Junior Achievement of Central Illinois, located in Peoria Heights, received the 2008 Chairman’s Community Service Award from Caterpillar Inc. More than 70 employees from Caterpillar’s Global Finance & Strategic Services Division volunteered nearly 400 hours to serve as Junior Achievement Classroom Consultants for students in Peoria School District 150 and various other schools during the fall 2008 semester.

In 2005, Jim Owens introduced the Chairman's Community Service award to recognize community service and involvement. 

On June 17, the Junior Achievement of Central Illinois Board was presented with a financial contribution of $25,000 from the Caterpillar Foundation on behalf of the employees who served as Classroom Consultants. The funds will be used to support the ongoing community service efforts of Cat employees, as well as the schools on which Central Illinois relies.

“Just as I depend upon Team Caterpillar’s extraordinary commitment to see us through these tough economic times, so, too, do our communities.  Across the world, many of our friends, families, and neighbors are in need," said Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim Owens.