• Chicago Defender’s Vangaurd Award, April 2025
  • National Association of Black Military Women: Invisible to Visible Warriors... Living Their Dream Speaker, September 2024
  • Illinois State Ambulance Association: Legislator of the Year Award, May 2024
  • Dear Me Care Circle: Special Heart Award, April 2024
  • Black Men United: National Baptist Convention USA, Legends Award, April 2024
  • Loretto Hospital: LEAD.HER.SHIP Securing the Insecure, HER Award, March 2024
  • Habilitative Systems, Inc. Freeing the Human Spirit - Race Health Equity Award, December 2023
  • Alternative Schools Network’s 50 Years of Service: Champion Award, October 223
  • DW Provision Consulting Services, LLC: 100 West Side Women of Wisdom and Inspiration Award, June 2023
  • Central Region of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.: Divine 9 Women in Politics, March 2023
  • The Men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Upsilon Sigma Alumni Chapter: The Crescent Moon Award in Political Leadership, October 2022
  • Oak Park Juneteenth Committee’s Black Excellence Award, August 2022
  • The Link & Option Center, Inc.’s Legislator of Excellence: League of Legends Champion Award, July 2022
  • Federation of Women Contractor's Commendation for Outstanding Legislative Action, June 2022 
  • Alternative Schools Network: The Woman of Excellence Award, March 2022
  • Commissioner Dennis Deer Cook County Juneteenth Joint Planning Committee Outstanding Legislator June 2021
  • Women of Distinguished Community Service
  • The Marquis Publications Who’s Who of America 2021-2022
  • The Westside Justice Center Justice Trailblazer Award 2021
  • Illinois Network of Pretrial Justice Champion of Justice Award 2022
  • Cook County CASA Champion of Children 2021
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Distinguished Service Award, June 2021
  • Women Employed – 48th Annual Working Lunch Honoree, May 2021
  • The Loretto Hospital, Elected Official Partner Award, January 2021
  • Austin Childcare Provider Network, October 2020
  • Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer 2nd District Trailblazer, Excellence in Government Award, 2019
  • Eureka Lodge 64, Groundbreaking African American Leader Award, 2019
  • Illinois Democratic Women, Advocacy for Illinois Women Award, 2019
  • Bellwood Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Civic Person of the Year Award, 2019
  • Illinois School Psychologists Association, ISPA Legislator of the Year Award, 2019
  • The Illinois Association for Gifted Children, Champion for Gifted Children Leadership Award, 2019
  • Eugene “Gene” Moore Public Service Award, 2019
  • Illinois Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Legislative Accomplishment in Support of Teacher Preparation, 2018
  • Illinois Farm Bureau, Activator Friend of Agriculture, 2018
  • Voices of Change Award, 2017
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Excellence in Public Service Award, 2017
  • Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Ebony Chapter, Harambee Award, 2017
  • National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter, State Senator of the Year, 2017
  • True Eagle Beauty Foundation, Inc., White Eagle Award, 2016
  • Beauty In / Beauty Out Reflection Award 2015 Outstanding Political Leadership
  • Austin People Action Center Teen Reach Award, 2015
  • National Alliance of Mental Illness Metro Suburban Community Partner of the Year, 2015
  • Illinois Hunger Coalition Paul Simon Public Service Award, 2015
  • Dorothy Brown Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, 2015 An Outstanding Elected Official
  • National Pan-Hellenic Council of Chicago 2015 Soror of the Year, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
  • The Construction Industry Service Corporation 2014 Public Body of the Year Award
  • Alternative School Network 2014 Champion for Youth
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Glen Ellyn Area Alumnae Chapter's 2014 Community Impact Award
  • The Answer Inc., 2014 Legislator of the Year Award
  • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Chi Lambda Lambda Chapter 2014 Women of Excellence for Outstanding Service in Politics
  • Top Ladies of Distinction Incorporated West Suburban Chicago Chapter 2013 Orchid Award
  • Boys and Girls Club of West Cook County 2013 Recognition of your Continuous Support of Our Club Members, Staff and Board
  • Distinguished Citizen Award 2013 from Loretto Hospital Foundation
  • The Black Women’s Expo Phenomenal Woman Political Award, 2013
  • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Tau Alpha Zeta Chapter Outstanding Service Award, 2013
  • Illinois Reading Council Legislator of the Year Award, 2013
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Champaign-Urbana Alumnae Chapter Public Service Award, 2013
  • Arise Chicago 2012 Faithful Leadership Award
  • Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) Award for Being an Energy Partner, 2012
  • Progressive Life Giving Word Cathedral Community Love Award, 2012
  • IEA-NEA 2012 Friend of Education Award
  • Illinois AFL-CIO 2012 Outstanding Legislator - ZeKe Giorgi Award
  • Youth Advocate of the Year 2012 Award-M.A.P.S. Organization
  • Illinois Association of Park Districts Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award, 2011
  • Voices for Illinois Children, October 2011
  • Chicago Defender’s 2011 “Women of Excellence” Award
  • Alternative School Network “The Education Champion” Award, 2010
  • Safer Foundation's Carre Visionary Award, December 2010
  • West Side Chapter NAACP Good Government Civic Award, 2010
  • Health Care Council of Illinois Champion of Senior Care Award, 2009
  • Illinois Principals Association 2009 “Friend of Illinois Principals” Award
  • The 2009 West Suburban Journal History Makers Award
  • Rainbow Push Coalition 2007 “Woman of Distinction” Award
  • Voice Of The People Award 2007 Let’s Talk Let’s Test Foundation
  • She Truly Watches Over The Children of North Riverside Award, 2006
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Joliet Area/South Suburban Chapter Echoes of Excellence Award, 2005
  • Proviso/Leyden N.A.A.C.P. Good Government Civic Award, 2005
  • Leadership in Fatherhood Movement Award, 2003
  • Illinois Banker Association Outstanding Legislator, 2003
  • Freedom Schooner Amistad 2003 Freedom Award
  • Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Legislative Leadership Award, 2002
  • Proviso/Leyden NAACP Good Government Civic Award, 2002
  • South Austin Coalition Community Service Award for Helping Austin Seniors, 2001
  • Loyola Hospital’s “Appreciation for Your Efforts on Behalf of the School Based Health Center,” 2001
  • Chicago Teachers Union “Certificate of Commendation” for Support of Public Education, 2000
  • Habilitative Systems, Inc. “Freeing the Human Spirit” Award, September 2000
  • The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park 2000 Dream Maker Award
  • Westside Holistic Family Services Faith In Action, 2000
  • Western Illinois University Alumni Achievement Award, December 1999