Dona Murphy is a regular attending North Chicago City Council meetings. For the past three years, she has gone as a member of the board of her homeowner’s association, keeping track of what the city was doing.
Now Murphy will be attending as alderman of the Sixth Ward.
Murphy took her oath of office during a virtual North Chicago City Council meeting on June 7 after her appointment by Mayor Leon Rockingham, Jr., to the vacant seat was unanimously approved by her now new colleagues.
A 21-year North Chicago resident, she said she sought the position to replace former Ald. Bob Runnels, who retired on May 31, because she believes local government has the strongest impact on residents of all branches of government. She wants to make a contribution.
“City government does things that really, really can make a difference in people’s lives,” Murphy said. “This gives me a chance to help the people in my ward and my city. My three years attending meetings gives me an idea of what’s going on.”
Rockingham said Murphy’s attendance at so many sessions gives her a strong understanding of the workings of city government. She started attending meetings in person before the coronavirus pandemic required them to be held virtually. Then she attended online.
“She has a very good idea of what an alderman does,” Rockingham said. “She understands what it takes to pass a budget. She has taken good care of the residents where she lives, and now she will do it for her ward and the city.”
Describing herself as pro-growth, Murphy said helping existing businesses grow in the community and drawing new enterprise to the city are important issues for her. She is also learning more about the city’s needs to help guide her support on key concerns.
“I am very much pro-growth,” she said. “New businesses can have a big impact, and I want to help make that happen.”
Living in the same housing development as Runnels, Murphy got to know him. He gave her his endorsement when she applied to succeed him.
“Dona’s enthusiasm for public service and knowledge of key issues facing our ward made her an outstanding candidate for this position,” Runnels said in a news release from the city. “I’m thrilled she has been chosen to replace me.”
Growing up on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Murphy, 64, studied at Northwestern University before spending time in the corporate world and then as an entrepreneur. Since 2004, she has worked independently as a life coach, career coach and recruiting coach with a focus on organizational behavior.
Before going into business for herself, Murphy said she was a human resources administrator for several companies in the Chicago area. She believes her corporate background will help her detect challenges and suggest solutions.
“I like the challenges of helping an individual build a model of what’s next, and helping guide them on how it fits with the organization’s goals,” she said. “If it doesn’t, then we work with that.”
Becoming an alderman is not Murphy’s first effort at public service. She has served as an election judge in Lake County, and as an enumerator for the United States Census Bureau.
