Rita Ali has been a community activist since her teenage years when she served as the first youth on the boards of the Community Action Agency and the Peoria Police-Community Relations Council. In high school, she successfully organized students and demanded that high school girls be allowed to take the same classes that high school boys could take – mechanical and architectural drawing, woodshop, and auto mechanics.
As a young adult, Rita worked as a community organizer, helping to rid neighborhoods of blight, improve housing conditions, and upgrade the quality of life for local families. She later entered the field of workforce development, helping disadvantaged youth and adults to improve their employment skills and education to obtain good jobs and better futures. The Summer Training and Education Program (STEP), under Rita’s leadership, won a United States Presidential Award.
Rita went on to serve as Bradley University’s first Director of Multicultural Student Services and Illinois Central College’s first Vice President of Workforce and Diversity. At ICC, she earned statewide recognition for strong and effective equity-focused programming. Her book, Role Models: Profiles of Successful African American Professions in Peoria, Illinois, featured 126 professionals representing 115 different occupations. It was designed to inspire Peoria’s youth and young adults.
In April 2019, Rita was elected as an At-Large member of the Peoria City Council. Two years later, she was elected Mayor of Peoria, Illinois, becoming the city’s first woman and first person of color to serve in that role. In April 2025, Rita was soundly re-elected to a second term as Peoria Mayor.
Mayor Ali is involved in a plethora of local civic and community activities as second Vice President for the Illinois Municipal League, a member of Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, numerous state commissions, and other roles. She is Co-Chair of the Illinois Rivers and Towns Initiative. Mayor Ali is an active participant of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative and Yale Mayor’s College. She has compiled a long list of awards.
Mayor Ali led efforts to create the Peoria City-County Joint Commission on Racial Justice and Equity, the Safety Network, the Equity in Procurement Expo, the Mayor’s Youth Internship Program, the Peoria Role Model Project, and Peoria’s exciting new 5-Year Strategic Plan. She is leading a bi-partisan, multi-region effort to bring passenger train service to Peoria and Central Illinois. Her unwavering and collaborative efforts quickly excelled to become a state and federal project as part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s new passenger rail Corridor Identification Program. Mayor Ali is working to advance housing solutions and to equip Peoria residents with high-demand workforce skills and local careers.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Management from University of Illinois – Springfield and a Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, and Doctor of Philosophy from Bradley University, Walden University, and Capella University respectively. Her daily prayer is, God make me an instrument of your peace and your love.
Elected in 2023, Robb Hasty serves as the Mayor of Ottawa, Illinois, bringing more than two decades of business experience, community organizing, and civic leadership to his role. As mayor, he is committed to advancing sustainable growth, strengthening local partnerships, and enhancing quality of life for all residents along the Illinois River corridor.
In addition to his mayoral duties, Robb is deeply embedded in the civic fabric of the region. He sits on the boards of the Ottawa Center for the Arts, the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation. He is also the president and a founding member of Run Starved Rock Country, which organizes the annual Starved Rock Country Marathon, Half, and 5K events—a signature endurance tourism and community-building enterprise in the region.
A lifelong Rotarian, Robb lives out the Rotary motto—service above self—through both daily work and long-term vision. His commitment to service extends beyond elected office: for more than 20 years he has owned and operated a local insurance agency, and over that same span has been a consistent organizer, collaborator, and volunteer across many local causes.
Over the years, Robb has also co-chaired Ottawa’s Flood Mitigation Committee, contributed to local economic initiatives, and been recognized for his efforts by community groups.
Robb is married to Amy, and together they are raising two teenage daughters. The Hasty family lives in downtown Ottawa, where they remain active in local events and projects.
As Mayor, Robb sees Ottawa—and the communities along the Illinois River—as more than places on a map. For him, they are home: networks of neighbors, businesses, cultural engines, and natural systems that must thrive together. In his service, he aims to help cities and towns across the river corridor grow stronger, more resilient, and more connected.
Chris Brown was first elected Mayor of Morris in April 2021and recently won his re-election bid in April 2025. When Chris is not working in his official capacity as mayor, he is busy serving proudly on numerous boards, including the President of the Joliet Junior College Foundation Board, the Grundy Economic Development Council Board of Directors, the Illinois River Cities & Towns Initiative, and the Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors. He also serves on the Energy & Environment Committee for the National League of Cities. Mayor Brown has previously served on the Grundy County Board of Review, Will County Children’s Advocacy Board, and the Grundy County United Way Board of Directors.
Prior to becoming the Mayor of Morris, Chris was the owner and president of Chief Strategies LLC, which is a consulting firm that provides leadership in governmental relations, legislative analysis, and lobbying at the state and federal levels. Prior to founding Chief Strategies, Chris worked in governmental affairs with Citgo Petroleum, Exelon Generation, Comcast, and for Congressman Jerry Weller.
Brown is a graduate of Illinois State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science. He and his wife, Suzy, are the proud parents of five children, Joe, Jack, Luke, Morgan, and Brady. Chris was an Edgar Fellow in the class of 2022.
John P. Kahl is serving his second term as full-time mayor of the City of East Peoria, which includes performing the duties of the city administrator. As Mayor, he presides over a City Council consisting of four other elected officials under the Commission form of government and serves as Chairman of the Tazewell County Consolidated Communications Governance Board, as a Commissioner on the Executive Board of Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, as President of the Heart of Illinois Mayor’s Association, as a member of the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce Board, as a member of the Eastlight Theatre Board and as a member of the East Peoria Community Foundation Board. John served on active duty in the Marine Corps from 1985-1991 and is a combat veteran of the Persian Gulf War. He is married to his wife, Allison, and they have four children, a son-in-law, and a dog named Biscuit.
Mary Burress, a long-time resident and community advocate, has been serving as the Mayor of Pekin since May 2023. With over four decades of public service, she brings extensive experience in local government leadership and financial management.
Early Life & Background: Originally from Missouri, Burress moved to Illinois in 1975 and made Pekin her home. She and her late husband raised their family in the community. She began her career in local government in 1984 as a clerk in the Tazewell County Treasurer’s Office. Through dedication and expertise, she advanced to Chief Deputy Treasurer.
Finance Leadership: Elected in 2010, Burress served as Tazewell County Treasurer until her retirement in December 2022. As Treasurer, she also functioned as the county’s Chief Investment Officer.
2023 Mayoral Campaign & Election: In the April 2023 municipal election, Burress, running on a platform of unity and strategic growth, won decisively with 51.8% of the vote, defeating council members Becky Cloyd and Dave Nutter. Endorsed by outgoing Mayor Mark Luft—who decided not to seek reelection—she pledged to focus on city finances, infrastructure, and restoring morale at City Hall.
Mayoral Achievements & Vision. Since taking office: Mayor Burress has concentrated on uniting city leadership and improving key administrative functions. Recruited a full-time City Manager and filled essential roles such as Economic Development and Human Resources Directors. By addressing previous departmental vacancies, she aimed to enhance government efficiency and service delivery. Delivered her inaugural State of the City address in January 2024, announcing a $4 million federal grant for the Veterans Drive extension to Interstate 474 and supporting plans for retail expansions in the former Bergner’s location. Continues to support residential and commercial growth, leveraging TIF (Tax Increment Financing) tools to encourage new housing and local business investment.
Community & Civic Engagement: A graduate of Illinois Central College, Burress has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Pekin Rotary Club, Salvation Army of Pekin, Altrusa Club, American Businesswomen’s Association of Pekin, and as Trustee of Cincinnati Township. She is active in statewide municipal networks, holding membership in both the Illinois Treasurers Association and the Illinois Municipal League’s Mayor’s Association.
Leadership Style & Goals: Burress’s leadership approach emphasizes unity and collaboration. Early in her tenure, she prioritized overcoming political division and assembling a proficient administrative team. Pekin City Council member Dave Nutter noted her efforts to bridge ideological gaps and fill key positions to foster a cohesive working environment.
Her goals include: Strengthening city finances through strategic budgeting and infrastructure investment. Facilitating economic development to support business and residential growth. Ensuring transparent, responsive leadership that actively listens to and collaborates with the community.
In Office: Term: May 2023 – 2027 (serving a four-year term). Form of Government: Council–Manager system, with Pekin’s City Manager handling administrative operations under the direction of Mayor Burress and the City Council. Mayor Mary Burress continues to champion Pekin’s future—fostering growth, restoring unity, and building a resilient and inclusive city government.
Marseilles Mayor Jim Hollenbeck has been serving Marseilles for over 50 years. Hollenbeck started as a police officer on February 14th 1975 and March of 1985 he was Acting Chief of Police when he made a career move to the state of Illinois. Hollenbeck still continued to serve Marseilles a part time police officer. Hollenbeck has also been a member of the Marseilles Fire Protection District for 48 years. Hollenbeck served on the Marseilles Recreation board as well as many other community organizations. In 2007 Hollenbeck was elected to the Marseilles City Council serving as Commissioner of Public Health & Safety for 8 years. Hollenbeck then served as Commissioner of Accounts and Finances for 2.5 years and was appointed Mayor in 2018 when Mayor Trager passed away in Office. Hollenbeck has since been re-elected twice as mayor.
Matt Wigginton became Mayor of the Village of Peoria Heights in May of 2025 after serving as a Trustee on the Village Board for four years. Matt had previously served on the Village’s Zoning Board and had served as Clerk of Richwoods Township for six years.
Matt Wigginton is originally from a small town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He attended The College of William & Mary earning bachelors degrees in Government and in Art History. Matt then earned his law degree from West Virginia University.
Matt has worked as an attorney for nearly two decades securing VA benefits for disabled veterans, Social Security benefits for disabled workers and children as well as disability benefits for railroad employees.
In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife, Christine, and their daughters. He is Vice-President of the St. Thomas Parish Council, a member Heart of Illinois Mayor’s Association, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission and a charter member of the Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative.
Mayor Mike Hughes, a lifelong resident of the Chillicothe area, worked at Caterpillar for 38 years before entering public service. Encouraged by a friend, he began his government career as an alderman, serving about 12 years across two wards before being elected mayor in 2021. Known for his collaborative approach and commitment to community input, Mike emphasizes teamwork, fiscal responsibility, and steady progress. As mayor, he has overseen downtown revitalization, pursued grant funding, and worked with local entities to improve city infrastructure and services. He remains dedicated to making Chillicothe a strong, vibrant place to live and raise a family.
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