Jim Langfelder
| Jim Langfelder | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Springfield, Illinois | |
|
Assumed office May 7, 2015 |
|
| Preceded by | J. Michael Houston |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1954-1956 Springfield, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Billie |
| Children | Three children |
| Residence | Springfield, Illinois |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois-Springfield |
James O. Langfelder is the Democratic mayor of Springfield, Illinois, the state capital and seat of Sangamon County. Prior to his election to Mayor of Springfield, he served as the city treasurer for three terms spanning from 2003 to 2015.
Jim Langfelder was born in 1954 to Midge and Ossie Langfelder (who served as mayor from 1987 to 1995). He grew up in Springfield, one of thirteen children, attending both public and private schools. He went on to earn degrees at Lincoln Land Community College and the University of Illinois at Springfield. After college, he went into banking working in multiple roles at First of America Bank between 1988 and 1998 and later as business development officer at Security Bank.
Langfelder was elected City Treasurer in 2003
In August 2014, Langfelder formally announced his candidacy for Mayor of Springfield joining a field that included incumbent mayor J. Michael Houston and Springfield Auditor Paul Palazzolo. During the campaign Langfelder campaigned on being a consensus mayor in a very political city with a platform that included a free wifi zone in the downtown area, targeted employment sectors, boosting redevelopment of old downtown buildings, a focus on renewable energy at the public utility, and assisting city council members in creating individual plans for their ward that could serve as part of the city plan and having at least one member of his cabinet be African American.
He won the February primary election in a five candidate field with 40% of the vote and won the April runoff election against Paul Palazzolo with 55% of the vote. During the election, he earned the endorsements of the Sangamon County Democratic Party, the Inner City Older Neighrborhoods organization, the State Journal-Register, and local labor unions including the Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council, the Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council and AFSCME Council 31.
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