Officers

Officers of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois

The officers of the Academy serve four-year terms. They are: the principal executive officer, known as the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Executive Director. The incumbent Governor of Illinois always serves as President of the Academy.

President

The Honorable Jay Robert "J.B." Pritzker
OfficerPresident
TitleGovernor of the State of Illinois
Home City and StateChicago, IL

Chancellor

Frank Clark
OfficerChancellor
TitleChairman and CEO ComEd, Retired
Home City and StateChicago, IL
Brief BiographyRetired chairman and CEO of ComEd. Serves on many non-for-profit and corporate boards, co-founder of the Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy in Chicago’s West Side.

Vice Chancellor

The Honorable Ronald Dean Spears
OfficerVice Chancellor
Office HolderRegent
Home City and StateTaylorville, IL
Brief BiographyMember of Taylorville Chamber of Commerce

Secretary

Ethel Holladay
OfficerSecretary
Home City and StateDuQuoin IL
Brief BiographyLife long resident and community leader in southern Illinois. Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Education Association.

Treasurer

Courtney C. Shea
OfficerTreasurer
Office HolderRegent
TitleCivic Leader
Home City and StateChicago, IL
Brief BiographyHolds degrees with high honors from Notre Dame, Loyola, and University of Chicago. An extensive career working in state and private banking and finance to foster creative financing solutions.

Chancellor Emeritus

The Honorable John B. Simon
OfficerChancellor Emeritus
Office HolderRegent
TitleJustice, Appellate Court, First District
Home City and StateChicago, IL
Brief BiographyPast president of Chicago Bar Association; Chair of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee and the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission; B.S. University of Wisconsin and J.D. DePaul University, served on the Law Review.

Executive Director

Julie A. Kellner
OfficerExecutive Director
Office HolderGeneral Trustee
TitleExecutive Director, The Lincoln Academy of Illinois
Home City and StateSpringfield, IL
Brief BiographyA Trustee and the Executive Director of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Involved in several community efforts including the University of Illinois at Springfield and the United Way of Central Illinois. Graduate of University of Illinois at Springfield.

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

4 hours ago

Mariah Dicksen, our 2019 Student Laureate from Western Illinois University, may just be the next Dr. Fauci.

Mariah told us, "Lincoln had a vision to create a country of equality, and I have a vision to create a disease-free world. Lincoln worked hard for his goals: he was self-educated and honest. He was not afraid of challenges and would lay out plans to surmount these obstacles. When faced with the issue of slavery, he promoted the 13th Amendment and kept the Union together to end the Civil War. I have a clear path towards my goal and no challenges will stop me. While I may not have a war in front of me, I have the emergence of mutating viruses, epidemics and outbreaks. To combat this, I will obtain a Doctorate in Microbiology and enter a career of disease and immunology research."

In addition to being named a Lincoln Student Laureate, Mariah was also the first female WIU student to receive the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship. ... See MoreSee Less

Mariah Dicksen, our 2019 Student Laureate from Western Illinois University, may just be the next Dr. Fauci.

Mariah told us, Lincoln had a vision to create a country of equality, and I have a vision to create a disease-free world. Lincoln worked hard for his goals: he was self-educated and honest. He was not afraid of challenges and would lay out plans to surmount these obstacles. When faced with the issue of slavery, he promoted the 13th Amendment and kept the Union together to end the Civil War. I have a clear path towards my goal and no challenges will stop me. While I may not have a war in front of me, I have the emergence of mutating viruses, epidemics and outbreaks. To combat this, I will obtain a Doctorate in Microbiology and enter a career of disease and immunology research.

In addition to being named a Lincoln Student Laureate, Mariah was also the first female WIU student to receive the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship.

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The Lincoln Academy of Illinois is with Rae Maria Elena.

6 days ago

Let's give a 👍 for our school teachers!

Today we honor Rachel Nesti, our 2019 Student Laureate from VanderCook College of Music. Rachel is currently an Art Teacher at Arthur Academy in Portland, Oregon.

Rachel believes as Lincoln stated, "The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next."

Read Rachel's student statement in its entirety below:

Lincoln’s Leadership Legacy lays the groundwork to encourage civic engagement and change for years to come. As a future educator who is passionate about the field I am heading into, I realize that setting the foundation for a future of civic engagement and community involvement is crucial at an early age. Lincoln himself stated that “The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next." The goal of the educational system should not only be to create productive members of society, but also to teach children that they can be the change they want to see in the world. The leadership experience I have accumulated throughout college has not only been for my benefit, but more importantly for the benefit of every life that I come in contact with throughout my career as an educator. This Leadership Legacy helps promote the idea that the greater good is a concept to constantly work towards. Another important aspect of education is exposing students to new circumstances and ideas. Bringing cultural awareness and experiences to students can make each and every child more empathetic and better suited to face the challenges that are set forth in today’s society. Preparing future generations at a young age for civic involvement will set the tone for how society will work as a whole in the future. Legacies such as this remind us that involving ourselves in our communities and focusing on the greater good are valuable qualities associated with leading a fulfilled life. ... See MoreSee Less

Lets give a 👍 for our school teachers!

Today we honor Rachel Nesti, our 2019 Student Laureate from VanderCook College of Music. Rachel is currently an Art Teacher at Arthur Academy in Portland, Oregon.

Rachel believes as Lincoln stated, The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.

Read Rachels student statement in its entirety below:

Lincoln’s Leadership Legacy lays the groundwork to encourage civic engagement and change for years to come. As a future educator who is passionate about the field I am heading into, I realize that setting the foundation for a future of civic engagement and community involvement is crucial at an early age. Lincoln himself stated that “The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next. The goal of the educational system should not only be to create productive members of society, but also to teach children that they can be the change they want to see in the world. The leadership experience I have accumulated throughout college has not only been for my benefit, but more importantly for the benefit of every life that I come in contact with throughout my career as an educator. This Leadership Legacy helps promote the idea that the greater good is a concept to constantly work towards. Another important aspect of education is exposing students to new circumstances and ideas. Bringing cultural awareness and experiences to students can make each and every child more empathetic and better suited to face the challenges that are set forth in today’s society. Preparing future generations at a young age for civic involvement will set the tone for how society will work as a whole in the future. Legacies such as this remind us that involving ourselves in our communities and focusing on the greater good are valuable qualities associated with leading a fulfilled life.

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We're all so proud of you Rachel!!

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

1 week ago

#AbeSays ... See MoreSee Less

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