To stay updated on Governor Pritzker’s most recent press conferences, please visit the Governor’s Twitter page @GovPritzker or the Governor’s Facebook page @GovPritzker for the latest livestreams. Downloadable video footage of press conferences can also be accessed at the following link: https://cms.illinois.gov/agency/media/video/videos.html 

The State of Illinois Newsroom

To stay updated on Governor Pritzker’s most recent press conferences, please visit the Governor’s Twitter page @GovPritzker or the Governor’s...

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Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration

Gov. Pritzker Announces Seven Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Shih-Yew Chen will serve as a Member of the Central Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission.* Dr. Chen is a Certified Health Physicist and Fellow of the Health Physics Society with over 40 years of experience in radiation health and safety. Before retiring in 2022, he directed the Health Physics Master's Program at the Illinois Institute of Technology for a decade and spent over 25 years at Argonne National Laboratory managing nuclear research projects, including the environmental cleanup of former nuclear sites and the management of radioactive wastes. He collaborated with federal agencies like the Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and served on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board and Radiation Advisory Committee. A renowned expert in radiation, Dr. Chen is a Distinguished Emeritus Member of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, where he served as Scientific Vice President and chaired several committees. Dr. Chen earned his Bachelor of Science from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, and a Master's and Doctorate in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Nine Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Martin Sandoval will continue to serve as a Member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees.* Sandoval has over 25 years of experience in business, strategic planning, and financial management. He currently serves as the founding partner at Compass Associates and has previously held leadership roles at Sara Lee Corporation, McDonald’s Corporation, and Arthur Andersen. Sandoval is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. He has also served as Vice President of the National Museum of Mexican Art, Treasurer of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, and Vice Chair of the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement. Sandoval earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Master of Science in Business Administration from DePaul University.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Two Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Anusha Thotakura will serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Thotakura currently serves as the Director of Illinois Citizen Action, where she successfully led efforts to ban price gouging for generic and off-patent prescription medication. Previously, she served as Special Projects Manager for the Progressive Turnout Project and was a Graduate Civics Fellow with the Blue Haven Initiative. Thotakura earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University.

Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointment in his administration

Gov. Pritzker Announces One Appointment to Boards and Commissions

Heather Steans will serve as a Member of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.* Steans currently serves as Chair of the Steans Family Foundation, which focuses on enhancing education, workforce development, and economic opportunity in Chicago’s North Lawndale community. Previously, she represented the state's 7th District in the Illinois Senate from 2008 to 2021, where she led budget negotiations, passed the Equal Rights Amendment in 2018 to protect women’s reproductive rights, and advanced environmental protections. She previously served as the budget director of the Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor, and Human Relations and as a strategic planner for Chicago Public Schools, where she developed a multi-year plan that produced education reforms. Steans earned a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Five Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Joan Brodsky will continue to serve as a Member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees.* Brodsky is a current member of the National Museum and Library Services Board. She also serves as a Trustee of the Newberry Library in Chicago, on the Advisory Board of the Syracuse University Library, and the Board of Overseers for the Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. A lifelong librarian and conservator, she established an endowed lecture series and workshop on book and paper conservation and sponsors the Brodsky Lecture Series for Northwestern University’s JD-MBA Program. Brodsky earned a Bachelor of Arts in Latin and Education and a Master of Science in Library from Syracuse University.

Chicago—Today Governor JB Pritzker announced Dr. Teresa Ramos will head the newly formed Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), pending Senate confirmation. Ramos currently serves as First Assistant Deputy Governor for Education in the Governor’s Office and was instrumental in the strategic planning involved in designing, proposing, and launching the newest state agency. Ramos will begin serving as acting Secretary pending Senate approval in January.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Dr. Teresa Ramos as Inaugural Secretary of Illinois Department of Early Childhood

Chicago—Today Governor JB Pritzker announced Dr. Teresa Ramos will head the newly formed Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), pending...

Gov. Pritzker Announces Four Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Joseph Stukenberg will serve as a Member of the Kaskaskia Regional Port District Board.* Stukenberg is an experienced leader in the power generation and renewable energy industry, with a strong background in optimizing plant performance and driving safety initiatives. He currently serves as the O&M Manager for Vistra’s MISO/PJM Renewables division, overseeing solar and battery operations while developing strategic agreements. Previously, he spent 20 years at Baldwin Power Plant, holding various roles before becoming Director of Plant Operations. Stukenberg earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Business Administration from Southern Illinois University, and is a Certified Safety Professional.

Chynna Hampton will serve as a Member of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board.* Hampton currently serves as the Equity Director for Climate Jobs Illinois, where she leads the strategic planning, development, and implementation of the Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship program. Hampton brings an astute and hands-on understanding of workforce development initiatives, having previously served as the Director of Workforce Development for HIRE360 and as Senior Project Manager of Workforce Initiatives for the Chicago Transit Authority. She’s also held positions with YouthBuild and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Hampton also serves on the Board of Directors for both ChiGivesBack and the Illinois Economic Policy Institute. Hampton earned an Associate of Arts from Richard J. Daley College, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois Chicago, and a Master of Public Administration from Walden University.

Howard Rosenblum will serve as a Member of the Human Rights Commission.* Rosenblum currently serves as the Chair and CEO of Deaf Equality, a civil rights organization he founded to advance equality for the Deaf and hard of hearing community on a local, state, national, and international level. An experienced disability rights attorney, Rosenblum spent eight years as a Senior Attorney at Equip for Equality. Previously, he was the CEO and Director of Legal Services at the National Association of the Deaf and served as a Legal Advisor for the World Federation of the Deaf. Rosenblum earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona and a Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Lisa Dziekan will serve as a Member of the Illinois Community College Board.* Dziekan is an experienced executive who has worked across the real estate and economic development sectors through public-private partnerships. She currently serves as the Principal of Economic Development at the Lamar Johnson Collaborative, where she leads strategic partnerships that drive growth and impact across the Chicagoland region. Formerly the Senior Vice President of Business Development at World Business Chicago, Dziekan played a key role in creating job opportunities and attracting new investments, helping to position Chicago as a leading destination for corporate relocation and expansion. Dziekan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Economics from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a Master of Arts in Urban Planning and Public Affairs from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Ameya Pawar will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Finance Authority.* Pawar currently serves as the President and CEO of the Michael Reese Health Trust. Previously, he co-founded and served as CEO of OKAY Cannabis, a social equity cannabis operator in Illinois. He has also worked as a senior advisor with the Economic Security Project, helping drive policies for equitable economic development. Elected in 2011 as Alderman for Chicago’s 47th ward, Pawar served two terms and chaired the Chicago Resilient Families Task Force. Pawar earned a Bachelor of Arts from Missouri Valley College, a Master of Public Administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and a Master in Threat and Response Management and a Master in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.

Araceli Garza will serve as a Member of the Capital Development Board.* Garza is an accomplished licensed architect and real estate developer with a robust background in both the public and private sectors. As the founder and principal of Obra Real Estate, she is dedicated to creating culturally relevant, community-focused projects. Her work emphasizes affordable, sustainable housing solutions that honor the unique needs and identities of the communities she serves. Before founding her firm, Garza was the Managing Director of Studio ARQ. She is affiliated with several professional organizations, including being a HACIA Executive Fellow, a 2022 Inner City Capital Connections graduate, and a participant in the Women’s Business Development Center. Garza earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design and Real Estate Development from Columbia University.

Personnel Releases

Gov. Pritzker Announces Seven Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Pritzker Announces Nine Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Pritzker Announces Two Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Pritzker Announces One Appointment to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Pritzker Announces Five Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Pritzker Announces Dr. Teresa Ramos as Inaugural Secretary of Illinois Department of Early Childhood

Gov. Pritzker Announces Four Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Pritzker Announces One Appointment to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Pritzker Announces One Appointment to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Pritzker Announces Four Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Pritzker Announces One Appointment to Boards and Commissions

Gov. Pritzker Announces Two Appointments to Boards and Commissions

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