Jim Rogal

Born in Syracuse, NY, Jim Rogal grew up and spent many of his formative years right here in Normal while his father first taught at Illinois State University before being hired by Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, IL. His mother taught piano out of their home and was the Choir director for the First Presbyterian Church in Normal. Jim was active with Boy Scout Troop 19, (even serving briefly as patrol leader) while attending Fairview Elementary and Parkside Jr High.

After High School, Jim attended University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS), where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and his Master’s Degree in Individual Option: Political Journalism. He also met his wife, Jenni, at UIS, where he worked at the Student Newspaper.

After graduation, Jim got involved in politics. He worked on the 1996 campaign of US Senator Dick Durbin before eventually getting hired by the Illinois State Senate as a part of the policy and communications team. During his time with the Senate, he served as the Communications staffer for Senators Larry Walsh of Joliet, Patrick Welch of Peru and Former Peoria Sheriff George Shadid. He also staffed the agriculture committee and was active in legislation concerning Election Law.

In 2009 he moved to the Department of Corrections where he worked as a policy advisor for over 6 years working with the legislature on criminal justice initiatives and budgetary issues.

In 2015 Jim started working for the Laborers Union performing research and education. He currently works at the Laborers’ & Contractors Joint Apprenticeship & Training Fund at the facility in Stanford as an instructor and grant writer.

Since returning to McLean County Jim has stayed active. He was elected to the Normal Library Board in 2019 where he helped eliminate fines and fees and supported the libraries changes into digital and curbside service at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jim resigned as the Vice-Chair of the board when he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the County Board in 2021.

While serving on the board Jim has focused on the infrastructure and property under the control of the County. Working to address and expedite projects that impact both our urban and rural communities, highlighting our county leadership in renewable energy and ensuring our public lands are upkept and accessible to all.

Jim Current serves as the Chair of the County transportation committee, a member of the Finance Committee, Executive committee, the vice chair of the legislative subcommittee, a member of the policy committee for the McLean County Regional Planning commission and on the advisory committee of the U of I Extension office for McLean County.

Jim and Jenni live in Normal where they are constantly on the go raising their five children who are active in violin, piano, cello, soccer, 4H, and members of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP Youth Council. They are also members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal.