Don Gerard

Gerard was born October 31, 1965, in Chicago, Illinois.{{cite web|url=http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2011-04-03/candidates-mayor-champaign.html|title=Candidates for mayor of Champaign|work=The News Gazette|date=April 3, 2011 |accessdate=June 19, 2013}} He moved to Champaign, Illinois, in 1968, where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout in local Boy Scout Troop 7.{{cite web|title=Don Gerard {{!}} Mayor of Champaign >> About|url=http://dongerard.com/about/|accessdate=February 2, 2014}} He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for a short time.{{cite web |url = http://dongerard.com/about/ |title = About Don |accessdate = October 27, 2013}}

Prior to and while serving as Champaign's mayor he worked as a facilities manager at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.{{cite web|url=https://sib.illinois.edu/people?position_status=staff#G|title=Staff Directory|publisher=University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Integrative Biology|accessdate=June 19, 2013}}

Gerard has played in a number of local rock bands, including The Farmboys (with Adam Schmitt), The Bowery Boys (with Leroy Bach), The Moon Seven Times (with Lynn Canfield, Henry Frayne, and Brendan Gamble){{cite web |url = http://www.mtvhive.com/2011/08/08/hive-five-musicians-with-political-cred/ |title = Hive Five: Musicians With Political Cred |date = August 8, 2011 |accessdate = May 10, 2013 |publisher = Viacom (MTV Hive)}} on Roadrunner Records, and Steve Pride and His Blood Kin (with Jay Bennett).{{cite news|last=Margasak|first=Peter|title=Former Rocker Don Gerard Elected Mayor of Champaign|url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2011/04/06/former-rocker-don-gerard-elected-mayor-of-champaign|accessdate=July 8, 2011|newspaper=Chicago Reader|date=April 6, 2011}} He was also a member of the short-lived skate rock band McWilson."Don Gerard for Mayor" http://skateandannoy.com/2011/01/don-gerard-for-mayor/

During his tenure as mayor he would often perform on stage with local and national acts such as playing "Gloria"{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puNIR9OYaec&t=5m10s |title=REO Speedwagon Red Lion Champaign IL May 27 2011 |website=YouTube |date = May 27, 2011 | accessdate = May 4, 2016}} with REO Speedwagon. He also played with others under the name The Self-Righteous Brothers,{{cite web |url = http://theblacksheeponline.com/illinois/the-black-sheep-interviews-champaign-mayor-don-gerard |title = The Black Sheep Interviews: Champaign Mayor Don Gerard |date = August 21, 2014 |accessdate = May 4, 2016}} which included an opening set before Dave Pirner and contributing a song to a Buzz Magazine compilation.{{cite web |url = http://readbuzz.com/music/2015/covering-our-tracks/ |title = Buzz Releases 'Covering Our Tracks' Compilation |date = February 6, 2015 |accessdate = May 4, 2016 }}

On April 5, 2011, Gerard defeated three-term and twelve-year incumbent Gerald Schweighart,{{cite news|last=Wade|first=Patrick|title=Gerard elected mayor of Champaign|url=http://www.news-gazette.com/news/politics-and-government/2011-04-06/gerard-elected-mayor-champaign.html|accessdate=July 8, 2011|newspaper=The News-Gazette|date=April 6, 2011}} receiving 4,324 votes (51.4%) to Schweighart's 4,092 votes (48.6%).{{cite web | url = http://www.champaigncountyclerk.com/elections/results/2011/docs/april/SUMMARY.HTM | title = Official Final County Summary*| publisher = Champaign County Clerk|accessdate=May 10, 2013}} His four-year term began in May 2011 and ended in 2015. Upon his election, he promised responsible fiscal management without big impacts on essential city services.

He was defeated by Deborah Frank Feinen in his bid for re-election, after receiving 31.35 percent of the votes in a four-way race.{{cite news|url=http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/deb-frank-feinen-pulls-ahead-in-mayoral-race |title=Deb Frank Feinen Defeats Champaign Mayor Don Gerard |newspaper=Illinois Public Media |date=April 7, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230155000/http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/deb-frank-feinen-pulls-ahead-in-mayoral-race |archivedate=December 30, 2015 }}

In 2022, Gerard announced his intention of running for Mayor in 2023.{{cite news |url=https://www.smilepolitely.com/splog/former_champaign_mayor_don_gerard_is_running_for_mayor_again/ |title=Former Champaign Mayor Don Gerard is running for mayor again |date=November 29, 2022 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/election/2023/new-filings-make-it-a-3-way-race-for-champaign-mayor/article_f375feb9-0eb7-56f3-bb27-8dad31f0382b.html |title=New filings make it a 3-way race for Champaign mayor |date=November 29, 2022 }}{{Cite web |last=Lavito |first=Angelica |date=2014-03-05 |title=Champaign mayor: 'The goal is to keep people out of trouble' on Unofficial |url=https://dailyillini.com/uncategorized/2014/03/05/champaign-mayor-the-goal-is-to-keep-people-out-of-trouble-on-unofficial/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=The Daily Illini}}

On his first day in office Mayor Gerard, despite facing many economic and budget challenges, announced the city would partner with Champaign Unit 4 School District to create a Summer Youth Employment Program.{{Cite web |last=@ilpublicmedia |date=2011-05-04 |title=Don Gerard Sworn In as Champaign's Next Mayor |url=https://will.illinois.edu/news/story/don-gerard-sworn-in-as-champaigns-next-mayor |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Illinois Public Media |language=en}} The program was an unequivocal success and continues to this day.{{Cite web |title=Youth Employment Services (YES) |url=https://champaignil.gov/equity-and-engagement-department/community-outreach-and-engagement-division/youth-employment-services/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=City of Champaign |language=en-US}}

Acting upon a request by two seniors in the University of Illinois Gies College of Business, the founders of the [https://www.crackedongreen.com/ Cracked Truck], Gerard directed city staff to explore and institute a food truck pilot program {{Cite web |date=2012-05-29 |title=Mobile food trucks subject of city debate |url=https://dailyillini.com/uncategorized/2012/05/29/mobile-food-trucks-subject-of-city-debate/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=The Daily Illini}}{{Cite web |date=2012-05-30 |title=City Launches Mobile Food Truck Pilot Project |url=https://champaignil.gov/2012/05/30/city-launches-mobile-food-truck-pilot-project/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=City of Champaign |language=en-US}}

As liquor commissioner, Gerard issued emergency orders restricting the distribution of alcohol on "Unofficial St. Patrick's Day" (celebrated by students at the nearby University of Illinois) in February 2012 and February 2013.{{cite web |url = http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/article_15957567-ad72-522d-a68f-e65c89d219d8.html |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130628233813/http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/article_15957567-ad72-522d-a68f-e65c89d219d8.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = June 28, 2013 |title = Champaign Mayor issues emergency order for Unofficial |date = February 10, 2012 |accessdate = May 10, 2013 |newspaper = Daily Illini }}{{cite web|url = http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2013-02-20/gerard-issues-emergency-order-2013-unofficial.html |title = Gerard issues emergency order for 2013 'Unofficial' |date = February 20, 2012 |newspaper=The News-Gazette|accessdate = May 10, 2013}} Gerard subsequently worked with the University of Illinois, law enforcement and other agencies to focus on the event's safety.{{cite web|url = https://dailyillini.com/uncategorized/2014/03/05/champaign-mayor-the-goal-is-to-keep-people-out-of-trouble-on-unofficial/ |title=Champaign mayor: 'The goal is to keep people out of trouble' on Unofficial |website=dailyillini.com |date=March 5, 2014}}

Responding to a campaign by Champaign residents, Gerard and the city council voted to allow chickens to be kept within city limits for egg production. Gerard reported that he received more emails on the chicken issue than any tax issue in his first term.{{cite news|title=Champaign council backs chickens|url=http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2013-07-09/champaign-council-backs-chickens.html|accessdate=December 4, 2013|newspaper=The News-Gazette|date=July 9, 2013}}

In an effort to provide lower costs and increase renewable electric source usage Gerard lead effort to enroll the City of Champaign in a municipal electric aggregation program {{Cite web |date=2015-06-12 |title=City Announces Municipal Electric Aggregation Program |url=https://champaignil.gov/2015/06/12/city-announces-municipal-electric-aggregation-program/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=City of Champaign |language=en-US}}

Gerard has explored bringing a minor league baseball team to the city in 2011, but those plans remain unexecuted.{{cite web |url = http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x2069925637/Champaign-mayor-wants-baseball-in-towns-future |title = Champaign mayor wants baseball in town's future |date = June 27, 2011 |newspaper=State Journal-Register |agency=Associated Press |accessdate = May 13, 2013}}

During his term the City of Champaign amended rules to allow public comment on any topic at all meetings {{Cite web |last=Kacich |first=Tom |title=Champaign mayor candidate Q&A: Don Gerard |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/news/champaign-mayor-candidate-q-a-don-gerard/article_7c412f76-d038-531d-9c95-24fba3f7a284.html |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=The News-Gazette |date=March 26, 2015 |language=en}}

Together with the mayor of nearby Urbana, Laurel Prussing, Gerard worked to get the Mahomet Aquifer designated as a Sole Source Aquifer by the EPA.{{cite web |publisher = WGLT |url = http://wglt.org/wireready/news/2012/10/07739_MahametAquiferPetition_041438.shtml |title = Coalition seeks to stop landfill from taking PCB's |date = October 16, 2012 |accessdate = May 10, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130401010914/http://wglt.org/wireready/news/2012/10/07739_MahametAquiferPetition_041438.shtml |archive-date = April 1, 2013 |url-status = dead }}{{cite web |url = http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/mahomet-sole-source-aquifer-petition-process-underway|publisher=WILL Radio/TV online |title = Mahomet 'Sole Source' Aquifer Petition Process Underway |date = October 15, 2012 |accessdate = May 10, 2013}} This designation is intended to help prevent contamination and overuse.{{cite web |url = http://ci.champaign.il.us/departments/public-works/residents/the-mahomet-aquifer/ |title = The Mahomet Aquifer |accessdate = May 10, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130529213536/http://ci.champaign.il.us/departments/public-works/residents/the-mahomet-aquifer/ |archive-date = May 29, 2013 |url-status = dead }}

Gerard participated in several attempts to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags.{{cite web |url = http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2012-02-08/champaign-officials-look-reining-use-plastic-bags.html |title = Champaign officials look at reining in use of plastic bags |newspaper=The News-Gazette|date = February 8, 2012 |accessdate = May 11, 2013|author=Patrick Wade}} In July 2012, he traveled to Chicago to help fight a bill that would ban local municipalities from restricting their use.{{cite web|newspaper=Chicago Tribune |url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/07/02/girl-to-quinn-bag-the-plastic-bag-bill/ |title = Girl to Quinn: Bag the plastic bag bill |date = July 2, 2012 |access-date = May 11, 2013}}{{cite web |publisher=CBS Chicago|url = http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/07/03/12-year-old-girl-urges-quinn-to-toss-out-plastic-bag-legislation/ |title = 12-Year-Old Girl Urges Quinn To Toss Out Plastic Bag Legislation |date = July 3, 2012 |accessdate = May 11, 2013}} The bill was vetoed by Governor Pat Quinn in August.{{cite web |url = http://www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=3&RecNum=10517 |date = August 26, 2012 |accessdate = May 11, 2013 |title = Governor Quinn Vetoes 'Plastic Bag' Bill, Calls it a Roadblock to Innovation }}

For one night during each of his four years in office, Gerard spent the night sleeping on the sidewalk to raise money and awareness for the C-U at Home fundraiser "One Winter Night."{{cite web |url = http://www.cuathome.us/one-winter-night-2015/ | title=One Winter Night 2015 | date=February 6, 2015 | accessdate=May 4, 2016}} In 2015, he appeared on Jay Mohr's program on Fox Sports Radio and garnered Mohr's support for the organization as well as a $1,000 donation.{{Citation |url=http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2015-02-09/updated-comedian-pledges-support-c-u-homeless-group.html |first1=Carol | last1=Vorel | first2=Tim |last2=Ditman |work=News-Gazette |title=Updated: comedian pledges support to C-U homeless group | date=February 9, 2015 | accessdate=May 4, 2016}}{{Citation |url=http://www.smilepolitely.com/splog/mayor_don_gerard_on_jay_mohr_sports/ | first=Tom |last=Pauly |title=Mayor Don Gerard on Jay Mohr Sports |date=February 9, 2015 |accessdate=May 4, 2016 |publisher=Smile Politely}}

Mayor Gerard was an active proponent of same-sex marriage in the State of Illinois, saying in an interview, "I'll put my voice in for marriage equality 24 hours a day. I think that's something I believe in".{{cite web |url = http://smilepolitely.com/culture/15_questions_for_mayor_don_gerard/ |title = 15 questions for Mayor Don Gerard |newspaper=Smile Politely |date = October 10, 2013 |accessdate = December 4, 2013|author=Donald Mabbott}} To this end, Gerard was an early signatory of the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry petition.{{cite web|title=Mayors for the Freedom to Marry|url=http://www.freedomtomarry.org/pages/mayors-for-the-freedom-to-marry|accessdate=December 4, 2013}} Despite Champaign receiving an above-average score on the Human Rights Campaign "municipal equality index" for LGBT issues, Mayor Gerard said he would continue to seek ways to improve.{{cite news|last=Wade|first=Patrick|title=LGBT equality index puts Champaign in middle of Illinois cities|url=http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2013-11-28/lgbt-equality-index-puts-champaign-middle-illinois-cities.html|accessdate=December 4, 2013|newspaper=The News-Gazette|date=November 28, 2013}}

In October 2013, Mayor Gerard joined with other mayors from around Illinois, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, in urging the Illinois congressional delegation to vote for immigration reform. Said Gerard, "No matter from where a talented individual may come, we should be able to afford them the opportunity to keep their talents here if they so wish".{{cite news|last=Ellison|first=Nyajai|title=Illinois mayors call for immigration reform to help economy|url=http://www.dailyillini.com/news/state/article_2871cfd2-4125-11e3-b7f5-001a4bcf6878.html|accessdate=December 4, 2013|newspaper=The Daily Illini|date=October 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203054021/http://www.dailyillini.com/news/state/article_2871cfd2-4125-11e3-b7f5-001a4bcf6878.html|archive-date=February 3, 2014|url-status=dead}}

Gerard presented Keys to the City to citizens of and guests to Champaign who made contributions to the city.{{cite web |url=http://ci.champaign.il.us/2013/01/11/mayor-don-gerard-to-present-keys-to-the-city-of-champaign-at-the-illini-rebounders-club-luncheon/ |title=Mayor Don Gerard to present keys to the city of champaign at the Illini Rebounders Club luncheon | date=January 11, 2013 | accessdate=May 4, 2016}} Recipients included May Berenbaum, [https://will.illinois.edu/news/story/champaign-city-manager-to-retire Steve Carter], Will Leitch, Roger Ebert, [https://olliewattsdavis.com/ Dr. Ollie Watts Davis], Lou Henson, and Viktor Krauss.

In 2013, while serving as Mayor for Champaign, Gerard was sued by a former campaign advisor and ex-girlfriend. A Champaign County judge issued a protective order in the case, ordering Gerard to have no contact with the campaign advisor and ex for two years. Gerard was accused of failing to pay agreed upon consulting fees for campaign advice, harassment, and threatening ongoing, taxpayer-funded harassment of the individual by the City of Champaign. Gerard settled the case later that year.[37][38][39][40][41]

A local musician also filed an order of protection after a public argument with Gerard at a music festival. However, the request was denied.{{Cite web |last=Wade |first=Patrick |title=Judge denies emergency order against Gerard, sets next hearing |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/news/judge-denies-emergency-order-against-gerard-sets-next-hearing/article_1a0d5d81-7bf6-5b80-8234-8777f6effcb5.html |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=The News-Gazette |date=April 10, 2013 |language=en}}

In 2015, Gerard engaged in a "heated" Twitter back-and-forth with ESPN commentator Dan Dakich. The incident resulted in an appearance on Jay Mohr's sports talk radio show.{{cite news |url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2015/2/7/7998961/dan-dakich-fights-with-mayor-of-champaign-on-twitter |title=Dan Dakich fights with mayor of Champaign on Twitter |website=sbnation.com |date=February 7, 2015}}{{Cite web |last=Pauly |first=Tom |date=2015-02-10 |title=Mayor Don Gerard on Jay Mohr Sports |url=https://www.smilepolitely.com/splog/mayor_don_gerard_on_jay_mohr_sports/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Smile Politely — Champaign-Urbana's Culture Magazine |language=en-US}}

In 2019, Gerard married Jillanna Mercer, a clinical counselor who overcame substance abuse. The two are open about their sobriety and publicly share their stories to motivate others. Gerard celebrated three years of sobriety in 2022.{{cite web |url=https://sobernation.com/soberstories/jillanna-d-mercer-44-8-10-2009/ |title=Jillanna D. Mercer|publisher=Sober Nation}}{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6371599/ |website=IMDb |title=Don Gerard | Actor, Producer }}https://www.facebook.com/events/794443174542956/?aref=3 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}{{cite web | url=https://www.therockcounselinggroup.com/about/faces-of-the-rock | title=Faces of the Rock }}https://twitter.com/jillannadmercer {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}

Gerard won Illini Media's "Best Personality" award in 2013 after coming in as runner-up in 2012.{{cite news|last=Neumann|first=Sean|title=Winner: Don Gerard|url=http://readbuzz.com/best-of-cu/2013/winner-don-gerard|accessdate=December 4, 2013|newspaper=readbuzz.com|date=November 8, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Durley|first=Dan|title=Winner: Dawna Nelson|url=http://readbuzz.com/buzz/2012/winner-dawna-nelson|accessdate=December 4, 2013|newspaper=buzz|date=November 10, 2012}}

As Mayor, Gerard attended local Eagle Scout ceremonies, as well as serving on the board of directors for the local Prairielands Council of the Boy Scouts of America.{{cite web|title=Board of Directors – Prairielands Council, BSA|url=http://www.prairielandsbsa.org/pages/board-of-directors|accessdate=February 2, 2014}}

• List of mayors of Champaign, Illinois

{{reflist|2}}

• [https://www.instagram.com/hondongerard/?hl=en/ Instagram]
• [https://twitter.com/DonGerard/ Twitter]
• [https://www.facebook.com/don.gerard/ Facebook]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gerard, Don}}

Category:1965 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Champaign, Illinois

Category:Mayors of places in Illinois