democrat Stephenson County Board members

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Ronnie Bush is a Freeport raised in the 3rd Ward. This is where he developed his love for the community and his passion to serve others. Ronnie is a proud Freeport Pretzel alum, he is a graduate of the class of 1971. Ronnie is also a graduate of the inaugural class of Highland Community College’s Leadership Institute. He began his career with Kelly Springfield Tire Company in 1973 and retired after 34 years of service. His passion for helping Freeport’s youth led him to become a bus driver for FSD #145, where he remains employed part-time. During this tenure, he served in the role of President of the Transportation Union. In his spare time, Ronnie assists with coaching football for the Freeport School District. In 1989, Ronnie was elected to the Freeport city council as Alderman of the 3rd Ward, where he faithfully represented his community for more than 20 years. In 2016 Ronnie was elected to the Stephenson County Board, where he currently serves District B. Ronnie is the visionary of the “Back to School Celebration” that has been hosted at King Community Campus for more than 20 years. More than 300 children benefit from this event annually. In 1992 Ronnie was awarded the Stephenson County Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award. Ronnie believes in a Freeport community that is fair and equitable for all citizens and made this his life’s work. 

Ronnie Bush serves on the Nursing Home and the Court Services Committees. His term expires in 2024.

Ronnie Bush

rbush@stephensoncountyil.gov

629 E. Pleasant St.
Freeport, IL 61032
815-238-8530

Sam Newton is the Vice Chair of the Public Works Committee and also serves on the Public Property and Safety Committee. 

In addition to his County Board duties her is on the following boards:

Blackhawks Hills Regional Council Board Member

iFiber Executive Board Member

UCCI-United Council of Counties Illinois Executive Board Member 

NACo-National Association of Counties 

Telecommunications & Technology Committee 

Greater New Unity C.O.G.I.C of Rockford Pastor and the

Freeport Ministers Fellowship Alliance President

His term expires in 2026.

snewton@stephensoncountyil.gov

512 E. Winneshiek St.

Freeport, IL 61032 

815-821-5378

Casey is a lifelong resident of Stephenson County who has a passion for service.  Casey was raised in an agricultural family,  specifically in the dairy cow business.  Casey started her professional career with Teach for America teaching middle school in Mississippi, where many disparities exist.  This led Casey to become interested in social work upon moving back to the area.  Casey is now the Chief Quality and Program Officer at the NCS Youth Home, a girl's residential for youth struggling with mental illness and trauma.  Casey also coaches girls' track at Freeport High School.  Casey has been a county board member since 2017, representing District C within the city of Freeport.  Casey ran for the County Board to continue her passion to serve others and improve the community we all live in. She wants to ensure that the citizens are knowledgeable about the services the county offers and that they have access to the services.  Casey also has committed to continuing her efforts with advocating for the Stephenson Nursing Center to remain owned and operated by the county.

Casey currently serves on Court Services as Vice-Chair and serves on Public Property and Safety. Her term expires in 2024

Casey Jacobs Anthony

1441 S. Plum Ave, 

Freeport, IL 61032

815-297-4427 

canthony@stephensoncountyil.gov

My name is Jim Hart, and I am running to represent you on the Stephenson County Board. I was born and raised in Illinois and have lived in Freeport for almost 10 years. I’ve been married for 37 years. My wife and I moved here because she had an opportunity to teach special education at Freeport School District, which she is still doing today. We have two grown children.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Lewis University and spent my career in commercial insurance and risk management. I was a vice president and officer at the largest such company in the world, and eventually left to found my own firm. I was subsequently a partner in a regional brokerage firm and went on to form two additional companies. As a young man, I worked for an insurance company owned by the Illinois Farm Bureau, of which I am still a member to this day. My well-rounded business experience will give me a good starting point for serving you on the County Board.

Despite my personal success, my path in life was not always easy. I grew up very poor, and had to overcome numerous obstacles to escape that life, put myself through school, and become a successful businessman and entrepreneur. Throughout that period of my life and continuing to today, I have done everything I can to stay grounded. I have been very fortunate, and many people aren’t as lucky. Because of this, I give back whenever I can. I’m always willing to lend my neighbors and community a helping hand whenever it’s needed. I am also a supporter of the Humane Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Salvation Army.

Jim Hart serves on the Court Services Committee and the Planning and Development Committee. He has a passion for keeping Walnut Acres a Stephenson County public-owned facility also. His term expires in 2024.

Jim Hart

630-267-2781

jhart@stephensoncountyil.gov

Adam was raised in Freeport, the son of a Nurse and a Steel Worker. As a young citizen, he was active in Scouting, becoming an Eagle Scout in 2004, and the performing arts at Freeport High School until he graduated in 2006. Adam attended Millikin University, earning degrees in Philosophy and History, and Rockford College where he earned a master’s degree in teaching. After spending a year teaching outdoor education in Wisconsin and Hawai’i, Adam returned to Freeport and became an instructor at Highland Community College where he teaches developmental reading and G.E.D. classes. 

Since returning home, Adam has also helped coach the Freeport High School Speech Team. Adam has served on the Winneshiek Theater board and as the education chair for the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society. From 2016-2022, Adam wrote a regular column in the Freeport Journal-Standard.

Adam was elected to the Stephenson County Board in 2022 to be a new voice in the conversation of what the future of Stephenson County should look like. 

Adam currently serves on the Administration Committee and the Public Works Committee. His term expires in 2026.

Adam I. Moderow

1949 Bedford rd

Freeport IL, 61032

815-541-5842

amoderow@stephensoncountyil.gov

My name is Joy Sellers

I am ready to serve as your Alderwoman-at-Large 

Lifelong Freeport resident and graduate of Freeport High School

Married to my husband, Roy, for over 30 years; we have two sons and one grandson

Daughter of Grant and Lottie Harrell, who owned The Harrell Tap in Freeport

Career

25 years at Honeywell, and 4 years at FSD as a Family Resource Coordinator

Owned and operated my own catering business, SellNoir, for 13 years

Parent Specialist at Boys and Girls Club of Freeport and Stephenson County

Community Involvement

Former Member, City of Freeport’s Social Justice Committee

Current Trustee, First Church of God

Member of the Freeport Township Board, 2013-Present

atlarge@cityoffreeport.org

815-238-5358

1021 S Oak Ave.
Sworn in May 2023
Term through May 2027

My name is Rachel Simmons. 

I am your 3rd Ward Alderwoman after winning the Municipal Election in April 2023. I have lived in the 3rd Ward my entire life, and currently live here with my husband, Clayborn. I have worked in education for over 20 years. I started as a paraprofessional and currently teach social studies classes at Freeport Middle School have been a member of the Freeport Branch of the NAACP for the past 2 years. I have worked with the NAACP to bring attention to local issues and identify solutions to benefit our community. I am a member of the First Church of God, where I have organized our Vacation Bible School Program for the past few years. I ran for Alderwoman to bring the concerns of the 3rd Ward back to City Hall. I’m looking forward to being their voice. My Goals:  Fighting for Our CommunityThe needs of the 3rd Ward have been ignored for too long, and that needs to change. I will be a voice for the residents of the 3rd Ward and bring our concerns to the table at City Hall. I know the potential that exists in our community and I want to see us thrive. Flooding PreventionFlooding is an unfortunate but regular problem in the 3rd Ward, and it needs to be addressed. I will work to secure additional resources for flood prevention infrastructure. In the short term, I will support better sanitation like keeping drains clear to help clear excess water. Better Roads and InfrastructureOur residential roads in the 3rd Ward are in desperate need of repairs. There has been an obvious lack of investment from the city in our ward, and I will be a voice for that investment. We deserve easy access to our homes and the businesses in our community. Public SafetyI want to work toward a safer 3rd Ward community. I will host monthly ward meetings to foster neighborhood cohesion and build relationships between residents. I also want to expand Freeport’s new Ring Doorbell program to include all of the 3rd Ward.

3rdward@cityoffreeport.org

815-541-2551

641 E Orin St.  

Sworn in May 2023 Term through May 2027

My name is Cecelia StacyCecelia was born and raised in Freeport. She has been a part of the Freeport School District all her life, graduating with the Class of 1981. Cecelia comes from a two-parent home in the 3rd Ward where there were seven girls and one boy.
She attended three years of college at Eastern Illinois University. Cecelia married Ernest Stacy in October 1993. They have one son, Micah, and one daughter, Makiah.
Cecelia is deeply involved with her church of 12 years, Faith Center Freeport. She currently serves on a committee building the Faith Academy Learning Center, a community center with rental spaces for offices and meeting rooms. They plan to have the Faith Center Academy school in operation by the fall of 2023.
She is a Para Educator and works with Special Needs and Life Skills students. Her current position is at Freeport High School where she works with 9th and 10th-grade students.
Clearly, feels strongly there is a lack of communication between the 3 channels of the city. Cecelia has a ‘will and a why’ to be your 5th Ward Alderperson.  Cecelia stands on Jeremiah 29:11, not only for herself but for the City. It is her desire to increase the communication between the City, the County, and the Township.
To look at the needs of the City… there is so much more to Freeport than the downtown. We owe it to ourselves to make sure the people of our City are properly cared for. Our tax dollars need to work for all and bring the services and quality of life we all deserve. It’s time to take our City back as a whole from crime, slumlords, and political clicks. It’s time to pull together so we can come together as a whole and build up Freeport as never before that we truly become a Free Port.
Cecelia ran for this position to bring new eyes, new voices, and new leadership to the City of Freeport 5th Ward. When the voters talk, she will listen. She will work for the people of the 5th Ward. She doesn’t work for fake news. She doesn’t work for developers or political insiders. She doesn’t work for the Mayor of Freeport. Cecelia’s work is for the people of the 5th Ward.

5thward@cityoffreeport.org

815-908-9814

707 E Garden St.  

Sworn in May 2023 Term through May 2027

My name is Larry Sanders. 

I came to Freeport in 1975 and graduated from Freeport Senior High School,  Highland Community College (Information Technology and Network Security), Northern Iowa University (Music), and Rust College (Music Production Engineering).

My spouse is Gwendolyn (met at college, married 52 years) and we have 6 children who have all graduated from Freeport Senior High School and 10 grandchildren.

I have worked at Kelly Tires, Freeport Park District, Honeywell, Structo, Freeport City Water & the Sewer Department in Freeport for 28 years. I am part of Flight Radio Studio Productions Company; as owner Director of Operations, and Production Engineer. I volunteer with the Rockford Black Chambers in helping organize programming, creating community opportunities for job seekers, and business resources for startup capital, Freeport Chamber of Commerce. Currently, I am associated with Flight Radio Studio Production Company Broadcast, D.J., hosting, and disseminating information for general public consumption and educating people on subjects topics: news, weather, and sports, Director of Operations, Computer Assembler, Builder, Computer Analysis. 

I have been a self-taught musician for 50 years (guitar, saxophone, violin, keyboards, organs, vocals. I love music and listening especially to my children singing

Sports played: basketball, football, baseball, gymnastics, and track. 

First day of business I would like to create a Liaison between the City and the People of FreeportIllinois where they can make their voice heard without any repercussions. Improve Infrastructure (roads, tree removal, street lamps, abandoned homes) and Public Safety (public nuisance, security watch programs)

7thward@cityoffreeport.org

815-908-9268

434 W. Dewey St.  

Sworn in May 2023 Term through May 2027

• I moved to Freeport in 1992 and have been active in the community ever since I arrived. I truly believe in giving back to the community and have served in many ways over the years including the following: King Center tutor
• Member of C.OR.E. (Community Outreach Endeavors)
• Big Brother Big Sister of Stephenson County Board of Directors
• Highland Community College Leadership Institute Graduate
• The city’s 1 st African-American outside the 3rd ward to serve on the Freeport City Council Freeport School Board District 145 School Board City of Freeport Zoning Board 
• HomeStart of Northwestern Illinois Board of Directors
• C.U.R.R.E (Citizens United For Rights, Respect, and Equity) 

kmcilwain@freeporttownship.org

• Freeport High School Graduate 
• Highland Community College Graduate 
• Rockford University Graduate 
• University of Wisconsin Stout Graduate 
• Prior small business owner: Pearl City Café and Pizza Shack 
• Married 49 years 
• 3 Grown Children 
• Retired 2019 State of Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services 
• Freeport Township Trustee 
• AFSCME Chapter 31, Subchapter 71 Retirees Secretary/Recorder 
• President, Save the Tabernacle Inc. 
• RSVP Volunteer, Rebuild Together Stephenson County Volunteer, Pretzel Pickers 

kwilken@freeporttownship.org 

I came out while attending Northern Illinois University and received tremendous support from my friends and family. After graduating college, I moved south to Texas for my first television job. I remember my dad telling me that things would be “different” for me in Texas, and that it shouldn’t be that way. Unfortunately, he was right, and I experienced discrimination in that first job. I was called into my bosses’ office with a copy of my contract sitting on the desk and the “moral clause” highlighted. I was told that I couldn’t be gay and work there.

My experiences in Rockford and the Quad Cities were quite different — I was able to be out on TV! And in the Quad Cities, I took a more active role in our LGBTQ community — serving on the boards of Clock, Inc and The Project of the Quad Cities, initiatives that aim to connect vulnerable individuals to health services. This is part of serving your community that I learned from my grandpas. 

Today I live in Moline with my partner Shawn and our two dogs Oliver and Petey. We enjoy bike riding, kayaking, and exploring good food in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. Click here to learn more:  https://sorensen.house.gov/about

Dick Durbin

https://www.durbin.senate.gov/

As Illinois’ senior Senator, Dick Durbin is championing progressive values and protecting working families, delivering economically for Illinoisans across the state, and fighting for affordable health care, humane immigration policies, criminal justice reform, our environment, and so much more. He’s never afraid to stand up to the most powerful special interests, and he’s never afraid to do what’s right for Illinois.

Tammy Duckworth 

https://www.duckworth.senate.gov

Tammy Duckworth is a champion for working families, civil rights, environmental justice as well as all of our Veterans and military families. From growing up working to pull her family out of poverty to serving our nation in uniform, Tammy’s life shapes her work in the Senate.