Gov. Pritzker Announces Four Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Children and Family Services Advisory Council

Sarah Biernat will serve as a Member of the Children and Family Services Advisory Council.* Biernat currently serves as an Early Intervention Case Manager with Clearbrook, where she supports more than 50 families participating in the Illinois Early Intervention program. In this role, Biernat works with families and multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized service plans, monitor children’s development, coordinate services, and collaborate with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, childcare providers, and community partners. Previously, Biernat served as Master Teacher with Brightpoint in an Early Head Start program, providing trauma-informed care to infants and toddlers, including children from diverse family systems and foster care placements. Biernat earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences from Northern Illinois University.

Guardianship and Advocacy Commission

Julie Rodriguez will serve as a Member of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.* Rodriguez currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Association House of Chicago, where she provides executive leadership for community health, behavioral health, workforce development, education, and prevention services. Previously, Rodriguez co-founded Pathways Family Therapy, where she provided individual, family, and couples therapy. Rodriguez currently serves as on the Adult Use Cannabis Health Advisory Committee. Rodriguez earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and her Master of Science in Applied Family and Child Studies from Northern Illinois University.

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

Erik Mahan will serve as a Member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.* Mahan currently serves as Chief of Police for the City of Sycamore. Previously, Mahan served as Deputy Chief of Police with the St. Charles Police Department, having been promoted many times throughout his 29-year career in St. Charles. Earlier in his career, Mahan served in the Illinois Army National Guard. Mahan earned his Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University.

Illinois Finance Authority

William Hobert will continue to serve as Chair of the Illinois Finance Authority.* Hobert currently serves as the Managing Member of William Hobert “WH” Trading, a global proprietary derivatives trading firm he founded in 1994. WH Trading provides liquidity to a wide range of global futures and options markets including interest rate, foreign exchange, agricultural commodity, and energy products. Hobert also serves on the Board of Directors of the CME Group, formerly Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc., where he chairs the Clearing House Risk Committee and the Internal Risk Committee. Previously, Hobert served as Options Trader with Cooper Neff and Associates. Hobert currently chairs the board of My Block, My Hood, My City, a nonprofit with a mission to inspire youth and empower communities in Chicago. Hobert earned his Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate. ​ ​

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