The Illinois Commerce Commission Names New Executive Director

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) announced today (11/15) that Christy George has been named as its new Executive Director.

When Ms. George takes over on November 18, 2019, she will be the first female executive director, not serving in an interim capacity, to supervise the Commission Staff and oversee management of the agency’s budget. Presently, there are approximately 211 employees at the ICC.

“Christy has an impressive resume of serving in both the public and private sector and overseeing budgeting, technology, consumer protection, employment and general management matters for various agencies,” said ICC Chairman Carrie Zalewski. “Her outstanding qualifications and background make her well-equipped to take on the role of executive director. We look forward to having her at the Commission.”

Prior to joining the ICC, Ms. George served as the Deputy Budget Director for the City of Chicago, overseeing and developing budgets for Chicago’s public safety departments, with a portfolio expanding across five agencies and over $2.0 billion in funds. She also chaired the Chicago Emergency Telephone System Board, which is the regulatory body that plans the City’s 9-1-1 system, coordinates and supervises the implementation, upgrade and maintenance of the 9-1-1 system, receives revenue from the 9-1-1 surcharge imposed per law, and authorizes all expenditures from the fund. In addition, she served as a member of the Chicago Information Technology Governance Board, which works to align the City’s technology projects to a uniform digital strategy. In addition, Ms. George formerly served as an Assistant Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection where she managed a team of administrative staff. Her experience also includes advising administrative law judges at the Social Security Administration on legal issues and conducting policy and compliance training for regional legal staff. She has also worked in a private practice as a plaintiff’s side labor and employment attorney. Ms. George is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, and earned her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. “I am grateful for the opportunity to step into this challenging role, and I’m enthusiastic about getting to work with the Commissioners and Staff of the ICC on utility and transportation issues that directly impact the people of Illinois,” said Ms. Christy George.

About the Illinois Commerce Commission
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is a quasi-judicial body made up of five Commissioners. Through its Public Utility Program, the Commission oversees the provision of adequate, reliable, efficient and safe utility services at the least possible cost to Illinois citizens served by electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer public utility companies. Through its Transportation Regulatory Program, the Commission oversees public safety and consumer protection programs with regard to intrastate commercial motor carriers of general freight, household goods movers, relocation towers, safety towers, personal property warehouses and repossession agencies. The Commission’s Rail Safety Program also inspects and regulates the general safety of railroad tracks, facilities and equipment in the state.

To learn more about the Commission, its offices and bureaus, click here. If you are a consumer who needs help resolving a utility dispute call 800-524-0795 or file an online complaint here. For a complaint related to transportation, call 217-782-6448.

ICC CONTACT:
Victoria Crawford
November 15, 2019 Office: (217) 557-5819
Victoria.Crawford@Illinois.gov
Marianne Manko
Office: (217) 782-5793
Marianne.Manko@Illinois.gov