Gov. Pritzker Announces Four Appointments to Agencies, Boards and Commissions

Illinois Department of Early Childhood

Kathleen Carolyn "KC" Stralka will serve as the Assistant Secretary of Project Management & Operational Excellence of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood.* Stralka currently serves as Chief of Staff for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). At IDEC, Stralka has built a project management office and has managed communication and legislative affairs divisions, in addition to stepping in as interim CIO. Previously, Stralka served as Chief of Staff at the Illinois Department of Insurance, overseeing procurement, facilities, human resources, and fiscal operations. She was responsible for the agency’s core operational functions and advancing two Pritzker Administration initiatives: the Healthcare Protection Act and the transition to the State-based Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Stralka began her career in state government at the Illinois Comptroller’s Office, where she served as Assistant Policy Advisor, primarily focusing on fiscal issues and reviewing office programs, staffing, and technology. Stralka earned her Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Lake Forest College.

Stralka’s appointment is effective January 1, 2026.

Illinois Forensic Science Commission

Carrie Ward will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Forensic Science Commission.* Ward currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA). She joined ICASA as Program Developer in 1996, was promoted to Grants Director in 2004, and became Executive Director/CEO in 2019. As CEO, Ward leads ICASA’s efforts on strategic planning, governance, and oversight, serves as the primary spokesperson, and conducts policy work to further ICASA’s legislative agenda. She represents ICASA on numerous task forces and statewide committees, including appointments to the Forensic Science Commission since 2021 and the Missing and Murdered Women in Chicago Task Force since 2023. Ward also represents ICASA as Board Treasurer for the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, serves at various rape crisis organizations across the nation, and recently joined the Illinois Partners for Human Services Board of Directors. Ward earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Illinois College and her Master of Arts in Human Development Counseling from University of Illinois Springfield.

Illinois Labor Relations Board

Jeff Mears will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Labor Relations Board.* Mears has served on the Illinois Labor Relations Board full-time since 2022. Previously, he has served on the Prisoner Review Board and was a Union Painter and Temporary Stationary Engineer at Shawnee Correctional Center for over 18 years. Mears has also been Member, Foreman, and General Foreman of Painters Local #32. He served for 6 years as Commissioner for the Johnson County Board of Commissioners, including overseeing the county’s union negotiations and contracts as Chair. Mears has an extensive volunteer experience with Shawnee Correctional Center where he served as De-Escalation Response Team Coordinator, Negotiations Management Team Member, Facility Crisis Team Member, and Weapons-Free Task Force Member. Mears earned his high school diploma from Vienna High School.

Public Administrator

Louis Apostol will continue to serve as the Public Administrator of Cook County.* Apostol currently serves as Partner at Kowal, Apostol & Associates, where he continues his distinguished 45-year career in the legal field. Previously, he served as Executive Director and General Counsel of the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, and he was appointed Commissioner and Trial Judge on the Illinois Court of Claims. Serving continuously as Public Administrator of Cook County since 2018, Apostol initially held the role of Public Administrator of Cook County from 1991 to 2003. He serves on many boards and commissions, including as Vice President and former President of the Hellenic Foundation in Chicago, Chair and Legislative Liaison for the NIU College of Law Board of Visitors, Distinguished Advisor and Board Member to the National Hellenic Museum in Chicago, and other community service roles. Apostol earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Elmhurst College, his Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University, and his Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University College of Law.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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