City of Kankakee Mayor
Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong brings a diverse background to City Hall that reflects her passion for public policy, advocacy, and work that helps improve the lives of others. Mayor Wells-Armstrong obtained a Bachelor of social work and Master of social work from Governor State University. Most recently, Mayor Wells-Armstrong worked for the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served as Deputy District Director for Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) after working as the Constituent Services Director for former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson (IL-11). Mayor Wells-Armstrong also has broad experience in human services, having previously worked as a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC), an Employment Services Representative for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), and a counselor at Indian Oaks Academy. She has been an active member of her professional association, the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (NASW, IL), where she was elected as a District Chair for 4 years before later being elected to serve as the Vice-President of the chapter. In 2016, NASW, Illinois named her Social Worker of the Year for the state of Illinois in recognition of her contributions in the profession. In 2015, Mayor Wells-Armstrong was elected as alderwoman of Kankakee’s 5th ward, the first African-American woman elected to the office. On April 4, 2017, she was elected Mayor of the City of Kankakee, becoming the city’s first African-American mayor and only the second woman elected to serve the city of Kankakee in the Mayor’s office. While attending a National League of Cities conference during March of 2018, Mayor Wells-Armstrong was contacted by the Interim Police Chief and advised there had been a double homicide in the City; two victims of gun violence. During a session the following day, Mayor Wells-Armstrong was informed about the National Cities initiative that provides resources to help address the issue of gun violence. Mayor Wells-Armstrong contacted Cities United which is a coalition of nearly 100 mayors nationwide working to reduce gun violence among African-American males ages 16-24. Mayor Wells-Armstrong advocated for Kankakee to be accepted into a Roadmap Academy under Cities United. Kankakee United was later formed to implement a city-wide public safety plan and actively engage the community.
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