2026 Award Nomination Form

ILLINOIS JUVENILE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION 

2026 AWARDS NOMINATIONS 

Dear Illinois Juvenile Officers Association Members, Illinois Sheriffs and Illinois Police Chiefs,   

The Illinois Juvenile Officers Association will be accepting nominations for the Juvenile Officer of the Year Award, the Distinguished Service Award and the Initiative of the Year Award.  The awards will be presented to the recipients at the Annual I.J.O.A and D.A.R.E. Conference in Bloomington, Illinois on June 3rd, 2026.  The award recipients are encouraged to attend to receive the award.  Each of the award recipients will have their conference registration fee waived for the 2026 Annual I.J.O.A. and D.A.R.E Conference. 

The Juvenile Officer of the Year Award will be presented to an individual whom has made significant contributions and dedicated service to juveniles within their agencies, local community and to the law enforcement profession within the recent year. 

The Distinguished Service Award will be presented to an individual whom has made significant contributions and dedicated service to juveniles within their agencies, local community and to the law enforcement profession during their career.  The Recipient should have at least ten years of service with juveniles in their community.  

The Initiative of the Year Award will be presented to an individual, or agency, who established a program within their agency that involves community engagement or promotes safety among juveniles.  The program can be a year-round program, seasonal program or a classroom lesson. An example would be a Safety Town, Wellness Club or any lesson taught to students during the school year by a Juvenile Officer or SRO.  This could be a department developed initiative or a curriculum from an outside company used to teach juveniles about safety or community relations. 

Please submit the attached 2026 I.J.O.A. Award Nomination Form outlining the nominee’s experience and contributions to juveniles within their agencies, local community and to the law enforcement profession. All nominations will be reviewed by the Illinois Juvenile Officers Association Awards Committee. 

The Juvenile Officer of the Year Award, the Distinguished Service Award and Initiative of the Year Award are great ways to honor hard working individuals and to build respect and trust for our profession among members within the local communities.  Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize the valuable contributions made by those among us.   

Nominations are due by April 10th, 2026. 

Sincerely, 

Fred Chinn 

President 

Illinois Juvenile Officers Association 

Crawford County Sheriff’s Office