Governor Quinn Names Ann L. Schneider Acting Transportation Secretary

CHICAGO - July 1, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn announced today the appointment of Ann L. Schneider as acting Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. Schneider's appointment follows the retirement of Gary Hannig, who served as Illinois' Transportation Secretary since 2009 and oversaw the busiest construction season in state history. Schneider currently serves as the agency's Chief of Operations.

"As we head into this busy construction season, the department of Transportation needs an energetic and capable leader, and Ann L. Schneider has shown herself time and again to be just that," said Governor Quinn. "Gary Hannig's experience and deep knowledge of state government proved invaluable to my administration. Our state is a better place thanks to his leadership."

As Acting Secretary, Schneider will oversee more than $2.5 billion in capital projects scheduled for 2011. Schneider has served as IDOT's Chief of Operations since 2010, responsible for managing and overseeing the department's six offices and four divisions. Prior to that role, she served five years as Director and Chief Financial Officer for IDOT's Office of Finance and Administration. Schneider has a bachelor's degree from Augustana College and a master's degree in Public Administration from Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois Springfield). She resides in Petersburg.

Hannig, of Litchfield, was appointed Transportation Secretary by Governor Quinn after serving in the Illinois House of Representatives since 1979. Under Hannig's leadership, IDOT embarked on the largest capital program in state history, Governor Quinn's six-year, $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! From 2009 through the end of 2010, IDOT repaired or rebuilt 4,800 miles of roads and more than 500 bridges, creating an estimated 135,000 jobs. Also, last year, for the first time since 1921, Illinois witnessed two consecutive years with fewer than 1,000 traffic fatalities.