GIDWITZ NAMED STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CHAIR

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced the appointment of Chicago businessman Ronald J. Gidwitz as the chair of the Illinois State Board of Education.

Gidwitz replaces retiring Board Chair Louis Mervis of Danville, who is retiring after 15 years of service to the State Board of Education. Gidwitz, 54, is a partner of GCG Partners, a private investment firm.

"Ron Gidwitz shares my belief that Illinois schools should be among the best in the nation when it comes to preparing children and young adults for life and opportunity," Ryan said. "He is committed to improving the use of technology in our schools, expanding workforce training efforts and making sure that educational opportunities are equal for all children in Illinois."

Gidwitz's appointment requires confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

Ryan appointed two others as members of the State Board of Education:

Dr. Janet Steiner, 57, of Carlinville for a term ending January 12, 2005. Steiner is a professor at Blackburn College. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

David Gomez, 47, of Burr Ridge for a term ending January 12, 2005. Gomez is President and CEO of David Gomez & Associates, Inc. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Ryan also made the following appointments:

To the Illinois Board of Higher Education:

Samuel K. Gove, 75, of Urbana, a reappointment for a term ending January 31, 2005. Gove is professor emeritus of government and politics at the University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Cordelia Meyer, 41, of Chicago, a reappointment for a term ending January 31, 2005. Meyer is vice president of Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Illinois Community College Board and designated as Chairman:

Edward T. Duffy, 53, of Arlington Heights, an appointment for a term ending June 30, 2005. Duffy is the Chief Operations Officer of the National Jockey Club. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Department of Natural Resources Advisory Board:

Harry Fitzgerald, 60, of Bourbonnais, an appointment for a term ending January 17, 2005. Fitzgerald is a business owner. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Illinois Department of Employment Security Board of Review:

Rolland Lewis, 68, of Mt. Vernon, a reappointment for a term ending January 15, 2001. Lewis is retired. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Jon Walker, 62, of Moro, a reappointment for a term ending January 15, 2001. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Prisoner Review Board:

Milton Maxwell, 54, of Carbondale, a reappointment for a term ending January 16, 2005. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Anthony Agee, 44, of Evanston, an appointment for a term ending January 16, 2005. Agee is assistant district supervisor for the Illinois Department of Corrections, Juvenile Division. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Bob Dunne, 65, of Chicago, an appointment for a term ending January 16, 2005. Dunne is President of R.L. Dunne, Co., Inc. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Industrial Commission:

Jacqueline Kinnaman, 44, of Chicago, a reappointment for a term ending January 20, 2003. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Diane Dickett Smart, 37, of Western Springs, a reappointment for a term ending January 20, 2003. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Richard Gilgis, 51, of Downers Grove, a reappointment for a term ending January 20, 2003. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Illinois Gaming Board:

Stuart Levine, 53, of Highland Park, an appointment for a term ending July 1, 2002. Levine is self employed. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Illinois Racing Board:

Joseph F. Kindlon, 73, of Wheaton, a reappointment for a term ending July 1, 2004. Kindlon is Executive and Chairman of the Board of Kindlon Partners. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Illinois Building Commission:

Brad W. Paulson, 43, of Westmont, an appointment for a term ending June 19, 2001. Paulson is the Administrator of Technical Services for B & F Technical Code Services, Inc. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

William Worn, 49, of Wilmette, an appointment for a term ending June 19, 2001. Worn is President of William Worn Architects, P.C. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

John Zils, 56, of Elgin, an appointment for a term ending August 21, 2000. Zils is an Associate Partner with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority:

Albert Apa, 77, of Chicago, an appointment for a term ending January 20, 20003. Apa is retired. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

Jane Rae Buckwalter, 57, of Chicago, an appointment for a term ending January 21, 2002. Buckwalter is retired. The appointment does require not Senate confirmation.

Michael Waller, 51, of Waukegan, an appointment for a term ending January 20, 2003. Waller is a State's Attorney for Lake County. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

Peter Bensinger, 63, of Lake Forest, an appointment for a term ending January 20, 2003. Bensinger is President and Chief Executive Officer of Bensinger, DuPont & Associates. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

John Piland, 37, of Mahomet, an appointment for a term ending January 21, 2002. Piland is State's Attorney for Champaign County. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

Barbara Engel, 46, of Chicago, an appointment for a term ending January 20, 2003. Engel is a consultant. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

To the Education Commission of the States:

Hazel Loucks, 60, of Edwardsville, an appointment for a term ending January 31, 2001. Loucks is the Deputy Governor for Education. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

Robert Haisman, 53, of Oak Park, an appointment for a term ending January 31, 2001. Haisman is President of the Illinois Education Association. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

To the Illinois Human Rights Commission:

Marylee Freeman, 60, of Chicago, an appointment for a term ending January 15, 2001. Freeman is Director of Intergovernmental Outreach for the City of Chicago - Department of Buildings. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District Board:

George Clark, 64, of Mt. Sterling, an appointment for a term ending June 1, 2000. Clark is retired. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Merritt W. Sprague, 65, of Hull, an appointment for a term ending June 1, 2001. Sprague is President of Sprague Farms, Inc. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Gene Blackburn, 61, of Plymouth, an appointment for a term ending June 1, 2002. Blackburn is President of Blackburn Farms, Inc. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Ron Brink, 55, of Quincy, an appointment for a term to be determined by the board. Brink is President of R. L. Brink Corporation. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

H.O. Brownback, 49, of Ashland, an appointment for a term to be determined by the board. Brownback is member of the faculty at Bellville Area College. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

Paul Fornell, 63, of Warsaw, an appointment for a term to be determined by the board. Fornell is President of Dock Site, Inc. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

Max Edlen, 62, of Bluffs, an appointment for a term to be determined by the board. Edlen is retired. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

To the Bi-State Development Board:

David Tanzyus, 31, of Collinsville an appointment for a term ending January 21, 2002. Tanzyus is Vice President of Gateway Business Services, Inc. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Ronald Jedda, 48, of Collinsville, a reappointment for a term ending January 19, 2004. Jedda is an agent with Principal Insurance. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Waukegan Port District Board:

Gregory F. Miholic, 39, of Waukegan, an appointment for a term ending May 31, 2005. Miholic is an engineer at Abbott Laboratories. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

To the Department of Financial Institutions:

Mary Ann Braski, 56, of Glen Ellyn, an appointment as assistant director. Braski is an Assistant to the Governor for ethnic affairs. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.