RAILS Announces 2026 Board Election Results

Congratulations to the 2026 candidates who have been elected to the RAILS Board of Directors: 

Academic Library Seat 

• Gwen Gregory, Northern Illinois University 

At-Large Seat 

• Jennifer Cottrill, Midlothian Public Library 

Public Library Trustee Seats 

• Victoria Ferguson, Prairie Creek Library 

• Victor Hinojosa, Waukegan Public Library 

• Rebecca Hunt, DeKalb Public Library 

School Library Seat 

• Joanna Marek, La Grange South School District 105 

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to run for the RAILS Board, as well as the member libraries who made their voices heard by casting a ballot. 

We would also like to thank our Nominating Committee who helped make this election a success: 

• Alex Vancina (chair), RAILS Board member, Helen Plum Library 

• Victoria Blackmer, Robert R. Jones Public Library District 

• Monica Caldicott, RAILS Board member, Vernon Hills High School 

• Emily Faulkner, DeKalb Public Library 

• Charles Stump, Crystal Lake Public Library 

• Anna Thomason, Knox College 

The new group of board members will be seated at RAILS Board meeting in July 2026. We are excited to work with this new group as we move into the future. 

If you have any questions, contact Ola Gronski, RAILS Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist.