Elected in 2019, Billy McKinney is the 18th Mayor of the City of Zion. As a life-long Zionite, he has dedicated his life to public service, leadership, teamwork and partnership.
As a multi-sport athlete at Zion-Benton Township High School, McKinney gained his affinity for teamwork at a young age. His athletic excellence earned him a full-ride scholarship to Northwestern University as a star basketball player. Often referred to as one of the greatest players in Northwestern history, McKinney cemented his legacy as a Wildcat in 2024 when he became the first student-athlete in school history to be awarded the honor of a retired number. Northwestern celebrates his legacy with the Billy McKinney Award given annually to a student athlete who exemplifies his traits of leadership, total effort, and positive attitude.
After being drafted in 1977 by the Phoenix Suns, McKinney played for nearly a decade in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Kansas City Kings, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, San Diego Clippers, ending his career with the Chicago Bulls. Following his player retirement from the NBA, he became the first African American executive in the Chicago Bulls’ history.
McKinney’s NBA career continued as a General Manager of the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves, where he drafted Hall of Famer, Grant Hill and helped recruit future back-to-back NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He then went on to earn three local Emmy Awards as a broadcaster for the Seattle Sonics while serving as the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. In addition, McKinney was the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the WNBA Seattle Storm and responsible for drafting Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson while transforming the Storm in three years from an expansion team into WNBA Champions in 2004.
While it is safe to say that basketball has McKinney’s heart, his soul lies in his commitment to giving back. Throughout his life, he has dedicated himself to philanthropy, serving in local schools and civic organizations, including the Urban League and Junior Achievement.
The undeniable passion he displayed in the NBA is how McKinney has approached his role as Mayor of Zion. Since his election, Mayor McKinney has led a number of transformative projects for Zion, including securing $15 million a year in state funds for the spent fuel rods that still adorn the lakefront of Zion. His leadership also extends to his role as past Chairman for the Mayor’s Commission on Water Equity and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
The mayor has also prioritized beautifying the city, improving housing market in Zion, working to secure grants to demolish abandoned homes and business properties throughout the city with a heightened emphasis on residential safety, all in an effort to make the city of Zion a home and community for all.
When he’s not serving his mayoral duties at City Hall, Mayor McKinney can often be found walking his dog at Zion’s local parks or playing golf at one of the city’s premier golf courses. For him, Zion is not just a place to live. It is, and always has been, the place he calls home.