Tom McNamara

Tom McNamara
Born	Template:Birth year and age
Birthplace	Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	Mayor of Rockford, Illinois
Known for	Serving as Mayor of Rockford, Illinois

Tom McNamara (born 1983) is an American politician who serves as the mayor of Rockford, Illinois, the fifth-largest city in the state. First elected to the office in 2017, McNamara has overseen a period of municipal governance focused on public safety, economic development, and community engagement in the northern Illinois city. His tenure has been marked by efforts to address longstanding challenges in Rockford, including crime reduction and healthcare access, as well as by public disputes with local institutional leaders. As mayor, McNamara has maintained a visible public presence through regular town hall meetings, media appearances, and community outreach initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue between city government and Rockford residents.

Career

Mayoralty of Rockford

Tom McNamara has served as the mayor of Rockford, Illinois, a city with a population of approximately 150,000 in the northern part of the state. His administration has placed a significant emphasis on public safety as a central policy priority. In January 2026, McNamara announced plans to host two community town hall meetings focused specifically on public safety, framing the events as opportunities to update residents on the city's efforts to create what his office described as a "safer, stronger community." The first of these meetings was scheduled for January 21, 2026, and McNamara conducted media interviews in advance of the event to discuss its objectives and the broader public safety agenda of his administration.

The town hall format has been a recurring feature of McNamara's approach to governance, reflecting an emphasis on direct communication with constituents on matters of municipal concern. The January 2026 meetings were described as the first of the new year, suggesting the practice had been established in prior years of his administration.

Dispute with Mercyhealth

In August 2025, McNamara became involved in a public dispute with Mercyhealth, a major healthcare provider in the Rockford area, and its CEO and president, Javon Bea. McNamara alleged that there was a "potential transaction" involving the Mercyhealth hospital building on Rockton Avenue in Rockford. The allegation represented one exchange in what news reports characterized as an ongoing series of disputes between the city government and the healthcare organization's leadership.

The dispute over the Mercyhealth facility on Rockton Avenue highlighted broader tensions between municipal government and major institutional stakeholders in Rockford. Healthcare access and the disposition of hospital properties are significant issues in mid-sized American cities, and the public nature of the disagreement between McNamara and Mercyhealth drew considerable local media attention.

2025 Year in Review

In December 2025, McNamara participated in a year-in-review podcast interview with Steve Summers of the Rock River Current, a local news outlet. During the interview, McNamara discussed the events and policy developments of 2025 as they related to Rockford's municipal governance.

The podcast appearance was consistent with McNamara's broader media strategy of engaging with local journalism outlets to communicate directly with the Rockford community about the state of city affairs. The Rock River Current serves as a digital news source for the greater Rockford region, and the year-end interview format provided a platform for the mayor to reflect on accomplishments and challenges faced by the city over the preceding twelve months.

Public Safety Initiatives

Public safety has been a defining theme of McNamara's time as mayor. The scheduling of dedicated town hall meetings on the subject in early 2026 underscored the priority his administration has placed on addressing crime and safety concerns in Rockford. According to his office, the town hall meetings were intended to provide residents with updates on specific efforts the city was undertaking to improve safety outcomes.

McNamara's decision to hold multiple town halls specifically on public safety — rather than general-purpose community meetings — indicated that the topic remained a central concern for both city leadership and Rockford residents entering 2026. The meetings were promoted through multiple local media outlets, including WIFR and WREX, two television stations serving the Rockford market, reflecting the broad public interest in the subject.

Personal Life

McNamara's personal connections to Illinois and the Rockford area have informed his career in local politics. As a public official, he has maintained a visible role in the community beyond formal governmental duties, participating in media interviews, podcasts, and public forums on a regular basis.

Recognition

McNamara's tenure as mayor of Rockford has drawn attention from both local and regional media. His administration's initiatives, particularly in the areas of public safety and healthcare-related disputes, have been the subject of coverage by outlets including WIFR, WREX, and the Rock River Current. His willingness to engage in public discourse on contentious local issues, such as the Mercyhealth dispute, and to hold regular town hall meetings has contributed to his profile as an active and accessible municipal leader in the Rockford area.

See also

• Rockford, Illinois
• List of mayors of Rockford, Illinois