Gov. Pritzker Announces Eleven Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Illinois Employment Security Advisory Board

James Argionis will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Employment Security Advisory Board.* Argionis is a partner at Cozen O’Connor, a national law firm, where he handles complex multi-party business and commercial litigation, including trials, arbitrations, appeals, and investigations. He has represented clients in federal and state courts nationwide across a broad range of business disputes. Since 2003, he has served on the Illinois Employment Security Advisory Board, including as its chair. He is also a member Loyola University Chicago’s College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council. He also authors a regular column for Law360 and LexisNexis, where he shares insights on current commercial litigation and law firm issues. Argionis earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago.

Noah Finley will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Employment Security Advisory Board.* Finley is the Illinois State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business, representing the interests of small businesses in Springfield. He has worked as a legislative staffer in both Springfield and Washington, DC, most recently serving as a deputy chief of staff in the Illinois State Senate. Prior to his time as a legislative staffer, Finley served in the U.S. Army, deploying to Afghanistan in 2011-2012. After leaving the service, he spent time in the Middle East studying Arabic and teaching English in Jordan and Oman. While there, he also volunteered with Syrian refugees. Finley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications from Geneva College and a Master of Arts in Middle East Studies and International Economics from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Governors State University Board of Trustees

Stacy Crook will continue to serve as a Member of the Governors State University Board of Trustees.* Crook has more than twenty years of financial and investment experience. She currently serves as the Principal and Director of Investment Accounting at Asset Allocation and Management (AAM), overseeing accounting and statutory reporting services. Prior to her time at AAM, she worked at Jackson National Life Insurance Company in several roles and at Northern Trust Company as a senior accountant. Crook was honored as one of Diversity MBA’s 2018 Top 100 Under 50 Executive Leaders. Crook earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, a Master of Business Administration from Roosevelt University, and a Master of Science from Governors State University.

Illinois Human Rights Commission

Stephen Kouri II will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Human Rights Commission.* Kouri has been a Commissioner on the Illinois Human Rights Commission since 2021, bringing a wealth of legal experience and a passion for public service. He began his career as an assistant state’s attorney in Peoria County after becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois. He also worked at the Peoria law firm Haebecker, Morris & Dluski, handling a variety of legal cases across multiple practice areas. Kouri has held leadership roles in the Peoria community, serving as the Chair of the City of Peoria’s Liquor Commission and on the Zoning Board of Appeals. In 2023, he was honored with Peoria Magazine’s 40 Leaders Under 40 Award. Kouri, born with cerebral palsy, became the first person with this level of physical disability to graduate high school from Peoria Public Schools District 150. Kouri earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law.

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

David Olson will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.* Olson has dedicated his career to criminal justice education and reform. He is a professor in the Criminal Justice and Criminology Department at Loyola University Chicago, where he also serves as co-director of the Center for Criminal Justice. In 2023, Olson received the Master Researcher Award from the Sujack Research Award Committee at Loyola University Chicago. Olson earned a Bachelor of Science from Loyola University and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Kendal Parker will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.* Parker has more than twenty years of experience developing and cultivating relationships, resulting in initiatives that advance equitable outcomes in academic and community settings. He currently is the Senior Director of Inclusive Engagement for UIC Advancement at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to maximize philanthropic support for the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Previously, he served as the Director of the UIC Chance Program. Parker serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation and is a member of the 100 Black men of Chicago, Inc, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders. Parker earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Illinois State University and a Master of Arts in Instructional Leadership from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Illinois Housing Development Authority

Luz Ramirez will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Housing Development Authority.* Ramirez is a seasoned executive leader with over two decades of experience in managing government-funded programs, collaborating with public and private stakeholders, and implementing policies that support affordable housing initiatives. She currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the YWCA of Northwestern Illinois, where she has played a pivotal role in expanding programs, securing funding, and strengthening community partnerships. Her leadership has driven impactful initiatives that promote economic empowerment, housing stability, and equity. In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Ramirez is an entrepreneur, investor, and consultant specializing in business structure, operational efficiency, and real estate development. As President of LR Global Consulting, she provides strategic guidance to business owners and investors, helping them build sustainable and scalable enterprises. Through her real estate ventures, Ramirez has been instrumental in providing housing solutions for underserved communities, furthering her commitment to housing accessibility and economic mobility. Ramirez earned a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College and a Master of Arts from the University of Phoenix.

Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees

John Butler will continue to serve as a Member of the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees.* Butler has served on the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees since 2007. A two-time graduate of NIU (B.A., 1992; M.A., 1994), he was also a faculty member from 1998 to 2005, directing the speech and debate program and teaching courses on issues management, political rhetoric, and public argumentation. Currently, he is the Director of Communication and Strategy and Assistant Fund Administrator for the Painters District Council No. 30 (PDC 30), overseeing the PDC 30 Health and Welfare and Pension Funds, as well as the Labor Management Industry Development Fund. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Center on Urban Life and Culture. Butler earned a Doctorate in from the University of Pittsburgh.

University of Illinois Board of Trustees

Suzet McKinney will serve as a Member of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.* Dr. McKinney is a nationally recognized public health expert and medical executive. As the Principal and Director of Life Sciences at Sterling Bay, she leads relationships across the scientific, academic corporate, tech, and government sectors. Previously, Dr. McKinney served as the CEO and Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District, overseeing a medical research hub, biotech incubator, hospitals, and over 40 healthcare facilities. Dr. McKinney’s career also includes public service, leading operations for the state’s alternate care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and serving as Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response at the Chicago Department of Public Health. In addition to her work in public health, Dr. McKinney serves on several boards, including as Chair of the Chicago Urban League Board of Directors, member of Thresholds’ Board of Directors, and as a Board Member of Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Dr. McKinney earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University, a Master of Public Health from Benedictine University, and a Doctorate in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Western Illinois University Board of Trustees

Erika Lowe Mullins will continue to serve as a Member of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees.* Lowe Mullins is a fundraising professional with extensive leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Philanthropy for The Art Institute of Chicago. In this role, she leads the Major Gifts team, securing significant private philanthropic support for the museum’s special exhibitions, art acquisitions, and capital campaign projects, including buildings and endowment. Her volunteer leadership roles include serving with The Junior League of Chicago, and on the WIO Alumni Council for two consecutive terms. Lowe Mullins earned a Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University and a Master of Education from the University of South Carolina.

Quality Care Board

Shirley Perez will continue to serve as a Member of the Quality Care Board.* Perez has over 35 years of experience advocating for and collaborating with individuals and families living with disabilities. She is the Program Director for The Arc of Illinois’ Family Advocate Program and Family Support Network. Previously, Perez worked at an Independent Service Coordination agency, where she helped families navigate the Illinois state system to access services. She also collaborated with the City of Chicago, the Federal Home Loan Bank, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority to implement a home-buying program for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. She also served as a Special Project Advocate with the Illinois Life Span Project, assisting families and guardians through the transition process from State-Operated Developmental Centers. Perez is a business graduate of Metropolitan Business College and Kaplan University.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

###