Each year, the Illinois Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys honors one of its members with the Ron Runkle Award for outstanding contributions to our community. This year, as we prepare for the Spring UnProgram, we are happy to bring back this award once again.

Please take a moment to reflect on who, over the past year, has meaningfully enriched our membership by generously sharing their knowledge, insights, and experience. Your nominations are encouraged and appreciated!

Submissions should be emailed to Melissa Kallio no later than Friday, March 13, 2026. I hope you will join in recognizing the dedication and collegial spirit of your fellow IL NAELA members.

If you have not already, please be sure to register for the Spring UnProgram taking place on Friday, May 1 at the Bloomingdale Country Club. I look forward to seeing all of you there!

Here are past recipients of this prestigious award:

Gina Salamone
Elizabeth Fink
Linda Strohschein
Avram L. Sacks
Wesley J. Coulson
Leonard Berg
James Siebert