Local Gov Stories from ILCMA

The @ILCMA Summer Conference did not disappoint! It was another three-day event filled with educational sessions, networking and social events that brought local government professionals from around the state together – in the City of Peoria! View a recap of the conference with Local Gove Stories podcast hosts, @Melanie Santostefano and @Danny Langloss – as they interviewed @DawnPeters, @KimberlyR...

Great leaders aren’t born with a title – and can start their journey by raising a hand. And the strongest leaders now are investing in what comes next, by creating opportunities for future leaders to grow, learn, and lead. On the latest Local Gov Stories Podcast, join hosts @DannyLangloss , and @Melanie Santostefano – who interviews @Ashley Palbitska , Assistant to the City Manager and Deputy City...

New episode alert! Watch the next Local Gov Stories Podcast featuring an interview with Cody Moakes, the Chief of Staff for the City of Marion. Cody takes a deep dive into explaining the many aspects of Star Bonds, an economic development tool that differs from TIF Districts – by relying on generated sales taxes instead of real estate taxes. Join your hosts Melanie Santostefano and Danny Langloss...

Local Gov Stories Podcast Hosts @Melanie Santostefano and @Danny Langloss sat down with veterans of the profession and seasoned municipal and county managers - all the way to the next generation of public servants from across Illinois at the recent @Illinois City/County Management Association Winter Conference. Fresh ideas were shared, along with real-world takeaways from keynotes and educations s...

THE LATEST LOCAL GOV STORIES PODCAST IS OUT! Hosts @MelanieSantostefano and @DannyLangloss talk with the City of Arcola’s first-ever Administrator, @BillWagoner – who’ll share the many unique attractions in Arcola, along with his plan already in the works to increase partnerships, support business growth and build a stronger community. Plus, Winter Conference keynote @CourtneyClark joins the conve...

Watch or listen (on your favorite streaming service) to the latest Local Gov Stories Podcast! You’ll hear from @JDBarrett , who provides ideas and insights on his early experiences in local government, and how to attract the younger generation of future leaders to the profession. @Megan Golden also shared the top 5 reasons to get involved with the Legacy Project in our Lightning 5 segment! Happy N...

Join Local Gov Stories podcast hosts @Melanie Santostefano and @Danny Langloss for a special (under 15-minute!) Thanksgiving 🍂 + Winter Conference ❄️ preview edition! Get an inside look at some of the standout education sessions planned for the 2026 Winter Conference (Wednesday, February 11–Friday, February 13, 2026) and don’t miss Danny’s fast-paced interview with Conference Chair @Joe Carey , w...

The #Local Gov Stories podcast is back with some exciting guests and updates – hosted by Dixon City Manager @Danny Langloss and @Melanie Santostefano , President of Vicarious Multimedia. This episode’s guests include: ✅ @Seth Winterhalter , the President of Haltingwinter Municipal Solutions - and the opening keynote for our Winter Conference (February 11-13, Marriott in Normal) who will give us a...

📢The next episode of the Local Gov Stories podcast is out with hosts @Melanie Santosetefano and @Danny Langloss ! 🌆 What happens when a community loses a major employer — but proactively develops a bold vision for the future (that is now in motion)?💡 @Village of Schaumburg Village Manager @Brian Townsend shares how his community turned challenge into opportunity on more than 200 acres of land....

🎙️ New Episode Alert! The #Local Gov Stories podcast is back with some exciting updates, including how to get involved! We’re thrilled to welcome Danny Langloss, City Manager of Dixon, as our new co-host alongside Melanie Santostefano of Vicarious Multimedia. In this episode, you’ll hear from: ✅ Shauna Musselman, Deputy County Administrator for Peoria County — sharing the unique differences betwe...

Big news - in this episode of the Local Gov Stories podcast, co-hosts Melanie Santostefano and Jim Moran share an important announcement about its future! Also featured is an interview with Jamie Bowden, Administrator for the Village of Glen Carbon, who talks about his 37 years career in local government, and a major decision on the horizon for this Metro East community. Plus, Jodi Luka, Community...

Join host Melanie Santostefano and guest host Clay Johnson as they bring you a recap of the 2025 ILCMA Summer Conference in Champaign. This episode is packed with great interviews. IAMMA presidents incoming and outgoing Hannah Lipman and Glen Cole. ILCMA's incoming president Paula Schumacher. Conference presenter on Cybermaturity Scott Hilts and Banovetz Fellowship winner Alaina Murphy. Plus Joan...

This episode that has a fresh, new look! Melanie Santostefano interviews the Summer Conference opening keynote, Joy Baldridge, who will give an interactive and energetic presentation that provides actionable tips on how to strengthen leadership skills and overall resilience during uncertain times. Melanie also interviews Rob Boyer, City Manager of Freeport – who will share the challenges his commu...

Melanie interviews Sharon Schallhorn, Bureau County Administrator about her non-traditional background that ultimately drew her to/prepared her for her current role, along with information about the county and her job as administrator. Jim Moran interviews Molly Gillespie, the Communications and Engagement Director at the Village of Buffalo Grove. She was interviewed about Buffalo Grove’s chatbot,...

It's the Winter Conference wrap-up! Join hosts Melanie Santostefano and Jim Moran as they bring you the Winter Conference re-cap with a variety of interviews and fun! Originally published on February 20, 2025.

Hosts Melanie Santostefano and Jim Moran give a Winter Conference preview as they interview keynote speakers Scott Lesnick and Billy Tyus, Deputy City Manager, City of Bloomington. Originally published on January 27, 2025

Hosts Melanie Santostefano and Jim Moran interview the ILCMA Winter Conference Keynote, Elliot Eisenberg, Ph. D. and Erin Rauscher, Assistant to the Village Manager in Lake Zurich. Originally published on January 6, 2025

Hosts Melanie Santostefano and Jim Moran discuss the 2025 ILCMA Winter Conference, Thanksgiving plans, and upcoming affiliate events from Legacy Project, IAMMA and Metro. Melanie interviews Kimberly Richardson, Winter Conference Chair and Assistant City Manager for the City of Peoria about the upcoming conference. Jim interviews Mercy Davison, Town Planner for the Town of Normal about her path to...

Host Melanie Santostefano interviews ICMA/ILCMA Senior Advisor John Phillips and City of Oregon, City Manager, Darin DeHaan. This episode highlights one of ILCMA's greatest resources the Senior Advisor Program. With a discussion of how this program serves and supports ILCMA members and the profession. Including a case study of how John Phillips helped the city of Oregon transition from a commissio...

Join hosts Melanie Santostefano and Jim Moran as they interview Laura Newman, City Administrator, City of Batavia, IL and Taylor Baxter, City Administrator, City of Clinton, IL. Originally Published on July 25, 2024

Hosts Melanie Santostefano and Jim Moran interview Village Manager for the Village of Glencoe, Phil Kiraly about the upcoming ILCMA Summer Conference, and Jeff Fiegenschuh, City Manager for the City of Rochelle. Originally Published: May 10, 2024

Hosts Melanie Santostefano and Jim Moran interview Danny Langloss, City Administrator for the City of Dixon, and Assistant Village Manager for the Village of Tinley Park, Hannah Lipman. Originally published: March 29, 2024

This Episode features the ILCMA Winter Conference opening keynote speaker, Holly Hoffman and Ben McCready from the City of Geneva talking about the City’s Government Day and how it showcases the local government profession to youth. PLEASE NOTE: at the time of the podcast publication, registration for the conference- which kicks of tomorrow (Wednesday, February 7 and runs through Friday, February...

Inaugural episode of the ILCMA Local Gov Stories Podcast, hosted by Melanie Santostefano and Jim Moran. Highlighting the goals of the podcast and also the upcoming 2024 ILCMA Winter Conference. Find out more about the conference by visiting www.ilcma.org/conferences Originally published: January 4, 2024