Jaycees honor local residents with statewide awards
The Illinois Jaycees selected Buffalo Grove resident Kevin Sullivan and St. Charles resident Dr. Jacquie Cobb as honorees of its Outstanding Young Persons of Illinois awards program. The Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) program annually recognizes young people throughout Illinois who excel in their chosen fields, endeavors and show a great commitment to their respective communities.
Sullivan, 31, is being recognized in the category of Humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership. He is a Disability Rights Activist & Motivational Speaker. Sullivan was born with a congenital disability and uses a wheelchair. He has advocated in getting ramps added to buildings and sidewalks being updated to have sloped ends for people who use wheelchairs.
Sullivan shares his knowledge and experience as a person living with a disability; the progress made under the Americans with Disabilities Act; and discusses the issues still faced by the disabled community during speaking engagements. He is a Customer Success Manager at DAT Solutions & Analytics. He has a bachelor's degree in mass media-Radio from Illinois State University.
"It's truly an honor to be receiving this award and to be recognized for educating others on what living with a disability has been like," said Sullivan. "I hope this award will help bring more awareness to the issues that the disability community continues to face."
Cobb, 35, is being recognized in the category of Business, economic, and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment. She is a veterinarian and owner of Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic located in Elgin. The clinic offers compassionate and personalized care for dogs and cats.
Cobb founded Second City Canine Rescue (SCCR) in 2011 and serves as president of the board of directors. Located in Palatine, Illinois, its mission is to rescue homeless animals and responsibly place them in permanent, loving homes. The organization has approximately 400 volunteers and rescues over 500 dogs a year. SCCR also is a member of Chicagoland Rescue Intervention and Support Program (CRISP), comprised of 3 other rescues working with animal control to help provide animals with medical, training, food, and free vaccines across Illinois.
"I'm incredibly lucky to wake up every day to do something that brings me joy," said Cobb. "Helping people and their pets is my passion and growing that passion from a hobby to a career has been so very rewarding."
Cobb graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University and a bachelor's degree in animal science from Texas A&M University. She lives in St. Charles, Illinois.
"The Illinois Jaycees is proud to honor young active citizens for their accomplishments and contributions to their communities. I am confident our TOYP honorees will inspire young people throughout the state." said Jessi Neighbors, 92nd president of the Illinois Jaycees.
The Illinois Jaycees will recognize this year's honorees at an awards banquet on May 6, 2023 at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, Illinois. The event is supported by friends and employers of the honorees, local Jaycee organizations, Illinois businesses including INB and the Illinois Jaycees Charitable Foundation. Additional information can be found at www.illinoisjaycees.com/toyp-2023.
INB is proud supporter of the Illinois Jaycees TOYP program. INB is a privately held national bank. Founded in 1999 in Springfield, IL, the bank offers both personal and commercial banking products and wealth services in Central Illinois. The bank provides commercial banking services in Missouri and Florida.
The Palatine Jaycees nominated Sullivan and Cobb for the TOYP award. A local organization of the Illinois Jaycees and JCI USA, its mission is to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change. Members enhance a variety of skills as they work together to plan and run civic and individual development activities in their community. People between 21 to 40 are invited to learn more about becoming a member by visiting www.palatinejaycees.org.