Tara McAnarney-Gibbs is a life-long resident of Springfield. She is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Psychology. She and her husband, Jim Gibbs, have one daughter, Macallan. She is the former Event Coordinator for the City of Springfield and a Board Member of the Capital Area Sports Commission. She was elected to the Springfield Park Board in 2005 and currently serves as the chair for Long Range Planning Committee.