The James R. Thompson Medal and $1500 scholarship was established in 1990 in honor of the 39th Governor of Illinois upon his retirement. It is awarded annually to the Governor of Boys State.
| 2008 |
Jacob Becraft (Metamora) |
| 2007 |
Adam Skierkiewicz-Chovan (Mokena) |
| 2006 |
Darius McCray (Chicago) |
| 2005 |
Josh Boykin (Rockford) |
| 2004 |
William Thorndike (Morrison) |
| 2003 |
Curt Rendall (Winthrop Harbor) |
| 2002 |
David Wiest (Mapleton) |
| 2001 |
Kevin Maliszewski (Glen Carbon) |
| 2000 |
Christopher Hightower (Danville) |
| 1999 |
John Feeney (Monticello) |
| 1998 |
Langston Hughes (Waukegan) |
| 1997 |
Frank James Harts, III (Rock Falls) |
| 1996 |
Sean Stephenson (LaGrange) |
