The Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Club will honor longtime businessman Bill Breedlove at the 2025 Outstanding Citizen banquet. The celebration is set for Thursday, May 15th, at the Flemish American Club on N. Burr Blvd., with a 6 PM social and dinner at 6:30 PM. The ceremony will follow dinner. Mark Eilers will provide catering for the evening. Tickets are $20, and reservations can be made by contacting the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce at 309-852-2175. Breedlove is known for his decades-long commitment to the community through his family business, Breedlove’s Sporting Goods, as well as his service in athletics, charitable organizations, and support for local projects.
Breedlove’s Sporting Goods has marked 75 years as a cornerstone in downtown Kewanee, with Bill Breedlove at its helm for over half a century. Bill’s legacy extends far beyond the store: as a charter member and current board member of the Kewanee High School Athletic Hall of Fame, he’s been pivotal in supporting local sports, including serving on the committee that transformed the Kewanee football stadium. His exceptional service has been recognized by organizations such as Abilities Plus, Kewanee YMCA, and the Illinois Athletic Directors Association. Bill, a Monmouth College alum, shares his time with his wife LaJean and their three adult children.