Special Issues

age: 39 Occupation: Partner/insurance producer Email: Jrourke@troxellins.com Education: Illinois State University Family: Wife, Katy; son, Miles, 3; daughter, Macie, 11 months Affiliations/community activities: American Business Club; Local First Springfield; Chatham Chamber Ambassador; board member, Kidzeum of Health and Science; board vice president, Family Service Center; Land of Lincoln Professional Networking Group What is your guiding […]

age: 37 Occupation: Clinical therapist, co-owner of Luminary Counseling  Email: Kromang@luminarycounselingsolutions.com Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work and Master of Social Work, Illinois State University Family: I’ve been married to my wonderful husband, Greg, for 13 years. We have three beautiful kids: Johnny, 12, Melanie, 10, and Julia, 9; lab, Ruby. I also want to […]

Age: 35 Occupation: Pediatric nurse, SIU Medicine Pediatrics Email: Sear0choreo@gmail.com Education: LPN from Capital Area School of Practical Nursing, Springfield, 2019; Associate degree in nursing (in progress), Lincoln Land Community College Affiliation/community activities:  Springfield Theatre Centre board member as of 2026; director, Springfield Public Schools 186 Collage Show Choir since 2025; freelance and voluntary choreographer; […]

Age: 36 Occupation: Director of marketing and communications, United Way of Central Illinois     Email: mreynolds@uwcil.org Education: Benedictine University Family: Husband Christopher; children Teagan, Trevor, Peyton, Noah and Dominic Affiliations/community activities:  Past president, Rotary Club of Downtown Springfield; past advisory board member, Salvation Army; past board member, One Stop Community Collaboration; Illinois Women in Leadership; Mid-Illinois […]

Age: 37 Occupation: Ward 5 alderwoman, lobbyist, owner of 5th Street GEM and real estate investor Email: lakeishapurchase217@gmail.com Education: Bachelor of Arts in political science with a minor in speech communication Family: Proud cat mom to Tiger. Affiliations/community involvement:Lifetime member of NAACP; board member, Medics First and SIUC Saluki Women’s Council; member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority […]

Age: 39 Occupation: Vice president, mortgage operations, INB N.A. Email: spatrick@inb.com Education: High school graduate Family: Husband, daughter and family dog, Clyde Affiliations/community activities: Board of directors, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois; Illinois Bankers Association; Youth sports coach and volunteer; St. Jude run participant What is your guiding principle in life? No one achieves success […]

age: 38 Occupation: Wealth management , Morgan Stanley Email: Trevor.noonan@morganstanley.com Education: Lincoln Land Community College, Loras College Family: Proud son, brother and owner of a Pembroke Welsch Corgi named Tink Affiliations/community activities: SIU Denim and Diamonds committee member; tribal member of the Brothertown Indians in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. What is your guiding principle in […]

Age: 27 Occupation: Business owner, TPH Strategies Email: mdavis@tphstrategies.com Education: Master of Business Administration, University of Illinois Springfield; Bachelor of Science, accounting, Millikin University Affiliations/community activities: Board member and treasurer, Land of Lincoln Goodwill; secretary, Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair; board member, United Way; co-chair, Impact Life; ambassador, Springfield Chamber of Commerce  What is your […]

Age: 38 Occupation: Farmer and owner, Mueller Family Farm Email:  muellerfamilyfarmllc@gmail.com Family: Farm founder, grandma Linda Mueller; mother and stepdad, Mindy and Jody Carter; girlfriend, Amber Risen; fur family, Tank, Lily and Gus  Affiliations/community activities:  Old Capital Farmers Market; Urbana Market on the Square; Jacksonville Farmers Market; The Farms of Illinois; Slow Food Award; Illinois […]

Age: 36 Occupation: Executive vice president, finance and risk management, BOS. Email: gmarantz@bankwithbos.com Education: Bachelor’s degree in general management, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; MBA, Saint Louis University Family: Wife, Hannah; daughters, Palmer and Sloane; dog, Koufax Affiliations/community activities:Currently sit on the Springfield Public Schools Foundation board, Springfield Memorial Hospital board and Springfield Sports Hall of […]

Age: 38 Occupation: Restaurateur; owner of The Taco Joint Email: hectorlpz88@me.com Education: Jacksonville High School Family: Wife, Maasyel Nunez; daughter, Valentina Lopez What is your guiding principle in life? To build something lasting for my family and those who stand next to me. What led you to your career? I took a year off after […]

Age: 37 Occupation: Community engagement manager, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Email: mti.lingling@gmail.com Education: Master’s degree, translation and interpretation, University of International Business and Economics; Master of Arts, communication, and Graduate Certificate, entrepreneurship, University of Illinois Springfield Family: Spouse, Tommy; dog, Leia; cat, Mace; other family members in China and Switzerland  Affiliations/community activities: Springfield Immigrant and Advocacy Network; […]