In 2017, the Polish Parade Executive Committee created the “Friend of Polonia” award to be presented annually to an elected official not of Polish descent who has supported and worked on behalf of the Polish-American community in Illinois.
Past recipients:
2023 - Maj. Gen. Richard R. Neely
IL Army and Air National Guard
2022 - David Adams
Department of Cultural Affairs
2021 - Jesse White
Illinois State Treasurer
2020 - Michael W. Frerichs
Illinois State Treasurer
2019 – Maria Pappas
Cook County Treasurer
2018 – Timothy C. Evans
Chief Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
2017 – Ariel Reboyras
Alderman, City of Chicago