Illinois Commission to End Hunger Members

Member Organization Appointment Appointed By
Sol Flores* Deputy Governor, State of Illinois Office of the Governor Governor
Kate Maehr* Greater Chicago Food Depository Representative of a food bank serving Illinois Governor
Robert Biekman Evangelical Mission Representative of a community food assistance program Governor
Gina Cleggs Catholic Charities Representative of a community food assistance program Governor
Diane Doherty Illinois Hunger Coalition Representative of state-wide anti-hunger organization Governor
Robert Eastern III City of East St. Louis, Mayor Representative of municipal or county government Governor
Steve Ericson Feeding Illinois Representative of a food bank serving Illinois Governor
Josh Gibb Galesburg Community Foundations At-large member Governor
John Herring Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living Representative or advocate for individuals with disabilities Governor
April Janney Illinois Action for Children Representative or advocate for children or youth Governor
Rob Karr Illinois Retail Merchants Association At-large member Governor
Jonathan Lavin Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging Representative or advocate for older adults Governor
Angela Odoms-Young Cornell University At-large member Governor
Luvia Quiñones Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Representative or advocate for immigrants Governor
Carolyn Ross All Chicago Representative or advocate for people who are homeless Governor
Audra Wilson Shriver Center on Poverty Law Representative of state-wide anti-poverty organization Governor
Jenny Aguirre Office of the Director Ex-Officio Member, Representative for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Statute
Robert Baren Illinois Department of Agriculture Representative for the Illinois Department of Agriculture Statute
Paula Basta Illinois Department on Aging Ex-Officio Member, Illinois Department on Aging Statute
Mark Haller Illinois State Board of Education Ex-Officio Member, Representative for the Illinois State Board of Education Statute
Elizabeth Hernandez Representative, 24th District Ex-Officio Member, Illinois House of Representatives Speaker of the House
Grace Hou Illinois Department of Human Services Ex-Officio Member, Illinois Department of Human Services Statute
Mattie Hunter Senator, 3rd District Ex-Officio Member, Illinois State Senate Senate President
Charles Meier Representative, 108th District Ex-Officio Member, Illinois House of Representatives House Minority Leader
Ted Penesis Illinois Department of Natural Resources Ex-Officio Member, Representative for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Statute
Sue Rezin Senator, 38th District Ex-Officio Member, Illinois State Senate Senate Minority Leader
Marc Smith Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Ex-Officio Member, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Statute

* Co-chairs of the Illinois Commission to End Hunger

Unfilled positions as of January 2022: Member of the House Black Caucus, Representative of a Township Government, Representative of the African American Family Commission, Representative of the Latino Family Commission