The Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) will present a “My Boss is a Patriot” award to Illinois National Bank (INB) at 10:30 a.m. on Friday December 16, 2011. The presentation will be made at the bank’s main facility located at 322 East Capitol Avenue in Springfield, Illinois.
LTC Andrew Roselle, a commercial lender at INB, nominated the bank for the award following a five-month deployment to IRAQ. “INB took great care of me and my family before, during and after my deployment. I received care packages and emails while overseas, and they stayed in touch with my family at home. Upon my return, my job was ready and waiting.”
INB President and CEO Sarah C. Phalen will accept the award and will also sign an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement for each of the bank’s 11 central Illinois locations. “We often refer to our employees as the ‘INB family.’ Creating a smooth transition for LTC Roselle into and out of his deployment is the best way we can show appreciation for the personal sacrifice made by members of our Armed Forces. It’s important for employers to do what we can to make their difficult job a bit easier. We stand ready to do so again should another member of our team be called to active duty,” said Phalen.
“The Illinois ESGR Committee appreciates that Illinois National Bank is willing to make this public gesture of support on behalf of the men and women of the Guard and Reserve,” said Dr. Michael Ayers, Illinois ESGR State Committee Chair. “I want to thank Illinois National Bank for signing these Statements of Support to acknowledge the continued importance of the National Guard and Reserve to the defense of our nation.” In signing a Statement of Support INB joins with thousands of other employers and organizations across the country in pledging to:
- Recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA). To ensure managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
- To recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.
“The continuing support of employers is critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the National Guard and Reserve,” said Ayers. “Our Guardsmen and Reservists would not be able to continue to serve in uniform, if not for the support of employers and organizations like Illinois National Bank.” Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense agency. Its mission is to gain and maintain the support of employers for service in the Reserve Components by increasing awareness of the law, recognizing outstanding support and helping to resolve conflicts through informal mediation. Thousands of ESGR volunteers nationwide provide free education, consultation and, if needed, neutral mediation for employers of Guardsmen and Reservists.
About Illinois National Bank
Illinois National Bank, selected as the 2009 Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation by the Capitol Area Association of Fundraising Professionals, is based in Springfield, and operates a total of 11 branches in central Illinois. A locally-owned bank, INB provides a full range of traditional banking services to individuals and businesses, including commercial and retail banking, trust and brokerage, cash management, Internet banking and remittance processing.
AWARD PRESENTATION THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16TH, 10:30 A.M. AT ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK’S MAIN BRANCH, 322 EAST CAPITOL AVENUE, SPRINGFIELD, IL. MEDIA WELCOME AT EVENT.