Gov. Pritzker Announces Three Appointments to Boards and Commissions
Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration
June 8, 2026
Illinois Committee for Agricultural Education
Dr. Carolyn Butts-Wilmsmeyer will serve as a Member of the Illinois Committee for Agricultural Education.* Butts-Wilmsmeyer currently serves as Director of the Center for Predictive Analytics and Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Butts-Wilmsmeyer’s academic focus has been on the use of digital agriculture tools to support farmers and scientists as they advance agricultural productivity. Previously, Butts-Wilmsmeyer served as Assistant Professor of Biometry at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Butts-Wilmsmeyer earned her Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, Plant, and Soil Sciences from University of Kentucky and her Doctor of Philosophy in Crop Sciences from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District Board
Dr. Cynthia Haliemun will continue to serve as a Member of the Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District Board.* Haliemun is currently Professor of Economics at Quincy University, having previously served as Dean of the Oakley School of Business. With extensive experience in both higher education and economics, Haliemun teaches courses in economics and business while mentoring future business and community leaders. Haliemun is former Chair of the Quincy Tri-State Counselors to America’s Small Businesses (SCORE) program, and she continues to serve the organization as Mentor to SCORE Chapter 21. Haliemun is part of the American Economic Association, the American Business Women’s Association, and the Association for Integrity and Responsible Leadership in Economics and Associated Professions. Haliemun earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Upper Iowa University, her Master of Business Administration and Master of International Affairs from Ohio University, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Quality Care Board
Gregory Walkington will continue to serve as a Member of the Quality Care Board.* Walkington currently serves as Director of the Family Transition Project for the Arc of Illinois. In this role, Walkington supports six Mentors with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have transitioned from living in State-run institutions to community living. Previously, Walkington served as Operations Manager with Keystone Alliance. As a father of an adult child with IDD, Walkington understands the value of maximizing the quality of life for the people he serves through community involvement and support structures that empower them to lead dignified, fulfilling lives. Walkington earned his high school diploma from Normal Community High School.
* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.
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