There is one contested race for a seat on the Macomb city council in the April 1 consolidated election.
The at-large position is being vacated by long-time council member Dennis Moon. Two people are vying to replace him. In ballot order, they are Tammie Leigh Brown-Edwards and Jennifer Hemingway.
TSPR asked the candidates why they’re running, what challenges face the city, and whether Macomb is better or worse off than five years ago.
Here is what they had to say:
Name: Tammie Leigh Brown-Edwards
Age, as of April 1, 2025:
Campaign website or Facebook page: IG: TLforChange FB: TLforChange
Government experience: I have been a precinct committeeperson for nearly a decade, delegate to Washington, DC for a congressional caucus event, campaigned for McDonough County Board, former Macomb Township Trustee and former Alderman at Large for the City of Macomb.
Community involvement: · Macomb Moving Forward, Member; Macomb Juneteenth Celebration, founder;· Macomb’s 309 Day, founder;·City of Macomb Pronoun Day, initiator;· City of Macomb, CROWN Act, initiator;· Rev. Dr. CT Vivian Legacy/ Historic Preservation Homestead Landmark, initiator; Rev. Dr. CT Vivian and Dr. Ruth Tunnicliff Macomb entrance welcome sign, advocate; Vivian Society, co-founder;· Macomb Feminist Network, Member; · Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. campus advisor; Macomb Police Department Safe Exchange Space, initiator; · IL Center for Violence Prevention, Sponsor; Macomb Back to School Supply Drive, founder; Macomb Home for the Holidays, founder; · McDonough County NAACP Branch, Member; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Macomb, Board of Trustees: Macomb Area Convention, Visitors Bureau -Monopoly Game, Committee; Interfaith Alliance of Macomb, Member: Eagles Clubs Thanksgivings Day, volunteer; Macomb Elks, volunteer; St. Paul's Boy Scouts of America, parent member; Macomb Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy, Graduate; Macomb's The Seen Magazine, co-founder; McDonough Co. LWV 19th Amendment 100 Years Commemoration, guest speaker; Macomb Banat Casablanca Belly Dance/Tribal Dance Troupe, Member; Macomb's Order of Eastern Star, Member; Macomb Historic Preservation, Commissioner; and Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency, Board Member.
Education: Attended Suomi College (Finlandia University), Waubonsee Community College, Eastern Illinois University and Western Illinois University
Occupation: Program Coordinator and Academic Success Coach
Name: Jennifer (Jennie) Hemingway
Age, as of April 1, 2025: 59
Campaign website or Facebook page: Elect Hemingway Alderman At Large
Government experience: McDonough County Board 2017-2018
Community involvement:
- Prairie Hills Resource Conservation & Development Board
- YMCA Swim Instructor
- Dickens on the Square Volunteer
Education:
B.S. – Old Dominion University
M.Ed – University of Idaho
PhD – Illinois State University
Occupation: Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance at Knox College
Questions
Why are you running?
Brown-Edwards: (No response given)
Hemingway: There’s no doubt Macomb faces challenges (infrastructure, revenue, growth, business mix). We must meet these challenges head on. Every new business, every new initiative is important. That’s exciting. It’s why I’m running for Alderman at Large, to be part of keeping Macomb a vibrant community.
What is the most pressing issue facing the city and how would you address it?
Brown-Edwards: There are residents and students in Macomb who feel they do not have an opportunity to voice their questions and concerns. I have ideas of how to help City Hall connect more to its constituents. For years, young parents have expressed their concerns about the lack of affordable "things to do" for children. I have created partnerships in the community that will help bridge that gap.
Hemingway: Balancing infrastructure priorities with attracting new opportunities. Macomb doesn’t exist in a bubble. We must be mindful of what is happening in the federal government and how legislation will impact grants and other funding to upgrade roads, maintain public transportation, add sidewalks and bike lanes. We have a duty to our residents to deliver water when the tap is turned on. As your elected Alderman At Large, I will work with the other members of the City Council to create a priority list of projects that will benefit the people of Macomb, as well as keep Macomb attractive to potential business development and future employers.
Why should people vote for you?
Brown-Edwards: As a parent, someone who works with young adults and a person who has been fortunate to know a wide range of people in the community, I believe I have a unique perspective of the joys and concerns of Macomb residence. An elected official should get to know people outside of their social circles, organizations and clubs. You can make better decisions if you know people throughout the entire community. I will be available for open communications with residents in person, by phone or digital platforms.
Hemingway: I want to hear the concerns and ideas of the residents in Macomb. What is working well and what changes are needed? Working together we can keep Macomb a place that people will always want to call home. I want to be your choice and your voice for your Macomb!
Is Macomb better or worse off than it was five years ago? Why?
Brown-Edwards: Macomb has had its challenges. Where the city has seen some wins, it has also seen some losses. We are fortunate to live in a community where our residents care about their neighbors, friends and coworkers. It is that sense of community that allows many of us to call Macomb home for so many years. I believe the city and the university are dedicated to helping Macomb and its residents thrive. Hard decisions have been made and hard work will need to continue to keep Macomb the community we hold dear.
Hemingway: The choice of better or worse is oversimplifying. Five years ago, the country was in the beginning of the COVID pandemic. We were focused on how to turn our homes into classrooms and workspaces. How to be in community while social distancing. How to find sources for toilet paper!
The pandemic also highlighted the benefits of living in smaller and rural communities such as home prices and open space. Unfortunately, from 2020 to 2022, Macomb lost just over 3% of its population. On the positive side, median household income grew by 4.39 %.
This trend of good news/challenging news seems to be the normal for Macomb at this point in time. So, the question becomes how do we create more wins than losses? There is momentum with TJ Maxx, Chipotle, and other new businesses coming to town. The City Council will need to work collaboratively with community development partners to attract new businesses and visitors without losing current businesses and residents.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.
