Governor Announces New Director of Corrections, other appointments

John R. Baldwin to lead Illinois Department of Corrections
Governor Bruce Rauner has nominated John R. Baldwin to become the next Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Baldwin is the former Director of the Iowa Department of Corrections and brings more than 35 years of overall experience to the position.

Baldwin led the Iowa Department of Corrections from January 2007 until his retirement in January of this year. As the director he oversaw a staff of nearly 4,000 officers who supervised 38,000 offenders. During his tenure, he worked with the Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative to build a state-specific cost-benefit analysis on the state’s corrections department. The data was used to make more informed policy and budget decisions in an effort to reduce recidivism.

Baldwin began working for the Iowa Department of Corrections in 1983. In addition to his leadership as Director, Baldwin was the Deputy Director of Administration where he oversaw a number of areas including the budget, personnel and evidence-based practices. Prior to that, he supervised the business office for a forensic psychiatric hospital that was under the control of the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Baldwin holds a master’s degree in political science from Iowa State University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Iowa.

Governor Bruce Rauner also announced today he has made appointments to the Labor Advisory Board, as well as several Arbitrator reappointments to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

Name: Robert J. Fulton
Position: Member – Labor Advisory Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Robert J. Fulton to the Labor Advisory Board. Fulton brings close to four decades of experience in labor relations to the board.

Since 2007, Fulton has been a business manager and financial secretary-treasurer at Machine Movers, Riggers & Machinery Erectors, Local Union 136. In this capacity, Fulton provided leadership to Local 136 by negotiating collective bargaining agreements, overseeing day-to-day business and representing the union at political meetings. Prior to this, Fulton was a business agent and apprentice coordinator at Local 136.

Fulton resides in Chicago.

Name: Pedro DeJesus, Jr.
Position: Member – Labor Advisory Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Pedro DeJesus, Jr. to the Labor Advisory Board. DeJesus’ experience in corporate management and legal affairs will provide the board with unique insight.

DeJesus is currently the Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Tampico Beverages, Inc. In this capacity, DeJesus serves on Tampico’s executive leadership team. His principal areas of focus are commercial negotiations, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property rights management and legal affairs. He also provides strategic advice to the management team and the board of directors. He has been in this role since 2007. From 2004 to 2007, DeJesus was Vice President & Corporate Counsel at Information Resources, Inc. Prior to that he was an attorney at McGuireWoods Ross & Hardies.

DeJesus earned his bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University and his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law. He lives in Lake Forest.

Name: Guy Niedorkorn
Position: Member – Labor Advisory Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Guy Niedorkorn to the Labor Advisory Board. Niedorkorn brings 13 years of experience to the board.

Niedorkorn is the Vice President of the Power and Utility Group at Aldridge Electric, where he is responsible for overseeing that department’s operations. He has served in this capacity since 2003.

Niedorkorn is an active member of Local 134 IBEW and is on the Corporate Advisory Board for the Illinois Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Niedorkorn resides in Palatine.

Name: John T. Coli
Position: Member – Labor Advisory Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed John T. Coli to the Labor Advisory Board. Coli brings close to four decades of experience in labor relations to the board.

Coli serves as the President of Joint Council 25 in Chicago and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. Coli has been a Teamster since starting work as a parking lot attendant in 1971. He has served as a steward, business agent and Executive Board member of various labor organizations.

Coli resides in Chicago.

Name: Mark B. Buisson
Position: Member – Labor Advisory Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Mark B. Buisson to the Labor Advisory Board. Buisson’s experience in the insurance industry, as well as in sales and marketing will bring an important perspective to the board.

Buisson is currently the Vice President, Region Executive at PURE Insurance. At PURE, Buisson is responsible for growth, profit and loss for the company’s Midwest region, which is comprised of twelve states and includes $40 million in premiums. Prior to this role, Buisson was a sales and marketing manager at PURE, as well as the Director at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. He is a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Risk Manager (CRM).

Buisson earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Carthage College. He lives in Mundelein.

Name: Jonathan D. Ginzel
Position: Member – Labor Advisory Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Jonathan D. Ginzel to the Labor Advisory Board. Ginzel brings extensive experience in labor and employee relations to the board.

Ginzel is currently the Director of Labor & Employee Relations at Caterpillar Inc. At Caterpillar, Ginzel is responsible for negotiating and administering labor contracts in the U.S. and Canada, as well as providing consolation on labor issues globally. Prior to this role, Ginzel was a Senior Human Resource Manager and Division Manager at Caterpillar.

Ginzel earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bradley University as well as his MBA and law degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. He lives in Peoria.

Name: Kim Clarke Maisch
Position: Member – Labor Advisory Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Kim Clarke Maisch to the Labor Advisory Board. Clarke Maisch’s knowledge of small business issues and the impact of legislation and regulation on them will be incredibly helpful to the board.

Clarke Maisch has been the Illinois State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business since 1998. In this role, Clarke Maisch is responsible for the organization’s communications with both the media and state agencies. Prior to this, she was Director of Communications for Illinois Comptroller Loleta Didrickson. She has previously served on the Illinois Department of Employment Security Advisory Board, the Illinois Small Business & Workforce Development Task Force, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board and the Social Security Retirement Pay Task Force.

Clarke Maisch earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She lives in Springfield.

Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Arbitrator Reappointments

George Andros
Maria Bocanegra
Molly Dearing
Stephen Friedman
Gerald Granada
Jessica Hegarty
Jeffrey Huebsch
Nancy Lindsay
Maureen Pulia
Ketki Steffen