Illinois Legislators Join Diverse Class of Emerging Leaders for 2026 Edgar Fellows Program

URBANA — Four members of the Illinois General Assembly are among the 41 emerging public policy leaders selected for the 2026 Edgar Fellows Program, joining local officials, business executives, labor leaders, nonprofit professionals and government administrators from across the state for a week of leadership development and bipartisan collaboration.

State Sens. Patrick Joyce of Essex, Rachel Ventura of Joliet and Willie Preston of Chicago, along with state Reps. Lisa Davis of Chicago, Margaret DeLaRosa of Glen Ellyn, Kimberly du Buclet of Chicago and Gregg Johnson of East Moline, will participate in the Executive Leadership Training Program Aug. 2-6 at the I-Hotel and Conference Center on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana-Champaign.

Established in 2012 by the late Gov. Jim Edgar, the Edgar Fellows Program was created around the belief that Illinois benefits when future leaders understand one another before confronting the state's biggest policy debates. Rather than bringing together people who already share similar backgrounds or viewpoints, the program intentionally assembles leaders from government, business, labor, nonprofits and local communities to encourage respectful dialogue and lasting professional relationships.

Former Congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who serves as Distinguished Director of the program, said the mission continues to reflect 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 legislators, the opportunity extends well beyond policy seminars. Participants will spend the week discussing Illinois' electric capacity, artificial intelligence, proposed data centers, criminal justice, workforce development, Medicaid and the state budget while building relationships with leaders working in every corner of public life. Organizers believe those connections often prove just as valuable as the formal curriculum, creating a network that continues long after the week concludes.

That emphasis on collaboration echoes another lesson Gov. Edgar frequently shared with participants.

"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 2026 class, the Edgar Fellows network will grow to nearly 550 alumni who continue learning through alumni events and professional networking opportunities 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.