Donna Johnson (mayor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donna Johnson
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| Mayor of Libertyville, Illinois | |
| Assumed office May 4, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Terry Weppler |
| Libertyville Board of Trustees | |
| In office 2007–2021 |
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| Personal details | |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Independent |
| Residences | Libertyville, Illinois |
Donna Johnson is an American politician. In 2021, she made history by becoming the first Black woman elected as the mayor of Libertyville, Illinois.
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Early Life and School
Donna Johnson's parents are Carol and Donald Tyler Johnson. Her mother was important in local government in Evanston, Illinois. She led groups that helped people and made sure everyone was treated fairly.
Her father studied engineering at the University of Illinois. But because of segregation (when people were kept apart based on their race), he found it hard to get a job as an engineer. He later became a leader in the Chicago Fire Department.
Donna Johnson's family moved to Libertyville in 1979. She went to Michigan State University and earned a degree in Political Science. This means she studied how governments work. She also earned a JD degree, which is a law degree.
Her Career Journey
Before becoming mayor, Donna Johnson worked as a prosecutor. A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government. They try to prove that someone has broken the law. She worked in Cook County and Lake County.
Later, she became a corporate attorney at Allstate. This means she was a lawyer for a big company. She helped the company with legal matters.
Johnson also spent nine years on the Libertyville Plan Commission. This group helps decide how land in the town can be used. She worked to bring more businesses to downtown Libertyville.
Serving as a Trustee
In 2007, Donna Johnson was elected to the Libertyville Board of Trustees. Trustees are like council members. They help make decisions for the town. She worked on the Streets Committee, which looks after the town's roads.
While she was a trustee, she thought that elected officials should earn more money. She believed this would encourage more good people to run for office. By 2020, she was also leading the board for Advocate Condell Medical Center.
Becoming Mayor
After being a trustee for 14 years, people encouraged her to run for mayor. The mayor at the time, Terry Weppler, was one of those who asked her to run. She ran for mayor without anyone running against her.
On April 6, 2021, she was elected mayor. She officially started her job on May 4, 2021. She is the first Black mayor in Libertyville's 185-year history. She is also the second woman and the first person of color to be mayor of the town.
Mayor's Goals
When she became mayor, Donna Johnson shared her main goals. She wanted to make sure the town's budget was balanced. This means the town spends only what it has.
She also wanted to help the downtown area grow. She aimed to support small businesses in Libertyville. In 2022, she helped sell the town's indoor sports complex. This helped the town pay off old debts.
Personal Life
Donna Johnson is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She has two children.
See also
