* The Edgar Fellows Program may be the most unusual private group of folks in the country. A JPMorgan Chase VP and a Chicago Teachers Union staffer (Graciela Guzman, who won a Senate Democratic primary) were both selected this year, for example. The Mayor of Mt. Carmel (in southeastern Illinois) and a Black trans member of the MWRD are new fellows. It’s almost like the legislature, minus the hardcore far right…

In a highly competitive process, forty-one public policy leaders from across Illinois have been selected for the 2024 class of the Edgar Fellows Program. The group will meet for the first time at their Executive Leadership Training Program held August 4 through 8 on the University of Illinois (UI) campus in Urbana-Champaign.

Established in 2012, the Edgar Fellows Program is a leadership initiative designed by former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar to inspire respectful collaboration in addressing the state’s major challenges. The Fellows selected for the class of 2024 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.

“Each year, the Edgar Fellows Program brings together a group of leaders with different backgrounds and different politics from across Illinois,” Gov. Edgar said. “Though they each have their own unique life experiences, they find out that they have more in common than they have that separates them.

“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 new Fellows will engage with experienced public policy practitioners who are experts in issues that include artificial intelligence, the SAFE-T Act, workforce development, climate change, philanthropies, Medicaid, and the state budget. More importantly, they will learn from each other and begin building relationships that will last throughout their careers.

The 2024 class will bring the number of Fellows who are part of the program to nearly 500. 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 program’s annual fundraiser in Chicago on September 12 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 www.edgarfellows.org.

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. An advisory board led by Chair Emeritus Alexander Lerner, the Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois State Medical Society, and Chair, Allen Grosboll, former senior policy advisor to Governor Edgar, helps to guide the program. Other board members are Fellows and long-time supporters of the program who, between them, have decades of experience in Illinois public policy.

Administered and funded through the efforts of the Edgar Fellows 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Edgar Fellows Program is housed at the U of I System’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs in Urbana.

The Edgar Fellows Class of 2024 is listed below. Photos are available upon request.

Liandro Arellano, Jr., Dixon, Candidate for Senate, District 37
Kevin Artl, Naperville, President and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois
Chris Balkema, Channahon, Candidate for Senate, District 53
Yasmeen Bankole, Hanover Park, Trustee of the Village of Hanover Park and Regional Director for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin
Precious Brady-Davis, Chicago, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and Chief Strategy Officer at The Center on Halsted
Representative Jason Bunting, Emington
Sydney Corryn Holman, Chicago, Deputy Mayor for Intergovernmental Affairs, City of Chicago
Ryan Croke, Springfield, First Assistant Deputy Governor for health and human services
Christopher Curtis, Mayor of Kankakee
Regan Deering, Decatur, Candidate for State Representative, District 88
Yaacov Delaney, Chicago, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Justice Equity & Opportunity Initiative for Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton
James Dillon, Peoria, Peoria County Board Chair and Associate Director of the West Central Building and Construction Trades Council
Isabel Dobbel, Chicago, Political Director for the Chicago Federation of Labor
Representative Laura Faver Dias, Grayslake
Kari Galassi, Hinsdale, DuPage County Board Member
Graciela Guzman, Chicago, candidate for Senate, District 20
Chynna Hampton, Chatham, Equity Director for Climate Jobs Illinois at the Illinois AFL-CIO
Carolin Harvey, Mayor of Carbondale
Jared M. Hawkinson, Knoxville, Knox County Board Chair and Knoxville Police Officer
Latoya Hughes, South Holland, Acting Director, Illinois Department of Corrections
Representative Hoan Huynh, Chicago
Representative Lilian Jimenez, Chicago
Elizabeth Johnston, Normal, McLean County Board Vice Chair and Owner of Johnston Financial Services
Joseph Judge, Mayor of Mt. Carmel
Jennifer Konen, Village President of Sugar Grove
Representative Nicole La Ha, Homer Glen
Eric Lind, Mayor of Eureka
Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, Shorewood
Chase McCall, Gibson City, Ford County Board Member and Government Affairs Coordinator at State Farm
David McEllis, Chicago, Illinois Legislative Director at the Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest
SJ Morrison, Edwardsville, Alderman in Ward 4, Executive Director of the Agency for Community Transit and Managing Director of the Madison County Transit
Representative Kevin Olickal, Skokie
Jordan Powell, Rochester, Senior Vice President of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association
Gerson Ramirez, Chicago, Senior Government Relations Associate at Advance Illinois
Julia Ramirez, Chicago, Alderman, 12th Ward
Erendira Rendon, Chicago, Vice President of The Resurrection Project
Cassaundra Rouse, Flossmoor, Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway
Carolyn Schofield, Crystal Lake, Legislative Assistant to Senator Don DeWitte, former Lt. Governor Candidate and former McHenry County Board Vice Chair
Patrick Schweska, Chicago, Manager of Public Policy for the Midwest Region at Amazon Web Services
Benjamin Taylor, Chicago, Vice President, Public Engagement for the Central Midwest Region at JPMorgan Chase
Representative Travis Weaver, Edwards

…Adding… I’m kinda wondering how Syd Holman is gonna attend that August 4-8 seminar in Champaign so close to the convention.