*** Poinsettia Packet Pick up -Kathy Easton -68 IL

Kathy (Johnson) Easton is a lifelong Rockford resident who proudly calls the 68th District home. She is a graduate of Boylan High School and attended Rock Valley College, where she played tennis and served on the Student Commission.

Beginning her freshman year at Boylan High School, tennis became a central part of Kathy Easton’s life. To pay for lessons, she worked at The Last Straw and Logli’s. She earned a spot on the varsity tennis team and competed all four years of high school. In April of her junior year, Kathy was involved in a serious car accident that left her in a body cast for two months, forcing her to miss the remainder of the school year. After a determined recovery, she returned for her senior season and qualified for the state tennis tournament. The following spring, Kathy was honored as the Big Nine Conference’s Most Courageous female Athlete.

Kathy has generously volunteered with nonprofits and fundraising events, with a special focus on supporting our Veterans. She started the Veteran’s Unity Board to ensure our Veterans receive the help they need. She has served in many roles, including a Girl Scout leader and a member of the 100 Club, and remains an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Her service reflects her commitment to community, leadership, and giving back..

Kathy is a community-focused leader with a lifelong passion for tennis and a deep commitment to Northern Illinois. After raising her family, her journey with tennis blossomed into a career dedicated to opportunity and growth. She served in key roles with the USTA Schools Program Coordinator, USTA Junior Team Tennis Coordinator, and eventually USTA Executive Director for Northern Illinois, where she oversaw tennis across the region, built strong school and club partnerships, and expanded access to the game for players of all ages. Kathy coached a team at the AAU Junior Olympics and won the gold medal. Kathy also made a lasting impact locally: shaping tennis programs for the Rockford Park District, Managing the Clock Tower Racquet Club, and Director of the USTA Women’s $25,000 Challenger tournament. She implimented tennis programs at Forest Hills and Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Country Club, and served as President of the Rockford Area Tennis Association, strengthening connections between players, clubs, and schools.

Four years ago, Kathy became involved in local politics to address local tax concerns and support families. She ran for Precinct Committeemen and was elected. She currently serves as Deputy Vice Chair of the Winnebago County GOP and chairs the Finance Committee, the Lincoln Day Dinner Committee, and the Events Committee. In addition, she has previously worked on multiple political campaigns.

In 1992, during a difficult economy, Kathy and her husband Daren started Easton Associates Ltd. where Kathy did the bookkeeping and shipping for several years. They’ve now spent 34 years in the trade show business, continuing to support several companies in the region. They are the parents of three children and proud grandparents to six grandchildren, all living in Rockford.