Journal Courier seeks 20 Under 40 nominees to spotlight local leaders
The Journal Courier is accepting nominations for its 2025 class of 20 Under 40, inviting residents of Jacksonville and west central Illinois to put forward young people making an impact in work and volunteer service. The program highlights emerging leaders, offering recognition that can boost careers, nonprofits and community connections across Morgan County.
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The Journal Courier announced on Nov. 5, 2025 that nominations are open for its 2025 class of 20 Under 40, a program intended to recognize the next generation of community leaders in Jacksonville and the surrounding west central Illinois region. The annual selection will spotlight 20 individuals who are at least 16 years old but will be no older than 39 by Dec. 31, and who have demonstrated notable contributions to their workplaces and to community life.
Selection will be based on nominations received, an assessment of a nominee's professional work and volunteer efforts, and the strength of the nomination letter. Past honorees have included teachers, students, business owners, managers and entrepreneurs, reflecting a range of sectors that sustain Morgan County. The Journal Courier has presented the list in previous years as a way to profile local talent and to encourage civic engagement among younger residents.
For Morgan County readers this initiative matters because public recognition helps amplify local impact. Being named to the 20 Under 40 class can raise a nominee's visibility with employers, boards and donors, and can strengthen the social capital available to schools, small businesses and nonprofit organizations. A cohort of 20 rising leaders also creates opportunities for peer networking, mentorship and collaborative projects that can translate into new services, expanded programs and small scale economic activity within the community.
The program also touches on broader local trends. Rural and small city regions across the Midwest have focused in recent years on retaining younger workers and cultivating local leadership. Spotlighting young professionals and volunteers contributes to those retention efforts by signaling that the community values emerging talent. For employers and civic groups in Morgan County, the list can be a practical tool for recruiting board members, interns and partners, and for showcasing success stories to prospective residents and investors.
Residents who would like to nominate someone should consult the Journal Courier for submission guidelines and any deadlines. Nominations should document both work achievements and volunteer contributions, and should be supported by a clear nomination letter since that factor carries weight in selections.
The 20 Under 40 tradition in Jacksonville underscores the role of local journalism in community building. By compiling a class of young leaders each year the Journal Courier helps connect talent to opportunity, and helps local readers see how individual efforts contribute to the social and economic life of Morgan County.
