Gov. Pritzker Announces Four Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee

Anusha Thotakura will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Thotakura currently serves as Executive Director of Citizen Action Illinois, a statewide policy and political coalition committed to creating democratic social change. Previously, she served as Acting Executive Director, Deputy Director, and as Program Director with a healthcare advocacy portfolio at Citizen Action Illinois. Thotakura earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her Master of Public Policy from Harvard University.

Lila Valinoti will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Valinoti currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Health Policy and Education for the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS), a professional organization that represents physicians. In this role, Valinoti analyzes state and federal policies and legislation that may affect ISMS members. Previously, Valinoti served as Senior Policy Analyst with the American Medical Association. There, she led efforts to establish national policy positions on physician payment, health insurance benefit designs, and healthcare costs. Valinoti earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Kenyon College and her Master of Public Policy from University of Michigan.

Public Administrator and Public Guardian

Christopher Scholz will continue to serve as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Schuyler Counties.* Scholz currently serves as Partner with Scholz Palmer and Duesterhaus, LLP, a Quincy-based law firm. There, he represents families, businesses, farmers, and local governments in a wide range of civil practice areas. Previously, he served as Legal Counsel for the City of Quincy. Earlier in his career, Scholz served as Assistant State’s Attorney with the Adam’s County State’s Attorney’s Office and as Assistant Attorney General with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Scholz earned his Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University and his Juris Doctorate from Mercer University School of Law.

State Board of Education

Luvia Moreno will serve as a Member of the State Board of Education.* Moreno currently serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at Harold Washington College (HWC), one of the seven City Colleges of Chicago. Previously, she served as Dean and Associate Dean of Student Services at HWC, where she led the development and institutionalization of undocumented student support initiatives. Prior to joining HWC, Moreno served as Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Undocumented Student Resources at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). She also served as NEIU’s Interim Director for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs and Director of Student Advocacy. Earlier in her career, she served as Assistant Director of Proyecto Pa’Lante, supporting first-generation Latine students, and Retention and Transition Coordinator for a Title V cooperative grant between Morton College and Governors State University. Moreno currently serves on the board of the Illinois Latino Council on Higher Education. Moreno earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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