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Elected Officials

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President Sheila Y. Chalmers-Currin
Term: 2021-2025

Served as Village Trustee from 2009-2017

President Sheila Y. Chalmers-Currin's leadership began in 1999 when she was appointed by then-Mayor Stricker of the Village of Matteson as the Fire and Police Commissioner of Matteson Illinois. This was an appointed volunteer position. In recognition of the great work, she did in Matteson, she moved on to become the Director of The Fire and Police Commission for the State of Illinois. Sheila was elected as the first African American female to become the President of the Fire and Police Commission for the State of Illinois. While serving as President, Sheila was awarded the most prestigious Doc Wilson award for advancing the organization by implementing budget changes and adjustments to balance to overall organization's budgets.

Sheila was also selected to be a part of the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership, an institute that trains women to run for political office.  After the preparation for IWIL, Sheila began to use her knowledge and skills gained from the Institute to pursue politics. While in IWIL Sheila was introduced to the then US Senator Barack Obama. She was selected by Senator Obama to serve on his selection commission on the US Military Academies. She also served on Obama’s Presidential Campaign as the coordinator of voter registration. Sheila coordinated groups to travel to Indiana to register citizens to vote. Sheila also held the position of Senior Advisor/ Director of External Affairs for former Lieutenant Governors Sheila Simons.

After assisting other political figures in office, Sheila began planning and organizing her Campaign for Trustee of the Village of Matteson and won. She served in the role of Trustee for a total of eight years. While serving as Trustee she was appointed the Chairwoman of the Economic Development Committee for the Village of Matteson. In 2017 Sheila received the paramount leadership role, being elected Mayor, of the Village of Matteson. Sheila is a proud member of the Southland Regional Mayoral Black Caucus and most recently in 2020 was Elected Delegate to the National nominating convention, second congressional district for the democratic party, and was listed on the Presidential Ballot as a Biden Delegate. In March of 2021, Sheila was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the Cook County Land Bank by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. Executive Board Member of South Suburban Mayors and Managers (SSMMA), and most recently, selected by the nominating committee to become a Board Member of Illinois Municipal League (IML) serving as Vice President.

Sheila is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. She puts her heart and soul into everything that she does. Her devotion to scholarship is a pillar of her sorority’s foundation. Her unwavering compassion she has extended and continues to extend towards others is exactly what her vision is about.

The following are notable awards Sheila has received for her leadership in the community:

  • Notable Black Leaders 2022 - Crain’s Chicago Business
  • Distinguished Alumni 2021 – Governors State University
  • Distinguished Alumni 2021 - Roosevelt University
  • Women of Excellence 2019 – National Foundation for Women Legislators
  • Women of Excellence 2018 - Chicago Defender
  • Women of Excellence in Politics 2017 - Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
  • Elected Official of the Year 2017 – Chamber 57

Sheila is a graduate of Governors State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication.  She received her Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University. She is a past member of the Human Resource Development Institute (HRDI) where she served as Board of Director. This organization provides mental health services, substance abuse treatment, alternative youth education, and prevention of domestic violence.

Her journey started early in life and continues today, and she will continue to fight on behalf of her family, friends, and those unknown to her.  Every day, she has a chance to make a difference in the lives of others and for that, she is truly grateful for the opportunity of being elected Mayor for two consecutive terms.

President Chalmers-Currin can be reached here.


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Village Clerk Yumeka Brown
Term: 2021-2025


Yumeka Brown was elected Village Clerk in April 2017.  Clerk Brown and her husband, Corey Brown, are proud residents of Matteson since 2009. Together, they are raising their son Kahlil who is actively involved in the community and loves to play sports.  

Professionally, Clerk Brown is also the Program Officer for the Freedom to Read Foundation and the Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association. She loves her job because she is given the opportunity to protect and defend the first amendment of the Constitution by supporting the right for all individuals to have access to information.

Clerk Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with over 20 years of non-profit experience, which is ignited by her desire and passion to “give back”. This has led her to work for organizations such as the American Bar Association, Alzheimer’s Association, Food Export Association, Professional Convention Management Association, and most recently the Freedom to Read Foundation.

Clerk Brown annually spearheads a Coat, Toy, and Vote Drive, and a Back to School/Stay in School rally geared towards motivating and encouraging the youth as they start the new school year.

As Village Clerk, she is the keeper of official Village Board records and processes requests filed under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and special events permits.

Clerk Brown can be reached here


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Trustee Dr. Robbie Craig
Term: 2023-2027


Robbie Craig was elected to the Village Board in April 2019 and is the Chairperson of the Public Works Commission and Co-Chairperson of the Planning & Zoning Commission.  Trustee Craig has been a resident of Matteson for over thirty years. She was the Interim Executive Director of the Community Renewal Society from June 2017 to June 2019.

Robbie raised the profile of CRS by engaging stakeholders, building relationships with legislators, and increasing our exposure to major religious denominations.

She was an active member of The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago and delivered a presentation to actively engage in justice issues resulting in the formation of an anti-gun violence task force.

Robbie worked for Citibank for 37 years with extensive work between credit management and branch banking. Recognized for her effective turnaround strategies. She developed a track record of taking some of the lowest-performing branches from bottom to ranking in the top 10%.

She achieved Service Excellence and the Gold Excellence Award for innovative programs that partnered for the first time branch and credit department partnerships.

Robbie received her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University, a Master's in Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary, and is in the process of obtaining her Doctorate of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary.

She has been married to the love of her life Larry Craig for 45 years, she has two children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Robbie was ordained in ministry by New Faith Baptist Church International where she is the Chair of the Kingdom Financial Stewardship Ministry and Co-Chair of the Justice Ministry.

Trustee Craig can be reached here


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Trustee Paula F. Farr
Term: 2023-2027


Paula Farr was elected to the Village Board in April 2011 and is the Chairperson of the Recreational Services Commission and Co-Chairperson of the Public Safety Commission & Veteran Commission. 

Trustee Farr can be reached here


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Trustee Juanita Hardin
Term: 2021–2025

Juanita Hardin was appointed to the Village Board in 2017 and is the Chairperson of the Planning & Zoning Commission & Veteran Commission and Co-Chairperson of the Public Works Commission. 

Trustee Hardin has enjoyed a successful career at BMO Harris Bank and is currently North American Head of Risk & Compliance, Treasury & Payment Solutions. She has held increasing leadership roles including but not limited to Managing Director of Client Service, Director, Product Management, and Vice President, Implementation. Also, as Chair of BMO's Veterans Advisory Council, she works to promote the unique talents of veterans, strives to preserve their memory, and remains an active steward in the community, partnering with organizations such as USO, Red Cross, Volunteers of America, and the Veterans Working Group of Chicago.

Trustee Hardin has two sons, a Naval Academy Midshipman and a student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville majoring in nursing anesthesiology.

Outside of work, Trustee Hardin enjoys volunteering, mentoring, outdoor activities, traveling, fitness, and spending time with family and friends.

Trustee Hardin can be reached here


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Trustee Carolyn Palmer
Term: 2023-2025

Carolyn Palmer was appointed to the Village Board in 2022 and is the Chairperson of the Housing & Human Relations Commission and Co-Chairperson of the Economic Development Commission. 

Teacher, coach, and administrator are just a few of the many titles that Carolyn Griffin Palmer earned during her career with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS).  A graduate of Calumet H.S. and Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education; Master of Arts degree in Administration and Supervision, Roosevelt University; Type 75 Administrative Certificate, Chicago State University, and post-graduate work at Governor State University.  

Mrs. Palmer started her career at CPS as a high school physical education teacher coaching cheerleading, volleyball, and girls’ track. Corliss Girl’s Track qualified and placed at the Illinois State Championship for 11 years.  Known for her dynamite cheerleading squads, she won numerous City, State, and National Championships, placing second in the World Championships Competition.   

At Olive-Harvey College (Chicago) she served as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for ten years and was also the Project Director of the National Youth Sports Program, winning three National Excellence Awards.  Carolyn served as an Assistant Principal and retired as Principal in the Chicago Public Schools and as Interim Principal and Principal in the South Suburban area for four and half years after retirement.  

  Carolyn is also a prominent “Mistress of Ceremonies” for many different social events across the Chicagoland area. 

Carolyn is the CEO and Founder of “Carolyn’s Kids Foundation” which meets the financial and supplemental needs of elementary-aged students in disadvantaged communities to enhance their academic, social, and emotional growth.  Carolyn’s Kids Foundation has awarded scholarships to 8th-grade students since 2014 to assist in paying for high school fees.  The CKF Foundation has awarded 8th-grade students over $80,000 and provided college scholarships for 12 students.   In addition…CKF also has opened and supplied “Cool Stores” in elementary schools across the city to use as incentives to promote positive behavior, attendance, and excellence in the classrooms. In addition to financial support, the foundation supplies coats, shoes, and hygiene products to elementary schools and students in need.  

Currently, Mrs. Palmer is a columnist for several African American news outlets where she covers events, activities, and the Who’s Who in the Chicagoland and South Suburban areas weekly.  Since 2019, she also has served as Vice-President, President, and Member of the School Board for the Matteson School District 159.  Carolyn was appointed She also serves as the current President of Retirees in Motion “RIM” a group of retired educators with over two hundred members and on the Prairie Hills District 144 Development Board. 

Mrs. Palmer is a member of many associations, Life Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. with 50 years of service and a member of Epsilon Nu Sigma Chapter, Matteson, Illinois; Life Member of Jackson State University Alumni Association. Governing Board Member of the Society of Mannequins, Illinois Best Dressed African American Women; President of “Retirees in Motion” with over 200 members. 

Carolyn has been blessed with many awards.  Among her awards are: the Lifetime Vanguard Award, Women of Excellence, Chicago Defender;  Lifetime Achievement Award from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and the recipient of National Women of Achievement Profiles of Prominence Award; She was also selected as one of the “Top 10 Community Leaders to Watch” by the Chicago Citizen Newspapers;  Top Ladies of Distinction “Orchid Award”, South Suburban Chapter;  Far South Community Humanitarian Award;  Chicago Defender’s “Women of Excellence”; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated Upsilon Sigma Chapter, Inc.; South Suburban Chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction and TLOD, Inc. Lincoln Park Chapter Crown Jewel Award, “Illuminating Treasure”. JUG’S, Achievement Award; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Zeta Tau Zeta Chapter, Community Leader Award”; “Heart of Gold Award “, Epsilon Nu Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated; Legacy Award, GGG Ministries; Jackson State University, 2021 “Outstanding National Alumni Award for Achievement”.  “America’s Big Sister Award”.  

Carolyn is married to Isaac L. Palmer and has two daughters:  LaCael Palmer-Pratt (Alexander), and Karilyn Palmer-Paschal (Christopher), and four wonderful grandchildren; Alexander, Kailyn, Xavier, and Christopher. 

Trustee Palmer can be reached here


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Trustee Andrè C. Satchell
Term: 2023 – 2027

Andrè Satchell was elected to the Village Board in April 2015 and is the Chairperson of the Economic Development Commission and Co-Chairperson of the Administration & Finance Commission & Recreational Services Commission. 

Trustee Satchell first moved to the Matteson community with his family in 1979 and is a graduate of Rich South High School. Satchell has been employed with AT&T for 17 years and Has a Paralegal Certificate and 14 years of experience as a Financial Analyst. He is also the owner of Satchell Properties, and his business engages in the buying, selling, and managing of properties.

Trustee Satchell has been married to his wife Trina, for 14 years and they have three children, one son and two daughters (and two grandsons).

Outside of his career, family, and responsibilities as an elected official, Trustee Satchell has a strong passion for serving veterans. Although he personally didn’t have the chance to serve in the military for medical reasons, he is a member of VFW Post 311, where he serves to help our returning veterans. He also enjoys traveling, attending musicals, plays, and concerts, and playing cards and chess – during his not-so-often free time.

Trustee Satchell can be reached here


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Trustee Adam Shorter III
Term: 2021 - 2025

Adam Shorter III was elected to the Village Board in April 2017 and is the Chairperson of the Administration & Finance Commission & Public Safety Commission and Co-Chairperson of the Housing & Human Relations Commission.  

With a background ranging from higher education to small business, Trustee Shorter is a successful businessman and community activist dedicated to minority outreach and community development. Trustee Shorter is currently the CEO and President of Shorewood Restaurant Group and partner of Krimson 4 Restaurant Group.  With over 20 years of experience in Finance and Business Management, he has worked at Loyola University Chicago for the last 13 years where he currently serves as the Director of Academic Business Operations and Finance. He also serves as a public speaker, consultant, and administrator. 


Trustee Shorter is continuously seeking ways to make positive changes wherever he is, primarily in Matteson, Illinois where he lives with his wife, Danielle, and three children, Adam, Dylan, and Olivia. Active in his community, he is a member of New Faith Baptist Church and coaches several youth sports. He also serves on numerous boards throughout the Southland.

In his personal time, Trustee Shorter enjoys spending time with family, golfing, growing Sickle Cell awareness, and attending sporting events.

Trustee Shorter can be reached here