Rockford Board of Election Commissioners executive director to retire Sept. 9

Online Staff Report

Nancy Strain, executive director of the Rockford Board of Election Commissioners, has announced her retirement effective Sept. 9.

Strain began her career as a systems operator in 1979, was made assistant executive director in 1991, and became executive director May 30, 1997.

In her time as executive director, she led the organization’s move to optimal scan voting equipment, modern computer systems, and integration with the State of Illinois IVRS statewide voter registration system.

Strain maintained the Board of Elections’ strict standards of compliance with the staggering array of laws governing elections, and freely provided advice and knowledge to her own staff and to other election administrators across the state.

Strain, and her husband Tom, are planning to live in Stockton, Ill., upon her retirement.

The Board of Elections’ staff will host an open house beginning at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9, to celebrate Strain’s retirement. Her successor, Ken Harper, will also be sworn in as executive director at that time.