June 5, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Cooper looks to make a difference in Ogden

Kelly Cooper wants to make a difference in Ogden. 

That is why she ran for village board in 2017 and why she is running for re-election on April 6. 

“I wanted to make a difference in our town,” she said. “I wanted to bring some life and excitement back.” 

Cooper was did bring excitement back into town as she spearheaded the Ogden festival, an event that included a car show, flea market, helicopter rides and softball tournaments. 

“The Ogden Street Fest would be one of things that I am most proud of. It was one of the promises that I made when I was running for election in 2017,” she said.  “We were able to have it successfully in 2018 and even more so in 2019. Then everything changed in 2020 due to COVID causing it to be cancelled. I honestly feel that we would have had and even bigger turn out in 2020 if it could have continued.”

Planning the festival was just one way Cooper was able to give back to the town she loves as a trustee. Her goal when she ran in 2017 was to look out for her fellow resident’s best interests and help them in anyway possible. 

That continues to be her goal. 

“The most rewarding part of being a trustee is knowing that you have the ability to help the towns people by looking out for their best interests,” she said. 

Cooper, who is married and works full time for the University of Illinois, has two large breeds dogs. Bandit is a three year old Bloodhound and Smokey is a two and a half year old English Mastiff. Her son, Devin, lives in Gifford and is an electrician. She enjoys gardening, baking, making her own soap and crafting. 

She also deeply loves her town. 

“I am a very friendly outgoing person who loves living in a small village such as Ogden” Cooper said.  “I am also a patriotic person who respects and believes in the freedom and values of our country. I hold true to the promises that I make and will always be truthful.”

Banner
Related Posts

5 Questions with Republican caucus candidate Matt Wolfersberger

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? My original plan was to step aside at the end of my term,...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, April 14, 2026

April 14, 2026

April 14, 2026

I am here so you don’t have to be. On the agenda tonight- discretionary spending discussions. They are making some...

Mayor to encourage board to allow trick-or-treating

October 1, 2020

October 1, 2020

St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges is going to encourage the village board to allow Trick-or-Treating. Fruhling-Voges said she had examined...

SJO School Board Candidate Les Hoveln Q and A

March 30, 2019

March 30, 2019

There are five candidates running for four open seats on the SJO School Board. Why are you running for school...

Live at St. Joseph Village board, July 27

July 27, 2021

July 27, 2021

Reg Ankrom is here discussing electrical aggregation and is saying the village should take a break from aggregation for a...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, May 9, 2023

May 9, 2023

May 9, 2023

I am here so you don’t have to be. They are swearing in the board members today. #newbutold Jeff Van...

‘Wanting to serve this community has been my passion’

December 7, 2020

December 7, 2020

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges cares about St. Joseph. It is why she is running for reelection tonight at the Republican Caucus....

Get to know Lindsay Rubach

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Lindsay is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board?As an Educator...

Brush pick-up suspended indefinitely in St. Joseph

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges has suspended brush pick-up indefinitely. Fruhling-Voges said she understands why residents are upset with the...

Live at Ogden Village Board March 4, 2021

March 4, 2021

March 4, 2021

Tonight we will find out the fate of the Ogden Easter Egg Hunt. Philo, St, Joseph and Tuscola have canceled...

Group asking for feedback on community building proposal

January 27, 2020

January 27, 2020

Almost exactly a year ago, St. Joseph resident Jim Page presented the St. Joseph Village Board with a plan to...

Wetlands home to 620 new trees

February 18, 2019

February 18, 2019

Earlier this winter, 620 white tubes were installed on the south side of the St. Joseph wetlands. Inside those tubes...

Foundation wants Community Building at Woodard Park

July 22, 2024

July 22, 2024

A foundation has been created to bring a community building to St. Joseph. The St. Joseph Recreation Foundation was registered...

Get to know Matt Walsh

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Matt is running for St. Joseph Village Trustee as a Republican. What is the best thing about St. Joseph? I...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

I am here so you don’t have to be. Here are the big items on the agenda. They are going...

Comments
Leave a Reply