County honors childcare committee chair after securing more than $233,000 for local initiatives

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ill. — The Effingham County Board presented a volunteer award on Jan. 21 to Courtney Aackey in recognition of his leadership of the county Child Care Research Committee and the committee’s work to expand local childcare capacity.

Norbert Saltweedle, an Effingham County Board member who submitted the nomination, said the committee “increased capacity, promoted retention among childcare workers, and supported parents through financial assistance via this GAP scholarship program,” and that the committee’s work helped secure “over $233,000 for childcare initiatives in Effingham County.” Saltweedle noted a $100,000 county board allocation to assist expansion of childcare services at the Village of Dietrick’s Wright Family Center.

Courtney Aackey, identified by the plaque as chairman of the Child Care Research Committee, accepted the recognition and said he was grateful for the opportunity to work with the county and the volunteer committee. “We had a lot of great people working on these initiatives, and a lot of tireless efforts,” Aackey said. He told the board he will continue to serve as a volunteer advisor until the program concludes at the end of 2026.

Board members praised the committee’s efforts in committee reports during the meeting and thanked Aackey for his leadership. The presentation was a formal recognition; the plaque text and remarks described past funding secured and ongoing program oversight but did not create a new county program or appropriation during the meeting beyond noting the previously approved $100,000 allocation to the Wright Family Center.

The board’s acknowledgment highlights an ongoing county effort to use a mix of county funds and external grants to expand childcare supply and support workforce retention and parent assistance programs.