Rick Nielsen nominated for Lincoln Award - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Rick Nielsen nominated for Lincoln Award

Rockford native and Cheap Trick member Rick Nielsen has been nominated for a Lincoln Award by the Illinois Office of Tourism.

The awards are inspired by the Oscar-nominated film Lincoln, and honor individuals who "go above and beyond for the Illinois tourism industry."

Nielsen has been nominated for "Best Picture" for his Rick's Picks exhibit at the Burpee Museum of Natural History. He faces Gina Bellisario and Jeffrey Ebbeler, the authors and illustrators of The Twelve Days of Christmas in Illinois, and the Eagle in the category.

"I have always felt the people and personalities that make up Illinois are our greatest asset," IOT Deputy Director Jen Hoelzle said. "You simply will not find so many wonderful people anywhere else."

The awards will be presented during the Excellence in Tourism Awards on February 27. The event starts off the 2013 Illinois Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism, which will take place between February 27 and March 1 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

For more information on the conference, visit ilgovconference.com. For more information on Rick's Picks, visit www.rickspickslive.com.