Illinois Gov. Pritzker appoints two to Illinois Commerce Commission

Gov. JB Pritzker made two new appointments to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) this week, naming Commissioner Carrie Zalewski chairman and adding Maria Bocanegra to the commission.

Both positions still require approval from the Senate. That said, outgoing ICC chairman Brien Sheahan has already congratulated Zalewski on her new position, which follows her recent, five-year term appointment to the ICC. By contrast, Bocanegra will serve only a four-year term.

Both women come to their positions from backgrounds as attorneys and in public service.

“It’s an honor to have been chosen to lead the ICC by Governor Pritzker,” Zalewski said. “Illinois is on the verge of a major energy transformation. I am very excited and thankful to Governor Pritzker for the opportunity to serve in this position during these very interesting and challenging times. The transition to the ICC has been very natural for me based on my education and experience as a regulator, attorney, and engineer. I am ready to get to work on behalf of the people of Illinois in this new capacity.”

Zalewski has worked as a state regulator, on the Illinois Pollution Control Board and as Assistant Chief Counsel for the Illinois Department of Transportation, in addition to private practice work. She also received her education in-state, at Chicago-Kent Law School and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

“I am thankful to Governor Pritzker for appointing me to serve on this important commissions and for his confidence in me,” Bocanegra said. “I am eager to put my law experience to work on highly technical regulatory issues that directly impact the people of Illinois.”

Bocanegra has served as an arbitrator at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, in the public seat on the Labor Advisory Board for the Illinois Department of Labor, in addition to her private practice work. She is a graduate of DePaul University College of Law and Quincy University.