Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – As Pride Month continues, the Illinois comptroller’s office continued its practice of honoring people in the LGBTQ community.

Paul Staab III (pictured), who works in his family’s funeral home business, had advice for young people in the community. “You can be a professional. You can be any career choice you have in mind,” Staab said in a brief ceremony in the comptroller’s downtown Springfield office building. “God created you exactly how you are supposed to be, so embrace that, and just be who you are.”

Staab chairs the parade committee for Springfield Pridefest.

The other Downstaters honored are Alli Nisley, president of Uniting Pride, Champaign; and Tim Rice, founder of Rainbow Cafe, Carbondale.

Comptroller Susana Mendoza was unable to attend Tuesday’s ceremony.