Emerging Public Policy Leaders from Central Illinois Join Prestigious Statewide Leadership Class

URBANA — Central Illinois will once again play a prominent role in the Edgar Fellows Program, with a strong delegation of elected officials, business executives, healthcare leaders and public servants selected for the 2026 class of one of Illinois' premier bipartisan leadership initiatives.

This year's central Illinois Fellows include Springfield's Rob Carney of Caterpillar, James Clayton of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Jonathan Feipel of the Illinois Commerce Commission and Dan Hohl of the Illinois State Medical Society; Peoria County Board Member Jennifer Allison of Mapleton; Tiffany White of the Dirksen Congressional Center in Pekin; and Tim Ruestman of Kappa. Together, they represent the broad range of leadership found throughout central Illinois and will join colleagues from every region of the state during the Edgar Fellows Executive Leadership Training Program Aug. 2-6 at the University of Illinois' I-Hotel and Conference Center in Urbana-Champaign.

Established in 2012 by the late Gov. Jim Edgar, the Edgar Fellows Program was designed to bring together rising leaders from government, business, labor, nonprofit organizations and public service to strengthen relationships across political, professional and geographic lines. Each class reflects Illinois' diversity while encouraging participants to learn from experiences far different from their own.

Throughout the week, Fellows will participate in discussions on many of the issues shaping Illinois' future, including workforce development, criminal justice, artificial intelligence, Illinois' electric capacity, proposed data centers, Medicaid and the state budget. Organizers emphasize that the conversations among participants are just as important as the formal presentations, giving Fellows an opportunity to build relationships that often continue throughout their careers.

Former Congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who serves as Distinguished Director of the program, said that commitment to bringing together emerging leaders remains central to Governor Edgar's vision.

"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."

For central Illinois participants, the program also offers a chance to share the region's perspectives while learning from leaders representing Chicago, the suburbs and downstate communities. Those statewide connections have become one of the defining strengths of the Edgar Fellows experience.

Governor Edgar often reflected on the friendships that emerged during each leadership week.

"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."

The addition of the 2026 class will bring the Edgar Fellows alumni network to nearly 550 leaders committed to collaborative leadership and thoughtful public service across Illinois.

2026 Edgar Fellows Class

• Mary Alexander-Basta, Mayor of Bolingbrook
• Diana Alfaro, Elgin Council Member and Latinx Business Development Manager, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development
• Jennifer Allison, Peoria County Board Member
• Oswaldo Alvarez, Executive Director, Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation
• Cohen Barnes, Mayor of DeKalb
• Gia Biagi, Secretary, Illinois Department of Transportation
• Kari Bush, Chair, Stark County Board of Supervisors
• Rob Carney, Manager of State Government Affairs-Midwest Region, Caterpillar
• Peter Chico, Chicago Alderman, 10th Ward
• Tameeka Christian, Director, Pritzker Community Health Initiative
• James Clayton, President and CEO, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
• Cindy Cronin Cahill, DuPage County Board Member
• Rep. Lisa Davis
• Rep. Margaret DeLaRosa
• Rep. Kimberly du Buclet
• Andrew Erbes, Vice Chairman, Jackson County Board
• Jonathan Feipel, Executive Director, Illinois Commerce Commission
• Ald. Jessica L. Fuentes
• Emily Goldman, First Assistant Deputy Governor for Education
• Earl Grandberry, Director of National Bridgebuilding Initiatives, Interfaith America
• Robyn Heffern, Vermilion County Clerk
• Dan Hohl, Illinois State Medical Society
• Grace Hong Duffin, Comcast
• Clint Hull, Mayor of St. Charles
• Gregg Jeffords, Mayor of Metropolis
• Rep. Gregg Johnson
• Marcus Jordan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting
• Sen. Patrick Joyce
• Michael Mahoney, Chief of Staff to the Will County Executive
• Samantha McClain, Chief of Staff, Illinois AFL-CIO
• Linda K. Moore, Mayor of Quincy
• Lauren Neill, T-Mobile
• Crystal Olsen, Advocate Health
• Sen. Willie Preston
• Sean Rapelyea, Office of Gov. JB Pritzker
• Carlos Rivas Jr., Civilian Office of Police Accountability/Chicago Board of Education
• Tim Ruestman, Candidate for State Representative, District 105
• Judith Soto, AbbVie
• Sen. Rachel Ventura
• Jason Warfel, Chair, Jasper County Board
• Tiffany White, Executive Director, The Dirksen Congressional Center.