Illinois Business Journal - Entrepreneur wears multiple hats in support of business, community

GODFREY - Although not a native of Southwestern Illinois, Tom Long has become prominent in Madison County as a lawyer, businessman, banker and politician.

Long, 52, is chairman of the First Community Bank of Godfrey, practices law and is active with a variety of community and business groups, along with the Republican Party.

"I was born in Manteno, Illinois, a small farming community just north of Kankakee, the oldest of six children," he said. "After graduating from Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in accounting, I was drafted into the U.S. Army."

After military service, Long graduated from Southern Methodist University Law School and took a job with Coopers & Lybrand in St. Louis.

In 1978, after a year with Coopers & Lybrand, Long returned to his home state of Illinois to practice law with John Farrell in Alton. Long practiced with the Farrell firm until 1991.

"During that time, I became active with Republican politics," he said. "I served as Republican Party county chairman from 1986 through 1991, and as a delegate to the Republican Party National Convention in 1988."

In 1990 Long became CEO of the Alton Belle Casino, owned by Argosy Gaming, a position he held until 1997.

But at about that same time, the accountant turned CEO's interest began to shift to banking.

In 1994 Long acquired the First National Bank of Grant Park, located in a small town about nine miles east of his home town of Manteno.

"On September 2, 1997, we opened First Community Bank of Godfrey, which is a branch of the Grant Park bank," he said

An active member of the Southwestern Illinois Employers Association, the Growth Association of Southwestern Illinois and Saint Anthony's Health Center, Long's heart belongs to the community. But his interest never strays far from politics and government.

"The area where I grew up was generally Republican," he said. "When I first came to Madison County and found it to be totally dominated by Democrats, it was a different environment for me. Personally, I believe a two-party system is healthy. When one party dominates for a long period of time, you see cronyism and less than effective government."

An avid reader of history, biographies and books on leadership, Long is concerned about several trends he sees. Chief among his worries is lawsuit abuse.

"First, as an attorney, I have no problem with our tort system, but I am concerned that Madison County is becoming best known as a tort haven," he said. "And this reputation can hurt local businesses, discouraging other businesses from moving here."

On the state level, Long said Illinois' budget crisis is foremost in his mind.

"Illinois has a $5 billion budget deficit, but Illinois must resist the temptation to raise taxes," he said. "History proves that tax policy drives business and jobs. Our leaders in Springfield must keep Illinois attractive as a place in which to work and do business."

Internationally, the Godfrey businessman is concerned with the amount of U.S. manufacturing business that is being lost to China.

"We can't just be a country with high-tech and fast food," he said.

Helping business grow and flourish in Madison County throughout Illinois and across the nation remains a vocational and avocational priority of Long's.

Long lives in Godfrey with his wife, Robin, and their daughter, Emma. Long also has two grown daughters, Maggie and Erin. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton.