accomplished really are quite remarkable in just a few short years.”
Watch Gov. Pritzker’s full remarks on the @MeetLSSI YouTube page https://youtu.be/hr-Kg62gMHw
