Jesse Arellano

Retail Market Manager, Sauk Valley Bank

Dedicating his time to the community

At 34 years old, Jesse Arellano of Mendota has built up an impressive community service resumé.

“I pride myself in being a person that helps their community through volunteering for any organization that I can and truly like being able to make things better for people that don’t have the same luxuries as myself,” he said. “What I like most about living in the Illinois Valley is the closeness of our communities and willingness to work together in times of need.”

He has held a wide range of roles within many charitable organizations, including having served as American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Upper Illinois Valley Event Co-Chair, American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of UIV Advocacy/Entertainment Chair, the 2014 American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast CancerBatavia (Event Advocacy Chair), and the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Illinois Leadership Team (where he was one of eight total leads for the State of Illinois).

He has also served on the Mendota Area YMCA Board of Directors, the North Central Illinois ARTworks Board of Directors, as North Central Illinois ARTworks Treasurer, as a La Salle County Tourism Coalition member, as the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Board of Director, and has held many other roles as well.

“The professional accomplishment that I am the most proud of is being able to successfully run and operate the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce as its President and CEO for five years. Prior to my role as President and CEO, I had managed a small number of employees, but the Chamber of Commerce was different as I had to oversee a board of 22 members, 12 members of the ambassador club, and my office staff. Having this role taught me a lot about time management and helped with my creativity in not just my work life, but all aspects of life,” he said.

Theresa Solon Wargo Owner, Theresa Solon State Farm Agency

Highly involved in the community

Theresa Solon Wargo, a 33-year-old Streator resident, likes to volunteer so she can help make her community better in every aspect.

“At a young age, I saw the impact that individuals from my family, friends, and other community members had on my community by dedicating their time, giving back, and being involved. Volunteering benefits everyone and can have a very positive impact in the community,” she said. “I love my community, and I want to continue to see us thrive. I want my children to have the same opportunities in our town that I did as a child, so I volunteer and put forth the effort to try to do my part in helping our community.”

Solon Wargo was born and raised in Streator, graduated from Streator High School, and was a member of the 2006 Streator High School Hall of Fame softball team. She attended the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, where she received a degree in agri-finance.

“I have been with State Farm since January of 2012 and came back to Streator to start my own agency in January of 2016,” she said. “I am a mom of two amazing boys, one dog, and a wife to a wonderful husband. I have a passion for taking care of my community and the Starved Rock Region, both professionally and personally. One of my favorite things about being a State Farm Agent is being able to give back.”

She currently serves on the Streator YMCA Board, the Streator Area United Way Board, and the Streator Young Professionals Board, and is a member of the Streator Lions Club and the Streator Kiwanis. She is a Streator Red and White Booster Club supporter, a member of the John and Kathryn Solon Scholarship committee and presenter, a supporter and ambassador for the Lynne F Solon Foundation, a member of the Streator Area Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers in many other ways in the community.

Sarah Kinkin

Deputy Chief of Police, Spring Valley Police Department

Protecting the people of her hometown

Sarah Kinkin, who was born in Spring Valley and attended Hall High School, knew from a young age she wanted to be a police officer.

“I cannot pinpoint exactly what made me feel that I wanted to be a police officer, but as far back as I can remember, that was my chosen career path. As a kid, I thoroughly enjoyed solving puzzles and figuring things out, which translated nicely to investigative work. I wanted a career that was challenging and not monotonous. I have always had an interest in law, human rights, as well as the Constitution. Law enforcement was and is the perfect career,” she said.

After high school, Kinkin attended Bradley University, double majoring in sociology and administration of criminal justice.

“I completed two internships, one with Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department and the second with East Peoria Police Department. I moved back to the Illinois Valley area in 2009 and worked as a counselor at Choices Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit and then for the Illinois Department on Aging as an Elder Abuse Investigator,” she said. “I was hired as a part-time police officer by Spring Valley Police Department in 2011 and became full-time in December of 2013. In February of 2021, I was appointed to the position of Sergeant, and in March of 2022, I was appointed to Deputy Chief of Police.” Kinkin, now 38 years old, has had to overcome obstacles while working in a maledominated field.

“In my department, I was the first full-time female police officer, the first female Sergeant, and the first female Deputy Chief of Police,” she said. “I have never used this as an excuse, nor have I ever used it as an advantage, and look forward to the day that police officer does not have the connotation of being male. I proved my worth through action, percentage of cases solved, convictions for arrests, and, most importantly, building community relations with the citizens of Spring Valley and our police department. I like to believe that I also changed a few people’s minds on who they believe should be in law enforcement.”

Danielle DeCarlo Connecting Point Computer Centers

Spreading joy to others through volunteer work

Danielle DeCarlo, who was born and raised in the Illinois Valley, learned at an early age how rewarding it can be to volunteer.

“I love when I can put a smile on someone else’s face. I grew up with my parents running the local MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) telethon, and seeing the pure joy on the faces of those suffering when people took the time out of their busy day to help them made my heart so happy that I knew when I was old enough to help the community, I had to do it,” she said. “Volunteering has always been in my blood.”

DeCarlo, who is 38 years old and lives in Peru, was greatly influenced by those early years of volunteering and has continued to give back to her community in several ways.

“I am currently the President of the Ambassadors for the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development and a board member for IV Leads Group,” she said.

DeCarlo is also a dedicated employee who has worked her way up.

“I am currently employed by Connecting Point Computer Centers. I have been employed with them since July 2018. When I first started there, I was the Accounts Payable/Receivable clerk. I have added the role of Service Coordinator as of May 2021,” she said. “This has given me the chance to work directly with our customers and help them, which helps our community.”

DeCarlo loves living in the Illinois Valley and missed it while attending school.

“I did leave the area very briefly for a year of school in the Bloomington-Normal area. I came back because of family and the sense of community,” she said. “Our area is one big family. I feel the Illinois Valley is a great place to be and work.”