Kane County Board Member Honored for Environmental Advocacy

Mavis Bates receives Thomas Weisner Memorial Award from Conservation Foundation

Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Mavis Bates, a Kane County Board member from Aurora, Illinois, has been awarded the Thomas Weisner Memorial Award by the Naperville-based Conservation Foundation for her longtime environmental advocacy work. Bates, a former educator and software designer, has been a passionate advocate for sustainability and climate change issues, serving on various environmental committees and boards in the Fox Valley region.

Why it matters

Bates' recognition highlights the importance of local elected officials taking an active role in environmental issues and policy-making. As climate change continues to be a pressing concern, Bates' work to raise awareness, implement sustainable initiatives, and shape local policy has made a significant impact in her community.

The details

Bates has been involved in various environmental initiatives over the years, including organizing Aurora's first GreenFest in 2010, founding the Sierra Club Valley of the Fox group, and chairing the Kane County Board's Energy and Environmental Committee. One of her proudest accomplishments is the installation of an eight-acre solar panel field behind the old Kane County Sheriff's Office, which is expected to save taxpayers up to $6 million over the next 25 years.

  • Bates was elected to the Kane County Board in 2020.
  • The Conservation Foundation is presenting Bates with the Thomas Weisner Memorial Award on February 19, 2026.
  • Aurora's first GreenFest event was held in 2010.

The players

Mavis Bates

A Kane County Board member from Aurora, Illinois, who has been a longtime environmental advocate and has worked to implement sustainable initiatives in her community.

Brook McDonald

The President and CEO of the Naperville-based Conservation Foundation, which is presenting Bates with the Thomas Weisner Memorial Award.

Tom Weisner

The late mayor of Aurora, Illinois, who put a strong emphasis on environmental issues during his tenure.

John Laesch

The current mayor of Aurora, Illinois, who has appointed a sustainability director and coordinator to support the city's sustainability efforts.

Marilyn Weisner

The wife of the late mayor Tom Weisner, who commented on Bates' recognition and her important work in the community.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Mavis is an amazing positive force in our community … her work is so crucially important now as we see increasing extreme weather events, melting glaciers and water shortages related to our changing natural environment. She has been calmly and persistently addressing the problem from all angles for many years, doing so without expecting any accolades.”

— Marilyn Weisner (Chicago Tribune)

“It's one thing to stand on one side of the podium and advocate for the local environment and another to stand on the elected side. I'd like to see more of that.”

— Brook McDonald, President and CEO, Conservation Foundation (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The Conservation Foundation will present Mavis Bates with the Thomas Weisner Memorial Award on February 19, 2026.

The takeaway

Bates' recognition highlights the importance of local elected officials taking an active role in addressing environmental issues and implementing sustainable policies. Her work in the Kane County Board and her community-based initiatives have made a significant impact in raising awareness and driving positive change, serving as an example for other local leaders to follow.