Illinois State Board of Education Member Dr. Christine Benson Honored with NASBE Distinguished Service Award

​SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) congratulates Board member Dr. Christine Benson on receiving the 2024 Distinguished Service Award from National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). This prestigious honor, awarded to three state board members annually, represents NASBE's highest accolade for exemplary contributions to public education and leadership on state boards.

The award acknowledges Dr. Benson's exceptional contributions to education and her tireless advocacy for Illinois students, spanning over 35 years as an educator, administrator, and state leader. She is currently serving her second term on the ISBE Board, where she holds the position of secretary, and she is a past Board chair and past chair of the Finance Committee.

"Dr. Benson has been a steadfast advocate for students throughout her career," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. "Her commitment to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality education has been instrumental in how we support learning and how we advocate for the resources schools and educators need. This recognition from NASBE is a testament to her leadership and vision."

"Chris' leadership in these areas and others is extremely valuable for influencing locally elected officials," said ISBE Board Chair Dr. Steven Isoye. "Her dedication to 'getting it right' for the children of our state has always been a top priority."

A champion for Career and Technical Education (CTE), Dr. Benson has been instrumental in advancing equitable state funding for CTE pathways, securing a $10 million increase in funding for these vital programs in fiscal year 2025. Her advocacy extends to the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan, where she played a key role in securing professional development funding for educators statewide.

Dr. Benson has served as a music teacher, school administrator, and superintendent in several Illinois school districts during her distinguished career. Her leadership has shaped numerous educational initiatives, including the state's strategic education plan and Vision 20/20, which emphasized equity in funding and a stronger role for educators in policymaking.

Dr. Benson was appointed to the ISBE Board by Governor JB Pritzker in 2019 and reappointed in 2021. Her term is set to end in January 2025.
See NASBE's announcement about its national public service award.