Illinois Lt. Gov. Quinn elected new Chair of Great Lakes Commission

Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn of Illinois is the new Chair of the Great Lakes Commission following elections held at the Commission’s Annual Meeting in Québec City October 6. Quinn assumes the Commission leadership from Michigan Lt. Gov. John D. Cherry, Jr. who completed a two-year term as Chair at the meeting. Elected Vice Chair was GLC Wisconsin Commissioner Todd Ambs, who is Administrator of the Division of Water for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

New GLC Chair Quinn was first elected Illinois Lt. Governor in 2003 and was re-elected in 2006. From 1991 to 1995 he served as Illinois State Treasurer. He was appointed to the Great Lakes Commission as head of the Illinois delegation in 2003.

The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Gov. Patrick Quinn (Ill.), is an interstate compact agency established under state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of governors' appointees, state legislators, and agency officials from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a "Declaration of Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.