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Kristin Richards
Organization - Director, Illinois Department of Employment Security
County - State of Illinois
Kristin Richards joined the Illinois Department of Employment Security on August 10, 2020 as Acting Director. Prior to joining the department, Richards served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Senate President/Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus to both Senate President Don Harmon, and former Senate President John J. Cullerton. Richards started her career in state government as a James H. Dunn Fellow and later, worked in the Office of the Governor as a policy adviser and liaison to various state agencies. In 2009, Richards was named Policy and Budget Director for the Senate President and Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus and that year, guided bipartisan negotiations that led to the Illinois Jobs Now comprehensive infrastructure investment program. She was involved in 2012 negotiations regarding the Save Medicaid Access and Resources Together (SMART) Act, and legislative efforts addressing public employee benefits, education funding reform, revenue, and economic development. Richards is a native of Belleville, and a graduate of Millikin University in Decatur.