The Diocesan Council administers and carries on the missionary, educational and social work of the diocese. The Council receives and administers funds for diocesan programs and administration, implements work assigned by Diocesan Convention and initiates new work between annual meetings of Diocesan Convention. The Council has charge of preparing and approving the Administrative and Program budget for the diocese before submitting it to Bishop and Trustees for their review and approval.
The council includes one priest or deacon and one lay person from each of the diocese’s ten deaneries. The warden of Diocesan Council is selected by the Bishop and serves a one-year term. Members are nominated by their deaneries for three-year terms and affirmed by Diocesan Convention. The Council meets at least four times a year between January 1 and June 30, usually on the second Saturday of the month.
Diocesan Council
As of January 1, 2026
Council Warden: Ms. Pat Cornelius-Woods
Aurora Deanery (terms end 2027)
Mr. David Dornblaser, St Mark’s, Glen Ellyn (2nd term)
The Rev. Jonathan Totty, St. John’s, Naperville (1st term)
Chicago North Deanery (terms end 2027)
Ms. Silvia Herrera, El Cristo Rey, Chicago (1st term)
The Rev. Charles Everson, Church of the Atonement, Chicago (1st term)
Chicago South Deanery (terms end 2026)
The Rev. Robert Cristobal, SS. George & Matthias and Messiah-St Bartholomew (1st term)
Ms. Pat Cornelius-Woods, Messiah-St. Bartholomew (2nd term)
Elgin Deanery (terms end 2028)
The Rev. Don Frye, St. James, West Dundee (2nd term)
Lay – open
Evanston Deanery (terms end 2027)
The Rev. Cynthia Lund, Christ Church, Winnetka (1st term)
Mr. Eric Hillerbrand, St. Luke’s, Evanston (2nd term)
Joliet Deanery (terms end 2027)
The Rev. Hunter Farrow, Transfiguration, Palos Park (1st term)
Ms. Susan Walker, Grace, New Lenox (1st term)
Oak Park Deanery (terms end 2026)
The Rev. Micah Jackson, Grace, Oak Park (1st term)
Ms. Karen DeToro, All Saints, Western Springs (1st term)
Peoria Deanery (terms end 2028)
The Rev. Rob Hensley, St. John, Kewanee (1st term)
Lay – open
Rockford Deanery (terms end 2028)
The Rev. Brian Prall, Grace, Freeport (2nd term)
Lay – open
Waukegan Deanery (terms end 2028)
The Rev. Dawn Starry, St. Ignatius of Antioch (1st term)
Lay – open
For more information about Diocesan Council, contact Andrea Mysen, Canon to the Ordinary, by email or phone (312-751-4203).