Illinois REALTORS® and the Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association received special recognition Wednesday during the 2018 Downtown Springfield, Inc. Awards Dinner at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel – a Doubletree by Hilton.

Both organizations were honored for their contributions to the Illinois Bicentennial during 2018, including their participation in the Illinois Constitution Day celebration on Aug. 26 in Springfield. On that day, Bicentennial Plaza, a REALTOR® Community Partnership was officially dedicated with then-Gov. Bruce Rauner, First Lady Diana Rauner, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder and other dignitaries on hand.

The development of Bicentennial Plaza and the restoration and reopening of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion came after years of discussions and collaboration with local leaders and community groups. Both projects were undertaken with the idea of linking downtown Springfield’s historic sites. The Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association is a not-for-profit organization designed to preserve and restore the mansion, which is open for tours.

Downtown Springfield Inc. is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit business association dedicated to increasing economic and cultural vitality in the historic downtown neighborhood where Lincoln lived, worked and played.