Area residents among Pritzker appointments

January 9, 2024 69

SPRINGFIELD — Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration in a press release Monday. The appointments are pending approval from the Illinois Senate.

Patrick Besler will serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee. Besler leads state government relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. He is responsible for developing advocacy plans and healthcare communications for commercial and Medicaid lines of business, as well as legislation affecting employers and businesses. Besler is passionate about public policy that promotes accessible, affordable, equitable, quality health care, and the company’s advocacy on behalf of BCBSIL members. He has more than 10 years of experience managing regional, state, and local government efforts.

In his previous role, he served as deputy director of research and appropriations for the office of House Minority Leader Jim Durkin. He also serves as a director on the board of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, where he supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. He’s an active board member for the Illinois Insurance Association where he reviews and identifies regulatory and legislative trends affecting the insurance industry.

Patrick Besler received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Brian Sullivan will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Sullivan is the President and CEO of the Sullivan Wholesale Drug Company, which he has owned and operated for over 30 years. He has also served as the President of FastFlo Inc., and operated additional companies, including Sullivan Drugs of Hillsboro and Sullivan Drugs of Litchfield. Sullivan is the former Mayor of the City of Hillsboro and has experience serving on the Liquor Commission of Hillsboro. During his tenure, he wrote and passed several ordinances relating to craft beer manufacturing and sales as well as micro distillery manufacture and sales in Hillsboro.

Sullivan received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

Michelle Coady-Carter will serve as the Public Administrator and Public Guardian for Sangamon County. Coady-Carter has operated her law practice since 2014 where she specializes in estate planning, guardianship, adoption, juvenile and family law. She also serves as a court-appointed mediator and guardian ad litem and as the Public Administrator and Public Guardian for Calhoun, Menard, and Christian County. An active member of her community, Coady-Carter celebrates her love for art by volunteering to paint murals throughout her community.

She obtained her undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law, and her Mediation Certification from the College of DuPage.

Andrew Weatherford will serve as the Public Administrator and Public Guardian for Moultrie County. Weatherford is the owner, partner, and attorney at Johnson, Chiligiris & Weatherford. Previously, Weatherford was an Assistant State’s Attorney for Macon County. He currently serves as the Public Administrator and Public Guardian for De Witt and Macon County.

Weatherford earned a Bachelor of Arts from Millikin University, a Master of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Illinois University, and a Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law.