First elected the eighth Mayor of the Village of Broadview in a five-person race with 44% of the vote on April 4, 2017, Katrina Thompson became the first African American female mayor in the village’s history. In 2021, she was re-elected to a second term with 71% of the vote, defeating a former mayor. She was re-elected to a historic third term on April 3, 2025, with 69% of the vote, reaffirming strong community trust in her leadership.

As Mayor, Thompson has fully embraced the power of partnership and alliance-building with residents, local businesses, regional partners, and major governmental stakeholders across Broadview, the City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois. In that spirit of collaboration, she has dedicated her time, energy, and leadership to promoting unity, strengthening neighborhood safety, cultivating a thriving local economy, and advancing a greener and more sustainable Broadview.

During her first term, Mayor Thompson prioritized:

• Stabilizing the sales tax base;

• Managing rising police and fire pension obligations, healthcare costs, and capital repair needs;

• Investing in street, alley, and infrastructure improvements;

• Advancing racial healing between residents and the Broadview Police Department;

• Practicing conservative budgeting to safeguard taxpayers’ dollars;

• Facilitating community dialogue on the senior housing project and the Amazon warehouse;

• Leading Broadview through the COVID-19 pandemic with access to testing, vaccines, and small-business relief.

With this agenda, Mayor Thompson has worked to not only meet basic needs but also ensure Broadview is a safe, inclusive place where residents feel valued and businesses can flourish.

Leadership on ICE Operations in Broadview

Throughout her tenure, Mayor Thompson has also led with clarity and courage on one of the community’s most challenging and sensitive issues—the presence of the federal ICE detention and processing facility located in Broadview. Although federal immigration operations fall under the Supremacy Clause and lie outside local control, Mayor Thompson has established Broadview as a national example of balanced, responsible governance.

Under her leadership:

• Broadview has protected the constitutional rights of demonstrators while maintaining public safety for residents, clergy, activists, and federal personnel.

• Local law enforcement has operated within Illinois Trust Act guidelines, ensuring that local policing does not engage in federal immigration enforcement.

• The Village has implemented safety zones, traffic plans, and public-order protocols to prevent harm to the community during large-scale protests.

• Mayor Thompson has consistently demanded transparency, dignity, and humane treatment for immigrant families while advocating that the federal government address the disproportionate burden the facility places on local municipalities.

Her stance is clear: Broadview will not be collateral damage in a national immigration debate, and residents’ safety, rights, and well-being will always come first.

Regional, Statewide, and National Leadership

Beyond Broadview, Mayor Thompson serves and has served on numerous boards and commissions, including:

• Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors

• Former President, Proviso Municipal League

• Cook County Land Bank Board of Directors

• Triton College Foundation Board

• Former President, West Central Municipal Conference Executive/Legislative Committee

• Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA) Board of Directors

• Secretary, Woodlake Specialty Hospital Advisory Board

• Chair, NLC Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee

• NLC National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) – served as Regional Director, Parliamentarian, Bylaws Chair, and Treasurer

• Chair, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Housing Committee / Environmental Committee

• Co-Chair, Broadview–Westchester Water Agency and the IKE 911 Center

• Co-Founder, C4 Cross-Community Climate Collaborative

Key Initiatives: Mayor’s Education Task Force; Move With the Mayor Healthy Community Initiative; Stepping Into Financial Freedom; climate resiliency and sustainability partnerships; youth leadership and community health programs.

Professional Background

Prior to serving as Mayor, Ms. Thompson served as Executive Director of the West Humboldt Park Development Council and Executive Director of the Broadview Park District, leading strategic planning, communications, fundraising, and organizational development. She has maintained lifelong commitments to Pre-K–12 education, families living in poverty, and children with special needs.

Awards and Honors

Mayor Thompson has been recognized throughout the region and nation for her leadership and dedication, including:

• Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Award (2017, 2019)

• Executive Fellow, Erikson Institute McCormick Foundation

• Black Men United Legendary Icon of Humanity Award (2025)

• National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Dedication to Service Award

• Housing Forward Community Partner Award (2023)

• Triton College Wall of Fame Inductee (April 2023)

• Active Transportation Safe Streets Champion Award (2023)

Ms. Thompson earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University and her Master of Arts degree from Roosevelt University.