Terry R. Wells is a lifelong resident of the Village of Phoenix and is currently running for reelection.  He was elected in 1993 and is currently the 3rd longest serving Mayor in the State of Illinois.  Prior to being elected Mayor he served ten years as a trustee and two years as President of the Phoenix Library Board of which he was a founding member.  Terry is also active outside of the community as well.  He served as Past President of South Suburban Mayors, representing 43 communities.  He currently serves as Trustee at South Suburban College and also President of Thornton Township Regular Democratic Organization. .

Mayor Wells is a retired teacher having taught 10 years at Coolidge and 25 years at Thornton High School.  In 2008 he was honored as Engineering and Technology Teacher of the year at Thornton.  In 2015 he was named District 205 Star Teacher Award.  In 2018 he received the National Jefferson Award for Teaching Excellence.  In 2018 Mayor Wells was inducted into the Thornton Township Highs School Hall of Fame.  In 2019 he was named Omega Phi Psi Citizen of the Year.

Mayor Wells has a Master Degree in Education from Illinois State University.  He and his wife Loretta have been married for 35 years and have two children.