Illinois Commission to End Hunger Members

Member Organization Appointment Appointed By
Grace Hou* 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 & Associate to the Bishop 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
Stephen Ericson Feeding Illinois Representative of a food bank serving Illinois Governor
Joshua Gibb Galesburg Community Foundation At-large member Governor
John Herring, Sr. 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
Robert Karr Illinois Retail Merchants Association At-large member Governor
Jonathan Lavin Age Options Representative or advocate for older adults 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
VACANT At-Large member Governor
Robert Baren Office of Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Senior Advisor Representative of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor Lieutenant Governor
Dakarai Howard Illinois Department of Agriculture Ex-Officio Member, Director of Illinois Department of Agriculture or designee Statute
Mary Killough Illinois Department on Aging Ex-Officio Member, Illinois Department on Aging Statute
Tony Sanders Illinois State Board of Education Ex-Officio Member, Representative for the Illinois State Board of Education Statute
Elizabeth Hernandez Illinois House of Representatives, 24th District Ex-Officio Member, Illinois House of Representatives Speaker of the House
Kasey Reagan  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
Jeramie Strickland 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
Heidi Mueller Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Ex-Officio Member, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Statute
Lizzy Whitehorn Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Ex-Officio Member, Director of healthcare and Family Services or designee Statute
VACANT African-American Family Commission Liaison Statute
VACANT Latino Family Commission Liaison Statute

* Co-chairs of the Illinois Commission to End Hunger