Published on April 8, 2025 2:40 pm
Last Updated on April 8, 2025 3:02 pm
Longtime Effingham City Council member Merv Gillenwater has submitted his letter of resignation from the Council. Gillenwater’s retirement from the Council is effective April 30.
Gillenwater said Tuesday that “this was a very difficult decision for me to make” but felt that after 22 years on the Council, “this was the best thing for me to do.”
Gillenwater was first elected to the Council in 2003, then was elected as Effingham mayor in 2011. He has since been elected as a commissioner in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
The Council will be choosing someone to fill the remainder of Gillenwater’s term, which will end in April of 2027.
Prior to his election to the Council, Gillenwater had a long career in law enforcement, serving with the Illinois State Police for more than 24 years. He also taught at Lake Land College.
The City will be releasing information on how Gillenwater’s successor will be selected.