Since 1970, the NACO Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services. Through a non-competitive application process, noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities. A group of County Government Officials from throughout the United States judge the applications on behalf of the association.

In total, 135 NACO Achievement Awards were presented to counties within the State of Illinois this year, with Tazewell County second only to Cook County in total recognition received. Lake County, DuPage County, and Kendall County also received 2026 Achievement Awards.

The following Tazewell County programs received this national recognition this year;

1. Tazewell County Board, Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds, and Tazewell County Veterans Assistance Commission under the category of “Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation” for “75th Anniversary of the Korean War Remembrance Event”.

2. Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds under the category “Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation” for “America 250 “I Voted” Sticker Student Art Contest”.

3. Tazewell County TEAMS Group under the category of “Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation” for “Christmas on Court”

4. Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds, Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society, and Peoria NAACP Peoria Branch under the category of “Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation” for the “Peter Logan Juneteenth Recognition”.

5. Pekin Community High School, Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds, and Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society under the category of “Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation” for the “Tazewell County Underground Railroad Tour And Website”.

6. Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds, Tazewell County Board, County Maintenance Department, and Tazewell County Veterans Assistance Commission under the category of “Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation” for the “USS Tazewell Display”.

7. Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds under the category of “Civic Education And Public Information” for the “County Clerk Bicentennial Wreath Program”.

8. Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds and Illinois 10thJudicial Circuit Court under the category of “Community And Economic Development” for the “Township Officers Swearing-In Ceremony At Tazewell County Courthouse”.

“The Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments across the nation,” said NACO Past President James Gore. “This year’s winners highlight the dedication and creativity of county leaders and our teams to building thriving communities and providing the best possible services to our residents.”

“We are extremely proud to have been recognized by our fellow county officials from throughout the nation for these programs and initiatives,” stated Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds John C. Ackerman. “All of these County Government Departments, fellow units of government, and community organizations have worked together to deliver services that have now nationally been recognized as amongst the best in the nation, and that should be a source of great pride for Tazewell County Citizens.”

“The ongoing goal of our Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds Office is to not just meet the expectations of the citizens of Tazewell County, but rather to exceed their expectations and deliver services that are second to no other county in the State of Illinois,” continued County Clerk Ackerman. “This recognition takes that goal and raises it to ‘no other county in the United States.’”

Here is the website for additional information concerning the 2026 National Association of Counties Achievement Awards: https://www.naco.org/page/achievement-awards-database