Champaign Information Technologies (IT) Director Mark Toalson has announced his plans to retire after more than 18 years of service to the City of Champaign. Toalson’s last day of employment with the City will be August 14, 2026. Upon announcing his upcoming retirement, Toalson said, “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the City. It has been both an honor and a privilege. As a resident, I’m proud to know our City is in great hands. I also want to recognize the incredible IT team we’ve built. Watching interns progress into full-time professionals has been especially rewarding, and it speaks to the strength of this group. Without a doubt, the people I’ve had the chance to work alongside have been the highlight of my time here.”
Toalson was appointed City IT Director in July 2012. Before that, he served as the City’s Assistant Director of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) beginning in December 2007. He previously worked for Champaign County as Manager of the Champaign County GIS Consortium.
“Mark has been a steady, humble presence in public service for more than 18 years,” shared City Manager Joan Walls. “Mark has not only guided the City’s technology forward but has done so with care for people – ensuring our community, staff, and systems remained connected, supported, secured, and prepared for the future. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact he’s made.”
During his years as the IT Director, Toalson collaborated with departments and staff to implement several City projects and initiatives. Some of his accomplishments include:
• Leading the successful implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for Finance and Human Resources ($1.6M investment), modernizing core business operations and improving efficiency and integration across departments.
• Successfully transitioning the City to remote work during COVID-19 and led the reintegration of staff, while implementing proactive policies and piloting new technology.
• Leading the City’s efforts to focus and prioritize cybersecurity to position the City to continue its growth in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
• Identifying grant opportunities to support digital literacy initiatives and expand Wi-Fi network access in underserved communities.
• Overseeing the implementation of the OpenGov platform, enhancing transparency, financial reporting, and data accessibility for improved decision-making and public accountability.
• Directing the significant expansion and modernization of the City’s network infrastructure, scaling connectivity across facilities and services to support growing operational and technology demands.
The recruitment to hire a new IT Director will begin this summer.