County Board: Meet Your Board Members

Bonnie J. Hester (D - Dist. 1)

District 1 boundaries: Rt. 116 in City of Peoria south and city and township limits.

2215 W Butler Street
Peoria, IL 61605
309-676-1596

Bonnie Hester has spent 35 years in the public sector: 25 for the Peoria City/County Health Department and most recently as Program Assistant for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. Before her retirement from the Health Department, Bonnie served on the Health Care Committee for Peoria County Employees and as president of local union AFSCME #3665. She was president for 14 years.

Since her retirement, Bonnie has become a volunteer for the American Red Cross Disaster Services, the Heart of Illinois United Way, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She serves on the school board for Peoria Christ Lutheran School and the Executive Board for the West Central Illinois Labor Council. Bonnie is a long time member of Christ Lutheran Church, where she teaches Sunday School.

Bonnie earned a certificate in Labor History from the University of Illinois and a Clerical Certificate from the Vocational School of Southern Illinois. Bonnie and Jerry, her husband of 39 years, have three children and six grandchildren.

Junior Watkins (D - Dist. 2)

District 2 boundaries: Courthouse area of downtown and southwest along the river

125 S.W. Jefferson Street
Peoria, IL 61601
674-0566 (H)

Junior Watkins is in the midst of his third term on the Peoria County Board. A graduate of Peoria Manual High School, he attended Grand View College and is employed in the sales department of Brewers Distributing in Peoria.

Mr. Watkins is a former co-chairman of the United Auto Workers Election Commission, a member of the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Board and an advisory member of the Peoria Park District Recreation Advisory Board.

In addition, he serves as director of the Elks Grand Athletic Board. He is also the founder and charter member of the Afro-American Hall of Fame, a founder of the Hersey Hawkins / Coca-Cola Summer Basketball League and a League Commissioner for the Moonlight Basketball League.

Lynn Scott Pearson (D - Dist. 3)

District 3 boundaries: Downtown and northeast along the river, with boundaries of Knoxville, Nebraska, and Glen Oak Park.

1201 N.E. Madison Avenue
Peoria, IL 61603
673-3853 (H)

Lynn Scott Pearson is beginning her 18th year of service to the citizens of Peoria County.

Pearson, a retiree of Caterpillar, Inc., has an extensive background of community service. She has served as President of the Board of Directors for Friendship House and Chairperson of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. She has also served as a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program Advisory Council and the Peoria County Democratic Women Committee.

Throughout her tenure on the Peoria County Board, Ms. Pearson has served on the following committees: Tax, Health Services, Land Use, Management Services, Position Evaluation, Administrator Search and Administrator Evaluation.

Andrew Rand (D - Dist. 4)

District 4 boundaries: Bradley University area and University to Nebraska to Knoxville to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

1230 W. Moss Ave.
Peoria, IL 61606
637-3843 (H)
494-6215 (W)

Andrew Rand has been a Peoria resident for twenty years. Relocating from a northernmost city district into the very heart of Peoria where he now represents District 4, his boundaries are often considered home to the most diverse and gentrified properties, homeowners, and residents in all of Peoria County.

District 4 encompasses warm and historic neighborhoods, Bradley University, Main Street merchants, tennis courts and ball fields, Interstate 74, stately homes along Moss Avenue, the historic homes of the Uplands, public and private schools, students and professors, parks and playgrounds, apartment dwellers, longtime homeowners, west bluff views of the city, and massive tree lined streets and boulevards connecting it all. It is bordered on the west by the small town setting of West Peoria and is nearby the medical centers of Methodist and OSF St. Francis.

Andrew attended the public schools of Miami-Dade County. In college, he became a licensed paramedic for the State of South Carolina and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University in 1986, majoring in Finance. He is the CEO of Peoria based Advanced Medical Transport, the largest downstate provider of ambulance services and critical care patient transportation in Illinois.

As a county board member for District 4, Andrew Rand serves on the committees of Judicial, Management Services, Finance, and Transportation. He serves with Chairman O'Neill and Board Member Steve Morris as a three member panel overseeing implementation of terms that govern the planning, shaping, construction, and management of the soon to be constructed Peoria Riverfront Museum to be located adjacent to another planned riverfront landmark, the Caterpillar Visitor's Center. Andrew serves as board liaison and point person in the County's newly taken role as Animal Protection & Welfare Provider, assessing the needs and services available for this most important role that affects the quality of everyday neighborhood living.

One of the board's tireless workers, Andrew is frequently seen on the move to learn from many what he must in order to craft a vision that benefits his constituents. Andrew can be reached by e-mail or phone or you may likely see and visit with him at one of the many meetings and events he attends, supports and embraces throughout each of the four seasons.

Bud Sous (D - Dist. 5)

District 5 boundaries: Abington, Knoxville, Lake and along War Memorial to the River.

3416 N Knoxville Avenue
Peoria, IL 61603
309-686-7643 (H)

Bud Sous was elected to the County Board in November 2006. He serves on the Management Services and Judicial Committees. Bud has 12 years service with the Peoria Fire Department and is currently a fire engineer. He graduated from Loyola University in the first nationally accredited paramedic program.

Born in Itoo, Lebanon, Bud moved to Peoria when he was 5 years old. He attended St. Bernard's Grade School and Spalding High School, where he played basketball, baseball, football and was a wrestler. While later serving in the Marine Corps, Bud was on the All Marine Wrestling Team for two years. He also attended Intelligence School to become an interrogator and translator. He spent many years overseas and saw combat twice during his years of military service.

Bud has two sons: Alex, 11, and Eli, 10. Both attend St. Philomena's Grade School.

G. Allen Mayer (D - Dist. 6)

District 6 boundaries: Central Peoria from I-74 in the south and west to Lake Avenue in the north and Sheridan Road in the east.

3300 N. Isabell Ave.
Peoria, IL 61604
685-1495 (H)

Allen Mayer was re-elected to a second four-year term on the Board in November 2008. He is the Chair of the Tax/EDC (economic development) and Rules Committees and a member of the Finance/Legislative and Executive Committees.

Mr. Mayer serves as Special Counsel to Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes where, among other duties, he has worked to restore Springdale Cemetery, return surplus property taxes to homeowners, pass legislation to curb "pay to play" politics in state government, and preserve overtime rights for Illinois workers.

Mr. Mayer is a graduate of the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) and an honors graduate of the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois College of Law. He and his wife Carey have a son, Conrad, and a daughter, Katherine. They are active members of First English Lutheran Church and involved in several local civic organizations including the Biltmore Heights Neighborhood Association, Peoria County Democrats, and the Junior League of Peoria.

James C. Dillon (D - Dist. 7)

District 7 boundaries: West Peoria.

2613 W Belle Vista Court
West Peoria, IL 61604
309-637-7721 (H)

James Dillon is serving his first term on the Peoria County Board. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University and attended the Les Aspin Center for Government. A member of Plumbers Local 63, James works for J.C. Dillon Plumbing.

James has been involved with Township Government since 2001, serving first as a trustee and now as Township Clerk. He is active in many community organizations and is looking forward to serving the residents of District 7 and Peoria County.

Phillip Salzer (D - Dist. 8)

District 8 boundaries: I-74 southwest to Bradley Park and City of Peoria limits.

3101 N. Old Trail Road
Peoria, IL 61604
309-251-4868 (H)

Born in Peoria, Phil received his B.S. from Bradley University and completed his Master's Degree at the University of Illinois. After teaching in an agricultural community near Champaign, he returned to Peoria and spent over 30 years serving District #150 at Peoria High School.

Respected in his profession, he has held various positions in teaching and coaching. Before serving a term as President of the Peoria-Pekin Social Studies Association he held other offices in the organization. He was chairman of the Social Studies Department at Peoria High School for 16 years. For 33 years, he has been an officer in the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. From 1978-2004, He was on the IHSA Track & Field Advisory committee. He became the first chairman of the Girls & Boys committee when it was combined. For 14 years, he was Meet Manager of both the Girls and Boys State Meets.

Actively involved with the community, he has been a member of many boards. He served on the Alzheimer's, Peoria Zoning Commission and the original committee which brought "March Madness" and the IHSA State Basketball Tournament to Peoria in 1996. Presently, he serves on the following boards or commissions: Exposition Gardens/Heart of Illinois Fair, Peoria Convention Bureau Sports Commission, Labor Council of West Central Illinois, Greater Peoria Area Sports Commission, and Old Timer's Baseball Association. Recognized twice as Teacher of the Year, he has been honored numerous times. Phil was named Illinois High School Track & Field Coach of the Year in 1974, and the recipient of the prestigious "Ray Eliot" Award in High School Football. He has been honorary referee for the Girls & Boys State Track & Field meets as well as honorary referee at the state Cross Country event. Other awards he has received have come from the Peoria Officials Association, Greater Peoria Football Coaches Association, Labor Council, National High School Athletic Coaches Association, Illinois Track & Field and Cross Country Association and IHSA for Meritorious Service.

Over the course of his career, he has been inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches, Greater Peoria Area Sports, Peoria High School and Illinois High School Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Halls of Fame.

Michael Phelan (D - Dist. 9)

District 9 boundaries: Northern Peoria & Peoria Heights.

1513 E. Moneta Avenue
Peoria Heights, IL 61614
363-4804 (C)

Mike Phelan was elected to the County Board in 1998. He currently serves on the Judicial, Facilities, and Executive Committees. He also chairs the Management Services Committee. While on the Board, Mr. Phelan has also served as Vice Chairman of the Management Services and Judicial Committees, in addition to being on the Finance/Legislative Study Committee.

Mr. Phelan serves as a County Board representative on the following Ad Hoc/Advisory Committees: GIS Policy Committee, Minority Business Ad-Hoc Committee, Public Aid Committee of Peoria County, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, Heartland Community Development Corp, and the City/County Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee. Mr. Phelan is the Vice Chairman of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission.

Stephen Morris (R - Dist. 10)

District 10 boundaries: Knoxville at War Memorial to Northmoor, to Northmoor and Allen, to Allen and War Memorial, to Knoxville.

5516 N. Briarcrest Court
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 671-4555 (W)
(309) 453-9691 (C)

Born in Peoria, Stephen is a graduate of Richwoods High School; he received his B.A. (1993) and his J.D. (1996) from Creighton University.

A partner with the firm of Howard, Habecker & Morris, LLC, Stephen has been practicing law in Peoria since 1996. He formerly served on the Peoria Public School District #150 Board. Stephen currently serves the County on the Finance Legislative Study, Tax/EDC, and Management Services Committees.

Stephen is a member of the Peoria County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel.

Stephen is married to his wife of eleven years, Joy, and together they have one son, Robert.

Merle Widmer (R - Dist. 11)

District 11 boundaries: Northmoor and Prospect to north edge of City of Peoria limits.

612 W. Collingwood Circle
Peoria, IL 61614
Tel: 309-692-2591 (H), Fax: 309-692-6711

Merle Widmer was elected to the County Board in 2000 and re-elected in 2002 and 2006. During his tenure, Merle was elected by his peers as Vice-Chairman of the Board twice and has served on all nine standing committees. In addition, Merle currently represents the County Board on the Council of Governments and the City/County Landfill Committee. At one time, Merle was a member of the Noon Optimist, Southwest Kiwanis, and East Peoria and Peoria Rotary Clubs. Merle continues to be involved in many civic groups.

Complementing Merle's involvement in politics and the community is his past experience as a local business owner. In 1956, Merle joined Remington Rand's Filing System Division and was promoted to multiple levels of management before securing his own Remington Rand Dealership in Peoria in 1964. Merle grew his company from three employees in 1964 to 70 employees and an annual sale high of $11 million in 1992 when he sold the business, now known as Widmer Interiors. During his professional career, Merle served on the Board of Directors of two Office Products Industry National Associations.

Growing up in Carlock and Congerville, IL, Merle attended Normal Community High School. After graduating in 1942, he served in the U.S. Air Force and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Western Illinois University. During his schooling and after, Merle was very active in sports and continues to be today, playing tennis as a member of the Clubs at River City, the Peoria Tennis Association, and a lifetime member of the U.S. Tennis Association. Other sports Merle has been involved with - both as a player and a manager - include baseball, basketball, and softball. Merle was once even Vice-Chairman of the Bradley Chiefs!

Merle married his wife Claire in 1978 and has three children from a previous marriage. He also has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all living in the Midwest.

Robert Baietto (R - Dist. 12)

District 12 boundaries: Route 6 East to Willow Knolls Road, I-74 north to Allen Road and War Memorial Drive.

6211 N Chad Court
Peoria, IL 61615
691-3734 (H)

Robert Baietto is a graduate of Streator High School; he received his B.S. in Education from the University of Illinois and completed his M.S. +30 hours in Education from Bradley University.

Mr. Baietto was employed by Richwoods High School for 34 years, first serving as a P.E. teacher, industrial arts teacher, driver's education instructor and coach of the football, track and swim teams. He was later named Director of Physical Education and Athletics. From there, he was named Assistant Principal and Dean of Students and finally Principal.

He has served as the coordinator of Heart of Illinois Harvest, a volunteer program to feed the hungry. He is also a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, the Peoria Area Retired Teachers Association and Rotary Club of Peoria.

He and his wife, Gloria Jean, have three children: Michael, Randy and Amy, as well as five grandchildren.

Vice Chairman William Prather (D - Dist. 13)

District 13 boundaries: Chillicothe and Medina Townships.

1732 N. 4th Street
Chillicothe, IL 61523-1139
274-2907 (H)

In 2007, Bill was unanimously elected by his peers to serve as Chairman of the Board. He brings to the chairmanship twenty-six years service on the board, two as Vice Chair. Bill's involvement in local government began in 1970 when he became Road Commissioner of Chillicothe Township.

His extensive experience in local government is complemented by equal experience in the private sector as a small business owner. This dual background serves him well in his leadership role as he holds steadfast to the belief that elected officials must be accessible to the citizens they serve; to do otherwise would undermine their purpose as public servants. Bill chooses to serve Peoria County citizens in order to ensure for future generations the safe and healthy environment his three children and three grandchildren currently enjoy.

Brian Elsasser (R - Dist. 14)

District 14 boundaries: Millbrook, Princeville, Akron, Hallock, and portions of Medina Township.

330 S. Kennedy Avenue
Princeville, IL 61559
385-1173 (H)

Brian Elsasser is serving his second term on the County Board. This magna cum laude graduate of Bradley University is a self-employed grain and cattle farmer. He and his wife, Mary Beth, have six children: Jeremy, Jamie, J. Michael, B.J., Alexandra and Paige. Mr. Elsasser has served on Land Use, Facilities, Transportation, and Legislation Committees. Mr. Elsasser has also served as Vice Chairman of the Board from 2000-2002, and a Hallock Township Trustee from 1988-1996 term.

Mr. Elsasser is a member of the Peoria County Farm Bureau, Apostolic Christian Church, Peoria County Beef Improvement and past State President of Future Farmers of America.

Carol Trumpe (R - Dist. 15)

District 15 comprises: Brimfield Pct. 1, Rosefield Pct. 1, Jubilee Pct. 1, Radnor Pcts. 1 and 2, Kickapoo Pct. 1, Medina Pct. 3 south of Cedar Hills Dr. and west of Knoxville, City Pcts. 92, 88, and part of 78.

6904 W. Challacombe Road
Edwards, IL 61528
243-7273 (H)

A resident of Peoria County since 1970, Carol Trumpe has served on the Peoria County Board from 1985 to 1990, and 1994 to the present. She has a B.S. in Sociology from Colorado State University and an M.S in Sociology from Purdue University. A former college instructor, she has served on the Board of Directors of the South Side Mission, the Rural Peoria County Council on Aging, and the Domestic Violence Learning Project, which she helped to establish in Peoria in 1988. She also served on the Public Policy Committee of the Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer Assoc., the Illinois State Fair Advisory Board, and as Co-Chairman of the Peoria Symphony Guild Designer Showhouse 1993 (major fundraiser event).

She is a member of the Peoria County Republican Central Committee, the Peoria County Republican Women's Club (past President), the National Society of Arts and Letters, Kappa Alpha Theta Alum Club (social sorority), Peoria County Farm Bureau, and leader of an interdenominational Bible Study group in Kickapoo Township since 1970. As a member of Grace Presbyterian Church, Carol was an Executive Team member and speaker for Grace's 2006 Capital Campaign.

Carol's current service on the County Board includes the following committees: Executive Committee, Land Use (Chairman), Transportation, Finance/Legislative Study Committee, and Growth Policy (Chairman). In addition, she represents the Peoria County Board on the Peoria GIS Policy Committee, and Prairie Rivers Resource, Conservation and Development Council (annual program planning committee). She serves as active liaison to the Regional University of Illinois Extension Council.

Carol is married to Richard M. Trumpe, Ph.D., a retired administrator at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. They reside on their grain farm in Kickapoo Township. The Trumpes have a son, Rick, of Edwards, and a daughter, Kim Brooks-Miller Sink, of Pella, Iowa.

Brad Harding (R - Dist. 16)

District 16 boundaries: Elmwood, Rosefield, Trivoli, and Logan Townships.

1024 N. Moran Rd.
Trivoli, IL 61569
362-2313 (H)

 

Chairman Thomas O'Neill (D - Dist. 17)

District 17 boundaries: Bartonville south of Garfield, northwest, southwest, and southeast Limestone, Hollis and Timber Townships.

4908 W. Wanda Avenue
Bartonville, IL 61607
697-9546 (H)
494-8886 (W)

Tom O'Neill III has been a Peoria County Board member since 1993. Tom has served on the Transportation, Executive, Judicial, Economic Development, Land Use, and Facilities committees. He has also been a member of the Peoria-Pekin Urban Area Transportation Study (PPUATS) Policy Committee, the Regional Pollution Control Committee, and Chaired the Board of Local Improvements Committee.

In addition to serving on the County Board, Tom has been very active in the community in other ways. He has served as St. Anthony's Church High School Youth Group Director and on the Parrish Board of Directors. He has been a Limestone youth basketball and baseball league coach and served on both Boards of Directors. And Tom has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1973.

Tom is a graduate of Spalding Institute and successfully completed the electrical apprenticeship program through the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local # 34. Since 1984, Tom has worked for the City of Peoria Public Works Department as a signal electrician; he is currently the lead signal electrician. Tom and his wife of 35 years, Geri, have two sons, Thomas IV and Andy, and a granddaughter, Madelyn.

Patricia Hidden (D - Dist. 18)

District 18 boundaries: Bartonville north of Garfield, Norwood, Bellevue, and northeast Limestone Township.

1804 Norwood Blvd.
Peoria, IL 61604
673-4904 (H)

Ms. Hidden was appointed to the County Board in March 2002 and was elected to her first full term in November 2002. Ms. Hidden has been married since 1955 and has four sons, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She is a graduate of Limestone Community High School.

Ms. Hidden has served on a number of area organizations including: Limestone Township Trustee, Limestone Township Fire Protection District Secretary/Trustee, Norwood Village Trustee, Election Judge, Deputy Registrar, Secretary of Limestone Democrats, Secretary of Township Officials Association, Secretary of TRIAD, President of Limestone Democrats, Peoria County Democratic Women, and Limestone Lady Democrats.

Ms. Hidden has been community oriented and politically active. She has helped out with Senior's Home, Rural Peoria County Council on Aging, and shut-ins.