Paul H. Douglas Award
The Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government is memorialized by a solid bronze medallion bearing the Senator’s likeness.
About
Ethics, integrity, and understanding opposing viewpoints defined the career of Paul H. Douglas, who served as U.S. Senator from Illinois from 1949-1967. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth in 1992, the University of Illinois established the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government to extend this legacy for generations to come and to encourage future leaders to follow a similar path. Douglas’ career provides a model for public service and IGPA is proud to be the home for this award since its inception. The 2018 award was presented to former President Barack Obama. In 2019, the award was presented to Walter M. Shaub, Jr., former director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no award was presented in 2020. Among other award recipients are U.S. Senators Mike Mansfield, Paul Simon, Barbara Mikulski, Richard Lugar, Carl Levin, Alan Simpson, Olympia Snowe and Richard Cohen, former Congressman and federal judge Abner Mikva, and retired U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and John Paul Stevens. The Douglas Award is made possible by donations over the years, including the original funding and subsequent gifts that support this long-running program.
The Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government is memorialized by a solid bronze medallion bearing the senator’s likeness. The award is presented annually to a person whose public actions, writings or other contributions have made a significant contribution to the practice and understanding of ethical behavior and fair play in government. The recipient may be an elected or career government official or former official, at any level of government and regardless of party, or a private citizen whose public actions or writings have made a significant contribution to the practice and understanding of ethical behavior in government. A selection committee drawn from the public and private sectors and academe selects the honoree from nominees whose careers have demonstrated or promoted respect for the highest standards of public service. Nominations for the award may be made by anyone and are sought from individuals and organizations across the United States. Past recipients include a Nobel Prize winner. The Douglas Award is made possible by donations over the years, including the original funding and subsequent gifts that support this long-running program.
Email acoope7@illinois.edu or Call (217) 333-3438.
LATEST HONOREE | 2026
Dick Durbin
Dick Durbin is Illinois’ senior U.S. senator and convener of the state’s bipartisan congressional delegation. He also serves as Senate Democratic Whip, the second-highest leadership position among Senate Democrats, a role he has held since 2005. Durbin is a Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and also serves on the Appropriations and Agriculture Committees.
Sen. Durbin has led major bipartisan efforts across immigration, criminal justice, health care, and infrastructure. He first introduced the Dream Act more than 20 years ago and helped pave the way for DACA, which has allowed hundreds of thousands of Dreamers to live and work more fully in the United States. Durbin also championed the bipartisan First Step Act, led the Senate Judiciary Committee during the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson, and advanced major health initiatives, including anti-smoking legislation, Affordable Care Act reforms, and increased medical research funding. For Illinois, he has secured support for transportation, airports, passenger rail, veterans’ care, and infrastructure projects statewide.
Past Honorees
2009
ROBERT M. MORGENTHAU
2004
Eliot Spitzer
1998
Abner Mikva
1997
Arthur S. Flemming
1996
A. Ernest Fitzgerald
1995
Archibald Cox
Nominations
Nominations can be submitted by sending a nomination letter to the IGPA Director. The nomination letter should include a short bio and a short explanation of why the nominee is deserving of this award. All nominations will be screened for eligibility then forwarded to the selection committee for review.
Nominations can be made online by clicking here:
Make NominationsOr submitted via email to igpa@uillinois.edu
Or sent to:
Institute of Government and Public Affairs
University of Illinois ATTN: Douglas Award Nomination Committee 1007 West Nevada Street Urbana, IL
61801
Recipients of the award may be elected or career government officials, former officials, or a private citizen whose public actions or writings have made a significant contribution to the practice and understanding of ethical behavior in government. A nominee should be a person whose career demonstrates or promotes respect for high standards of public service.
Members of this working group research ways to make Illinois’ economic and fiscal structure equitable, dynamic and sustainable.
Questions may be directed to Alyssa Cooper.