The Illinois State Bar Association presented a Board of Governors Award on Thursday to Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald at the Chief Justice's Chicago chambers. ISBA Immediate Past President John O'Brien made the presentation along with ISBA President-elect John Locallo and ISBA 3rd Vice President Paula Holderman. "I have always felt a real connection to the Illinois State Bar Association," Chief Justice Fitzgerald said. "This only helps confirm that." The Board of Governors Award is for the purpose of recognizing lawyers for exemplary service to the profession and/or the Association and for recognizing nonlawyers for especially meritorious deeds or service that significantly advance the administration of justice or the goals of the profession or the Association. Chief Justice Fitzgerald was also presented with a complete, four-volume set of hardcover books, The Papers of Abraham Lincoln. The set has been purchased for all 102 Illinois counties to help commemorate the Illinois Bicentennial celebration of Lincoln's birth. A second set will be presented to the Illinois Supreme Court library in Springfield at a later date. Click here to view a photo gallery from today's presentation.