Claim OwnershipLocal Gov Stories from ILCMA
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The official podcast from the Illinois City/County Management Association (ILCMA). Discover the real, human stories behind Illinois' local governments. Hosts Melanie Santostefano, CEO of Vicarious Multimedia and Danny Langloss, City Manager of the City of Dixon, Illinois take you inside the lives of Illinois city, village, and county managers, exploring career journeys, daily challenges, leadership triumphs, and the critical work being done to serve every community. For anyone in public service or considering a career in local government: this is your inside look.
Tune in to hear candid conversations with leaders from across the state as they share:
- The Career Path: Inspiring accounts of how professionals—from recent graduates to seasoned veterans—found their calling and advanced their careers in public service.
- A Day in the Life: Unvarnished looks at the daily successes, critical decisions, and unique challenges faced by city, village, and county managers.
- Lightening 5: Rapid-fire Q&A designed to capture a diverse range of insights from our guests. A powerful way to get maximum value from our local government leaders in a minimum amount of time. Get ready for quick answers, candid thoughts, and surprising takeaways!
- Community & Connection: Previews of ILCMA conferences and professional development events, alongside discussions on how we are fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities.
- The Next Generation: Learn about the vital work being done to mentor, engage, and recruit the local government leaders of tomorrow.
Don't just hear the news—hear the stories of the people dedicated to keeping Illinois communities running smoothly. Subscribe today!
21 Episodes
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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 ilcma@niu.edu 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 ilcma@niu.edu. #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 ilcma@niu.edu! #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 #publicserviceFind 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 ilcma@niu.edu! #ilcma #ilcmaproud #LocalGovStories #localgovernmentleaders #publicserviceOriginally published on September 18, 2025.
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 & Economic Development Director for the Village of Fox Lake, shares her unique journey into local government and how her team is making big moves to attract businesses to the northern Illinois town. The goal of the podcast is to promote the profession, create new connections, share challenges and solutions, and inspire the next generation of local government leaders. If you’re interested in being on a future episode or know of someone who would make a great guest, email us at ilcma@niu.edu! For more information on upcoming events and opportunities from ILCMA and local gov affiliates visit: https://www.ilcma.org/calendar/Originally published on August 6, 2025.
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 Walls, Manager of our wonderful host city, Champaign!Originally published on June 10, 2025.
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 community has been facing due to infrastructure disinvestment and how he and his team are planning to fortify the City’s infrastructure for the future. There is still time to register for ILCMA’s Summer Conference! Find registration information here: https://www.ilcma.org/conferences/Originally published on May 21, 2025
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, named Mr. Robinson which is actually patterned after a longtime employee . He has a personality too and will answer questions like, what is your favorite pizza!!!Originally published April 25, 2025.
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 working in local government and earning the bicycle friendly city designation.Originally published November 12, 2024.
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 commissioner form of government to a council manager form of government.Originally published on September 19, 2024
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 9) was open -- but we have just maxed out -- and registration is now closed because the conference is full! We look forward to seeing many of you there! Be sure to look for information about Summer Conference at Eagle Ridge, June 4th – 6th and register early!Originally published: February 5, 2024
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