Gov. Quinn Appoints New Members to the University of Illinois’ Board of Trustees

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has filled three vacancies on the University of Illinois' Board of Trustees just as the board is scheduled to meet Thursday in Chicago.

Three of the 10 seats on the board were vacant after the terms expired over the weekend. Patricia Brown Holmes and Ricardo Estrada will join the board as new trustees replacing Frances Carroll and Carlos Tortolero. Meanwhile, Karen Hasara, whose term was also up, will continue serving.

All three appointees are alumni of the University of Illinois. Holmes, a partner at Schiff Hardin LLP, has been named one of Illinois' "Top 50 Women Lawyers" by Illinois Super Lawyers. She received both her bachelor of science and juris doctorate degrees from the University of Illinois. Estrada currently serves as the first deputy commissioner in the Department of Family and Support Services for the City of Chicago. He received his master of business administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Hasara, a current trustee for the Springfield Mass Transit District, served as mayor of the city of Springfield from 1995-2003. She received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Hasara and Tortolero were appointed to the board in 2009 when other trustees resigned over a university admissions scandal. Carroll refused to resign.

"Students from all over the world come to Illinois because they know that they will receive the highest quality of education from the University of Illinois," Governor Quinn said in a statement. "I am confident that today's appointees will help ensure the continued integrity and quality of our state's flagship university.