EFFINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR MERV GILLENWATER

Merv Gillenwater was elected mayor of the city of Effingham in April 2011.  Prior to becoming mayor Merv served four years as the Commissioner of Health and Public Safety for the City of Effingham. 

Merv and his wife Pat have been married for 40 years and have lived in Effingham for 22 of those years.  Pat is a retired elementary school teacher.   They have one son, Matthew, who is married to Susan (Kapper) and one grandson, Maxwell.

Merv received his Associates Degree from Lake Land Community College and his Bachelor of Science in Business from Eastern Illinois University. 

Merv is a U.S. Army veteran.  In July 2003 he retired from the Illinois State Police (ISP) at the rank of Lieutenant with 24 ½ years of service.  During his career with the ISP Merv served in several positions including Special Agent with the Division of Criminal Investigation, Inspector with the Inspection and Audits Bureau out of the Director’s Office in Springfield, Commander of Patrol for a ten county district, and Investigations Commander for a 31 county area. 

In addition to serving as mayor of Effingham, Merv is currently employed by Lake Land College where he has taught criminal justice classes for seven years at the Kluthe Center in Effingham.

Merv is a life member of the Fraternal Order of Police and Illinois State Police Command Officers Association.  He is also a member of the Illinois State Police Retired Officers Association, American Legion Post 1922, and Centenary United Methodist Church.

Merv can be reached by phone at (217) 342-5308 or by email.