Why It Matters
Tom McNamara, the three-term mayor of Rockford, will lead the Illinois Municipal League, an organization representing nearly 1,300 cities and towns across the state. His appointment positions a sitting mayor at the helm of one of Illinois’s most influential local government advocacy groups during a period of fiscal tension between municipalities and the state.
What Happened
McNamara was selected to succeed Brad Cole as president and CEO of the Illinois Municipal League effective at year’s end. The Democrat has served as Rockford’s mayor since 2017 and will resign from that office on August 30 to focus on his new role.
McNamara’s election to the position comes after a demonstrated track record in municipal leadership. He previously served on the Rockford city council, elected as alderman in 2013 before running for mayor four years later. He ran unopposed for a second term in 2021 and won his most recent mayoral race in 2025 with substantial voter support.
His father, John McNamara, previously served as Rockford’s mayor, making the younger McNamara part of a family with deep roots in the city’s political history. Before entering elected office, McNamara worked in the insurance industry.
McNamara acknowledged the fiscal challenges facing municipalities in accepting the position. “At a time that I see the State placing more mandates and taking away more funding from cities, coupled with the federal government pushing more national responsibilities onto states and cities, I feel called to step up and advocate on behalf of our cities and the residents that make up each community,” he said.
His departure will trigger a special election in April 2025 to fill the remaining two years of his mayoral term. Representative Maurice West, a Rockford Democrat and member of House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s leadership team, has announced his candidacy for the office.
By the Numbers
Nearly 1,300 — municipalities represented by the Illinois Municipal League
78% — vote share McNamara received in his 2025 mayoral election
6.47% — state income tax share retained by the League for the Local Government Distributive Fund
2 years — remaining in McNamara’s current mayoral term
Zoom Out
The Illinois Municipal League has emerged as a significant player in state policy debates, particularly over local revenue and regulatory burdens. In recent years, the organization has pushed back against state initiatives, including stalling elements of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s BUILD housing plan that would have affected municipal control over development decisions.
McNamara’s appointment reflects ongoing tensions between cities and both state and federal governments over funding, unfunded mandates, and the distribution of responsibilities. Local officials nationwide have expressed similar complaints about absorbing costs for services and programs that exceed local revenue capacity.
What’s Next
Cole will complete his tenure at the Illinois Municipal League by year’s end, allowing McNamara time to transition into the role. The Rockford mayoral special election is scheduled for April 2025, with West positioning himself as a successor in that race. McNamara’s leadership of the League will likely intensify municipal advocacy on state budget and unfunded mandate issues as Illinois faces its own fiscal pressures.