Illinois State Ambulance Association to Host Inaugural “Stars of Lincoln” Ceremony Honoring EMS Professionals
- Apr 29
- 2 min read
Springfield, IL — The Illinois State Ambulance Association (ISAA) will host its 2026 Lobby Day and inaugural Stars of Lincoln Ceremony on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Illinois State Capitol, bringing together emergency medical services (EMS) professionals and state leaders to recognize EMS excellence and advance critical policy priorities.
The Stars of Lincoln Ceremony – the first statewide event of its kind – was created to honor EMS professionals who demonstrate exceptional service and meaningful impact in their communities. This year, 31 EMS professionals from urban, suburban, and rural areas across Illinois will be recognized, representing ambulance providers of all sizes and regions.
“EMS professionals are the backbone of emergency care in Illinois, yet their contributions are too often overlooked,” said Kim Godden, President of the ISAA. “This inaugural ceremony is about changing that and recognizing their impact while also reinforcing the importance of smart policy and strong legislative partnerships. When we invest in EMS, we invest in the health and safety of every community in our state.”
Illinois State Representative Will Davis (D-30) will serve as keynote speaker for the Stars of Lincoln
Ceremony. Davis has been a consistent partner to the EMS community, championing policies that support workforce development, improve reimbursement structures, and ensure sustainable funding for emergency medical services statewide.
“Across our great state, EMS professionals are often the first to respond when it matters most, delivering critical care in every community,” Davis said. “They’ve earned not only our recognition, but our commitment to ensuring they have the staffing, resources, and stable funding needed to succeed. Events like this are an important reminder that supporting EMS must remain a priority.”
The award ceremony is part of ISAA’s broader Lobby Day efforts, which provide an opportunity for EMS professionals to engage directly with lawmakers on issues affecting emergency medical care across the state.
During the day’s events, ISAA will also present four Legislator of the Year Awards to elected officials who have demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to strengthening EMS systems in Illinois.
The Legislator of the Year Awards will be presented to:
• Illinois State Senator Dave Syverson (R-35)
• Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-8)
• Illinois State Representative Jamie Andrade (D-40)
• Illinois State Representative Norine Hammond (R-94)
These awards recognize lawmakers who have made meaningful contributions to EMS policy and have championed initiatives that improve emergency medical services across Illinois.