Staff Report

ROCKFORD – Illinois Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker announced today that Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara will join the Budget & Innovation Team as part of the bi-partisan Transition Committee.

The team will focus on tackling the financial issues facing Illinois and help develop new ways to stimulate the state’s economy and improve its business climate.

“I’m honored to join Governor-Elect Pritzker’s transition team,” McNamara said. “He has a vision for increasing our access to capital, developing our workforce and providing mentorship and opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs. That vision echoes what we need in Rockford and northern Illinois and I’m looking forward to working with the Governor-elect and his team.”

The 17-member Budget & Innovation Committee is chaired by former Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes. The group includes City of Chicago Budget Director Carol Brown; Pat Devaney, president of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois; Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation of Chicago; former Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno; Springfield Park District President Leslie Sgro; Decatur Mayor Julie Wolfe and others. R.