Wat Phothikaram was established in 1982 by the Laotian communities of Rockford, Elgin and other cities in Illinois under the leadership of Phra Maha Khamsene Phanthavong, coordinated with Phra Achan Bounmy Kittiphan. This Buddhist Center serves the Laotian community and helps maintain and preserve Laotian culture. (This temple was the subject of a well-produced documentary, "Buddha and Blue Collar," shown on national television.)