There’s actually some positive news this week, from the Illinois Department of Corrections. The department honored five front line employees as the 2008 Correctional officers of the year, during a ceremony in Springfield. Among the honorees: Correctional Officer Lynn Hodge from the Dwight Correctional Center. In a press release, DOC officials say Hodge continually shows leadership skills and volunteers ways to improve methods, techniques and daily operations. Pontiac Correctional Center officer Dion Sullivan was nominated for the award. The winners were chosen from a field of 51 nominees, who were nominated by their colleagues. The overall winners were chose by the department’s executive staff.