ICCTA mourns passing of president Gregg Chadwick

With great sorrow, the ICCTA family announces the untimely death of our president Gregg Chadwick, board chair of Heartland Community College, due to complications from heart failure.

“We are deeply saddened by Gregg’s passing,” said ICCTA vice president Jon Looney of Black Hawk College. “The Illinois community college system, the Trustees Association, and most certainly Heartland Community College were very fortunate to have him in leadership. Gregg was a quiet, steady and kind leader. Moreover, he was our friend. Our thoughts go out to his family, loved ones, and the entire Heartland community. We are better because we have known him, and will strive to carry on by his example.”

A long-time member of the District 540 Board of Trustees, Gregg was elected by his peers to serve as ICCTA president for 2020-2021. He previously served as ICCTA treasurer (2009-2010), chair of the Government Relations and Public Policy Committee (2017-2019), and as vice president (2019-2020). In July, he was awarded ICCTA’s 2020 Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award for exemplary service.

“This is a loss that is felt not only in Gregg’s home district and at Heartland Community College but across our state,” said ICCTA executive director Jim Reed. “Gregg was a longtime leader of the Trustees Association and always exhibited a true commitment to making sure the ICCTA serves trustees in a way that makes them better stewards at their respective colleges. We were fortunate to have him as president during these unstable times.”

Heartland Community College president Dr. Keith Cornille said, “The loss of Gregg is something that we feel deeply here in our Heartland family. Heartland would not be the place it is today without Gregg’s prudent leadership and collaborative partnerships with the rest of the Board and with our administration. Gregg’s impact on the College and on our community during his 18 year-tenure on the Board, which includes 11 years as Board Chair, is something that has and will continue to enrich lives.”

Gregg had served as COO of the Normal, IL non-profit organization Marcfirst since July 2018. Prior to joining Marcfirst, he had served in executive positions with Decatur Memorial Hospital, the University of Illinois College of Medicine and Premier Medical Group. He also was a certified Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Gregg’s other volunteer work includes serving as an Advisory Board member for the Multicultural Leadership Program and as a member of the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Board of Directors.

Gregg is survived by his wife Robyn and his children Hallie, Avery and Ben.

Celebration of Life

Gregg's family invites everyone to attend a celebration of life at Heartland Community College. 

Friday, September 18
2:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m
Heartland Community College Campus

Scheduled Remarks and Open Opportunity to Share:

  • MarcFirst 3:00 p.m.
  • Heartland Community College 4:00 p.m.
  • Illinois Community College Trustees Association 5:00 p.m. (ICCTA will make a special awards presentation to the Chadwick family)

The celebration will be held on the Heartland Community College quad between the Instructional Commons Building (ICB) and the Community Commons Building (CCB).   

Please enter the College on Millenium Blvd. and park in Lot N. (HCC employees use Lot E.)

The Gregg Chadwick Memorial Fund

The Gregg Chadwick Memorial Fund was established by his family to commemorate his leadership and devotion to Heartland Community College and its students.

Memorial Website

Gregg's family has set up a memorial site that includes his obituary and a virtual guest book. We encourage you to visit the site to send a message or share your story of Gregg with his family.