Gov. Pritzker Announces Six Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees

Margaret van Dijk will serve as a Member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees.* Van Dijk is a seasoned legal and policy professional who recently retired after more than 25 years of dedicated service in Illinois government. Van Dijk has developed a thorough background in state operations, working at numerous agencies throughout her career in state government. Her primary areas of focus included state contracting and personnel matters, where her knowledge and leadership had a significant impact. Van Dijk earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from University of Oregon and her Juris Doctorate from Washington University.

Children and Family Services Advisory Council

Dar’tavous Dorsey will continue to serve as a Member of the Children and Family Services Advisory Council.* Dorsey is a Chicago-based community and education leader, serving as Director of Partnership & Community Engagement for University of Chicago Crime & Education Labs. In this role, Dorsey builds cross-sector collaborations with schools, nonprofits, and public agencies to expand opportunities for youth. Dorsey is Founder and Executive Director of the E.Y.E. LEAD Foundation, a 501(c)(3) focused on mentorship, leadership development, and experiential learning. Dorsey also assists in convening the Strides for Peace Gun Violence Prevention Expo, engaging students, community partners, and civic leaders. Dorsey earned his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and his Master of Science in Therapeutic Recreation Certification from Chicago State University.

Illinois Community College Board

Jeanne McDonald will serve as a Member of the Illinois Community College Board.* McDonald is Professor Emerita of English at Waubonsee Community College, after nearly 40 years of teaching. McDonald has taught all levels of composition, from American and women’s literature to creative writing to philosophy. McDonald is also a Phi Theta Kappa certified teacher of Leadership Studies. She has been honored as 2019 Outstanding Faculty of the Year at Waubonsee Community College, a nominee for the 2020 Illinois Community College Trustees Association Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award, recipient of the 2020 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers 2004-2005, and Honorary Member of Phi Theta Kappa the Chi Upsilon Chapter at McHenry County College in recognition of service as advisor. She also served as President of the Waubonsee Community College Faculty Council. McDonald earned her Bachelor of Arts in Youth Education and her Master of Arts in Philosophy and Theology from Lincoln Christian Seminary, her Master of Arts in English from Western Illinois University, and her doctorate in English Studies from Illinois State University.

Illinois Workforce Innovation Board

Sandeep Nain will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board.* Nain is President and Founder of SNtial Technologies, a Chicagoland-based IT consulting company that has focused on systems integration and custom application development for over 25 years. SNtial was listed in the Inc. 5000 list of top private companies in the U.S. for two years in a row. Nain is a Leadership Greater Chicago's 2024 Daniel Burnham Fellow, he was selected for the 2023 Business Leaders of Color list by Chicago United, and he has been inducted into UIC Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. Nain serves on numerous boards and commissions in the public and private sectors. Nain earned his Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi.

State Board of Health

Karen Phelan will continue to serve as a Member of the State Board of Health.* Phelan, having first been appointed to the State Board of Health (SBOH) by Governor Edgar, participated in all public hearings throughout the state during the Varicella vaccine review. At that time, Phelan worked in public relations and advertising at a computer company introducing software to hospitals, with a strong attraction to fundraising for Chicago's charitable events. Phelan has chaired the Board, Rules Committee, and Policy Committee of the SBOH, and she is a member of the State Health Assessment (SHA) and State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). She has served on many state task forces and committees, including the Board's Tobacco Committee, Violence Prevention Task Force, Local Health Departments Liaison, and Reducing Silos. Phelan is currently President of Duncannon Associates, business consultants in advertising and marketing. Phelan serves on many civic boards and committees and is President of the Little Italy Chicago Neighborhood Association. Phelan graduated from Immaculata High School.

Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board

Robert Gordon will serve as a Member of the Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board.* Gordon is Medical Director of Midwest Occupational Health Associates (MOHA), which is a division within the Springfield Clinic, LLP. He has been a physician within the Springfield Clinic, LLP since 2004. Gordon is board-certified in Occupational Medicine. Gordon’s fields of expertise include evaluation and non-operative management of musculoskeletal disorders, biomechanics, ergonomics, causation analysis, toxicology, risk assessment, environmental exposures, regulatory medical surveillance, and forensic drug testing. Gordon earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and his Master of Science in Biology from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, his Medical Doctorate from Southern Illinois University, and his Master of Science in Public Health from University of South Florida.

Gordon’s appointment is effective December 5, 2025.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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