August in local government doesn't slow down just because the pools are still open.

Budgets don't pause for back-to-school shopping. 

Infrastructure plans don't wait for Labor Day. 

If anything, this is when the fall agenda starts taking shape, which makes it the perfect time to talk to a woman who has built her entire approach to leadership around one idea: just show up.

Jess Petrow is a third-generation Frankfort, Illinois resident, a mom of three, and a Village Trustee who doesn't just serve her hometown. She loves it. In the plain, unglamorous, deeply rooted way you love a place your family has called home for generations.

"Frankfort has always been home for me," Petrow said. "My family has been here since the 1850s, and I've always felt a deep connection to this community: its history, its people, and its future."

That connection is what pulled her into local government in the first place.

"I realized that so many decisions that shape our everyday lives happen at the local level," she said. "I wanted to be part of that process and just as importantly, I wanted other women to see that they can be part of it too."

For Petrow, community involvement doesn't require a grand gesture. It's attending local events. It's supporting small businesses. It's having actual conversations with actual neighbors.

"This isn't just where I serve," she said. "It's where I live, where I'm raising my children, and where I'm invested in the future."

A Busy Season by Design

Ask her what a typical day looks like, and you'll get a snapshot of exactly the kind of full-plate August so many women in this project know well.

"Some days, that looks like sitting down with community members to hear their concerns, and other days it's diving into budgets, infrastructure plans, or economic development initiatives," Petrow said. "It's busy, but it's purposeful."

That distinction, busy with purpose, rather than just busy,  is the thread running through everything she does. It's also why she's so intentional about encouraging other women to step into rooms they might assume aren't for them.

"Sometimes people just need to hear, 'You belong here,'" she said. "I try to lead in a way that feels accessible and relatable, so others can see themselves in these roles. The more we support and uplift each other, the more we strengthen our entire community.

"When women are visible in leadership roles, it opens the door for others to follow."

The Reward — and the Weight

The most fulfilling part of the job, Petrow said, is watching how local decisions ripple through everyday life:  supporting downtown design, improving public safety, and making sure infrastructure investments are the right ones.

But it isn't without its weight.

"Not every decision is easy, and you have to be willing to listen, stay open-minded, and still make tough calls," she said. "That responsibility is something I don't take lightly."

Her Advice for Women Who Aren't Sure They're "Ready"

If you're waiting to feel fully prepared before getting involved in your own community, Petrow has news for you: that feeling doesn't really arrive on schedule.

"You don't have to have a political background to get involved," she said. "I didn't start out thinking I would run for office. I just cared deeply about my community.

"If you have that, you already have the foundation. Start small, get involved, ask questions, and don't wait until you feel completely ready. Your perspective matters, and your voice is needed."

As Frankfort heads into another packed fall season, Petrow will be right in the midst of it all:  in budget meetings, at downtown events, and at her kids' activities. It’s in these daily acts of showing up consistently that has its own kind of impact.

"Serving as a Village Trustee has been one of the most meaningful ways I've been able to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family," Petrow said.

It's a fitting reminder of what this series is built to honor: impact defined not by position, but by presence.