Illinois Commerce Commission appoints first female executive director

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) set a new chapter in its own history last week with the naming of Christy George as its latest executive director — an appointment that makes her the first female executive director not serving in an interim capacity.

“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,” George said.

George began her new role this week. In her new capacity she will supervise the commission’s approximately 211 employees and oversee management of the agency’s budget.

“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,” ICC Chairman Carrie Zalewski said. “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.”

That background includes a host of increasingly important roles in Chicago. Most recently, she served as the city’s deputy budget director, during which she managed the budgets for the city’s public safety departments. She also chaired the Chicago Emergency Telephone System Board, which plans, supervises, upgrades and maintains the local 9-1-1 system, takes in its surcharge revenues and handles all related expenditures.

Other positions from George’s past have included membership on the Chicago Information Technology Governance Board and assistant commissioner for the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, where she provided advice to administrative law judges at the Social Security Administration. A lawyer by profession, she graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and earned her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.