The FHLBC presented four Community First Awards at its 2017 member meetings. These awards celebrate outstanding achievements of member institutions and their local partners as they work together to strengthen communities. Awardees identify a nonprofit organization to receive up to $10,000 on their behalf.

Members recognized were Midland States Bank, Cinnaire Lending Corporation, Monona State Bank, and Bay Bank. Partners recognized were Housing Action Illinois; Beto Sanchez of Cinnaire; Salli Martyniak of Forward Community Investments; and Sokaogon Chippewa Housing Authority.

Partnership Award: Midland States Bank and Housing Action Illinois

Top row pictured from left to right are: Michael Karibian, Corporate Treasurer, Midland States Bank; Abraham Rezex, Regional Mortgage Sales Manager, Midland States Bank; Leon Holschbach, CEO, Midland States Bank; Matt Feldman, President and CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Roger Lundstrom, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Member, Community, and Financial Services, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. Bottom row pictured from left to right: Jeff Mefford, Executive Vice President of Banking, Midland States Bank; David Noble, Community Development and CRA Officer, Midland States Bank; Sharon Legenza, Executive Director, Housing Action Illinois; Wally King, Chairman, Board of Directors, Housing Action Illinois; Suzi Thackston, Community Investment Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

Emerging Leader Award: Cinnaire Lending Corporation and Beto Sanchez of Cinnaire

Pictured from left to right are: Zina Risk, Vice President, Underwriting, Cinnaire; Jennifer Everhart, Executive Vice President, Underwriting, Cinnaire; Beto Sanchez, Underwriter, Cinnaire; Suzi Thackston, Community Investment Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Katherine Forth, Senior Vice President, Cinnaire.

Pioneer Award: Monona State Bank and Salli Martyniak of Forward Community Investments

 Pictured from left to right are: Suzi Thackston, Community Investment Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Michal Czopczyc, Vice President and Manager of Community Lending, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Salli Martyniak, President, Forward Community Investments; Mike Flynn, Senior Vice President and Business Banker, Monona State Bank; Paul Hoffmann, President and CEO, Monona State Bank; and Matt Feldman, President and CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

Project Award: Bay Bank and Sokaogon Chippewa Housing Authority

Pictured from left to right are: Matt Feldman, President and CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Michal Czopczyc, Vice President and Manager of Community Lending, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Chris Coppens, Vice President, Bay Bank; Jeff Bowman, President and CEO, Bay Bank; Jeff Ackley, Executive Director and Tribal Administrator, Sokaogon Chippewa Housing Authority; Dianne Zubella, EVP, Bay Bank; Robert Jossie, Chairman, Bay Bank; and Roger Lundstrom, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Member, Community, and Financial Services, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.