about us

Jenna Kearns

 Jenna is running for office for the first time but has already hit the ground running. She recently completed the Bloomington 101 program and has an impressive grasp of issues before the city. Where gaps do exist, she is not afraid to ask thoughtful questions and research issues. She knows how to do the work required to be a strong and informed alderwoman. Jenna will also be a key advocate for investing in her ward and the city core, while balancing the needs of every corner of the city. She is ready to serve and will do an excellent job for the people of Bloomington. 

Donna Boelen

 Donna is completing her first time on City Council and running for a second term. In addition to serving as alderwoman, Donna is also Mayor Pro-Tem. Donna believes in thoughtful conversation on issues and informed debate. When she disagrees with an initiative or proposal, she is not afraid to voice her concerns but also gives the opposing side ample time to share their perspective. Donna believes in putting politics aside in the name of good government, delivering services to city residents, and working together with all council members as well as other local elected officials, no matter their political leaning. 

John Danenberger

 From the moment John began talking with us, we knew his vision for Ward 4 is his vision for our entire city. He spoke passionately about ways Downtown Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan, and the historic neighborhoods that surround them could be tied together for the enhancement of our city core. He also spoke at length about the need to leverage relationships with key businesses in our community to make Bloomington a better place to live and work. We have the opportunity to become one of nation’s EV capitals. John not only understands what that means from a cosmetic standpoint, but also the economic impact and rippling community benefits that will happen if we fully embrace this next gen technology. John is a member of the Bloomington Planning Commission and has already used that role to speak up on issues he is passionate about and knows will benefit our community. He is not afraid to advocate for moving us forward but is also will to engage in conversation with anyone willing to listen. He will be a strong voice for Responsible Cities values. 

Cody Hendricks

 Cody Hendricks has the knowledge and experience to hit the ground running on day one. A former member of the Pekin City Council, Cody has immersed himself in Bloomington and has a firm grasp of issues and opportunities facing our city. He spent a lot of time talking about the need for the development and redevelopment of Downtown Bloomington, which is good considering it takes up a large chunk of Ward 6. Cody has a vision for Downtown Bloomington that will compliment not only the residents who live there and businesses located within its boundaries, but the entire city. He balances that by being a strong voice for the other neighborhoods in his ward that over the years were too often overlooked by city leaders. A rising tide lifts all boats, and Cody understands we will only be able to move our whole city forward when every neighborhood is treated equitably. He’ll make sure that happens for all residents of Ward 6. 

Cathy Lust is a retired school psychologist and had worked in the 87 schools.  She has been attending the school board meetings regularly this past year and had a good take on board conduct.  She also identified the learning lag as a major concern for the school district.  She was very impressed that a full K-12 curriculum has been established in response to the state mandated Social-Emotional Learning standards.  While she was somewhat tentative about school finance, she is searching out more information actively.  She showed respect for the current Board members and the new superintendent. Because of her background as a school psychologist, our subcommittee felt sure the mental health needs of children and youth attending 87 schools will be addressed. 

 Mark Wylie currently serves as the 87 School Board president.  His five children attended 87 schools.  He demonstrated a clear understanding of the role of School Board member—and having seen him lead the Board at meetings, he demonstrated the characteristics Responsible Cities PAC values—ability to work with diverse people, ability to listen and seek consensus, etc.  He fully recognized as an 87 issue the achievement lag caused by the Covid pandemic and the 18 months out-of-school environment.  He is a retired engineer from Farnsworth Group. 

His vision for Unit 5 is a school district where teachers and staff have job security, students have school pride and gaps in learning and performance outcomes are addressed. He has three years of experience as a Data Analyst at MHL in Chicago, in which he developed data analysis skills which are required to balance a budget. The last two years he has worked at MCCA in Bloomington as a Financial Coach. His wife is a teacher. He supports the referendum. 

Kelly was appointed to the board in 2018 and elected in 2019. She has two sons enrolled in Unit 5 schools and has been active in their school’s PTO’s and in Unit 5’s CAC (Citizens Advisory Council). She has a strong desire to serve children and the community, and a strong
belief in the value of public schools and educational success. Kelly is the Interim Dean, Health Sciences at Heartland Community College serving 40+ faculty and hundreds of students through an educational journey into Healthcare. Her professional career as an educator and an
administrator in higher education plus her service to Unit 5 make her a uniquely qualified candidate for the school board position. She supports the Unit 5 referendum. 

Appointed to the board in 2018 and elected in 2019, Amy is the past president of the Unit 5 School Board. She was president of the board during a global pandemic and provided good leadership while working with four new board members. It is her vision that Unit 5 continues to provide educational excellence and quality for every student and in doing so help our community thrive. She has two children attending schools in Unit 5. Before becoming a board member she was on the CAC (Citizens Advisory Committee) and active in her children’s school
PTO. Her professional career has been dedicated to public education. She has worked for 27 years at Illinois State University and dedicated her career to access to and retention in higher education. She supports the referendum. 

Alex Williams has lived in Normal since 1996 and has 3 children all who attended or are attending Unit 5 schools. His vision for Unit 5 is to help build upon the rich history of Unit 5 by carrying forward the successes and identifying ways to enhance the school community. He is a member of Unit 5’s Parent Teacher Advisory Committee. He is active in a fraternity that supports students to move on in education, a 2015 graduate of the Multi Cultural Program and volunteer at a Food Bank. He has been involved in Insurance and Financial Services for more than 25 years with experience in Corporate Communications and Banking. He was involved in the focus groups formed to address the referendum and understands the challenge of the budget. He heard clearly what the community wanted. He supports the Unit 5 referendum. 

Ms. Campbell brings a breadth of professional and volunteer experience and qualifications to the Heartland Community College Board of Trustees. She is a long-time ISU educator who has experience developing community programs which provide workforce and career paths, particularly to those who have been historically marginalized. 

In this context, Mary appreciates the important role HCC plays investing not only in four-year transfer program offerings but in the preparation of people with skill sets that don’t require a university degree. She is deeply informed about the College’s Lincoln and Pontiac branches and eager for Board-level participation from those communities. 

Mary acknowledges that the diversity of HCC’s existing programs position the College to prepare students with the skills needed in the workforce of today and going forward. This includes facile discussion of the College’s forward-looking “stackable credentialing” program. She also supports an active outreach to high schools to let students learn they have continued educational options which include internship and career development programs.

She is extremely supportive of HCC decision making in collaboration with students and values the Student Trustee voting role on the Board, citing, for example, the recent tuition increase where students contributed to the discussion of how to balance financial needs while minimizing impact on them. HCC’s Student Trustee participated in the vote on this decision.

Mary plans to continue to mature into her Trustee role, attend conferences, and bring relevant ideas back to the HCC discussion.

Cecelia Long contributes an all-encompassing skill set to the Heartland Community College Board of Trustees. She is a dedicated member of the Heartland community with a specific background working on student success initiatives, all coinciding in continuous endeavors to overcome financial barriers for students in higher education. With these experiences, Cecelia provides a necessary perspective to the HCC and its purpose of serving students alongside the wider community.

She exemplifies dedication to providing students with a wide variety of career-path programs while simultaneously making higher education affordable and accessible. Cecelia recognizes the active role Heartland plays in providing educational opportunities to students of all back-grounds, emphasizing the need for efficient staff and administrative work to meet students where they are. This includes bringing awareness to existing campus resources and working to bridge gaps for first generation college students, such as through academic success coaching and combating existing struggles of food insecurity. She notes that continuing to provide students, faculty, and staff with the tools they need to succeed is vital to long-term growth and success for HCC.

Funding and support for existing success initiatives while further increasing outreach efforts to students are among other key initiatives for Cecelia. She is a continued advocate for HCC upholding local partnerships to help students from a variety of backgrounds, noting key benefits of having a well-educated and career-prepped population of graduates who are ready to give back to their community in a variety of fields. Furthering outreach efforts to the community, including ongoing relationships with local industries and business partners, are core tenets of Cecelia’s values placed on higher education. Cecelia intends to further contribute and grow her skills in the Trustee role, advocate for and hear out student needs, and provide important perspectives to the HCC community.