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 shapenses incurred in performing their duties.ll not be reimbursed for ex

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
Harris, Jessica 05/17/2024 Governor Member Black historian reflecting the experiences and contributions of American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) St. Louis Co., MO
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
Savage, Gerald 05/17/2024 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 McHenry
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