Michael Matejka, President:

Mike is from Bloomington and is co-director of the North Central Illinois Laborers LECET program, a cooperative labor-management effort. He edits the Livingston and McLean Counties Union News, and serves on the Bloomington City Council. Mike serves on the executive board of the AFL-CIO, is president of the board of the Illinois State Labor Press Association, is a board member of the McLean County Historical Society and the Central Illinois Organizing Project. Mike is a community activist, championing the "Hate: Not in Our Town" campaign in Bloomington.

Laurie Peterson, Vice President:

Laurie is Vice President for Community Reinvestment for National City Bank. She is the bank's primary contact to develop and facilitate business partnerships with community groups, local community development corporations, churches and non-profits. She lives in rural Hudson Township in McLean County and is a 4-H Club Leader, board member for Habitat for Humanity of McLean County, Statewide Center for Independent Living Housing Committee, Kankakee Hispanic Partnership, and several other community-building efforts.

Joyce Matthews, Treasurer:

Joyce lives on a farm in rural Nokomis, in Montgomery County. She recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she was chaired the State Committee of the Farm Service Agency for eight years. She has served on the county board, public building commission and the Montgomery County Housing Authority. She is an active member of Illinois Agri-Women, Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation, Head Start, and is the financial officer for her church. She was instrumental in starting Break-Away, an after school program in Witt.

Alex Arroyo, Secretary: 

Alex is a longtime activist in his hometown of Aurora.  He has his bachelor’s degree in Business Science and is employed by United Airlines.  He is a member of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), serves on the local Weed & Seed board, God’s Gym and is Vice Chair of the committee providing leadership and oversight for Team Illinois.  Alex also is Chairman of the Aurora Township Democratic Committee. 

Sheldon Keyser:

From Hoyleton in Washington County, Sheldon is retired from the USDA Rural Development. He is past president of the Illinois Rural Health Association and is a member of Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Services, Agriculture & Tourism Partners of Illinois, Rural Partners, International Economic Development Council. 

Jane Angelis:

Dr. Jane Angelis, from Carbondale, is director of the Illinois Intergenerational Initiative, a project located at Southern Illinois University. Most recently Jane has spearheaded a statewide effort to promote oral history projects in Illinois, and also leads a Service Learning Task Force of the Illinois State Board of Education. She is a strong believer in promoting lifelong hearing and works daily to tap into the enormous leadership potential that exists in Illinois' schools, human service organizations, and among all generations.

Judy Hartley:

From Champaign, Judy is no stranger to grassroots organizing. As director of the Child Care Resource Service at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she has promoted affordable child care in some of Illinois’ most underserved communities. She has taught in public schools, including a summer assignment teaching migrant children. She is a member of numerous child advocacy organizations, including Voices for Illinois Children, Day Care Action Council of Illinois, National Association of the Education of Young Children, to name a few. She received her Masters of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia University.

Bill Jacobs:

From Macomb, Bill is the Executive Director of the McDonough County Housing Authority. In addition to being a member of numerous housing organizations, he currently serves on the boards of the Macomb Salvation Army, serves on the 9th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council, chairs the Macomb Area Community Quality of Life Committee, is past Vice President of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of McDonough County and is a volunteer reader for WIU Radio Information Service.

Karl Maple:

Dr. Karl Maple, Professor Emeritus of Political Science from John A. Logan College, he has a long track record of public and community services. He currently is a member of the Jackson County Board, he served on the Elkville City Council for 30 years and chairs the city's Finance Committee, and served years as Chair of the Jackson County Public Housing Authority.Karl was a founding member of Prisoner Family Support at the Marion federal penitentiary, and served on the Board of Directors of the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children. He is currently serving as a staff assistant to U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello.Karl is also an experienced grant-writer, having written a $450,000 grant to establish a 21st Century Learning Center for after school tutoring and community activities in Elkville, as well as a state grant to purchase and renovate a civic center, a grant to construct a park and ball field, just to name a few.

Agnes Nunn:

For the past 24 years, Agnes Nunn has been part of the Illinois elementary and secondary school system. During that time, she has worked 22 years for Springfield Public School District #186 and two at the Illinois State Board of Education.Since 1993, Agnes has served as the Director of Business Services with responsibility for the overall operations of the Department of Business Services. During her tenure, her responsibilities include the administration for the Transportation Division, Budgeting Division, Accounting Division, Food Service Division and the Payroll Division. Additionally, Agnes serves as the #186 Treasurer with responsibilities managing the investments of District funds.As the lead financial advisor to the District, she provides fiscal and technical services to central office and school administrators throughout the District.

Greg Springer:

Greg is from Hillsboro and is the Regional Superintendent of Schools for Montgomery and Christian Counties. Prior to his election in 1994, Greg served as Assistant Regional Superintendent. He taught many years in the Hillsboro school district. He takes great pride in his admiration of people who challenge the status quo and who "do instead of just talking about doing." He currently coaches girls' softball and has a long history of coaching boys' sports.

Mary Frances Tunison: 

Technically, a retired school librarian from the Jacksonville school district, Mary Frances is anything but retired.  Living on her family farm near White Hall in Greene County, she understands the importance of being aware of your heritage and the history of your community.  Among her current memberships are:  P.E.O., Home Extension, College Hill Literary Club, DAR, Greene County Historical & Genealogical Society.  She serves on the White Hall Library Board, Boyd Hospital Board, and the U of I Extension Council.  She promotes civic engagement in her community and serves as a tutor for first grade students. 

David R. Reid: