Illinois Poverty Summit Steering Committee

IPS’s work is guided by a steering committee comprised of policy leaders from around the state including elected officials and other decision makers. The steering committee serves in a number of capacities including: attending briefings, providing feedback on documents and initiatives, participating on policy working groups, co-sponsoring anti-poverty legislation, and serving as co-hosts for briefings and other events.

Co-Chairs

U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin (D)
U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R)

Elected Officials

State Representative Patricia Bellock (R)
State Senator James Clayborne (D)
State Representative Elizabeth Coulson (R)
State Senator William Delgado (D)
State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D)
State Representative Marlow Colvin (D)
State Senator Mattie Hunter (D)
State Representative Naomi Jakobsson (D)
State Senator David Luechtefeld (R)
State Senator Iris Martinez (D)
Mayor Rita Mullins, Palatine
State Representative Sandra Pihos (R)
State Senator Christine Radogno (R)
State Senator Dale Righter (R)
State Representative Aaron Schock (R)

Civic and Corporate Leaders

Ben Applegate - Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen
Peggy Arizzi - Catholic Charities of Peoria
John Bouman - Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
Mary Ellen Caron - Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services
Joe Dunn - Illinois Coalition for Community Service
Paul Kleppner - Northern Illinois University
Anne Ladky - Women Employed
E. Hoy McConnell, II - Business and Professional People for the Public Interest
Pam Molitoris - Central Illinois Foodbank
Al Sharp - Protestants for the Common Good
Jerry Sermer - Voices for Illinois Children
David Whittaker - Chicago Area Project
Paula Wolff - Chicago Metropolis 2020