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, @KimberlyRichardson, @HaleyHoltz, @JoeyDienberg, @JacobSmith, @AndieTrucco @ScottHartman, @ScotWrighton, @YatesMcLaughlin, @SarahSchillerstrom and @AndrewBuckwinkler about their conference experiences!

#ILCMA #LocalGovStories #Podcast

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 Clerk for the @City of Highland Park. You’ll learn about Ashley’s 20-year journey in several roles – all at the City – and how stepping beyond her day-to-day responsibilities has shaped her career and understanding of the profession. She also encourages others at similar stages in their careers to seek out new opportunities whenever possible!

Tune in for insights on leadership planning and growth, career development, and how local government can be proactive in preparing the next generation of public service leaders.

Be sure to get registered for the ILCMA Summer Conference! We can't wait to see you in Peoria!

#LocalGovStories #LeadershipDevelopment #SuccessionPlanning #PublicService #FutureLeaders #ILCMA

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 and learn more about this opportunity to attract new development to your community. The deadline to apply for a Star Bond is coming soon – so give it a view!

Registration is now open for the ILCMA Summer Conference! Be sure to check the ILCMA calendar to find information on the many upcoming ILCMA and affiliate events! https://www.ilcma.org/calendar/

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 sessions – and one powerful theme came up repeatedly: that local government is more than a profession, it’s a strong community of professionals that show up for each other to continually advance leadership.

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 conversation with a powerful preview on how she believes we can all navigate change more effectively, by learning to adapt, grow, and thrive - in both our work, and our lives.

Do you have a “Local Gov” story to share? Email [email protected] and be a part of the podcast!

#ILCMAProud #LocalGovStories #LocalGovernmentLeaders #PublicService #ILCMA

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 New Year to all @IllinoisCityCountyManagementAssociation (ILCMA) members from Local Gov Stories hosts @MelanieSantostefano and @DannyyLangloss – and here’s to a prosperous 2026! If you or someone you know has a story to share on the show, please email [email protected].

#NewYear #ILCMAProud #LocalGovStories #LocalGovernmentLeaders #PublicService #ILCMA

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, who shares his Top 5 Reasons to attend in the ⚡ Lightning 5 segment!

🎧 Tune in for a quick, energizing, value-packed preview of what’s to come – and don’t forget – registration is open at https://www.ilcma.org/conferences/! ❄️🔥

#ilcma #ilcmaproud #LocalGovStories #localgovernmentleaders #publicservice

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 glimpse of valuable takeaways he’ll provide through his presentation.

✅ @Cody Moake – Chief of Staff for the City of Marion who will talk about how his community is leveraging TIFs, revitalizing older areas of town and much more!

Tune in now to watch or listen👉ilcma.org/local-gov-stories

And…..if you’d like to share with us your ideas on topics for future episodes – email [email protected]!

#ilcma #ilcmaproud #LocalGovStories #localgovernmentleaders #publicservice

📢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.

⚡ Then, meet @LaTisha Paslay, City Administrator for the @City of Vandalia, as she takes on our Lightning 5 — and answers five questions that reveal her passion for local government – with a few surprising facts about Vandalia you may not know!

🎧 Stream the latest Local Gov Stories episode now or watch it on the ILCMA YouTube Channel (subscribe at https://www.youtube.com/@ILCMA to get notified of new episodes) – and get inspired by hearing stories from your colleagues around the state! Watch or listen 👉 ilcma.org/local-gov-stories

#ilcma #ilcmaproud #LocalGovStories #localgovernmentleaders #publicservice

Find ILCMA Merch at: https://ilcma2025.itemorder.com/

🎙️ 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 between municipal and county government, plus a major milestone for Peoria County and her diverse background in local government. ✅ Ghida Neukirch, City Manager of Highland Park — reflecting on her team’s approach to ensuring safety and protecting free speech during public demonstrations – an issue that so many communities are dealing with in recent months. For more information on upcoming ILCMA and affiliate events 📅 visit: https://www.ilcma.org/calendar/ And…..if you’d like to share with us your ideas on topics for future episodes – email [email protected]! #ilcma #ilcmaproud #LocalGovStories #localgovernmentleaders #publicservice

Originally published on September 18, 2025.