Emerging Leaders from Southern Illinois Join 2026 Edgar Fellows Class

URBANA — Southern Illinois will be strongly represented in the 2026 Edgar Fellows Program, with elected officials, local government leaders and public policy professionals from across the region selected to participate in one of Illinois' premier leadership development initiatives.

The 2026 class includes Murphysboro's Andrew Erbes, vice chairman of the Jackson County Board; Metropolis Mayor Gregg Jeffords; and Jason Warfel, chairman of the Jasper County Board in Newton. Together, they represent communities stretching from the Mississippi River to southeastern Illinois and will join leaders from every region of the state for the Edgar Fellows Executive Leadership Training Program Aug. 2-6 at the University of Illinois' I-Hotel and Conference Center in Urbana-Champaign.

Founded in 2012 by the late Gov. Jim Edgar, the Edgar Fellows Program was created to prepare Illinois' next generation of leaders by bringing together individuals from different professions, political viewpoints and geographic regions. Rather than focusing on one sector of public life, each class includes elected officials, business executives, labor leaders, nonprofit professionals and senior government administrators who spend a week learning from one another while exploring Illinois' most significant policy challenges.

This year's curriculum includes discussions on workforce development, Illinois' electric capacity, criminal justice, artificial intelligence, proposed data centers, Medicaid and the state budget. Organizers say those conversations are enhanced by the perspectives participants bring from their own communities, allowing urban, suburban and downstate leaders to better understand one another's priorities while building relationships that continue well beyond the program.

Former Congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who serves as Distinguished Director of the Edgar Fellows Program, said the initiative continues to fulfill 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."

Governor Edgar often pointed to the friendships formed during the week as the program's greatest achievement.

"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."

With the addition of the 2026 class, the Edgar Fellows alumni network will grow to nearly 550 leaders who continue collaborating through alumni programs and professional relationships 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.