St. Charles Mayor Selected For Prestigious Edgar Fellows Program

ST. CHARLES, IL — St. Charles Mayor Clint Hull has been selected as one of 41 leaders from across Illinois to participate in the 2026 Edgar Fellows Program, a bipartisan leadership initiative that brings together emerging leaders from government, business, labor, nonprofit organizations and public policy.

The 2026 class will take part in an executive leadership program next week at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Participants will hear from public policy experts and discuss issues affecting Illinois, including electric capacity, criminal justice, artificial intelligence, data center development, workforce development, Medicaid and the state budget, according to a news release from the city of St. Charles.

"Mayor Hull has consistently demonstrated the kind of thoughtful, solutions-oriented leadership that makes a real difference in St. Charles and the surrounding communities," State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, a former St. Charles mayor and Edgar Fellows alumnus, said in a statement.

DeWitte said Hull's experience as a Kane County circuit judge and former chief judge will provide valuable insight into the judicial branch and public policy discussions during the program.

City Administrator Heather McGuire said Hull's selection will benefit St. Charles by bringing new ideas, partnerships and perspectives back to the community.

Hull, a lifelong St. Charles resident who previously served as chief judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit and president of the St. Charles Park District Board before being elected mayor, said he was honored to be selected.

"The program was created to highlight the importance of bipartisan leadership and to encourage all of us to work together to address the issues facing our city and state," Hull said. "I look forward to sharing what I learned and helping to move St. Charles forward."

Founded in 2012 by the late former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, the Edgar Fellows Program is designed to foster bipartisan leadership and collaboration among leaders from across the state. Selection is by nomination only, with candidates chosen by a selection committee.