Michelle Jett for Champaign County Executive.
PROVEN. PERSISTENT. VISIONARY.
Michelle is Ready on Day One.
Champaign County is unique. Four years ago, voters decided to create the office of the County Executive to streamline tasks like personnel support, XYZ.
With an experienced County Executive in office, property tax dollars are invested wisely, county services are ready when you need them, and county employees are treated with dignity. Roads get repaired on time, animal control responds promptly to community concerns, and zoning decisions support livable communities for all income levels. Basically, a proven, results-driven County Executive makes your life easier.
In my time at the County Executive’s office, I’ve pushed for real ethics and transparency. I’ve made county contracts and spending easy for the public to track. I’ve worked to ensure these services are delivered efficiently, and in ways that meet the needs of the people; not just what’s easiest politically.
I’m running because I have a vision for the future of the County Executive’s office. County government should work, not just on paper, but in the lives of the people it serves.
Experienced, Proven, Visionary
Michelle Jett brings more than a decade of experience in government, including over six years with Champaign County. For the past two and a half years, she has served as Director of Administration in the County Executive’s Office, where she has worked across departments to improve internal systems, expand services, and lead with transparency and integrity. Now, with federal budget cuts threatening critical programs, Michelle understands that the stakes are higher than ever. The County needs experienced, ethical leadership that understands the finances and will fight to preserve the services working families rely on.
Highlights
Alongside current County Executive Summers, Michelle helped manage more than $20 million in ARPA funding, which has already been invested in public health, infrastructure, and local recovery, with another $20 million still to be spent.
Pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus on Local Government from Northern Illinois University. This training strengthens her ability to navigate complex budgets, manage change, and deliver results.
Facilitated the relocation of ten County departments to a new county administrative building with minimal disruption to public service.
Led the effort to digitize election judge training to meet public health needs during COVID.
Supported the DEIA Task Force in launching a review of equitable hiring practices.
Developed a centralized HR division, achieved without increasing the budget, to support all County departments, improving hiring, retention, and day-to-day service for the public.
Developed a position dedicated to seeking grants for county departments and services that is now partially funded by grants and brings new funding sources to meet county needs.
Served as interim Budget Director and interim Facilities Director when the County needed steady, capable leadership.
The Future
Michelle knows that real leadership does not just maintain the status quo: it creates opportunity. That is why she supports forward-thinking solutions like a model accessory dwelling ordinance to expand affordable housing, a countywide landlord registration system to hold negligent landlords accountable, and a property assessment equity review to ensure middle- and low-income residents are not unfairly burdened. She supports a countywide animal control task force to improve coordination and responsiveness, and wants to launch a community-driven task force to explore a comprehensive county-wide response to the domestic violence endemic.
To make these priorities a reality, Michelle believes in collaboration not only across departments, but across party lines. She has a record of working with both parties on the County Board, and she listens carefully to employees, residents, and community partners to build solutions that last. Michelle envisions a county where services are strong, accessible, and equitable, and where government remains accountable to the people it serves.
“In my time at Champaign County, I have had an opportunity to see firsthand how committed my fellow County employees, appointed department heads, and County-wide elected officials are to serving the public. I believe the role of the County Executive’s Office is to provide administrative support to all County departments and offices, so they may focus on their specialty and provide their services to the best of their ability and resources. That is the philosophy I have in my current role as Director of Administration, and if I have the opportunity to serve as County Executive, it is the philosophy I will continue.”
Endorsements
Countywide Elected Officials
Steve Summers, Champaign County Executive
Champaign County Board Members
Jen Locke, County Board Chair
Elly Hanauer-Friedman, Finance Committee Chair
Emily Rodriguez, Labor Committee Chair
Beth Vanichtheeranont, Policy & Personnel Committee Chair
Jenny Lokshin, Facilities Committee Chair
Eric Thorsland, Environment and Land Use Committee Chair
Stephanie Fortado
Matt Sullard
Daniel Wiggs
JJ Farney, current Republican County Board Member, former Champaign County Auditor and Treasurer/Collector
“We, the undersigned members of the Champaign County Board, are proud to endorse Michelle Jett in her run for Champaign County Executive.
In Michelle, we’ve found a collaborative and thoughtful public servant. The Board oversees key functions such as the budget, land use decisions, public safety, and personnel choices. Since she was hired as the County’s Director of Administration nearly three years ago, we’ve grown to trust Michelle to make the promises we’ve made to voters become reality.
With Michelle’s leadership in the Executive’s office, our county has grown stronger. She helped rebuild a long-neglected HR department to serve the entire County; created and filled a full time Grant Coordinator position to help bring new funding and resources to our county; and ensured the efficient allocation of $40 million in ARPA funds throughout our community, coordinating wide ranging projects from broadband installation, to cover crops and community violence prevention.
Michelle has over 10 years of government experience, including six years with Champaign County, and is also completing a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus in Local Government. Michelle has a strong understanding of the complex policies and procedures used to keep everything from the Courts to the Jail and Animal Control running and she is prepared to handle the upcoming challenges the County is facing.
In this time of deep political polarization and uncertainty, Michelle will provide our local government with much needed expertise and stability. Michelle does not need to learn on the job. Folks working at the county trust Michelle to provide a listening ear and a sharp mind for public policy to help them navigate tough situations.
The County provides too many essential functions of government to our community to skip a beat with a less than experienced candidate. For these reasons, we’re proud to endorse Michelle Jett for County Executive.”
Meet Michelle
Michelle was born and raised in Champaign County and aside from 6 months in Chicago, has lived in Champaign-Urbana her entire life.
Michelle is familiar with the challenges and resources in Champaign County. As a young mother she navigated finding affordable child care and making a living wage while raising a child. When her grandmother was at the end of her life, Michelle moved in with her because there was no availability at a local nursing home that could provide the medical care needed.
Michelle comes from a working-class family with deep roots in public service. Her grandparents moved to Champaign County in search of better opportunities, her grandfather spent decades as a truck driver, and her grandmother worked retail at the old Sears in downtown Champaign. Service runs through her family, from relatives who served in the Air Force, to her mother, a longtime emergency room nurse, and her brother, a former paramedic. Michelle has carried that legacy forward through her own career in social service agencies and nonprofits, always focused on helping people and strengthening the community.
Michelle attended Robson and Westview elementary schools, Jefferson Middle School, and like her mother, aunt, and uncle, graduated from Centennial High School. She has an Associate’s degree from Parkland College, a Bachelors in business administration from Western Governor’s University, and is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a focus on Local Government from Northern Illinois University.
Michelle’s early experience with public service started as a volunteer at A Woman’s Place, answering the 24 hour domestic violence hotline and assisting domestic violence victims looking for safety, and it’s sister organization Rape Crisis Services, answering the 24-hour assistance hotline and providing support to victims in the emergency room.
Michelle began her journey in politics as a volunteer organizer, where she quickly realized the power of using her voice to support candidates and policies that could truly make a difference in her community. Over the years, she has remained active in campaigns and organizing efforts, including supporting Steve Summers in his 2022 run for County Executive. Shortly after his election, she joined his team as Director of Administration and has worked with him to deliver on multiple campaign commitments, including developing a stronger Human Resources department for County employees, hiring a grants coordinator to identify alternative revenue streams for County services, and ensuring American Rescue Plan Act funds are spent on addressing some of the most pressing needs of our community.
Now, she sees herself not as a defender of the status quo, but as a candidate with the initiative and experience to prioritize working and low-income residents in Champaign County. At a time when federal policies are threatening critical services, Michelle views this moment as a call to action. Running for County Executive is her way of answering that call to protect our democracy and build a better future for all.