Illinois e-News Release

Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration

Charles Wright will begin serving as the IDHS Inspector General. Wright currently serves as Deputy Inspector General for the Illinois Department of Services (IDHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) where he oversees investigations into abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of persons with disabilities at facilities and agencies throughout Illinois. He previously worked as an Assistant Inspector General for the City of Chicago and as a Deputy Attorney General with the State of New Jersey Office of Attorney General. Wright holds a Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School, as well as a bachelor’s degree in politics and a certificate in African American Studies from Princeton University.

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Board

Ahmadou Dramé will serve as a Member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Board.* Dramé was promoted to Director of the Illinois Justice Project (ILJP) in June 2023 after serving as Program Director for two years. Throughout his career, he has used his advocacy skills to empower communities impacted by mass incarceration, to call attention to the injustices of the criminal legal system, and to advance initiatives that eliminate permanent punishments and reduce society’s reliance on the criminal legal system as a response to socioeconomic and racial disparities. Dramé was an instrumental member of the award-winning Just Housing Coalition, which eliminates barriers to housing for returning residents in Cook County by securing the passage of the Just Housing Ordinance. He directed a program that provided “Know Your Rights” trainings to incarcerated people inside state prisons. He was Co-Chair of the Chicago Mayor’s Reentry Working Group, which created the city’s first Director of Reentry position and more than $50 million for housing and services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he directed a reentry housing pilot program that served 120 households. He is a 2023 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow. Dramé earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Public Administration from DePaul University.

Louise Medina will serve as a Member of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board.* Medina was appointed to the position of Director of Special Projects in May of 2022 at the Sheet Metal Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers International Association and she has been a member since 2000. Some of her current projects include DEI initiatives, strategic planning, disaster relief fund grants, and webinar planning. Medina was also the first elected female Business Representative for SMART Local 265, and she served in various roles and elected positions within the union including as an apprentice, journeyperson, foreperson, organizer, and elected positions including conductor, trustee, executive board member, and recording secretary. She also served on the SMART International Women’s Committee and as the President of the newly formed SMART International Recruitment and Retention Council. During her term as Business Representative, she was also Vice President of the Kankakee Federation of Labor (KFL-CIO), recording secretary of the Kankakee/Iroquois County Building Trades, and delegate of the Will/Grundy County Building Trades.

Lisa Wojick Burns will serve as a Member of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board.* Wojick Burns has a spent the past decade working to support her neighbors with disabilities in areas including skills training and job development. She also works as the Placement Manager with Challenge Unlimited. In this role, Wojick Burns provides ongoing support for clients seeking community employment and provides feedback to support them. Wojick Burns received a Bachelor of Business Administration from American Intercontinental University.

Marlon McClinton will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board.* McClinton serves as the President and CEO of Utilivate Technologies providing energy management, evaluation, measurement, and verification services to utilities, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and government agencies across the country. McClinton has been recognized for his skilled leadership, inviting engagement and participation from under-served and under-represented communities in utility energy efficiency programs. He serves on the Illinois Community College Board and Chairs the Continuous Improvement Committee. McClinton earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois and his Master of Science and Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.