Each year, people in the community have an opportunity to submit a nomination for Rock Island residents who have made selfless contributions of service to the community. Nine categories are available for nomination and a special category, Honorary Citizen of the Year, is available for a person / organization who does not reside in Rock Island but has contributed to the good of the community. An overall Citizen of the Year is also chosen from the winners of the individual categories. 
   


2022 Nominations are now open. Submissions are due by July 6, 2022.
  

Nomination Categories

The categories include:

Business City employee Education Honorary Citizen of the Year

Individual Organization Professional Youth Veteran

Please note: The Honorary Citizen of the Year is not eligible to be the overall winner.

Selecting Citizen of the Year

A committee composed of the winners from the previous year, one City Council representative, the Deputy City Clerk, and a representative from the Labor Day Parade Committee review nominations and interview each nominee before the winners are chosen.

The winners are announced at the first City Council meeting on August 08, 2022. At the City Council meeting on August 22, 2022, the winners are honored at a reception, awards are presented by the Mayor and committee members, and the overall Citizen of the Year is announced. The winners ride in the annual Labor Day Parade, and the overall Citizen of the Year is appointed grand marshal of the parade.