Council Directors
Connie Beard is an attorney with more than 30 years experience in the state and local tax field. Her areas of expertise include a wide range of state and local taxes, including income, sales, excise and property taxes. Connie is former Managing Counsel of the Illinois Department of Revenue where she was instrumental in developing Illinois tax policy. During her tenure with the Department, she advised the Director of Revenue and other key agency officials on Illinois tax issues, acted as legal liaison to the Department’s audit bureau, and supervised the litigation staff of the administrative hearings bureau. Connie worked closely with the Department’s legislative staff in drafting tax legislation and in monitoring and reviewing proposed legislation. She advised top government officials on critical state tax issues before the Illinois General Assembly and frequently represented the Department of Revenue at state and national tax conferences.
Prior to joining the Illinois Chamber she was a Manager in the state and local tax division of an international accounting and management consulting firm, where she served as a tax consultant to Fortune 500 businesses, advising them on tax strategies to reduce their state and local tax burden and assisting them in resolving Illinois audit issues. Connie is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law and joined the Illinois Chamber of Commerce in October of 1997 as General Counsel and Director of State Taxes. In this capacity, she serves as Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber Tax Institute.
Gideon Blustein joined the Illinois Chamber of Commerce staff on February 1st, 2011 as Executive Director of the Infrastructure Council. Blustein joined the Chamber after holding senior staff positions with two former Illinois Congresswomen. Most recently, Blustein served as Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson's (IL-11) Chief of Staff, splitting his time between Washington, DC and the 11th Congressional District – a central hub for Illinois’ roadways, railways, and waterways. For the last two years, Blustein served as the Congresswoman's point person on several transportation issues, including the development of the Illiana Expressway and South Suburban Airport, implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and protection of the Illinois waterways. He also served as the Congresswoman's liaison to leaders in the business community, labor and state and local government.
Prior to working for Halvorson, Blustein served as District Director for Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) where he also managed Illinois-specific transportation issues such as the Route 53 extension, Canadian National Railroad purchase of the EJ&E and advancement of Metra's proposed Starline project. His focus as Executive Director of the Infrastructure Council is to advocate for investments in Illinois' roads, bridges, railways, airports, waterways and public transportation.
Laura Minzer serves as the Executive Director of the Healthcare Council, working with employers, providers, insurance companies, employee benefits companies and pharmaceutical companies on issues impacting them at the state and federal levels.
Laura joined the Chamber as Director of Policy in August 2007, coming from the House Republican legislative staff where she served seven years as a legislative analyst handling healthcare, education, biotechnology and other issues for the House Republican leader and caucus members. Prior to that she served internships with voter.com as an editorial assistant and with Illinois State Rep Rich Myers as a legislative assistant. She earned her bachelors degree in Political Science and International Relations, Magna Cum Laude, from Boston University.
Jay joined serves as Executive Director of the Council, an organization that he founded in 1997. The Council brings together employers to improve and protect Illinois employment law and regulations to create a political climate conducive to the creation and retention of jobs in Illinois. Jay has held high-profile, senior level lobbying positions with the Associated Employers of Illinois (1987-1996), Central Illinois Public Service Co. (1983-1987) and the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (1978-1983). Shattuck is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE).
Tom serves as the Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Energy Council. Tom is responsible for leading the Council’s charge to encourage the development and availability of all kinds of energy and conservation measures in an environmentally responsible and cost effective way.
Tom joined the Chamber after more than 20 years as a public affairs executive, most recently as vice president with the Chicago-based firm of Jasculca/Terman and Associates. As senior strategist and project manager for corporate, not-for-profit and government clients -- as well as notable business and political leaders -- Tom's accomplishments and relationships have positioned him well as he continues to build the Chamber’s Energy Council.
Prior to his work at Jasculca/Terman, Tom worked with an international political consulting and public relations firm in Washington, DC. He received his bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
