Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – When former Carbondale mayor Brad Cole (pictured) joined the Illinois Municipal League as its CEO, he said he would give it ten years. That was twelve years ago, and Cole said the IML has accomplished what it set out to do then, so it’s time for a change for both Cole and the organization.

Cole said Monday he would depart his job in January, to be succeeded by Rockford mayor Tom McNamara. “I think he brings some good experience,” said Cole. “Our board was very interested in having a mayor like myself at the top of the organization to speak with that background and that experience, whether that’s to the General Assembly or the Congress or just to each other.”

The IML represents the interests of 1,294 cities, villages, and towns in Illinois – ranging from Chicago’s 2.7 million to Valley City’s 14. That’s 1,294 sets of priorities. “It’s hard sometimes to get everyone in agreement,” said Cole. “But I can tell you that the local officials we work with are committed to their communities, and we’ve seen them come together when there are attacks on local government when there’s mandates and pre-emptions of local authority.”

It’s that coming together which satisfies Cole. “The most rewarding part that I have seen is the relationships with people who are just trying to work hard, help their community, volunteer their time, and want to make a difference for their hometown or for where they just moved to. You see that a lot every day, and I feel good about it.”