Media Contacts
Agencies A – B
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Chris Wills
Communications Director
Office: (217) 558-8970
Cell: (217) 299-9259
E-mail: chris.wills@illinois.gov
Lori Sturgill
Communications Manager
Office: (217) 785-8259
Cell: (217) 725-1804
E-mail: lori.sturgill@illinois.gov
Aging, Department on
Iris Schweier
Public Information Officer
Cell: (773) 636-8802
E-mail: iris.schweier@illinois.gov
Agriculture, Department of
Lori Harlan
Public Information Officer
Office: 217.558.1546
Cell: 217.670.9283
Email: lori.harlan@illinois.gov
Cayti Costello
Deputy Public Information Officer
Cell: (217) 725-5507
E-mail: cayti.costello@illinois.gov
Attorney General
Annie Thompson
Deputy Press Secretary, Springfield
Phone: (217) 524-4173
Fax: (217) 782-1279
E-mail: pthompson@atg.state.il.us
Auditor General
Jim Dahlquist
Phone: (217) 782-1055
Fax: (217) 785-8222
Agencies C – D
Capital Development Board
Lauren Grenlund
Public Information Officer
Cell: (217) 299-9364
E-mail: lauren.grenlund@illinois.gov
Central Management Services, Department of
Cynthia Johnson
Deputy Director, Public Information Officer
Phone: (312) 814-1676
E-mail: cynthia.johnson3@illinois.gov
Chicago State University
Phone: (773) 995-2387
Fax: (773) 995-2077
Children & Family Services, Department of
Heather Tarczan
Director of Communications
Phone: (312) 590-0875
E-mail: heather.tarczan@illinois.gov
Deborah Lopez
Associate Deputy Director of Communications
Office: (312) 814-1770
Cell: (312) 937-0050
E-mail: deborah.lopez@illinois.gov
Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Department of
Eliza Glezer
Assistant Deputy Director, Communications
Office: (312) 550-5608
E-mail: eliza.glezer@Illinois.gov
Treshonna Nolan
Communications Manager
E-mail: treshonna.nolan@Illinois.gov
Commerce Commission, Illinois
Cayli Baker
Communications Director
Phone: (773) 965-5032
E-mail: cayli.baker@illinois.gov
Community College Board, Illinois
Matt Berry
Chief of Staff
Phone: (217) 785-7411
E-mail: matt.berry@illinois.gov
Comptroller
Abdon Pallasch
Director of Communications
Phone: (312) 835-3317
Kim Howard
Deputy Director of Communications
Phone: (217) 720-5337
Corrections, Department of
Naomi Puzzello
Public Information Officer
Phone: (217) 331-8339
E-mail: naomi.puzzello@Illinois.gov
Criminal Justice Information Authority
Cristin Evans
Public Information Officer
Office: (312) 793-8550
Cell: (773) 615-6243
E-mail: cristin.evans@illinois.gov
Agencies E – F
Eastern Illinois University
Joshua Reinhart
Public Information Coordinator
Office of the President
Phone: (217) 581-7400
E-mail: jdreinhart@eiu.edu
Education, State Board of
Jackie Matthews
Executive Director of Communications
Office: (217) 782-4648
Cell: (312) 590-4327
E-mail: press@isbe.net
Lindsay Record
Press Secretary
Cell: (217) 685-3585
E-mail: lrecord@isbe.net
Education Labor Relations Board
Victor Blackwell
Phone: (217) 782-9068
Fax: (217) 782-9331
Phone: (312) 793-3170
Fax: (312) 793-3369
Elections, Board of
Matt Dietrich
Phone: (217) 558-1955
E-mail: MDietrich@elections.il.gov
Phone: (312) 814-6440
Fax: (312) 814-6485
Emergency Management Agency
Kevin T. Sur
Director of Communications / Public Information Officer
Phone: (217) 557-4756
Cell: (217) 441-1480
E-mail: kevin.sur@Illinois.gov
Melissa Hahn
Deputy Public Information Officer
Cell: (217) 299-9045
E-mail: melissa.hahn@illinois.gov
Employment Security, Department of
Rebecca Cisco
Information Strategy Director & Public Information Officer
Office: 217-524-1219
Cell: 217-299-8692
E-mail: rebecca.cisco@illinois.gov
Environmental Protection Agency
Kim Biggs
Public Information Officer
Office: (217) 558-1536
Cell: (217) 299-7129
E-mail: kim.biggs@illinois.gov
Financial & Professional Regulation, Department of
Chris Slaby
Public Information Officer
Office: (217) 558-2953
Cell: (217) 836-7194
E-mail: christopher.slaby@illinois.gov
Fire Marshal, Office of the State
JC Fultz
Public Information Officer
Office: (217) 785-1026
Cell: (217) 685-2041
E-mail: jc.fultz@illinois.gov
Agencies G
Gaming Board
Beth Kaufman
Director of Communications
Phone: (312) 213-9209
E-mail: elizabeth.kaufman@illinois.gov
General Assembly
House Democrats
Jaclyn Driscoll
Press Spokesperson
Phone: (217) 782-0093
Email: jdriscoll@hds.ilga.gov
Jon Maxson
Director of Communications
Phone: (217) 782-4040
Email: jmaxson@hds.ilga.gov
Senate Democrats
John Patterson
Spokesman
Phone: (217) 782-1012
E-mail: jpatterson@senatedem.ilga.gov
Brandy Renfro
Director of Communications
Phone: (217) 782-1500
E-mail: brenfro@senatedem.ilga.gov
House Republicans
Colleen King
Spokesperson
Office of the House Minority Leader
Cell: (630) 303-3611
E-mail: cking@hrs.ilga.gov
Senate Republicans
Whitney Barnes
Press Secretary
Phone: (217) 782-5530
Cell: (217) 638-3543
E-mail: wbarnes@sgop.ilga.gov
Mike Brooks
Director of Communication and Public Affairs
Phone: (217) 524-1588
E-mail: mbrooks@sgop.ilga.gov
Governor, Office of the
Alex Gough
Press Secretary
Phone: (312) 848-6309
E-mail: alex.gough@illinois.gov
Governor's Office of Management and Budget
Carol Knowles
Phone: (217) 782-8044
E-mail: carol.knowles@illinois.gov
Governors State University
Will Davis
Phone: (708) 235-7494
Fax: (708) 534-8399
E-mail: wdavis3@govst.edu
Zion Banks
Phone: (708) 235-7685
Fax: (708) 534-8399
E-mail: zbanks@govst.edu
Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
Veronica L. Vera
Office: (312) 814-4284
Cell: (312) 718-0914
E-mail: veronica.vera@illinois.gov
Agencies H – K
Healthcare and Family Services, Department of
Melissa Kula
Media Relations Officer
Cell: (312) 405-7673
E-mail: melissa.kula@illinois.gov
Jamie Munks
Communications Director
Cell: (217) 670-3305
E-mail: jamie.munks@illinois.gov
Higher Education, Board of
Jose Garcia
Senior Associate Director of Strategic Communications
Office: (872) 895-7727
Cell: (773) 758-4955
E-mail: garcia@ibhe.org
Housing Development Authority
Julia Frevert
Director of Communications
Office: (872) 271-8027
Cell: (773) 802-1301
E-Mail: jfrevert@ihda.org
Andrew Field
Deputy Director of Communications
Office: (312) 836-5335
Cell: (312) 833-6083
E-mail: afield@ihda.org
Maxwell Mueller
Communications Manager
Phone: (312) 836-7425
E-mail: mmueller@ihda.org
Human Rights, Department of
Addie Shrodes
Director of Public Affairs
Office: (312) 814-4311
E-mail: addie.shrodes@illinois.gov
Human Rights Commission
Tracey B. Fleming
Executive Director
Office: (312) 814-6249
Cell: (312) 636-4881
Human Services, Department of
Rachel Otwell
Director of Communications
Cell: (217) 720-8682
E-mail: rachel.otwell@illinois.gov
Daisy Contreras
Deputy Director of Communications
Office: (312) 590-7349
E-mail: daisy.contreras@illinois.gov
Patrick Laughlin
Deputy Director of Public Engagement
Office: (312) 793-1832
Cell: (312) 448-0315
E-mail: patrick.laughlin@illinois.gov
Illinois Arts Council Agency
George Tarasuk – Director of Communications
Office: 312-814-3916
Cell: 312-835-2526
Email: george.tarasuk@Illinois.gov
Illinois State Library
Pat McGuckin
Phone: (217) 558-4029
Fax: (217) 785-4326
E-mail: pmcguckin@ilsos.net
Illinois State University
Chris Coplan
Director, Media Relations and Strategic Communications
Office: (309) 438-5091
Cell: (309) 339-6770
Fax: (309) 438-5319
Media Relations E-mail: MediaRelations@IllinoisState.edu
Direct E-mail jccopla@ilstu.edu
Illinois Tollway
Dan Rozek
Senior Manager of Communications
Office: (630) 241-6800, Ext. 6392
Cell: (331) 251-0825
E-mail: drozek@getipass.com
Joelle McGinnis
Press Secretary
Office: (630) 241-6800, Ext. 6380
Cell: (630) 675-9897
E-mail: jmcginnis@getipass.com
Innovation & Technology, Department of
Jennifer Jennings
Communications Director
Office: (217) 782-9517
Cell: (217) 986-1045
E-mail: jennifer.jennings2@illinois.gov
Insurance, Department of
Caron Brookens
Director of Communications
Office: (312) 814-8206
Cell: (312) 520-7198
E-mail: caron.brookens@illinois.gov
Juvenile Justice, Department of
Dominique Newman
Public Information Officer
Office: (312) 814-3884
Cell: (312) 339-9596
E-mail: dominique.newman@illinois.gov
Agencies L – N
Labor, Department of
Paul Cicchini
Public information Officer
Office: (217) 785-1719
Cell: (217) 685-2479
E-mail: paul.cicchini@illinois.gov
Lieutenant Governor
Quenjana Adams
Press Secretary
Cell: (312) 636-9041
E-mail: quenjana.adams@illinois.gov
Liquor Control Commission
Nicole Sanders
Industry Education Manager
Phone: (312) 814-4459
E-mail: nicole.sanders2@Illinois.gov
Lottery
Meghan Powers
Director of Communications
Cell: (872) 772-9107
Fax: (312) 793-5514
E-mail: meghan.m.powers@illinois.gov
Illinois National Guard
Lt. Col. Brad Leighton
Public Affairs Director
Office: (217) 761-3569
Cell: (217) 725-2265
E-mail: ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@mail.mil
Dutch Grove
Deputy Public Affairs Director
Office: (217) 761-3489
Cell: (217) 720-9053
E-mail: william.c.grove.mil@mail.mil
Mr. Mike Chrisman
Community Relations Manager
Phone: (217) 761-3526
E-mail: glenn.m.chrisman.nfg@mail.mil
SFC Bryan Spreitzer
NCOIC
Phone: (217) 761-3075
E-mail: bryan.d.spreitzer.mil@mail.mil
Natural Resources, Department of
Jayette Bolinski
Director of Communications
Phone: (217) 785-3953
Cell: (217) 986-0066
E-mail: jayette.bolinski@illinois.gov
Illinois Historic Preservation Division
Jayette Bolinski
Director of Communications
Office: (217) 785-3953
Cell: (217) 986-0066
E-mail: jayette.bolinski@illinois.gov
Northeastern Illinois University
Erika Krehbiel
Assistant VP Marketing and Public Relations
Office: (773) 442-4226
Cell: (773) 677-3433
Fax: (773) 442-4242
E-mail: e-krehbiel@neiu.edu
Northern Illinois University
Paul Palian, Director
Media & Public Relations
Office: (815) 753-7346
Cell: (815) 751-9876
Fax: (815) 753-3299
E-mail: ppalian@niu.edu
Joe King
Phone: (815) 753-3299
E-mail: joking@niu.edu
Jennice O'Brien
Webmaster
Phone: (815) 753-1681
E-mail: jennice@niu.edu
Tom Parisi
Phone: (815) 753-3635
E-mail: tparisi@niu.edu
Mark McGowan
Phone: (815) 753-9472
E-mail: mmcgowan@niu.edu
Agencies P – S
Prisoner Review Board
Sherrie Phipps
Legislative Liaison & Public Information Officer
Cell: (312) 848-4255
E-mail: sherrie.b.phipps@illinois.gov
Public Health, Department of
Mike Claffey
Public Information Officer
Office: (312) 814-4669
Cell: (312) 533-6602
E-mail: michael.claffey@illinois.gov
James Leach
Public Information Officer
Office: (217) 785-9209
Cell: (217) 720-3194
E-mail: james.leach@Illinois.gov
Revenue, Department of
Maura Kownacki
Communications Office Manager
Office: (312) 814-1777
Cell: (773) 590-2867
E-mail: maura.kownacki@illinois.gov
Secretary of State
Max Walczyk
Communications Manager
Office: (312) 814-2361
E-mail: mwalczyk@ilsos.gov
Erin Henkel
Media Relations Manager
Office: (217) 524-4209
Cell: (217) 361-9832
E-mail: ehenkel@ilsos.gov
Southern Illinois University
SIU Carbondale
University Communications
Office: (618) 453-1407
E-mail: universitycommunications@siu.edu
SIU Edwardsville
Heather Kniffel
Interim Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
Office: (618) 650-2895
E-mail: hkniffe@siue.edu
Megan Wieser
Director of Media Relations
Office: (618) 650-3653
E-mail: mwieser@siue.edu
SIU School of Medicine
Rikeesha Phelon
Executive Director of Marketing, Communications and Engagement
Office: (217) 545-3854
E-mail: rphelon64@siumed.edu
SIU System
John Charles
Office: (217) 545-8080
E-mail: jcharles@siu.edu
State Police
Melaney Arnold
Public Information Officer
Office: 217-524-2500
Cell: 312-907-4601
E-mail: melaney.arnold2@illinois.gov
E-mail: isp.pio.personnel@illinois.gov
Student Assistance Commission
Lynne Baker
Managing Director of Communications
Office: (847) 831-8024
Cell: (847) 715-6267
E-mail: lynne.baker@illinois.gov
Supreme Court
Chris Bonjean
Director of Communications and Public Information
Phone: (312) 793-2323
Fax: (312) 793-0871
Agencies T – Z
Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission
Phone: (312) 814-1094
Fax: (312) 814-5333
Transportation, Department of
Guy Tridgell
Director of Communications
Office: (312) 793-4199
Cell: (312) 343-1731
E-mail: guy.tridgell@illinois.gov
Maria Castaneda
Public Information Officer
Phone: (312) 447-1919
E-mail: maria.c.castaneda@illinois.gov
Paul Wappel
Public Information Officer
Cell: (217) 685-0082
E-mail: paul.wappel@illinois.gov
Treasurer
Greg Rivara
Press Secretary
Phone: (312) 814-1901
E-mail: grivara@illinoistreasurer.gov
University of Illinois Chicago
Sherri McGinnis Gonzalez
Senior Executive Director of Public Affairs
Phone: (312) 996-2398
E-mail: smcginn@uic.edu
Marty Gutierrez
Senior Director
Office of Public and Government Affairs
Phone: (312) 996-1738
E-mail: martyg@uic.edu
University of Illinois at Springfield
Derek Schnapp
Phone: (217) 206-6716
Fax: (217) 206-6511
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Robin Kaler
Associate Chancellor for Public Affairs
Phone: (217) 333-5010
Fax: (217) 244-7124
E-mail: rkaler@illinois.edu
Jeff Unger
Director, News Bureau
Office: (217) 333-1085
Fax: (217) 244-0161
Home: (217) 344-0936
E-mail: junger@illinois.edu
Veterans' Affairs, Department of
Maureen Hartigan
Public Information Officer
Office: (312) 814-7260
Cell: (773) 590-9848
E-mail: maureen.hartigan@illinois.gov
Western Illinois University
Darcie Shinberger
Phone: (309) 298-1993
Fax: (309) 298-1606
E-mail: dr-shinberger@wiu.edu
Jodi Pospeschil
Phone: (309) 298-1993
Fax: (309) 298-1606
E-mail: jk-pospeschil@wiu.edu
Teresa Koltzenburg
Phone: (309) 298-1993
Fax: (309) 298-1606
E-mail: te-koltzenburg@wiu.edu
Workers' Compensation Commission
Paul Cicchini
Public information Officer
Office: (217) 785-1719
Cell: (217) 685-2479
E-mail: paul.cicchini@illinois.gov
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