* IDES has had acting directors, Thomas Chan and Gustavo Giraldo before him, since early 2019. The agency has been under extreme fire throughout the pandemic. Richards was Senate President John Cullerton’s chief of staff and was inherited by Senate President Don Harmon. Harmon has had what some folks call a “shadow” chief, Jake Butcher, since his election…

Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced his decision to appoint Kristin Richards, current Chief of Staff to the Senate President, to serve as the Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

“I’m proud to appoint an 18-year veteran of state government with deep experience and commitment to lifting up Illinois families to be our state’s next IDES Director,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Kristin Richards is keenly aware of the economic hardship too many are facing and has dedicated her career to improving the lives of all our state’s residents. As Illinoisans have faced unimaginable hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Employment Security has processed a historic number of claims. These are not normal times, and I remain committed to doing everything in my power to support our residents when they need it most. I want to thank Thomas Chan for leading IDES during a period of unprecedented volume and need for the people of Illinois. I appreciate his dedication to public service.”

“After almost two decades in public service, I have seen up close and personal how state government can help our residents overcome challenges and create opportunities for their families,” said Kristin Richards, Incoming Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to lead this vital state department, and I look forward to joining the Pritzker administration as they continue to enact policies that lift up working families across the state.”

Richards has served two governors and two senate presidents during her 18-year tenure in public service, overseeing nearly two dozen state agencies and seven state budgets. Since 2016, Richards has been the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Senate President, where she leads a 120-member office and serves as management adviser for 40 Senate district offices. She’s provided guidance through the Covid-19 pandemic on issues ranging from health care to unemployment, established a robust HR infrastructure that protects workers, and partnered with the Senate president and minority leader to develop the bi-partisan plan that ended the two-year budget impasse. Prior, Richards served as the office’s Policy and Budget Director from 2009 to 2016. During the seven-year period, she prepared, negotiated and passed the state’s annual operating and capital budgets, which surpassed $426 billion in combined state and federal spending, and collaborated with federal and state officials to create the $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! capital program. From 2007 to 2009, she was the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Governor, serving as the policy development lead on P-20 education and capital planning. As a Policy Adviser from 2003 to 2006, Richards oversaw eight state agencies, including Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Corrections; Illinois EPA; and Illinois State Police. She began her career in public service as James H. Dunn Fellow in the Governor’s Springfield office. Richards earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.

…Adding… Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford…

Congratulations to Kristin Richards on being chosen as director of IDES! I commend Gov. Pritzker for seeking out talent with proven experience. I’ve enjoyed working with Kristin in her various management roles with previous administrations and most recently as President Cullerton’s chief of staff. I look forward to supporting her as she takes on this new challenge during this critical time. She’s a true public servant, an inspiration and a powerhouse of a woman. Shine on Kristin!

Richards is, indeed, incredibly capable.

…Adding… Senate President Don Harmon…

Kristin Richards has been a phenomenal chief of staff. I don’t know how we would have gotten through our recent legislative session without her leadership and pragmatic attention to detail in the midst of a public health pandemic. Her work has been behind all the recent success we have had in the Senate.

What most people don’t know is that since we adjourned, she has thrown herself into working on the unemployment system, personally handling casework for senators and providing a human, caring touch in helping people navigate the bureaucracy during this economic crisis.

I have complete confidence in her ability to successfully take on these responsibilities and wish her the very best.