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Title:Illinois America 250 Commission
Contact Name:Jennifer Edginton
Contact Title:Interim Museum Director, Illinois State Museum
Contact E-Mail:Jennifer.Edginton@Illinois.gov
Contact Comments:
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
Qualifications:
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 (Last, First)Term ExpiresMember SinceAffiliationAppointed ByPositionTitleCounty
Cheng, Shu Ju Ada11/18/2022GovernorMemberMember of the public with related or relevant backgrounds, expertise, or interests
Cole, Brad11/10/2022GovernorMemberRepresentative of the Illinois Municipal League
Donahoe, Michelle 7/8/2022House Minority LeaderMemberMember appointed by the House Minority Leader
Edginton, JenniferStatuteMemberDirector of the Illinois State Museum
Gonzalez, Jr., Rep. Edgar6/23/2022Speaker of the House of RepresentativesMemberMember appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives
Lyon, Gabrielle Lyon12/12/2022GovernorMemberRepresentative of Illinois Humanities
Marcus, ElisaGovernorMemberRepresentative from the Department of Commerce and Economic OpportunityCook
Phalen,Sara11/18/2022Governor MemberHistorian reflecting the experiences and contributions of Asian and Latina/o/x communitie
Rand, Jacki Thompson12/12/2022GovernorMemberRepresentatives 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 11/18/2022GovernorMemberRepresentative of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Simpson, Dick3/27/2023GovernorMemberMember of the public with related or relevant backgrounds, expertise, or interests
Smock, Amber11/18/2022GovernorMemberMember of the public with related or relevant backgrounds, expertise, or interests
VacantLieutenant GovernorMemberMember appointed by Lieutenant Governor
VacantSenate PresidentMemberMember appointed by Senate President
VacantGovernorMemberBlack historian reflecting the experiences and contributions of American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS)
VacantGovernorMemberRepresentatives 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
VacantGovernorMemberRepresentatives 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
Van Meter, Andy9/7/2022Senate Minority LeaderMemberMember appointed by Senate Minority Leader
Williams, StacieStatuteMemberHarold Washington Library Archivist