2015 Humanitarian Award given to Elgin councilman who died

Longtime Elgin City Council member Robert Gilliam was given the 2015 Humanitarian Award posthumously at Saturday's Elgin prayer breakfast at Elgin Community College. Gilliam, 69, died Dec. 30 in Mesa, Arizona. He was first elected at age 28 in 1973, the first black council member in Elgin and the longest-serving in Illinois outside of Chicago with a 40-year tenure.

His wife Marianne accepted the award, along with his sister Valerie Gilliam.

"He lived for the town, helping people, and was never too busy to listen to anybody that had a problem," Marianne Gilliam said of her late husband, choking back tears. "He just loved Elgin."

Prayer, words and music greeted more than 250 people who believe in keeping the message of Martin Luther King Jr. alive at the 30th annual breakfast held in his honor. The 2015 Humanitarian Award was presented to Robert Gilliam posthumously at the event, held at Elgin Community College.

The speaker for the event was author and Benedictine University professor Vincent Gaddis, who serves on the advisory board of Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice and is an ordained minister serving at River Valley Community Church in Aurora.

On Sunday, a public celebration honoring King's life is set for 4 to 6 p.m. at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way. For details, call (847) 931-5607.

And on Monday, the fourth annual MLK Day of Service and Youth Leadership Conference takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Centre of Elgin. It includes a service fair, workshops, a lunch, speaker and music. Registration is required at www.cityofelgin.org. For details, call (847) 214-6910.

And Second Baptist at Judson's choir, musicians and pastor will lead worship during a Judson University chapel service at 10 a.m. Monday at 1151 N. State St., Elgin. The free event is open to the public.