Deborah Frank Feinen, the mayor of Champaign, Illinois, was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award for her years of hands-on, forward-looking leadership
Now in her third term as mayor, Feinen’s journey in Champaign city government started in 2006 when she joined the city council as an at-large member. Feinen served three terms before winning the mayor’s seat in 2015. Feinen previously spent 14 years on the Champaign County Board, where she became known for consensus building and innovative thinking.
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who now leads the Edgar Fellows Program, and Dr. Linda Baker from Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, announced Feinen’s selection at the annual dinner of the Edgar Fellows program in Champaign on Aug. 4.
During her time as mayor, Feinen:
- Served as Illinois Municipal League president in 2024–2025.
- Was selected for the prestigious Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Class of 2021, a national leadership program for mayors.
- Led the push to establish Champaign’s Equity Engagement Department, which added mental health co-responder services, and developed a Homelessness Prevention Blueprint to assist the city’s unhoused residents.
- Simplified the permit process for new developments, pushed for tax increment financing (TIF) districts, and championed business-friendly policies.
- Oversaw large infrastructure projects, including the Garden Hills Drainage Project, the reconstruction of Kirby Avenue Bridge, and the first phase of the Downtown Plaza.
- Received the Athena Award, given by Champaign County Chamber of Commerce for her professional skill, community service, and leadership
2026 Edgar Fellows
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, Ph.D., Director,PritzkerCommunity 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 lowa 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, lowa 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 U.S. 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 Office of Governor Pritzker
- 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
