Marion was founded on a plot of grassland known as “Poor Prairie” and was incorporated as a city in 1841. Today, Marion has become a destination city for all of Southern Illinois. As Mayor, Robert L. Butler has been instrumental in bringing new businesses such as the Wal-Mart Super Center, Home Depot, Menards, Aisin, the Illinois Star Center Mall, Black Diamond Harley Davidson, Heartland Regional Medical Center and the Southern Illinois Miners to Marion.

The mayor has had the privilege of serving with 25 different Council members.

1963 – Mayor Bob    – Adolph Fluck, Bill Harris, Lawrence Feurer, Everett “Doc” Jeter

1967- Mayor Bob     – Adolph Fluck, Rex Presson, Robert Connell, Everett “Doc” Jeter

1971- Mayor Bob     – Everett “Doc” Jeter, Rex Presson, James “Dubber” Durham, Paul Joyner

1975 – Mayor Bob   – Everett “Doc” Jeter, Ron Joyner, Homer Askew, Robert “Dog” Connell

1979- Mayor Bob    – Everett “Doc” Jeter, Henry Burress, Ron Joyner, Robert “Dog” Connell

1981 -Mayor Bob     – Everett “Doc” Jeter, George Williams Henry Burress, Robert “Dog” Connell

1983 -Mayor Bob     – Everett “Doc” Jeter, David Hancock, Henry Burress, Robert “Dog” Connell

1987 -Mayor Bob     – Robert “Dog” Connell, John Bradley, Sharon Atchison, David Hancock

1991 -Mayor Bob      – Robert “Dog” Connell, David Hancock, Sharon Atchison, Tom Lenz

1993 -Mayor Bob      – Robert “Dog” Connell, Jimmy Stewart, Sharon Atchison, David Hancock

1995 -Mayor Bob      – Robert “Dog” Connell, Gary Turnbull, Jimmy Stewart, Sharon Atchison

1999 -Mayor Bob      – Robert “Dog” Connell, Gary Turnbull, Jimmy Stewart, Bob Boyt

2003 -Mayor Bob     – Robert “Dog” Connell, Jimmy Stewart, Gary Turnbull, Bob Boyt

2004 -Mayor Bob     – Jay Rix replaced Jimmy Steward -Deceased

2005 -Mayor Bob     – Robert “Dog” Connell, Gary Turnbull, Lannie Gribble, Bob Boyt

2007 -Mayor Bob     – Robert “Dog” Connell, Jay Rix, Lannie Gribble, Bob Boyt

2008- Mayor Bob     – John Goss replaced Robert “Dog” Connell/deceased, Bob Owens replaced Bob Boyt/deceased, Lannie Gribble, Jay Rix
Bob Owens elected 2009
Anthony Rinella elected 2009

Many city leaders have come and gone during this period of growth in Marion, but Mayor Butler has been the one, constant factor.