THE FOLLOWING IS A VERMILION COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE RELEASE
DANVILLE, IL. — Vermilion County Clerk Robyn Heffern has been selected to participate in the 2026 Edgar Fellows Program, a leadership program founded by former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar that brings together leaders from across Illinois to learn from one another and strengthen public service.
“I’m honored to have been selected for this year’s Edgar Fellows class,” Heffern said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn from people with different backgrounds and experiences, and I’m excited to bring those ideas back to Vermilion County.”
Heffern has served as Vermilion County Clerk since her appointment in July 2025 after serving eight years as Chief Deputy County Clerk. Before joining the Clerk’s Office, she spent nearly 20 years in community banking, where she held leadership positions in operations and compliance.
Heffern said she believes there is always something new to learn, regardless of how long you have been in public service.
“I’ve been fortunate to learn from a lot of great people throughout my career,” she said. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity and to bringing back ideas that can help us continue providing the best service possible to the people of Vermilion County.”
Each year, only a limited number of leaders from across Illinois are selected to participate in the Edgar Fellows Program. The 2026 Edgar Fellows class includes leaders from government, business, education, healthcare, agriculture, nonprofit organizations, and other fields from across Illinois.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EDGAR FELLOWS PROGRAM RELEASE
41 SELECTED FOR 2026 EDGAR FELLOWS PROGRAM
URBANA, IL — 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 Gov. 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.”
Governor 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 www.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 Governor 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 14 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. Jim
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, Ph.D., 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, IIlinois 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 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
