Durl Kruse for Mayor of Urbana, Illinois

Managerial and public relations skills are key to being a successful mayor. I have twenty-one years of successful professional and managerial experience as a public school principal and central office administrator. I worked closely with the public, supervised a diverse staff, prepared detailed budgets, and developed comprehensive plans. These experiences and skills will serve me equally well as mayor of Urbana. Since I am not a career politician, I will not bring any political baggage or obligations with me to the mayor’s office.

Jan and I moved from Mattoon to Urbana in 2003. I worked as an elementary principal and central office administrator for twenty-one years. I am fifty-nine and have been married thirty-six years. I have two adult daughters. Both Jan and I love to travel and read.

I grew up on the family farm in Kankakee county. I enjoy the outdoors, doing hands-on projects, and putting in a good day’s work. I received degrees from Concordia University Chicago and Eastern Illinois University. After a very successful and enjoyable professional career in education, I retired in 2004.

I have always been actively involved in the community. I believe strongly in the value and benefits of community service including peace and social justice work.

Jan and I chose Urbana as our new home because of its diversity, many amenities, and opportunities for an active life. We truly enjoy living in Urbana and I would be honored to serve as its Mayor.

I have been involved in the field of education as a student, teacher or administrator most of my life. In 1972 I began my teaching career in Brooklyn followed by four years in New Orleans and finally seven years in Westville, Illinois. In 1983 I was hired as the principal of Bennett Elementary School in Mattoon, Illinois. Nine years later I transfered to Washington School and served as its principal for eleven years. During my final year in the district I was employed as a central office administrator primarily managing federal grants.

I believe education can be a transforming experience for a child. I strongly support public education and quality schools. As mayor I would be a strong advocate for the Urbana public schools. Our local school district is as vital to the future and well being of this community as any other city issue.

Professional Education

Concordia Junior College, Ann Arbor, MI
Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, IL
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Professional Positions

Elementary classroom teacher
District Reading Coordinator
Elementary Principal
District Gifted Coordinator
District Title I Director
Summer School Coordinator
District Special Programs Director

Professional Organizations

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
International Reading Association
Illinois Principal's Association
Illinois Association of Title I Directors
Educational Honor Society Phi Delta Kappa

Professional Honors and Awards

Phi Delta Kappa Education Leadership Award
Golden Spike Award from Illinois State Board of Education
Reading Recovery Leader from Illinois State University
President's Award from the Ministerial Alliance of Champaign-Urbana

I have always been actively involved in the communities in which I have lived. I strongly believe that serving one's community through volunteerism and public service builds a stronger and healthier community. The past five years I have had the good fortune of meeting many wonderful people and working with numerous local civic organizations and community groups . Below is a sample of some of these volunteer activities, both past and present. I plan to continue this tradition of community service as long as I am able.

VISTA Volunteer
President of Mattoon Chapter of the American Red Cross
Salvation Army Community Board Member – Mattoon
Coles County Habitat for Humanity
Channing-Murray Foundation – Urbana
Amnesty International - AI
Urbana Public Television Commission– UPTV
Champaign Urbana Cable Television and Telecommunications Commission
Independent Media Center – IMC
Urbana Citizens for Instant Runoff Voting
American Civil Liberties Union – ACLU
Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort – AWARE
Champaign Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice – CUCPJ
Victim Offender Reconciliation Program – VORP
Champaign Urbana Peer Court Facilitator
Member and supporter of Common Ground Food Coop