James M. Roolf Elected Chairman of the Illinois Bankers Association

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Illinois Bankers Association (IBA) announced that James Roolf has been elected chairman of the IBA for the 2011-2012 term. Roolf is president, First Midwest Bank, Joliet Banking Center. He was elected at the IBA's 120th Annual Conference and Trade Show on June 17 held at the Grand Geneva, Lake Geneva, Wis.

Roolf has been with First Midwest Bank (formerly Union National Bank and Trust Company) and First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., for 37 years. In addition to serving as IBA chairman, he also has served on the IBA's State and Federal Legislative Committees, and he has served on the IBA Government Relations Committee for over 25 years. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has also attended and completed the Executive Program at the Graduate School of Strategic Planning and Bank Marketing Management at the University of Georgia, as well as several other management and banking schools and programs.

Roolf currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Silver Cross Hospital and is a board member of the Will County Center for Economic Development. His past board service includes the Illinois State Tollway Highway Authority Board, the Housing Foundation of Will County and Joliet Catholic Academy. Additionally he is a staunch supporter of the United Way of Will County and has chaired its annual campaign three times in the last ten years.

In 2009, he was the first recipient of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National BIG Citizen of the Year, and he also has been honored with the University of St. Francis President's Medal for Community Service. He has received numerous other recognition awards, including the United Way of Will County "Roger Osman Award" for distinguished volunteer service, the International Economic Development Council "2007 Citizen Leadership Award," and the South West Suburban Philanthropic Network "Philanthropic Leadership Award."

"The IBA is pleased and honored to have Jim lead our executive team," IBA president and CEO Linda Koch said.  "He is a great asset to the association."

The Illinois Bankers Association is a full-service trade association dedicated to creating a positive business climate that benefits the entire banking industry and the communities they serve. Founded in 1891, the IBA brings together state and national banks, savings banks, and savings and loan associations of all sizes in Illinois. Collectively, the IBA represents nearly 90 percent of the assets of the Illinois banking industry, which employs more than 100,000 men and women in over 5,000 offices across the state.

SOURCE Illinois Bankers Association