Government Affairs Staff
217.522.5512, x 233
As Vice President of Government Affairs, Todd is responsible for the overall development and implementation of the Chamber’s government affairs program and serves as the Chamber’s primary contact for legislators, legislative staff members and the Executive Branch. Todd also serves as Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber Political Action Committee where he is responsible for designing and implementing political and fund-raising strategies. He oversees development of policy positions and advocacy actions by the Chamber’s business issue councils.
Todd holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and an MBA from Illinois State University. Prior to joining the Chamber in 1994, Todd worked for the General Assembly as a research analyst for the House Republican staff. While working for the General Assembly, he staffed the House Revenue and State Government Committees. He also served as a policy analyst for the House Republican Campaign Committee where he managed political campaigns.
217.522.5512, x 231
Connie Beard is an attorney with more than 20 years experience in the state and local tax field. Her areas of expertise include a wide range of state and local taxes, including income, sales, excise and property taxes. Connie is former Managing Counsel of the Illinois Department of Revenue where she was instrumental in developing Illinois tax policy. During her tenure with the Department, she advised the Director of Revenue and other key agency officials on Illinois tax issues, acted as legal liaison to the Department’s audit bureau, and supervised the litigation staff of the administrative hearings bureau. Connie worked closely with the Department’s legislative staff in drafting tax legislation and in monitoring and reviewing proposed legislation. She advised top government officials on critical state tax issues before the Illinois General Assembly and frequently represented the Department of Revenue at state and national tax conferences.
Prior to joining the Illinois Chamber she was a Manager in the state and local tax division of an international accounting and management consulting firm, where she served as a tax consultant to Fortune 500 businesses, advising them on tax strategies to reduce their state and local tax burden and assisting them in resolving Illinois audit issues. Connie is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law and joined the Illinois Chamber of Commerce in October of 1997 as General Counsel and Director of State Taxes. In this capacity, she serves as Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber Tax Institute.
217.522.5512, x 243
Sarah participated in an internship program through Southern Illinois University Carbondale which placed her at the Chamber in January of 2007. Working with the Government Affairs department, Sarah gained first-hand experience of the workings within the legislature. She helped to coordinate major events such as the Chamber’s Gross Receipts Tax Lobby Day with more than 600 businesses. Part of her duties also included researching various topics such as different healthcare initiatives throughout the nation and election data configuration.
Upon graduating from SIUC in May 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Sarah joined the Chamber full time as Manager of Legislative Relations. She is also the editor of the weekly Government Affairs Report and the monthly Chamber Policy Review. Sarah is also the videographer and video editor of the weekly interviews with legislators throughout the legislative session that appear in the Government Affairs Reports.
Prior to working at The Chamber, Sarah worked as an Office Coordinator for the Case Management/Social Service department at Memorial Hospital. She also currently teaches at Stevens School of Dance and Gymnastics in Jacksonville.
217.522.5512, x 240
Laura joined the Chamber as Director of Policy in August 2007, coming from the House Republican legislative staff where she served seven years as a legislative analyst handling healthcare, education, biotechnology and other issues for the House Republican leader and caucus members. Prior to that she served internships with voter.com as an editorial assistant and with Illinois State Rep Rich Myers as a legislative assistant. She earned her bachelors degree in Political Science and International Relations, Magna Cum Laude, from Boston University.
In addition to lobbying duties, Laura will spend considerable time on issue/policy management.
217.544.5490
Jay joined the Chamber in January of 2002 with the merger of the Employment Law Council and the Illinois Chamber. He serves as Executive Director of the Council, an organization that he founded in 1997. The Council brings together employers to improve and protect Illinois employment law and regulations to create a political climate conducive to the creation and retention of jobs in Illinois. Jay has held high-profile, senior level lobbying positions with the Associated Employers of Illinois (1987-1996), Central Illinois Public Service Co. (1983-1987) and the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (1978-1983). Shattuck is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE).
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