Elgin program will recognize new U.S. citizens on July 26

Elgin's 22nd annual New Citizen Recognition Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26. This event, which is open to the public, will honor those from the Elgin area who have recently become new U.S. citizens.

The ceremony is returning after a three-year pandemic hiatus.

Having outgrown its usual location at the Elgin City Council chambers, the program will be held at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, in downtown Elgin.

New citizens at this program will be congratulated on their achievement by city council members and other elected officials. The new citizens will also be presented with a certificate suitable for framing, a flag lapel pin, and a small American flag.

To help convey the significance of this accomplishment by the participants, one of the new citizens will speak personally about her journey to citizenship. Additionally, the Elgin Master Chorale will perform during the ceremony, and a reception with cake and music will follow.

Because of the three-year hiatus, anyone who became a new citizen in the last three years will be included in the program. Eligible honorees will be people who live, work, or have taken citizenship classes in Elgin.

This program is planned by the Elgin New Citizen Recognition Committee in cooperation with the city of Elgin. Founded in 1999, the committee is composed of volunteers from the Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin Community College, the Literacy Connection, Centro de Información, and the community at large.

Since its inception, the program has recognized new Elgin area citizens from more than two dozen countries. Honorees this year hail from Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Uruguay.

For further information, contact Jerry Turnquist at (847) 431-2472.