My name is Keith E. Turner, my life experiences and career have uniquely prepared me to serve as the Mayor of Waukegan in 2025

My story is one of service, resilience, and a deep love for the people and city of Waukegan. I was born and raised in Chicago, where life was busy, challenging, and full of lessons.

My parents taught me the value of hard work and commitment, qualities that helped me make the decision to join the U.S. Navy after high school. I spent seven years in the Navy, serving as an Operations Specialist. I traveled the country and the world, and I learned to make quick decisions and work as part of a team in high-stakes situations. The Navy showed me what true resilience meant and how to stay calm, think critically, and get things done, no matter what the circumstances. When I completed two honorable tours of duty, I had a heart full of gratitude for the experiences that shaped me, but I was ready to start a new chapter.

After living and working in several cities across the country, my life journey brought me to Waukegan in 1999 where I married Sonya (Hurst), the love of my life and we made our home. We do not have children, but over the years, we have opened our home and hearts to a total of nine rescue pets. Every one of those dogs and cats has been a blessing and a reminder of the joy that comes from giving a loving home to an animal in need.