Abilene Award
On April 8, 2021, The Leadership Council was honored to receive the Abilene Award and Scott AFB. The Abilene Trophy is awarded annually to the community in Air Mobility Command that is most supportive of its local Air Force Base. the Abilene Military Affairs Committee from Abilene, Texas celebrated the win with Southwestern Illinois at a social held by the Commander, 375th Air Mobility Wing.
This is the third win for the Leadership Council and the Communities surrounding Scott AFB. The Abilene Trophy was also awarded to the Council in 2012 and 2014.
The Leadership Council was recognized for its work in advocating for the passage of Illinois House bill 1652, which provides expedited professional license reciprocity for military spouses and servicemembers. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into las in August 2019 and it went into effect in January. This bill impacts approximately 110 professional licenses administered by the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
One of the key issues impacting military recruitment and retention is license reciprocity for military spouses,” said Col. J. Scot Heathman, Scott Air Force Base Installation commander and commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing. “The Leadership Council understands the impact of frequent relocations on our military spouses’ careers. Their advocacy and leadership on this issue was crucial in getting this law passed.”
The Leadership Council’s award package also included many examples of the communities’ support to Scott AFB like the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber Annual Salute to Scott, the Belle-Scott Committee’s Annual Enlisted Dinner, and the St. Louis Cardinals participation in the 2019 Wounded Warrior CARE Event held in August.