Gov. Pritzker Announces Five Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Illinois State Museum Board

Daniel Aguilar will serve as a Member of the Illinois State Museum Board.* Aguilar currently serves as Director of the Diversity Center with University of Illinois Springfield. There, he oversees the Center’s strategic direction and advocates for diversity initiatives across campus. Previously, Aguilar served as Program Coordinator of Hispanic and LatinX Outreach for the Diversity Center, leading multicultural initiatives and serving as a liaison for the undocumented student population. Aguilar currently serves as Committee Member on the university’s Campus Behavioral Intervention Team, the Steering Committee for the Institute for Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Social Justice, and the Committee on Belonging, Dignity, and Justice. Aguilar earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and his Master of Arts in Political Science from University of Illinois Springfield.

John Barker will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois State Museum Board.* Barker is currently Co-Owner of Barker Real Estate in Springfield, specializing in residential and commercial projects. In addition to his real estate business, Barker also serves as Secretary and Director of Middletown State Bank. An active member of the community, Barker is part of the Vachel Lindsay Association and has been involved with Downtown Springfield, Inc. and the Sangamon Club. Barker earned his Bachelor of Arts from University of Redlands.

Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission

Tameka Walton will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission.* Walton is Founder and Executive Director of Restored Hope, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on empowering women and girls to overcome cycles of violence and trauma. Previously, Walton served as Executive Director of Strive Tutoring. Walton currently serves on the boards of the Chicago Women’s Health Center, a health clinic serving women, trans people, and young people, and Chicago Survivors, a multicultural crime victim services provider. Walton earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from DePaul University.

Joliet Arsenal Development Authority

Andres Rico will serve as a Member of the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority.* Rico currently serves as Business Manager with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 176, having been a union electrician and member of IBEW Local 176 since 1999. A leader in organized labor, Rico currently serves on the boards for Southland Friends of Labor and the Three Rivers Construction Alliance, and he also serves as Delegate with the Will and Grundy Counties Building Trades Council. Rico earned his high school diploma from Plainfield North High School.

Western Illinois Economic Development Authority

Gina Sheurman will serve as a Member of the Western Illinois Economic Development Authority.* Sheurman currently serves as Executive Director of the Pike County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, located in Pittsfield. Before that, Sheurman served as Human Resources and Compliance System Manager with Farmers State Bank. Sheurman was previously President of the John Wood Community College Southeast Advisory Committee and the John Wood Community College Foundation. Sheurman earned her Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Public Relations from Quincy University and her Master of Business Administration from University of Illinois Springfield.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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