Holocaust and Genocide Commission, Illinois

Board and Commission Details

Contact Name

Danny M. Cohen, Ph.D.

Contact Title

Commission Co-Chair

Contact E-Mail

dannymcohen@northwestern.edu

Function

The Commission shall: (1) provide advice and assistance to public and private elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education in this State regarding implementation of Holocaust and genocide courses of study and awareness programs; (2) meet with appropriate representatives of public and private organizations, including service organizations, to provide information on and to assist in planning, coordinating, or modifying Holocaust and genocide courses of study and awareness programs; (3) determine which, if any, existing Holocaust or other genocide memorials, exhibits, or other resources could be included in or used to support Holocaust and genocide courses of study and awareness programs; (4) compile a list of volunteers, such as Holocaust or other genocide survivors, liberators of concentration camps, scholars, and members of the clergy, who have agreed to share, in classrooms, seminars, exhibits, or workshops, their verifiable knowledge and experiences regarding the Holocaust or other genocide; (5) coordinate events in this State memorializing the Holocaust and other genocides on January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, on the Days of Remembrance established by the United States Congress, or on any other day designated by the Commission for that purpose; and (6) solicit volunteers to participate in commemorative events designed to enhance public awareness of the continuing significance of the Holocaust and other genocides.

Term

After initial expiration date, the terms become staggered with five each expiring in 2016, 2017 and 2018. New members serve four year terms.

Senate Confirmation

No

Qualifications

Appointments of public members to the Commission shall be made: (1) without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of an appointee; and (2) so that each geographic area of this State is represented on the Commission.

Compensation

A public member of the Commission is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for the travel expenses incurred by the member while transacting Commission business.

Composition

The Commission is composed of 22 members as follows: (1) 19 public members appointed by the Governor, including one student; and (2) 3 ex officio members as follows: (A) the State Superintendent of Education; (B) the Executive Director of the Board of Higher Education; and (C) the Director of Veterans' Affairs. The President and Minority Leader of the Senate shall each designate a member or former member of the Senate and the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each designate a member or former member of the House to advise the Commission. A person appointed as a public member of the Commission must be a resident of this State. Public members of the Commission must include: (1) persons who have served prominently as leaders of or spokespersons for public or private organizations that serve members of religious, ethnic, national heritage, or social groups that were subjected to the Holocaust or other genocides; (2) persons who have significant professional experience in the field of Holocaust or genocide education; (3) persons who represent liberators of Holocaust or other genocide victims; and (4) persons who have demonstrated a significant, particular interest in Holocaust or genocide education.

Authority

20 ILCS 5010/10


Member Names

Name Member Expiration Member Since Affiliation Appointed By Position Title County
Oberman, Samantha 02/01/2027 12/09/2020 Governor Member, Public Cook
Szany, Kelley 02/01/2027 12/09/2020 Governor Member, Co-Chair Lake
Helfer, Jason 06/21/2022 Statute Ex-Officio, State Superintendent of Education Designee
Ostro, Ginger Statute Ex-Officio; Executive Director of the Board of Higher Education
Roth, Robert 01/28/2021 Statute Ex-Officio, Director of Veterans' Affairs Sangamon
Morgan, Rep. Bob 02/11/2021 Democrat Speaker of the House State Representative
Feigenholtz, Sen. Sara 01/08/2023 12/31/2020 Democrat Senate President State Senator
Rauch, Leah 02/01/2026 03/22/2024 Governor Member, Public Cook
Cervantes, Henry 02/01/2026 03/29/2024 Governor Member, public Cook
VACANT Republican House Minority Leader State Representative
Weinberg, Jill 02/01/2027 12/09/2020 Governor Member, Public Lake
Fowler, Dale 05/13/2021 Republican Senate Minority Leader State Senator
Sefer, Ida 02/01/2027 04/05/2024 Governor Member, Public Cook
Goodman, Jack 02/01/2028 12/09/2020 Governor Member, Student Cook
Kiel, Doug 02/01/2023 12/09/2020 Governor Member, Public Cook
Rembert, Keisha 02/01/2025 12/18/2020 Governor Member, Public Will
Cohen, Daniel M. 02/01/2027 12/09/2020 Governor Member, Co-Chair Cook
Flanagan, Nora 02/01/2025 12/09/2020 Governor Member, Public Cook
Paehler, Katrin 02/01/2028 04/12/2024 Governor Member, Public McLean
Cushman, Sarah 02/01/2027 12/09/2020 Governor Member, Public Cook
Niedzinski, Michael 02/01/2022 02/19/2021 Governor Member, Public Cook
Chhorm, Paul A. 02/01/2026 07/19/2024 Governor Member, Public Cook
Gall, Jessica 02/01/2027 12/18/2020 Governor Member, Public Cook
Tatsuko Loughnane, Maureen 02/01/2028 06/28/2024 Governor Member, Public Cook
VACANT 02/01/2025 Governor Member, Public DeKalb
Ntihirageza, Jeanine 02/01/2025 08/02/2024 Governor Member, Public Cook