Gov. Pritzker Announces Five Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board

Michael Sutton will continue to serve as a Member of the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board.* For over twenty years, Sutton has served as the President and CEO of Infrastructure Engineering Inc, growing the business from two employees in its inception to nearly one hundred employees today. With over forty years of professional experience in study, design, and construction, Sutton contributes to the larger engineering community as a founding member of the Council for Black Architects and Engineering Companies. He is a member of the Business Leadership Council and Illinois chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Sutton’s work has been heavily recognized in the professional community, as the 2014 Minority Professional Engineer of the Year, awarded by the Suburban Minority Contractors Association, and the Construction Council and Community Service Award from the Evanston/NorthShore Branch of the NAACP. Sutton earned his Bachelor of Science from the College of Engineering at Northwestern University.

Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes

Jenan Mohajir will serve as a Member of the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes.* Mohajir is an educator, a storyteller, a mother, and a believer in building relationships across the lines that separate us. Mohajir currently serves as Vice President of External Affairs at Interfaith America (IA), where she has developed & implemented long term strategic plans, created innovative programs, and forged collaborative partnerships with philanthropic leaders and foundations. In her 18 years of leadership at IA, Mohajir has trained hundreds of young leaders from diverse backgrounds to foster a vision and practice of civically engaged leadership. She is deeply inspired by the stories from her family and her faith to create change at the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, and religion. As a natural storyteller, she performs with 2nd Story, Chicago’s premier storytelling company. Mohajir received a Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University.

Guardianship and Advocacy Commission

Paula Basta will serve as a Member of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.* Basta is a lifelong public servant. She most recently retired as the Director of the Illinois Department on Aging. As Director, Basta oversaw a 1.6 billion dollar budget and served thousands of older Illinoisians. Prior to being with the Illinois Department on Aging, she was the Director of Senior Services with the Chicago Housing Authority. She oversaw programs and services for older Illinoisans in all 52 senior citizen public housing buildings in Chicago. Basta received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Dayton and a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary.

Illinois Racing Board

Patricia Saccone will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Racing Board.* Saccone is the Program Director and Professor of Health Information Technology at Waubonsee Community College in Aurora, Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in both academia and industry, her expertise includes data management, revenue cycle management, and health law and compliance. Saccone earned certifications as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), a Clinical Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP), a Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Based (CCS-P), a Certified Professional Biller (CPB) and an AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. Saccone is dedicated to training the next generation of Health Information Management professionals. Saccone received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Saint Mary's College, Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Information Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Master’s in Teaching from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois.

Quad Cities Regional Economic Development Authority

David Aguirre will serve as a Member of the Quad Cities Regional Economic Development Authority.* Aguirre is a seasoned electrician, with over 32 years of experience in the electrical trade, currently serving with Tri-City Electric Co. He began his career as an apprentice, and advanced to journey wireman, foreman and later Prefabrication Manager and Director of Preconstruction and Virtual Design and Construction. Throughout his career, Aguirre has been recognized for his innovation, often managing teams where he has overseen complex projects including new construction, design-build, building renovation, lighting, and power distribution. Aguirre is passionate about sharing his decades of experience with those new to the field as he serves as an apprenticeship instructor. Furthermore, Aguirre has been an officer of the IBEW and is a trustee for the Quad Cities Electrical Training Center.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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