Two lieutenant governors named to Commission

Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry are among three new appointments to the Great Lakes Commission made by their respective governors.

Quinn was recently appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, while Cherry and former state Sen. Ken DeBeaussaert were named to the Michigan delegation by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. DeBeaussaert is director of Michigan’s Office of the Great Lakes.

A former Illinois state treasurer, Quinn has served the people of his state as a public official and consumer advocate for over a quarter century leading up to his election as lieutenant governor last year. Cherry is a 20-year veteran of the Michigan legislature, in both the House and Senate. He served as Senate Democratic Leader from 1995 until last year, when he was elected lieutenant governor.

DeBeaussaert is a former vice chair of the Great Lakes Commission, having previously served as a Commissioner in the 1980s. He was a member of the Michigan House for 10 years and of the state Senate from 1995-2002.

Lt. Gov. John Cherry

Ken DeBeaussaert

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn

The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Samuel W. Speck (Ohio), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by 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 state legislators, agency officials, and governors' appointees 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.