Region 8
Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson

Quick Links

• Region 8 Media Coverage

• Region 8 Facebook Group

• View Regional Data Report

• Frequently Asked Questions

Action Council Members

• Jane West, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative 

• Amanda Meyers, Freeport Public Library, Youth Director 

• Amiee Schoenhaar, Riverport Railroad LLC, President 

• Ashley Harms, Amity Learning Center, Executive Director 

• Pam Williams, Stephenson County Health Department, AOK Coordinator

• Emily Dixon, Furst Staffing, Human Resource Placement Specialist 

• Jaime Naughton, Zurn Elkay, Human Resources Manager 

• Jenine Patty-Anderson, Tri County Opportunities Council, Head Start Coordinator 

• Kenny Lewis, Stepping Stones, Program Manager 

• Linn Carter, FHN Memorial Hospital, Director of Women's Health Service Line 

• Roberta Capp, Sunshine Day Care, Director/Owner 

• Sarah Kuhlemeier, Regional Office of Education #8 Early Learning Academy, Coordinator 

• Stephanie Koclanis, YWCA of Northwestern IL, CORE Supervisor 

• Stephanie Lewis, Northwestern IL Community Action Agency, Head Start Director 

• Tony M. McCombie, Illinois House Representative (IL-89), House Minority Leader 

Family Council Members

• Amber Macklin, Freeport (Stephenson County) 

• Bethany Dassow, Lanark (Carroll County) 

• Brianna Dascher, Freeport (Stephenson County) 

• Brittany Alexander, Dakota (Stephenson County) 

• Brooke Francke, Savanna (Carroll County) 

• Casey Euell, Freeport (Stephenson County) 

• Juliet Moderow, Freeport (Stephenson County) 

• Lauren Dick, Lena (Stephenson County) 

• Linsey McDanel, Freeport (Stephenson County) 

• Mirna Garcia, Savanna (Carroll County) 

• Rebecca Schultz, Chadwick (Carroll County) 

• Samantha Edler, Elizabeth (Jo Daviess) 

FY24 Action Council Notes

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (January 3, 2024)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (December 7, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (November 29, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (November 15, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (November 1, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (October 4, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (September 20, 2023)

FY24 Family Council Notes

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (January 10, 2024)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (November 8, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (September 28, 2023)

Lou Ann Hayes

Lou Ann Hayes (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 8. Lou Ann was born and raised in Stephenson County, Illinois. She has over 30 years of experience in the sales, marketing, and project management fields, working with both private sector and nonprofit organizations. Most recently, she was the Director of Faith Formation for St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Freeport and responsible for preschool family programs, children's religious education, youth ministry, and adult formation. Lou Ann is also the Festival Director for the Eats & Beats Festival in downtown Freeport, working with nonprofits and community organizations to bring awareness and funds to the groups.

Lou Ann received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Eureka College. She is active on the Stephenson County/Jo Daviess County Senior Resource Center Board of Directors and the Freeport Library Board. Lou Ann is involved in her local Kiwanis Club and serves on the Executive Board. She and her husband, Ron, have been married for 18 years and reside in Freeport with their rescue dog, Lily. When she is not actively involved in her community, Lou Ann enjoys travelling, reading, and performing on the local stage.

Dean Wright

Dean Wright (he/him) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 8. Dean was born and raised in Carroll County, Illinois. He has over 25 years of experience in social services, public service, community organizing, and journalism. Dean is the former director of the Freeport Area Church Cooperative, a homeless service, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing provider in northwest Illinois. Dean is also a past president of the Northwest Illinois Continuum of Care that serves those experiencing homelessness in 19 counties in northern Illinois. He has been active for over 25 years in various community and neighborhood improvement outreach efforts.

Dean received a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University and is a former city of Freeport alderman and mayoral assistant, and newspaper publisher. He and his wife of 30 years, Carrie, have four daughters, a cat Sophie, and reside in Pearl City, Illinois. Dean enjoys cooking for his family and jamming blues and 80s alt tunes with his friends.   

Todd McKenna

Todd McKenna (he/him) is the Region 8 Administrative Support. Born and raised in Freeport, Illinois, Todd has lived most of his life in the Pretzel City. After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations, Todd began a journalism career with newspapers in Northwest Illinois before eventually moving back to work for his hometown paper. He later settled into a long government-related clerical career with a job in the Records Office at the Freeport Police Department. After a short stay in St. Petersburg, Florida, family brought Todd back to Freeport and his most recent job as a deputy assessor for Stephenson County.  

When not at work, Todd is an active community member serving on the boards for The Salvation Army, Malcolm Eaton Enterprises facility for those with developmental disabilities, Lincoln-Douglas Debate Society, and the Knights of Columbus.