Illinois America 250 Commission
Board and Commission Details
Contact Name
Jennifer Edginton
Contact Title
Interim Museum Director, Illinois State Museum
Contact E-Mail
Jennifer.Edginton@Illinois.gov
Function
The principal purpose of the Commission shall be to plan, promote, and implement appropriate commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America ("Semiquincentennial").
Senate Confirmation
No
Compensation
Members shall serve without compensation and shall not be reimbursed for expenses incurred in performing their duties.
Composition
(1) One member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. (2) One member appointed by the President of the Senate and one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (3) One member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader and one member appointed by the House Minority Leader. (4) The Director of the Illinois State Museum. (5) The Harold Washington Library Archivist. (6) A Black historian reflecting the experiences and contributions of American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS), appointed by the Governor. (7) A historian reflecting the experiences and contributions of Asian and Latina/o/x communities, appointed by the Governor. (8) The following members appointed by the Governor: (A) Three representatives of tribal Nations and communities including the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, Shawnee, Osage, Peoria, Miami, Sac and Fox, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, and additional tribal members living in Illinois today. (B) A representative of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. (C) A representative from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. (D) A representative of Illinois humanities. (E) A representative of the Illinois Municipal League. (F) Three members of the public with related or relevant backgrounds, expertise, or interests. Knowledge in the following shall be prioritized in making an appointment under this item: the culture, traditions, and history of American Indians/Native Americans; Black Americans; Latinos/Latinas/Hispanic Americans; Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; the LGBTQAI+ community; immigrants and refugees; veterans' organizations; women's history; the history of Illinois' agriculture, architecture, armed forces, arts, civics, cultural geography, ecology, education, faith-based communities, folklore, government, industry, labor, law, medicine, and transportation; anthropology; archeology; cultural exhibits and museums; heritage tourism; historic preservation; and social justice. The Governor's office, with the assistance of the Chair of the Commission and the Illinois State Museum, shall be responsible for ensuring that 60% of the appointed members of the Commission consist of people who represent historically excluded and marginalized communities. The appointing authorities shall coordinate their appointments to represent and celebrate the diverse makeup and complex cultural geography of this State.
Chair
The Governor shall appoint a member of the Commission to serve as Chair of the Commission.
Authority
20 ILCS 4114/
Member Names
| Name | Member Expiration | Member Since | Affiliation | Appointed By | Position | Title | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams Rucker, Nikki | 06/08/2023 | Lieutenant Governor | Member | Member appointed by Lieutenant Governor | |||
| Turner, Sen. Doris | 01/08/2025 | 08/31/2023 | Senate President | Member | Member appointed by Senate President | ||
| Gonzalez, Jr., Rep. Edgar | 06/23/2022 | Speaker of the House of Representatives | Member | Member appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives | |||
| Van Meter, Andy | 09/07/2022 | Senate Minority Leader | Member | Member appointed by Senate Minority Leader | |||
| Donahoe, Michelle | 07/08/2022 | House Minority Leader | Member | Member appointed by the House Minority Leader | |||
| Edginton, Jennifer | Statute | Member | Director of the Illinois State Museum | ||||
| Williams, Stacie | Statute | Member | Harold Washington Library Archivist | ||||
| Vacant | Governor | Member | Black historian reflecting the experiences and contributions of American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) | ||||
| Phalen,Sara | 11/18/2022 | Governor | Member | Historian reflecting the experiences and contributions of Asian and Latina/o/x communitie | |||
| Rand, Jacki Thompson | 12/12/2022 | Governor | Member | Representatives of tribal Nations and communities including the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, Shawnee, Osage, Peoria, Miami, Sac and Fox, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, and additional tribal members living in Illinois today | |||
| Wiese, Dorene | 02/02/2024 | Governor | Member | Representatives of tribal Nations and communities including the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, Shawnee, Osage, Peoria, Miami, Sac and Fox, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, and additional tribal members living in Illinois today | Cook | ||
| Vacant | Governor | Member | Representatives of tribal Nations and communities including the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, Shawnee, Osage, Peoria, Miami, Sac and Fox, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, and additional tribal members living in Illinois today | ||||
| Shutt, Christina | 11/18/2022 | Governor | Member | Representative of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum | |||
| Marcus, Elisa | 10/05/2022 | Governor | Member | Representative from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | Cook | ||
| Lyon, Gabrielle | 12/12/2022 | Governor | Member, Chair | Representative of Illinois Humanities | |||
| Cole, Brad | 11/10/2022 | Governor | Member | Representative of the Illinois Municipal League | |||
| Smock, Amber | 11/18/2022 | Governor | Member | Member of the public with related or relevant backgrounds, expertise, or interests | |||
| Cheng, Shu Ju Ada | 11/18/2022 | Governor | Member | Member of the public with related or relevant backgrounds, expertise, or interests | |||
| Simpson, Dick | 03/27/2023 | Governor | Member | Member of the public with related or relevant backgrounds, expertise, or interests |