Name: Mike Lonergan
City/Town of Residence: South Jacksonville
Education: Routt Catholic High School, Benedictine College, Illinois College
Career History/ Highlights:
Insurance agent for 34 years, 28 years with Country Financial. I insured over 200 farms, I was aware of what was happening in rural Morgan County.
School Dist #117 board member 2010-current (vice president for 10 years).
Negotiation committee for union contracts protecting taxpayers.
Managed a fiscally conservative budget to renovate school and attract families to Morgan County.
Personal Stuff (i.e. Spouse, Kids, Pets, Hobbies):
Spouse Linda, 3 son’s Jake, Nick & Zac.
I like to go to our farm and relax, fish, hunt.
Attend high school sports.
I also enjoy cooking.
Community Involvement (clubs, organization, positions held):
Crimson Pride football
Elk Club 37 years
Knights of Columbus 50 years
Farm Bureau member 34 years
Volunteer at numerous civic events
What experience do you have to be the Morgan County Commissioner?
Insurance agent 34 years
Dist #117 school board member 2010-current (vice president the last 10 years)
Be involved with Dist. #117 50 million dollar budget
Negotiation committee for union contracts protecting taxpayers
Managed a fiscally conservative budget, while maintaining a rainy-day fund
Building and infrastructure planning committee to renovate schools and attract families to Morgan County.
Why do you want to be Morgan County Commissioner?
With my experience in business and being on the school district board for 14 years (vice-president 10 of those years) I could bring different concepts to the county that could possibly save taxpayers money.
What issues do you believe currently face Morgan County, and how are you able to address these needs?
That’s a very hard question. Until you get elected and talk to the other commissioners and the department heads, you want to have a clear understanding of the issues that the county will be facing. Then, you can collect data and implement a plan.
Anything else you wish to add:
This will be my full-time job! I am retired and I can devote all my energy to the job. One of the most important things that I have learned is that the tax money collected is the taxpayers’ money and we have a fiduciary responsibility to use it in the best interest for the taxpayers.
