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Caprara named chief of staff as Pritzker announces transition committee

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Illinois

* Looks like he’s been doing some planning…

After winning yesterday’s gubernatorial election by 15 points, today, Governor-elect JB Pritzker announced his Transition Committee and his administration’s Chief of Staff. Serving as his Transition Committee Chair is Lieutenant Governor-elect Juliana Stratton and campaign manager Anne Caprara will serve as chief of staff.

“I am honored to be chairing the transition committee with a remarkable group of leaders who represent the diversity and strength of our state,” said Lieutenant Governor-elect Juliana Stratton. “From day one, JB and I have made a commitment to making sure Illinoisans across the state have a seat at the table as we build an administration to put Springfield back on the side of working families.”

For those interested in positions with the administration, they can apply online at: www.jbandjulianatransition.com.

TRANSITION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chair, Lieutenant Governor-elect Juliana Stratton
Co-Chair, Barbara Bowman
Co-Chair, Mike Carrigan
Co-Chair, Former Governor Jim Edgar
Co-Chair, Sol Flores
Co-Chair, Marty Nesbitt

TRANSITION COMMITTEE STAFF

Chief of Staff, Anne Caprara
Transition Director, Nikki Budzinski
Deputy Transition Director, Sean Rapelyea
Senior Advisor, Former Comptroller Dan Hynes
Senior Advisor, State Representative Christian Mitchell
Senior Advisor, Michael Sacks
Counsel, Jesse Ruiz

TRANSITION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chair, Lieutenant Governor-elect Juliana Stratton: State Representative Juliana Stratton has been serving the public, solving problems, and fighting for what’s right throughout her career. As a state representative for the 5th District, Stratton has worked to reform our criminal justice system, raise the minimum wage, and protect a woman’s right to choose. As the Director of the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago, she worked to build trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. She graduated with a B.S. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a J.D. from DePaul University and is a proud former delegate at the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership. Stratton was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and currently resides in Bronzeville.

Co-Chair, Barbara Bowman: Barbara Bowman is a nationally recognized advocate for early childhood education and is the Co-Founder of the Erikson Institute and an Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development. She has worked as Chief Officer for early childhood education for the Chicago Public Schools and served as a consultant to U.S. Secretary of Education during President Obama’s first term. She is a professor, author and award winner.

Co-Chair, Michael Carrigan: Michael Carrigan is currently president of the Illinois AFL-CIO and will be a partner in putting Springfield back on the side of working families. He has served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO for seven years before becoming president. Prior, he was Business Manager and Financial Secretary for IBEW Local 146 in Decatur from 1992 to 2000. Carrigan served as a journeyman wireman in Decatur before becoming Assistant Business Manager of Local 146.

Co-Chair, Former Governor Jim Edgar: Governor Jim Edgar served as the 38th Governor of Illinois and brings decades of government experience to his role on the transition. During his time as governor, he eliminated a backlog of $1 billion of unpaid health care bills, provided income tax relief and left an unprecedented $1.5 billion in the treasury for his successor. After retiring from elective office, he has continued his commitment to responsible and responsive government as a distinguished fellow at the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs and he spearheads the Edgar Fellows program.

Co-Chair, Sol Flores: Sol Flores is an emerging leader in her community with a strong knowledge of the social service structure. She is Founding Executive Director of La Casa Norte and founded the organization in 2002. La Casa Norte is a nonprofit organization that provides housing and social services to homeless Latino and African American youth and families in Chicago. She was raised by a single mother who came to Chicago from Puerto Rico and has been recognized as a national Champion of Change for her work by the Obama White House.

Co-Chair, Marty Nesbitt: Martin Nesbitt will bring his extensive business experience to focus on creating jobs and building an inclusive economy that works for everyone. Nesbitt is the Co-CEO of the Vistria Group, LLC and prior to that was the CEO of the Parking Spot, an executive with Pritzker Realty Group, L.P and an Equity Vice President and Investment Manager at LaSalle Partners. He was also the National Treasurer of President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns. Martin serves on the Board of Directors of FowardLine Financial and Vanta Education. He serves on the Board of Directors of CenterPoint Energy, Norfolk Southern Corporation and American Airlines Groups, he is a Trustee of Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art and Chairman of the Barack Obama Foundation.

TRANSITION COMMITTEE STAFF

Anne Caprara will serve as Chief of Staff for the administration and senior advisor during the transition. Anne Caprara recently served as campaign manager for JB Pritzker and Juliana Stratton’s gubernatorial campaign. Caprara is a political professional with over 17 years of experience in Democratic campaigns and legislative offices, Caprara has managed and consulted with candidates and elected officials at every level of state and federal government. Caprara served as chief of staff to Congresswoman Betsy Markey’s from 2008 until 2010. Before that, Caprara served as Chief of Staff for Ohio Congresswoman Betty Sutton. Caprara also served as political director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Executive Director of Priorities USA during the 2016 election cycle. She obtained her Masters degree from George Washington University and her undergraduate degree from American University.

Nikki Budzinski will serve as Transition Director. Nikki Budzinski served as Senior Advisor to the JB Pritzker for Governor campaign. Budzinski led JB Pritzker’s exploratory effort for Governor and in her latest role she advised the campaign on political strategy, messaging and outreach. From 2015-2016, Budzinski served as the Labor Campaign Director on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential Campaign. Prior, Budzinski worked in the labor movement for ten years in Washington, DC, working for the Laborers International Union of North America, International Association of Fire Fighters and United Food and Commercial Workers Unions. Budzinski is a Peoria native and worked for Comptroller Dan Hynes from 1999-2004 in Springfield, Illinois, serving in numerous roles within the Office of the Comptroller and working on both Comptroller Hynes’ reelection campaign and the 2004 U.S. Senator primary election.

Sean Rapelyea will serve as Deputy Transition Director. Sean Rapelyea served as Political Director for JB for Governor He previously served as Illinois Political Director for the Hillary For America campaign during the general election, where she garnered a 17–point win margin. Rapelyea previously served as Deputy Director of Government Affairs for the Office of the Mayor in Chicago after working as a Regional Field Director and Advisor to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s 2011 and 2015 re-election campaigns. In 2010, he worked on Arkansas Senator’s Blanche Lincoln’s primary, runoff, and general election campaign.

Former Comptroller Dan Hynes will serve as a senior advisor. Dan Hynes currently serves as a senior executive at UBS Asset Management in Chicago, after a distinguished 12-year career in public service as the Comptroller for the State of Illinois. Hynes was elected Comptroller in 1998 as the youngest state constitutional officer since World War II. He was re-elected in 2002 and 2006 by wide margins. In 2011, President Barack Obama named Hynes as the United States Observer to the International Fund for Ireland, which makes investments in Northern Ireland for the purpose of promoting peace and stability in the region. Hynes also serves a member of the Democratic National Committee.

State Representative Christian Mitchell will serve as a senior advisor. Christian Mitchell is the State Representative for the 26th District and Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Mitchell began his career as a community organizer, working with churches on the south side of Chicago. He went on to become a trusted advisor to reform minded political leaders. He served as a deputy field director on Lisa Madigan’s re-election campaign, managed the city council race of former 4th Ward Alderman Will Burns, and was Midwest Paid Media and Polling Director for President Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012. He has consulted for State Assembly and Congressional races across the country, and was a Senior Advisor to Senator Tammy Duckworth’s successful 2016 race. Before being elected to office, Mitchell also served on senior staff for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Michael Sacks will serve as a senior advisor. Sacks is the Chairman and CEO of GCM Grosvenor. Grosvenor specializes in the management of multimanager investment portfolios and is a leader in the alternative investment industry. Prior to joining Grosvenor in 1990 he was an Associate with Harris Associates, L.P. He graduated from Tulane University and received his M.B.A and Juris Doctor from Northwestern University. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the World Business Chicago Board of Director and is active in various philanthropic and community activities. He and his wife, Cari have three children.

Jesse Ruiz will serve as counsel to the transition. Ruiz is a Partner at Drinker Biddle and is the President of Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners. He currently serves as a member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Ruiz has served as Vice President of Chicago Board of Education and Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education and President of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois. He was appointed to serves on the U.S. Department of Education Equity and Excellence Commission.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:11 pm

Comments

other than Jim Edgar, everyone is from Chicago??

Comment by Jersey County Joe Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:19 pm
I would enjoy seeing Dan Hynes re-enter public life. Maybe chairing a commission or serving as an agency director?

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:20 pm
What? No IPI representation on the committee? /s

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:20 pm
==Co-Chair, Former Governor Jim Edgar==

This is good news for those who wish Illinois would get back to the business of governing. Thanks to Governor-Elect Pritzker for for reaching across the aisle and to Former Governor Edgar for accepting the invitation.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:20 pm
Great to see Edgar there. That’s what I’m hoping to see, reaching out, but reaching out to those who govern.

Feeling good about the transition already.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:23 pm
I’m very surprised that Caprara is CoS.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:23 pm
Michael Sacks is a huge red flag. He was complicit in the Laquan coverup and shouldn’t be part of politics on any level.

Comment by Chris Widger Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:25 pm
Jim Edgar????

I am with OW, this is good to see. Building a coalition of leaders from across the aisle or simply good people is an early sign of strength. I hope he keeps it up. I would love to see Kirk Dillard in there somewhere.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:27 pm
Happy to see Edgar on the team, a voice of reason.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:28 pm
===everyone is from Chicago?===

If you’re that ignorant, don’t comment here. Carrigan is from Decatur. Nikki Budz is a Downstater.

Stop being such a victim.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:31 pm
Great team! I’m especially stoked about Nikki Budzinski. She’s a “get right in the trenches” leader. She’s always open and responsive. She is exactly the “doer” the administration has had on its front line and I am glad she will continue to be utilized.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:32 pm
==Edit - Edgar was a Republican.==

This from Rep. Skillicorn. Apparently he still doesn’t get it. Rep Skillicorn, you’re part of what is wrong with the Illinois Republican Party.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:32 pm
Edgar, Hynes, Mitchell - good govt gets
Nesbitt, Sachs - good biz gets

Good scouts to build a good team

Comment by Scott Fawell's Cellmate Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:32 pm
=== ===Edit - Edgar was a Republican.==

This from Rep. Skillicorn.===

Again, about 38 seconds, I’ll know.

I’m with Edgar all day, every day, twice on Sunday, and if Edgar is there, I’m with a smooth transition for JB too.

That’s how governing after a campaign works.

Thanks to JB for including former Gov. Edgar.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:36 pm
===I’m very surprised that Caprara is CoS===

This is the longest campaign she’s ever worked on. She has grown to like it here. She likes and respects her boss. He likes and respects her. Not so unusual.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:39 pm
Looks good to me.. hopefully JB needs some advice from Edgar. Something BRUCIE never did. As far as Skillicorn? Really???, a Proft prodigy going absolutely nowhere.

Comment by Wow Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:44 pm
Love the fact JB is teaching across the isle and getting solid political experience to be a part of his transition team. This is exactly where Rauner began to go wrong by not get experienced advisors.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:49 pm
I’m glad to see Edgar and Hynes on this committee. Haven’t had anybody on Gov staff that understands the process of how state govt works since 2003. Hopefully they can persuade J.B. to bring some process type staff on board and keep the McKinsey consultants far far away.

Comment by LTSW Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:49 pm
Transition teams are mostly window-dressing. It’s the COS pick that is important. How does she stack up against these criteria:

https://capitolfax.com/2018/11/02/what-really-matters/

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:51 pm
Also,

Great to see Dan Hynes “back”. Hynes allows some institutional knowledge thru many avenues his own history brings.

He, like Edgar, speaks to a time, and far more important, the need…

… to govern wonky, but be politically savvy doing it.

That isn’t easy, and getting the right people where they need to be is critical to that governing.

These are the moves away from Raunerism, and towards wonky governing, with political savvy. Rauner could never do it. Thompson, Edgar, even GHR… they had that.

Good on Pritzker.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:54 pm
People, Skillicorn is a tiny minority inside a super-minority caucus. His views do not sway many, but you’ll never shut him up. So, just move along.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:56 pm
–This is exactly where Rauner began to go wrong by not get experienced advisors.–

Rauner picked Bill Daley for his transition team, which explains some things either way.

Comment by King Louis XVI Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:58 pm
Oh man. A day late and a dollar short for Bruce. This could have made all the difference in the world:

Bruce Rauner@GovRauner

May the Diwali lights of 2018 brighten your life and illuminate the path to a year of peace and prosperity.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 1:13 pm
Jesse Ruiz is a top notch ethical lawyer who gained valuable political experience campaigning state wide for Attorney General during the primary. Jesse got out of the Chicago comfort zone and really impressed many democrats all across the strays at the numerous committee meetings and chicken dinners. He’s a U of I grad.
Good choice JB

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 1:19 pm
That was quick. I’m guessing they spent some time measuring the drapes in recent days.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 1:19 pm
I wish Anne Caprara had more IL experience. I also don’t know how capable she is at running a staff. The campaign showed both signs of brilliance and incompetence. It’s easier to succeed when you have mega-millions to help overcome the mistakes.

I wish her good luck and urge her to seek counsel from seasoned IL politicos. I hope she avoids the big head that many staffers contract from the power of the office. She needs to learn from the mistakes of your predecessors. Finally, “good governing is good politics” is a wise principle to adopt.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 1:49 pm
A solid team. Anne Caprara earned the job as did Nikki B and others on the campaign. And it doesn’t take much to learn from the mistakes that Team Rauner made and they are no Team Rauner.

Comment by Shytown Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 3:02 pm
That is a great team. Incredibly thoughtful to blend old and wise (Edgar and Hynes) with young and energetic (Flores and Mitchell).

Also, Nikki is a terrific choice for Transition Director. Knows the state. Knows politics. Knows labor. Is incredibly smart. But most importantly, she knows how to bring people together. She is joy to work with. The people of Illinois are lucky she’s back from DC.

Comment by LilLebowskiUrbanAchiever Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 3:24 pm
And the site is already down and defaults to salesforce.com

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 4:13 pm
And the site is down already….

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 4:15 pm
Caprepa is a surprise - I don’t think she ever sold her DC Condo.

Comment by Kitten Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 4:20 pm
I hope Gov Edgar doesn’t fail him like he did the State while he was the gov.

Comment by Hickory Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 7:54 pm