Tom McNamara for Mayor

Tom McNamara is a Rockford native with a passion for community service and a strong belief that our city’s best days are ahead of it.

As Third Ward Alderman, he's been both a tireless advocate for the residents in his ward and a proactive leader on issues that impact the whole city. He’s running for Mayor to infuse a new spirit of collaboration into our community and to write a new chapter in our city's story. There are a number of key issues Tom will focus on during the campaign:

*Improving Public Safety
*Renewing and Revitalizing Our Neighborhoods
*Managing Citizens’ Tax Dollars
*Creating Economic Development Opportunities
*Enhancing Our Educational Climate


Tom was born and raised in Rockford and is the son of John & Barbara McNamara. He has five brothers and sisters: Nell, Mary, Dan, Kate & John. He met his wife Sarah Ann Reed at the Greenwich Village Art Fair. They were married in May 2011 and welcomed their baby girl Olympia in February 2016.

Tom is graduate of Rockford’s Boylan Catholic High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Criminology at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio in 2005. He also earned a Master's degree in Non-Profit Administration from John Carroll University in 2008.

Tom is an insurance agent with Eckburg Insurance Group, a locally owned family business. Tom’s practice focuses on protecting business assets, with an emphasis on serving non-profit organizations. Prior to joining Eckburg Insurance Group, Tom was the Career Development Specialist for Goodwill of Northern Illinois. He developed programs and wrote grants to help people with disabilities become self sufficient and enjoy all of the benefits of self-sufficiency – pride, dignity, self-worth, and the ability to support their families and give back to their communities.

As 3rd Ward Alderman, Tom has introduced and sponsored key legislation to invest in neighborhoods, make our community safer, and protect taxpayer dollars. He sponsored the mow-to-own program and residential owner-occupied tax rebate program.

The residential owner-occupied tax rebate program allows single-family owner-occupied homeowners who purchase and renovate foreclosed or homes in short sale to have their City taxes rebated for three years. Tom brought together key government agencies, including the Rockford Public Schools and Rockford Park District, to join the program as well. Through Tom’s initiative, participants can now receive tax rebates for up to 88% of their entire property tax bill. Under the mow-to-own program, property owners who maintain and improve vacant City-owned lots adjacent to their homes are able purchase the properties using only sweat equity at zero or substantially reduced costs.

Learn more about Tom at his campaign website: www.mcnamaraformayor.com.