Pam Davidson may not be Knox County Board Chair anymore but she’s just been appointed to the Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security.
The Commission has a stated goal to reduce and “ultimately eliminate” poverty in Illinois by 2036. It was created by a law that the Governor signed last year. It consists of local elected officials like Davidson, State representatives, a judge, heads of non-profits, healthcare companies, and education groups.
They are tasked with developing and adopting a strategic plan that will develop anti-poverty programs that ensure long-term, multigenerational economic mobility. They want to reduce poverty regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation or identity, ability, or geographic location.
Davidson tells WGIL she had a conversation with Gov. Pritzker about her appointment and the commission’s work. She says the appointment’s an honor and glad that she can represent West-Central Illinois and poverty issues specific to the region.
The commission will hold six public hearings and its first report is due March 21, 2021.
Pritzker last year appointed Davidson to chair the statewide Local Records Commission. That group works under the Secretary of State’s office and is responsible for regulating the preservation and/or destruction of public records.
