Soldiers activated to assist local authorities quickly if situation deteriorates

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Bruce Rauner has ordered Illinois National Guard Soldiers to state active duty to augment local efforts t...

SPRINGFIELD - The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield was activated this morning to ensure state personnel and equipment are ready to be deployed quickly if needed to help local emergency responders as they deal with flooding and winter weather.

Representatives from several state agencies are in the SEOC and state officials are assessing the storm's impact and communicating with local response officials to determine if state resources are needed to ensure citizen safety. The SEOC will remain activated as long as necessary.

State resources processed to date include water pumps and hoses to Calhoun County; barricades for road closures in the Metro East area; sandbags and plastic for the Big Muddy Levee in Jackson County; and pumps and hoses for Schuyler County. These resources were provided and delivered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

IEMA Director James K. Joseph urges residents to avoid travel if possible Monday due to icy roadways in much of northern Illinois and flooded roadways in central and southern Illinois.

"Road conditions are hazardous in many areas of the state, so if you can postpone travel plans today that would be best," said Joseph. "If you must travel, be sure to check on road conditions along your route. And as always, if you encounter water over a roadway, please remember, 'Turn Around, Don't Drown.'"

For updates on the current situation, including links to guides on winter weather and flood safety, visit the Ready Illinois website at www.ready.illinois.gov.

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CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has made appointments to the Illinois Labor Relations Board and the Illinois Arts Council.

Name: John Hartnett

Position: Chairman - Illinois Labor Relations Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has reappointed John Hartnett as the Chairman of the Illinois Labor Relations Board (ILRB). He has served as the board's chairman since 2012. Hartnett has an extensive background in labor relations from his time as a state employee and as a consultant in labor negotiations.

For 26 years, Hartnett served as a labor relations manager at Central Management Services and then at the Illinois Department of Human Services. In these positions, he administered the labor relations program for the agency. In 2003, he joined JHDH, Inc. as Vice President. It is a negotiation and labor relations consulting firm that represents employers in the public and private sectors.

In addition to his time in the private sector, Hartnett was a senior associate at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, where he provided leadership education and management development to elected officials of local governments. In addition, he was an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois-Springfield in the School of Public Administration until 2012.

Hartnett earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree from Western Illinois University. He lives in Springfield.

Illinois Arts Council Appointments

Christina Gidwitz

Tim Touhy

William Brattain*

Peggy Montes*

Cecilia Rodhe*

Howard Tullman*

*denotes reappointment

CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has made appointments at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Illinois Finance Authority. He also reappointed the Kane County Public Guardian and Administrator.

Name: Kreg Allison

Position: Director of the Division of Real Estate - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Governor Bruce Rauner will appoint Kreg Allison to become the next Director of the Division of Real Estate for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Allison's experience in real estate and managing a large government operation make him the ideal candidate for the position.

Allison is currently Senior Counsel for Avison Young. Avison Young is the world's fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm with more than 2,100 real estate professionals operating out of 73 offices in five countries.

Prior to joining Avison Young, Allison served as the Administrator and Chief Legal Officer for the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in Cincinnati, Ohio. During his tenure there, Allison managed the largest Clerk of Courts office in the State of Ohio with more than 300 employees and a $15 million annual budget.

Allison earned a law degree and MBA from The Ohio State University, and his bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University. He lives in Chicago.

Name: Lyle McCoy

Position: Board Member - Illinois Finance Authority

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Lyle McCoy to the Illinois Finance Authority. He brings nearly 40 years of experience in finance and banking to the board.

McCoy is the former Managing Director of BMO Capital Markets where he was the head of public finance and infrastructure. He spent more than 30 years working for the company in a variety of roles.

McCoy earned his bachelor's degree from Queen's University and holds an MBA from York University; both universities are in Canada. He lives in Lake Forest.

Name: Diana Law

Position: Kane County Public Guardian and Administrator

Governor Bruce Rauner has reappointed Diana Law as the Kane County Public Guardian and Administrator. She has served in the position since 2012. Law has dedicated her legal career to helping senior citizens navigate the legal system.

Law is currently an attorney at Law ElderLaw, where she represents clients in litigation in regards to guardianships, financial abuse of the elderly and estate administration. She has worked for the firm for nearly ten years. In addition, she is fluent in Spanish, allowing her to serve and represent a broader group of elderly citizens.

Law earned her bachelor's degree from Goshen College and her law degree from Northern Illinois University. She lives in Geneva.