History

Decatur Rotary Club, chartered in 1915, was the first club within our present District boundaries. Danville and Bloomington followed in 1915, Champaign in 1917. All our territory was part of the much larger District 8. Herbert C. Angseyer of Chicago was elected Governor in 1915.

The 1920’s was a period of rapid growth — 25 Rotary Clubs were formed in what is now District 6490. The number of the District has changed eight times since its founding. The District has been No. 8, 12, 19, 41, 45, 148, 215, and 649, usually due to realignment made necessary by growth in number of clubs. The latter number was designated in 1956, and changed to 6490 when growth in some districts made four digits helpful to RI’s computer. In 1923, James M. White of Champaign became the first District Governor from within the present boundaries of this District. Since that time District Governors have come from 30 different clubs.  Since that time District Governors have come from 30 different clubs.

The District continued its steady growth over the years, and now boasts 55 clubs spreading Rotary’s influence across the District. The last nine clubs formed in the District were Savoy, Bloomington-Normal Sunrise, Effingham Sunrise, Arcola Sunrise, Forsyth Sunrise, Mahomet, Bloomington-Normal Sunset, Sullivan, and Champaign-Urbana Illini After 5.

District 6490 currently consists of the Illinois counties of Bond, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Iroquois, Jasper, Livingston (except Dwight Township), Logan, Macon, McLean, Montgomery, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby, Vermilion, and Woodford.

The Archives & History Committee has completed a comprehensive history of the district & most clubs, and sent it to all clubs and to district officials. For information, contact William Smith, Chair, History & Archives Committee.

All district 6490 Rotary clubs are urged to celebrate their founding dates each year. Special observances are often held on the 10th , 25th , 50th , 75th and other significant years. Founding dates for clubs are listed on the club pages of the district directory.