The 21st Show

Clare Killman reflects on making history as Carbondale council member

 
Clare Killman was elected to the Carbondale, Illinois city council in April 2023.

Clare Killman was elected to the Carbondale, Illinois city council in April 2023. Sam Mirpoorian/Illinois Public Media

The city of Carbondale, in southern Illinois, made history in several ways during the local elections this April. Carolin Harvey, already the acting mayor, became the first Black person elected as mayor. The City Council ended up with more members of color than it ever had before. Clare Killman, who received the second-highest number of votes out of a field of seven people and reportedly became the first trans person elected to a city council anywhere in Illinois.

To talk about her election, her experience with conversion therapy in Missouri, and starting a new life in southern Illinois, and what she hopes to accomplish in the future, Clare Killman joins The 21st Show. 

Guest:

Clare Killman

Carbondale, Illinois council member