URBANA, ILLINOIS (July 23, 2026) — In a highly-competitive process, forty-one public policy leaders from across Illinois have been selected for the 2026 class of the Edgar Fellows Program. The group will gather at their Executive Leadership Training Program held August 2 through 6 at the I-Hotel and Conference Center on the University of Illinois (U of I) campus in Urbana-Champaign. The Illinois State Medical Society is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 leadership training week.
Established in 2012, the Edgar Fellows Program is a leadership initiative designed by the late Illinois Governor Jim Edgar to inspire respectful collaboration in addressing the state’s major challenges. The Fellows selected for the class of 2026 reflect Illinois’ political, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity. They include elected and appointed officials from all levels of government; leaders of non-profit and labor organizations; and individuals who are influencing public policy in the business world.
Former Congressman and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is serving as the Distinguished Director.
He commented on Governor Edgar’s legacy: “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.”
LaHood also underscored a point Governor Edgar often made: “While the Edgar Fellows have their own unique life experiences, they find out that they have more in common than they have that separates them.”
Gov Edgar always observed, “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.”
During their time in Champaign, the 2026 Fellows will engage with exceptional leaders and experienced public policy practitioners who are experts in issues that include Illinois’ electric capacity, criminal justice, concerns and opportunities associated with Artificial Intelligence, implications of proposed data centers, workforce development, Medicaid, and the state budget. More importantly, they will learn from each other and begin building relationships that will last throughout their careers.
The 2026 class will bring the number of Fellows who are part of the program to nearly 550. After completing the initial training seminar, Fellows continue to meet at alumni gatherings designed to increase their knowledge and help build their professional networks. The next time they will have this opportunity to gather is at the Edgar Fellows’ annual fundraiser in Chicago on November 5 at the Hyatt Regency. This event is open to the general public. More information about the dinner, including how to sponsor the event or purchase individual tickets can be found at edgarfellow.com.
In addition to the Illinois State Medical Society, donors to the Edgar Fellows Program include individuals, corporations, foundations, labor organizations, and others who are interested in promoting competent, ethical, and solution-oriented leadership in Illinois. The independent Edgar Fellows 501(c)(3) non-profit board is led by Chair Tom Livingston, Vice President Governmental Affairs of CSX Transportation and a former senior member of the Edgar Administration. A separate advisory board is led by Chair Allen Grosboll, former senior policy advisor to Gov Edgar. Other board and advisory board members are Fellows and long-time supporters of the program who, between them, have decades of experience in Illinois public policy.
Jim Edgar was twice elected Illinois Governor (1991-1999) and served with distinction; he passed away on September 14, 2025. Subsequently, Ray LaHood who served as an Illinois Congressman for fourteen years (1995-2009) and as Secretary of Transportation (2009-2013) for President Obama. Administered and funded through the efforts of the Edgar Fellows 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Edgar Fellows Program was started by Gov Edgar while a distinguished fellow at the U of I System’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs in Urbana.
The Edgar Fellows Class of 2026 is listed below. Photos are available upon request.
- Mary Alexander-Basta, Mayor of Bolingbrook
- Diana Alfaro, Elgin, Council Member for City of Elgin and Latinx Business Development
- Manager at Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development
- Jennifer Allison, Mapleton, Peoria County Board Member
- Oswaldo Alvarez, Chicago, Executive Director, Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation
- Cohen Barnes, Mayor of DeKalb
- Gia Biagi, Chicago, Secretary, Illinois Department of Transportation
- Kari Bush, Wyoming, Chair of Stark County Board of Supervisors
- Rob Carney, Springfield, Manager of State Government Affairs-Midwest Region, Caterpillar
- Peter Chico, Chicago, Alderman in 10th Ward
- Tameeka Christian, Berwyn PhD, Director, Pritzker Community Health Initiative
- James Clayton, Springfield, President and CEO, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
- Cindy Cronin Cahill, Elmhurst, DuPage County Board Member
- Representative Lisa Davis, Chicago
- Representative Margaret DeLaRosa, Glen Ellyn
- Representative Kimberly du Buclet, Chicago
- Andrew Erbes, Murphysboro, Vice Chairman of Jackson County Board
- Jonathan Feipel, Springfield, Executive Director, Illinois Commerce Commission
- Jessica L. Fuentes, Chicago, Alderman in 26th Ward
- Emily Goldman, Chicago, First Assistant Deputy Governor for Education
- Earl Grandberry, Chicago, Director of National Bridgebuilding Initiatives for Interfaith America: Chicago
- Robyn Heffern, Danville, County Clerk of Vermilion County
- Dan Hohl, Springfield, Assistant Vice President of State Legislative Affairs, Illinois State Medical Society
- Grace Hong Duffin, Chicago, Vice President, Government and Community Affairs, Local Government, Illinois and Iowa for Comcast
- Clint Hull, Mayor of St Charles
- Gregg Jeffords, Mayor of Metropolis
- Representative Gregg Johnson, East Moline
- Marcus Jordan, Chicago, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Outreach Coordinator, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting
- Senator Patrick Joyce, Essex
- Michael Mahoney, Chicago, Chief of Staff to Executive of Will County
- Samantha McClain, Chicago, Chief of Staff for Illinois AFL-CIO
- Linda K. Moore, Mayor of Quincy
- Lauren Neill, Downers Grove, Senior Government Affairs Manager, T-Mobile US Inc
- Crystal Olsen, Chicago, Area Vice President of Government Affairs, Advocate Health
- Senator Willie Preston, Chicago
- Sean Rapelyea, Chicago, Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for External Affairs in the office of Governor of Illinois
- Carlos Rivas Jr, Chicago, Director of Public Affairs, The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, and Chicago Board of Education for Chicago Public Schools Member
- Tim Ruestman, Kappa, Candidate for State Representative, District 105
- Judith Soto, Bartlett, Senior Counsel, AbbVie Inc
- Senator Rachel Ventura, Joliet
- Jason Warfel, Newton, Chair of Jasper County Board
- Tiffany White, Pekin, Executive Director, The Dirksen Congressional Center
