MOST EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE
Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield Since he first held elected office at age 21 as a precinct committeeman, Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, says his job has been to serve the public. Bomke has earned the title of “most effective local government employee” at least twice before, but voters can’t seem to get enough of him. (He beat runner-up Lisa Madigan by almost 90 votes.) Bomke says that he doesn’t have any hobbies because he’s too busy with work, but the job is more than just voting on bills. “A lot of people think all we do is pass legislation,” Bomke says. “But legislation is only about 10 to 15 percent of what we do. The other 80 to 85 percent is public services.” One satisfied constituent says Bomke resolved her problem within one day, adding, “He is a great man, and would help anyone to the best of his ability.”
Runner-up: Sangamon County Sheriff Neil Williamson

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION
Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County habitatsangamon.com, 523-2710 Very few activities have as much positive influence on a community as volunteering, and with Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County on the scene, the community is in good hands. The group uses volunteer labor to build affordable housing for those in need, typically building about five houses per year. They also have a resale shop specializing in building materials and a program that teaches vocational skills to prison inmates. Executive director Dana Plummer says it feels good to help others. “It’s such a good feeling to do what you love to do and know you’ve touched so many peoples’ lives,” Plummer said. “It really changes their entire lives. It’s an amazing thing.”
Runner-up: Animal Protective League

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER
Wes Barr Hundreds of kids around the city will have Christmas this year because of one man…but it isn’t Santa Claus. For the past five years, Springfield native Wes Barr has coordinated the local Toys for Tots program, for which IT readers voted him “outstanding volunteer” of 2009. Barr says he first got involved because he was impressed with the local Red Cross chapter, and he wanted to do something to help others. The cop and former Marine says the charity distributed more than 15,000 toys last year to kids in low-income homes around the city. But the humble servant refuses to take all the credit. “We have a database of about 200 volunteers,” Barr says. “The number of volunteers that show up every week is impressive. They’re really dedicated to bringing Christmas to kids that otherwise might not have it.”
Runner-up: Butch Elzea

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY
Jim Leach, WMAY A lot’s changed since readers last bestowed this honor upon WMAY’s morning host. “I have more experience and a few more gray hairs,” says Leach. Well, that, and the whole political changing of the guard, which has been a point of contention within the country, but a godsend for talk radio hosts. “When I started, I was this liberal voice in Bush’s America. Now it’s Barack Obama’s America, and it’s really ramped up the intensity.” No stranger to political shouting matches, Leach has shown his bravery by taking to the Facebook and Twitter, both veritable basements for political fight club-ing. But he has no fear. “Cat fights may break out on the Internet, but we’ve been doing that on the air for years. We broke that ground.” Leach does have one source of lament in these changing times: “We don’t have Blagojevich to kick around anymore.”
Runner-up: Alice FM’s Molson and Josie