MARY L. HAYNES, MMC, is serving her sixth term as Peoria's first elected female City Clerk. She was elected at-large to her first four-year term in 1985. Currently, she is the longest serving Clerk in Peoria’s history. She is also the Town Clerk for the Town of the City of Peoria, a second form of government with boundaries right in the heart of the City. Mary has earned the Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation and is also a Registered and Certified Municipal Clerk.

Mary is a member and Past President of the Municipal Clerks of Illinois (MCI) and has held almost all offices and served on most committees of that organization. She has chaired MCI's Legislative Committee for several years. Mary was named MCI's Member of the Year in 1992 and is a member of the Presidents' Club.

Mary teaches the basics of her profession throughout Illinois and is a frequent presenter both in and out of State. She has developed several "Newly Elected/Back to the Basics" seminars for MCI and the Illinois Municipal League (IML). She lobbies extensively for local government throughout the State, and is credited with developing a successful, widespread email and fax Trunkline to Clerks to assist the IML in their efforts to reach Legislators throughout quickly with the viewpoint of local government. Mary recently served on two State ad hoc committees addressing records management and legislation affecting efficient storage practices.

To further the education and professional development of this vital Municipal Office, Mary co-founded the Central Illinois Municipal Clerks Organization (CIMCO) in 1988 and has earned three Presidents' Awards, in 1988, 1989 and 2003.

Mary is active in the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) and has served as a Region VII Director. She has chaired and served on many of the major committees and has earned IIMC's highest award, the prestigious Quill. As Vice-Chair of the IIMC International Committee, she conducted two International Exchanges, hosting the Dutch and British Clerks in Peoria. In 1996, she participated in a Work Study Exchange in England.

Mary is an active trainer for the City and has participated in in-house training programs. She has also authored several office procedure manuals. She brought the paperless agenda to the City, has made the Council Agenda available on the web, computerized the Council Records Index and Liquor Licensing Operations and is a member of the City's Speakers' Bureau. Mary is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Women, Who's Who in the Midwest, and Who's Who in Governmental Services.

Mary is active in her community, recently co-chairing the fist annual Trot for Tots, a 2-mile race prior to Peoria’s Santa Parade to benefit our Tri-County Youth. She supports many charities and currently chairs the Rediscovering Peoria City Hall Committee in an effort to restore Peoria’s beautiful City Hall, named one of Illinois’ 150 Significant Buildings. In 1999, she was the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award presented by the Lions Club of Peoria, has received the YWCA’s Edythe A. Cohen Business/Industry Award in 2006 and was named Distinguished Citizen Service Award by the Greater Peoria Area Crime Stoppers. Mary assists citizens in learning to run for office and offers Council Orientation sessions at each election.

Council Chambers, City Hall, 4th floor
The mural in the alcove of the Council Chambers, behind the Mayor's dais, was painted in 1912 by W. Peaco, a traveling artist. The central figure is Mother Columbia. She is surrounded by symbols important to Peoria.