Gov. Bruce Rauner has selected co-chairs of the Early Learning Council, part of the governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development, and has appointed new members to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. The IELRB is the state agency that oversees teachers union elections, investigates unfair labor practice allegations and otherwise administers the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act.
Beth Purvis, recently named as Rauner’s secretary of education and the former chief executive officer of Chicago International Charter Schools, was named a co-chair of the Early Learning Council, along with Phyllis Glink, currently the executive director of the Irving Harris Foundation, which focuses on investments to early childhood education and children and family welfare, among other issues.
Andrea Waintroob, a founding partner of the law firm Franczek Radelet, has been named chairman of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. Waintroob brings more than 35 years of experience in negotiating labor contracts with private and public sector employers. Also appointed to the IELRB were former Republican Congresswoman Judy Biggert,who represented the southwestern suburbs; and former businessman and Illinois legislative staffer Michael Prueter, a reappointed IELRB member who has served on the board since 2010.