Darren Tillis is the owner of Darren Tillis Insurance Agency, an independent contract agency with State Farm Insurance Companies providing insurance and financial services throughout the State of Illinois, located in Chicago’s historic North Lawndale community. With over 30 years of experience in the insurance & financial services industry, Darren has served in various leadership roles within the company and community. In 2023, Darren was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker to the Illinois State University Board of Trustees. Darren has served as the Chair of Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) North Lawndale Advisory Board, Co-Chair of Lawndale Community Action Council (CAC), Co-Chair of Hughes Elementary Local School Council and a member of Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) North Lawndale Advisory Board. Darren is currently a member of Strategic Human Services Board of Directors and a member of UCAN Governing Board. Darren is a recipient of the Chicago Westside Branch NAACP Nola Bright Community Service Award and the New Covenant Community Development Corporation Game Changer Award. Darren earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Illinois State University in 1994.