James H. Hayes was born in Mt. Vernon, New York on October
31, 1932 and he graduated from A.B. Davis High School
in 1950. He worked as a Longshoreman from 1950- 1952.
Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force on June 18,
1952, and his overseas travels included Japan, Philippines,
North Africa, Morocco and Vietnam. He came to Chanute
Air Force Base in September 1963 and was listed in the
Outstanding Young Men of America in 1966. He received
the Airman of the Month award in 1964, and the Instructor
of the Year award in 1968.
Mr. Hayes received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary
Education from the University of Illinois in 1968. Jim
received a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education
from the University of Illinois in 1970. He retired from
the United States Air Force in April 1973.
Jim was hired by Champaign County Unit School District
# 4 in 1973. He taught at Washington Elementary School
from 1973 to 1977 and at Edison Middle School from 1977
to 1993. He received the Bahai Faith Race Relations award
in 1990-1991. He was a member of the Champaign County
Mental Health Board from 1974 to 1977 and a member of
the Champaign County Sheriff's Merit Commission from 1990
to 2002.
In 2000, Mr. Hayes received the Dr. Martin Luther King
Outstanding Achievement Award from the City of Urbana.
Jim is currently in his third term as an Urbana City Council
Alderman. He is a member of the following organizations:
the Chorale, the Martin Luther King Choir, the Douglas
Community Center/Senior Citizens and Bethel A.M.E. Church
in Champaign, Illinois. Jim is the father of three sons,
Larry, David and Derrick.
