JULIE Announces Damage Prevention Advocacy Award

JOLIET, IL – The Board of Directors at JULIE announced the recipient of the Gina Meehan-Taylor Damage Prevention Advocacy Award at its recent annual meeting.  Chris Schildroth, of Ameren Illinois, was chosen as the 2024 recipient for his dedication as advocate of damage prevention.

Chosen from a pool of nominations from throughout Illinois, JULIE selected Schildroth as recipient because of his integral role in the success of public awareness at Ameren Illinois for more than a decade.  He was described as a champion of 811 awareness and a steward to the community.  Schildroth’s passion for safety, awareness and damage prevention was fostered during the many years he worked in partnership with Meehan-Taylor.

JULIE established this award in memory of Meehan-Taylor. She was a damage prevention professional with Ameren Illinois, who was passionate about protecting underground utilities. She actively promoted and spread the message about the importance and need to contact JULIE and the 811 message prior to digging. Meehan-Taylor had also served on our Board of Directors and Public Education Committee.

“We remember our friend and colleague Gina through this award,” said Mark Frost, JULIE’s executive director. “She was a strong champion of damage prevention.  We are honored her legacy can live on through this award which allows us to recognize others making a difference in the lives of those who live and work around underground utilities.”

Nominations are sought from anyone within the industry including utility members, excavators, first responders, locators and others who embody Meehan-Taylor’s passion for safety.

A not-for-profit agency based in Joliet, JULIE represents more than 2,000 members and covers Illinois, outside the city of Chicago. JULIE personnel do not perform locating or marking services. For more information about the award nomination process or safe digging practices, go to www.JULIEBeforeYouDig.com.