01
Chicago Roots
Gail M. Simpson was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Her roots in a large city shaped a lasting conviction that the quality of life in a community should never depend on its zip code.
Meet Gail
A lifetime of public service, rooted in Springfield.
From Chicago's neighborhoods to four decades in Illinois state government to two terms on the Springfield City Council — Gail M. Simpson has spent her career inside the work of making government answer to the people it serves.
Gail M. Simpson has spent her life in public service — four decades in Illinois state government, two terms representing Springfield's Ward 2 on the City Council, and a career of civic work across the capital city. She is running for Mayor because Springfield works best when every neighborhood is part of the same future.
02
Education and Leadership
She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Administration of Justice from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. During those years she served as a Student Senator and helped establish the Black Affairs Council.
03
A Career in Public Service
Gail moved to Springfield in 1979 through the inaugural Dunn Fellows program, and became the first African American woman selected for the State of Illinois Government Internship Program. Her career in state government spanned approximately 40 years, and she retired in 2018 after serving as a Public Service Administrator.
04
Making Springfield History
In 2007, Gail M. Simpson became the first African American woman elected to the Springfield City Council.
05
Serving Ward 2
She represented Springfield's Ward 2 from 2007 to 2015, serving two terms as alderman and working on behalf of the residents and neighborhoods of the ward.
06
A Continued Commitment to Springfield
After running for mayor in 2015, Gail announced her candidacy for the 2027 Springfield mayoral election in October 2026. Her campaign, One Springfield, is built on a simple idea: a Springfield that is viable and inclusive of all its residents.
The Timeline
A record of service
Key milestones from four decades of public service.
1979
Arrives in Springfield
Moves to Springfield through the inaugural Dunn Fellows program.
2007
Elected to the Springfield City Council
Elected to represent Ward 2 — the first African American woman elected to the Springfield City Council.
2007–2015
Two terms as Ward 2 alderman
Serves the residents and neighborhoods of Ward 2 on the City Council.
2018
Retires from Illinois state government
Concludes approximately 40 years of state service, most recently as a Public Service Administrator.
2026
Announces candidacy for Mayor
Announces her candidacy for the 2027 Springfield mayoral election in October 2026.
2027
Springfield mayoral election
Springfield's municipal election is scheduled for April 6, 2027.
The next chapter is One Springfield.
Five priorities, drawn from the campaign, for a Springfield that is viable and inclusive of all its residents.