Bolingbrook Mayor Selected For 2026 Edgar Fellows Program

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta has been selected as one of 41 public policy leaders from across the state for the 2026 class of the Edgar Fellows program, according to a news release.

The Edgar Fellows Program was created in 2012 and is a leadership initiative designed by late Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar. The people chosen for the program include elected and appointed officials from all levels of government; leaders of non-profit and labor organizations; "and individuals who are influencing public policy in the business world," according to the program.

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The group will gather at an Executive Leadership Training Program held August 26 in Urbana-Champaign. The Illinois State Medical Society is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 leadership training week, the program said.

Former Congressman and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is serving as the Distinguished Director of the program.

He commented in a news release on Edgar's legacy, "It was Jim Edgar's goal to bring together up-and-coming leaders with different backgrounds and politics from across Illinois. Governor Edgar's vision continues to provide unique leadership training for Illinois' future leaders."

The program shared that Governor Edgar always observed, "With each class, it has been gratifying to watch people who were strangers on Sunday become good friends by Thursday. It's what the Edgar Fellows program is all about, finding common ground and respect, so that our Fellows can work together to help shape a better Illinois."

During their training, the 2026 Fellows will "engage with exceptional leaders and experienced public policy practitioners who are experts in issues that include Illinois' electric capacity, criminal justice, concerns and opportunities associated with artificial intelligence, implications of proposed data centers, workforce development, Medicaid, and the state budget," a news release shares.