Executive Director
TOI Executive Director Jerry B. Crabtree is the 4th Executive Director in TOI's 118 year history. Jerry has an extensive background in local government. His career includes experience in the Illinois Senate, Attorney General's Office, and departments within the Executive Branch prior to coming to TOI in 2005.
Jerry is originally from Southern Illinois (Frankfort Township, Franklin County). He graduated from the University of Illinois/Sangamon State University in 1991, completed his Masters Degree in Public Administration in 1995 and has advanced graduate studies in public administration at UIS, Springfield.
Jerry represents township officials in Illinois and also nationally as a member of National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT), based in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Illinois Comptrollers Local Government Advisory Board representing Township Government. Jerry is committed to the goals and objectives representing all townships and their elected officials. Jerry resides in Springfield with his wife Mary. They have three adult children.
Director of Member services
Brad started with the association in June 2022 as the Director of Member Services. After high school graduation, Brad attended John A. Logan College and graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, where he majored in political science and minored in journalism. In his time at SIU, Brad was a student worker at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, and was involved in national and local politics, and a student worker for the SIU athletic department.
Brad has worked at the Chicago public relations firm, Serafin and Associates in downtown Chicago. He worked on the congressional campaigns of Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and Bill Enyart. He worked on the congressional staff of Congressman Bill Enyart. Brad has spent the last 7 plus years as a senate aide to United States Senator Richard J. Durbin, where he handled outreach duties as well as constituent casework.
Office Manager
Teresa "TJ" Ruenger joined the TOI Staff in January 2022 as the Database Manager. The Mt. Zion native manages the TOI Membership Database, and assists with various association projects.
Executive Assistant
Debbie joined the TOI team in 2024. She retired from the State of Illinois in 2017 after a 22 year career with the Central Management Services Division of Vehicles where she served as Administrative Assistant to the Division Manager. Debbie provides administrative support on various tasks and projects serving association members in navigating the services provided by the association.
Legislative Consultant
Taylor Anderson
600 S. Second Street, Suite 403 - Springfield, Illinois 62704
Telephone: 217-726-8358
E-Mail: lobbyillinois@gmail.com
Taylor Anderson, a full time, registered, contractual lobbyist in the State of Illinois, has spent nearly a decade working with the Illinois General Assembly. Anderson became a Legislative Consultant in 2017. He has lobbied on behalf of a wide and diverse groups of clients including various COG’s and local governments, as well as numerous business entities and corporations. Taylor began his legislative training by interning at several state agencies including Secretary of State Jesse White’s Office, the Illinois Senate President Emil Jones – Revenue Committee, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency-Legislative Affairs Division and the Dunn Fellowship serving in the Legislative Office of the Governor where he helped design and authored the bill tracking training website for state agency liaisons, as well as worked closely with top State Agency heads and members of the Illinois Senate.