The Illinois Student Association will present Rep. John Countryman, R-DeKalb, with a “Legislator of the Year” award during its fourth annual statewide summit this weekend.

The award shows the students’ appreciation for the extraordinary efforts of legislators that help to strengthen Illinois higher education, said Brian Monohan, ISA field director.

Countryman was one of a handful of House Republicans to support the recent income tax increase for education, Monohan said.

Countryman also has shown a long history of willingness to work with students and their representatives both locally and statewide, Monohan said. He not only works on education issues, but elections and taxes also.

“I’m extremely pleased to win an award as a legislator who represents one of the finest state institutions around,” Countryman said.

“I feel that my overall record of being a strong advocate on behalf of higher education made me a good candidate for the award,” Countryman said.

During the last legislative session, Countryman sponsored legislation to freeze public university tuition for two years, along with voting to give NIU its own Board of Trustees.

Countryman was also the leading House sponsor of the tobacco tax increase which will provide additional funding for higher education.

The award will be presented by the ISA Board of Directors during the summit’s closing banquet on Sunday.