Let's grow, together.

Neighbor built. Visitors welcome.

Macomb is built by its neighbors and open to everyone: safe to walk, proud of who we are, and worth the trip, with our institutions working together to make it happen.

Macomb has lost population, and growing our community starts with keeping the people we already have, WIU students and graduates included, and giving more people a reason to move here.

I'm Canaan Albright, a Macomb resident and local business owner running for Alderman at Large. A city grows when neighbors listen to each other, share the work, and follow through. I'm grateful to everyone who serves Macomb, and I'll work with whoever is at the table.

See what I'm working on Say hello

I'm running to strengthen Macomb's economy: good jobs and thriving small businesses, the city, WIU, and local business planning together, and safe, well-lit, accessible routes that bring more people to campus, work, and local shops.

What I'm Working On

Three things I care about, and how I'd do the job. Open any one for the details.

A Stronger Economy The city, WIU, the business park, and the airport planning together for good jobs.

The city, the business park, WIU, the airport, and the many other organizations and groups doing good work in Macomb all have something to offer. I want everyone planning together, so Macomb can offer good jobs and a strong business community.

Shared goals and regular joint meetings, with a public update each year.
Marketing for Macomb with clear measures of success, such as website traffic, inquiries, and results.
More national outreach and coordination to attract employers offering high-quality jobs to our business park and economic zones, so graduates and families can build a life here.
West Jackson, an ADA-compliant economic zone. Safer crossings, connected sidewalks, and bike access, worked out with IDOT, which manages the road. A safe, accessible corridor brings customers to local businesses and helps WIU attract and keep students.
I'll push for any TIF or business development district money to be spent on improvements that benefit that whole district and the local business economy, not just a single project, with a particular focus on our small businesses, which I believe in strongly.
Support the city's marketing and downtown development work with more tools and resources: an opt-in email list so residents hear directly, easier ways to give feedback online, and up-to-date sites for the city and its partners.
Support more resources for the city's grant writer, so Macomb can pursue more state and national grant opportunities.

What I've done so far: I first proposed redesigning Jackson more than seven years ago, and the work has continued since: a WIU student survey presented at City Hall in 2019, and my advocacy led the city to apply for a federal planning grant, backed by letters from local business and community leaders. The federal grant wasn't funded, but the need hasn't gone away. I've also followed the city's marketing work closely and offered specific, constructive suggestions on budgets, measurement, and business outreach, and I've offered plans to improve the business park so it's a place where companies are proud to locate their headquarters.

Tourism Boosting the marketing of Macomb's tourism options, supporting sports tourism, and showing visitors that Macomb is an attractive place to live.

Macomb can be the place families from across the region choose for a day or a weekend.

Sports tourism with the assets we have now. I'll advocate for appointing a sports tourism coordinator now, to work with all interested parties and community stakeholders to organize the assets we already have, like Veterans Park, the schools, WIU, and the YMCA, and to be a liaison to regional, state, and national athletic groups and tournament organizers.
I'm open to big ideas, and I'll ask for clear public numbers on costs, risks, and who pays. I'll also ask how local businesses would be affected, and what support they'd need to compete with projects led by outside investors or funded by government. Whatever happens, we shouldn't wait years to use what we have.
Getting here and around without a car. I'd like to market Macomb to travelers along the Amtrak line and make it easy to get from the station to downtown, campus, and our lakes, trails, and parks, with safe walking and biking routes, bike rentals, and clear signs, working with the Park District and the state.

What I've done so far: As president of the Macomb Soccer Club, I've helped attract the Spoon River Rumble, a two-day regional youth soccer tournament, to Macomb. It brought six regional clubs to town on volunteer effort. I've asked the council to consider a sports and tourism coordinator.

Quality of Life and Leisure Safe, well-lit routes, things for kids and youth to do, and a new town pool.

A good town is one where people feel safe, have things to do, and want to stay.

Safe routes for everyone. I believe safe, accessible, well-lit streets are fundamental to a healthy economy. When kids, seniors, students, and anyone without a car can get around Macomb safely on foot, by bike, or in a wheelchair, more people reach campus, jobs, and local businesses. Research shows that well-lit sidewalks and public spaces can reduce crime and help people feel safe. I'd build on the city's Active Transportation Vision, which the council has approved.
- Streets to campus. Connected, well-lit sidewalks where WIU students live and walk.
- The walk from the Goldfarb Center to dinner. Clear signs, lighting, and safe paths between campus and West Jackson.
- The basics. Sidewalk and curb care that shows Macomb takes pride in its streets.
Things for kids and youth to do. I'll work to attract more opportunities for kids and youth, in town and for visitors, in partnership with WIU, the schools, the library, and local employers.
A new town pool. Macomb's public pool closed permanently this year, and a town our size should have one. I'll advocate for a new pool, with a clear public plan for the cost, the location, and who pays, and I'll look for partnerships and grants to help fund it.

How I'll Do the Job Show up prepared, explain my votes, and stay easy to talk to.

I'll show up prepared and explain my votes in plain language.

Understand the agendas and attend every Council meeting.
Explain each vote publicly, including when I'm in the minority.
Hold a quarterly informal meet-up, like coffee at a local café, and meet by appointment in between, so residents can talk with me in person.
Share clear, sourced information on what the council is deciding, with links to the city's official agendas and records.

About Me

I work in digital marketing and public relations, helping businesses tell their story and reach customers, and I've used those skills to promote local businesses here in Macomb. As president of the Macomb Soccer Club, I've also helped attract a two-day regional youth soccer tournament to Macomb. I'd bring that practical, get-it-done approach to the council.

I'm quick with a thank-you, and I'm not afraid to speak up when something isn't working. Both come from the same place: I care how this town treats its people.

Tell me what you'd fix first.

I'd like to hear from you, whether you want a yard sign, want to help, or just have something on your mind about Macomb.