Illinois e-News Release

David Chung will serve as a Member of the State Board of Health.* Dr. David Chung has been practicing for over twenty years. He currently practices general family medicine at Sparta Community Hospital, where his focus is outpatient medicine in rural Southern Illinois. Dr. Chung serves as the Chief of Staff for Sparta Community Hospital, is a member of the Southern Illinois Medical Association, and the Monroe-Randolph County Medical Society. He also has experience as a Medical Director at Coulterville Rehabilitation and Healthcare, where he provided medical oversight to the long-term care facility. He has teaching experience at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, and at the Chamberlain College of Nursing. Dr. Chung has been active in his community, participating in the Sparta Community Chorus as a Board member and the Annual Christmas Concert. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and Medical Doctorate degree from Northwestern University.

Vanessa del Valle will serve as a Member of the Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission.* Vanessa del Valle has over fifteen years of legal experience. She currently serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Law at the Bluhm Legal Clinic within the MacArthur Justice Center at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. In this role, she serves as a civil rights attorney and clinical instructor, litigating cases at trial level to achieve criminal justice reform. Prior to joining Northwestern, del Valle worked as a Law Clerk for Chief Judge Ruben Castillo in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She has been an active non-voting member of this Commission since 2021. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Yale University and a Juris Doctorate from Stanford University Law School.

Sheila Bedi will serve as a Member of the Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission.* Sheila Bedi has dedicated her career to teaching legal curriculum and engaging in legal and policy advocacy across the United States. She is currently a Clinical Law Professor at Northwestern University and serves as Director of the Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic. In this role, she oversees law school clinics while working hand and hand with community organizations. She also teaches seminars for systemic change with a focus on community lawyering. Prior to becoming Director, Bedi served as the Deputy Legal Director at Southern Poverty Law Clinic in New Orleans, LA. She is an active member within the legal community, serving as a board member for the Illinois Prison Project and Organized Communities Against Deportation, and as the Secretary for the Chicago Torture Justice Center. Bedi received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science from Michigan State University, a Juris Doctorate from American University, Washington College of Law, and a Master of Law from Georgetown University Law Center.

Michael Clark will serve as a Member of the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board.* Michael Clark has spent his career providing a safe and enjoyable experience at amusement parks in the Midwest and Florida. He currently serves as the President for MC Consulting, LLC, where he conducts park and ride inspections for amusement rides, family entertainment centers, water parks, and trampoline parks. Prior to founding his own firm, Clark was the Vice President of Main Street Amusements in Davenport, Iowa, where he oversaw operations, maintenance, and administration for the company. Clark also has experience as the Operations Guest Experience Manager for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. In this role, he oversaw daily operations and guest services at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and managed over 200 cast members. Clark received a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management with an emphasis on Theme Parks and Attractions Management from the University of Central Florida and a Masters of Business Administration from Webster University.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.