SPRINGFIELD. Ill. — Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic secretary of state elect, has pulled together a huge transition team in an effort to transform the office that’s been led for more than 20 years by retiring Secretary of State Jesse White.
And get this: A key player on the team is Dan Brady, the Republican who lost to Giannoulias earlier this month.
Brady said he’s “honored” that Giannoulias is “rising above party politics” to take advantage of his experience working on issues related to the office.
A lot of voices: Giannoulias has pulled together nine transition committees, which comprise a total of 125 members from across the state and from various industries. See the full list here.
Giannoulias, who takes office Jan. 9, says the team is charged with producing “action-oriented solutions and deliverables starting on Day One,” according to a statement.
Along with coming up with their own ideas, the transition committees will consider the nearly 1,000 proposals and suggestions that were submitted from the public on the RevUpIllinois website, according to a statement.
Who’s in charge: State Rep. Bob Morgan is leading the Driver Facilities and Road Safety Committee, a key component of the SOS office. And Brady heads up the Organ and Tissue Donations Committee and serves on the Road Safety panel.
Former state Rep. Carol Ronen is leading Voter Rights and Registration. Tech entrepreneur Howard Tullman heads up Technology Enhancements. Illinois Environmental Council’s Jennifer Walling leads Environmental Initiatives. Highland Park Library’s Heidi Smith heads up Library Enhancements. Broadhaven Capital’s John Simpson leads Securities Division Policies. And Velez Global Enterprises’ Letty Velez heads up Business Services.