State Fair Director Also Steps Down

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner today accepted the resignation of Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Phil Nelson. Nelson will remain employed with the Department for the next 30 days to help with the transition. State Fair Director Patrick Buchen has also stepped down.

"I appreciate Director Nelson's commitment to agriculture and his service to the people of Illinois," Governor Rauner said. "I wish him all the best."

Rauner appointed current Department of Agriculture Chief of Staff Warren Goetsch as Acting Director.  A search for a permanent replacement is underway.

CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner announced he has made appointments to the Illinois Gaming Board, the Illinois Workforce Investment Board and the Executive Ethics Commission.

Name: Teresa H. Bartels

Position: Member - Executive Ethics Commission

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Teresa Bartels to the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission. She brings an extensive background in non-profit work to the board.

Currently, Bartels serves as President of the Gateway for Cancer Research in Schaumburg, which is a member of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. In this role, Bartels leads a team of 14 to raise funds and grant money for cancer clinical trials. She also owns her own strategic consulting company, Hallbart Consulting, LLC, where she provides leadership training and coaching to organizations and individuals. Her previous experience includes four years at United Way Worldwide and more than 16 years at Complete Business Services of Illinois and Minnesota.

Bartels sits on the Newman University Board of Trustees, the United Way Worldwide International Donor Assisted Giving Advisory Board, the United Way of Lake County Women's Leadership Council, and the University Center of Lake County Founding Board.

Bartels earned a bachelor's degree in public relations from Northern Arizona University and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Dominican University. She lives in Mundelein.

Name: Ryan Ruskin

Position: Member - Executive Ethics Commission

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Ryan Ruskin to the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission. He brings more than 20 years of private sector experience to the commission.

Ruskin is currently the President and COO of The Ruskin Group, a packaging supplies company. This family-owned manufacturing business has been in operation for more than 120 years. Ruskin also worked as the Executive Vice President for Sterling Packaging where he was responsible for general management of the folding carton packaging company. His other experience includes consulting for A.T. Kearney.

Ruskin is dedicated to the Chicago area and sits on many boards including the Heartland Alliance, the Field Museum, the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Ruskin earned a bachelor's degree in history from Princeton University and an MBA from Northwestern University. He lives in Chicago.

Name: Lee A. Gould

Position: Member - Illinois Gaming Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has reappointed Lee Gould to the Illinois Gaming Board. He has served on the board since 2011 and brings close to 20 years of legal experience to the position.

Currently, Gould is a managing member of Gould & Pakter Associates, LLC, where he has worked since 2004. He renders and provides financial and litigation consulting services to clients. His areas of concentration include forensic accounting and analysis, financial damages determinations, and business valuations. He has previously worked for Russell Novak & Company, LLP and Rome Associates, LLC, where he was a partner.

Gould is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and the American Bar Association. He is a former board member and past chairperson of the Illinois CPA Society, as well as the former president and current board member of the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois.

Gould is a graduate of the University of Illinois and earned his law degree from Loyola University of Chicago. He lives in Chicago.

Name: Grover C. Webb

Position: Member - Illinois Workforce Investment Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has reappointed Grover Webb to the Illinois Workforce Investment Board. Webb has served on the board since 2010.

Webb is a self-employed partner of Tanglefoot Ranch in Simpson, Illinois. He has run the day-to-day operations of the livestock and grain farm for most of his life. He honorably served in the U.S. Navy Reserves from 1967-1970.

Webb is incredibly engaged in his community and sits on a number of boards and councils. He is a member of the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Ag Center Advisory Board, the Main Street Golconda Board and the Pope-Hardin Farm Bureau Board. He also serves as Chairman of the Bay Creek Conservancy District.

Webb earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois.

Agreement saves taxpayers $22 million instantly; Northstar fully terminated as private manager of the Illinois Lottery

CHICAGO - The Administration of Governor Bruce Rauner announced today it has reached a termination agreement with Northstar Lottery Group, LLC and its parent companies as the private manager of the Illinois Lottery.

"This deal is an instant win for taxpayers because it immediately saves them $22 million," General Counsel Jason Barclay said. "In addition, it releases taxpayers from the eleventh-hour deal former Governor Quinn signed on his way out the door."

The new agreement fully terminates Northstar as the private manager of the Illinois Lottery as of January 1, 2017 or until a new private manager is selected. In addition, it also allows the new manager to select its own suppliers. Under the former agreement with the previous Administration, the new manager would have been forced to give Northstar's parent companies, GTech and Scientific Games, option rights, which would have significantly limited competition.

"This is a new day for the Illinois Lottery," Acting Director B.R. Lane said. "This agreement will save the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars while allowing the Lottery to select a new partner that will help the agency grow and better serve its customers."

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner issued a proclamation declaring Friday, September 11, 2015 Patriot Day in Illinois. All entities governed by the Flag Display Act are ordered to fly the United States and state flags at half-staff in honor of the victims of the terror attacks 14 years ago today.

"It is important as Illinoisans that we observe Patriot Day to honor the thousands of men and women who lost their lives or were injured during the heinous attacks on 9/11," Governor Rauner said. "We must also thank the first responders who rushed to help in the days following the attacks, and the military personnel who defended our country's freedoms. As Americans, this day will forever live in our memories, which is why I am ordering the United States and Illinois State flags to half-staff as a tribute in honor of the victims."

Text of the proclamation is as follows:

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, tragedy unfolded on American soil as four commercial airlines were hijacked by terrorists and began a journey of destruction; and,

WHEREAS, at 8:46 a.m. (EST), American Airlines Flight 11, carrying 92 people, struck the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City; and,

WHEREAS, at 9:03 a.m. (EST), United Airlines Flight 175, carrying 65 people, flew into the south tower of the World Trade Center; and,

WHEREAS, at 9:37 a.m. (EST), American Airlines Flight 77, carrying 64 people, hit the western façade of the Pentagon in Washington D.C.; and,

WHEREAS, at 10:03 a.m. (EST) further loss of life was prevented when passengers and crew members heroically crashed United Airlines Flight 93 into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, killing all those on board; and,

WHEREAS, nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children were tragically killed in the heinous attacks; and,

WHEREAS, tens of thousands emergency personal including firefighters, police officers and military personnel came to the aid to help their fellow man, including volunteers from across the country; and,

WHEREAS, in the aftermath of these horrendous acts, the United States of America bound together with courage and resolve and emerged more united as a people; and,

WHEREAS, on November 30, 2001, after passing the United States House and Senate, President George W. Bush proclaimed September 11 as Patriot Day, a day of remembrance and national mourning; and,

WHEREAS, the day of September 11 will forever be etched in the memory and hearts of all Americans; the victims will never be forgotten, and the heroism displayed by first responders, service men and women, and countless Americans who aided in humanitarian relief efforts and search and rescue operations will serve as a lasting model for all; and

THEREFORE, I, Bruce Rauner, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2015, as PATRIOT DAY in Illinois, and order all persons or entities governed by the Illinois Flag Display Act to fly their flags at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on this day, in honor and remembrance of the heroes of September 11, 2001, and all of those who lost their lives.