Terry Wells is a lifelong resident of the Village of Phoenix. Terry has been the Mayor of Phoenix since 1993, making him the longest serving African American Mayor in the State of Illinois. Prior to that he served as a Trustee for 10 years and was President of the Library Board. Mayor Wells is also the Chairman of the Board of South Suburban College. Mayor Wells works tirelessly to beautify and strengthen the Village of Phoenix.

He has initiated many programs that have improved the standard of living in our community. Mayor Wells, the Trustees and staff all work together as a team, one family and one vision. Phoenix is a safe, quiet community with solid and experienced leadership.

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.