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Mays joins Times news team
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Gary Mays has joined The Monroe Times as the paper's new News Editor.

He is responsible for production, news content, story editing and other functions. Mays' first day was Monday, Sept. 27.

Mays, 42, is a native of Rockford, and over his newspaper career has worked at papers throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, including the Chicago Tribune, Wisconsin State Journal, Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph, Peoria Journal Star, The Freeport Journal-Standard, and other publications.

His most recent journalism job was as a senior reporter and assistant metro editor for the Kankakee (Ill.) Daily Journal, ending in 2007.

Mays, a 1990 graduate in political science from Illinois State University, also worked in high-tech public relations for the former MCI, Plano, Tex.-based Electronic Data Systems and Madison-based Berbee Information Networks Corp.

He recently completed work on a textbook chapter on Illinois corruption for a revised edition of "Governing Illinois," the main textbook for high school seniors and college freshman on state governance.

Mays has won numerous awards for his work, including those from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Associated Press and Illinois Newspaper Association.

"We are pleased to have Gary join our team in service of our loyal readers," said editor Mary Jane Grenzow. "He is committed to the community and to helping readers better understand local issues through our news pages."

Mays is a father of three and currently resides in Lena.