I grew up in Gilman, IL. My father was editor and publisher of a weekly newspaper. My mother is an artist. I graduated from Gilman High School in 1970, came to the UI in 1970, dropped out a year or two later, worked in various libraries in the area (Lincoln Trail, UI Modern language and Linguistics, Mercy Hospital medical library) and accidentally stumbled into a position at Cunningham township, where they needed a secretary. That was May of 1980 and I've been there ever since. I worked as the secretary, bookkeeper, caseworker, and since 1996 the supervisor (I was first appointed to complete the term of Kenneth Zeigler). I have been re-elected three times.

I am married to Marty Milton, who works at the Illinois Literacy Resource Development Council. My son Adam Milton is graduating from Urbana High School and going to SIU to pursue photography career. I have two step-daughters, Sarah Milton and Angie Guimond. Angie has two kids, so I'm a step-grandma. Sarah works for the Water Survey.

My hobbies are gardening, singing (used to have a band called Blind Belly Elliott and the Seeing Eye Dogs back in the 1970s), travel and photography.

Linda Abernathy is City of Champaign Township Supervisor and founder and board member of Best Interest of Children, a community-based organization dedicated to making positive changes for troubled families in crisis (especially their children) who are at risk of out-of-home placement.

Employment: Geologist at the Illinois State Geological Survey

Married to Susan Feldman, with 2 children in attendance within the Champaign Unit 4 School District. President of South Side Elementary School PTA (2003-2004)

• President, Board of Directors (1998-2000)
• Chair, Building and Grounds Committee (1996-1997)

Champaign County Election Judge (1997-2003)

• Committee memberships: Highway and Transportation Committee (2004-2006)
• County Facilities Committee (2004-present); Committee Vice-Chair (Aug. to Dec., 2006)
• Finance Committee (2006-present)
• Chair, Champaign County Board (2006-present)