Gov. Pritzker Announces Three Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Health Facilities and Services Review Board

Gary Kaatz will continue to serve as a Member of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board.* Kaatz most recently served as President and CEO of the Rockford Health System. Previously, Kaatz served as President and CEO of the Forum Health System in Ohio and Associate Vice President of Clinical Affairs at Rush-Presbyterian, St. Luke’s Medical Center. Kaatz is a recipient of the Jonas Salk Award from March of Dimes, the Outstanding Faculty Award from Rush University, and the Alumni Recognition Award from Penn State University. Kaatz currently serves on the Illinois Hospital Association Board and on the GiGi’s Playhouse Executive Board, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Hoffman Estates. Kaatz earned his Bachelor of Science from Penn State University and Master of Business Administration in Health Care and Finance from University of Chicago.

Illinois Forensic Science Commission

Jillian Baker will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Forensic Science Commission.* Baker is currently Drug Chemistry Supervisor and Technical Leader for the DuPage County Forensic Science Center. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Drug Chemistry section, which is responsible for analyzing seized evidence for the presence of controlled substances. Previously, Baker served as Forensic Scientist at the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency. Baker currently serves Associate Member of the Clandestine Laboratory Instigating Chemists Association, Member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, and as Member and past President of the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists. Baker earned her Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science from Eastern Kentucky University.

Jeffrey Buford will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Forensic Science Commission.* Buford serves as Bureau Chief of the Northern Region within the Illinois State Police (ISP) Forensic Sciences Command. In this role, he provides leadership and operational oversight for the Forensic Science Center at Chicago, the Joliet Forensic Science Laboratory, and the Rockford Forensic Science Laboratory. ​ Previously, Buford served as Laboratory Director, Forensic Science Administrator, and Forensic Scientist with ISP, first joining the agency in 1996. Buford is an active member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors and previously served on the Advisory Board for the Forensic Science Program at Loyola University Chicago. Buford earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Chicago State University and his Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry from Governors State University.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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