Gov. Pritzker Announces Four Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees

Dr. Jacob Friefeld will serve as a Member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees.* Friefeld currently serves as Director of the Center for Lincoln Studies at University of Illinois Springfield. Previously, Friefeld served as Illinois and Midwest Studies Research Historian at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Friefeld is a published author; his research focuses on the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, the history of Black homesteaders, and the Homestead Act of 1862. Friefeld earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Education from University of St. Thomas, his Master of Arts in American History, Women, and Gender Studies from Loyola University, and his Doctor of Philosophy in 19th Century American History, Gender History, and Digital and Public History from University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Illinois Liquor Control Commission

Cynthia Berg will continue to serve as Chair of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.* Berg was most recently Bloon Township District 206’s School Nurse, retiring from the role in 2019 following a 34-year career in nursing. Berg’s dedicated career in nursing included medical missions to the Dominican Republic and Guatemala, where she provided charitable surgical care. A former elected official, Berg served on the Village of Tinley Park Board of Trustees, chairing the Economic Development and Marketing Committee. Berg earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lewis University.

Public Administrators and Public Guardians

Diana Law will serve as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Kendall County.* Law currently serves as Partner at Hesselbaum, LLP. There, she specializes in elder law, estate planning, special needs planning, long-term care, trust and probate administration, and guardianship. Law also currently serves as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Kane County. An active member of her community, Law currently serves as President of the Kane County Bar Association, Member of the Illinois State Bar Association, and Commissioner on the Elder Law Commission. Law earned her Bachelor of Spanish and Sociology from Goshen College and her Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University College of Law.

Andrew Russell will serve as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Marshall County.* Russell currently serves as Partner with Russell, English, Scoma, and Beneke, PC. There, he practices corporate and estate law. Russell also currently serves as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Bureau and Putnam Counties. Russell currently is Board President of Gateway Services, Inc. and Vice President of the Princeton Public Library Board of Trustees. Russell earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from St. Ambrose University and his Juris Doctorate from Illinois Institute of Technology’s Chicago-Kent College of Law.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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