People across Illinois are sharing their tributes to Rock Island County Board member Porter McNeil.
McNeil, 65, died Friday after a four-year battle with cancer. He was well-established in Illinois politics. He worked on presidential campaigns and as Democratic political consultant for different organizations.
"At a time with all of this polarization, and at a time where we need more Porter McNeils more than we ever have before, we’ve lost one," Rep. Gregg Johnson said. ‘And it’s a huge hit to the political world. Porter McNeil was a communicator, widely respected by Democrats and Republicans."
"We’ve got political parties today. A lot of division even within political parties. But he wasn’t saying anything negative about this Democrat or that Democrat," Sen. Mike Halpin said. "He was just out there being a cheerleader for the party."
"The folks on the other side – they were never enemies," Kai Swanson, Rock Island County Board member, said. "They were just people who had a different opinion."
McNeil made 70 appearances on Our Quad Cities’ political program 4 The Record, making an impact with his discussions as a panelist.
"Many times we were on 4 The Record with Jim Niedelman, and when Jim would ask me, I would ask him who was on the panel. He would say Porter, and I was always so glad," Drue Mielke, Rock Island County Board member, said. "Not because we always agreed, but because he was always so civil."
Many speak highly of McNeil’s character.
"Porter never had a cross word for anyone," Johnson said. "He had a way of bringing people together."
"Just a very cup-half-full type of a guy," Mike Thoms, former Rock Island mayor, said. "Smiling, positive, type of individual. Today’s world with this adversary, kind of, it’s just not healthy. And he was an individual who really put that to rest; let’s all work together for the betterment of our community."
McNeil’s influence on local politics will be felt for years to come.
"It’s a situation where he can never be replaced," Halpin said. "But there’s someone out there that’s going to want to continue his work."
"Porter is such a proud parent, and his kids are already carrying his legacy on," Johnson said. "And, you know, when we lose our parents, we carry them with us forever. And they’re going to carry his legacy on, and I sure as hell am going to, too."
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September 15, 2025 at 09:15PM
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